Hallie is 1

Hallie Ann -

You are such a joy!  The last 12 months have flown by and it's been fun watching you change and grow.  You are now walking all over the place, have no fear, and make us laugh often.

You learned to shake your head no... and eventually yes.  You can say momma, dada, and done.

You like to give zerberts, and you love it when people laugh at you.

You have so many different facial expressions.  One of our favorite it where you squeeze your fists, get really tense, grit your teeth, and shake your head.

You love to play with your sister but you are also starting to get into her things and take stuff away from each other.  We can always tell by your squeal when Kenna is doing something to you.

 

We love you, sweet girl and cherish every day we have with you.

10 & 11 Months

Sweet Hals -

10 months?!  No way!  You are becoming a little busy body and trying new things all the time.  You are quite adventurous and not really scared of anything.

You like to get up on your knees and bounce.  You also just sit on your knees a lot, like it makes you feel bigger!

You like to make the "O" face and when we laugh at you, you do it over and over again.

You are starting to stand by things and let go.  Your balance doesn't last very long yet but you keep trying.

You are also starting to get mad at your sister.  We always know when she takes something away from you because you scream and whine and tighten up your fists.

We love your sweet smiles and snuggles, Hallie Ann.  You are a true blessing, and it's so fun to watch you grow and develop.

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Hallie Girl -

You keep us on our toes and make us laugh!  You always seem happy and are such a joy.

This month you have started to stand on your head randomly - like you're going to do a somersault but you just sit there like that.

You are starting to have a little temper when we tell you no, or pick you up, or take something away.

When people talk to you, you sometimes get a shy face and tilt your head and look away.

You started clapping and blowing kisses.

You learned how to use a sippy cup and drink really well out of it!  You caught onto that really fast and have always been really good at drinking things.  Your favorite little drink is juice but we still try to push mostly milk and water.

You have some of the best giggles and your sister and dad make you laugh a lot!  You are very ticklish on your legs and tummy.

You are starting to balance better and get 2-3 steps in before falling.  It won't be long before you take off!

We love you so much.  So hard to believe a whole year has almost passed already - you are changing so fast!

Kenna is 3

Kenna celebrated her 3rd birthday on April 28. 

She got to have a joint party with her cousin Kyler who turned 8.  The theme was Paw Patrol and football!

    

I've always been told that 3 is worse than 2, and feel we had a premature look at that reality! :)  Kenna is our little drama girl and very sensitive.  But she loves to have fun, loves to play outside, loves playing with her cousins and friends, and loves to sing!

She has really grown up in the last year and it's fun to watch and experience all of those changes.

We love you to the moon, Kenna Grace!

9 Months

Oh Hals -

You are 9 months old and keeping us busy these days!

You are getting really fast at crawling and getting places.  We can't take our eyes off for too long or you'll be into something you shouldn't be, or trying to do something you're not capable of yet!

You took your first long road trip - we went to Branson, MO to watch Daddy run in a combat challenge.  We drove 16 hours in 3 days.  You got sick of it at times but really did quite well.

You are standing up by things, walking along the couch, and trying to get from one thing to another.  You did discover how to climb up on the couch from your musical Fisher Price chair, but then you are stuck and not sure how to get down. (You'd crawl right off the edge if we let you!)

You got tooth #5 and #6 is visible but not through yet.  You are wearing 9-12 month clothes.  You learned how to wave bye-bye and are starting to imitate sounds and noises.

You love being outside and wherever your sister is.

One of your strangest obsessions is shoes.  You will crawl and go sit by the door and find some shoes to suck on.  If there is a random shoe in the middle of the floor, you will pick that over any toy.  Silly girl!  You generally have a smile to share and are easy-going and happy.

We love you, sweet Hallie Belle!

7 & 8 Months

I believed I would never get behind on these monthly postings!  But I know all you busy mommas totally understand how life happens and schedules happen, and priorities definitely happen.  I keep enough notes that I can thankfully get back to them later and post updates as it fits.

I try not to take my time with my daughters for granted, and when I have a day off of work, I try to enjoy that as much as I can rather than spending time typing updates for a future scrapbook! :)

With that said... Hallie is almost 9 months (like tomorrow) so here go the last 2...


Sweet Hallie -

You are 7 months!  It started off a bit rough as you caught RSV from your sister, but we were able to get you some meds early, and you handled it very well.  We started introducing more solid fruits - and of course you love them.  You haven't refused anything we've tried so far!

Your bottom 2 teeth are in and you love to jabber!  You are so quick to smile.  I love opening your door after you wake up, it's like you're just waiting to give us the biggest, cheesiest grin possible.  You are so lovable!

You started tipping your head to the side and acting shy.  You pull yourself along the floor with your arms, and get up on your knees and rock.  It won't be long until you start crawling!

We took you on your first swimming outing.  The first half hour you weren't so sure.  You didn't like the cold water and the loud atmosphere, but you were all smiles in the hot tub.  Maybe just like your momma :)

We love you, baby girl and love to watch you change and grow!

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Hallie Ann -

8 months have come and gone already.  Your bright baby blue eyes are so endearing!  We have been able to spend some nice Spring days outside, and you love every minute of it.

You started crawling so the baby proofing is in full swing!  You started feeding yourself puffs and Cheerios and love to snack.  You've never turned food away yet.  You are also sitting on your own and starting to pull yourself up on things. 

Your top 2 teeth are in now making the count to 4!  It doesn't feel so good to stick a finger in your mouth anymore with those sharp little fangs.  And nursing causes it's own little challenges with that ;)

You are developing a little temper and grunt and your face turns red if we pull you away from something or pick you up when you want to stay!  You really aren't liking your car seat these days either but it doesn't take you long to get over it.

You are starting to grit your teeth - not a fan of that.  We're hoping it's a short-lived phase. :)

5 & 6 Months

These months are just flying by, I can't keep up!  However, I'm thankful for technology where I can write down milestones and changes and write them out later!  Time doesn't wait for us to catch up - and the girls just keep on growing and changing!

 

 

5 Months (01.27.16)

Hallie Ann -

You are 5 months old already!  You are so full of smiles and a joy to be around.  Such a content baby.  You love to watch your sister and giggle at her so easily.  You are interacting with her more and you both seem to love it!

You are ALWAYS trying to sit up and need to see what’s going on.  It’s hard to feed you these days because you are always distracted.  You even have a hard time sitting in your bouncy seat or rock n play.  You pull yourself up on the sides to see what’s going on around you.  Time to keep you strapped in at all times for safety!

You found your toes this month and love to pull at your socks.  You also have started rubbing the top of your hair when you get sleepy.

You are starting to push yourself around on the floor - mostly backwards but you are definitely becoming mobile and don’t stay in one spot anymore.  You’re all over the crib too!

We love watching your personality develop and you are growing so fast.  We love you, sweet girl!

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6 Months (02.27.16)

Hallie Bear -

6 months?!?  Wow… time really flies.  I remember reaching this stage with your sister and feeling like I finally had a “normal” routine with a new baby figured out.  Now I wish you would slow down a little! :)  

You are busy.  You flap your arms up and down and giggle more.  Before we used to have to do something to make you laugh, but now you anticipate things before they happen and it is so much fun to hear your baby giggles and belly laughs.

You love to sit by Kenna, and she is loving helping with you more as you realize what’s going on.  You flutter your lips like a trumpet a lot.  We’ve had a few laughs in church because you get a little noisy sometimes!

You roll in every direction now - nothing is safe!  You even started getting up on your knees this month and started rocking back and forth.  You are so determined, little one.

You also started eating cereal and a couple veggies this month.  So far you have eaten everything we have tried.  You are almost 16 pounds and we love your little leg rolls.  You are so lovable and kissable!

3 & 4 Months

Got a little behind so doing 2 months for this post!

3 Months

Sweet Hallie -

You are still the most content little baby and smile so easily!  You are 3 months old already and learning new things all of the time!

You love when people talk to you and give smiles pretty quickly - no matter who it is!  You are so curious and need to see what's going on.  You don't really like to lay down anymore and are always trying to sit up or move to be able to see.

You love watching little kids and smile big when they talk to and play with you.  You're starting to really enjoy your bigger sister (most times) too!  You found your hands this month and like to focus on them, put them in your mouth, and try to swat at things.

You really like to squeal and scream.  You get really excited and your legs get stiff and your arms start waving.

You also celebrated your first Thanksgiving.  And, this year baby girl, we are so very thankful for you!  We love you so much!

4 months

Hallie Bell-

You are 4 months old already and time is passing by way too quickly!  Can't you please stay little forever?!

This month you have been sleeping more consistently through the night.  What a difference that makes for mama!

You are still very curious and need to see what's going on.  If you're trying to get to sleep, it's best to put you in a quiet room or you will be easily distracted.

You are always so very happy and only whine/cry if you're hungry or tired.

You have the hang of holding toys and bringing them up to your mouth.  You seem to suck on everything and bite on your toys.

You love to jabber and tell stories - especially after you just wake up and are fed.  You are so full of joy and excitement.

You learned to roll over this month from your back to your stomach!  Mommy and daddy actually missed the first time - we came back in the living room and you were on your tummy - way to go, big girl!

You got to celebrate your first Christmas this month too.  You didn't know what was going on but your big sister sure enjoyed opening all of your gifts.  You just liked to smile at and be around all of the people.

We love you Hallie!  Please.slow.down.baby-girl.