Ringing in the New Year

This year has been a whirlwind like no other!  After our ectopic pregnancy in November of 2009, we were thankful to get pregnant in the Spring of 2010, which helped us to cope with the loss of 2009.  We both spent time with friends and were able to go camping with our families over the Summer.  The most eventful portion of our year has been the past 3 weeks, after our little man was born on 12/8/10.  We are planning on ringing in the new year by staying home and quite possibly a midnight feeding.  While this celebration may not seem very exciting, I know that it's all just a part how our lives have dramatically changed over the past 3 weeks.  Initially, staying home with Aaron, feeding and rocking and changing him made me feel so confined and stuck.  Over the past few weeks, I can't believe how much of a routine we are in and feel much more able to get back to our new "normal."  I was able to make supper the other day and I have only missed taking a shower twice since he arrived!  We've been thankful for lots of help from family and visits from family and friends as well.  As we adjust to our new life and toting Aaron around with us, we are looking forward to the next 12 months!  We plan to keep you updated on Aaron's development, our insights on parenting, and life as we have experienced it.  We look forward to seeing you all in the near future!  Best wishes in 2011!

Growing Boy

Aaron has his two week well-baby check today!  Boy is he growing already!  He now weighs 9 pounds, 1 ounce, 21 1/2 inches long and his head circumference is 14 1/2.  That means he's grown 1/2 an inch, his head has gotten 1/2 an inch bigger and he's gained almost a full pound from his birth weight.  He's gained a pound and 3 ounces if you look at his weight when he left the hospital!  I'm just shocked at how fast he has grown...and can't believe how fast time passes!  We haven't taken very many pictures this past week.  We've been attempting to keep caught up on bottles and laundry and feeding and napping ourselves.  We've been going to be around 7:30 or 8:30 every night...whenever Aaron goes down to get a few more hours before the next feeding.  He's been doing a great job and sleeping up to 3 hours or so after a feeding. We are getting into more of a routine and mommy is feeling more confident and capable.  Very important now that daddy has gone back to work.  We liked having him around for a week and half and miss him lots during the day.  Mommy gave Aaron his bath today all by herself.  Which was not easy, but we got it done.  We are planning on traveling up to LeMars over the Christmas weekend, Thursday through Sunday, but are keeping an eye on the weather.  Don't want to take any unnecessary risks and our first big travel trip will likely be stressful enough without weather to deal with also.  More updates to come as our family continues to adjust to the new life within it.

No one ever told me...

Things no one ever told me about having a child...
-I would get so teary-eyed over the silliest things.  My professor was so understanding and supportive letting me turn in my final paper late and asking to see pictures.  I am so grateful for such a great teacher!
-I would get distracted by 50 different things only to drop them all when my baby squirmed in his sleep.
-I would wake up every 15 minutes, worried he wasn't breathing or might choke.
-I would be excited about poop.
-I would wash bottles 4 times per day.
-I would turn the heat up and down constantly to make sure my baby was warm enough, cool enough, comfortable enough.
-I wouldn't care about spit up on my clothes, but I would rush to change my baby at the slightest drop on his clothing.
-I would stay home for days in a row and be perfectly happy about it.
-I wouldn't have time to eat, empty the dishwasher, brush my teeth, take a shower, read my email.

I'm sure there are many more things that we didn't know, but are continuing to learn along the way.  Like, it's okay if that load of laundry lays on the floor for a day...or two.  It's okay to snuggle and go back to bed until 10am.  A baby spits up... A LOT, but they will not starve to death.  Projectile spit up doesn't concern a baby.  They will go right back to sleep.
Our blog is likely to be very different now that Aaron has arrived.  I have not cooked a meal in over a week, which is strange and not like me.  I feel like I've lost a little bit of myself, at least temporarily, until we can establish a routine and figure out how to change our lives to fit everything else back into it.  Slowly but surely, we are getting there.  We've been able to take a shower every day so far.  HUGE accomplishment.  Today, I got to make coffee for myself, and I got to drink it before it got cold!  In short, we welcome you to our baby chronicles.  Hope you enjoy!

Aaron Tyler Haylett

After 13 hours of labor, Aaron Tyler Haylett arrived on 12/8/2010 at 9:33pm.  He was 8lbs 5oz and 21 inches long!  It was strange to see our new little man and recognize him from our sonogram!  So handsome and healthy!  His Apgar scores were 8 and 9 and he is soooo handsome!  We are absolutely smitten with him and can't wait to show him off to everyone.  Once we get settled we plan to put out the invite for the meet and greets to begin.  Should be soon!  Until then, here are a few pictures to tide you over!  http://gallery.me.com/bhaylett/

Best Laid Plans

So...we had our last doctor appointment today.  I say last because they plan on inducing me on Wednesday, December 8th, assuming that I do not go into labor between now and then.  They decided that if we go until due date or after, baby will be getting "too big."  At our appointment today, it was determined that baby is approximately 8lbs10oz, plus or minus a pound based on the ultrasound.  Heartrate was around 140 and everything seems to be growing well, with 3cm of dilation and good thinning of the cervix.  Yes, TMI, but you know you wanted to ask.  Since there is a possibility that this kiddo could be near 10 pounds next week already, they are giving me a choice:  Schedule a c-section or schedule an induction.  As our preference was neither, we went for the most natural, inducing.  We go in on Wednesday, December 8th at 6:30am for our Pitocin drip to start labor.  Assuming all goes well with that, we will meet our little one within the day or shortly into the next day!  I wasn't nervous until they gave us an exact date.  While I'm more nervous and excited, I also feel like I have a day to work up to, instead of leaving the office each day saying, "Well, maybe I'll see you tomorrow!"  I feel like I can plan coverage and concerns for my caseload and be "prepared."  As prepared as one can be...right?  I have a few things to finish up for class, but now I know my deadline and have talked with my teachers who are understanding and flexible in working with me for due dates and deadlines.  Okay...now back to finishing up my work!  Just wanted to update the blogosphere for those who have been anxiously awaiting the news!

Cervical Progress

We had a Dr. appointment yesterday afternoon to check in and see how things are progressing.  Baby's heart rate was 120, which is a little lower than it has been in the past visits but still healthy and strong.  Movements are still strong and consistent!  Another exciting development, we are 2 cm dialated!  Apparently my mom didn't dialate until she was induced, 3 weeks late...  So we decided we will take it!  After a quick dinner, I headed to a massage...which was awesome, by the way!  A great way to celebrate the progress in our journey towards having this kiddo.  My only concern is going earlier than we had planned.  I have to much other stuff to get done at work for this kiddo to come more than a week early!  But, I guess I don't have much of a say at this point...here we go...

Baby Update

Had my first "weekly" appointment yesterday at the Ob.  Baby continues to be active and using my internal organs to practice it's soccer moves and gymnastics skills.  No complaints, however, as that means this child is healthy and doing well in his/her little room.  The heart rate was in the 130s/140s and I am not dialated.  Maybe too much information about my cervix but some are interested in this progress and that is about all the information I received.  I continue having Braxton Hicks throughout much of the day.  Most of them just uncomfortable, some quick and taking my breath away.  Going to the doctor is always amazing to me, as they seem to think I know what I'm doing.  So it is assumed everything continues to go well and I'll keep updating as I'm able.  Can't wait to meet this little guy...or girl.  Though apparently the "old wive's" evidence is strongly favoring a boy.  We have three names picked for each gender, with two strong contenders in each.  You'll just have to wait until D-day for that!

There's never any time!

These past few days, I feel like I haven't had time to think about anything other than all of the things that I need/want to get done.  My "to do" list consists of making meals, finishing washing baby clothes, making sure I have enough bottle nipples, packing a hospital bag, installing the car seat, doing homework, going to meetings, typing up case notes, planning for maternity leave, panicking about all there is to do and keep track of!  Whew!  Trying to stay current on everything at work is probably THE most exhausting.  I don't want to leave anything hanging and keeping up with that each day makes for a stressful week.  I left early today to get some R&R, but ended up finishing up shopping off the registry, put together a storage cabinet, make another meal to freeze, unwrapped all the new stuff from our most recent shower, did another load of laundry, packed most of the bags for the hospital and added some more things to the "to do" list.  In packing our bags, I started to think about the things I needed and the things that I didn't really need.  That's where YOU come in.  For those who have some experience in this area...or have heard from those who have experience...what do I REALLY need to take with me?  What don't I need?  Any help would be great!  Thanks!

Nesting?

So today, I've done more than I have in a long time!  And...I'm exhausted!  Maybe it's because we had Daylight Savings Time and I had the proverbial "extra hour" in the day.  Or because I know that we are quickly running out of time before this little one comes out to meet us.  Or I'm nesting??  All I know is that I've had a BUSY day!  Went to the gym and put in 2 miles...which I'm hoping to do on a daily basis now.  It is definitely challenging but I'm glad to be moving and it makes me feel better and more productive.  Then we finally got our sleeping bags washed and put away for the camping season.  Homework came next, then grocery shopping and planning for additional meals to make.  We now have lasagna in the freezer, taco meat and have now planned on ham and cheesy pasta.  I've also managed to complete 6 loads of laundy, diapers and clothes and only have to pack the hospital bag once the laundry is done!  Whew!  Dinner is next, after the 7 loaves of pumpkin bread come out of the oven.  Chicken and Biscuits sounds like the perfect end to a long day...well, maybe with a little ice cream to finish things off!
Not much new is going on in the Haylett household.  Last OB appointment went well.  34 weeks, baby is VERY active and practiced a few of it's karate moves on the doctor as she chased him/her for a heartbeat.  One more appointment in 2 weeks, then we start weekly appointments.  Updates will continue as able.  I'm getting really excited to meet this little Mac, but absolutely nervous about the labor/delivery process.  I've heard all about it, but it sure doesn't prepare you for the actual experience.  I guess I'll just take it as it comes!  I'm hoping to get at least all of my meetings in at work before I deliver, so that just means I'd like to be done with all my work by the 7th of December and I'd be happy.  Here's hoping the little one complies with my plans.  Can't wait!!!

Stocking the Freezer

We've started to plan for meals after the baby comes.  The plan is to make an extra meal once a week and throw it in the freezer for easy reheating.  Tonight, lasagna!  And it was GOOD!  I'm excited to know that I have a great meal sitting in the freezer all ready to cook when I have a little one needing all my time and attention.  The next item on my agenda, other than continuing to study and play catch up in my classes, is to plan additional meals that we can "heat and eat" from the freezer.  Anyone out there have some easy, freezable recipes that will make lots of leftovers!?  I'd love any recipes that anyone would be willing to share!  Thanks in advance!

Showered with Love

Over the past two weeks, I have been extremely fortunate to have TWO baby showers, with yet another one being planned for after Baby Haylett's arrival.  I am so thankful to have such great family and friends around, supporting us as life starts to change.  We've made out like bandits and have gotten so many great gifts and items for the babe to be.  My parents got us a travel system that we are so far pretty happy with.  The car seat is a snug fit into the back of the Prius but we just need to shorten our legs and all will be fine!  :)  We've gotten THE cutest Whale bathtub with matching wash cloths, some great snuggling blankets, sleepers, clothing, bottles, breast pump accessories, classic books that were my favorites when I was little, and cute and cuddly aminals.  This week, we are starting to wash all of the items and make a list of those items we think we may still need, as we are down to 50 days and counting.  YIKES!  That's scary to see in print but I'm excited to be getting ever closer....

Life, changing.

Ben and I took a Childbirth class this weekend.  We learned some interesting information about pain management, practice some hee hee hee breathing and are starting to realize how much our lives are about to change.  We've decided to attempt a med-free labor & delivery and use as much natural pain management as possible.  This is the plan, however, I fully understand that my plans my change!  We also got our stroller and car seat.  Nothing like putting these things together to make anyone feel stupid.  We have yet to get the crib and put it together.  These next few weeks will be challenging.  I have 9 weeks until my official due date, a crib to put together and several projects for school to finish up before it's too late, in addition to making plans for coverage at work.  I have a feeling that time is going to fly!

In the midst of it all, a good friend called with some sad news.  She and her husband had miscarried their first child.  Having gone through a similar situation, I know how she is feeling and how devastated she must be.  I realized how incredibly lucky we are and how much I wish that we could help our friends with their loss and our other friends with their fertility challenges.  I want them both to know that I'm thinking about them and wishing them healing to their hearts.  It's hard for me to write and post about our adventures knowing that it may cause pain and frustration in the hearts of my friends.  At the same time, we are very excited about our future and want to share our challenges and excitement with friends and family.  Each day I think about what I may be posting and how it may effect others who are struggling with so many emotions.  Wishing each of our friends healing to their hearts and luck in their womb's.  Love you!

So many choices..

There are decidedly too many choices and decisions to make in preparing for a child.  Should we buy a dresser?  Do you think these storage cubes are good enough?  Should we just hang their clothes?  What about diapers...cloth, disposable?  You mean there are more than 1 kind of cloth diaper?  What should this kid come home in?  How do I dress a newborn?  What if they don't fit in the "coming home" outfit?  Do you think this outfit would be warm enough in December?
How in the heck do people make these decisions?  So far, here's what we've decided.  We did get a dresser, as we would need one most likely in the future and the closet is getting quite small already!  We're going with cloth diapers, the pocket kind.  We've gotten some pointers on washing these bad boys and I really hope it's as simple as we've been told.  Sounds like we should buy two sizes of coming home outfits, in case our kiddo is small...or big.  Apparently sometimes you aren't able to put your child in a snow suit or warm blanket/gown.  So instead, do we dress our kid in a super warm outfit?  At this point, I'm planning on a long sleeved onesie and an outfit with long sleeves and pants or a jumper.  Plus, it was suggested to have a hat and socks/booties.
I guess at this point I'm soliciting "advice" or help from my experienced friends and family members.  What did you do?  How did you decide?  Thanks in advance for all of the suggestions.  I look forward to the life lessons, suggestions and advice that everyone has experienced along the way!

Time

No one ever has enough.  We always want more.  More hours in a day, more days in a week (or weekend preferably).  Why do we always book ourselves so full of activities and jobs and things we need to do that when we have free time (what the hell is that anyway?), we can't even sit and relax to enjoy it?!?  In one of my classes, we were challenged to pick one thing that we want to change and take a semester to make that change.  Well, I've realized that there are too many things to pick and I want to change a lot of things.
My first original idea was that I would let go of the "control" that I like to have.  I enjoy knowing what is coming next, what to expect, plan out how each day is going to go and getting EVERYTHING done on my "to do" list for the day.  Yes, I make a "to do" list even on the weekends...if not hand written, it is at least mental.  After realizing how daunting of a task that seems, I have since modified it.  My goal is to take time to do at least 1 thing for myself every day and recognize it.  This can't possibly be that difficult right?  Ehhhh, you are talking to the control freak!  So of course I started to schedule my "me" time and then it just felt like another thing on my "to do" list.  Okay, clearly this is not working and I'm getting frustrated.  My professor's point was to get an understanding of how difficult it is to make changes.  He wants us to see what our clients go through as they are making changes and help us realize that things do get in the way of our goals and it's not just an excuse or resistance to counseling.  Boy, have I learned quick.
Now, my goal has been modified yet again.  I'm not scheduling my "me" time, but I'm setting the bar low.  I will be happy if I get in 1 thing this week and next week I will try for two.  I'm working on changing my perspective and accepting the little joys instead of wallowing in the minor failures that I see.  Between counting calories, two nights of class, work, homework, housework (man, where did all this work come from??), and trying to get in exercise on a regular basis, my life is FULL.  Though, I'm not feeling fulfilled.  I go to bed each night thinking, "Did I even say more than 'Hi, honey' or 'Goodnight' to my husband?  When was the last time we sat and really engaged with each other, without the tv on?  How much worse is this going to get once we have a child involved in our lives?  Now is the time to make a change.
Each time I think about how much the floor needs vacuuming or that it has literally been 3 weeks since the bathroom has been cleaned, I'm trying to stop and think about what matters more.  It's very strange and causes some anxiety.  I will admit I've woken up in the middle of the night and thought, "Do you think Ben would noticed if I vacuumed the stairs quick?"  But I'm starting to enjoy this "me" time that seems to appear when I least expect it.  For example, this blog post totally would not have happened if I hadn't stopped myself from emptying the dishwasher and took the time to express myself at this very moment.  I like blogging, don't do it enough and don't think I'm really good at it, but eh...  It's a step towards reclaiming my life and the Time that I've let slip away.

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

Over the weekend, Ben's dad and stepmom were in town to visit and help us prepare for the arrival of Baby this Winter.  We ventured into downtown and wandered through the Pappajohn Sculpture Park for some great Fall-like weather and photos to share.  We're trying to explore more of the city we live in and get some great shots to represent our adopted hometown.  We've been looking for some photos to hang up at home in the picture frames that have been empty for the past year and half.  Slowly but surely, we are acquiring photos to display in our small, humble home.  I've added some below for your enjoyment.

We also got a crib this weekend.  Thank you Thank you to Lyle and Gail for getting us a crib!  Unfortunately, we had to order it, so it will be here in 6 weeks.  We are confident that the "Little Mac" will wait until after then to arrive.  If not, we'll figure something out.  It's all starting to seem real as furniture and decorations are accumulated.  Thanks again to Lyle and Gail for the SUPER CUTE bedding.  

I can't wait to start putting everything together!  We also explored the Valley Junction store "Little Padded Seats."  We learned all about the new cloth diapers and wandered around the store exploring their natural products.  We decided, after some fancy math from Lyle, that cloth diapers will pay for themselves in 4 months, thus making them essentially free from then on, even through the next kid.  We went ahead and registered.  Each diaper is about $18.00 but buying in bulk, you can get them for $17 a piece.  An investment, yes.  We are looking forward to this new adventure and Ben is ready to change his first diaper ever!  This will be fun!

Apple Tarts and Fabulous Fall

The weather lately has gotten cooler and put me in the mood to bake to my heart's content!  After a recent camping excursion, wine tasting and apple picking with the family, I am ready to enjoy the season.  We had a great time spending time with my parents and my sister, camping for the first time as a family since Jess and I were small.  It was nice to have everyone together, cooking and enjoying the weather and great company.  We now have a bottle of wine to celebrate the arrival of our new addition in December and enough apples to last us at least as long!  Tonight, I've made 2 tarts and am working on plans for more fabulous Fall treats!  What are your favorite fall treats?  Pumpkin bread, apple crisp, pumpkin pie?  Give me some apple-licious ideas and maybe I'll try your recipe/idea next!  Happy Baking!

FRIDAY and Progress

While I normally don't work a full Friday anyway, due to my typically 8+ hour days, today was even better.  I only had to work 2 hours this morning and it's almost like a three day weekend!  Boy do I need it! I've been pretty tired lately and actually sleeping pretty hard most nights, so rest sounds like the right solution.  We are 23 1/2 weeks down, with only 16 1/2 weeks left to go, assuming this Lil Apple comes on time.  We did not find out what we are having in terms of gender and are excited about the surprise.  The unfortunate part of this is that all clothing we have received is green, yellow or some variation thereof.  But it's baby clothes so they are cute either way.  We keep forgetting to take pictures on a weekly basis but there is not much of a bump to share, so you'll have to live without those pictures.  We do have Ultrasound pictures and Ben posted them here: Ultrasound Baby Haylett.  We are looking forward to December already, and NOT for weather related reasons.  We are starting to stock up on diapers and I'm questioning my thrifty store brand theory when it comes to these important items.  Any suggestions from current parents regarding diapers, wipes and if Brand name is worth it regarding these items?  I look forward to hearing the responses!

141 Garage Sale

This weekend is the 8th annual Highway 141 Garage Sale.  Towns all along the highway participate in the sale from Grimes all the way to Manilla.  How cool is that!?!?  While I like the idea of garage sales, I dislike the idea of spending HOURS rifling through someone's trash to hopefully claim something I may see as treasure.  I DO relish in the find, but it's like going to Goodwill extremely hopeful and leaving sad and empty handed if you don't find anything.  I feel that over the next few months, I may really start to get into garage sale-ing, to get some great deals on mom-to-be essentials.  That said, this annual 141 sale, I will a participant, selling off some of our meager items in order to make space in the future tot's room.  We don't have much, but several other homes in our association are participating, so I'm hoping that we draw quite a crowd!  Please spread the word and if you are in town for the BIG event, stop by!  Maybe you'll stumble upon a GREAT find, making your day!  Visit the sale's website to locate sales, check out if they are worth stopping by, and see what the fuss is all about!  www.141sale.com  

The Project

For my mom's birthday, we were going to buy her a tin ceiling tile from West End Architectural Salvage, an awesome little shop under the 9th street bridge downtown.  It's full of all kinds of old treasures from homes and businesses gone by and crafty little art pieces created out of the refuse.  Which reminds me that we NEED to take our friends their next time they are in town because I know that Beth will LOVE it!  Anyway, they wanted $40 for 1 tile that was 1'x1'.  I wanted to buy a set, however, those prices added up fast.  Ben and I then wandered up to the 4th floor where they have remnants of wood, old doors, light fixtures, etc from buildings that you can buy and use to refurbish a place to it's "original" style.  We found a 2'x4' section of tin ceiling tile in GREAT condition.  This whole section was $80, quite a good chunk of change but could easily be made into 8 great pieces of art.  We could make four for ourselves and 4 for my mom's birthday for the cost of 2 already crafted.  We decided to buy it, despite the fact that we didn't really have any tools to cut the tin, anything to make a frame or any means of adhering the tin to the frames to complete the project.  We set out for the local home store and picked up the wood we'd need.  Then proceeded to use a hack saw, yes, no fancy table saw here, and cut the pieces into the lengths needed.

Next, we made yet another trip to the store to find a way to a) make the frames square and b) screw them together.  Mission accomplished after several days, a little arguing, and some good tunes, we filed and sanded our wood and made real, mostly square frames!  We made a final trip to the store to buy some tin snips to trip the tin as we devised a way to wrap the tiles around the frames without using any fasteners or adhesive to hold them tight!  Who knew!                                                  Now it was time to paint.  We scrutinized over colors, where to hang them and other important dilemmas then settled on the colors.  After painting them twice and repainting a final time.  Here is our final project:  4 tin tile art pieces, in the spare room, soon to be a baby's room.  In the time it took and all the extra tools we bought, we probably spent $120 total, the cost of buying only 3 pre-made.  So it was worth the time and effort, however, we plan on buying a table saw if ever we make more...

Jungle Modern

Shelves my grandparents made for us at Xmas.
FINALLY hung them up!

Here are a few more photos of the room in progress as we've decorated and redecorated and will likely redecorate again before December.

Store brands vs. Name brand

So I'm a strong believer in getting more for less.  I don't care about the label on a can of food or pair of jeans.  If it suits my needs, I'll get it and save myself a few bucks, or more, in the process.  Well, today, I had to question my long-standing beliefs.  I had bought a store-brand can of green beans.  I had not bought this particular store's canned veggies before, but thought that off brand is off brand.  Opening this can of green beans, I was excited.  Nothing sounded good all afternoon and upon getting home, my nauseated pregnant stomach said "I could do some green beans."  I quickly responded before said stomach could change its mind, heated up the beans and away I went.  They tasted good too!  After a few bites, I noticed something yellowish in the bowl.  Thinking to myself, it's probably just an unripe bean, I pulled it out to throw it away.  Well folks, it was a dandelion head.  Ew.  So I picked it out, thinking, what a fluke and continued eating my beans.  I mean, I understand that with all the technology and such around today, it is possible to get a stray field green into my beans now and then.  I continue eating and low and behold, along comes another dandelion.  This one has gone to seed.  You know, after they turn into white puff balls and the seeds start to blow off the head and float away, only to infest millions of lawns?  So, now I'm calling my financially savvy decision into question.  Is it worth spending more for green beans without dandelions?  Am I just making a mountain with a molehill?  What do you think?  Should I keep buying my store brand, penny saving foods or should I pony up the dough and use name brand items?  Let me know your thoughts...

Rain, rain, go away!

So it has rained pretty much for a week straight here, so I thought this new layout was fitting!  The news reported 7 inches of rain for the month of June, with yet another storm rolling through as I type!  We've been forced to turn on the air conditioning as we can't have the windows open reliably due to all of this rain!  We went over to Saylorville the other day to look for some driftwood for my mom and weren't able to access the lake at several points due to high water.  The beaches are pretty much non-existent because the water levels are so high, though there were several families attempting to enjoy the hot and humid day.  This rain has put into effect Flash Flood Watches that will last until further notice.  No end date and time...just "until further notice."  That's saying something!
Lately, we've had some time to start researching and pricing all of the things that we "need" to get ready for our family expansion in December.  Figuring out which crib will be the safest and how much you really need to spend for a quality crib has been exhausting!  Did you know that you can spend anywhere from $150 to $800 for a bed!!!  That doesn't even include the mattress!  I was shocked!  So after adding up the cost of a crib, mattress, car seat, stroller, play yard, breast pump, clothes, diapers, the list goes on and on and on....we were SHOCKED and began to realize that we need to start saving now!  While we knew that children were expensive, it made it easy to see how so many families go into debt when they have children.  The "Baby Industry" is driven to guilt you into buying the "best" for your child and in order to get the "best" you need to spend more, more, more.  Thankfully we have another 26 weeks to continue our research and ask lots of questions of my friends with children to find out what is really worth the money and what is not.  I haven't even started talking about finding day care yet.  Another day, another blog.  For now, enjoy the rain.

News

I finally got around to filling the bird feeder this Spring and I feel it was just in time.  We now have finches enjoying the seed and the cats enjoying the view.  Most days, I don't even notice the birds out on the feeder until I start hearing Coda chirping and flicking his tail around spastically.  A quick glance out the window and sure enough, there is a gold finch.  While I hate the mess that gets made with all the seed, I love watching the birds.  I always say that if I could be any other animal, I'd want to be a bird.  Can you imagine being able to fly?  Really, that's my only ambition for life as a bird, to fly.  I would want to still have the same intelligence as I do now, just able to fly.  Maybe technology will make this a reality for me in this lifetime.

In other news, Ben and I are expecting an addition to our family in December!  We are excited and nervous and can't wait to see how our lives will change.  This blog may change focus as the focus of our family changes, but I'm hoping that I get back to posting delicious recipes, which is why I started this thing in the first place!

While we are excited, we continue to think of our friends who are struggling and frustrated with fertility challenges.  We are thinking of you!  Know that we are here to support you and help in any way that we can!

Updates on the Hayletts

So Spring has sprung and I have some hyacinth out front.  I also planted a couple of other flowers last fall that are coming up but I can't remember what they are, so once they bloom, you will all have to help me identify what they are!  I'm absolutely loving this weather lately and can't wait to have the windows open for some GREAT sleeping weather before it gets too hot!  April has been very busy for Ben and I.  We traveled to Muscatine twice to visit Connie and Mike, Ben's mom and step dad, to LeMars over the Easter weekend to visit my parents and to the Quad Cities to visit Lyle and Gail, Ben's dad and step mom who were in town from Nashville.  This coming weekend, Nick and Beth are visiting and I am excited!  Beth is an amazing and talented artist and will be painting us a backsplash.  I know what you are thinking, paint?  Yep, but it looks like actual tile at less than half the cost.  And I am glad to be able to put a donation to help our friends get one step closer to their IVF goal.  :)  I plan to post the excellent pictures next week, if I don't forget!  Coming up in May, Ben and I are running/walking a 5K to raise money for ChildServe.  ChildServe is where I work and helps kids who have special needs by providing case management, SCL, respite, therapy and also have care units for kids to live when they are unable to live at home.  I'm excited to help out the agency and if you are free on May 8th, sign up!  http://tiny.cc/rvomu 
Hope you all are well!

Congratulations Dad!

My dad is officially retiring from the military and it honestly couldn't have come at a better time!  He was to be deployed to Afghanistan later in the Fall and now that he is retiring, he will thankfully not be going to the Middle East!  After going to a brain injury training that addressed the injuries that soldiers had received from IEDs, I could not be happier!  Its scary to think of all the things that could happen to a soldier in such an unstable area.  So here's to you dad!  CONGRATULATIONS!  I am so proud of you!  You served us well!

Getting Healthy

I wanted to give a quick update on my getting healthy goal.  In the past year and half, I have lost 27 pounds(6 just since January!), worked out for more hours than I care to keep track of, and changed my eating habits significantly.  In addition to all of these physical changes, I've started thinking differently as well.  You know, it's not fair that I have to bust my ass in the gym or that I have to keep track of every single calorie that goes on my plate and into my mouth.  However, that is my life if I want to be at a healthy weight, feel better, participate in activities that I enjoy and be generally happy with where I'm at in my life.  Additionally, working out has turned into a routine and really helped me manage the stress of taking 3 classes, working full time and working two part-time jobs.  I start to think about what the hell I'm going to do with my life once school is over and I only have one job.  Is that really going to be possible for me?  How will I be able to handle free time?  I guess I'll just have to wait and see.  I'm starting to think more positively about our future.  I still worry about what might happen or if we are able to conceive, but all we can do is think positively and hope for the best.  Anyway, tomorrow is another Monday so it's time for me to sleep and rejuvenate my brain and body!  Hope this finds you all well!

Where did January go?

Today is the last day of January and I'm not sure where the first day went!  This month has brought a lot:  one last Christmas celebration, newly assessed tax payments (boo), our highest electricity bill yet (double boo), the realization that I had at least 5 jobs last year (there may be more W2s coming), interestingly, we are willing to pay more for a specific food so the cat poop stinks less, the start of LiveHealthy Iowa and hopefulness of weight loss, running routine, lots and lots of laundry and delicious new recipes!  The hope is that these new recipes coincide with the LiveHealthy Iowa goal...we shall see.  School has also started again for both of us.  I'm in my 2nd year of graduate school and Ben, we thought, was in his final semester.  Turns out, he miscalculated one class and will be 3 credits short.  He is likely to graduate this semester but have 1 class left to finish!  I insanely signed up for 3 classes and am hoping that I don't drown between that and free time and work...
This year, I'm at three jobs, so hopefully we stick with that and I will remain employed throughout 2010.  With the weather as crazy as it has been this past month, it will be interesting to see how next month goes.  We can only hope for cheaper bills, but have accepted the fact that we do not have as much control over this as we would like.  As far as kitty poop goes, we made a joint decision that we are willing to pay more for cat food to save our noses from the awful stench that eeks out of Coda in particular.  I guess we know where our priorities lie.
LiveHealthy Iowa is off to a good start.  I'm on a team with my coworkers at ChildServe and I am serving as team leader.  I've lost 3 pounds and am motivated to help out my team.  We are competing in both weight loss and minutes of activity category and we want to WIN!  Somedays I just don't want to do any exercise, but knowing that my team is counting on me and I'm their "leader" is helping guilt me into doing something!  On a side note, I'm up to running a 10 minute mile!  This is huge considering I'd been at 12 minute miles for about a year!  Currently, I'm planning to compete with some friends in Dam to Dam later this Spring!  It's 12 miles from Saylorville to downtown Des Moines and if I finished the half marathon, I can finish this!  I think.
New recipes have been pretty successful this month.  We've made a meatball casserole, which was even better as a leftover, I've successfully made my own Chicken Tortilla Soup in the crockpot and I have a couple more on the back burner.  One of which is Chocolate Mint Cookies.  Ben is chomping at the bit for me to get these made, however, there just isn't enough time in the day some days.
So there it is, update for the month.  Hope you all are well, whomever you are!  Welcome February, I'm ready!

Christmas is Over

Ok, it's official.  Christmas is over and we are already almost a month in 2010.  We celebrated three separate family gatherings from Thanksgiving through the 2nd week of January.  I have to say, it was a great Christmas, spending time with family and pretty great gifts.  This year, I received a Kindle e-reader, Kitchen-Aide stand mixer and a Viking Sewing Machine.  Honestly, I can't think of anything better!  I've gotten plenty of use out of the Kindle and mixer and am now planning my first sewing project.  I'm thinking of making myself a tree skirt for the next holiday season!  I'm also hoping to be able to get good enough to alter my own clothing.  This will especially be important as I'm back on track with my "Get Healthy" goal.  I've been back in the gym for the past month and have signed up for Live Healthy Iowa.  I've been tracking my calories and exercise and in one week have lost 1.5 pounds!!!  For those of you who know me, losing weight and eating healthy aren't exactly my favorite things to do.  However, I know that it is something that I need to do for me.  My goal is to lose 19 pounds and I'm one step closer.  Ben has been amazing and supportive and I love him more every day.  Knowing that he is there and cheering me on is great motivation!
Any nutritious and delicious recipes, exercise tips or support are greatly appreciated!  Also, any book recommendations or sewing projects are being entertained as well!  Gotta be sure I use all of my new gadgets and gizmos from Christmas!