Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful day celebrating. Rowan, as if he knew today was a special day, woke up laughing. From the moment I switched on his light this morning he was laughing and babbling to himself.

Thank you to everyone who made Rowan's first Christmas special. As you can see this child is dearly loved and will be spoiled rotten by grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. Rowan loved exploring his new toys, but mostly enjoyed eating the paper they were wrapped in. My dad also made him a special gift, a beautiful wooden train. While Rowan is too little to play with it now I look forward to the day he can drive it around.

Merry Christmas!

It's Christmas Time

6 months old

Gram's Visit with Rowan

So my mom finally got to see Rowan this weekend for the first time since the beginning of July. This visit was for my mom to be there for my (Josh's) ordination...but if we are honest, the real point of the visit was to see Rowan! They had a great time together, and although the weekend was quite busy, Rowan did great...and my mom looked like she had a wonderful time with the newest Hayden family member. Thanks a lot to The Winklers for having my parents at their house for a few days, and making them feel so welcome. It was great to see so many friends and family at my ordination, thanks for all your support...and more importantly, thanks for loving on Rowan! Here are a couple of pics from Gram's time with Rowan. And a video of them playing too!

Laughing

Rowan is laughing more and more these days. Sometimes we hear him making these weird coughing noises to try to make sounds...I think that he sounds like a cat sometimes, but it is really funny. He has caught himself a few times making noises and he makes himself laugh. It really is fun to watch. In the first video we finally catch Rowan laughing on tape with me. And on the second video, while eating rice cereal last night, Rowan started laughing, then he got the hiccups, which made him laugh more, all the while Shey is just cracking up!

Swimming

Rowan and Maggie (with Shey and Kristen of course), are getting some swim lessons from Kathy (Shey's mom) over at the new aquatic center in Warrenton. It is fun to hear their stories from the day, and last week I was able to go with Shey one afternoon to see Rowan get in the pool for the second time. It is a lot of fun to watch...to see him kick his little feet and take in his surroundings. Here is a video from our trip last week during Thanksgiving break. I'm sure in the near future we will see some more pics and/or videos of Rowan and Maggie's swimming adventures! Enjoy!

Great Grandparents

Rowan is lucky to have three great grandmothers and one great grandfather. He hasn't been able to meet Mimi yet, but here are some pictures of his time with Granny, Nonnie and Pappy.

bundled up and ready for bed

Happy Thanksgiving

Rowans first taste of sweet potatoes

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And I just have to put up one more bear picture...

And so that you don't think he never cries...

A Rice Cereal Adventure!

So the little guy is entering into the realm of food at 5 1/2 months old. This week he got his first helpings of rice cereal. Each day has gotten a little bit better, as Rowan takes the spoon better and has been more interested in the cereal as the days have gone on. Although the picture above is cute, the video below documents the end of his first excursion into foods, and well...I think his gags speak for themselves!

Who Knew Pain Could Be So Funny?

Interestingly enough, Rowan finds certain words funnier than others. After accidentally smacking Shey one evening, Shey playfully said "ouch" and then Rowan died laughing. Apparently he finds pain amusing? Well, one evening, Shey kept saying the word "ouch" and you get to see Rowan laughing it up.

Playin' in My Crib and Feet Talkin'

Rowan has started to really develop a personality. He is so much fun and makes us laugh all the time. In these videos you can hear him making funny noises as he watches his mobile and starts practicing his kicks for soccer. In the second video, you can see that he has begun to enjoy his recent discovery of his feet. He has yet to get his toes into his mouth...but he is trying, and trying hard. Shey said he got his socks into his mouth today, and I think with just a little more flexibility those toes are as good as slobbered.

Kristen Gardner Photography

Shey, Rowan and I are lucky to have two close friends who are both amazing photographers (Kristen and Lashelle) and we couldn't be more thankful to have them both there to help us document Rowan's life. I missed the latest photo shoot of Rowan, but there are some great shots that Kristen got with Shey and Rowan that are just amazing. Shey has already posted a few, but I thought I'd post a few more pictures for the family. Thanks, it is awesome to have friends close by that are such great artists and who do such an amazing job. I'm not sure if either Kristen or Lashelle have any spots available for portrait sessions before Christmas...but if you are looking for an amazing photographer, be sure to check out their websites (Kristen Gardner Photography and Lashelle Chappell Photography) and sign up for a shoot today!

Rowan finds his feet

Vote for Rowan

So my mom entered Rowan's picture in a "cute kid" contest and we need your vote. Vote here.
You have to view all the submissions then vote at the end by entering a valid email address. If you have more than one email address you can vote multiple times. Rowan is #16. I apologize to anyone with slow internet like us!

Little Swimmer

I am going to start taking Rowan to the pool, so he can get use to the water and enjoy a new experience. He loves his bath so I am hoping he like the pool as well. Why put a baby in the water so young you ask....well, I come from a family of swimmers. My sister and I could both swim independently before we were 2 I couldn't resist trying on his wetsuit and goggles to get a few photos first though.

5 Months

Rowan is 5 months old today! It's hard to believe how fast the days fly by. It seems like just when you start to get the hang of how things work, things change up on you. But Rowan has been a great little man for us, he's giggling more each day, and has a smile that lights up a room. The pictures aren't great but this is the way it went: Rowan has his hands in his mouth (his new favorite thing), Josh puts them down, Rowan acts dejected, won't smile, and then puts them right back in his mouth. Enjoy some monkey pictures anyway and we'll have to share some more of the great pictures that Kristen took for us soon too!

For Auntie Leah

My good friend Leah bought this cute sweater and hat for Rowan before he was born. I am glad it finally fits! It even has matching socks...too cute. He was more interested in eating it.

My beautiful little boy