The Perfect Day!

I think today may have been one of my most favorite days in all of my life. I got to spend almost all of it with just Hayden. He has been pretty sick with a nasty virus the past couple of weeks and we thought he was getting all better this past week and then last night happened. He was literally up every hour, on the hour. Around 4:30, after I took him back to his bed for what felt like the 100th time, he started screaming and complaining that his ear hurt really bad. If you know Hayden at all, you know it was pretty bad because he never complains about anything hurting on his body. Whenever he's sick, he never complains. I only know he's sick because his fever spikes to around 104 and then I have to make him rest until his fever goes down.  And even then he still doesn't complain about any discomforts and persistantly asks me why I won't let him play with his friends. Anyway, we gave him some Tylenol and he finally fell asleep in between Kyle and me and we all slept like rocks the rest of the night!  I got him into the doctor and she said he had a double ear infection that was pretty gnarly. Yup, his ear infection came back from two weeks ago and it came back with a vengeance last night- in BOTH ears.

Two weeks ago with a high fever and the beginning of an ear infection. He never sits still unless he's sick and he never complains about being sick.

You're probably wondering why this is my favorite day after that story of Hayden being sick and in pain, ha ha! Well, that was just the preface. Hayden is so full of HIGH energy and so extremely spirited that I rarely get a chance to just sit and really "BE" with him. The only time this happens is when he's sick. He just wants to snuggle and be held and you'd better believe that I took full advantage of that today!

Sitting on my lap and playing with my phone while we're waiting for the doctor to come check Hayden out. He NEVER sits on my lap!

We sat and watched movies most of the day and listened to our favorite songs. We talked about school and his friends on the way to the doctors office. He wouldn't let me even let go of his hand while we grabbed a drink at the hospital cafeteria. He was so full of snuggles and loves that I really didn't want the day to end. On our way home from the hospital he asked if we could watch "baby Hayden movies" and so I pulled out the camcorder at home and we watched several hours worth of Hayden as a baby, growing into my favorite little (almost 5 years old) boy to have ever walked this planet. If you can't tell, I'm kind of in love with my little man.

It was such a special day.  It was so fun to watch the joy on his face as he laughed about all the things he did when he was a baby and how mommy and daddy acted or REACTED in the videos as well. I found him responding to my cues from these old videos, like he was cheering his baby self on from another dimension. It was so adorable.

I had to run to our Young Women's activity tonight and it was so hard for me to leave him for just that short hour.  I came home and as soon as I walked into the house, Hayden greeted me with a HUGE smile and made me close my eyes because he and daddy had a big surprise for me! He walked me into our front room where he and daddy had just finished assembling our new baby bassinet for our future little miracle! :)  Our day ended with me helping him work on reading his newest book and sounding out his words. He's so proud of himself for sounding out his words and I think he could have sat on my lap reading all night if I would have let him.  We finished our goodnights with our usual "Old MacDonald- Hayden's Style" and he was out before his head hit the pillow. Seriously... my favorite day ever!  Or at least in my top 5 favorite days.

I was struck by how grateful I am to be his mommy today. I'm always grateful for that, but today especially. No matter how many tantrums, frustrations and just plain silliness that Hayden throws my way, I am so proud and blessed to be his mommy.  My life would not be half as wonderful if Hayden wasn't in it.  And since adoption is constantly on my mind 24/7 these days, I have to just shout at the top of my lungs (or at least type at the fastest speed possible) how utterly grateful I am for it's presence in my life, as well as Hayden's. Without it, we wouldn't be us. I wouldn't be me and he wouldn't he, ha ha!

No, joking aside, I truly feel blessed to have been adopted by my parents. It doesn't define who I am, but it's definitely a part of who I have become.  I am grateful every single day that I was given the opportunity to have both of my loving parents guide me and teach me through out my life (and they are still teaching me). I really hope, when Hayden is older, that he has the same appreciation for all that he was given by his parents and his birth mom too.  I know that one day he will begin to grasp the concept of how much he is truly loved by so many people in his life.

I know I'm a little mushy today, but Hayden just brings out the mushy, gushy, lovey-dovey side of me... especially after letting me just "BE" with him today. I am grateful for this day. I am not grateful for ear infections, but I am so grateful for time with my little man. And anytime I can GET time with him, I am going to TAKE it!

We built a fort underneath Hayden's bed this past week and spent about an hour playing in it together.

I am blessed beyond measure to be your mommy Hayden. I love you as big as the sky!

KEEP MOVING FORWARD!

Adrienne

So proud

I am so proud of my little man. He came home from preschool a few weeks ago with his Alphabet Crown on. He knows all of his letters and the sounds that each letter makes. He's now working on getting his Blending Badge (a reward for learning how to sound out specific sounds). He is getting so grown up, I can't even stand it!!

I couldn't be more proud of my little man. He worked SO hard on accomplishing his letters and his smile says it all.

I love you bud!

Adrienne

Disneyland!!

We had an amazing time at Disneyland! But a few days there and you're definitely ready to come home.  We were lucky enough to get some beach time in at the beginning of our vacation in Dana Point, California.  They have such a beautiful beach there...  absolutely beautiful and Disneyland was a blast! We couldn't have asked for a more wonderful vacation. :)

California, 2012

We got to enjoy the beach for the first two days of our trip. Kyle had a conference in Dana Point.  Did I happen to mention that his conference was held at The Ritz Carlton there?  I think I just might be able to vacation at a Ritz every once and a while, if not for the rest of my life!! We seriously had a blast.  Hayden and I headed down to the beach each day for some fun in the sun. Hayden used to hate the cold ocean in Northern California and rarely ever got in. I could not get him out of the water this time!! In fact, he decided to jump right in after this picture and get soaking wet.

Last day at the beach. Looking for seashells, building sand castles and chasing the waves. What a perfect start to our fun vacation!

First ride at Disneyland... Space Mountain. We had a blast, Hayden was a little nervous, but he was happy he tried it. 

Our good friend Mickey!

One of the favorite rides of the trip... Thunder Mountain!

Of course, you have got to get some swimming time in when you're in Cali. We were so, so lucky to get such nice weather the whole time we were there.

We spent the last couple of days in the parks with our dear friends. This is one of Hayden's favorite "girl" friends from when we lived in California. We had breakfast with the characters before we hit California Adventure Park. We miss our friends so much, but we had such a great time catching up with them and playing in the happiest place on earth together!

Hitting the Toy Story Mania, or as Hayden refers to it, "the Buzz and Woody ride".  We have to go on this ride every time we are in the park... he was so happy!

Of course, mom and dad have to get a few adult rides in while we are there. Here we are in the first row of the California Screamin'. We love this roller coaster so much and we got to ride the Tower of Terror for the first time on this trip as well.  We will definitely be heading back to hit those rides again... so much fun!!

Enjoying some Under the Sea time on the new Ariel's Grotto ride. It's a cute ride!

The ride we rode the most on this trip... Goofy's Sky School. We had a blast- fun for kids AND adults!!

Enjoying the World of Color Water Show... so amazing! Hayden LOVED the Pirates of the Caribbean part of the show. I had to download the Pirates theme song onto my phone for him and he listens to it every day now!

The second most favorite ride of the trip... Pirates of the Caribbean! Who doesn't love this ride???

Enjoying the Indiana Jones ride! 

We had to hit the Tea Cup ride at least once! 

By the end of this trip, Hayden was exhausted. I think this picture in front of the castle is one of my favorites. Even little kids can get tired of Disneyland by the end, ha ha!!

Walking back to the hotel the last night we were at Disneyland. Hayden was out within 5 minutes of walking! This equals success in my book!

Top ten rides of our Disneyland/California Adventure trip 2012

1. Goofy's Flying School- we went on it 4 times

2. Pirates of the Caribbean- we went on it 3 times

3. Thunder Mountain- we went on it 3 times

4. Star Tours- we went on it 2 times (this was Hayden's favorite, next to the Goofy ride)

5. Soarin' Over California- we have never been on it before- so fun!

6. It's a toss up between Roger Rabbit and Monster's Inc. - Hayden loved both!

7. The Gadget Coaster is always a favorite in Toon Town

8. Tower of Terror!!

9. CaliforniaScreamin'!!

10. And last, but definitely not least, Space Mountain! I swear that ride is always closed when we go to Disneyland. I was so happy that we finally got to ride on it again after many, many years!!

* Honorable mention, Small World. What is it about that ride that makes you want to hit it at least once every time you visit Disneyland??? It's just so adorable and it reminds me of my child hood!

By far, my most favorite thing about this trip was watching Hayden start to love all of these rides and experiences- many of which I loved and enjoyed as a little girl.  I think visiting Disneyland is far better as an adult, watching the magic through your child's eyes!

We had such a blast and we can't wait to go back... hopefully soon!

Much love,

Adrienne