Hayes' 2nd Birthday Bash

Hayes had a great birthday party!  We did a train theme because he loves them right now, and, I must say, he was one cute little conductor!!! 

He had to taste test the cupcakes the morning of his birthday... he approved!

So much so that he snuck a second when I wasn't looking!

I did keep a little closer eye on him when it came to the actual cake, but I was so happy that he loved it.  He just kept coming back over to look at it or point to something else on it he saw and liked.  So sweet!  Reaffirmed why I love making my kids birthday cakes.  They may not be perfect, but the love they come with makes them extra special!

Showing how old he is now!

And on to the good stuff!!!

Our family alone makes for a big crowd at birthday parties!  Hayes was well-celebrated!

Present time!  He cracked me up with how he would put his hands in his overalls.  Such a little, old man!  After a minute or two, he did take them out and enjoy getting into the gifts!

 Hayes loved all of his presents.  There was a major theme of dinosaurs, trucks, and trains... It doesn't get much better for him at this age!  He really enjoyed taking everything out of the package and playing with it once the party was over.  The train set was from us, and I loved watching him move the cars around the track.  Sweetest little thing!

The party was actually the day before his real birthday so we just kept right on celebrating through the whole weekend!  Birthday muffins for breakfast!

 He enjoyed being sung to one last time!

Hayes, you are the cutest, sweetest, toughest, funniest, happiest, smartest, snuggliest, bestest 2 year old I know!  Biased?  Maybe, but you are pretty hard to beat!  To say your family adores you would be a major understatement.  It is really tough not to just grin ear to ear any time I look at you.  You have your typical 2 year old moments, but, even in them, you are awesome.  We are so thankful for you and were so happy to celebrate you!  Happy 2nd Birthday!!!

9 Months

Here we are girlie... 3/4 of a way to your 1st birthday!  You are getting so big!  So big!  I can't even believe it.  As always, each new month brings new tricks and more changes!  And even more hair.  Haha.  Really though- we have even had bedhead a few times now!  So cute!

You had your 9 month check-up, and Dr. Catherine thought you looked great!  Jordan was such a sweet Big Sissy at your appointment.  She gave up playing at Nonny's to help keep you happy when you got your shots.  One day you will understand how big a deal that is!  

You weighed 16lbs 14 oz and were 27in long.  That puts you right in between the 25-50th percentiles.  You are finally truly a Butler baby, dropping lower and lower on the growth chart.  Haha.  I don't think you have anything to worry about chubalub!

You have been doing a better job on your baby food.  You still definitely prefer nursing and make it very clear when that's all that is going to satisfy you, but you have added blended oatmeal with apples and bananas, sweet potatoes, and bananas to your list of foods.  And those little biter biscuits.  You really love those!  So messy, but so worth it!  You have also tried squash and blueberries with apples, but you are not a fan of those unless I successfully hide them with a bite of bananas.  We haven't even attempted greens yet!  

The kids still all enjoy trying to feed you, but Jordan is the main one who sticks with it.  I went to check on something in another room the other day and came back to find this...

I really can't complain because am just so glad you are eating something and hopefully are going to start sleeping better again!  You have been making it hard on me at night, but I think that your top teeth are making it hard on you!  One has come in pretty far, but the other is still trying to make its way in.  It is so close!  I took this video because you were so ticklish, but it really shows off that chomper up there!

  

I guess it is because you are teething, but you haven't gone to sleep on your own as well lately. I do like that you have enjoyed being rocked more though.  You just snuggle your head right under my chin, and it's really the best feeling ever!  You also are pretty smart because you always seem to fall asleep holding on to my shirt.  I know you think you are going to make it hard for me to lay you down without waking you up.  Haha.  Daddy rocked you the other day, but he didn't come out for a long time.  I went to check on him and found this sweetness!  He loves you so, so much! 

You are busy learning all kinds of new tricks too!  You can now click your tongue which you think is really great!

You really love to clap your hands.  You are so proud of yourself and clap them all the time!  You have even learned to do it to "If You're Happy and You Know It!"

You are not crawling yet, but you can move across the floor.  In fact, it is probably my favorite new trick that you have.  Nothing like the booty bounce!

You had some only child time a couple weekends back while the big three spent the weekend with Mimi and PopPop.  I think you enjoyed having all of mine and Daddy's attention, but you were definitely ready to be back in the middle of them all when they came home!  You are really getting to where you want to play with them, and you will fuss if people leave the room without you now.  They are so sweet with you, and you love it... most the time.  You are learning to cry out/scream when you aren't liking it though.

You have started really crying too when you realize they have taken a toy from you.  Usually Cole and Jordan just take things away that you shouldn't be playing with, but sometimes Hayes will take something just because he wants to play with it.  We are trying to teach him, but I see a lot of  "say no, please" and "use your words" in our future baby girl.  You are going to be able to hold your own and give it right back though... You have even already stolen his paci!

Obviously we are a long way from you actually being able to say those things, but you are a chatty little thing though.  I really think you intentionally say "dada" and "mama."  I actually think you say "dog" too.  Cole is certain you say his name, and, in his defense, I have heard you say "co, co, co" so we will go with it. ;)  I love it when you get to really talking...

And this video just cracks me up.  You pretty much always like to be in this jumping exersaucer, but sometimes you just go wild!  

You have added so much to our family in just 9 months.  Like Daddy just said the other day to Cole, Jordan, and Hayes- we can't imagine life without you!  You are just so precious.  Your sweet smiles, happy clapping, and precious babbles bring smiles to all our faces.  I love watching you play happily in the floor with toys and rocking back and forth as you work up your courage and coordination to crawl.  I know even more changes lie ahead, and we are all looking forward to celebrating each accomplishment with you!

8 Months

Months are just flying by!  Especially with all the holidays, time has seemed to go even faster!  How are you 8 months old?!?!  

Physically, your hair is getting longer, and you have a top tooth!  You have more hair than Jordan did at a year old, and you have more teeth than any of your siblings did at a year old! Why do you think you have to grow up so fast?  Haha.

You aren't just changing physically though!  You are learning new tricks all the time!  You can get about anywhere you want to go by rolling or scooting backward.  This makes it really nice for you when you want out of bed because you turn yourself to directly face the door, cry out, and pull down the bumper pad so that you can watch for someone to open the door.  Haha. It does get you into to some interested situations at times though.  I have, on more than one occasion, left you in one spot to come back a minute later and not be able to easily spot you!

 

You are so funny when you want something or someone too.  Your little hands will open and close at lightning speed!  You have also learned to "pat, pat, pat" with them and are really proud of this trick.  Sadly, I don't have a video of it yet.

You babble all the time!  One of my favorite things you do is sing with me.  You do this mostly when I am singing to Cole and Jordan at bedtime.  You sing so softly and just have the sweetest little voice. My other very favorite thing you do is stop in the middle of nursing to look up and talk to me.  I don't know what you say, but it is very intentional!  You go right back to nursing after you have said all you need to say.  It cracks me up.  You have also learned to very clearly say "Dada" which has a certain someone feeling pretty special!

You have really started enjoying your toys even more.  You love the ones that hook onto your carseat.  No more boring car rides!  And you are pretty impressive jumping around in your exersaucer!

The same is true at bathtime.  It has gotten way more fun!  You love the busyness of everyone in the tub together, but I love letting you play in the bath by yourself.  Seeing you reach for toys, splash, giggle, and babble away is so great.

You have gotten some better with baby food.  Rarely do you just go after it, but you are doing some better.  You never became a fan of rice cereal so we switched to the blended oatmeal with apples and bananas.  You definitely do better with it.  You want it warm though.  No room temperature food for you, you picky little thing!  The kids have enjoyed trying to help you eat too.  Not sure it ever accomplishes much besides some sweet pictures and happy big siblings.

 
Things may be changing quickly in a lot of ways, but one thing has definitely stayed the same... you are so loved by us all!  We can't get enough of you- as you can see in this picture.  You are as sweet as they come and so snuggly.  Your smile and laugh make us all keep trying to get another!  Happy 8 months, Kyndall Lynn!

7 Months Old

Sweet, sweet Kyndall girl!  You are 7 months old and pure joy!  You smile constantly, and it's a wonderful smile... one that makes your eyes twinkle!  The best is when I am holding you, you turn around towards me, grab my face, and smile a huge smile like "Oh!  There you are Mom!"  I am loving watching you grow and change each day it seems!  

You sit up so well now and are so excited that you can watch Cole, Jordan, and Hayes run around more easily.  They keep you so entertained, and you really belly laugh at them!  You are also really proud of yourself sitting and playing with toys.  

I put you in a high chair for the first time this month too.  Oh man- did you think you were a big girl!

And you tried ice cream for the first time... You still don't really like the baby food I have tried to feed you, but you sure went after that cone!  And wanted more!

Not that you need them for ice cream, but you have gotten two little teeth on the bottom. They can be a little hard to spot at times, but this picture is the best I have gotten of them yet.  Trust me, I know they are there!  You have gotten me a few times!  And I am blaming these teeth for everything going into your mouth these days!  I have to be on my toes because you seem to find many things that should not go into your mouth! 

You have become quite the squealer!  Not necessarily when you are mad.  In fact, it is mostly when you are excited, but it is very loud!  Haha.  You are also a little goofball!  Oh man, do you have personality!

You have gotten to where you really like to be put in your bed to sleep.  Occasionally I can get you to fall asleep on me now, but you really prefer to go to sleep on your own in your bed.  I have to admit that, as helpful as this is with your being the 4th kiddo, there are times it makes me pretty sad.  I enjoy your snuggles so much, and you are my last baby.  Snuggle a little longer, sweet girl! 

I still haven't decided if you are a paci girl or a finger/thumb sucker.  Caught you falling asleep this way in your swing the other day.  So sweet!  

You have entered the stage of separation anxiety... You still do ok most the time, but you don't always like being handed off from someone you know to someone that you aren't as familiar with.  You really prefer me or Daddy... or one of your sweet big siblings!  You are pretty much always happy to be with them! 

You are my little baby doll!  Every day when I get you dressed, I just want to pose you and take your picture because you are so adorable.  Haha.  For now, you are pretty easy-going about it.  Praying that we can continue to nurture that sweet spirit as you grow!  

You are a true blessing to this family, and we love you so very much!