Sick a loo my darling

Well the time arrived...you got sick for the very first time. Daddy and I were hoping this day would never come. Last Thursday night you started to sound congested and had trouble breathing through your nose. So mommy sat up from 1:30 a.m. til morning with you so you could sleep upright (easier for you to breathe). Then on Friday I got done with work early so I could pick you up. When I brought you home, same thing, congestion. You were a phglemy mess. We propped ourselves up in bed and you slept all afternoon. YaYa brought over some essentials for our sick baby girl... the Nose Frida (it has a little tube and I suck boogies out of your nose...you hate it!), nasal saline solution, probiotics, a vaporizer, and dinner. You DID NOT like anything going in your nose. But poor darling you couldn't breathe! Every time you tried to eat, you had to stop and breathe out of your mouth. So Yaya helped me pin you down so I could get the saline in your nose to loosen up all that yucky stuff and then I would suck it out. Boy are you strong! You are one determined little girl. You fought us, but mommy knows best, I finally got the boogies out of your nose. We had to sleep sitting up in a chair for the next few nights so you could breathe better. Mommy was exhausted but had to take care of my girl! You are getting better but still stopped up. We ended up taking you to the pediatrician on Saturday morning, just to make sure you didn't have an infection. Luckily, the doctor said you are all clear, just have a cold. So we snuggled and took care of you all weekend long.

Just when we thought you were in the clear you started to act sick again. Your eye boogies and nose boogies turned green... so mommy was afraid there was an infection. :( The following Thursday night you didn't seem right. Early Friday morning, you were burning up. I just knew you had a fever, I took your temperature and it read 100.3. So I decided to call in sick to work and schedule an appointment with your pediatrician. I took you with me to my school at 6:30 am to get my sub plans together and then I stopped at Starbucks to get coffee and oatmeal to help keep me awake since we were up most of the night.

 Luckily, we got in with our doctor, Dr. Moore. At first the nurse took you temperature via temporal and it read 98.6, my mom-tuition just told me that was wrong. So I requested a rectal temperature be taken. And sure enough it was 100.7. Sweet baby girl. Dr. Moore found that you had an ear infection in your left ear and an eye infection. She prescribed you antibiotics and told me to give you Tylenol to keep you comfortable. I gave you a dosage of Tylenol right away because I knew you didn't feel well. Then I finally got some antibiotics in you. We went home and you slept on mommy and on mommy and daddy's bed all day. At one point I went to give you some more Tylenol, I gave you half the dosage and all of a sudden you started throwing up, everywhere. All over mommy and yourself. I had never seen you throw up before and I wasn't sure what to do. I just stood there, in the kitchen to let you finish. Then you seemed much better. We spent several more nights sleeping upright, and you had to take your antibiotics twice a day for 10 days. We just took your last dose last night. You did not like taking medicine. We hope you aren't sick again!

Any time mommy does something and you don't like it, just remember I am doing it because I know it's best for you. I would never ever hurt you and neither would daddy. We love you so much and always want you to be happy, healthy and enjoying your life.

xoxoxoxo Mommy & Daddy

A day in the life of Halen

My blue eyed girl. You are the light of our world darling Halen. Every day daddy and I are more and more in love with you. From the moment you wake up, you smile ear to ear. You gurgle a language of your own and your eyes shine with happiness. You've changed our lives so much and we are forever thankful to the Lord above for sending your sweet self into our lives.

We love being our little family. Our daily routine usually goes: I set my alarm for 5:50 a.m. and when it goes off, I am reminded that I am a mommy. And not only that but I am YOUR mommy. My heart skips a beat and then I shower you with kisses. (You are usually sleeping in our bed at this point.) Then daddy cuddles you as I go make coffee and get dinner ready for the crockpot. Then I hurry back to bed so I can get some snuggles. Daddy gets ready for work while you and I stay cozy in bed. I turn on Joyce Meyer to receive some of the Lord's word, to inspire us for the day ahead. Then I put on Good Morning America. Lately, I have been reading you a story, each day,  from a Children's Bible

Uncle Bill gave us. Today we read about the Tower of Babel. We play, giggle, talk and I cover you with a million kisses. Then we get dressed for the day. I usually put you in your Exer-Saucer for a few minutes to play while I get my lunch together.

Then if it is a Monday you go to YaYa's house, yesterday you were there. You played, watched Lil Buds, went on a walk and had great feedings/naps. Yaya loves hanging out with her Halen! Today you are with Gigi and Papa. Gigi comes over in the morning to play and then takes you to Papa's condo. Sometimes she takes you to the music class at the library, which you love. I pick you up in the afternoons. Gigi is smitten over you! And Papa loves watching you grow, he can't wait til you are walking and talking. Wednesday-Friday you go to see Ms. Lyn around the corner from our house. Ms. Lyn keeps six kiddos (including you) at her house, you guys play, dance, watch Mickey Mouse Club, and sing songs. You are always happy when I pick you up from Ms. Lyn's house.

After I pick you up, we come home and feed, play and more snuggles. I love seeing your face light up when you see my face! Sometimes daddy can pick you up, he loves that.

Then around 7-8 you start to get drowsy and fall asleep. Daddy and I watch Jimmy Fallon and then we go to bed too. Sometimes I put you in your pack n play to sleep but if you fuss, I bring you in bed with daddy and I. We love having you near us in bed, you sleep better that way anyways.

Then I say my prayers thanking Jesus for sending such a wonderful creature into our lives. I thank the Lord for our health, our blessings and ask for guidance and clarity to make the right decisions.

Fall is around the corner! So many fun things to do. I love how it feels my life has a new purpose and I love getting excited to introduce you to different things. I am so excited for your first Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, to see snow in Colorado, watching Disney movies, take you to a pumpkin patch, to bake with you......... so many fun things ahead.

Love you cutie tootie!

Fourth Month

My darling Halen girl-

I cannot even express how much I adore being your mommy. Staying at home with you for 15 1/2 weeks was glorious. I had to go back to work when you were almost 16 weeks old, I am an English teacher for high school kids. I do love my job but being away from you is difficult. YaYa watches you on Mondays, PaPa and GiGi watch you on Tuesdays and Ms. Lyn watches you Wednesdays-Fridays, she has an in-home day care right by our house. This is the morning of your first day at day care! You did so good but, of course, your mommy cried. I loved picking you up after work that day!

You are so smiley and happy most of the time. We love your smile. You learned to flip over not to long ago! Every time I put you down on your back you automatically flip to your belly. And you prop yourself up so well now! You also LOVE grabbing on to your toes.

You are still loving your swim lessons, Brooklyn, our neighbor joined us. Daddy and I can't wait to see how you do in the Waterbabies class. You love swimming! We swam at Jaxon's pool, the Curby's pool, and the Bolton's pool all summer!

Here you fell asleep on the raft, you were so comfy!

I can't believe you are four months old. Seems like yesterday when daddy rushed me to the hospital and then we brought you home.

Our sweet girl. Daddy sure does love you. He dances with you around the house to George Strait, I've caught tears running down his cheeks a few times. Proof that he is undeniably in love with his baby girl.

We asked your Enna to be your Godmother, she happily said yes! We are hoping to baptize you when you're six months old around Thanksgiving.

You are now sleeping in the regular pack n play, still in our room. But you end up in bed with us every night. We're still trying to figure out a bed time routine and you're figuring out life. I love cuddling with you in bed. The other morning we woke up together and just stared into each other's eyes, I felt like my soul was opened up and my heart just filled up with your sweetness. It was one of the most pure, revitalizing moments of my life.

You see your friend, Jaxon, a lot. I would take you to story time at the library on Tuesdays and Thursdays during summertime.


We have had a few mama playdates with all our favorite friends. You finally met sweet Cora! She is such a doll, you two will grow to become great friends one day.



Mandalee came to visit us from Dallas, she loved meeting you!

Here is Piper at 7 months, Cora at 5 months, you at almost 4 months, and Jaxon at almost 8 months!

Your Neicey loves you to pieces! Every time she sees you she wants to hold you and love on you.

You love you Exer-Saucer! You play and play in there all by yourself.

You also love the jumper!








Daddy started football season, so we will be going to football games and rooting for him in the stands. You watched your first Michigan football game the other day too! We won. And daddy was happy to share a pre-season Denver Bronco game with you too.

You've been an absolute delight. You've enriched daddy and my life with so much joy and happiness. Every day I wake up so in love with the life your daddy and I have built and the family we've created.

First of many times you'll be on daddy's shoulders!

Labor Day 2014
Taking a walk as a big girl without the carseat!




Taking a bath!

 Your DiDi brought you this adorable onesie from Maine!

 Your first time on the swings at the park by our house!!

Thank you for being you my darling girl. I'm excited to see what this new month of your life brings.

Love always and forever,
Mama

3rd Month

Dear Halen,

We started your third month of life on our month long road trip! We ended our trip in Glen Arbor, MI with Aunt Jenn and Uncle Joe. I captured this picture before we left of you and your YaYa. Such a precious moment.


And this is you with your Uncle Jeff, Yaya's brother. He loved holding you. 

We made the long trek back home and enjoyed relaxing at our house. We got back into our rhythm and started to hang out with friends.

We went to your two month pediatrician appointment and you are 100th percentile in height AND weight! You are 24 inches long and weigh 13 lbs 9.5oz! Holy cow girlie. We are so proud of and you so blessed you're a growing, healthy girl! You also received your first shot
 and you didn't even cry. I was so impressed.

This picture is of mommy at two months old and you at two months old! We look so much alike. I love it my daughter. :)

Your friend Brooklyn came over to visit, she has grown up so much since we've been away. You girls are so adorable together. 












We took you to swim at the Curby's house and you LOVED the pool! We are excited to take you swimming a bunch more this summer.

 Our family in the pool! We love summer time.

We spent many days in the Curby's pool  this summer!

One time when we went swimming at Julie's you went skinny dippin with daddy! Look at that cute butt! :)






We also went over to your DiDi and T's house to watch the World Cup- Germany won. Your friend Piper came over to visit, it was super fun watching you girls interact with each other. Will be so fun watching you grow up together.





 We went over to Papa's house while he was on vacation and took a picture in your pink chair! Look at that smile. :)

 I hosted a mamas brunch playdate and your friends Jaxon, Piper and new friend, Cade came over with their lovely mamas: Traci, Dana and Mimi. We had fun eating a luxurious brunch and then had fun playing with you cuties.

It is so fun to see you interacting with your buddies.

Uncle Matt came over one day with his puppy, Penny, and he held you.

We had the Bolton's over for dinner, you and Brooklyn are such sweethearts and will be such great friends.

 I took this one of you sleeping. My sleeping beauty.









 Another afternoon we had YaYa and Crash over to swim with us at the Curby's pool. You are becoming one lil fishy!!! 

One afternoon we were swimming at the Curby's and invited Traci and Jaxon over to swim, you both are such little fishies! You love the water.

 Look at you in your bumbo! You were so proud to sit all by yourself. :)



We started going to music classes at the Cedar Park Library, they sing all kinds of songs like "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" and "Row Row Row Your Boat." They also read stories and have play time. You love observing all the kiddos there. We have gone with Traci and Jaxon as well as Rachel and Brooklyn.

YaYa had our family and Uncle Chase's family over for a cherry-themed dinner one night. It was nice to all get together. Crash says your name, "Baby Halen," and it is so sweet. We are excited to watch you two grow up together. Uncle Chase spent time holding and loving on you too. 

Daddy and I decided to enroll you in swimming classes at Emler, your first class was on Monday, July 28th....you did such a good job! The pool was salt water, so you kept licking your mouth. Your Enna and Gram came to watch too. You kicked, floated on your back and even did tummy time on a floaty in the pool. We are so proud of your swimming skills and are excited to see how you grow into a beautiful swimmer. 

I am wearing you here while cleaning the house. You loved being carried around like this, eventually you'd fall asleep on my chest. I loved it.

We transitioned you to your pack n play to sleep. Another big step for our baby girl!

 You came to work with me one day. Everyone loved meeting you! And you were so good. Mommy wishes I could take you to work everyday.

Here you are holding Gram's finger while hanging out at the Curby's. So sweet.

I caught a sweet picture of you sleeping with daddy!

You are 12 weeks in this picture!

Daddy & I took you downtown to go eat lunch one day at Frank's Hot Dogs. You were such a good girl and loved people watching. We love spending time with our girl.

Let's see...lately you love to smile and daddy and I. You always seem to be happy! You are definitely moving more than ever, when I put you down on your playmat you maneuver yourself in circles with your feet! You've also flipped your hips over and we can tell you are about to roll over any day now. We can also see that you're ready to start picking up stuff, like your toys. We love watching you grow. You are more and more fun each and every day.

We love you baby girl! Love, Mama and Daddy