Memorial Day

This was a very nice weekend for us, even though the weather was pretty crappy most of the time. But we really enjoyed each other's company.
Memorial Day was especially fun and relaxing. The day started with Carl cooking a delicious breakfast and then cleaning the kitchen, Hayden being cute and actually taking a couple naps, me dancing for Hayden to get her to smile, Carl saving the world for a little bit and just hanging out in our pajamas. Then we decided to drive up to Bridal Veil Falls and get out for some fresh and chilly air. It rained a little on us, but we didn't mind too much.

The river was really full from the rain and the snow melt, so it even had some nice rapids.


The waterfall was as pretty as ever.













It was getting pretty cold, but we still even made a new friend





When we got home, we gave Hayden her bath and got her to bed, made some delicious ribs and baked potatoes, had some homemade strawberry shortcakes, and enjoyed the movie National Treasure, Book of Secrets.
It was nice to have Carl home for 3 days. I say we have more 3 day weekends! We are grateful for those who serve and have served our country and remember the reason for this holiday.

Our Big Girl!

Hayden is getting bigger and bigger everyday. She is our little joy and really makes us smile. This is a video of her sucking her thumb, and of course, I LOVE it!


These are more everyday shots of our cutie....


We can't seem to keep her chin very dry.


She doesn't fit into her newborn onesies anymore *tear*

I'm in Love

As many of you may know, I love music! I really can't get enough of it especially if it is new and makes me move. Back when I worked at Pizza Factory I was introduced to a band called My Morning Jacket. They are absolutely amazing. I had the privilege of seeing them perform live in Salt Lake and it was incredible. Every member of the band is good and I really can't get enough.

They have a new album due out in the beginning of June and I am already counting down the days. I thought I would give you a sample of why I think they are the greatest.

Swing Time

One of the greatest inventions on this earth is the baby swing. Before we had this swing we had to pace the floor bouncing Hayden for hours on end, but this swing has done wonders to our patience as well as our backs! Hayden likes to sit, sleep and play in this wonderful gift we call the swing......




One of my favorite things lately is when she grabs her feet........



Now these next couple of pictures don't have to do with the swing but I thought they were funny and cute...

RIDE 'EM COWGIRL!


This one is for you, Mom. We love love love the bow, even though it might not seem like it.....poor baby!!

Grandma and Grandpa Owens, AKA Best Gift Givers Ever!

My mom and dad are slowly becoming the king and queen of the most random, but amazing gifts ever, and I LOVE it. We really never know what we are going to get, so it's always exciting to open a box and see a special bag of dog food or a set of dishes, among the many great gifts that they are kind enough to give us. Today was no different and this gift wins for most creative. Once the UPS guy dropped the box off and Ella was done jumping on him, I opened our present to find the cutest giraffe tent one has ever seen. Yes, a giraffe tent! It is taller than Carl and big enough for all of us to fit inside, with our feet hanging out. It's AWESOME!

Carl and Hayden were so cute playing inside and we wish we had our own back yard to play in. It would be awesome for friends and cousins to come over and play in....

Hayden actually got two presents today from Grandma and Grandpa Owens. She also got a really cute out fit that says "I Love Grandma" and the cutest flower bow ever! She is so pretty!

So, Mom and Dad, thank you, thank you, thank you for all the cool gifts you give us. We really do appreciate every single thing. We only wish you could be here to enjoy them with us! Hayden loves you!

A Father's Point of View

Last night was a great night to be a father. It made me realize that I do have a part in raising Hayden. I usually feel like the one who goes to work all day and comes home to deal with a fussy baby who has been cute all day and decides it is time to scream in her dad's face as soon as he walks in the door. We think that Hayden is starting to cut teeth because she has been considerably upset but it doesn't seem like she wants to be upset. She will smile one moment and the next be screaming. It is obvious that she is in pain.
Last night we went through the normal routine and Devin gave her a bath and got her ready for bed. You could tell her teeth were bothering her because she had this little painful cry that really breaks a guys heart and she keeps sticking her hands in her mouth and chewing on them. Dev was rocking her hoping that she would eventually pass out and I was playing Call of Duty 4 with a buddy online. Hayden normally passes right out after her night feeding but she was not having it. I walked in to Hayden's room and she was crying a little with Dev. We gave her a little bit of Tylenol and tried to put her down to no avail. Devin stayed with the little girl and I went back to my game. Well after a bit more of hearing my baby cry I just couldn't take it anymore. I asked Devin if I could hold her for a bit which Devin was more than happy to let me do. I cradled her in my arms and she immediately calmed down. She looked at me with her little blue teary eyes and her hand in her mouth and it was almost as if we knew what the other was thinking. I was thinking about how grateful I am that Heavenly Father has trusted me with such a precious and vulnerable little gift and it seemed as if she was thinking that she was grateful for a father that is involved in her life and loves her very much. She eventually drifted off to sleep in my arms (still with her hand in her mouth) and I was able to put her down for the night.



This night made me realize how much each child needs their father. I couldn't help but wonder if Hayden already has something biological in her that sees Devin as her nurturer and me as her protector. Maybe that is why she calmed down in my arms when she was in pain. I felt I had purpose in our family other than providing the money. I am grateful that I had a father in my life who NEVER neglected me even when I was a teenager and almost wished he would. I am grateful for awesome parents who gave me such good examples of how to love and care for their children. I am excited to be a part of Hayden's life and can't wait for all the experiences that are to come.

I Am Iron Man

We went to the movies for the first time since Hayden was born. Carl had the day off so we decided to go mosey around the mall and waste some time. Hayden loves the lights and the noises at the mall(crap, she's already becoming a mall rat). Carl had gone to the midnight showing of Iron Man and couldn't stop talking about it so we decided to go check out the movie times and see if we could catch a matinée showing. Sure enough there was a showing in 30 minutes so we thought, what the heck, lets give it a shot with Hayden. Since we didn't plan it, I needed to feed Hayden, so I found a private bathroom to ourselves and experienced my first feeding in a public bathroom.....very interesting, but it worked. Hayden slept for the first hour of the movie and did pretty well throughout the rest of it, with a couple standing breaks to get her wiggles out. But we made it, and the movie was good! I never thought we would go to a movie with a baby, but here we are. It definitely helps to be in Provo, as Carl wasn't the only person with an infant standing in the aisle.
The movie is really good and we would recommend it to anyone. I didn't even want to see it but Carl convinced me and I was pleasantly surprised. Good times.