Debbie and Rob Hayes and (our new) Family

Blink Lady Session Three (3)

2009-12-11T09:07:00.004-06:00

We just love the Blink Lady and the her beautiful pictures of our baby girl. Here's the session where we took a few of her pink poodle Halloween outfit and then some for Christmas. Enjoy!

Blink Session Three

Blink Lady Studios -- Session 2

2009-09-23T06:12:00.003-05:00

Here is the link to Kate Scot's 9 month pictures. Sorry it's been so long since we've uploaded anything. We have tons of video footage over the past few months that I need to organize and upload to the blog. Until then, enjoy these new pictures of our growing baby...

Blink Studios Session 2, KSH 9 Months

Giggles for the Camera

2009-06-30T20:46:00.003-05:00

My first Father's Day was awesome. We went down to New Orleans with Mindi, Scott, Jake, and Zach. The aquarium was neat and the Insectarium was even cooler. While we were waiting for Debbie to come out of a short movie inside one of the exhibits, I started filming Kate Scot because she was talking to me. Here's a short clip of some of her giggles.

KSH Giggles for Daddy

Here's an album of a few pictures from our New Orleans trip. There were tons, so I tried to pull some good ones so you can see how happy our little baby is.

New Orleans Album - Father's Day 2009

Pool Time!

2009-06-07T17:36:00.000-05:00

Today was Kate Scot's first time out at the pool. It was a beautiful day outside and she loved the water. Tomorrow she will be 6 months old! That's just unbelievable. She's already babbling some words like "ba" and "da" and giving us raspberries with her tongue. So far, she's had sweet peas, squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes.

Kate Scot's Easter Pictures from School

2009-04-26T13:18:00.000-05:00

3 Month Pictures from the Blink Lady

2009-04-02T15:47:00.003-05:00

Blink - Session One - 3 Months Old

Day One, lunch by Daddy.

2009-03-06T20:50:00.000-06:00

I was able to sneak away during lunch on Monday [Kate Scot's first day of school] and feed her a bottle. It was awesome to walk in there amongst the chaos of all those kids, pick out mine, walk over there, and have her give me the biggest smile. She was hungry and the teachers already had one of her bottles warmed up and ready. So, I just plopped down in a rocking chair and fed the munchkin. After a productive burping session, and some good cooing, I sat her back in this bouncy chair and snapped a picture before heading back to work. She really is so much fun.

First Day of School

2009-03-06T20:39:00.003-06:00

This was a very busy week for our little family. Debbie started back working full-time at the hospital and Kate Scot started going to her new school. The morning routine has really changed for us. Debbie and I are learning that it sure does help to have things organized and ready to go before we go to sleep. Kate Scot has taken this new routine in stride and has really done well at school. We're told that she never gets fussy unless she's communicating her hunger. She's always just looking around and smiling at people. The principal says that she'll go in there sometimes and pick her up and walk her around the hallway. She gets a report card every day that lets us know when she ate, how much... when they changed her diaper, how much... and so on. Debbie and I argue over who gets to pick her up in the afternoons, and if Debbie is off before 6PM then it's her. I can't win that battle. I've attached a cute picture from her first day. They set her in the swing just before I left and she looked so wide-eyed that I had to take picture with my phone.

2 Month Check-up

2009-02-12T23:02:00.005-06:00

Today was Kate Scot's 2 month check-up and the doctor said that she couldn't be any healthier. He even said we could start mixing some rice cereal in her milk because she's been eating so much. She's nearly 90% on both length and weight... 50% on head circumference. She weighs almost 12 pounds! We all finally have kicked the cold bug that was keeping us down and dreary for a couple weeks. Here are two albums that I wanted to share with everyone. Just click on each starting photo and it will take you to the rest of the album.

Bobby Seat

Recent Smiles

Trip to GG and PaPa's

2009-02-12T23:01:00.000-06:00

Last weekend was our first trip out of town as a family. We went to Atlanta to visit Debbie's parents. Here's a picture of us hiking in the woods with Corky. Kate Scot is in the Baby Bjorn, snug against her Daddy's chest.

Grip

2009-01-30T20:56:00.000-06:00

My two favorite pictures so far.

Commence with the Smiles

2009-01-30T10:54:00.003-06:00

The last week has really been busy for our "little bit of trouble." We actually hosted an engagement party for some of our good friends this weekend, and next to the frozen margarita machine on the back porch, Kate Scot was the star of the show. Next week begins the month of February 2009, which signals the steady ramp-up to when we start taking Kate Scot to her new school. We're really excited about having her accepted to Odyssey Early School near our house [http://www.odysseyearlyschool.com/program.htm]. Although we are going to be sad that we have to drop her off in the morning, we know that she will be well taken care of, and she'll be able to start meeting new friends.

And about the "smiles" I mentioned in the title of this post... she's really been smiling a lot lately. It's probably the sweetest thing I've ever laid my eyes on. Here's a link to some pictures of Kate Scot in her little tu-tu outfit. You can see how happy she is that her name is actually embroidered on her tush. Enjoy.

Tu-tu Outfit

How many days old is Kate Scot? Just consult the tracker...

2009-01-30T10:43:00.003-06:00

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Since this post will eventually fade in the distance, I've created a smaller version of the tracker and placed it in the column on the left for future reference. I expect everyone to clear their calendars and plan to come over for her first birthday.

We now have a 10 pound baby!

2009-01-13T21:26:00.003-06:00

It's hard to believe that Kate Scot was 5 weeks old yesterday! She's getting noticeably stronger and is able to focus and track things much better with her eyes. Here are a couple of pictures that we took tonight to show off some of her new Packer gear that she got from her loving extended family up Nort'. Just click on the picture to go to the web album. You can even look at the pictures in slideshow mode if you want.

packer outfit

3 Week Check-up is a Success.

2008-12-30T12:53:00.006-06:00

We just got back from Kate Scot's 3 week check-up and she did so well. She's right at 50% on weight (8 pounds, 11.5 ounces) and head circumference (14 in.), AND she's 80% on length (21 inches). Maybe I need to go ahead and set up the basketball hoop so it's ready for her when she can walk?

Christmas 2008 was so much fun, yet such a blur. We were so happy that everyone was able to come over and visit us so that we didn't have to travel with Kate Scot. Here are a couple of good pictures to document the time. I'm planning on posting an online picture album soon.

Happy New Year Everyone... see you in 2009!

We Have Lift Off!

2008-12-27T21:27:00.010-06:00

Today marked a big achievement in Kate Scot's development. She has been moving her head around sporatically since birth, but today (Saturday, 12/27/2008 - 2 weeks and 5 days old) she demonstrated her calm agility and smooth muscle coordination as she lay on her stomach and picked her head up to move it side to side. We were able to catch her in the act a couple of times and wanted to post this link to the videos for everyone to see. There are three clips, each a minute or two long.

Some things to note: She's really been cooing a lot lately and "talking" to us in sounds that seem like the beginning of a cry, but are more like grunts. Also, she really shows off her tongue to the audience in true KISS fashion. She's much more alert and playful, enjoying things like her bouncy chair, being walked around the room, or even just put in her car seat and swung like a pendulum. Movement is the key, even if it's just bumping around in the stroller.

PS> Christmas was awesome this year. Everyone was so great to come visit us. We'll be sure to post a bunch of pictures very soon. Until then, enjoy these videos... and if we don't see you 'til next year, Happy New Year!

Pick Up Head Movies 12-27-08

Kate Scot's Birthday Slideshow

2008-12-12T13:05:00.004-06:00

Just click on the link below and it will take you to a website where you can press PLAY to watch this slide show of pictures and captions showing the night before, day of, and days after Kate Scot's birth. This is just the beginning...

Kate Scot's Birthday Slideshow

The Many Faces of Kate Scot

2008-12-10T05:24:00.013-06:00

[Prolouge: We borrowed this idea from our friends, Ben and Moira Plaisance, and their new baby boy, Jean-Paul. Babies just make the darndest faces. You can check out their blog by clicking on the link at the left under our Blog List.]

So, it's Day 2, and as we were trying on Kate Scot's new fluffy hat (made by Gigi, Debbie's mom) she began making some amazing new faces. Feel free to add a comment if you have any good ideas as to what she might be thinking as she makes these crazy faces.

The Infamous "Pouty" Lip, documented here on Day 2, but first witnessed by her Father minutes after her birth.

We like to call this one, "Here's the church, here's the steeple..."

"The Finger"

"The Kiss... not til you're 30!"

"The Yawn... Rough Day"

Welcome to the World, Baby Kate Scot!

2008-12-09T12:59:00.003-06:00

December 8, 2008... if you've been reading since the beginning of the blog, 12/8/08 was the due date that we were given from the start. And right on time, 3:49 PM that is, our new baby girl arrived! At 7 pounds, 6 ounces, and 20 inches long, she's everything we could have ever imagined.

Showered with Love

2008-11-22T17:37:00.007-06:00

This Tuesday (11/25) will be Debbie's third "1-week" checkup. She's now 38 weeks! It's just amazing how the time has passed so quickly. Ask her, and honestly I think you'd get the same response. Two more days at work and she'll be off for the rest of the year and into 2009. She's so excited about that, and the fact that we'll have a new addition to the family! The past few weeks have been very exciting. We've been so lucky to be showered with gifts from all of our family and friends. I've posted a few pictures from the shower at Jake and Allison's house. I'll put more pictures up soon, but these can get you started.

Three more days until Thanksgiving. We have a lot to be thankful for, and I'm really just starting to learn and experience how lucky and blessed we really are. The baby could come any day now, so we'll just let her decide when she's ready to come out and play.

A beautiful spread... Lori's bacon cheese dip, Mom's fruit plate, and Molly's glass plates

Debbie and Beth posing their bellies to the camera

Deb, Andrea, and Nini hanging on the couches

Debbie testing out Kate Scot's new stroller!

Lori, Allison, Beth, Krisin, and Molly... thank you for hosting such an awesome shower!

The Nursery

2008-10-10T21:47:00.000-05:00

With only 8 weeks to go until the due date, the nursery is finally ready. Special thanks to Alan and Amanda Cook for giving us their awesome crib, changing table, and all of Courtney's clothes that are now too big for her! We've included some pictures below so you can see how the room looks.

Out on the town!

2008-08-22T22:10:00.000-05:00

Tonight Debbie went out on the town with two of her best friends, Molly and Lori. They got all dressed up and went out to dinner at a restaurant called Ocean, in 5 Points South, near downtown Birmingham. Who knows what else they might get into while they're out on the town? You can tell from this picture that Debbie still has her spunk and charisma, even after working all day, and carrying our baby girl around in her belly.

--- Molly, Debbie, and Lori, ready for a night on the town ---

23 Weeks and Really Kickin'

2008-08-14T20:15:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday Debbie went for a checkup appointment and everything looked awesome. We feel so lucky that things seem to be progressing wonderfully. Sorry we haven't updated the blog lately, but we'll try to do better from here on out.

The title of this post is quite truthful. As Debbie lays down to sleep most every night she is greeted with random kicks from the little one. This has just started to become very noticeable over the past week or two. It's such an amazing thing to feel! We've been trying to read to her every night just for fun and because people say that they can really hear you talking to them.

Debbie went to the store this week and bought her first maternity clothes! I told her that she's finally accepted the belly emergence, and that's the first step. I've posted a couple of pictures of her in one of her new purchases. Plus, since everyone's been screaming for a picture of the belly, I've thrown one of those in there too... until Debbie reads this and makes me take it down. We'll see. I think it's pretty cool.

I've also included a snapshot of the first three outfits in the closet for our baby girl. I'm sure you'll know which one is my favorite, and I'm sure you'll be able to figure out which ones came from her two wonderful sets of excited grandparents!

-- This lovely outfit is from my parents --

-- This hot number is from Debbie's parents --

-- And this one is probably my favorite --

Thanks again to everyone for all of your comments and emails with support in our new parenting endeavor. December 8th will be here before we know it!

More to come...

Here are the long awaited pictures of Debbie that I mentioned earlier:

Anatomy Scan Videos

2008-07-10T20:41:00.000-05:00

Yesterday we had an awesome visit to the doctor. Debbie had her anatomy scan and everything seems to be progressing according to schedule. We saw the detailed facial features, measured the skull, looked at the nose and mouth, examined the spinal cord, all four chambers of the heart, and even the kidneys. They measured the arms and legs and checked for proper bloodflow through the umbilical cord and into the baby. We confirmed from every possible angle that we definitely have a baby girl growing in there. We are so blessed that everything seems to be going so well. I brought a VHS tape (I know, so outdated!) for the ultrasound machine and we were able to record most of what the lady was doing as we watched the monitor during the scan. This was so cool, and I was able to capture the video to my computer and chop it up into two sections so that you can see most of it. Each video is about 3 or 4 minutes.

PART 1: Includes the Face, Profile, Right/Left Arms, Spine, and Heart

PART 2: Includes 4D face images, some full body shots, and confirmation that we have a girl!

IT'S A GIRL!!!

2008-07-05T17:42:00.001-05:00

That's right it's (semi) official. We've got a baby girl brewing in Debbie's belly. These pictures are proof of that. Now keep in mind that these were taken on June 24th when Debbie was approximately 16 weeks pregnant. That's the very start of the window of when you are able to tell what's in there. The official anatomy scan next week should provide the icing on the cake. I would say we're 99.7% sure that we're having a baby girl. Immediately, I'm more nervous.

The second picture is a great shot of her first elegant wave to the camera. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of those in the future. Daddy's Little Girl...

First Ultrasound Pictures of Baby Hayes

2008-07-05T17:25:00.000-05:00

These were taken at Baptist Shelby Hospital on May 19th, when Debbie was 11 weeks pregnant. At this time we still did not know if we had a boy or a girl, but as you can see from that third picture, we knew the baby had the Hayes hiney.

New Baby on the Way!!!

2008-07-05T17:12:00.000-05:00

On Mother's Day 2008, Debbie and I started telling our friends and family that we were going to have a baby!!! We're so happy and excited and can't wait for her to come. That's right I said "her"! Last month we found out that there's a little baby GIRL growing in Debbie's belly. We have some really neat ultrasound pictures that I'll post soon. Next week we'll go back to the doctor for the total anatomy scan and check out her progress. As of today, Debbie is 17 weeks along with a due date of December 8th, 2008.