One Year Old

Dear Haley,

Happy happy birthday my sweet girl! We are so excited to celebrate this last year that we had with you. I woke up the morning of your birthday with memories in my head of the previous year. We had you induced and I was so nervous that morning, but at the same time I was so anxious to meet you. You have been such a joy and a teacher of patience in our lives! I've learned a lot of patience with you throughout this last year, with your colic as a newborn, all of your colds and sinus infections in the first 3 months, teaching you to sleep through the night, which took a good two or three months, I think, your angry scream and your constant need of attention and entertainment. But you are worth every bit of it, my dear! You have such a sweet disposition and like I have said time and time again, your smile can light up a crowd. Your giggle and your silly sounds and facial expressions always keep us laughing. You are so curious and are so busy! I think you became a much happier baby once you became mobile and definitely when you learned to walk. You have always been on the go and are always keeping me on my toes. You have dealt with Kinley pretty well while she has learned to be a big sister. We still have a ways to go, and I'm sorry she is so mean sometimes. Dad and I definitely feel for you because we are both 2nd children. But you still love to play and interact with Kinley. I hope that continues to be the case and you and Kinley can learn to be great friends, that is one of my greatest hopes and wishes for the two of you. Let's get to some stats:

-You weigh 18.5 lbs
-You are 28 inches long
-You have 5 teeth (2 center top teeth, 2 center bottom teeth and one molar on the top right side)
-You are currently allergic to strawberries
-Totally weaned from formula and are loving warm, whole milk
-You love any and all kinds of foods, except avocado
-Walking full time at about 11 months and one week

We spent your birthday celebrating with a wonderful visit from Nama and Papa. We took a drive to Murray to the historic Wheeler Farms where we walked saw some farm animals and had a fun little photo shoot with you. Then we headed back to Heber for dinner at the Ranch House Grill, which was so good, but I will admit, I think we had a little more fun there then you did. You were a little anxious to get home. Probably to your chocolate cupcakes. We got home and quickly delve in to the cupcakes, quite literally for you, Miss Haley. You LOVED the cupcake, and it's safe to say you are a fan of chocolate just like mommy, and let's be real, most women out there.

 We love you more than you know Haley Elizabeth. You really have been such a joy and the perfect addition to our growing family. We can't wait to see what this next year has in store for you and we are so excited to see more of your personality come through.

Love you Haley Lou


Love, Mom

Last nap as a "baby" (day before her birthday)

Eleven Months

Dear Haley,

Happy 11 months! Where has the time gone? Seriously, this can't be right that you are almost a year old! Time has flown, but I have loved watching you grow. You are such a darling and sweet little girl. Your smile lights up my day, but your scream is almost deadly! You keep me on my toes, that is for sure!

-You have 5 teeth
-brown eyes
-strawberry blond hair (I hope that is here to stay)
-a full head of hair, although thin, it's still a full head and it's still growing
-The only real word you still say is, "Mamma" although you are jabbering more and more
-You eat everything we put in front of you. So far, I think you are allergic to cucumbers, and you don't enjoy avocado very much, but those seem to be your only complaint
-You are learning to walk!

Technically you took your first steps when you were still 10 months. It was July 2nd. We were out in the backyard of Gigi and Grandpa's house. Dad and I were playing with you on the grass and you took your very first steps! We were thrilled for you! I would have preferred you wait another month... or three, but I am still so proud! You still prefer crawling as your main mode of transportation, but you are getting better and more confident with yourself all the time.

We love you, sweet girl. Your laugh is infectious, you are SO busy! You love to explore and are always on the move! You still are not all that snuggly. You don't mind being held, but as far as rocking you before bedtime, like I still do with Kinley, you don't seem to care for it. All you need to fall asleep is your "sleepy elephant", your thumb in your mouth, and sleep sheep on the "whale" setting. You still take two naps a day and sleep great at night. You wake up whenever Kinley does, because let's be honest, the WHOLE family wakes up when Kinley does. And as far as your relationship with Kinley goes, it's... sort of hot and cold, with cold being more dominating. I hope as you and Kinley get older you will start to get along better. I'm sorry for all the abuse you put up with from her, but just think, it will make you stronger, and I'll let you get a push in every now and then to even the score. ;-)

We love you little Hales. We couldn't imagine our family without you. You are sweet and spunky and curious and smart! We wouldn't have you any other way!


Love, Mom

Ten Months

Dear Miss Haley,

Happy ten months, baby girl! You are getting to be so big, so fast! Ten months does not seem right to me, but here we are. You have been such a happy little baby this month and I am loving it! Last month was a month of grumpiness! You were grumpy from growth spurts and teething all at the same time and I was wishing for my happy baby to be back, and just as quickly as the grumpiness came it went and my happy little girl is back! We have had so much fun this month visiting our family and traveling! You had your first trip on an airplane and did really well! You also took your first trip to Disneyland, which was a total blast and you were such a trooper. You were happy to just be along for the ride. You loved being in the baby carrier, because your favorite thing is to be carried everywhere, which is interesting because at the same time you are so busy! You are curious about and into everything!

-You weigh 18 is lbs (I think)
- You have 4 teeth (just cut another one a couple of days ago, which meant the grump was back)
- You have about given up on baby food altogether and love table foods
- You babble and blow raspberries all the time. It's your favorite thing to do
- You can stand on your own for about 3-5 seconds now
- You are into everything that Kinley plays with
- You still take two naps a day (thank you!)


You have a smile that lights up a room! Honestly, when we were in Disneyland everyone you smiled at could not help but smile back at you! Your smile is literally contagious and I love it! You have beautiful brown eyes and your hair is coming in little by little. It's a strawberry blond at this point and I hope it stays! You still wear bows, which I love and you still LOVE to bounce! If I had the arm strength you would want to be bounced all day long! You also love to eat! You try new foods all the time and you are never one to turn down any sort of meal or snack, unlike your sister.

I have a feeling you will be walking much sooner that your big sis did. You have worked so hard at standing up this last month and you are now working on standing on your own. I love watching your determination, it makes me proud, but also a little sad that you are growing so fast! I won't be upset if you are not that eager to walk.

We love you little Hales! You have such a sweet, friendly personality and we love watching you grow!

Love, Mom

Nine Months

Dear Haley,

You are nine months old! Officially been out as long as you were in! So much has happened it seems like this past month!

-You weigh 17 ish pounds
-You are 26 inches long (you are short and round and mommy wouldn't have you any other way!)
-Still have only 2 teeth, but one is on the way
-Still sleep through the night
-Started trying table foods
-Crawling
-Starting to pull yourself up

Miss Haley, you. are. thee. squirmiest! You love to move and roll around. It takes Dad and I FOREVER to change your clothes or diaper because you squirm so dang much! Last month you were only scooting yourself backwards, but now you are crawling everywhere and getting into everything! There is nothing that you don't put in your mouth and Dad and I are back to super baby proofing everything! We have to watch you like a hawk because of the things you have snuck into your mouth! You are now starting to pull yourself up to standing on couches and anything sturdy. I don't think you are going to take as long to walk as Kinley did, which makes me a little sad, but I get it; you want to be off keeping up with your big sister. I hope you keep crawling a little longer though, it's good for your brain.

You still love to watch Kinley and get into everything she is into. She is still having a hard time sharing and you are starting to have an opinion on her sharing as well. Before she would take things out of your hand and it would barely phase you, you would just move on to the next thing. Now, if she tries to take something you have no problem sharing your feelings about it, loudly. I'm not complaining though. It's understandable and we are working with her to be more open to letting you play with her. She will get there soon enough.

You still sleep through the night and are still taking two naps a day. You are starting to stay awake a little longer though, so I am having to adjust your nap times, which makes me sad because you aren't going to be taking your afternoon nap with Kinley anymore, or at least for awhile. However, the bright side of that is that you and I get to have some one on one time while Kinley sleeps.

You want to be so independent, little miss. You want to try and feed yourself and you are getting better, but you still need some assistance from Mom and Dad. You are going to be your own little person, that is for sure. I tell all our family and friends that I have a feeling you are going to give us a run for our money. Kinley is sassy, yes, but you can't wait to grow up and be independent. Just try not to grow up too fast! These past nine months already seem a little fast. That may be in part to me wishing those first three months away, which I apologize for. I am not one of those mommy's that enjoys the newborn phase. And both you and Kinley were tough newborns.

Despite all that, I hope you know how much we adore you, Haley! Your smile still fills my heart with joy and you have been the perfect little addition to our family! Can't wait to see what you do this month!

We love you!!

Love, Mom

Eight Months

Miss Haley Lou,

Eight months you certainly are! Happy new month of life, baby girl! This month  has had lots of milestones. You are so happy and bubbly, most of the time. You still love to watch Kinley and you beam from ear to ear whenever you see Dad. You love to be bounced and you love to dance with us. You are getting more vocal which is fun. You have discovered what Dad and I call your "angry scream" and that is exactly what it is. You are one that definitely wears her emotions on her sleeve. When you are upset you have no problem letting us know, loudly! You make sure we know you are present and are ready for some extra loves and attention.


Milstones:

You can sit yourself up from your tummy
You say "ba-ba" and "ma-ma." (that last one is my absolute favorite!)
You have started eating baby puffs
You feed your bottle to yourself
You can almost scoot forward. You are so close to getting it
You can plank (which makes this fitness mamma so happy)
You still lovetummy time
You have two teeth with possibly, one more on the way.
You sleep through the night!

Also, Mom and Dad have moved you into Kinley's room and it has been great! Kinley is so excited to share a room with you and loves taking her nap with you and going to sleep with you. The first few nights took both you and Kinley some getting use to each other, but it has been pretty smooth sailing for the most part, and Mom and Dad are happy to have their room back to themselves.

Your teething toys are your favorite toys right now and you love anything Kinley plays with. We are working on sharing now because of that. You are still in 6 month clothes, but are pretty close to be moving onto 9 month size. I would say in a week or two you will be out of them. We are so excited for some upcoming events. Your first Easter, first plane ride in the summer to see Na-ma and Papa Nunes!

We love you, Hales. You keep us on our toes and your expressive faces always bring smiles and laughs. Can't wait to see what you do next!

Love, Mom

Seven Months

Dear Haley Lou,

Happy seven months little babe! Another month has come and gone and you are growing and showing your personality more and more! Let's start with the stats:

Weight: 16 ish lbs
Teeth: started cutting your first one
New foods tried: turkey and gravy (you were definitely not a fan), kale and banana puffs
Clothing size: 6 months for tops and bottoms
Sleeping: about 10 hours a night with 2 naps in the day time.

Miss Haley, you started cutting your first tooth about 2 weeks ago. I had no idea until a lady at church noticed. But you have been great at reminding me of it ever since. You are a lot more needy these days and can get fussy a lot easier, but Mom realizes this is to be expected, and I love the extra snuggles I can have. You also started  coming up onto your knees during tummy time and you can scoot yourself backwards! We love watching you move and become stronger. One thing you love to do is back yourself into the space between our couch and the floor. There have been a number of times that I have stepped into the kitchen or just away for a minute and come back to find your lower half under the couch. You seem to know that this is entertaining to us because you always giggle when we find you. You are such a character. You are still super smiley, even through all the teething! Right now you like to wake up at  5:00 AM, which isn't my favorite time to start the day, so we are working on pushing that back a bit, but you are sleeping through the night and still taking 2 naps a day, so I won't complain too much. Hopefully, we will be moving you into Kinley's room soon!

One thing we have noticed about you is that your are very curious about everything around you. You grab at everything and Dad and I are always moving things out of your reach that we don't want you to have. You are notorious for grabbing our things and throwing them to the ground. I can already tell that you are going to be my mischievous one. The one that is crawling in and out of my cupboards and making messes all along your path. I can see it in your eyes, if I end up being right I'll just look back on this letter and giggle to myself and you will know that mother's intuition is no joke!

We love you little Haley! Happy seven months sweet girl! Can't wait to see what next month brings!


Love,

Mom