Six? Has it really been that long?

Happy Birthday to my little buddy Hayds!

It's so hard to believe that my sweet, crazy Hayden was born a whole SIX YEARS AGO!! I remember walking into the hospital for my scheduled C-section, with my brand new pink diaper bag, and a cute little pink "going home" outfit. I remember stepping onto the scale, and nearly fainting when I saw the really high number that came up, but feeling grateful knowing that number would soon be going back down. I was retaining a ridiculous amount of water, to the point my ankles no longer really existed at all. I could only wear flip-flops a size too big, so it was a good thing it was summer time. I was more than ready to meet my sweet little baby girl, Madisyn.

Fast forward just a little bit to delivery time. I remember hearing my new baby cry, seeing a strange look on Jared's face, and hearing the nurse say "That's not what you were expecting, was it!?" Then Jared answering "NO." Oh boy. What on earth was going on? Luckily the nurse knew I was confused and peeked around the drape to tell me that I had a brand new, healthy baby BOY!

BOY!?

It only took a minute for it to sink in (it took a little longer for Jared) It just felt right. I had thought at the beginning of my pregnancy that it was a boy, but then was a little confused when the ultra-sound looked like a girl. I questioned it about a week before delivery... "What if this is not a girl? What if I wash up all these girlie clothes for nothing?" Apparently someone was preparing me! I could not have been happier to have another little boy. I was ecstatic!

We had to come up with a name really fast, and Hayden was pretty much the first one that came to my mind. We had it on our list when we were expecting Bryson, but never really told anyone. However, when Jared's parents came out for Bryson's blessing, Jared's dad gave a prayer before we ate lunch saying "We are so thankful for Hayden coming into our family." I remember my eyes popping open, wondering where on earth that had come from. Our new baby at that time was BRYSON. I guess it was meant to be ;) The nurses were actually quite impressed by how fast we decided on Hayden's name.

Knowing Jared's teasing manner, my family didn't really believe him at first when he went out and announced that we had a baby boy. It took them hearing it from my mouth to believe it.

The last six years have been such a joy. I still can't believe it's really been that long! Hayden is such a bright light in our home. I can't imagine a world without him in it! He is smart and funny, and incredibly creative. He can build almost anything out of legos, including the Titanic, school buses, temples... you name it. He's happy as can be just building all day long. And those darn blue eyes? Sheesh! I can hardly say no to them. Luckily I have lots of practice in the "saying no" dept!

We are in Virginia right now, and will be celebrating Hayden's birthday during a big family BBQ. His little cousin Kylee shares a birthday with him, and she's turning three. It should be a fun time. I'll make sure to take tons of pictures... and when we get home next week, I'll have some MEGA catching up to do here on the blog.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAYDEN... WE LOVE YOU!!