To Hannah on her first birthday (or 2 weeks later)

My Dear Hannah Lynn-

Happy first birthday to you, my little love. I hope it is just the first on a long journey of your beautiful life.

I find it so hard to believe that you are a full year old.   A YEAR OLD. Three hundred and sixty five days since you took your first breath on that cold February morning. I would be lying if I said like  has been perfect since your arrival into our little family, but I can tell you it has been pretty close. Having you as a part of us has made everyone all feel more joy and warmth- simply because your darling sweet disposition exudes those things.

Hannie, you radiate joy, beauty, and light. You are like THE best baby ever.That little wrinkly smile is powerful in so many ways. It can take away bad days, make stress feel nonexistent and is so contagious I can barely stand it. That grin shows up, typically with a chuckle to compliment it, and those soft, delicious cheeks somehow get even more edible. Your bright blue eyes (that literally stop people in their tracks) are complemented with lashes that go on for days, and skin so soft and kissable it should be illegal. I truly can't get enough of you, sweet girl. Your Daddy and I joke all the time that we might pop your head off from kissing your face!

It is not only your face that is edible. You have incredible thighs and a butt that, well, it is just pinchable.I hate to admit it, and I promise we won't call you this forever, but ever since you were 2 months old, we have called you "Chunk" or "Chunky"  It just makes sense. You are a little chunk of wonder.  Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh, baby. I can't get enough of you.

Right now, your incredible sense of curiosity is in full force. Everything in life is of interest to you at any given moment. Although keeping up with you can be tough, your need to exploration and appreciation of all around you is inspiring. Part of me thinks that God makes babies that way to remind the rest of us to stop and smell the roses. I love seeing the world through your bright blue eyes. My wish for you is that you always keep that sense of wonder and a love of learning that will take you through good times and bad.

Lots of things make you happy and giggle. You LOVE to eat, and that is an understatement. When it takes longer than 2 seconds for you to get your food, be it green beans or cheese (your fav, I think), you scream, shake, and shriek until you get your round little hands on it. You have just learned to dance, love to pull up on anything and everything, climb like a crazy woman, and  to empty containers full of, well, anything. Music makes you smile, and you seem to (Lord help me) be extremely in to anything that involved technology. NOTHING in the world makes you light up like hearing your sister coming. Even the mention of Leah's name gets you all excited. Although you two are already starting to get annoyed with one another form time to time. you have a bond like nothing I have ever seen.



Hannah Lynn, there are about a million wonderful things about you, but I have to say that your snuggliness might be my favorite one. Every single morning and night is snuggle time for the two of us. You are a Mama's girl through and through, and when you are tired, you lay that sweet head on my chest and snuggle in deep. I could lay there for hours taking in your sweet breath and stroking your hair so blond it is almost white hair. Most moments of parenthood are crazy, chaotic, and often stressful, but the snuggles you and I share wipe it all away. It makes me think of my Nana, who we lost two weeks after I found out your would be joining our family. I see some of her in you from time to time... she is your guardian angel.

I have already learned that lesson. Babies really don't keep. Your sister was a baby just yesterday, and it has gone so fast. I am bound and determined to enjoy what is left of your sweet snuggles, baby rolls, and anything else that changes as you get older and older. It is all over int he blink of an eye. This is my promise to you, though, on your first birthday... I will ALWAYS be here for you, through thick and thin, in any way imaginable, because you, little girl, are the APPLE of my eye.

I wish you a lifetime full of as much love as you can contain in your heart. You deserve it.

I love you madly,
Mommy

Almost 1 year old!

Hannie, at 11 months, you...

- Weigh about 19 lbs, and fit into both your 9 month and 12 month clothes.

- Said you first real word this month! You said "More" when TyTy was kissing you, and you kept saying it and reaching your face for him. You love to give kisses, too!

- Your delicious thigh rolls are slowly receding a bit as you move around more and more and burn off those calories. Your skin in baby soft as can be, and rubbing your soft legs and belly is one of my favorite things to do. You adore when I rub your sweet cheeks.  :)

- Eat three HUGE meals a day, and are loving your sippy of water at every meal. Some of your favorite things to eat are cheese, fruit, turkey, chicken, eggs, broccoli, any kind of carb, yogurt, and I think raspberries are your favorite! You SCREAM for more food in between bites if we don't get it to you fast enough. I have never seen a little person eat the way you do....

- Are SUCH a Mama's girl! You want Mommy to hold you like all the time, and squeal Ma- MA! If you want me. You are SO super snuggly with me when you are sleepy, and I love every second of it.

- Made it through your first AWFUL cold in the last month. Your nose was bleeding, and you were just miserable. My heart broke for you, darlin, but you made it, and stayed your happy self through most of it.

- Are pretty much over nursing on most days. You are far too busy to take the time to stop and snuggle. I am desperately trying to make it to one year with you!!

- Have been sleeping in your leg brace for about a month and a half now. You still flop over sometimes in your sleep. We are hoping so much that you continue down the path of healing your hip dysplasia. We are seeing such major progress in you, as you have been pulling up onto things and walking with your walker toy all by yourself for weeks now. We are anxious  to see how you are progressing at your appointment with the specialist next month.

- Your hernia is MUCH better, and seems to be healing itself!

- You love love love to get into stuff now! Everything is your playground now. You love to climb and shove everything in your mouth at all times. The world is your oyster, and it is such fun watching you explore. You enjoy "Bang Bang" things together to make sounds. You also love to do "SO BIG", NICE, and shake things when we say shake. You are VERY close to clapping!

- Some of your favorite things are "The Wheels on the Bus", walking around on your push toy, standing up, snuggling with mommy, any toy that makes noise, babies, peek a boo, food, sippy cups, kissing people, bath time, board books, other babies, and LEAH is you all time fav! No one makes you laugh and giggle like your big sister does. You two together is MAGIC.

You are so loved, sweet little one.

10 Months old

Hannah, my love dove, at 10 months old, you...

- Weigh in at about 18.5 lbs, and are 26 1/2 inches long. At your 9 month appt, you were perfect in the 45th percentile. You fit well into both 9 month and 12 month clothes. You still have delicous chunk rolls, chubby, soft cheeks, and a darling belly (with a teeny hernia sticking out of it  :( )

- Have slept "flopped over" for over a month now, so we took you to the doctor. You are now sleeping in a brace, because we came to find that your insane flexibility is hindering your development. We are working to get you on track, and know you will be just fine in time!

- Now eat liquids 4 times a day, and solids three. Some of your favorite foods include yogurt, beans, brown rice, cheese, fruit, peas, corn, broccoli, beets, turkey, and Cheerios. You eat so much at every meal that we had to ask Dr, Kathy if we need to cut you off! She said you are growing well and eating well, so let you have it! 

- You shlep around all day long, and love to be on the move. You are trying so hard to climb stairs these days, and are on the brink of figuring it out. Busy busy busy girl these days! You get into everything,and love exploring.

- Have the most adorable smile EVER. You get so happy when you smile that you can't help but make sounds and move your arms. You have four teech on the top, and two on the bottom. We love seeing those teeth when you smile that crooked smile!!

- Love to sleep! You go to bed at 7 or so, and sleep past 7 AM when you can on the weekends. I have to wake my poor baby up during the week and you are so sleepy, but that is ok, cause it is our special snuggle time when you nurse in the morning.   :)  You take 2 naps a day.

- You can now do "sooooo big", and say "Mamamama" when you want me. We are also pretty sure you waved and said "bye" the other day at Elizabeth's!
YOU are the best thing, sweet baby!

7 Months Old

Hannie Roo, at 7 Months old, you...

- Weigh about 16 1/2 lbs. You are still holding on to your delicous chunk rolls. Your cheeks are filling out more every day, too. Six month clothes fit you well,a nd some 9 month ones do, too!  We get a kick out of watching you grow and change.

- Still sleep like a maniac. You do NOT like being awakened at 5:30 during the week. When I go to get you up, you look at me, turn your head, stick your butt in the air, and put your thumb in your mouth. You are not a morning girl first thing, but the second you see Mommy, you light up! You are a good napper, and go down for about an hour and a half each morning and afternoon.

-Speaking of your butt up in the air, that is your fav way to sleep. Rarely do we find you on your back. You are a side and belly sleeper, for sure.  Your Daddy and I get a good giggle every night when we tuck you in.

- Sit up really well now! You love to sit and look at the world. Being on your belly is not something you like at all! You really prefer to be sitting up or in someone's arms.

- Leah is the sunshine of your life, and the feeling is mutual. No one makes you laugh like she does. The simple sight of her is something enough to throw you int fits of laughter. You adore watching her play, sing, and make funny faces and noises at you.

- Are really starting to like books (well, eating them, but still, you like them), and are getting more and more focused on them and all other toys.

- Love to eat (no shock there). You have just started on a few finger foods, and you are loving trying to pick things up. Some of your favorite things to eat are peaches, apples, carrots and squash. We gave you a bite of ice crema the other day, and that made you absolutely freak out!  Right now, you have 5 liquid meals a day, and 2 solid.

Half a year and sweeter than ever!

My Sweet Girl, at 6 Months, you...

- Weigh in at 15 lbs, 4 oz, and are 25.5 inches long. You have really chunked out, and have some incredible legs and a delicous tummy. You fit just right into 6 month clothes, but can still wear some 3 month ones, if we squeeze.

- Nurse 5 times a day, and eat 2 solid meals.

- Sleep from about 7:30 to 5:30, and go back down if we let you. You then take 2 naps each day- one in the morning, and one at night. Most of the time, you roll onto your cute little belly or side once you get cozy.

- Stop traffic with your gorgeous blue eyes and round darling face. Many people, stangers or not, comment on your beauty. You are one darling girl.

- Have earned a ton of nicknames, some of which I feel really kinda bad about. We call you, with nothing but love, Hannie, Chunk, Chunky McGhee, Chunkeroo, Hanners, Hannah Roo, Hannie Bananie, and I call you my Sweetness, because, frankly, you are one sweet baby. I apologize in advance.

- Love food! You have just started  eating solids. You started with Sweet potatoes and avocado, and now you have had green beans, peas, squash, apples, banana, peaches, and blueberries. Everything has been a hit so far!  I am loving making your food. It is such a gratifying thing to put love into what you eat. :)  You are a very messy eater girl!!!

- Like to move and shake! You have been rolling around for a long while now, and you really love to grab at everything around you. Sitting up and standing are favorite passtimes of yours now. You adore being perched and watching the world go around.

-Aare starting to get more and more vocal, although I think you are going to be a quiet observer (Good luck to you, Hannah, in this family). You are content to listen and carefully watch what others are doing and saying, and you are not in a rush to join in. It seems to me that you need to take it all in and check it out. When you do giggle or talk, you get very serious and focused. We gte a kick out of watching you.

- You delight in many things these days, namely your big sister. No one makes you laugh like Leah does! You also love lovies, teething rings, blankets, baths, your Excersaucer, eating books, shoving your hands in your mouth, milk and food, walks, being held in the Ergo, swinging at the park, music, and sqealing. You are not nessecarily a fan of the pool or beach quite yet, though!

Hannah, you are one incredible girl! You are such a blessing to us! We love you.

Hannah at 5 Months

My Little Nugget, at 5 months, you...

- Weigh in just short of 14 lbs. You fit well into most 6 month clothes, but still a lot of 3 month ones, too. You are a bit of a peanut.

- Sleep like a champ, most of the time. You wake up around 7 (luxury of summertime), nap from 9-10, nap again at 1, catnap sometimes around dinner, and then you are down for the night at 7:30. Many mornings, you are up and hungry at 5, which is when we snuggle the most, but you go right back down. You like to sleep on your side the best, with that fat little thumb in your mouth.

- Had your first bit of formula the other day. I tried and tried to keep up with you and keep exclusively nursing, but I just flat out could not keep up. I know you will be just fine on a little formula! Your sister tured out alright. :)

- Can sit up when you tri-pod now! You love to sit up in your Bumbo or when we are there to make sure you don't topple over. You roll over from time to time, but seem to be in no rush to get around too much at this point. You bear weight very very well, and love to stand up.

- Are getting very very chatty this last month! You love making all kinds of squealing and yapping noises now, especially when you are holing something interesting, like a face or a toy. It has been very fun to see your little personality come out more and more.

- Enjoy your sister, sitting up, lovies, walks, being outside, music, being read to, shoving things into your mought, Mommy, eating, and being held on a lap. You are very tolerant of your parents smothering you with kisses basically around the clock. We tell you all the time how irresistable you are. Something about you makes us have to smooch you all day long.

- Have earned a lot of nicknames, including Hannie Bananie, Chunk Chunk, Chunker McGhee, and Hannah Roo.

- Our lives are better because you are here. You are one sweet baby, my love, and we adore  you to bits!

4 months

Hannie, my sweet, at 4 months, you...

- Weigh in at 12 lbs, 14 oz, and you are 24 inches long. You fit well into some 3 month clothes still, but 6 is fitting better.  You have delicous cheeks and thighs.

- Enjoy sucking you thumb and hands (and anyone else's hands, for that matter), baths on occasion, nursing, your little froggie toy and lovies, sitting in your Bumbo seat, books, being outside, car rides, being held looking outward, getting raspberries blown on your belly,being sung to,  playing with your feet, and being carried around in the Ergo, warm and snuggly.

- Have become a very laid back baby girl! They first three months, you had some spurts of fussiness, but not anymore! You are a happy baby (with the exception of some evenings), and you go with the flow like a champ! You don't mind being lugged around to the park, classes for Leah, and playdates. I think you love to watch the big kids play!

-Sleep like a champ, most of the time. You go down at 7:30 each night, and tend to sleep for 10-11 hours, with some exceptions. Some mornings, we wake up and you are on your side or your belly. I think you are a mover and a shaker when you sleep! You take 2 long naps, and one little cap nap most evenings. When not in your crib, you like to crash in the car and your swing.

- Eat 5-6 times a day. When you take a bottle now, it is 5-6 ounces. You love to nurse, and I adore the snuggles that come with it. You are getting more and more aware of the world around you, though, and you like to look around and grab things while you eat.

- Have some of the most incredible eyes I have ever seen. They are bright, crystal blue- always have been- but now that you are looking around more, they are breathtaking. You seem to be so content to just observe the world around you nowadays, and love to take it all in. Your big sister is your absolute favorite thing to watch.

Hannah at 3 months

Sweet baby Hannah, at 3 months, you...

-Weigh about 13 lbs. You love love love to nurse, and it shows in your chunky cheeks and amazingly edible leg rolls. You are filling out, and it is beyond adorable. You have huge gorgeous blue eyes with long lashes, rosy red cheeks, and ears that stick out a little. My gosh, girl, you are darling.

- Are smiling and cooing all the time now! You love to hear yourself make noise, and are already cracking yourself up. It is such a darling sound! You have laughed a few times, I mean really laugh, which makes me think the belly laughs are coming soon!

- Are starting to lose a strip of hair on the back of your head of stick straight hair. Your receding hairline is getting worse, too!  :)

- don't enjoy tummy time, being put down (for real), getting in your carseat, when your big sister smothers you with kisses and/ or shoves your binky in your mouth.

- Delight in watching your big sister, seeing me dance like a goofball, being outside, walks, being held in the Ergo on me, the football hold, sitting on a lap and looking out, songs, binkies, snuggling and us making funny faces at you!

- Have made us happier than ever! You are a glorious addition to our little family, sweet girl. We love you so much.

Hannah Love, at 2 months you...

- Weigh in at 11 lbs, 7 oz, and are 22 1/4 inches long. You are in the 45% th for both, and growing beautifully!

- Love to eat! You eat 7-8 times a day now, and you would do it all day if I let you. You have some amazingly adorable chunk rolls on your thighs to show for it!

- Sleep from about 8:30-3:30 now, but sometimes, you make it til 4:30 or 5. I think we are getting close to truly sleeping through the night!!

- You still have all your super straight, blondish hair, and an awesome receding hairline. it is too cute for words! Your belly is kissable, you are getting incredible eyelashes, and your double chin is to die for.

- Have started to smile a lot these past few weeks, and you coo all the time now. I forgot how glorious that sound is. It makes my heart melt every time.

- Enjoy eating, staring at toys, car rides, walks, being held ALL the time, binkies, your sister, and being held close and tight.

- I can't wait to see how you grow and change, but I am savoring your teeny babyness while I can. You are so snuggly and wonderful, Hannie, and are so very loved.

My Dear sweet Hannah, at 1 month, you...

-  Weigh in at 9 lbs, 11 oz, and are 21 inches long. This puts you in the 40th% for both.

- Sleep for some decent stretches at night now. We moved you into your crib at 4 weeks old, and you have done well these past few nights! You go to bed around 8:30, and tend to be up at 2 and 5 to eat. Some mornings, you go back to sleep for a little, but you mostly just like to snuggle in bed with me and we doze together. It is a little chunk of heaven.

- Have earned the nickname my HannahRoo, because you are SO attached to your Mommy. You love being held, and sometimes, you really let us know that it is NOT ok to put you down.

- Eat about 8 times a day, every 3 or so hours. You are a great nurser, and have been since they day you were born.

- Are starting to really focus on us. We have had some good eye contact lately! I think smiles will be coming soon! You especially like to look at your big sister.

- Are just a gorgeous bundle of adorableness  my love. I can't get over how darling you are, with your pudgy cheeks and big blue eyes.

- Have made our family feel more complete. You have fit in so well with us. We all love you so very, very much.