Hadley : ONE YEAR!

I can't believe I'm writing this.

I've really been in denial over Hadley turning one. What is it with the second? With the first you're always SO excited to get to the next "stage" and with #2 it just can't go by slow enough.

So, Miss Hadley Carter - at 1 year...

- You are 20lbs (32%) and 29.5in (64%). You wear mainly 9-12mo sizes. 9 month for separates and 12 month for one pieces. You wear a size 3 diaper and a size 3 shoe. You have 3 teeth on the bottom, and your two front teeth JUST poked through yesterday.

- We put your hair in a ponytail for the first time this month! You have one of the two bluest pairs of eyes I've ever seen. (Guess who has the other...) And you have one lone dimple on your left cheek. In short - you're a heartbreaker.

- You're a great sleeper. You soothe yourself down for the night between 8-8:30, and you'll sleep til 8:30 to 9:30. If you go much later than that I have to wake you up! You're down to one good long afternoon nap, from about 1 to 4. Sometimes you may take a morning catnap in the car if we're out running errands. Which is a lot. You're such a little trooper about it though.

- You take around 4 6oz bottles of milk a day. You're now fully transitioned from formula to cow's milk. We're working on cutting out the bottles now. You probably take half from sippy cups. For breakfast you typically have yogurt and cereal. For lunch I usually cut up some type of pita sandwich or leftovers for you and serve it with fruit. For dinner you get whatever we're having, but depending on how you've eaten that day I may try to feed you a Stage3 baby food first, to get your veggies in. If you're hungry you'll eat just about anything I give you, and after your brother, that is a huge blessing!

- You still love your pacie! The nurse in me says I should wean you off of it soon before you get too attached, but I think it'd break both ours hearts. We'll see...

- You are SO smart and observant! You have probably 10+ words, and are always trying to repeat anything we say. A current favorite is "Yeah!" It sounds so funny coming from you... You wave Hi and Bye-bye, clap your hands, shake your head No (A LOT), feed and 'love' your babies, give hugs and kisses, blow kisses, try to put on your bows, show us "the baby" on the Gerber jars, show us where your nose is, and most recently...


You tell us you're ONE! I swear you catch on to things faster than any baby I've ever seen. I'm convinced you already understand everything we say.

- You have the sweetest personality. If I had to guess, I'd say you're going to be responsible and a high-achiever. You're a little charmer (ask Daddy...) and are so social. You love attention and are ALWAYS happy.

- You haven't quite figured out walking yet. I keep thinking you are SO close. You're very steady on your feet and will stand alone for a good bit, but as soon as you realize you're on your own you don't want any part of it. You are such a little climber though. You keep us on our toes! Oh and dancing... You love it!

- Your favorite "toy" is your brother. Haha! Y'all are great little playmates :) You want to be wherever he is and you love to give him hugs and kisses. You're mommy's little mini me. You hate being separated from me... But you are definitely a Daddy's girl! Your face lights up when he gets home and you make him hold your hand all throughout dinner. (And he does it...) And you're content cuddling with him. Never have been with me. He puts you to bed almost every night and you two have your little routine.

So Hadley - Obviously I can't believe it's been a year since you were born. But in another way it seems like you've always been here. It's almost harder to believe there was ever a time without you You are the perfect addition to our house. You've brought so many things in to our family, including balance, bows, and pure sweetness. We love you to pieces and back.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL!!! Can't wait to see what this next year brings our way :)