Reminiscing

Today I was reminiscing about when Hattie was a newborn. When I look at her now as she approaches the 10 month mark, I think, "Where did the time go?!?!" It feels like only yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital and adjusting to our new life. Now I can't remember life without her, and I am shocked at how quickly I felt that way.

I remember the first few weeks when she was home with us how she wanted to be held 24/7. Now she wants to discover life on her own (as long as Mommy is in view). She is so curious! When I look at her today, she often reminds me more of an exploring toddler than a cuddly newborn. I use to have to put her to sleep lying on top of my stomach, and then I would carefully roll her onto the bed and quietly place pillows all around her so she wouldn't fall off (as if she could roll!). Then I would check on her every 10 minutes to make sure she was still breathing. That's the only way I could get her to fall asleep, and that only worked 50% of the time.

I remember the first time she smiled at me and how Sean refused to believe it because he wasn't there for it. Hattie smiled for him a few days later, and THAT was her first smile :0). Now she smiles and laughs all day long, and I see her humor developing more and more. The biggest laugh that I ever got out of her was when I recently stuck one of her old pacis in MY mouth and proceeded to suck on it. She thought that was a HOOT!

I remember the first time she slept through the night at 2 months old. I awoke in a panic and was sure she was dead, only to go in and find my peaceful baby fast asleep in her crib. I woke her up to make sure and then nursed her. It was a comfort nurse for Mommy that time. Now I almost panic if she makes a peep before morning.

I remember feeling her kicks when she was inside of me. Now I get to feel them on the outside :0).

I remember in the beginning how so many moms told me that I would forget how hard it is when they are so tiny, and I have, but I will remember what NOT to do because Sean and I made SO MANY mistakes. It's almost comical. Thank God Hattie won't remember them!

These past 10 months have gone by so fast, and when I include my pregnancy it blows my mind to think that we have known about Hattie for almost 19 months! And it's hard for me to believe that just the other day I was searching online for birthday invitation ideas for Hattie's first birthday.

Finally, I just have to post a few newborn pics of Hattie. These are a few of my favorites.






Now when Sean and I hear about a couple who are expecting their first child, we kind of giggle to each other saying, "Do you think they have a clue what they are getting into!?!?" We sure didn't. I look back at that time now and miss those first weeks. It was such a sweet, emotional, crazy time in our lives, and I smile when I reminisce about the days when Hattie was a newborn.

9 Month Checkup

Hattie had her 9 month checkup this morning. She is definitely on the small side. Her weight is 18 lbs. 8 oz. (25th%) and height is 27 1/2 inches (also 25th%). She has dropped her percentages some, but I am thinking it is mostly because she got rotavirus a while back and lost about a bunch of weight. It was AWFUL. Hopefully by her one year appointment, her percentages will be back up. Her iron was also a little on the low side, so we have to give her an iron supplement for about 6 weeks and then take her back in to check it again. The doctor didn't seem worried at all, though, which eased my stressin' brain. Developmentally Hattie is right on target.

Speaking of Hattie's development, my little goober has learned to stand in her crib and will proceed to bang the crib rail and yell, "Mamamama!" during naptime. Needless to say she is now napping in her pack-n-play since she can't stand up in that yet. Mama has a few tricks up her sleeve, too! I don't know what I'll do when she learns to stand in that. I'm just praying that she learns to sit back down real soon! Otherwise I'm gonna have to get real creative at naptime.

Bluebonnets & Stevie Nicks

Our trip back home was pretty eventful. We saw tons of bluebonnets along the roadside. Well, we NEVER miss a good photo-op, so we stopped and got a few pictures. It was a good opportunity to stretch our legs, too. I just wish we would have had a way to get a family photo.



We also got to listen to LOTS of Stevie Nicks in the car. Hattie HATES car rides. She hardly sleeps and does not want to sit still. We would be subjected to A LOT of crying, but thanks to Stevie Nicks, our roadtrips are fairly easy. One quirky tid-bit about our little girl is that popping in a Stevie Nicks cd (and ONLY a Stevie Nicks cd) will make our wailing baby grow silent and calm in about 2 seconds. It works 100% of the time. It's weird, we know, but atleast she has great taste in music ;0)!

Hattie & Luke

While in Houston my best friend, Christie, and I got together with our babies. Luke is almost two months younger than Hattie but about 4 pounds heavier. He is ALL BOY, and Hattie is ALL GIRL. Luke is the most laid-back, easy-going baby that I have ever met (Christie, you lucky dog!). This is opposed to my princess-in-a-pea as we like to call Miss Hattie Ruth. They couldn't be more different, but they're still gonna be good friends ;0).
They had lots of play-time. Here are a few of the pics that I got of them kind of playing together.


Most of the time, though, they didn't even notice each other.

Mamas and babies!

Laid-back Luke. He actually was sitting up and then fell back, and this was his reaction. He is such a cutie!

After playtime, they each got a snack, and then it was off to the bathtub for our sweet, messy babies!

We had such a great afternoon!

Tutu's House

My mom is known to her grandbabies as "Tutu." This all started when Garrett, her oldest grandchild, started calling her this when he first started talking. During our trip to Houston this past weekend we spent one day at "Tutu's house." It was a day jam-packed with toys, shopping, food, gifts, laughter, fun, and more food (those of you who know my mom understand why food is in the list twice). I can tell that Hattie already loves going to Tutu's house so much!
Hattie and Tutu

Hattie and Garrett playing together and being silly.

Sean tickle-torturing Garrett - so mean!!! I'm sure Garrett will get Hattie as soon as she's a little older.

Baby Ingram

This past weekend we went to Houston to meet our newest nephew, Ingram Isaiah, son to Walker and Missy. He is almost two weeks old, but has been in the hospital because he was born a little early and was having a few breathing and eating problems. But the good news is that he is home now and is doing well - praise God!
Meet Ingram. He's a little sleepy.

Ingram enjoyed a meal while I got my newborn fix. Holding him made me feel like my baby is such a big girl.

Hattie took a break from her cousins' toys to meet her newest cousin. I hope they'll be close friends one day.

I love this picture of Mimi and Ingram. It's just so sweet!

And of course no post of a new baby would be complete without a picture of baby and mama. Unfortunately, the only one I have is one that I took of Missy and Ingram when Ingram was still in the hospital, so he still has his feeding tube in, but look at that little hand! Missy is very in love with her new little man :0)!

We didn't get any pictures of Uncle Sean with Ingram because Uncle Sean was too afraid to hold him. It brought back memories in my head of when Hattie was a newborn and Sean spent a lot of time worrying that she was going to break. Hopefully next time we come to Houston, Ingram will seem more durable to his Uncle Sean, so I can get some pics of them together!

Easter Vigil Liturgy

Rejoice heavenly powers! Sing choirs of angels!
Exult, all creation around God's throne!
Jesus Christ, our King is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!

Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor,
radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes forever!

Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory!
The risen Savior shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
echoing the mighty song of all God's people!

It is truly right
that with full hearts and minds and voices
we should praise the unseen God,
the all powerful Father,
and his only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

For Christ has ransomed us with his blood,
and paid for us the price of Adam's sin
to our eternal Father!

This is our Passover feast,
when Christ, the true Lamb, is slain,
whose blood consecrates the homes of all believers.

This is the night
when first you saved our fathers:
you freed the people of Israel from their slavery
and led them dry-shod through the sea.

This is the night
when the pillar of fire
destroyed the darkness of sin!

This is the night
when Christians everywhere,
washed clean of sin
and freed from all defilement,
are restored to grace
and grow together in holiness.

This is the night
when Jesus Christ broke the chains of death
and rose triumphant from the grave.

What good would life have been to us,
had Christ not come as our Redeemer?

Father, how wonderful your care for us!
How boundless your merciful love!
To ransom a slave you gave away your Son.

O happy fault, O necessary sin of Adam,
which gained for us so great a Redeemer!

Most blessed of all nights,
chosen by God to see Christ rising from the dead!
Of this night scripture says:
"The night will be clear as day:
it will become my light, my joy."

The power of this holy night
dispels all evil, washes guilt away,
restores lost innocence, brings mourners joy;
it casts out hatred, brings us peace,
and humbles earthly pride.

Night truly blessed
when heaven is wedded to earth
and man is reconciled with God!

Therefore, heavenly Father,
in the joy of this night
receive our evening sacrifice of praise,
your Church's solemn offering.

Accept this Easter candle,
a flame divided but undimmed,
a pillar of fire that glows to the honor of God.

Let it mingle with the lights of heaven
and continue bravely burning
to dispel the darkness of this night!

May the Morning Star which never sets
find this flame still burning:
Christ, that Morning Star,
who came back from the dead,
and shed his peaceful light on all mankind,
your Son who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen

New Trick

Hattie is 9 months old today! My little baby is getting so big. Her new trick as of last Friday is pulling herself up to standing position...




What a big girl she is!!!

And I have to post this picture because it's one of my new favorites. Sean took this one of her Sunday before church. I just think she looks like such a little doll!