Happy Little 8 Month Old

8 months ago, I was learning how to be a mom to an infant.  Today, I am still learning how to be a mom...with each month there is a new layer of motherhood.

Sweet, little 8 month old Haley is a happy girl.  She is still not crawling but she is getting close.  I think she finds it more entertaining to roll and kick around.  Lately, Haley will repeat the sounds we make (except Mama!! ugh!).  She especially loves to copy me when I sing "lalala."  It is a lot of fun to see her try and change her voice to match mine.  8 months also marks surviving her first real sickness...well, it was more like 2 weeks and 3 sicknesses.  She had a cold, the stomach flu, and croup all within 2 weeks.  We have both been a bit exhausted and it doesn't look like it will be slowing down anytime soon...I have a suspicion that she might have 4 teeth coming in!!!  Even amidst teething, a runny nose, cough, and the like, Haley is a happy girl.  We feel lucky.

 I never thought clapping would be so enjoyable!  Haley is really into clapping these days and it is adorable...

 Clap! Clap! Clap!

 

Love, Love, Love

Happy Valentine's Day!

 Marriage and parenthood has deepened my heart and widened my understanding of real love.

I feel at home with both my husband and my sweet baby girl...my heart is full.

 

Valentine's Day is just another day to take advantage of your loved ones near or far.

I poured into this little love today, as I try to do everyday, hoping she doesn't define Valentine's Day by a commercial, romantic love...but real, deep love from God and her loved ones.

 Aw, the sweetness! She is easy to love.

We have been battling sickness with Haley and it has not been easy.  I worry for her health and desire for her to be better.  I was reminded today that loving her through her cranky days is just another opportunity to deepen our bond.  It is another side of love and I am thankful to experience it.

 I hope the love in your life overflows into everyday.

Exploring the World

Here we are, approaching Valentine's Day and it has been 3 weeks or so since I last posted.  Sorry for being a yo yo blogger :)  We have been dealing with teething and Haley's first cold, making it more difficult for me to snap shots and catalog life to share with you.  You can see the lack of energy in the quality of these photos.  They will just have to work for now.

  Haley has been exploring the world around her.  She is still not officially crawling...she prefers to drag (not really army crawl, it is more of a flip, side, drag thing).

 She flips and she flops until she reaches the toy or destination in her sights.

 Then there is the good 'ole beached whale scenario...she does this and sort of wills with her mind to move...obviously it doesn't get her where she wants to go so she reverts back to the side dragging/flipping and flopping.  It is so funny to watch her move around.

 We also celebrated Grandma Dede's birthday this week and Haley can't wait to have Papa and Dede living SO close!  And yes, I realize Haley looks a bit ridiculous in this picture...it was cold and I was in a rush so she isn't matching.  Haley has been a little sick.  Being snot free was more important than style at the time ;) 

Happy Birthday Grandma Dede! We love you so very much!