A few words....

Hayden is becoming such a terrible delight to have around. Not that he wasn't a delight before it's just that now he can interact more and is just plain more fun. When I look at him now, I see a kid or toddler 100% in him - No baby at all! He is trying to do more stuff for himself, he can do more stuff for himself. He is back to himself in his "try, try, try again" mind state, which I love but when it comes to disobeying it can be killer on me to chase him around or have to continuously remove him. His tantrums, where he calmly lies himself down and begins to kick and scream, are narrowing down a bit, but he still has a hard time listening. Instead, I have to remove him and remove, redirect, or tell him "you can't play with this but that." They all never work all the time, but one out of all them usually works for him.
Hayden's persona is coming out more, and I'm really starting to see who he is. And truly love him for who he is. His interests are shaping, his moods are stabilizing more as I understand him more, his limits, boundaries, likes, and dislikes.
He enjoys instruments (so for his b-day I plan on letting it rain music), he is getting more artistic and drawing is one of our favorite together activities besides reading and singing. (I am gonna have to post a video of this kid singing, he totally has soul). He loves trucks and trains, so I'm thinking about maybe getting him that Thomas train track thing or maybe that village table.
And what I'm excited the most to share is: Hayden can talk! It started earlier in his 21st month with a few new words popping up about every so often, and now has peaked! He can say certain sentences, piece words together and has been learning between 1-2 words a day. I am so excited about him talking, I really am starting to become happy that he is growing up. VERY HAPPY. And here is a video of not even a fraction of the words he knows. Enjoy, I know I love videos

He's Back!

After a rough few weeks with Hayden loving to defy my every word, a test of wills, and going to sleep whenever he felt like it and how he felt like it, I've finally feel as if I got my little boy back!
He is smiling way more, less tantrums, and way more on the listening front. He actually (sometimes) listens to me! OMG!! I am having an easy time now changing his diapers and getting him not to touch things that are off limits. I love this as I feel like I can spend more time playing, feeding, and being with him better rather than always having to tell him that he can't touch this or that.
Also, I have given into the baby gate. I put up in my hallway to block Hayden from the living room but still giving him access to his room and my room, which where all the important things are: Toys and Mommy!

And thanks to Daddy, Hayden has a new word and a new activity. These videos were taken just before a trip to the grocery store (hence the disposable diaper) and after a nap he is so lively and lovely following a nap.












Notice how big he looks in the videos he looks like a preschooler already, he is growing too fast.