Things are about to get interesting

Hayley learned a new skill yesterday when she decided she'd had enough sitting in her car seat and watching me cook:

Good Morning Sunshine!

Dear Hayley,

Last Wednesday your father and I had the crazy idea to see if you'd sleep in your crib at night. We're not entirely sure why we decided to do this since both of us love having you with us at night and getting to wake up to your cheerful smile and lovey face pats is the highlight of our days. I worried that you wouldn't sleep as long, wake up multiple times or you'd wake up upset that you were alone.

I was especially distraught over this change as I've settled into a nightly routine with you: I change your diaper and get your jammies on while your dad makes your bottle and then he feeds you. Swaddling you after your bottle is a team effort as you now think it's a game and apparently a very funny one. I usually then go rock you to sleep in your room, often singing to you and every once in a while you'll sing back. I'd then put you down in your co-sleeper in our bed and kiss you good-night and tell you I love you. Once I eventually came to bed myself, I'd use my cell phone to light the area around your face, place my hand on your chest to make sure you were breathing and then give you another kiss before finally going to sleep.

You sleeping in your own room messes up my whole routine, a routine I've become quite dependent on in order to get a good night's sleep. Now, once I lay you in your crib, I turn on your monitor and then check the little screen every so often to see you sweetly sleeping. Ok, fine, I look at the monitor every 5 seconds, but it's just because no matter how trying a day we may have had, I can't wait for you to get up so we can do it all over again. Overnight as I try to sleep I'm usually distracted by the glow of your monitor and the image of you sleeping. I don't sleep as well without you by my side, but I'm trying to do better about relaxing and acknowledging the fact that you're growing up and need your own space. I'm proud to say that you've been a champ with this while transition. You sleep until about 5-6 a.m. without as much as a whimper and then you want one of us to come give you your paci and you quickly fall back to sleep for another couple hours.


Before I head to bed now, I stop by your crib to check in on you. I still place my hand on your chest to make sure you're ok and I still tell you "I love you, baby girl".


I guess some things never change.

Love,
Mama

Happy Birthday America

I can't believe it's already July! Yesterday, Hayley celebrated her first 4th of July with us on a beautiful, sunny California day. As usual, we made the trip down to Morgan Hill for Uncle Danny and Aunt Patty's annual get-together. This time, we arrived with a baby and lots of baby gear.



The day had actually started off a bit slow, since I wasn't feeling well and Miranda was busy with party preparations. By the time we headed out, though, spirits were high. We happened to be the first to arrive, but it wasn't too long before the house started to fill up with family and friends. The afternoon that followed was nothing but good times.



The highlight of the day was taking Hayley into the pool for the very first time. Since she is such a fan of bath time, we figured this would be a joyous occasion. We were mostly right. There was a bit of trouble getting Hayley into her floater, so she was a little upset to begin with, but once Miranda calmed her down it was smooth sailing. After a while, Hayley was done and fell asleep in mommy's arms pretty quick.




Playing in the pool with Kati, Kelley and Dylan was lots of fun. Afterward we all got to enjoy the great food that we've all come to expect on the 4th of July. Especially Miranda's delicious cake! The rest of the evening was spent in relaxing conversation with family. Then we headed home before fireworks started to get a jump on traffic and to make sure Hayley stuck to her bedtime routine. Once she was tucked in, Miranda and I finished off the holiday by watching the Boston Pops fireworks show.






All in all, a pretty perfect Independence Day with the fam.

Happy First Father's Day!

Dear Hayley,

Today is Father's Day which means we're going to make sure your daddy knows just how fantastic he is and how much we love him. To get you in the spirit of things I've made a handy little list of just a few of the reasons you're going to be the luckiest girl on the block:

1. Your father is NEVER going to say no when you ask him to play with you. Even if you invite him to your tea party with Love Bug during the final game of the World Series.
   
2. Daddy's already writing you a song. How cool is that??
3. He likes to fly you around as Super Baby while you go around saving the world. I'm pretty sure he'll always be willing to be your sidekick.
4. He CAN NOT WAIT to help you discover the world as you grow. And homework? He's all over it.
5. The guy can change a diaper like an absolute champ.
6. He's the most patient person I know.
7. You'll never have to ask him twice when you want to play a video game. Ditto for when you want Panda Express for dinner.
8. He ALREADY gets up to watch Saturday morning cartoons with you.
9. Above all, he just wants you to be happy and he'll do whatever it takes to keep that big goofy smile of yours on your face.

And just so Daddy doesn't get all the attention around here I'm throwing in one reason you're going to think I'm pretty cool, too:

1. I chose him for us.

And it was the best thing I ever did.

Love,
Mama

xoxoxox

Geoff, thank you for being all I ever dreamed of.

Probably the best baby in the universe

This Sunday our baby girl turns 4 months old. I can barely remember a time when she wasn't a part of our family, yet the idea of her already celebrating another milestone astounds me. This morning she had her 4 month check up and I'm happy to report that Hayley is growing and developing perfectly (not to mention rapidly!). She now weighs 16.5 lbs and is 25" long. She's over 2 feet tall, can you believe it??

Look at the difference 4 months makes!

This past month Hayley has been very social. She's had a few play dates with her new friends Logan and Leila, as well as her old friend Caiden.

Hayley also got to visit with Grandpa David and Grandma Tina. They couldn't believe how much she'd grown since they'd seen her last!

One thing I hope to never forget about this month is that this is the month that Hayley really started giggling. Geoff and I agree, there is nothing we wouldn't do to hear that beautiful sound. We were lucky enough to get her first real giggles on video, which you've all seen below, but since then there have been many random events that have elicited a chorus of giggles from our little one. One such event was a mini hat fashion show Hayley did over at Leila's house.

I think we have a budding fashionista on our hands!

Hayley's started holding her own bottle from time to time and she's even managed to roll over on to her side to better reach her toys which she's also showing increasing interest in.

Our little turtle continues to love the bath, only now she invites some friends in to splash around with her.

Hayley has also recently discovered the great art of playing. Whether she's playing dress up with Grandma's jewelry, having some tummy time or playing with her new activity center while watching Baby Einstein movies, Hayley is having a blast!

June was a big month for Hayley's Aunt Kati. She went to prom and graduated from high school and we were all lucky to be involved in both.
Geoff and I take a lot of pride in what a great daughter we have and I just can't express how it feels to be blessed with such a happy little girl.

I can't wait to see what her 5th month brings!