Acceptance...

So I like many other new mothers I'm sure was concerned that Hailey wasn't crawling yet. I know I shouldn't be comparing her to other kids but my friends kid was 6 months and already starting to crawl. Granted it's probably because I haven't been as vigilant with getting Hailey her tummy time. She would just cry and scream and some days I just couldn't mentally take it.

But since we are finding her on her tummy in her crib I decided to try and really make an effort to get her time on her tummy.

Today she was on her belly and I was able to read a few stories to her without her crying or rolling over. I consider that a success! She is trying to move her arms and legs a little bit and I know she'll get there at her own pace. So she may crawl...or army crawl or just skip it all and just start walking. I've accepted that and am thrilled with the progress we're making on her belly. I can tell she's wanting to move but she just hasn't figured out how to make it happen yet; I have a feeling I'll be running around all over trying to keep up with her once she starts moving. She is standing really well, at times she can hold onto her table without help, she even pulled herself up to her table with very little assistance from me yesterday....we're getting close!

Hailey spends most of her time sitting up and very little time on her back. I was thinking back the other day to when she would spend most of the day on her back. It's so much easier now!

I was actually able to get stuff down today and Hailey was content to sit on the floor, watching and playing with what ever objects I gave her. Her recent favorite is a book with pages she can try to suck on or rip or any light switch. She gets so excited she nearly jumps out of my arms to touch the thermostat each time.

So another day goes by and I've once again cherished all my time with her...yes I'm tired and ready for her to go to bed :) but she's so much fun. The highlight of my day was we were laying on the ground side by side and she was just looking up at me smiling while I was rubbing her big cheeks. That smile was enough to make my day.

Christmas

So we decided kinda last minute to do a Christmas card this year with Hailey. I attempted to do a photo shoot as Brad calls it, with her in front of the tree but she wasn't as excited as I was to take her picture. I was lucky I even got one good picture. I think next year I'll actually plan ahead and be more creative :)

She got her 6 months shots on this past Monday. I know we're a little behind...but she had to get three shots and drink something. I am too big of a wimp to be in the room with her when she's getting it done so Brad bravely substitutes in for me. I could hear her crying out in the waiting room. I felt so bad. The tears were still sitting on her chubby cheeks when she came out of the room.

All this week she was not sleeping very well. Which was very discouraging since she was consistently taking a morning and afternoon nap each 1-2 hours long. I felt awesome, I was getting to work so much more. Then this week she decided she'd only sleep 30-40 minutes at a time. Some times she'd only get 1 1/2 hours all day. I KNOW she needs way more then that. So I seemed to spend all day each day trying to coax her to have a nap. It took me 5 tries one day! I had to pray for an extra serving of patience that day. I just wish she'd trust me that I know what's best for her - lots of sleeping! I think she is sick too, just not sure if it's from her shots or not. I feel so bad for her when he nose is running and she's coughing plus she's in the mommy mood more often then not.

She's still eating really well, enjoying everyone kind of food we give her. With every first bite of each meal being the same, tongue comes out and she purses her lips, testing to see what it is. It was so cute yesterday, I was feeding her peaches which she's had many times and each time she took a bit she'd shake her head.

Bath Time

I feel that we are so lucky that Hailey loves her bath time. I remember being so scared the first few times when I bathed her on my own. I was so nervous, I didn't know how to hold her or comfort her if she started to cry. Now I look forward to bath time, she loves being in the water (must be from her daddy) and loves to play with her letters. I attempted the big tub a while ago but she's a slippery wet noodle so I figured I'd go back to my safe, sink tub. I'm sure she's ready to be in the big one but mommy can only transition so fast.

So I was doing my best not to stress about something but I feel one of my gifts is stressing out :) I thought I was going to have to wean her off nursing soon and I was dreading it. The past month I have been reading up on how to do it and each time I read about it I was praying I wouldn't have to. It's kinda funny because when I was pregnant I already committed to nursing not even knowing how challenging, painful, stressful, tiring...but amazing it was. I was so nervous, scared and a little weirded out by the whole thing to be honest. I was really struggling with the idea and felt foolish for it. So many people were telling me it was the most precious thing you could do with your child and it was so beautiful but I just wasn't on that same train of thought.

Once Hailey and I got the hang of it and the pain lessened and the feedings were more then 2 1/2 hours apart I actually found myself enjoying it. I started to look forward to our quiet time together when it was just us. It is such a precious time that we are able to share. I really feel that I have gotten to learn more about her personality more by nursing. I do consider myself blessed that I was able to nurse and that I still am. I do not take for granted this time or the fact that I'm able to continue to do so. When the time came to introduce solids I tried to put it off as long as possible...I kept telling myself she wasn't ready but the whole time it was me who wasn't ready.

So I have learned to enjoy our special time together, I am trying to soak in all her little smiles and sighs as much as I can.

Hailey is growing so fast and progressing faster then I'm emotionally ready at times but it's such a joy to see her grow, develop and just to watch her learn is incredible.

7 Months

I can not believe my little girl is 7 months already! She is growing so fast and we are enjoying every minute of it. She still hates being on her belly and immediately rolls over the instant you put her on her tummy. The only way I can get her to stay on her tummy is to prop her on the boppy pillow and even then she's trying so hard to roll. I've found her crying in the mornings on her belly in her crib. I'm hoping she'll learn how to roll back the other way soon.

As I was typing this blog I heard a thudding sound...it took me a minute to figure out what it was - Hailey was kicking the wall through her crib and was rattling the bathroom wall.

A few minutes later it got quiet and then she started crying...a muffled cry. She was on her belly again. So I went into her room and one sock was in the middle of the bed, by the wall, she was at the top of her crib face down almost out of her onesie. She looked like she was wearing an off the shoulder shirt :) I wish I could watch her get into that position but she is well aware of my presence in her room.

My favorite sound is still Brad making her laugh. I can not make Hailey laugh as loud and long as he does. She is daddy's little girl that's for sure. There is no better sound. I hope I never forget it.

Pictures

Just sitting outside in the backyard enjoying the 70 degree weather...in November!! So beautiful.

Hailey got her self wrapped up in her blanket some how....not quit sure. It was pretty funny, although she wasn't laughing at the end.

18 pounder

Hailey will be 6 months on Friday the 30th....it's just so hard to believe. I was scanning through old pictures of her when she was first born and it is true...she looks so different. I remember thinking at the time there was no way that she would change but she has and she just keeps getting cuter and cuter.

When Hailey turned 5 months we started feeding her rice, she took two nights to get used to it and now she is a great eater.

Well....she seems to scarf down her food when everyone else feeds her but when I do she takes her time. I don't mind I just think it's funny that she eats so quickly with everyone else. I attempted to video tape my feeding session with her but as soon as she saw and heard the camera click on she started eating. Hailey even tries to grab the spoon while I'm feeding her so I let her and help guide it into her mouth. She is just so much fun to feed.

I do feel that I can't take enough pictures of her...all the time...doing everything and nothing. I have learned from my father :)

Brad's mom came for a week so it was great to have her stay with us and spend some time with Hailey. She went on daily walks, played,

read and even had a little nap on Nana Ogden. We absolutely love having our family stay with us and be a part of Hailey's life.

Walk anyone?

As I write this Hailey is screeching in her room. She was so tired when I put her down but sounds wide awake to me! She has started waking up at 5:00am the past few mornings, I'm not sure what that's all about but I miss the days when we woke up to her cooing rather then her high pitched screeching. She's not upset necessarily but just testing her voice and how loud it can go. She's so crazy and we LOVE it.

I was so frustrated yesterday, she was so upset and nothing was working. I tried to avoid going outside since it was so cold out - in the 50s - but I ended up putting what I could on her...daddy wouldn't have been impressed, she was wearing a yellow onesie, brown pants, purple socks and a blue jacket with a pink blanket. But I didn't care what she looked like I wanted her to be warm and my to

lerance for the high pitched screeching (not happy screeching at this point) was low. So off we went, and as soon as we got outside she was quiet; the outdoors is a magic drug for her. We walked for an hour but she was great during the whole walk so I kept on going. Thank goodness for strollers!

Pictures

Everyone was right...after 3 months it does get "easier". Hailey is becoming much more active and more interactive with us. She is laughing more, I even got a chuckle out of her the other day. She is so aware of her surroundings. As you can see she is able to suck on her toe now and every morning when I get her out of bed her toes are wet. She is loving Kosmo, when ever he runs by her, barks, whines, rolls on the floor or gets excited she giggles or smiles; she just loves to watch him.

I heard my new favorite sound the other morning, I was getting breakfast and Brad was playing with Hailey on the floor, he was making her laugh so hard. I LOVE that sound. There really is nothing like it, it just melts my heart.

Brad is such a great dad, any time he's at home he is playing with her or watching her so that I can get done what I need to get done. I am so blessed.

Enjoy the pictures!

4 Months!

It's so hard to believe that Hailey is over four months already. I am so thankful the first two months are under our belt though. I LOVED how little she was and how much she cuddled but life is definitely easier now that she's getting older. Hailey is becoming much more aware of her surroundings and loves to look around and take in as much as she can. I love to take her for walks and see her try and take it all in.

For our vacation we drove up to my parents place for a week and it was so nice to see everyone, I miss them. I was so anxious and nervous about our trip. I was so hesitant to leave my little comfort zone here in the 'burg. I liked having all my 'toys' to keep her busy and liked having her crib handy. The idea of driving through the night twice, having her sleep in her pack n play and not have our swing...!!! But I was panicking for no reason, Hailey did great. She adjusted so well to my parents place, she slept more then she ever has and adjusted to all the new people. One morning we even had to wait for her to wake up so that we could go for breakfast! I LOVE seeing my father (and mom) with my daughter, he is so taken with her, I just love to see them together. She had grown so much since the last time they'd see her and this time she was much more interactive and a lot of fun.

Today she actually even rolled over for the first time. I was playing with her on the floor and she was reaching for a toy and just rolled over onto her belly then back on to her back. I love to see how much she's progressing and I can hardly wait until she can sit up on her own, she is so close.

4 Months!

Dedication

This past Sunday we had our family dedication at church - we dressed her up in this cute little dress and got to wear socks for the first time....we were searching for shoes that fit but she's already out grown the ones we have! I have to say I think she was the cutest one there! So hard to believe she's almost four months already.