happy birthday hadley!

Hadley Fern, you are TWO years old!

I can't believe it.  I really can't believe that it's been 2 years since I was sporting that big ole belly, wondering when we'd get to meet you face to face.  But it has been, and your Daddy and I are so happy that you are here!

Your nickname is happy Hadley and you truly are.  Your infectious smile and mischievous grin lights up the world around you.

Hadley, you've never met a stranger.  You smile, wave and say "hi!" to everyone we see while out and about.  People can't help but smile back, of course.  :-)

You are still a petite thing - weighing around 22 pounds.  Since you love to be held, I don't mind that you're small.  In fact, it's kind of helpful.

Just recently you've started talking up a storm.  You love to ask "what's that?" and then try to repeat whatever it is back to us.  A lot of what you say is still a little garbled, but you're making great strides!  You just started saying "I'm sorry" with the cutest inflection.  It's impossible not to forgive whatever you're apologizing for when you ask so sweetly!

Lately you have become a more picky eater.  Oh how I miss the days when you'd gobble up anything nearby!  You're favorite foods are fruit, hummus, snacks of any kind, cereal, cooked carrots, green beans, pizza, grilled chicken (with LOTS of BBQ dip), and chi-chi (cookies).  A pretty good variety, but getting you to try new things has been a challenge.

Your favorite person is Asher!  You call him Baba and always want to know where he is.  There has been more than one preschool drop off where we left with you crying because you wanted to stay with Baba at school.  He's really come around to you too.  Every time we meet one of Asher's friends he pulls you over and says "Please meet my sister Hadley.  She is a nice girl."

And you are.

Every night before bed we pray with you.  A couple weeks ago you started initiating by throwing your little arm out and saying "pay.  pay!"  I love watching you develop a love for the Lord.

Oh Hadley, we adore you so.  Thanks for making our family so much better!  You add a spice to us that we didn't have before.  We love you Haddie boo.  Happy 2nd birthday!!