May

Wow, the month of May has been super busy!  We have had something to do every weekend and my weeks have been full of church activities, play dates, etc.  It's been fun and has made the month fly by.  Every weekend has had at least one birthday party (one of them was Jacob's).  The first weekend in May we went to Madelyn and Annie's ballerina party.  I didn't take a lot of pictures but I did get one of this precious girl!

We've had lots of play dates but I've only taken a couple pictures.  This one is Jacob and his friend Gabe playing at Ezdan Mall.

We've also found new ways to ride in/on the stroller.

Jacob has suddenly become more interested in what I'm doing in the kitchen while getting ready for dinner.  The other evening I convinced him to "wash" dishes for me.  So cute!

Hailey has started on solids.  She is getting better every day at actually eating the food.  So far she has had bananas, pears, and sweet potatoes. She also likes to chew on carrots.  I'm starting slow because my first start led to some unfortunate diaper situations.

 We have had some time to play outside with the water table.

 Once again we went to a birthday party and I didn't really take pictures.  However I do have these great pictures of Jacob attempting to eat a cupcake!

 I have no real description to go with these except for "Isn't she cute!"

Also, for Mother's Day my friend Melanie and I went out kid free to dinner and shopping.  We had so much fun just wandering the mall without worrying about diapers, bottles, or someone crying.

Of course May is also our anniversary.  This year was our 8 year anniversary.  We went out to a movie and dinner.  It was nice to get away and not worry about little people.  We have had such a wonderful 8 years!

 May has been such a fun month! Up Next, Bali!!!

Jacob's 3rd Birthday....Party

Last weekend, May 9, we had Jacob's 3rd birthday party.  His birthday isn't actually until June 16 but with they way life in Doha works, all of his friends would be gone by then so we decided to have an early party. Jacob's most recent love has been Toy Story so I decided on a Toy Story themed pool party.  It was so fun to have all of Jacob's new friends over to our compound.  I ordered pizzas from our compound restaurant and they set up tables and chairs for us.  It was really nice.  I also hired a babysitter to watch Hailey while we got everything ready and during the party.  Possibly one of the best decisions ever.  It gave Micah and I the ability to relax more and try to enjoy Jacob and his party.  I think Jacob had a blast!  I can't believe our boy is 3! (almost)

Hailey 6 months

How in the world has it been 6 months since our baby girl was born?!  She is such a cute, easy going, sweet baby girl. 

Hailey's Stats:

Age: 6 months

Weight: 12 lbs 15oz - still so little! more on that later

Length: 25" 

Eye Color: deep blue- they are lightening up some but still very blue

Hair color: blonde- still hasn't started falling out! Crossing our fingers it won't. 

Clothing:  6 months or 6-9 month but the 6-9 are a little big

Eating Schedule: Every 3 hours.  We are almost exclusively bottle as of this past week.  She still nurses morning and night.  This month I have noticed she gets SO excited when we are eating.  I've given her a few soft foods like pizza crust to gnaw on while we eat and she has loved it.  Soon will start solids. 

Sleeping: She goes to bed around 9pm.  Then sleeps till about 3 am for a quick feed and then back down till 7.  Our sleeping habits have really struggled this month with jet-lag from our trip to Vietnam and her suddenly not eating well but we are getting back to normal. We are on about 3 naps a day.  1-2 in the morning that aren't very long and then 1 longer one in the afternoon. 

Other: Hailey is getting her first tooth!  Bottom left.  The top is poking through the gums. 

As you can see from the weight, Hailey is tiny.  She is in the 3% right now.  I've been super worried about it but have been told by multiple Pediatricians, including USA ones, that she is fine.  Well, I was still worried and took her in recently and once again was told she is fine.  Because of my fears and just personal desire, I'm switching Hailey to formula.  This way I know how much she is eating.  The dr told me to stop worrying and just expect her to be little for a while, maybe always. 

Activity: Hailey is rolling around easily wherever she would like to go.  Which means she is sleeping on her stomach now.  She is much more interactive with her toys and enjoys playing on the floor and her "exercauser".  She has learned how to spin herself around in the exercauser so she can play with all the toys.  Jacob of course thinks he should tell her how to play.  I can tell she is trying to crawl.  She pulls her knees up under her and reaches out with her hand and then...falls over.  But she is working on it.  She is getting better at sitting supported but that still isn't her favorite.  I'm wondering if she will start crawling before sitting. 

Personality:  Hailey is still an easy, happy baby.  She goes with the flow and seems to be ok with being taken around everywhere including Vietnam.  She also thinks Jacob is hysterical as long as he's not being overwhelming or trying to hurt her.  I'm constantly asked if she is always this happy to which I get to say yes!  Of course her fussiest times are when Mom is trying to eat. 

Here's our beautiful Hailey Bear!