Hattie - 12 months....1 WHOLE Year!

I hate saying: "Time Flies!"--mostly because EVERYONE says it.  But everyone says it because it is so stinking true.  This time, with Hattie, time flew faster than the with the first kid.

Hattie, I know it seems repetitive, but you are perfection.  You are sweet, loving, patient, funny, and beautiful.  Aside from the recent diva behavior when you don't get your way, you are almost without fault.

It seems like just a couple months ago that we brought you home from the hospital {after your speedy entrance into the world} and made us a family of four.  I remember thinking how complete you made us--instantly, as you were meant to always be with us.  You are a precious soul and it overwhelms me to think about the honor and pressure I have to be your mom and raise you right.  So far, you have made it pretty easy on me.  Keep it up!

I love you baby girl.

10 months, 2 months late :(

{I'm past date positing, since she's been walking like a maniac for the past month}  At 10 months:  She's a mover, a crawler, and walking a bit.  She never leaves her bow on, and for this shot, refused to keep her sticker on.  She's always laughing, or eating, or moving.  She's the perfect size--still petite with the chubbiest cheeks and thighs ever. She is friends with everyone, a stranger to no one.  Time is flying by, as usual.  And this is my very favorite stage of babyhood.  We don't want her to ever grow up.  We love her.

9 months

Almost a month late in posting (time is, seriously, zooming by), but here you are at nine months:

There is nothing you love more than eating.

You are still so soft and squishy (see picture above of your bootie).

You stand and dance.

You stand and squat.

You do everything but walk (please, hold off!)

You giggle so hard when you are tickled.

You say dadda and hi and squeal.

You don't like to be rocked to sleep.

You play well on your own.

You chew on all of Liam's toys.

You remain perfect.  Seriously.  Perfect.

Hattie - 8 Months

My little Hattie-Girl is 8 months.  No, no, no!---It cannot be!  

She is a crawler, a stander, a try-and-walker.  This leads to many falls, and bumps, and boo-boos, but this girl keeps a perpetual smile on her face.  Her favorite things are peek-a-boo and raspberries from brother, her paci, and food.  Her favorite food is...ANYTHING.  There is nothing that this little piggy snubs her nose at.  But chicken and bananas are probably at the top of her favorites list.  

Her vocal cords are coming into their own.  Each day she practices a new squeal, growl, or cry.  But the latter is usually just for show:)

She sprouted her first tooth which caused minor drama {interpretation=no sleep for us} but we are over that {until the next one comes in}.  

She is starting to grow on Liam and he regards her more of a friend than foe.  The bond is getting stronger, which brings joy to my heart.  

Happy 8 months to THE MOST beautiful, sweet, happy, girl on the planet.  We are so, so, so blessed.

Hattie: 7 Months

Our Hattie girl is 7 months.
What's new with her...
- She crawls like crazy.  Can follow you from room to room.
- She finally can sit up unassisted.
- She never wants to be on her back, or sitting still for long.
- She babbles, and blows bubbles, and laughs (although that has been a constant since month one).
- She can get pretty feisty on certain occasions--crying if you show her a bottle, take away food or a toy, or if she's overtired.
- She laughs at almost everything Liam does, and she watches him like a hawk (not sure if that is interest in what he is doing or fear that he might do something to her)
- She's still being a pretty regular sleeper through the night (and my sanity is slowly returning)
- She's eating an assortment of food: Sweet potatoes, egg yolks, chicken and steak, asparagus, avocado, green beans, and bananas.  She likes most of it. And while she will eat it, she still makes a grossed out face when she tastes egg.

We think she is the sweetest gal around.

Hattie: 6 Months

Six months.
She crawls.
She eats a ton.
She FINALLY sleeps through the night.
She giggles and smiles relentlessly.

She's perfectly wonderful.  Our Happy Hattie at six months.

Hattie - 5 Months

A month late....

But here's our girl at five months.

The month of February was full of love for our baby girl.  She continues to live up to her nickname: "Happy Hattie," as she almost always has a smile on her face.  She has gotten used to constant loud noises and occasional scratches (unintentional, of course) from big brother--taking it all in stride.

And as you can see, she has two different outfits for her five month picture--not because she's fashionable, but because she spits up on EVERYTHING.  She goes through about four outfits a day, six to seven bibs, and we have to change our clothes at least twice a day.  It's a mess in our house and I have never done so much laundry.  But at least she doesn't complain.  (And our local dry cleaner may have doubled his profits since her birth, with the extra business.)

She has a gruff, low, voice, and loves to talk.  She has an unstoppable, contagious laugh when you get her going.  I have a video of her laughing on my cell phone, and when life gets chaotic and I am feeling overwhelmed, I just watch the video and all is right with the world.  A baby's laugh is so full of joy and contentment.

She is rolling over, and over, and over--often starting on one end of the room and ending up on the other before we notice.  I'm confident that she'll be an early crawler--she scoots on her tummy and gets up on her knees.

Liam is warming up to his role as big brother--he includes her in his play, sings to her when she's fussy, and generally is pretty sweet.  It took five months, but he's adjusted:)

Hattie: 4 months

See what I mean?  She's perfect.

She smiles a lot.  She has the cutest, raspy, laugh.  She doesn't like to sleep as much anymore.  She is patient.  She is easygoing.  She loves everyone.  She doesn't scare easily.  She likes to kick.  She puts everything in her mouth--favorites are blankets and her fist.  She eats a lot and pukes a lot.  She makes us love life, God, and our family more than ever.

Hattie - 3 Months

As you can see, I have been a little behind on the posts.
Here is our Hattie-girl at 3 months.

Adorable.
Loveable.
Squeezable.
Kissable.
Easygoing.
Smiler.
Talker.
Sleeper.

She has made us so very happy.  Sometimes I look at her and don't ever want to look away.  She captures you with her eyes and immediately responds to your attention with a smile or a giggle.  I believe that she will be a lover of people and will do something with her life that makes other peoples' lives better.  She has already done that for us.

2 months - Hattie

Hattie Girl,
Two months ago, today, you were born.  It is true what they say: "It goes by so fast," but the other thing that amazes me is that is seems like you have always been a part of us...of this family.

You fit like a puzzle piece--and if I have anything to do with it, it's still not the last piece left.  I'm hoping that one is still--metaphorically speaking--hiding under the table:)  I'm pretty sure I could have a gazillion more Hatties.  You are sweet.  You sleep well.  You giggle and smile.  You put up with the loudest brother on the block.  You go with the flow.  You have about 10 rolls on your thighs and a triple chin.  You have a pouty lip when you get mad.  You have the cutest sighing sound.  You are squishy.  Especially those monster cheeks.  And we love you.  SO. VERY. MUCH.

Oh, and you can't sit up yet...maybe next month.

Hattie - One Month

Hattie-Girl, 

Yesterday, you were one month old.  We celebrated by taking a trip to Truckee to meet Mimi and G-Daddy for a picnic lunch and playing at a park.  You didn't peep the whole drive there and back and you were sweet as can be the entire time we played.  That about sums up the past month.  You are quiet and sweet, and resilient.  I guess you have to be with your crazy/loud/fun big brother around all the time.  I swear, his antics have actually made you a better baby though--definitely a better sleeper!  You can sleep through just about any decibel level--it's actually the little sounds that wake you up.  Like me opening a plastic bag or sniffling.

You started smiling real smiles this week.  Big smiles in reaction to us--not just gassiness.

You spit up a lot.  But it never seems to bother you.  It does bother me though, so I am back to the "Liam-diet."

You are already out of newborn clothes and weigh ten pounds.  Although, we think about half that weight is being stored in your cheeks.

You are a little fickle about the swaddle.  You like it at first--falling asleep quickly after wrapping you up in it, but EVERY TIME we come back to check on you mid-nap, your arms are out and up above your head (just the way both Liam and your mama sleep).

We think you are perfect and that you fit perfectly into our family.