My Guys

Don't mind that Hayden is looking a little gangster with sagging pants. He heard that all the cool kids wear their pants low enough to show their underwear (diaper). He must have picked that up at daycare.

It was a long, rainy weekend so I don't have much to update. The NFL season officially kicked off this week...and Hayden watched his first Cowboys game. I'm going to go ahead and say it, I hate the Cowboys. There. I was raised better than to like that team. Unfortunately, Clark was raised differently than I was and he's a Cowboys' fan. So, Hayden sat in his exersaucer and watched the Cowboys beat Tampa Bay. He even lifted his hands up above his head and squealed when the Cowboys got a first down. I almost threw up, Clark almost wept with joy. We're not telling Grandpa, because we don't want Grandpa to disinherit Mommy OR Hayden.

We're also working on "practicing" crawling:

He looks like he's enjoying himself here...but he's not. He hates it. This kid hates all things associated with being on his tummy. He doesn't really know how to get up on his knees, but Clark thinks we can "condition" him. I say, let's just let that happen naturally.

As I mentioned before, Hayden also eats Saltine crackers and biter biscuits. Well, he gums them and I try not to have a panic attack while he does it. I don't know why, but I almost break out in hives whenever he has a cracker in his mouth. I just know he's going to choke on it. I hear you, the obvious answer is to NOT GIVE HIM THE CRACKER. I get it. However, how will he ever learn to eat if I don't let him practice?! Most of the time, he'll gag once or twice, and then be fine. Clark says it's because he's not used to having anything that far back on his tongue and that he'll get used to it. I don't know, it's very nerve racking. The only reason I even introduced the crackers/biscuits is because the pedi suggested it. Let's hope it gets better as time goes on. I imagine it will be kind of embarrassing for him if he goes to elementary school still gagging on Saltines and still eating stage 2 baby foods.

Today we got a special treat. Through some friends of Jason and Kassidy we were invited to watch a Rangers game from a suite! Very cool! Hayden got all geared up for the game:

That face says, "We get to sit where? Not the triple deck? Whoa!"

Daddy also donned his best Rangers gear...

We had a lot of fun and Hayden did great. One would think this would wear him out...but it's 9:35 and he's cooing away in his crib. Time to go night, night Hayden!!!

Thanks Dawn!

We love our sweet pumpkin hat -- it goes so well with the drool on my Harley Davidson onesie!

Hayden Delivers!

With a little help from his friend, Robert Griffin III! As promised, Hayden gave his Daddy a Baylor victory over Wake Forest for his birthday -- 24 - 21!

It's the start of college football season and Daddy and Hayden couldn't be more excited. Hayden loved putting on all his Baylor gear for the game...

He looks thrilled, right? We went to Jason and Kassidy's for a housewarming/BU kick-off party. We had a lot of fun -- their house is so cute and we even made some new friends! Hayden was Mr. Personality all day and was, of course, the life of the party.

Hayden and Jason, pre-game:

I wish we had more pics from the party, but I was too busy cheering and worrying over the Baylor Bears to be much of photographer. Hayden can say this now: In his lifetime, the Baylor Bear football team is undefeated! That's not something a lot of Baylor Bears can say!

Nan also came to visit this weekend and babysat while Clark and I had a chance to eat lunch by ourselves! I think this is only our 3rd meal alone since becoming parents. We enjoyed the "baby-free" time and we know Hayden enjoyed the time with his Nan!

In other news, Hayden is still teething. I can't decide if it's the 2 bottom teeth he already has that are just coming in further or if we're working on top teeth. Regardless, the verdict is teething sucks. It turns my adorable, angelic, sweet baby into a mean, angry, miserable, Exorcist-like, demon baby. Thanks to my friend Chris, we found biter biscuits at Wal-Mart (being the snob that I am, I didn't actually GO there...I made Clark go instead. I've waged a war with Wal-Mart dating back some 4 years ago. I won't give in). The biter biscuits help, but only if they're glued to his hand 24/7. That is not possible, so instead he sticks everything else he can possibly fit into his mouth...even some things that don't fit...

Hayden doesn't see the problem:

What? He doesn't look possessed here? Oh, because the teething demon only possesses him when no one else is around. That's part of the demon's evil magic: Make Mommy and Daddy look crazy.

Next weekend we're meeting up with Emily Mulkey to take Hayden's 6 month pictures. We're so excited. She did such a great job with his newborn pics, I know the 6 month pics will be great too! Baylor is off next weekend, but on the 19th, Hayden is making his first trip to Waco to experience college football at Floyd Casey Stadium (thrilling, I know). Baylor takes on UConn. Sic Em!

The Official 6 Month Post!

So I'm late posting this. Big surprise. As promised, here are Hayden's stats:

Weight: 17 lbs 6 oz (50th percentile)

Height: 27" (75th percentile)

Head: 44.2cm (50th percentile)

He got a clean bill of health and the doctor said that he is by far the cutest and smartest baby that ever lived. Okay, the last part is a lie, the first part is true!

Hayden is such a character and its really beginning to show. Like a typical boy, he laughs the hardest at fart noises and loud burps (usually produced by Daddy). He really enjoys watching the Texas Rangers with Dad, and I think he's definitely going to enjoy watching the Baylor Bears this year. He can sit up all by himself now, but hasn't quite perfected the art. He loves putting his toes in his mouth...well, putting anything in his mouth, really.

We are very glad to wave bye bye to age 5 months, as it was difficult on Mommy, Daddy and Hayden. I think we are finally over illnesses and Mom is learning not to freak out if his temp hits 99.9 (I know it's not a fever).

Hayden eats solid food for breakfast lunch and dinner with bottles in between. He likes YoBaby yogurt and we've tried to eat graham crackers. He holds them and gums them, but I'm curious as to how much he actually swallows of the graham cracker. I've been looking ALL over The Fort for teething biscuits, but can't find them. I looked at Target, Babies R Us, and Albertsons. So, if anyone knows where to find them, please give me the heads up. If it's Wal-Mart, I will go, but I will be very bitter about going there. I would say that the most upsetting aspect of Hayden's feeding is feeding him baby food meat. It's absolutely disgusting. I said I wasn't going to do it, but Dr. V said I definitely should. Gross. It is gross too. I can't bring myself to buy jars of just "ham" or "turkey" or "chicken." It just grosses me out more than I can stand. I feel like I would be feeding him dog food. So I buy the mixed jars. Like chicken and apples. Yes, that grosses me out too. Who would ever want to eat apples and chicken, together?! Not me, but I force my child to do it. Actually, he doesn't seem to mind it and I try to keep the gagging to a minimum.

We're also working on the sippy cup. Once a day I'll give him a sippy cup with 2 oz of apple juice and 2 oz of water. Hayden holds it and puts it to his mouth, but he hasn't quite mastered tilting the cup up to drink from it. When he does get it, he likes it a lot.

Last but certainly not least, we are so happy for Hayden's sweet godparents, Jason and Kassidy -- they are expecting a little girl, Anna Eloise James, this January. We are so, so excited for them and can't wait to meet sweet little Anna. We know that they're going to be amazing parents and that Hayden and Anna are going to be bff (and maybe boyfriend and girlfriend -- b/c Hayden is quite the ladies' man).

Next week is Daddy's birthday AND the start of college football season. For Daddy's birthday, Hayden is getting Daddy a BU victory over Wake Forest....we think.

Sic Em!

Enjoy some more Hayden pics:

Hayden is 1/2 a year old!

Official 6 month post, including the chair picture to come after Hayden's 6 month well baby check up on Tuesday. I know all of you are waiting with bated breath to learn Hayden's head circumference -- well, sorry guys, you'll have to wait til Tuesday night! Here's a picture to tide you over until then, since some people (GRANDPA) are complaining about the lack of posts. Our newest trick? Sitting unassisted!

On a Lighter Note....

Hayden plays the air guitar. Enjoy.

5 months ... It Ain't for Sissies!

Well, Hayden is 5 1/2 months old, and it's been hell on the whole Meador family. I don't have a lot of pics to upload, b/c we've had a rough go of it lately. I picked this one picture b/c I thought you could kind of see his 2 new bottom teeth. Not so much though.

5 months started out with feeling a little bump on Hayden's gum. A tooth! I was so excited -- what a big boy. The excitement soon turned to being absolutely beat down. That little bump caused Hayden so much anguish! He would run a low grade temperature at night, and his nose started running. I attributed all these symptoms to the dreaded tooth, and tried to power through. Then, at the end of that same week, Hayden started to have some ... goo (yuck) leak out of his little eyes. I, being the medical professional that I am (whatever) diagnosed this as a clogged tear duct. He had this problem when we was a couple of weeks old. The doctor told me to not worry about it. So I didn't. Besides, I was too obsessed with the stinking tooth to care. So I packed him up to daycare. Nonchalantly, I told his teacher, Miss D, that his eye was goopy, but no worries -- let's talk about this tooth (I told you I was proud of it). Well, Miss D reacted like I told her Hayden was bleeding from his eyes and ears. You would think I just announced he had the Ebola virus. She told me, generously, that Hayden could stay for now, but I better call our doctor. Ugh. So, I called the doctor, who called in some drops. Of course, day care called a couple of hours later and Hayden had to be picked up b/c of the leaky eye. Hayden LOVED the drops (right) and the eye cleared right up.

No problem right? WRONG. Mom and Dad started feeling bad on Saturday. Bad turned in to straight up sick on Sunday. Hayden's eye was clear, but he was coughing. Mom was so worried about her illness and Dad's illness and that TOOTH that I ignored the cough. Mom and Dad's illness culminated in fevers and Zpacks. We were better by Thursday. On Wednesday two teeth were visible in Hayden's mouth. I patted myself on the back for diagnosing all of Hayden's problems (teething, DUH) and by healing my sick family (well the antibiotics healed us). My mom had already made the trip to help us in the event that Hayden caught whatever we had. I was even cocky enough to tell Grammy, "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get to go home on Sunday." Ha. Ha. Ha.

FALSE. Friday afternoon Allyson (now known as Allyson Blow, M.D.) and I were comparing Mommy notes and she mentioned an ear infection. Oh, no, I assured her. Hayden isn't pulling at his ear, he isn't running a temp, he's FINE. No ear infections here. No sooner were the words out of my mouth that I picked up my child and said, "hmmm, he feels warm." Warm = 101.6. Dammit. Seriously. The fever didn't let up on Friday night, or at all on Saturday. The congestion continued. By Sunday, Hayden's fever was as high was 102.8 and he was crying non-stop. The doctor's answering service directed us to Cook's Children's Urgent Care (because, of course all these symptoms developed at 6 pm on Sunday night). Hayden was quickly diagnosed with an ear infection and given antibiotics and ear drops. Poor little guy. Being the sleep champion he is, he was conked out by 9:30 and had to be woken up at 7:30 this morning. There's been a marked improvement now that we have 24 hours of antibiotics in our system. He was still very fussy at bed time tonight, mainly from the lingering congestion, I think (I'm done trying to diagnose these issues myself, it's gotten me into nothing but trouble). The poor little guy just can't breathe through his nose! The good news is he was fever free all day. Needless to say, Grammy didn't leave on Sunday and she's still here (thank God!).

So what have I learned?

• Never, ever doubt Dr. Blow
• I love our daycare very much and there isn't anything I would change about it, but it is a virtual breeding ground for germs. Plus, the petri dishes he goes to school with are the problems, not the facility. I'm obviously kidding, they are darling little children, not petri dishes.
• Ear infections seriously suck. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
• If a 5 month old could blow his nose, a lot of my problems would be solved.
• Teething is absolutely NOTHING to be excited about. I was so pumped to see those little white nubs make their appearance. Right now I'm kind of hoping he doesn't get anymore (again, I'm kidding....kind of).

Hopefully I'll have a happier child in the coming days and I'll have more pics to share. I hope Hayden's little friends don't abandon him in the wake of his recent illnesses. He promises he'll be able to play when he's no longer contagious!!