2006

2006 has been quite a big year for the Hayes family! We visited with family and friends in January as they "showered" us with baby gifts. Alex made his entry into our family in February and nothing has been the same since. In March and April we did a lot of sleeping (Alex & Mommy) at odd times of the day/night. By May Alex had settled into a fairly good sleeping routine that let us start getting out of the house periodically. In June we took our first family vacation! We drove to Mackinac Island in Michigan and then into Canada visiting Niagara Falls before returning home. Alex was only four months old, but he was a good little traveler. In July we watched fireworks at Grandpa Byers house and took Alex to his first major league baseball game! The Cleveland Indians beat someone - I'm really not a fan of baseball so I'm not sure who they played. In August Daddy had to go to Germany for work so Mommy and Alex tried to keep each other busy. Alex began sitting up with a pillow for assistance. We also visited the Smoky Mountains with Grandma Lou Ann in September. We rented one of those cabins WAY UP in the mountains. Lets just say that getting to the cabin was an adventure of itself! We saw the Dixie Stampeed and even shopped at the worlds largest "As seen on TV" shop (don't ask). Daddy decorated for Halloween and tried to spook the neighbor kids while Mommy handed out candy. On Thanksgiving we had dinner with Grandma Lou Ann as she also celebrated a milestone birthday (SHHHH!).

This holiday season has been more joyous than I could have ever imagined. With all the emphasis on "X number of shopping days left!" it is easy to forget the simple joys of Christmas. But there is nothing like a child to quickly remind you!

Since Alex is only 10-months old, he had no comprehension of why all the excitement. He had no idea why Mommy was rushing him from store to store. Why is Mommy hiding all those new things inside of pretty paper and bows? What must he be thinking? I doubt he was complaining the day we baked cookies! There is nothing like the smell of fresh baked cookies in the house.

As for Christmas morning, I doubt he had any clue why we were making such a fuss. We rushed down and lit up the Christmas tree and turned on the video camera. Santa had stopped at our house and left some really neat things around the tree! Still, no reaction from Alex. We put him down on the floor and let him crawl around from toy to toy (Santa doesn't wrap at our house). He loves his tool bench and Leap Frog learning table. But I think his favorite gift is his train!

I'll try to post more pictures soon!

'Tis the season!

With Thanksgiving under our belt (literally), the Christmas decorations have been hung! We put up the tree one evening after Alex had gone to bed. The next morning we lit up the lights and when Alex first saw the sparkling tree, his face lit up. After the initial reaction, he hasn't given it much attention though (thankfully). He isn't really into wrapping paper just yet, so we're not planning to wrap many of his gifts this year.

This Old Man!

Where does the time go? Just nine months ago we welcomed Alex into our family. He has grown up so much! He is now so independent, exploring his surroundings all day long. Now I understand what everyone was saying when they told me to hold him as much as I wanted when he was little because there will come a time when he doesn't want to be held. We now have a little gymnast on our hands. Instead of being held, he now prefers to climb all over me while I lie on the floor. Over my legs and then back again. Clawing his way up my back as I sit on the floor "trying" to read a magazine.

We had a check-up doctor appointment earlier this week. The doctor said Alex looks great! He weighs 21.2 lbs. and is 29 1/2" tall! Alex was so happy to be nearly naked on the examining table with a huge wall mirror to stare into. Ah, men! Our doctor is so nice and always talks to Alex as if he actually understands every word. I realize he won't always be this excited to see the doctor. After his shots, he cried for a minute and then was ready to play again.

Baptism

We had Alex baptized on Saturday, November 4 at the Church of the Master in Westerville, Ohio. All his grandparents were present along with some of his aunts, uncles and cousins. Rev. Richard Wilson performed a beautiful ceremony. It was very special for everyone.

Afterwards we enjoyed a wonderful meal at Bucca di Beppo! It was so nice to celebrate this joyful occasion with family!

Happy Halloween!

Oh, yes! Alex is the next Superman! His super powers reach far beyond those of the movie version. I mean, could Christopher Reeve melt my heart with this toothless grin? I think not!

Well, he was toothless in this picture anyway. He soon cut his first tooth on the bottom center. And then just two days later, he cut his second tooth (also on the bottom). You can barely see them, but I can definitely feel them. I can't wait to see that big open mouth smile with a few little teeth shining through.

Lil' Cowboy

Alex doesn't like wearing the hat, but Mommy forced him to pose for the camera (not the first or the last time). I tried everything to get him to smile, but he wouldn't budge!

Yesterday we went to the pumpkin patch and picked out a little pumpkin to carve this weekend. Trick-or-treat is next week, but we're just going to stay at the house and give out candy. Alex is still too young for candy.

Pumpkin Show

Yesterday we went to the Circleville Pumpkin Show. The weather was so nice (a little on the cool side). I think Alex enjoyed the people watching most. We went early in the day, but by 1:30 the crowd was just too much to handle. We decided to head home, but not before watching the little kids in a pie eating contest! We missed the boys competition, but the little girls were something else! It only took them about four minutes to devour an entire pumpkin pie! The girls who took first and second place were only about eight or nine years old! They had pie all over their face - up their nose - in their hair! It was so funny! The girl who won second place almost threw up near the end, but she kept it down and went on to win. I'm not sure what they won, but it was entertaining to watch. The batteries in my camera died, so sorry no pictures to share.

Hot Wheels!

Yesterday the neighbor kids gave this little tricycle to Alex. He just loves it! John pushed him up the sidewalk and he smiled from ear to ear the whole time! We put it away for the winter already, but next spring he will be so happy to get outside and peddle by himself.

Now we're getting ready for Halloween! Alex is going to be Superman (with a Super Dog!). Watch for more pictures to come soon!

Highbanks

Last Sunday we went to Highbanks Park to celebrate Dad's birthday. We had lunch and walked some of the trails for a few hours. We stopped at one of the playground areas so the kids could play. As you can see, Alex just LOVES the swings (look Mom - no hands!). The weather was perfect and perhaps one of the last warm days of the year (?). As I write this entry, it is 32 degrees (brrrr).