Our Little Pun'kin

Hayes is going to be a pumpkin for Halloween so we thought it only right that she visit a pumpkin patch to do some research on being a proper pumpkin...you know, get into character and such. She had such a good time!

Waving at her audience...



Taking it all in...

Pumpkin on the move...
Hayes making friends...

Tubby Time

Hayes loves tubby time!

Time to Baby-proof the House!

It's official...Hayes is on the move!  She learned to crawl last week and has become an instant expert!  It's time to move everything up and out of reach.  

Check out her mad new skills (to get the lens cap which is far more exciting than a toy!).

First Booboo.

It finally happened.  Hayes got a booboo.  She is trying to pull up and was pulling up on an old iron bed we have and her hand slipped and she face-planted.  It left a tiny bruise under her right eye.  After some serious mommy-love and consoling she was back to playing being her normal, happy self.  

Small Group Visit to the Zoo

Hank leads a small group for dads and I am part of one for moms (the dads are much more dedicated than we are - they meet at 6.30 am on Fridays!!!).  We decided to get the two groups together one Saturday morning.  After a yummy breakfast at one of our favorite places, we spent the morning at the zoo.  It was MUCH cooler than our first visit to the zoo and therefore MUCH more pleasant!

Perhaps some illegal camel feeding.  :)

Hayes in the petting zoo.


Hayes and her buddies, Oliver and Carson, checking out Hank, the zoo's famous chimpanzee (held by Hank, another well-known monkey).  

This picture cracks me up - I have no idea why she is making such a funny face!

Hayes first time on a carousel.  

Hayes on the Panda seat on the carousel.
The whole group.

Seven Months Old

Hayes is now seven months old.  She's rolling around and is so close to crawling.  She's desperate to walk, it seems.  Sometimes we think she might just skip over crawling and move straight to the good stuff.

Ready to take off...

Gooooooooooooo Dawgs!

Like a true southern baby, Hayes attended her first University of Georgia football game as soon as humanly possible.  While it was dreadfully hot, the UGA/Georgia Southern game will long go down in history as officially baptizing Hayes into the ways of southern life.  

Not the most flattering picture ever but that's what 100 degree weather will do to you!  Hayes loved being at Sanford Stadium - so many people to see!  Plus, there is a huge tv - what more could a baby want?

Despite having spent hours sweating Hayes was still just as happy as ever.  

We would grab Hayes's hand and help her do the "goooooooo dawgs, sic 'em" part and she loved it!

Teeth!

Shortly after turning six months old Hayes cut her first (and then second the next day) tooth!

I'm 6 months old!

Can you believe it?  Hayes is six months old!  We cannot believe our baby girl is growing up so quickly.  She continues to be an angel baby.  We really couldn't have asked for a better baby! 

 We just can't believe we're half-way to a year!!!

what?  I'm already six months old?  really?

Start Spreading the News...

I'm leaving today....

well, actually, we left several weeks ago.

Our dear friends, Brook and Benjamin (and their beautiful girls, Ibby & Mimi) live in Dubai but come to the states during the summer for several months.  I was dying to see them and wanted Hayes to meet them so we headed to New York!  

This was Hayes's first airplane trip and she was a superstar!!!  We had four flights in all and she was an angel on all four (sleeping completely through two of them, actually).  

There were No set plans for the trip other than just spending time with friends!  We had so much fun.  It was a reminder of how much we miss them!

Hayes on her first airplane trip.  

Just after arriving, we went to a lovely park along the river where Hayes experienced a swing for the first time.  She instantly fell in love with Ibby and Mimi and as you can see in the picture she loved the swing, too!
On our first full day in New York we went to the Museum of Natural History and Ibby planted her sunglasses on Hayes as we were purchasing tickets.  
Hayes LOVED New York - constantly being outside and so many people around...it was a little bit of heaven on earth for her!
Morning snuggles with Ibby and Mimi. 
Hayes loved playing with Ibby and Mimi!!!
Hayes ready to hit the town (check out the view from the apartment - fantastic!). 
Hayes, Ibby, and Mimi (and Brooke) watching the Sea Lions (or were they seals?) performance. 
They told how to tell a seal from a sea lion but I surely can't remember what they said.  So, here's a lovely seal or sea lion.
This pig was just outside the pig habitat and when you touch it it snorts and Hayes thought it was hilarious.  She giggled and giggled!
Hayes and I decided to take a little trip to Times Square - during rush hour, to boot!  Hayes was completely overwhelmed!  She did not crack a smile from the moment we stepped off the subway until we were back safe and sound in the apartment!  It was so funny.  Although she is a very social baby that was way more than she could handle!!!
I "wore" Hayes in a sling so we didn't have to try to navigate with a stroller.  
Hayes completely overwhelmed with the lights, sounds, and people!
Night view from the apartment.  Beautiful!
Ibby reading a book to Mimi and Hayes.  

Hayes and in front of Jeff Koons's Balloon Dog on the roof of The Met.