A visit with cousin Michele

 My cousin Michele is in town so we met at the local frozen yogurt shop.  It  happens to be conveniently located next to a Gymboree where I wanted to purchase their famous bubble maker.  Michele suggested I run into the store while she hold Hadley. With in a few moments I motioned to her to come in because I needed help picking out a bathing suit for Hadley.  We left with bubbles and three bathing suits. So much for just getting the bubbles.  Michele also offered to hold Hadley while I ran into Target to buy swim diapers.  We again walked out with not only diapers but two little outfits. Girls are so fun!  

Thank you cousin Michele for the outfit. I'm set for summer.

 

One of my new bathing suits

Happy Resurrection Day

        Ours friends that had us over for Easter made this special little bunny cake for Hadley. They also dyed some eggs which just happened to match Hadley's dress. She is much to young to understand what the true meaning of Easter is but next year we can start teaching her and it will be so much fun.

      

Eating solids.

      Hadley has graduated from having formula and rice cereal to baby food.  She has tried squash, peas, carrots, sweet potatoes and pears and seems to really enjoy them.

Because she has been teething for awhile she likes to put anything and everything in her mouth. She  puts her feet in her mouth, her toys and if she could the dog and cats.  All this teething is paying off, her first tooth has erupted. 

When what to my wondering eyes should appear but 2 more eggs

     We stopped using our front door as not to disturb Mama Finch and her babies but today I completely forgot.  Mama was gone so I peaked and I was surprised to see two more eggs. 

A special Easter egg

      Martin discovered a birds nest on top of the wreath that hangs on the front door. Mommy bird is a Finch. While she was away I snapped this photo. The color of the egg is so beautiful. Maybe it will hatch on Easter.

    

Sedona

 Martin, Hadley, Dash and I took a day trip to Sedona.  We stopped at Red Rock where we had a lovely picnic under a shaded tree and a short walk along the river.  The weather was absolutely beautiful.  We already have plans for another visit.

We love the library

  Hadley was watching her one and only Baby Einstein video when it occurred to me to go online to check the libraries inventory.  I was so excited to see they had a good selection so I packed up my sweet baby and headed to the one just down the street.  On the way there I realize I may not have my library card so I pulled over checked my wallet many times but could not find it.  I went back home, searched the house and still no luck.  Back to the library we went.  As I was pulling my license from my wallet to check out the videos the librarian said, "Isn't that your library card?" She could see 1/4th of my library card sticking out of a slot in my wallet.  Then she said, "Are you a new mother?"  My reply, "Ooooh yes."  I had heard about this so called "new mom brain" and its true, I officially have it.  Hadley and I returned home feeling good that we could get her videos at the library instead of buying them and we also found out that the library has story time for her once a week at no cost.  This is why we love the library.

 Hadley and Dash watching Baby Einstein

   

Mini Mother Theresa

  Ok, I know what you must be thinking.  It was not intentional to drap this on her head and pretend she was Mother Theresa.  I had just picked her up from laying down and I had this light weight blanket that I draped on her.  Once I saw how it fell atop of her head I couldn't help but laugh and laugh... oh Ive got to get the camera.  Is she not the cutest mini Mother Theresa you have ever seen?

Kindermusik
      Hadley and I attended a Kindermusik class to see if it would be something her and I would like. We loved it.  I couldn't see her face most of the class but all the other mothers were commenting on how she was just smiling away.  If you haven't heard of Kindermusik it is a music and movement curriculum for children of all ages.  You can check out the website at kindermusik.com.  Not only will this class improve her learning skills but she will benefit from it socially.  We intend on signing her up mid May. So if she isn't destined to be a nun then maybe a Beethoven?

Hadley and her exersaucer.

      I was told by a friend that I had to get one of these so called exersaucers.  It is a really wonderful activity center where they get an upper body workout by being able to grab stuff and turn themselves 180 degrees.  As I did research on them I found that they could be quite expensive so being that it is a toy you wouldn't keep around for years I thought it best to get a used one.  This exersaucer shown here would have been about $119 but I picked it up used for $43.  Hadley doesn't care she is a thrifty kinda gal.

 Hadley is still a bit small for her new toy but with a little blanket wrapped around her she has enough support to play for about 10 to 15 minutes.   I will post more video of her in this contraption when she is bigger.

      Little miss Hadley and I went to our neighborhood park today. I thought it would be fun to lay a blanket under a tree and enjoy the beautiful day.  We watched two little girls play on the jungle gym, she did tummy time and had lunch.  I think this will be something we do often, at least before it gets too hot.

Baby dedication

     

       Yesterday was a very exciting day for this blessed family, our sweet baby Hadley was dedicated to the Lord. We made a promise before God and our congregation that we would do everything within our power to raise her in a godly way, prayerfully until she can make the decision for herself to follow God.  Here we are up on stage being surrounded by church staff as pastor Larry prayed over our family.

    The dress she wore was given to us by my dear friend Jamie. Originally it was to be worn for Easter but Hadley is just about outgrown it.

Pure excitement

        It has become a daily routine for Hadley and I to take a walk around the neighborhood.  If its during her nap time we take the stroller but if she is awake we opt for the Baby Bjorn. I have been caring her in it as much as possible because I want her to be comfortable when we use it to travel to New Jersey this spring.  When being carried in the Bjorn Hadley seems to be very interested in her her surroundings and loves to watch her doggy Dash. So far I think she gives it the thumbs up. What do you think? 

 

Roll over Beethoven

      Hadley's athleticism is beginning to really show. The young lady has fully mastered the roll onto the tummy but has yet to learn to roll onto her back. And even though she likes to roll on her tummy she doesn't necessarily like to stay there for long. So it is up to mom and dad to help her get back onto her back to which she immediately rolls back onto her tummy.  She even practices multiple times during the night while half asleep. I would say she is definitely dedicated to her sport.

Hadley 5 months old

It's important to read to your children.

According to the Family Literacy Foundation, the many benefits of reading aloud with children are:

• Children's self esteem grows as they experience the security of having a parent or other caring person read aloud with them.
• Children experience increased communication with parents and other family members.
• Children are introduced to new concepts such as colors, shapes, numbers, and alphabet, in a fun, age appropriate way.
• Children build listening skills, vocabulary, memory, and language skills.
• Children develop imagination and creativity.
• Children learn information about the world around them.
• Children develop individual interests in special subjects like dinosaurs, cats, or cars.
• Children learn positive behavior patterns and social values.
• Children learn positive attitudes towards themselves and others.
• CHILDREN LEARN THE JOY OF READING!

Spring is here!

       Spring is here and it is my favorite time of year.  Not only do I love the flowers and the birds but what Spring really means to me is new life.  As a follower of Christ I can't think of any better news than Christ defeating death by resurrecting from the dead.  I also can't help but love it because this will be Hadley's first Easter and what fun it will be.

Poppies from the garden

  

    

    We have been having some wonderful weather and Hadley and I have been spending time gardening and watching the birds.  I had just replaced the old humming bird feeder when within minutes we had our first visiter.

                                   

    

 Im not sure Hadley is so interested in the birds or flowers, she seems to be interested in her teething keys at the moment, they are an early gift from the Easter Bunny.  

    

  Our baby girl has a tendency to do things with gusto.  She now recognizes her bottle and grabs it like she hasn't eaten for days but is not capable of holding it for very long.  She did however hold it long enough for me to snap this picture.