Hadley meets Santa!

This was an epic moment for Hadley. She met the big guy in charge of Christmas gifts - Sir Santa himself. While most kids are shy and/or traumatized by Santa, Hadley thought he was the cat's meow. She told him her wish list, smiled for pictures and enjoyed herself thoroughly.

Mostly, because....snow. Fake, Florida snow, but snow none the less. It was coming down from the top of the igloo, and she was 100% into it. She had a ball! It was such a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit. Granted, we started a bit early this year, but she didn't mind. More time to celebrate!

Happy 11 Months!

Hadley turned 11 months on Thursday and WOAH - that was fast! This little girl cannot slow down or be stopped. Always moving, always running, and never a dull moment. Hadley loves to eat (anything, really), playing with her friends, following the dog around the house, and being silly. She isn't a fan of shoes (she prefers street feet) and definitely doesn't like being told no!

Baby on the move!

Just hanging out

"Mom - I'm not into this sticker thing anymore"

"Boo sticker - I'm done with you"

Happy Halloween 2015

Happy Halloween from Hadley! We had such a good time this Halloween. Hadley's best friend Hartley and her parents came to our house to trick-or-treat. Aunt Meg and Justin came too! It was such a great day - although Hadley and Hartley only lasted 20 minutes trick or treating. Their parents ate all the candy, while the kids got baths, in pjs, and went to bed. All in all, it was a perfect compromise!

The Aultmans! Hook, Tinkerbell, and Peter Pan

Team Safari! 2 Zookeepers and a monkey in a tutu

See? Hadley was happy at one point

"Who took my candy?!?!"

Fall in Florida

This past weekend, the family took a trip to our local farm to visit the "pumpkin patch" and see the animals in the petting zoo area. The notion of a pumpkin patch in Florida is a little silly - it's really just a bunch of shipped in pumpkins lined up for sale, but the intent was there. Also: Mom just told one of her college students that pumpkins actually grow on vines....and she genuinely didn't know that. So - score one for the Florida education system.

We went to the farm with our friends, the Aultmans, and their little girl Hartley. She's Hadley's best friend, and these two really like crawling all over each other/stealing each other's stuff. It works out well. It also lends itself to hilarious photo opportunities.

"Hey Mom - what are you doing?"

Hadley LOVED the petting zoo area, and she desperately wanted to touch/pet/grab all of the animals, especially the goats and horses. She also really liked the emu, much to Mom's dismay. Hopefully she doesn't like birds too much.

"Just one more inch, Dad, and then I can reach!"

Giggle-fest with Dad!

Dancing to the 50's cover band with Mom

After the farm, we decided that Sunday brunch was in order. The parents enjoyed mimosas and brunch delights. The girls enjoyed watching Daniel Tiger and stealing each other's pacifiers and bottles.

Happy Fall Fun everyone!

Hilton Head, SC with the Schwartz's!

We spent a nice long weekend with our friends Jess, Bryan and Cooper relaxing poolside in Hilton Head, SC. Hadley had a great time splashing and meeting Cooper, and the adults had SO much fun catching up. Bruce and Courtney have known Bryan and Jess since college (Bruce and Bryan are fraternity brothers), so it was an excellent chance for everyone to reconnect, relax, and introduce our kids (eek!!).

The whole gang, on the last night in HH

Cooper had his first food -
french fries!!

Family bonding :)

Super splash fun with Dad

 Bryan and Bruce had a great time golfing, Jess and Courtney went to the spa, and the kids played on the ground/Cooper basically looked suspiciously at Hadley while she tried to pull his hair and pet his face. Good times.

Mom and Hadley pool time

"Hey Cooper - come down here
and play!"

Dinner on the tidal shores of Hilton Head at Skull Creek

We had such a great time and can't wait to schedule our next trip! By that point, Cooper and Hadley will be able to run around after each other....and maybe the parents get to relax? Eh, probably not. :)

It's a 10 month celebration!

Hadley is amazing. She is only 10 months old, and she is really rocking it. She LOVES eating big girl food, giggling, trying to talk, and yes.....walking. Right now, her personal best is SIX STEPS, but on the regular it's more like 2-3 at a time. Even still, Mom and Dad are already starting to feel like their baby girl is really all grown up.

On the move

Hard at work

Shake it girl!!

This month, Grammy (Babiarz) has spent the whole month visiting because Mom and Dad's work schedules have been really busy. This gave them the flexibility to know that someone was always able to watch, love, snuggle, and take care of Hadley. Pop-Pop (Babiarz) came to visit for a few weeks, too! Hadley has really LOVED having them around. I wish they gave me more treats/let me eat all of Hadley's stuff animals, but alas, they have the same feelings about that as Mom and Dad.

Hey there, Pop-Pop. You're fun.

Snuggle me!!!!

Finally, it is such a treat getting to hang out with this little monkey. She really does make everyone's lives much better. I'm so glad she became part of our family!

Nine Months of Hoodle Doodle

Hadley is nine months - and she is a total joy. After visiting the doctor for her well baby check-up and she's doing fabulously. At 18.6 lbs, 26.5 inches long, she's in the 50th percentile for weight and in the 35th percentile for height. She is full of personality: usually very happy, babbling like a fool, ALMOST walking, and pushing the limits of where she's allowed to crawl and what she's allowed to eat. She and I (Loki) are doing much better playing together. Hadley is starting to learn how to play fetch with me, which is SO MUCH FUN, but she also giggles really loud and high when I walk in the room. Which is annoying.

Every now and then, Hadley has a moment of serious reflection. I assume she was looking at Mom, contemplating how best to steal, and eat, her cell phone. See Exhibit A.

And then, of course, the face of mischief and smug enthusiasm when she does finally get her hands on a cell phone. JOY!

Hadley likes: Following Loki around the house, trying new foods, ice cream, making growling sounds, singling "AHHHHH" really loudly with Mom, riding on Dad's shoulders, and trying to walk

Hadley doesn't like: her Eczema  (which is finally almost healed!), getting her diaper changed (like, AT ALL...what is that about, Kid??!), being left alone in Baby Jail (her crib), and swimming lessons