Hadley's 8-month update!

I guess since I wrote Hadley's last update two weeks late, it would only be appropriate to write this one a bit early! Hadley has continued to amaze us this month with the things she picks up on and how quickly she learns (including how to get what she wants, when she wants it!!)!

This month, Hadley went on her first camping trip with Mommy, Daddy, Aunt Jenna, MumMum & Pops at MumMum & Pops's cabin in Pine Glen. She was an ok sleeper there (for the most part) and she also learned (while camping) that her stroller isn't half bad! Mommy's friend Stacey came to visit while we were there, along with her husband Seth & their daughter Mady.

Since we were just a few minutes away while we were camping, we also went to Hadley's first parade in Snow Shoe (where she scored a nice, big bag of candy for Daddy). She loved watching the bands and twirling groups go by, but she wasn't as thrilled with the loud firetrucks.

We spent Hadley's first fourth of July at the shore (we had an early picnic at MumMum & Pops's house the weekend before), where Hadley was her usual non-sleeping self!

We went to the beach for a little bit while we were there, but Hadley (again) wasn't too sure of the sand or the water! Aunt Jenna went on this trip with us, as well, so that was fun for everyone!

While we were there, we drove over to the Cape May Zoo! Hadley loved looking at the animals & she did a great job in her stroller, despite the fact that it was so hot! As a special treat before we left, Hadley, Mommy, & Aunt Jenna rode on the carousel (Haddy rode on a zebra)!

We also took Aunt Jenna mini-golfing (Hadley slept almost the whole time, which was super!) & Haddy had her first lick of a lollipop after we had breakfast at Uncle Bill's restaurant!

Mommy and Haddy went up to MumMum & Pops's house to stay for a few days while Daddy was playing softball. While there, Mommy introduced Haddy to the finer points of central PA yard sales! It worked out great for Hadley since she got a nice start on her fall-winter wardrobe! Mommy also took Hadley to her old church's annual picnic, where Haddy got to go on her first hayride! She also got to meet Mommy's friend Jen & her son Cody that weekend!

As far as new milestones, Hadley is getting so strong! She still hates to be on her belly, but will occasionally push up onto her hands and knees. She doesn't rock or attempt to creep really (maybe a little) because she doesn't like being there, so she just cries and then rolls over! She does, however, love to walk & gets frustrated when you hide your hands from her, because she just wants to take them and walk all over the house (particularly when she can chase the cats at MumMum & Pops's house)! She likes to stand beside boxes or furniture & is slowly starting to get the hang of holding onto it! She is starting to pull herself up onto furniture, etc, so I feel that lowering the crib will be in the very near future (like today!)!!

Hadley also waves at herself in the mirror (and occasionally at people she sees) by raising her arm and sort of slowly turning her hand over (like a beauty queen!)! She also likes to kiss herself in the mirror!

Hadley continues to be such a great eater! Mommy has gone a little crazy making baby food this month, so Hadley has eaten green beans, carrots, pear/blueberry/banana, peach/banana, as well as chicken and turkey blends (though Mommy didn't try her hand at making those last two yet). Haddy eats pretty much everything, which makes this Momma happy! She even tried a little lick of an ice cream cone and (like her Daddy!) loved it!

Haddy also got to meet her Aunt Kasia (from Poland) this month! Here she is with Aunt Kasia and Uncle Robbie (Haddy likes to play with Uncle Robbie's beard).

And a special shout-out to Hadley's "Uncle" Nicholas who is bravely serving in the Navy in Afghanistan! Go Navy!

Hadley's 7-month update

I know, I know...I'm more than two weeks late with this update, but better late than never, right? We've been away for basically the past three weeks straight, so my computer time has been even more limited than usual! Hopefully I can get this published before she turns 8 months old!


Hadley has really started to become a "big girl" this month! She sits up on her own and will reach for you to hold her if you put your hands out to her. Her eye sight is impeccable; Hadley smiles at you from across the room & can see even the tiniest speck of anything lying on the floor - unfortunately for Mommy & Daddy - gotta watch that girl like a hawk! Along with her eye sight, her manual dexterity is pretty amazing! She transfers from one hand to the other & can reach for & grasp things as tiny as a hair...which she then tries to put in her mouth! She also says "MA!" quite often, but I'm still not convinced it's used in reference to Mommy! Hadley also decided that now was the time to roll onto her belly! She will willingly roll from back to belly now (sometimes without any motivation), and then back again!


Hadley got too big for her tub, so we started giving her baths in the sink, sitting in her Bumbo and she is finally starting to sleep through the night (minus the time we were on vacation, of course!). She is still in size 3 diapers, and in mostly 6 month clothing, with some 9 months just beginning to fit her.

Hadley's favorite toys this month are her Taggie blankets and Potsy (which she loves to dump over & then throw the pieces). Mommy & Daddy also let Hadley watch 10 minutes or so of a show here & there. She really likes Mickey Mouse Clubhouse & Sesame Street, but doesn't have much of an attention span for it, which is great!
Hadley went swimming in the pool at Grammy & Granddad's house for the first time this month! She did really well, but we couldn't be sure if she actually liked it or not!
We also let Hadley gnaw on a pretzel this month, though it's hard to tell whether she enjoyed it or not (the second time, she seemed to like it a bit more)!
Hadley went on her first trip to the shore this month (for Memorial Day), and then again with our friends from Daddy's work in mid-June. Aside from sleeping, she did a great job! She didn't mind her toes in the sand, but wasn't too sure of that cold water!
Haddy celebrated Daddy's first Father's Day this month, too! It was a really special day for Daddy, even though he spent much of it playing softball!

Hadley also said goodbye to her Great Grandpop Scholl this month. Although they never had the chance to meet (Hadley was just 2 weeks old when they had a party at the nursing home, celebrating his 99th birthday), Hadley will grow up hearing many stories of what a special person he was!

What will Hadley's 8th month bring?

Happy Half-Birthday, Hadley!

I can't believe I've been a mommy for half a year now! It almost seems impossible. I realize I did spend more than half of that time in a sleepless haze, but still. I'm glad I've journaled about her life every month because it just goes to show how time does fly by!

Hadley's sixth month continued to be another month of growth and change for our little girl! At her 6 month check-up, Hadley weighed 15 pounds exactly. She is 24 1/2 inches tall & her head circumference is 16 1/8 inches. This month, Hadley tried apples, bananas, peaches, green beans & apricots for the first time. She does not like apples or green beans, no matter how much we try to get her to eat them...she spits them right back out every time, but we'll keep trying. She will eat apples mixed with other fruits, though.

Mommy had a very special birthday of her own this month - her first birthday with Hadley! We went out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse & Hadley wasn't such a good girl - she didn't want to sit in the high chair at all, so Grammy ended up taking her outside after she was finished eating - Hadley just wants to be on the move all the time!

Giving Mama lovin' on her birthday!

Hadley had a big milestone this month when, on May 7th, 2011, she rolled over from belly to back for the first time, and she hasn't stopped since. I guess that must have been her early Mother's Day gift to me! She still won't roll back to belly, but I think it's more a matter of her not wanting to, rather than not having the ability to do it. She hates being on her belly, so why would she willingly roll onto it, you know?

On Mother's Day, we went to Aunt Ellie's house for Katy's First Holy Communion. Haddy did great in church & finally met all of her cousins, aunts & uncles that she hadn't yet met. She also got a picture taken with all 11 of her cousins, so that was very special. On that day, Haddy used her big girl car seat for the very first time.

On Hadley's six-month birthday, she went to both the 3- and 4-year-old graduations at Mommy's preschool. It was so nice to visit with the children, parents, and co-workers one last time.

What an exciting month!

We had a cookout at MumMum & Pops's house - Haddy liked to chew on their cups!

Haddy even watched the Royal Wedding with Mama on April 29th!