good morning lovely

I love how happy Hadley is when she wakes up.  I come in to get her from a nap and it's like she's never seen anything more wonderful than my face before.  Well rested babies are the best!

Peek!

Hi Haddie.

You know what she loves even more than seeing me?  Seeing Asher.

Especially when he's offering her a pacifier.  

Whoa.  Blow her mind with awesomeness.

This lady loves her some paci.

Love our happy Hadley.

Happy weekend, friends.  :-)

catching up before the weekend

I keep saying that I want to blog more each week to keep up with what we've been doing and then 3 or 4 days pass by and I haven't blogged a thing.  Oh well - that's the season I'm in!

On Saturday evening we went out to dinner and Hadley kept laying back in the highchair to stare at the people sitting behind us.  She's cute but it got a little awkward.  For them.  ha!

Sunday afternoon Asher went to a birthday party for a neighborhood friend.  He turned 3 and had a pirate party (his name might be Jake - ha!).  Asher had a blast!!  There was this inflatable water slide that all the kids thought was awesome.  Let's just say, the birthday party bar has been raised.

Ash is so funny and loved taking breaks from playing to sit in this little lawn chair and enjoy some snacks.  The boy know how to party for sure.

Can you see the cake?  It was ah-mazing!  They cut straight down through it to serve so Asher got a SLAB of cake.  And ate every bite.  yikes.

Hadley came over for a few minutes with Drew, but it was really hot so they headed home before things wrapped up.  Asher was sweet and shared his goodie bag with her.

She thinks she's tough stuff now, what with her tat and all.

Monday morning Asher headed to his 1st day of Preschool 3s!

He had a wonderful morning and by pickup today he said that he can't wait to go back next week.  Win!

While A was at school on Monday Hadley helped me get some things at BJs.  Sister might have wanted a snack while we were shopping.

New neighbors moved in this week so we baked them some cookies.  Asher wanted to keep all the cookies so it was a good opportunity for us to practice being generous.  :-)

Meanwhile we were all caught in a state of shock when Hadley turned 10 months old.  How did that happen??

I'm keeping Asher little for as long as possible.  Adorable boy!

(but naps are getting the ax around here because brother bear is an actual BEAR when I wake him up.  grrrr.  no thanks.)

Happy Friday, friends!  We have visitors coming for the long weekend are so excited!

the apples of my eye

There are (just) a couple photos from the first day of school that I didn't post on Monday.  

Wow, I love these two little people!

hadley fern {ten months}

Hadley Fern, you are TEN months old!

This month you have started crawling with purpose.  You don't get up on your knees, but you have an army crawl that gets you everywhere you want to be (and a few places I'd rather you didn't go).

These pictures were almost impossible to take because you kept trying to crawl off the porch.  Luckily people kept driving by and catching your attention.

You go from laying to sitting to rolling to crawling and back again seamlessly.  To stay you're mobile is a huge understatement.

Sweetheart, you continue to be our happy Hadley.  You have the cheeriest disposition!  I love it!

You still only have 2 teeth popped through.  It seems like you are working on more, but you've been chewing and drooling for so long I don't think that really indicates anything anymore.

Hadley, eating is your favorite!  You eat everything and anything that comes your way.  After mothering the worlds' pickiest eater for the past 3.5 years you're a dream come true!  Keep it up friend. You are still breastfed and nurse 4x a day.  The best news from this month is that you seem to be over your dairy allergy!  Yay!  I've been eating dairy for 2 weeks now and you haven't had any reactions.  Once you get closer to a year old we'll try to give you some dairy directly.

I know.  I'm shocked and excited too.

The only time you don't eat is at night - you sleep from 7pm-7am with no more night wakings.  Woot!  You also nap 2x a day, usually at 9am and 1pm.  You're a great sleeper and I love how easily you go down.

Haddie, your brother is still your favorite person with Daddy running a close second.  Those two can make you light up with a smile like none other.  I love seeing you adore the guys in our lives.

You are curious about everything and love to open doors, check under rugs, and pull on drawers.  I'm trying to keep one step ahead so you can explore without getting into trouble.  Asher has his eagle eyes peeled at all times for you and I hear at least 100x a day "Mommy, Haddie is eating the cords...can you GRAB her?"  ha - what can I say, Big Brother is watching.

At 10 months Hadley...

weighs
wears size 3 diapers
wears size 9mo onesies and pants and size 12mo pajamas
hasn't worn shoes yet
loves to eat baby food, solid food, and mama's milk
has 2 teeth
sleeps 12 hours at night and takes 2 naps a day
loves to play with Asher's toys and anything that isn't a toy and isn't for babies
loves to splash in the bathtub, especially when in the BIG tub with Asher

Hadley, it's been almost a year since you joined our family and I'd like nothing more than to pause life right here for awhile.  You are at the sweetest age - interactive, full of personality, but so innocent and so loving.  We can't imagine our family without you darling, thanks for bringing such a vibrancy to our world.

back in the saddle

Is it just me or did this summer go crazy fast?  Already, it's back to school day!

Asher is actually going to a new preschool this year, so even though he went to school last year this feels like a brand new experience for us.  We loved his old school but for a bunch of reasons decided this new place will be best for him right now.  

He is really excited to meet his new teachers, Ms. Mary and Ms. Dawn.  I know he's also going to make a lot of new friends and learn, learn, learn.

I can't believe it's been a whole year since I sent this tiny guy off to his first ever time away from me.  waaahhhh.  The years really do fly by.

Oh my goodness, seeing this picture right next to the ones from today make me seriously sad.  Asher is getting so big - where did my baby go?

(he's up there mommy)

Last year Hadley wasn't here to participate in the first day of school festivities, but today she is!  Miss H isn't going anywhere too far from me, but she needed a little back to school outfit too.

Asher didn't even mind sitting with her to get their photos taken - I think he'll miss her this morning.  

or maybe not.  ha!

I love this boy so much.  I've said it before, but this is my blog so I can say it again - I can't believe he's already in Pre-K 3s.  Such a big boy in my house these days!

Daddy and I love you Asher and are so, so proud of the big kid you're becoming!  

Our prayer for Asher today and every day.

(source)

Here's to a wonderful school year for all the kiddos (and their parents) starting back!  A special shout out to my sister who's a teacher and my nephew Owen who's starting 4th grade (!!) today. Love you both!

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{to those who are wondering - I did make both kids' outfits.  This was my 2nd time making shorts and they are so easy!  The material is from here and I'm in love with it.  Who can resist a little boy in madras?  The appliqués for both kids are from here.  Now that I've gotten a taste of how adorable coordinating A and H can be I may never go back!  ha!}