One

My dearest Hadley,

One year ago, our family became 4 strong. I can’t even grasp how this quickly this year has gone, yet I feel like you have always been with us. You are a beacon of joy, and your smile lights up the room. You have the same easygoing personality as your brother, yet you are definitely your own person.  Content is a good way to describe you. There’s no rush for you, which has demonstrated many teaching moments for me. Life is to be enjoyed and embraced and you live this way in the fullest. You love to chatter and have so much to share. You adore your family with all your entire being, especially your big brother. Mason never fails to make you laugh and smile just with his presence.

My sweet girl, the love that I have for you is enormous.  My prayer is that you always fully embrace life. Continue to smile and find joy in even the smallest moments.  Love wholeheartedly.  Keep shining.

All my love,

Momma

Hadley Marie :5 Months:

 

My dearest Hadley, here we are at 5 months. You have just seamlessly settled yourself into our lives and we just cannot imagine life without our sweet girl. You continue to enjoy life and just handle whatever comes your way with your laidback attitude.  Dogs running around crazy...no problem. Big brother trying to shove your paci in your mouth...no problem.  Your smile is still constant and you have started sharing some belly laughs with us. You are a "talker" and I can only imagine what you have to say to us. We have brought out the bumbo seat for you and it's a winner (as long as we can keep big brother out of it). You like to be where the action is. You are an active little girl and can really get your arms and legs moving (just wait until you can really get somewhere with all that movement). Your hair is following right along with what Mason's did...thinning out and growing back lighter. Never in my life did I imagine I would have 2 blonde hair babies. 

You are such a beauty and the light just shines from your eyes. Keep shining girl! Lots of love to you!

Hadley Marie : 4 Months :

Well, here we are, on the tail end of 4 months Hadley. According to your doctor, you are looking absolutely perfect (not surprising to us at all of course). You are my petite baby weighing in at 11 lbs. 13 oz. 24 in. and you still have the cutest thigh rolls. Embrace them now honey. 

 

 You continue to be such an easygoing little girl with not much that upsets you. You're quick to smile and enjoy "talking" to us. You decided to roll over from your stomach to your back a few times and you are all about kicking your legs around.

You continue to watch your big brother as he definitely entertains you. 

This month you decided why bother with a paci when you have a thumb that is always there when you need it!  

We just love you to pieces Hadley! 

Hadley Marie :3 Months:

So our girl time together during the day has come to an end as I jump back into the workplace. It's bittersweet really. The days of just the two of us, me soaking in that young baby smell, you soaking in my smells, just holding you and taking in your sleepy sighs, I've enjoyed them. There's just something about that time in the beginning, the newness of our lives intertwining especially now without the chaos of big brother. 

You are such a sweet baby, so easygoing and enjoy just hanging out soaking in everything. You are doing so well holding your head up which helps you watch your big brother as he is constantly on the move. You're a talker too. Lots of coos, smiles and bubble blowing. I can only imagine what all you have to say. 

You love to stretch out and kick those little legs. Your mat is especially fun. Sometimes you work out so much that you fall asleep.

I'm really having fun with your headbands and outfits which sometimes you just aren't sure about, but you can pull off anything, just take my word for it.

My Hadley, you have the most precious smile which you generously share. Keep sharing that smile because it lifts spirits and brightens the days. 

Lots of love, 

Momma

Hadley Marie ::1 month::

It's hard for me to grasp already that I'm once again doing monthly updates on the newest member of our family. Hadley Marie made us a family of 4 on September 10th at 4:42 a.m. (her birth story will be shared soon) weighing in at 7 lbs. 2 oz. 19 in.  She is settling in to the chaos which makes up our household these days and seems to go with the flow of things. Her favorite things are sleeping, eating, stretching out, and wondering where all the noise is coming from that she keeps hearing and who the little person is that keeps sticking things in her face. She's a noisy little sleeper so she's already made the move to her crib and seems to enjoy it. Breastfeeding is thankfully going well, and has been from the moment she latched on soon after delivery. She is a consistent eater every couple of hours, which makes for a tired mama throughout the night, but she's actually really efficient so each feeding isn't taking very long.  She had several rough days that involved more crying than usual, so I'm limiting my dairy intake which has seemed to help. I have found that babywearing is the greatest thing ever with Hadley because this time around, my time to just sit around is limited, so I can get things completed around the house (or chase/entertain a toddler) and keep Hadley cuddled up close to me.  She especially loves to get her naps out during this time. Just a few snapshots of life so far...

Dearest Hadley, I continue to be amazed that you are here in our lives now after feeling you and nurturing you for 40 weeks. Time flies by as I'm fully aware of now and I'm enjoying see you grow. Welcome to our world little one, I'm trying my best to embrace each and every moment. 

All my love, momma