Say cheese

Hadley has been sleeping in his crib in his room for a week now. I know, I know...it's about time. But we did finally make the move, and it has actually been a fairly smooth, easy transition. The first night was really the only "challenge" so I consider that a huge success.

For a couple months now I have been trying to capture Hadley's huge gummy grin on camera. However, he seems to know that this has been my goal and he has just been playing a game with me. He just smiles and smiles until I pick up the camera to take a picture, and then...nothing...just a blank stare. However, I was persistent the other night and here are the results...

A cute smile...but not the huge grin I'm trying to get...

Still trying...make sillier faces mommy!Why are you acting so silly, mommy?
Maybe if daddy plays along too...

And then finally...after much silliness on both mommy and daddy's part...

SUCCESS...here's my super happy baby!!

Busy Boy

Last night Hadley...

Played in his exercauser

Stretched out on the floor and played
Played with his toes
Played on his tummy

And bounced in his bouncy chair

...and all that was before he took and nap, had his nightly bottle, and went to bed. What a busy evening he had!

New toy, New pictures

Mommy and Daddy got me this super fun new toy last weekend. It makes lots of fun noises and songs, and there are lots of bright things to look at and play with. I know I am going to spend many hours playing with this!

Here are my 4 month pictures (a little late).

I am determined to ride this silly pig!

Super Baby!!

Shots, Thumbs, and other Things

So I'm a little behind in posting a few things. First, Hadley turned 4 months a week ago and we didn't take his monthly "teddy bear" pictures until this week. And even with that, I am still not posting them here because they are on my camera at home and I am at work (that's right...I'm updating this at work!). So I will try and get those on here sometime in the next few days.

Hadley has started doing some pretty cute things lately. He has been sucking on his hands for quite a while, but just in the past week he has found his thumb and can now find it (always the left one) every time. Although I don't know that thumb-sucking is the best habit for him for start, it's just so cute and at this point it is just as soothing to him as a pacifier but better because it's always there with him!

He's not rolling over yet, but I really don't think it will be much longer. Last night I had him propped up on a pillow on our bed while I was starting a load of laundry and when I turned back around to him he was not propped up on the pillow but instead laying on his tummy in front of the pillow. Since I had missed whatever he had done to get into that position I decided to try propping him up again to see if he would repeat the same thing. Luckily, he did it again (over and over since I kept propping him back up). The process was this: I would sit him / prop him up against the pillow, then he would leeeeeean forward as far as he could before he just toppled over forward and ended up on his tummy. Super cute! A couple times he tried really hard to get back over onto his back once he was on his tummy but he just can't quite make it yet...soon!

Tuesday of this week Hadley had his 4-month checkup and shots at the doctor's. He did pretty well with the shots - still cried but only for a couple minutes. I thought this time around was much better than the 2-month shot experience (or maybe I was just more prepared!). The doctor said he looks good, his ears (which I asked him to check since we hadn't been back since the ear infection several weeks ago) looked good, his heart sounds great, and overall he is a thriving, healthy boy. Here are the stats:

Weight: 13 pounds 15 ounces

Height: 25 1/4 inches

Head: 42 1/2 cm(?)

He is still right around the 50th percentile in both weight and height, and his head size is a little under the 75th percentile. All of that is right where he was at 2 months, so I guess he is growing pretty proportionally. Overall, a very successful doctor visit.

This afternoon Hadley and I are going with Eric and Gary (his teaching partner) with a group of their students to College Station. We just decided that instead of spending tonight and all day tomorrow alone we should just tag along on the trip. So, off we go!

After putting these pictures on here I now realize just how far behind I am with the pictures. Hopefully I can get caught up this weekend and post some from this week (before another couple weeks pass by!)

Home

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jog!!

Hadley and I are both very happy to be home and sleeping in our own beds tonight. We had such a great time seeing friends and family this week, but there's nothing like being home with daddy!

Day 7

We spent today at Sam, Stacy, and Isabel's for our final full day of Spring Break Tour 2009.  This morning we just played and took our time getting ready.  Then we went with Stacy and Isabel to Lubbock where we piddled around and had lunch.  This evening we went to supper with Sam and then came back and played some more.  After Hadley went to bed Sam and I played Guitar Hero (and I am absolutely horrible at it...but rest assured that I would get better with practice!). 

Tomorrow we will head home and we are both REALLY ready to get home!  We have had fun, but we have missed daddy terribly and can't wait to see him!

Day 6

This morning we left Nanny & Papo's and headed east. We met my sweet friend, Kelly (and her husband Kory) for lunch in Lubbock. From there we went to Levelland to see Uncle Sam, Aunt Stacy, and Isabel. We spent the afternoon playing with them and having a fun time.

Hi Kelly! I'm so glad I finally got to meet you!

Look - I found my thumb!

Kory, Kelly, & Hadley

Mommy - look at this cool tool! I need one of these at home.

Kisses from Isabel

Day 5

We spent all day today at Nanny and Papo's house playing, reading books, napping, singing, and just having a relaxing day.

4 Months Old

Dear Hadley,

Today you turned 4 months old! Wow - I can hardly believe it's already been that long. I can't remember what it was like before you were here. Mommy and daddy have never been happier. You are absolutely what we get out of bed for every day.

Right now you are smiling all the time (especially at daddy!) and you even giggle sometimes (again - mostly for daddy!). You really have the sweetest personality most of the time. We are very lucky that you are such a happy baby. You like to talk to us, especially in the morning or if someone is talking back to you.

You love your stuffed sea-horse that lights up and sings to you - sometimes you give it hugs and kisses. Your favorite toys right now are probably your hands and your feet. You like to suck on and lick your hands, though you haven't quite found your thumbs yet. And just last week you discovered your toes and feet, and you seem absolutely amazed by them. Whenever possible you like to grab your toes, or your socks, and hang on to them. It's so amazing watching you discover new things.

You haven't rolled over yet, but I think it won't be much longer until you do. You like to lay on your tummy (sometimes) and when you do you hold your head up so well. You are getting really strong!

You really like baths if the water is just the right temperature. We bathe you in the kitchen sink because we decided it is the perfect place for someone your size. Bath time is still a two person job, but that's okay because mommy and daddy like that time together with you.

You love, love, love your daddy! I think he is already your best friend! You like to play "super baby" with him, and sometimes you play (Play Station) football with him too.

One of my favorite things every day is when you wake up in the morning and just smile at us. I can't think of a better way to start each day!

Happy 4 Month Birthday, sweet boy. Mommy and Daddy love you more every single day.