Hadley's Christmas Update

Now that Hadley's over a year, I won't be doing monthly updates, but I do plan to post when I think of enough significant things from her life to blog about. I would also love to start blogging about OTHER things, but we'll see how that goes - I know how much time I don't have on a daily basis!

Hadley had a WONDERFUL second Christmas! She seemed to love opening presents, but as expected, the boxes and paper were much more entertaining than what came inside! Haddy also did an amazing job with all of the changes in schedule/routine and considering that she was sick with her second cold (to go along with her second and third teeth coming through)! She did end up being rocked to sleep quite a bit, which (thankfully!) we've gotten out of the habit of doing except for occasionally at nap time, but it's really hard NOT to rock her to sleep when you're traveling, sleeping in a Pack n Play, and/or staying in a house full of people who are also trying to sleep!

Hadley was so blessed by the generosity of family and friends this Christmas (as were Mommy & Daddy)! So much so that I do believe we'll need to add on to our house just to contain all of the toys and clothes she received! What a blessed little girl!

Hadley got to see Santa (or was he Father Christmas?) at Goody'z restaurant this year! She was shy and a little clingy, but she didn't cry! She really enjoyed looking at his musical pocket watch! We also took her to see the train display at Uncle B's store - she really enjoyed that, too!

Haddy also started doing many new signs this month, and making more noises/sounds/words. She now signs "fish," and "please," (in addition to milk, more, and thank you). She has also started making up her own signs for things like "sit" (she pats her belly, mimicking how I pat my lap when I want her to sit on my lap) and "Captain Hook" (she makes her finger into a hook and waves it around). She also stretches her arms up for "so big!" and will consistently say, Mama, Dada (although she thinks SHE is Dada), dog, cat (in a cute high-pitched voice), duck, and she'll smell Daddy's shoes, scrunch up her nose & say "stink." Hadley has also started to put her hands in front of her face to play Peek-a-Boo & she will act out "If You're Happy and You Know It," "I'm a Nut," "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear (we sing Haddy Scholl, Haddy Scholl)," and "Patty Cake."

Hadley still knows what she likes as far as food is concerned, so Mama's still having to figure out ways to sneak in fruits and veggies other than bananas, peaches, applesauce, and peas. Meats and breads never seem to be a problem, though! Haddy is also starting to feed herself with a fork. She will put the fork right into her mouth if you pre-load it for her, and she will try to load it up herself, but she doesn't quite have the hand-eye coordination needed for that yet! She is also starting to be able to catch and throw.

Oh and one last thing - come this spring, Hadley will be a big sister to a LITTLE SISTER! Yes, Baby Scholl #2 is a GIRL and we couldn't be more excited (especially Daddy, since now he doesn't need to buy new stuff - LOL!)!