Happy first birthday, Hadley!

August 26, 2014

Dear Hadley,

Today you turn one. We cannot believe how fast the time has flown by! You have changed so much over the year and we are excited to watch you grow. You are such a funny little girl. You love to make people laugh, which means you are usually doing something you shouldn't be doing. You have a bit of a temper but also the kindness of hearts. You become frustrated easily when you can't do something because you want to do everything. You're smart as a whip which I think is why you become frustrated so easily. We already know you're going to be a handful when you get older! You remind us so much of your Aunt KK when she was little. You love to wave to everyone and clap at everything you do. Recently, you've been crazy about writing on paper. You love to try and hold a pen in your hand like a "big girl" and write on paper. You've always adored kitties and your passion for them keeps growing. We have many kitty shirts, stuffed animals, and even a dress!

Now that mommy is back to work you have started a new daycare. You've only been there a week and a half but are adjusting pretty well. Mornings are still difficult when daddy drops you off but once you start playing you have good days. Your teachers tell us it takes a few weeks, even months, to adjust to the morning drop off. My favorite part of the day is picking you up. You usually scream with excitement to see me! You give me many hugs and kisses. You will also lean around (while I'm holding you on my left hip) to look at my face and just smile. It's the best!

You have been a nursing champ! We are very slowly weaning (because of all of our changes going on lately) and hopefully in a few months there will be no more nursing. I am a little sad but happy to have my body back to myself as well. After you were born I wasn't sure how this would all work out for us but it has been better than I've ever imagined. I can't say there were no hard times (there were plenty of tears) but it's been work it! I'm happy I could help you get the best nutrition for you during your first year of life.

It has been a pleasure getting to know you and being your parents during this first year of your life. We look forward to the many more years to come! Not only are we celebrating YOU today but we are also celebrating that you, me, and daddy all survived!

We love you our sweet Hadder Bear!

XOXO,
Mommy

Height/Weight

24lbs 30in

Diapers

Size 4! 

{I just bought 2 cases so hopefully you stay in them for a while. You don't seem to be growing as fast--knockonwood}

Clothes

Wearing 12 months and buying 18 months for this winter.

Feeding

You love to eat all solids! The only things you don't seem to like are the snacks at daycare like Pop.tarts, Nutri.grain bars, and other packaged snacks. To be honest, we are really happy you don't like them. This was the only part of the daycare we didn't like (snack choices) but we couldn't base it on that (everything else is wonderful). You love chicken nuggests, blueberries, pancakes, and hummus.  See letter above for more feeding.

Sleep

You have been doing amazing considering all you've been through. We've already moved twice (and still have another--more to come), started a new daycare, mommy went back to work, horrible teething, and a cold. So waking up once a night is something we can handle, especially when you usually go back to sleep on your own.