Spring Break- Hayes Style!

At this time of year, we can't help but reminisce on spring breaks past. Whether we were freezing at the beach, lounging by the river or just spending some extra time with friends and our favorite alcoholic beverages (please don't judge), spring break in college sure does bring about some fantastic memories for Cody and me. This year's spring break was definitely one for the history books, too, and while it did have many similarities to our college vacays (i.e. late nights, not much sleep, loud noises), it seems that our beer bottles have been swapped for bottles of formula, and the loud noises are not coming from our crazy friends or the midnight dance party. Instead, we enjoyed our first spring break as parents, and while it was just as much of an adventure as our trip to Panama City Beach, I would venture to say that this has been our best one yet.

The week started with a visit from Auntay Kay on Monday, and her friends John and Hayli joined in on the fun on Tuesday. They attempted a trip to South Padre, but the less than mediocre weather conditions brought them back to sunny Harlingen after sampling some island cuisine and obtaining the obligatory henna tattoo. We got our nails done, ate raspas, laid out in the backyard, played games and most importantly, loved on little man like it was our job. Hayes definitely wasn't lacking in the attention department that week, and by the weekend when GG and Pops arrived he got so much lovin I'm not sure how he handled it. Mom and Dad arrived just in time to attend Cody's first slow pitch softball game (he's playing on the church league team) and celebrate Mom's birthday with some of Cody's famous barbecue, margaritas and, of course, chocolate cake. It's no surprise that we had a blast… in fact, due to the 6 week growth spurt and his desire to not miss a moment of the spring break fun and socializing last week, Hayes has been a little out of his element this week-- aka slightly grumpier than usual. :) I guess it's a requirement that everyone feel the effects of the post spring break hangover, huh?

GG and Auntay Kay hooked Hayes up with a new spring break wardrobe. This is one stylish kid, but did we ever have any doubts that he would be?

Greeting Auntay Kay with some nap time snuggles

Getting in our required Mamaroo Playtime

John and Hayli were so good with Hayes!

Looking so maj in his Nordstrom shirt from Auntay Kay

Just taking a moment to decompress

A rare pic of Mommy and Hayes

Morning snuggles with Mommy… can't beat it!

So excited to see his boy for the first time since he was born!

Nothing more precious than that!

GG and her little man enjoying the perfect weather

Pops was the victim of a urinary casualty…haha

Rio enjoyed the company and all of the extra attention

The week came and went quicker than we could've imagined, and now we anxiously await the next time we're all together at Easter. But let's not rush it-- when Easter comes I'll also be back at work, and who wants to think about that?

One Month!

I can't believe I am sitting here writing a post about our baby boy's one month birthday! (I sense a recurring theme of time passing at the speed of light… but I still have to put it in writing.) I always had a feeling there was some truth to what everyone said when they told me that pregnancy goes quickly, but when you actually have the baby, you won't believe how fast the days go… turns out the days have gone faster than I could have ever imagined, and I am on a relentless search for the remedy to slow these stinkin' hours down. Until I find that though, we'll go ahead and celebrate all things Hayes and every milestone that he has experienced in his first four weeks of life. I'll also share way too much info and pictures, because isn't that what new moms do?  So, without further adieu, here are the highlights of our little stud's first month…

Weight: 8 lbs, 8 oz

Height: 22 inches

Loves: Being outside, playing in his Mamaroo, looking at the light (out windows especially), eating!! (This boy can down a bottle like it's going out of style),  music-- especially Texas country and Christian music. It soothes him like no other! Most of all, this little guy loves to snuggle. His favorite place to nap is on Mommy or Daddy's chest, curled up in a little ball with his head at a diagonal. I often wonder if this is uncomfortable, but he doesn't seem to mind!

Sleep: We have been blessed with a perfect angel when it comes to newborn sleep. Sure, we have to get up three times a night to feed him, but he typically goes right back down and sometimes even surprises us with 4 hour stretches of sleep, which he has done since his first week of life! We have had a few rough, party nights where he stays wide awake and doesn't want to go back down, but considering his good nights outweigh these, we definitely count ourselves blessed and can't complain. He has started sleeping longer stretches between feedings and sometimes skipping his middle of the night feeding lately, so we think it's only a matter of time until three awakenings turns into two. We'll let him do this at his own pace... Mommy wouldn't give up those late night snuggles for anything right now! We started Hayes in the Rock N Play in our room, but as of last Friday he is sleeping in his crib from about 10pm until 6:30am every night. We are so proud of our big boy!

Personality: Hayes definitely has a lot of it, even at this early age! He is full of animated facial expressions and just started to crack a smile at his mommy this week. He is SUPER active and kicks his legs and waves his arms, especially in the morning when he is the most awake. This kid is definitely a morning person like his daddy and Pops. Mommy is going to need lots of coffee to keep up with that one day. :)

Dislikes: The only thing we can't stand is our diaper change. I mean, what little boy likes to be exposed and cold? We can't say we really blame him. 

We love you more than words, Hayes Man and can't wait to see what month 2 has in store! (Though Mommy would appreciate it if you would slow down the growing process just a bit. She can't believe how big her angel is getting!)

The first few weeks...

We had lots of visitors once we got home from the hospital (the second day of Hayes' life, mind you). The grandparents couldn't get enough, and GG got to stay for the whole first week to help me get accustomed to the world of mommy hood. I am so thankful for all of the family and friends that have helped us adjust as we've embarked on this new adventure… between gifts and meals and just loving on Hayes, it has definitely been a special few weeks.

Need I say more? 

We celebrated our first Valentine's Day with our little man just three days after he was born. Cody surprised me with the most perfect gift- a Kendra Scott necklace with little man's birthstone. I am so in love with it! 

All set for baseball season in our Red Sox gear, compliments of Pops!

Addie came to visit and Uncle Cody had to get some lovins :)

This boy loves his Mamaroo

Napping with Pap

Giving our daily stink eye to Auntay Kay

His favorite spot… and a shameless selfie with Mommy

Hayes and his bodyguard, aka Rio

We love the Baby Bjorn and being outside!

Proud Pops and GG

First night of sleep at home

We weren't the biggest fan of our first bath, but Mimi showed us some tricks and with a little music, a warm wash cloth on our belly, and keeping our diaper on until absolutely necessary to remove it, we are much, much happier!

My sweet Valentine… note the Mom socks

Auntay Kay snuggling her buddy

GG with her gorg Vday flowers from Pops

Daddy and his little man… getting their daily dose of nap

Mimi snuggling her baby boy

We survived our first doctor visit!

Mommy and Hayes at the doctor

Big boy cozy in his Rock N Play

Hayes had a special visit from Grandma and Grandad and we loved having them here. Grandma stayed for a week after GG left and helped us get into a routine a little more. What a lucky little guy Hayes is to be loved so much!