7 months

Hayley turned 7 months old on Monday. Geoff and I agree that 7 months is starting to sound like "kid" (rather than "baby") and we just can't believe it.

Hayley still isn't crawling but she's very clever, using a series of turns between her belly and back or scootching backwards to get where she wants to go. She's remained very curious and wants to play with everything which has Geoff and I very concerned for when she's truly mobile.

This past week was rough for me, for all of us, as work was very demanding of my time. There were a few days where the only times I was home was while she was asleep and I ached to hold my little girl in my arms. Geoff was so amazing during all that, holding down the fort beautifully.

The past few days when I come home from work Hayley is so excited to see me she makes these hilarious grunt/yell noises and tenses up her body so much she starts to shake. I try to spend time with her the rest of the evening and I continue to be impressed each day by that kid. Not only is she a genius, she just might be the funniest person I know. Every night as I hold her, asleep in my arms, I turn to Geoff in total amazement that we made this precious little life.

No matter how big a kid you become, Hayley, you're always going to be my baby.

09/09/09

Today, we celebrated a special day. A day I will only see once in my life: September 9th, 2009. This day wasn't only special because of the date. The Beatles: Rock Band came out today (along with the CD remasters). I took Hayley to a nearby Gamestop to pick up my reserved copy, then headed to Best Buy to get the replica of John Lennon's Rickenbacker 325.





Hayley got to see a damn good re-creation of the Beatles (with daddy on guitar) playing some classics at the Cavern Club and the Ed Sullivan Show. When mommy got home, she took over guitar while daddy sang. We're going to play through the entire saga of the Beatles, and hopefully one day Hayley will be able to join us. It is my sincere hope that this game will help my daughter, and a whole new generation, fall in love with the Beatles the same way I did.

And what a great beginning it has been

People always warn you when you're expecting your first child that it will be the end of your social life once the little one arrives. I was under the impression that we'd never again get to have a Game Night with friends, go to the movies, go out to dinner or do any of the other things we enjoyed doing when it was just the 2 of us. Well, as of last night I think we've done everything on that list- and more.


Last night Geoff and I took Hayley to her first movie. Out local theater chain offers a Date Night once a week where they play a recent movie with lowered volume and dimmed lighting specifically for parents and their children. Last night's movie selection was The Time Traveler's Wife. Hayley was pretty good during the movie, about as good as you'd expect a 6 month old to be.


I think all those people offering advice on life with a new child have it really wrong. Hayley has added so much to our lives that I feel that we do even MORE now that she's along for the ride. Now we go to the park in the evenings and enjoy the evening as a family while Hayley giggles on the swings. Now we wake up early on Sunday mornings and stroll along the local farmer's market. Now we plan play dates and meet new people, make new friends based on our common bond: our intense love and pride for our newest additions. Now we go to music class demos and Gymboree class demos and try something new all to Hayley's delight.

I argue that, in our case, our lives together certainly didn't end but rather truly began with the birth of our little love bug.

Another progress report

Today was Hayley's 6 month check up with our pediatrician. Geoff and I were anxious to see how much our girl has grown and we were happy to hear Hayley weighed in at 19lbs. 2oz (a 2lbs. 10oz. gain from 2 months ago) and is 27 inches long. This means she only has a few more pounds and/or inches before we are forced to move her into her larger car seat- wow!

Hayley had 3 shots this visit and I must say, she took them like a champ. There were a few seconds of crying after each shot but that's it. Last time she had shots it took her a few days to be back to her regular self so I decided it was best for me to take the entire day off of work to be with her but aside from a long nap this morning Hayley's showed no difference in her demeanor. This kid never ceases to amaze me.

The pediatrician said she looks absolutely perfect so whatever we're doing seems to be working.


I can't believe how fast she's growing and developing!

Halfway there...

Happy 6 month birthday, Hayley! Daddy loves you!