Today our sweet Hadley is ONE! As people always say, this year has flown by! I can hardly remember those weeks leading up to her birth when I was so ready to no longer be pregnant but scared to death of tackling 2 kids at the same time. Then, on the morning of the 17th, my water broke...or trickled actually :) I headed to the hospital for what ended up being a much quicker labor and birth than what I had experienced the first time. It was a girl! We were so surprised and grateful for a little pink in our lives!
Those first weeks were bliss as we got to know our little girl...
And then the struggles came. The first 6 months were full of challenges-- colic, crying, question marks, weariness, snuggling, bouncing, pulling our hair out, lots of tears, and a crazy elimination diet for me... that actually worked!
Around the 6 month mark though, we turned the corner and Hadley didn't look back. She turned into such a happy, content baby and it was easy to forget all of our frustrating days that were in the recent past.
We enjoyed lots of beach time in the summer...
and time outdoors in the Fall.
Hadley's personality began to shine through. She proved to be much busier than her brother--always moving, bored with a toy after 2 minutes, and determined with whatever she happened to be going after. She kept up with her brother at an early age, crawling just before 6 months and taking steps at 11 months.
Hadley, my heart was so full today as I thought of how much I love you. It's hard to imagine life before you were here and life certainly has never been dull since you arrived. You are loud, passionate, and energetic. You are sweet, tender, and curious. You remind me of myself in some ways, which makes me know we will get into some good arguments in our lifetime :) A quick glance your way produces the most amazing smile on your face--whether it is someone familiar or at a perfect stranger. You've never met anyone you didn't like. You are loved by many--family and friends nearby and far away. You are interested in everything around you and somehow have managed to find every nook and cranny in our house. You adore your brother, get excited to see you Daddy, and seem to love your Mama the best most of the time. I am so grateful for the time that we have spent together--from hours in your chair, to the carpet with your toys. I look forward to many days and years of friendship with you--my girl-- and I pray for you daily--that you will come to know the One who made you--the One who created you wonderfully and beautifully, just the way you are. You are deeply loved by Him Hadley. And we sure do love you too.
We look forward to this next year with anticipation... it is sure to be a wild and busy ride!
