My big girl....

Hailey had her 2 year well check this week and, like usual, she remains a very big girl!!! Her weight was 33 lbs which was the 95% and her height was 36.5 inches which is in the 97%. If you take that old saying that a person's height will be double what they were at age 2 she will be 73 inches tall which is a little over 6 feet tall!!! Holy crap!! There are woman that tall in both of our families so it is possible. The first thing the dr. asked was "So do you think it will be volleyball or basketball??"
Overall she is perfectly proportionate (in a big way) and is very healthy. She is beautiful, and I am very proud that she is continuing to grow and be big and strong!!

Hailey Jane

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

2 Years...

It is very hard for me to believe that Hailey has been in our lives for two years now. It seems like she's been around forever...but also feels like she was just born. What a crazy whirlwind two years it has been. I remember her delivery very clearly. It was pretty easy and she was ready to come into the world. I remember saying out loud when I first saw her "She doesn't really look like anybody"...and now I think she looks a lot like me at age 2. The first few months were filled with almost constant screaming and I wasn't really sure I liked this new little baby. When she was finally diagnosed with reflux and treated appropriately she was a much happier baby and a joy to have around. After I had Ella I wished for a cuddly baby (Ella wasn't much of a cuddlier) and boy did I get one in Hailey. She did not want to be put down, nor sleep much further than an arms length. She loved to nurse and didn't give it up until she was 22 months. Now she says "Milky all gone" As she is becoming a toddler she makes me smile on a daily basis. She loves to sing and you can often hear her in the next room singing ABC's in a REALLY loud voice. She also loves to dance...especially with her daddy, and she loves playing with her dolly's. She sleeps in a toddler bed now and in the mornings will pull out all of her pajama's and shoes and pile them on the bed. She does this really funny look where she will put her head down and then look at you out of the corner of her eyes. She usually does this if she is mad or unsure of something but it is truly hilarious.
She is an awesome eater and will eat just about anything...including broccoli. She is a very big girl all around (height and weight) and people are usually surprised to hear she is just turning 2.
She can say a ton of words and can ask for things she wants. She has starting using the potty on occasion and shows a lot of interest in it! She can jump off the couch and end in a somersault (she gets this from her sissy) She does twirls all over the house and loves to run and jump.
She wants anything her sister wants. If her sister wants milk than Hailey wants milk. If sissy wants water than so does Hailey. She gets along well with Ella although they do have their moments. Mostly fighting over a toy. Ella loves her little sissy and only calls her by her full name...Hailey Jane. I don't think I have even once heard her call her just Hailey.
All in all she has been the most perfect addition to our family! We love her to pieces and think she is the sweetest, prettiest and smartest little 2 year old girl in the world (of course we are a little bias). She melts our heart every single day!
Happy Birthday Hailey Jane...we love you!

Sausage Fest

To anyone who is not from the tri-cities...and event called the Sausage Fest probably sounds a little bit odd. However; growing up here it is an annual event that we always look forward to. Good food, games for the kids, face painting, toys, balloons...just a bunch of fun things to do. This year we went and met up with our friends the West's. The kids had a blast and were really fun to watch.
I had to post the series of group photos so you could see the progression of Hailey picking her nose, eating it, and then the disgusted looks on the other kids' faces. Yep...that's my daughter for you. Ella was also picking her nose in the first photo...although I don't think she ate hers. Classy, I know.

Food Terrorist....

I am trying to loose weight. So far I have lost about 12-14 pounds (depends on the day!). What I have been doing to loose it so far is just to cut out sweets. And then...this morning...I woke up to this...



I tried to ignore them. Cleaning, computer, laundry...but the smell of them was making it's way through the entire house. Eventually I gave in and ate that tiny little corner piece. Even without frosting it was delicious. Thanks Grant!!!

Growing up

My little baby is growing up so fast!! Ella has started preschool two days a week! And it's not a co-op I just drop her off and pick her up. She had a blast on her first day...didn't cry at all (she told me this) and was happy when I picked her up. She said goodbye to all her teachers and off we went. She told me all the things they did and said she had fun. She is also in preschool at the daycare she goes to two days a week. So between the two of them I am sure her little mind is just going to start expanding with knowledge! I love her so much and can't believe how fast she is growing up. I am just trying to cherish each moment because they all go by so fast!
These photos were taken by my lovely and talented sister in law Chelee (you can see her website at http://www.michelleellisphotography.com/. She took these for us as first day of school photos. She also did one last year on Ella's first day of school and it is amazing to compare and see how different she looks. I will have to figure out how to scan it and get it in.

The Bully....

Hailey has been having a bit of a hitting problem recently and we have been dealing with it but it is making it hard to go out anywhere with her in public for the fear of being judged because she is the "bully kid"...which Hailey definitely is. She will go up to the other kids and just flat out smack them for no aparent reason. Probably just to see the reaction take place. At our most recent playdate I think she hit every kid at least once. It totally looks bad on your parenting. I just need some help...advice...anything you've got, to try and help me work through this. The playdate we went on was with all the little babies who have been born of our NICU nurses within the last 3 years (yes...we've been popping them out!) We've had a lot of fun hanging out and watching the kids learn and play and grow up together.
The picture I added is of all the NICU mom's and their baby's taken by some very nice lady at the playground.

Lets see if I can label it from left to right:
Jessica with Jordyn and Kiley: Tina with Avvon and two more on their way :) TouTou with her son Drew: Sara with her daughter Jaidyn and one more waiting to come out to play :): Val with her son Andrew: and then me with little bully Hailey Jane. Ella didn't want to take the photo so her little head is right behind us a bit.
So, all in all, it was a really fun playdate and nice to catch up with everyone (outside of work) I just wish that I didn't have the bully to deal with. Truthfully, any advise that people have for me and I will be all over it!!

ps: Please try and ignore any spelling or grammer mistakes. I'm writing this after a 12 hour night shift, and falling asleep while I am doing it!