Happy Half Birthday, Hayes Man!

"Oh, a camera? Well let me charm you with my best smile!"

Yes, this post is a little fashionably late. In my defense, August is always my craziest work month thanks to last minute students with dreams of going to college (who can fault them for that?), and my laptop crashed. So now that the excuses are out of the way, let's get to the good stuff- our little man's 6 month update!

Weight: 18 lbs, 7 oz
Height: 26 1/4 in (clearly my 5 month estimate was off by a few inches)

Loves:This boy can't get enough of his Jumperoo. He could literally go for hours if we'd let him. Which leads me to my next point... Hayes Man does not like to sit still. He is busy, busy 24/7, with the exception of sleeping. He loves to sit on his own in the floor or on Mommy and Daddy's bed and play with his toys. Speaking of sitting, he did that for the first time, too! He is so precious sitting like a big boy and just gets a little frustrated that he can't move yet. Something tells me he'll be crawling before we know it...

Hayes also loves to be held in a standing position, where he insists on working those thighs with rapid, bouncing squat movements (aka "jumping"). Let me tell ya, if we all squatted like this kid, we'd have some killer thighs and buns of steel! With this little man being so busy, holding him doesn't happen nearly as often, but he does still love to snuggle with his mama when he's sleepy. He is quite the momma's boy these days and has developed a slight case of stranger danger. I try to encourage him to go to other people, but I'd be lying if I tried to say that I don't love those sweet moments -- I know they won't last much longer! Hayes Man also LOVES his puppy brother. When he hears the jingle of Rio's tags he starts bouncing, grunting and smiling with excitement. It is so fun to watch them interact, and Cody and I laugh that when we walk to the back door with both of them, they get equally excited to go outside. (Hayes pumps his legs and grunts and Rio bounces until the door opens!) It warms my heart to know that our children love each other so. :)

Sleep: We always knew Hayes was a good sleeper, but this month he has truly become a CHAMP in this department. Much to mommy's dismay, the doctor approved us to start "Cry it out" at his 6 month checkup. Daddy was pumped, and Mommy was devastated. Fortunately for all of us, however, Hayes has made it super easy, and in the first week of Cry it out we only had about 30 minutes where he fussed heavily enough that I almost jumped out of bed to come to his rescue. Thankfully, Drill Sergeant Daddy (as I have affectionately dubbed my amazing husband for the past week) kept me from running into little man's room, and he successfully put himself back to sleep. He is now sleeping through the night, from about 9pm until 7:00 or 7:30 the next morning. Most mornings we have to wake him up for school, as a matter of fact! This experience went so much smoother than I could have ever imagined, and we are SO thankful for a precious, compliant baby and a God who answers prayers!

Food: In the last month, Hayes has expanded his palate quite a bit. He has started eating 2 oz of fruit and oatmeal every morning, and loves apples and pears. He is still eating 2 oz of a veggie at lunch and has taken a liking to green peas, which thrills his mommy! He has decided he's not the biggest fan of avocado anymore, which kind of breaks my heart, but I suppose you win some and lose some and as long as he's less picky than his daddy we are good!

Personality: I simply can't put into words enough to describe Hayes Man's fantastic personality. He is becoming super animated and often displays his feelings toward situations with a good raspberry (you know, the tongue thing) or a HUGE smile that radiates from his eyes the way his daddy's does. Hayes is also very sensitive, and will look deep into your eyes as you talk as if he is truly pondering every word that you say. He is incredibly observant and aware of everything surrounding him, and has become incredibly curious. He can be a bit ornery, as evidenced by his destruction of the exam room table in the doctor's office (he had that paper completely shredded in about 2 minutes), but for the most part he is the sweetest boy and continues to learn new things everyday. He is a HUGE flirt and definitely makes the ladies swoon when he bats his eyes and shows that sweet little smile. Mommy is in BIG trouble, peeps!

Dislikes: We still aren't the biggest fan of shirts going over our head, especially when we're tired. We also could do without our nails being trimmed, and often kick and flail until the process is over. If little man is upset, it's almost guaranteed that Mommy's rendition of "Itsy Bitsy Spider" or "If all the raindrops were lemon drops and gum drops..." will cheer him up. He's also taken quite a liking to "You Are My Sunshine". I suppose these should really be under the "loves" section, but considering there isn't too much Hayes dislikes at the moment, might as well make this a longer paragraph if we can! Hayes Man has been dealing with a bit of baby eczema on his chest and cheeks for the last few weeks, and the doctor says he should outgrow it before his first birthday, but it still breaks my heart to see those little red patches on his sweet skin. Poor baby has his mommy's super sensitive skin!

 

We are having so much fun with our little man and can't believe he's been in our lives for half a year. Time is definitely flying and we are so thankful for the light he has brought into our lives! He loves to go, go, go just like we do and he's fitting into our lifestyle just perfectly. We love you, Hayes William!

A tribute to... Aunt Nanny

When most adults in their early 20s graduate with their bachelor's degree, they look forward to embarking on a new adventure in the "real world". Those in the female sector especially relish the ability to shop as much and as often as they want to, drink wine after a long day of work, and go to bed early or stay up as late as often as their heart desires. Most adults have this experience; my sister did not. And for that I am forever grateful.

When June 1 rolled around, Kirby hit the road headed south to begin her stint as "Aunt Nanny", taking on perhaps the most demanding of employers- an almost-four month old. We were super excited to have Kirby here for six weeks taking care of Hayes, and I had no idea how much I would appreciate and miss her once the 6 weeks came to an end! I loved watching her gain confidence as she took care of Hayes, and I even saw her mature as she sacrificed her own needs (and long, relaxing showers) to make sure Hayes--and her sister-- had everything we needed. I always knew I was incredibly blessed with the best little sister around, but I never could have dreamed of how much fun and help it would be having her here for an extended stay. I'm so thankful for the errand running, breakfast making, dishwasher unloading, and, most importantly, the love and patience she showed Hayes and our family every day. This girl is one AWESOME aunt and sister and I couldn't be more thankful for her role in our lives. I'm just thankful she was even interested in this role after all the times I talked her into putting her Barbie house on the stairs so that I could have the "real" house and the best Barbie cars. 

So, here's to you, Aunt Nanny! May you enjoy all the mimosas your heart desires as you celebrate the next chapter of your life in grad school. We love you to the moon!!!

Hayes is 5 months!

  "What? I know I look good."

This was a big month for Hayes. Not only did he officially start eating fruits and veggies, but he rolled over for the first time! It's only a matter of time before he'll be crawling, as evidenced by the way he pumps his legs during tummy time. I'm bracing myself for that day, and am super thankful that I've adopted a pretty strict workout regimen bc I am going to need all the energy and stamina I can get to keep up with this one when he's on the move! Hayes is wearing 6 month clothes and size 3 diapers, and continues to grow like a weed. Life is definitely exciting these days, and we're loving every second with our favorite little man!

Weight: If I had to guess, I'd say this boy has topped 20 lbs these days. Of course, it's not an official measure though. :)

Height: 27 inches

Loves: Hayes Man continues to get more and more active by the day. He loves to play in his jumper, to stand, and to be held "up high". He is not the biggest fan of being cradled or snuggled "like a baby" these days, unless he's sleepy and Mama's holding him. (Not going to lie- I'm gloating.) Little man also LOVES his food, which I'll touch on in a moment. He definitely won't miss a meal and reminds us when it's time to eat by yelling at the top of his lungs. I think he may be a bit of a creature of habit like me, so we may need to work on the being flexible factor just a bit. Haha. Hayes still loves being outside, and is becoming quite fond of his puppy brother, Rio. When he sees Rio his face just lights up, and he loves to pull on  pet him anytime he is within reach. Hayes also loves to play with his ball and puts EVERYTHING in his mouth, so we've definitely pulled out the teething toys as of late. Hayes man's favorite song to date is "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and he gets so excited when we do the most dramatic version of the arm and hand movements that accompany this classic tune. He still loves to sing and kick in his bouncer, and is definitely a barrell of energy! He went back to Calvary after having his Aunt Kirby keep him for 6 weeks and has done great with the transition back to school. He just loves his friends and teachers! 

Sleep:Sleep has definitely improved in the last couple of weeks, and after struggling with waking 4-5 times at night due to his inability to keep the paci in his mouth, we have finally found the remedy and gone back to usually only waking once to eat, then right back to sleep. There are, of course, some nights where little man thinks there's a party in his crib and everyone's invited around 4 or 5 AM, but we tend to just encourage sleep by giving him back his paci and a few good pats. It seems to work for now, so we'll take it. There was one night when he slept through the night... and I'm not kidding... the kid slept from 7:30pm to 5:30 am without waking! That was fantastic, but we'll consider it a treat and just celebrate when it does happen again without expectation. Hayes is napping well once in the morning, once in the afternoon and one short "catnap" in the early evening, going down for bed between 7:30 and 8 most nights. Mama loves the bedtime routine we've created and Hayes does great with it!

Food:Since the four month post, we have really expanded our palate. We started with sweet potatoes at the beginning of July (the 4th to be exact), and have since added bananas (which we didn't like at first, but they've grown on us now), yellow squash and avocado. I am so proud of how well Hayes has adapted to eating his fruits and veggies, and we are having a blast watching him experience each new flavor. I am making his baby food and am just loving this part, too! Just call me Pioneer Woman. :) Hayes is just about able to feed himself, holding his bottle once it is a little less than half full. This has definitely made the feeding process interesting, as he loves to pull the bottle out and put it back in himself. Mommy is learning patience, folks! I am so proud of his hand-eye coordination though, and am pretty sure this means we have an athlete on our hands. Pops would probably agree.

Personality: This boy loves to laugh! He can't get enough of being tickled and is definitely becoming more and more vocal by the day. He can often be heard squealing or yelling when someone walks into the room. We think it's his way of saying "Welcome to Hayes man's party" and are pretty sure this may be an issue in school one day...

When Cody walks into a room Hayes smiles with his entire face, just the way his daddy does. This boy loves his dada, that's for sure!

Dislikes: The only thing Hayes really doesn't like right now is when he's not being talked to, or when he can't see everything that's going on (i.e. being faced out toward the world). He also isn't the biggest fan of being patient, but hey, who is? For the most part this boy is super happy and he continues to be *such* a good baby. We are blessed beyond measure to have him in our lives and are just loving the adventures of this stage!

Fourth of July- Hayes Man Style

Fourth of July is always one of my favorite times of year, but this year it was even more fun due to the fact that our little man experienced it for the first time. Pops, GG and Aunt Kirby were in town for the fun, and we spent a relaxing day at Aunt Ann and Uncle Mark's pool, tasted sweet potatoes for the first time and grilled a yummy dinner to cap of a perfect day of relaxation. I am so thankful for our family and for the pride that we share in celebrating the land of the free and the home of the brave. Hope everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend as much as we did!

Don and Dona

Mr. and Mrs. Alden Johnson

Alden Nels Johnson and Kathleen (Katy) Norma Dodson Johnson have lived their entire lives in the Rio Grande Valley.  They have experienced, firsthand, the evolution of the cotton industry from the days of horse and wagon trailers to GPS operated tractors, from picking cotton by hand to round bale cotton pickers, from defoliating crops with army worms to Round Up ready seed.  The cotton industry has been a part of Alden’s life since birth and has been instrumental in shaping his character, strengthening his faith, and providing a legacy for generations to follow.

Alden was born in 1927 and was raised on the family farm at Zapata Ranch, west of Sebastian.  Alden’s father, Arthur Levine Johnson moved to the Valley in 1913 from his farm in Minnesota.  After serving in WWI, Arthur married Esther, purchased land, and began farming cotton, corn, and grain sorghum in South Texas. In those early days of the Rio Grande Valley’s emerging agriculture industry, history played out in the fields of the family farm, with Texas Rangers on horseback clashing with banditos and outlaws along the largely undeveloped brush country and farmland.

Alden spoke Swedish in the home and Spanish in the fields, requiring him to repeat first grade at Sebastian Elementary School in order to learn English. When Alden turned 14, his dad purchased their first tractor with rubber tires.  At age 16, while Alden attended Lyford High School, his older brothers were called to serve during WWII in the Air Force and 82nd Airborne Division, leaving him to work the family farm after school hours to help his dad who had grown ill with muscular dystrophy and was bound to a wheelchair.  Alden would work long hours, often until midnight, after going to school all day. He graduated early to manage the family’s farming operation until his brothers’ returned from the war.

He later farmed in partnership with his two brothers, Gordon and Chester, for about two years before striking out on his own.  In the early 1950s, Alden purchased 400 acres and began farming as a sole proprietor. He established a corporation and a partnership as he grew his farming operation over the years. Alden was always a fair and generous employer.  One employee has worked with Johnson Farms for over 55 years.

Although retired from farming, Alden still makes the rounds to check crops, advise his sons and son-in-law, and help move equipment as needed.  He also keeps up with the ag community at the domino table at Lyford Gin every afternoon.  Alden served the cotton community for many years. He sat on the Board of Directors of Lyford Co-op Gin for multiple years and held the office of president several terms.  He also served on the Board of Directors of Valley Co-op Oil Mill as well as the Willacy-Hildalgo Soil and Conservation Board of Directors.  Alden was named the Willacy-Hildalgo Soil and Water Conservation District Outstanding Conservation Farmer in 1973.  He was also awarded Honorary Lyford FFA Chapter Farmer for the year in 1975.  Alden has been a member and served for many years at Lyford Methodist Church.  He sings in the choir, has served as chairman of the board, and attended the Southwest Methodist convention as a delegate for his church.  He has also served on the Board of Directors at Chapel by the Sea on South Padre Island.  

Alden has been married to Katy for 66 years.  Alden and Katy met while Katy was teaching Home Economics at Lyford High School.  At the time she was earning $2000 a year and was once given a live chicken by a family at one of her home visitations as a way of saying thank you!  Katy was raised in Santa Rosa, Texas, and attended school there.  She furthered her education at Texas A&I in Kingsville, Texas, earning a degree in Home Economics and a teaching certificate.  Katy’s father, Howard Dodson, and wife, Mary, farmed in the Santa Rosa, Texas area.  He grew vegetables, citrus, and some cotton.  Katy learned her work ethic having spent many days in the fields picking cotton by hand.  She passed that work ethic along to her and Alden’s five children.  After teaching at Lyford High School for two years, she became an at-home mom.  Her children “fondly” remember her meeting them at the bus stop with several hoes and machetes so they could take care of any weeds in their designated 120 acre Palm Tree block before supper.  She even had them hand plant several acres of cotton that had not come up.  Those few tortuous acres were then destroyed by hail a few months later, and her children were introduced to just one of the difficulties a farmer must face. 

Katy has always been active in the Lyford community.  She served on the Lyford PTA Board and is a member of the Lyford Methodist Women.  She has been a part of Lyford Women’s Club for many years, serving on numerous committees and in the office of president.  She taught Sunday School for over 20 years.  She was also a member of the Texas A&M Mother’s Club and served on the Cotillion Board. 

Katy was an integral part of the farming operation, handling finances and most importantly taking meals to the fields twice a day to feed family and employees.  Many holidays and birthdays have been celebrated with her homemade ice cream on the tailgate of a pickup truck in the fields.  She is legendary for her delicious cooking and many will testify to her culinary skills.

Alden and Katy have 5 children, 13 grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren with two more on the way.  Their family has been very active in the Algodon Club.  Son, Richard, and wife, Cheryl, served on the Algodon Board.  Son, Lynn, and wife, Tami, are past Algodon presidents.  Daughter, Ann Johnson Jud, was Duchess of Willacy in 1972.  Granddaughters, Kristi Johnson Horton, Karyn Jud Hatch, Emily Johnson Rivera, Rachel Johnson Lippe, were all Ladies-in-Waiting.  Granddaughter, Kelsey Johnson Stocker, was a Princess, and granddaughter, Katie Johnson Mayeaux, was Queen.  Grandsons, Travis Johnson, Cale Johnson, and Cody Johnson, were all Ambassadors of Cotton.  Cody also served as Crown Bearer.  Several grandchildren were recipients of Algodon scholarships.  Currently grandsons, Travis Johnson and wife, Sarah, are serving as Treasurer/Secretary of the Algodon Board, and Cody Johnson and wife, Brittany, are serving on the Algodon Board of Directors.

The Valley Morning Star featured a series of articles on the Johnson family farm and the cotton industry in 1997.  Cotton farming and faith in the Lord is the heritage that runs through the Johnson family’s veins.  Through hail, hurricanes, drought and many abundant crops, the Lord has blessed Alden and Katy’s family and those whom they employ through cotton farming in Willacy County.

Celebrating King Cotton

When Cody and I were dating in college, I had the pleasure of attending the Algodon Ball a couple of times with his family. Sure, I understood that it was one of the most important social events in Harlingen, but I didn't quite understand much beyond that (and the fact that it gave me an excuse to purchase a new, 100% cotton cocktail dress and get a spray tan). Lucky for me, now that we live in Harlingen I have a much more well-rounded view of the event and the organization behind it. The Algodon Club is an organization in Harlingen that brings together couples affiliated with the agriculture industry to help raise scholarship money for students entering college from the Rio Grande Valley. Cody and I were fortunate enough to be elected to the Board of Directors this year, following in the footsteps of Lynn and Tami and other family members who have either had a role on the court at the Algodon Ball or on the Board. Each year in June, the Club hosts the Algodon Ball, which consists of an evening of dinner, dancing and celebrating members of the ag industry. There is a full-on court, complete with queen and princesses, and most importantly, the Don and Dona are announced at the Ball. This is the highest honor bestowed upon a member of the farming community, and it is kept secret until the night of the Ball. This year we were thrilled to find out that Grandma and Grandpa Johnson were chosen at the Don and Dona! We couldn't have selected a more deserving couple and just loved watching Grandma and Grandpa receive the highest honor at this prestigious event.

Our fam with the Don and Dona

 

With my handsome hubby- things have changed just a bit since our last Algodon Ball in 2008! :)

 

  

It was so fun to have Kirby here. She got the night off from her nanny duties to come party with us!

The next day, we celebrated Cody's first Father's Day by sleeping in (well-deserved after returning home from the Ball at 2:30 AM due to our Board Member responsibilities) and getting a visit from our good friends Duncan and Ashley, who were in town for the weekend. Hayes loved meeting them!

We also went to a family gathering at Aunt Ann's where everyone got together one last time before starting the new week. We loved putting Hayes in the big pool for the first time. He is quite the water baby!

 Swimming with Daddy at Aunt Ann's

Just Another Day in Paradise

After a long and busy few months, there's nothing better than a trip to the beach to clear the mind and soothe the soul. Between work and parenthood, Cody and I haven't had much down time to just relax and soak up a little sunshine at our favorite place, so we were thrilled to have the chance to go down to the Island for a morning at the end of May. Katie and Addie were in town as well as Kirby and her friend Michael, and we couldn't wait to take Hayes for a legit beach trip where he could put his toes in the water and the sand. (The first time we went it was still too cold and windy to do this.) This weekend marked the beginning of Kirby's stint as "the nanny", and I have to go ahead and dub myself the best boss ever due to the fact that her training took place mostly at the beach. Talk about livin' the dream! We had a blast with the family just lounging, visiting and breathing in the beach air, and I think it's safe to say that our little man shares our love for the salty air. I was told that if he didn't hate the experience at this age, he'll grow to love it as he gets older, so I'm looking forward to lots of future trips full of sandcastle building and splashing in the Gulf!