Summer Snapshots: Our Sweet Sleeper

I'm going to need Kam's help with all the Middle East pictures, but he's rather busy these days, so in order to not procrastinate [again] on blog posts, we'll start with Paris. So you may not see our summer in chronological order, but you will see it in some form or fashion!

Many of you know that a huge prayer of ours when heading to Paris was for Haddon's traveling and schedule. I cannot boast in the Lord enough in this area of our summer. Haddon was amazing on both of our flights, which were 8-9 hours long! I feel like every time I share that, I'm just as blown away. On the way over there, he was awake for the first couple of hours because they didn't dim the cabin lights for a while. The carrier in the picture above was my saving grace! Although they did set up a pretty nifty "bed" for the HadMan on our flight over which he just barely met the requirements for [yet another providential provision].

Clearly, this is not Haddon in the picture to the left. That boy of mine has never slept with a pacifier, nor was he that teeny at the time. There is no pictoral documentation of our flights because I was, well, flying by myself with a 10-month-old. 'Nuff said ;) Just wanted you to get a visual of the nifty contraption...

So not only did the flight go well, but jet lag wasn't much of an issue either. We thought it might be the first night when Haddon woke up around 1:00 a.m. and cried for about an hour... But that was all! By God's amazing grace, after that little episode, he was fine.

Some sweet bedhead for our sweet sleeper!

He kept a great nap schedule while we were over there and was so flexible when our days would not allow for that. He slept like a champ... anywhere :)

I've shared with people numerous times how wonderful Haddon did and how well we all transitioned to the 7 hour difference [or was is 8? It's all such a blur!] and like I said before, I'm still astounded at the Lord's answer to our prayers. Our very particular, detailed prayers! [I even prayed that we would sit by a sweet elderly couple on the flight that would be thrilled to death to be able to sit by Haddon. The Lord was faithful to do just that.]

What a Friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge,
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you;
you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to
Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there
will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship
will be our sweet portion there.

Eleven Months!

Here we are again! Another month [and some extra days] gone by... I got the privilege of spending one more week in Paris to kick off month 11, so we'll start with showing you some of those fine photos.

Just hanging out with Dad in front of the Eiffel Tower. No big deal...

My Dad's the best.

Then they tried to get me to walk for the first time.

I didn't succeed, but we still had a great time. I got a little French dust on my shoes and some good memories that I can't wait to hear about later in life. Here are some other sights I got to see.

The Louvre!

Check out those iconic pyramids.

I kind of like my parents. It's good to be held by them.

Can you believe I got to see Notre Dame? No hunchback though. What's up with that?

Me with the guys. This is our new friend, Mustapha.

I loved strolling by the Seine River. I felt so cultured.

Me and the boys again. This is another new friend, Zach.

As you can see, I got to make lots of new friends while we were there. Some of them I got to take home with me [because they're fellow Auburners]! Here are some faces that I quickly grew to love.

This is Kinsey. And my other good friend, the baguette.

This is Mustapha [you saw him earlier with us at Notre Dame].

This is Kentt and Haleigh [you met her in my last post].

They were some of my dancing buddies.

Just dancing on a rooftop in Paris. No big deal.

Rejoicing in finding cool bookstores with Dad.

Forced snuggles with Mom.

Metro love with Dad.

I also discovered a new form of entertainment while we were over there. I love windows.

This love has also translated into opening and closing all kinds of things— cabinets, doors, etc. I really am quite amused by it.

Another thing I discovered about myself was that I am a professional taker outer. Look how good I was at unpacking my suitcase when we moved into our second Parisian apartment.

I have continued this skill back in the states, helping out around the house.

Laundry!

Mom would be lost without me.

Just reorganizing a shelf in my room.

Unpacking the ottoman full of toys.

I was a champ on the flight back to the states and due to a slight mix up on the airport's part, we got a free carseat! I'm sure Mom will share that story on here at some point, so I won't steal her thunder. I'm riding big these days.

It sleeps pretty good, too.

We had to make a trip to Decatur a couple of days after we got back to Auburn [for my Papa Bob's funeral :(], which started another week of traveling. 

This is a family shot from the funeral. Papa Bob sure did love me and my parents.

Had to get in some Emma love while we were in town. She was giving me the stanky face in this picture.

We also got to go to an engagement party for one of my Mom's friends from high school. I was a hit ;)

Me and Mom with all her pretty friends.

I finally got to meet Elizabeth!

The beautiful bride-to-be, Mary Kyle.

Uncle Brandon [affectionately called "B-Money" in our family] also let me go to work on his iPhone. I was captivated.

I also got a haircut while we were in Decatur. Sadly, we have no photos to document this important event, but I'm pretty sure you can tell which of these photos are pre- and post-haircut. The mullet is gone...

We kept the family travels alive by heading on to Tuscaloosa to visit all our people there. For some reason, Big Daddy and Mama T's house always makes people sleepy, so lots of naps took place...

Dad snuck in and caught this picture of me and Big Daddy snoozing.

I also got in some good cousin time. The Pugh kids are so fun.

A fun fact about me these days is my love for food [I come by it honestly]. I've started getting really upset when my food is gone. Especially yogurt. I love yogurt. Here's a typical Haddon face when my food is gone...

For some reason, Mom and Dad remain unaffected by my theatrics.

Because I love to eat things, I also love biting things. All things. I may or may not bite my parents. Often. Sometimes it's playful, but sometimes when I get frustrated or angry I must bite something. Sometimes I even bite myself. This leads to another new occurrence in my life— the stern "no." I'm learning to respond to that, as well as my name. This has been going on for a few months now, just forgot to mention it.

I do make up for my biting with my kissing, though. They're kind of like bites, but without the chomp of the feisty fours. This softens Mom up a bit after I've accidentally left some teeth marks in her leg.

To close out my eleventh month, I decided to get sick for a week. I had a fever, congestion, a swollen throat and was all kinds of pitiful. It was so bad that I wouldn't even nurse for a few days. This made Mom really sad, but I just couldn't breathe! She doesn't think I know this, but she's started weaning me this month, so I actually did her a favor by laying off for a bit. Right now, I'm only nursing in the morning and at night. I chug a cup of formula for with lunch and dinner and have been a really good sport about it. I can't wait to try whole milk next month!

Well, I think I've covered my bases in terms of keeping you fine folks updated on my achievements and whereabouts. Number twelve is going to be quite a doozy! Keep your eyes out for that final update :)

grace to ya,
Haddon

P.S. Mom officially ruined my life by not taking any "formal" ten month pictures. I know I don't always love those photo shoots but come on! We had such a great streak going... I'm sure she'll redeem herself, though. I guess we can give her a little grace.