Hadley :: 12 Months

Dear Hadley,

Well, we did it, little one!  All three of us survived our first year as a family of 3!  It is almost impossible to remember life before you, Hadley Ann.  You make life so much more joyful and full and we are forever thankful for the gift of being your parents!  Sweet girl, in this life you’ll learn that nothing truly rewarding ever comes without a challenge and hard work, and I’ve never found that to be more true than in this past year.  We’ve had hard days and we’ve had great days, and through it all we’ve found a new depth of joy to life; all thanks to you! 

Here are your stats this month:

• Height: 30 1/4 inches
• Weight: 23 lbs 14 ounces
• Diapers: Size 5
• Clothes: 12-18 month (you are finally wearing clothing that corresponds to your age!) Although you also have a few 24 month outfits and 2T tops

You brought a new dimension of humor to our house this year.  We can’t help but crack up when you look us right in the eye with a little smirk while you dangle your sippy cup off the edge of your high chair (how are we supposed to discipline you when you look so dang cute while you’re testing your limits?).  And I’m pretty sure I could play you a video of the Three Stooges (will you even know who they are when you’re reading this someday?) and have you rolling.  You’ve got a slap-stick sense of humor and will laugh at things dropping or people slipping (I’m afraid you got that sense of humor from your momma!).  I should have known that was coming when the first thing to make you laugh was me dropping a wooden spoon!  We also can’t help but giggle a bit when you are terrified of the iron or dust buster, and yet a giant golden retriever can bark in your face and you just smile and squeal! 

Although you still do not get around totally on your own, you are a mover, little punkin.  You prefer to be on your feet (so long as you have something to hold on to) and would cruise around the house all day if momma let you.  You’re not confident enough to walk on your own (and you get too excited when you realize you’re standing to be able to keep your balance), but given a hand or two from one of us, those little feet just get cruisin’!  (Even when you have momma’s Uggs on!)

We spent our first night apart from you this month.  Daddy’s work had a Christmas party that was at the Gaylord Hotel.  There were FAR more tears on my end than there were on yours.  Your Nana and Poppie came up to stay with you and you had so much fun with them.  You didn’t quite sleep through the night for them, and I think you were a little confused when Nana came into your room in the middle of the night instead of me, but she said you snuggled right in and let her rock you back to sleep.  You don’t even let daddy do that most nights, so I’m glad Nana was there for you!  You did, however, decide that you didn’t need any of the milk that I pumped for you (with the exception of a small bottle before bed), so I don’t think we’ll be leaving you overnight again at least until you are weaned. 

Speaking of milk, we’re going to start slowly transitioning you to almond milk (instead of whole milk – since your tummy has been sensitive to dairy).  You still nurse 4 times a day – once first thing in the morning, again at lunch, before your afternoon nap and then before bed.  You eat 3 meals a day and snack once or twice.  Your favorite foods right now are bananas, whole grain blueberry waffles and chicken!  You are definitely your momma’s (and daddy’s) daughter and love mexican food.  It’s my favorite type of place to go out to eat for two reasons – 1. I love tex-mex and 2. it’s so easy to feed you right off my plate!  You love a little bit of fajita meat and tortilla, rice & black beans and especially avocado!  (As seen in the picture below all over your face!)

You are quite the social butterfly, and love to “talk” and play with other people and babies.  You LOVE to see other babies, whether it’s at a play date or a total stranger at Target you try to grab their hands and if you are close enough, you love to give hugs and kisses.  Such a sweetheart!  Speaking of being a sweetie, you are very tender-hearted.  With your strong desire to test your limits lately, we’ve had to say “no” to you a little more sternly than before.  With some things, you are un-phased, but with most, you stick your pouty little lip out and start bawling as soon as you hear the stern “Haaadley… no ma’am".”  It’s heartbreaking, but at the same time, as soon as you finish crying about being scolded, you go right back to pushing your limits, so I don’t think you’re too affected. :) 

Hadley, you are a curious little bug and always need to know who’s around you and what they’re up to.  When you discover something new, I can see the wheels turning in your little head as you try to process it and figure everything out. 

Your schedule has been pretty much the same as last month, but little one, you have had some rough nights of teething lately.  I feel like we have had to give you Tylenol or Advil every other night this month – and then four hours later when it wears off we are all up again.  The doctor said molars are rough and can take awhile, so we’re just praying they cut through soon for all of our sakes!  You take 2 naps a day (each about an hour to an hour and a half) around 10 and 3 and go to bed around 7:30 and sleep until 8ish in the morning.  The past week or so has been rough – for some reason you have not fallen asleep for the night until almost 9!  On the plus side, you have slept in for us a bit, so I can’t complain too much! 

HadleyBelle – We love, Love, LOVE you punkin.  What an indescribable blessing this past year has been.  Your daddy and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for your future! 

Love,

Momma