Baptism for Hayes

On May 12, 2012 Hayes Rollin Inlow was baptized at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church.  It was a wonderful day full of celebration.!  I knew when Jason and I got married that I wanted to raise my children in the same church that I was brought up in. Jason had no objections, so when Hayes was born it was just a matter scheduling with the Godparents before we would have his christening.  His Godparents are my brother, Ryan and my dear friend and "Dallas Mom," Shirley.  I know these two love him and will be his spiritual guide throughout his life.  There are many others in his life that will help him be a good Christian, but these two will have a special place in his heart. 

I was very proud of how well, Hayes did at the ceremony.  He didn't cry when the Priest poured the water over his head...in fact, I think he enjoyed it.  He was so animated and even drew a few laughs from the congregation!

I was also very proud of Jason for taking such an active roll in this day.  I know that church is not always high on his priority list, but he does make an effort to support me, and I appreciate that more than he will ever know.  Having our family and friends there to see this sacrament and to celebrate with us was amazing!  Between my 90 year old grandad, my father recovering from a knee replacement, and my brother flying in from Phoenix we definitely felt how blessed we were that people cared so much about Hayes, and us, to be a part of this special day!  I pray that this little boy understands how much he is loved and lives a life understanding God and how amazing His love is. 

Easter...What's In Your Basket

We celebrated Easter with my mom and good friends this year.  It is one of the few times I have not made the trek to Oklahoma to have Easter dinner at my grandparents.  Times they are a changin' I guess.  We had a 4 day weekend and it was SO nice to be off and spend that time with family.  Last week was crazy with the weather.  There were tornadoes everywhere and our school even went into duck and cover mode.  I guess growing up in tornado alley paid off because I seemed to be one of the few who did not completely panic.  Hayes also got to have his first tornado drill at daycare.  His teachers said he did great for being cramped in a small room with two teachers and five babies.  Those poor teachers...

Mom came to town Friday and Saturday we hit up Central Market.  Hayes got to ride in the front of the cart for the first time.  He loved being up so high and getting to see everything as we rollled by!

Of course when Nana is in town we have to go shopping.  Little Bubbalicious got some new clothes and looked very handsome for his first Easter.

Bailey was not able to be with us for Easter, but we did get a beautiful picture of her in the blue bonnets.  She is turning into such a gorgeous young lady.  I'm not sure Jason is ready for that! I can not wait to spend some time with her this summer. And I know Hayes will love having his big sister around for more than a week. 

Because it was Easter, we decided we should decorate some eggs.  Hayes loved the colors and the texture.  So much so that he thought he would throw one...luckily they were already hard boiled.  On Easter Sunday we went to Loan's for lunch.  It was fabulous food as always.  Her parents were in town and I love that they love my family and treat me as if I am there daughter.  After 20 years of friendship, you are almost family.  Mom went home that afternoon and spent some time with my grandparents, but not before she gave extra lovin to her little bunny.

Easter is a celebration, but it isn't about candy or hunting eggs.  It is a reminder that Christ died for us and we are so loved by God that he sent his only son to save us.  I am so thankful to have a wonderful family and great friends that I can celebrate the Resurrection with. 
I have a friend who asked her son why we celebrate Easter...he is 4.  He said, "because of Jesus."  "What did Jesus do," she asked.  He replied enthusiastically, "He has raisins!!"  HAHA!  She waited a few moments before she told him it was "risen"...mostly because the was laughing so hard.
I know that Easter is about more than what is in our baskets Sunday morning, but this year I feel extra blessed for what was in mine.

Rolling Into Spring

YES!!  Finally, over spring break Hayes rolled over!  I know they say you should not compare your child's development with other children, but it's hard not to when they are six months old and have not rolled over yet.  I guess he knew his pediatrician was going to ask, at his appointment three days later, if he had done it and he didn't want me to have to say no.  We were at my parents house in Oklahoma and everyone was asleep but the baby and me...and of course my father was already up and at the gym, I mean it was 6am.  :)  I had changed his diaper and we were playing on the floor.  I put him on his tummy, which he does not like, but I do it anyway.  In the blink of an eye, he was on his back!  I'm sure the look on my face was priceless.  I was so amazed and excited.  He turned himself over like he had been doing it forever.  I was so excited but I couldn't scream because I didn't want to wake anyone up.  So I made a high pitched squeal instead...and then made him do it a few more times.  It was awesome that God saved that special moment I had been waiting on, for a peaceful morning when it was just the two of us.

The rest of spring break was not very eventful, but it was relaxing and enjoyable nonetheless.  Bailey got to spend a little over a week with us and Hayes LOVED having his big sister around. 

While we were in Oklahoma we got to play outside at my grandparents.  Jason took the kids on a wagon ride, and then we got to ride around on Grandad's golf cart.  The denim jacket Hayes is wearing in this picture was my mom's when she was little and I also wore it as a baby. 

I am so glad that my grandparents get to spend time with Bailey and Hayes.  I know that they are not going to be here forever and our time with them is precious.  I feel very fortunate that I still have all four of my grandparents.  I only hope our kids get to know them and know how much they love them. 
Someone else that is getting up there in age is Floyd.  My precious Floydie, my first baby.  He is very happy living with my parents, but I sure miss him.  Most of the time I hug him before my parents when I go visit.  It amazes me how he loves me unconditionally and when he sees me it's as if I've only been gone a moment. 

My sweet baby and my fur baby... Spring break got me so excited for summer.  Bring on the sun, pool, road trips, baseball games, picnics in the park, camps, and fun with friends and family!  It's right around the corner!

Holy Carrots!

Hayes has been a very hungry, growing, boy.  We decided to introduce some solid foods a few weeks before he turns 6 months old in hopes of curving his appetite.  I was giving him rice cereal at home in the evenings but he didn't seem to like it.  However, at school he was eating it like a champ.  Maybe he was just sick of it by the time I gave it to him at night.  So, for his first real solid food I decided to go with carrots.  Boy were they a hit!  He loved them!  I couldn't get them on the spoon fast enough.  He owned those carrots!!

I have fed babies before, but not in a while.  I forgot how messy an experience it can be.  From now on, we eat in a diaper and a bib and then go straight to the bath.  It's so fun watching him experience things for the first time.  Things I take for granted...not that I eat pureed carrots a lot.  Seeing him taste real food and watching his eyes as he tries to process the flavors and tastes that are going on in his mouth is hilarious.  It is amazing watching a child learn.  This is going to be fun.  Well, at least until he starts feeding himself and I'm left cleaning spaghetti off the walls.  That will be another post I'm sure.
I can not believe that my baby is already 6 months old.  It is scary how fast time goes.  Some moments you want to hold onto forever and others can't go by quickly enough.  I'm not sure what I did before I had that sweet face to look at, even if it is covered with carrots.

Flight to Phoenix

Hayes got to take his first airplane ride this weekend!  We flew to Phoenix for my brother's wedding and little man did great! On the way there and home, he was awake for take off and asleep for landing.  He loved looking out the window when we took off, just like his big sister did on her first plane ride (which was also to Phoenix). 

This trip was a lot of fun.  Not only did we get to celebrate the wedding of my brother and Amy-Lee, but we were able to see family that we have not seen since Jason and I got married.  Hayes got to meet his great Nana and Grandpa as well as several of his great aunts and uncles.  The wedding was beautiful and the reception was full of fun and food!  We danced all night...even the H man!  He LOVES music and was most content being in someone's arms on the dance floor.  I loved spending time with my two handsome men. 

There was some time to relax and visit with family by the pool.  Hayes got to dip his feet in and also wear his first bathing suit.  I hope he does not hate me one day for making wear these uncomfortable clothes and take pictures of him!  I can not resist though, he looks too cute!

We had a terrific time in Phoenix!  I am so happy that my brother and Amy-Lee found each other.  I look forward to all the great times ahead!  Watching someone else get married reminds me of how much I love my husband and our family.  I cherish each day and await the adventures of the next.

You Should See the Other Guy

Well...little man made it 5 full months without a black eye.  This past weekend, he decided to get brave and lean forward in his swing.  Unfortunately, he was not buckled in and his little face was introduced to the floor.  I was at a track meet, but Jason was there when it happened.  He picked him up a fraction of a second after he landed.  There were lots of tears...from Hayes and Daddy.  A valuable lesson was learned, and other than a a little shiner, baby seems to be fine.  Whew!! 

I know without a doubt this will not be the last black eye, but if it is his last one for a while, I'm ok with that.
Of course it happens the week of my brother's wedding...when he'll be in lots of pictures!  Ah...such is life. 
Next adventure...First Airplane Ride.  Stay tuned!

You Just Never Know...

I heard a story this morning about a woman who went to the gym and was not feeling well.  She went home to lie down and never woke up.  No one is sure of the circumstances of her untimely passing yet.  The speculation is blood clot or stroke.  What I am sure of however, is that this forty-something wife and mother of four, whom I've never met, has made me stop what I'm doing and take a moment to thank God. 

I thank Him for my health...even though the past few days I am fighting off what I hope is not the flu. 

I thank Him for my husband.  Having a newborn has changed the dynamics of our relationship and even tested it a little.  I know that God is guiding us and giving us patience with each other. 

I thank Him for that sweet boy whose nose and bottom I get to wipe each day.  I know these tasks seem monotonous and not something one would be thankful for, but I am.  I know there are men and women who pray every day to have a snotty nose to wipe and a crying baby to console.  I hope that their prayers are answered because being a parent is truly amazing.

I thank God for Bailey.  She has taught me lessons I did not even know I needed to learn, and I love watching Jason's eyes light up when he spends time with her. 

I thank Him for my friends and family.  Without their love and support I would not exist.  I am so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life.  I know that I could pick up the phone at anytime of the day or night and there would be a supportive voice on the other end.  Willing to lend advice, offer comfort, constructive criticism, and give unconditional love... always.  For that I am eternally grateful. 

Over the past few days I have heard news stories about people taking their own lives, and the lives of their children or estranged spouses.  It makes me physically ill to think that their are people out there who could stare into the innocent eyes of their child and then knowingly hurt them or worse...
I'm sure that this forty-something wife and mother of four would have loved to look into her children's eyes one last time.  Or kiss her husband one last time.  My heart breaks for the father who is now without a partner that he has had for over twenty years.  It breaks for those precious babies who will go through graduations, weddings, and other milestones without their mother.  I pray that God wraps his arms around them and comforts them during this time.  He obviously needed her to do work for him in Heaven, but I'm sure they will struggle to understand why she couldn't stay with them here. 

I thank God that he has given me one more day to tell those in my life how much I love them and what they mean to me.  I thank Him for my life and His unconditional love.