The Bunny Pictures

I'll make this story short.  These are not my favorite pictures, but I love how the photographer captured their natural expressions.    Part of it is my fault, because the photographer wanted to reschedule due to the chance of rain and cooler temps, but I couldn't because I had to work during her weekday options.  The other part is that I'm not crazy about bright color edits.  My kids were not wearing neon clothes.  I also didn't voice that, so maybe it's all my fault, next time I'll mention my preferences.

Either way, they are cute enough and worth the little bit we paid for a mini session.  Especially to hear Hardin talk about the bunnies and chicks, he loved it.  Sister Smiley on the other hand was not impressed.  The girl literally grins ear to ear if you even look at her around our house, but when we are out and about she's as serious as H was soaking it all in.

Everything else is going very well.  Although life is crazy right now, I sometimes feel like I'm holding my breath in the calm before the storm.  Like things just can't stay this good for that long.  Our careers are going well.  We are all happy and healthy.  And these two babies are very literally as good as it gets.  Throw in the fact that I honestly can't remember the last time Jason and I argued or raised our voices towards each other AND Hardin is 100% potty trained, and I need to pinch myself.  It certainly hasn't always been this way, and won't always be this way, so I'm trying to make a very conscious effort to enjoy it while it last.  Lots of blessing counting in our world right now.

Picture Day

Today was class picture day for Hardin.  I couldn't resist snapping a few of him at the house before we left.  He's become quite the little man, and I couldn't love him anymore than I do.

My favorite little faces.

Jason offered to take Hardin to hit golf balls this afternoon and he jumped at the chance.  He knows now he has to put on a golf shirt to look "fancy like daddy."  He looked so handsome when I got him dressed I had to snap a new big boy picture of him.

After the boys left I spent a few minutes outside with my girl.  In true Georgia spirit, it was very nice when the boys left and by time I changed Hadley and got her outside it felt 10 degrees cooler, and was getting worse.

Even with the chill, she loves to be outside.  It's Gigi's favorite way to get her to calm down.  She's not as smiley as she normally is though, she's too busy looking around.

We had a great weekend with these two and managed to sneak in a last minute trip to see George Strait on his final tour, it was absolutely incredible.  Throw in an early T-ball game Saturday followed by a two match tennis party for Jason, and it was a very full but extremely fun weekend.

Tennis

In our old neighborhood it literally took us two years to make friends.  Two full years, it was pathetic.

When we moved into our new subdivision I immediately started asking Jason to play tennis.  It only took a few weekends here to see how much everyone plays and what a big social scene it is.  Jason was my secret weapon.  He's quite a good player and it didn't take long for word to get around.

Fast forward a year and a half, and there was a two week stretch this month where he was on 4 separate teams.  His ALTA Mixed and T2 Men's winter leagues both made it to playoffs/finals, and spring ALTA Men's and T2 Mixed had already started.  It was ridiculous the amount of tennis he was playing. Be careful what you wish for.

It has been a ton of fun, and certainly fast tracked our friendships with some truly awesome people.  For that I can't think him enough.  Every Saturday that there is a home match the team brings tons of food and all the kids and lots of the spouses come and go down at the lake courts throughout the match.  Hardin calls this the "tennis party."  He asks at least every other day when the next tennis party is.  Of every thing the kid does, I can say with certainty tennis party days are his favorite thing next to a Cawley/Lillian visit.  I love being able to visit with everyone and get to know their kids.

Hardin's made tons of friends of all ages.  These kids have all grown up playing down there and it's so sweet to watch how the older ones take care of the little ones.  They play and play and play and play and play.  And sneak way too many sweets from the food table.  The area is gated and most people drive golf carts except the opposing team.  But even those cars drive slow because there is no pavement, it's gravel.  It is so nice to have somewhere safe he can run free and have so much fun.

Last weekend was the ALTA championship in Alpharetta.  Only the folks playing in the final match were there with kids, but Hardin had a blast with those few.  There was also a table competition.  I may bring nothing to the table athletically, but I can get on board with a themed table decorating competition like nobody's business.  Jason's team won both the city championship and table competition.

I think tennis will most likely be a big part of our lives for many years to come, and I think we are all very happy about that.  They are even trying to get me to take lessons...  Lord help us all.

Jason's partner for both mixed leagues, Cindy

 

 

I made the cupcakes, and the table was designed by the talented Tracy

I blinked, and she's 3 months.

When I say time is flying by, that is such an incredible understatement.  It's very much like Groundhog Day.  Wake up, feed the baby, get ready, go to work, miss my kids like crazy, come home, feed the baby, dinner, baths, feed the baby, put babies to bed, clean downstairs (I've long since given up cleaning my room), pack lunch, prepare for the next day, CRASH.  And I wouldn't have it any other way.  We've definitely settled into a little rhythm.  

I may end up sounding like I broken record, at least I sure hope so, but Hadley really is the sweetest little baby.  She's awake quite a bit more these days and happy the majority of that time.  She is quick to let you know if she's hungry or wants to be picked up, but quits fussing as soon as you respond.  If you are smiling she's smiling.  If you are talking or singing, she's doing the same as well.  

She has really found her voice and likes to practice using it.  It's super sweet, gurgly and pretty loud.  She's still hugging tight and that is our very favorite.  

She is really liking her baths and swing right now, and is still sleeping on her tummy.

We are loving this time with her.  I think knowing we are not planning any more babies has made us more intentional with our time with her.  Soaking it all up, taking her all in.  There is just nothing like a tiny baby and we all love her so much.  

Two months with the sweetest girl.

Hadley was two months old Monday.  This is the first time with either kid I missed taking their "block shot" on the exact day, but I had a very good excuse.  I was in the hospital from Sunday through Tuesday having an ERCP and my gallbladder removed.  I'll skip the details, but I'm pretty sure it was the sickest I've ever been and I'm VERY glad it is over and I am home with my babies.  I'm also 100% sure that we would have all crashed and burned if not for our amazing friends and family.  People fed my boys (best help ever for a single dad), sent beautiful flowers and lots of prayers.  Mom of course helped a ton and even uncle Scott got stuck with preschool car pool.  We will never be able to thank everyone enough.  It takes a village is the God's honest truth.

Hadley's two month well check was yesterday and she's topping the charts at 13lbs. 14oz., and just under 24 inches.  95% in both.  I know everyone hears me say it all the time, but she really is the sweetest baby ever.  She hugs you tight at 9 weeks, and has been doing it a while.  She wraps her little arm around your upper arm, grabs a fist full of hair or whatever she can with the other, leans in and hugs tight.  It makes you want to melt.  And when you hold her she melts into you.

She wakes up happy and as long as you are talking to her or smiling at her she is talking and smiling right back.  I think she's definitely going to be a girl that thrives on being around people.

She's still not crazy about being put down.  Ever really.  She'll tolerate it for about 10 minutes before she lets you know she'd prefer to be held.  This does not bother me in the slightest most times, but when either of us has to do dinner and bed time on our own it can be tricky.  She can be loud.

She is still nursing first and then getting formula.  The only time nursing satisfies her completely is in the early mornings.  If she gets up before 5, and she does most days around 3 or 4, I let her snuggle in bed with me and she normally nurses right back to sleep.  If she gets up after 5 she's ready for a full feeding and some play time.  Either way we are counting our blessings that at 2 months she's sleeping from at least 8pm-3am, many times longer.

Two months in we just can't imagine our little family without her.  Hardin loves her so much, and loves to tell you how much older and bigger he is.  He also loves to talk about when he was a baby.  The only time he was ever seriously jealous was at bedtime when she got to stay in our room.  Now that she's in her bed he seems more okay with the situation.

Random Pictures

A few days ago we went to Cat's and my father in law reminded me again that I haven't sent him any pictures in a while.  God love the non-facebookers in my life.  They keep me on my toes about uploading and ordering actual prints of the nine million pictures I take.

Tonight I'm scrolling through pictures uploading them to Costco, in doing so I'm finding many random pictures from our first couple of months with Hadley.

Also, the reason we were at Cat's the day after they came to visit us is Hadley's fondness of tummy sleeping.  I went to my first ladies night in our "new" (1.5 years) neighborhood Saturday night.  It was a lovely spa night where everyone wore jammas, sipped martini's and had a massage with a wonderful masseuse.  I got home very late and very relaxed, to find Jason in bed alone in our room.  No baby next to our bed.  When I asked where Hadley was he casually said in her crib.  Hmm.  I'd tried to get her to sleep there numerous times and she'd only stay for 15 minutes.  When I asked him how he did it he said she just went to sleep.  I went to check on her and gasped when I found her on her belly.  It may change before my kids read this but for the time being every doctor tells you over and over to only place babies on their back to sleep.  When I started freaking out Jason just said "Tiff, when I put her on her back she cries, when I put her on her tummy she sleeps."  And so it was.

Cathy had the same issue with Lillian and bought a fancy movement monitor to place under her mattress that has a loud alarm if they don't move (quit breathing) for more than 20 seconds.  I've accidentally tested it every day since we got it by picking her up without turning it off, and let me tell you, it works like a charm.  Ever since then Hadley and I both have been sleeping like a charm.  Knock on wood.

But I digress, Hadley's sleeping and I'm uploading some of my favorite random snapshots over the last few months.  Next post, my random iphone favorites.