Today, on this last day of August, I am reflecting on all of the fun that we had this summer. This year, there was so much more to do and see with our walking, talking, and curious little toddler.  Here is a look back at some of our summer highlights...

Swim Lessons

Trips to the Aquarium 

We had the best time exploring the world (and trying to stay cool) on these hot, summer days! There is nothing better than experiencing each season again through the eyes of a child. Such sweet memories we made. We are about to get even busier with the arrival of fall and all of our scheduled activities, including Mother's Day Out once a week! Looking forward to cooler fall temps and even more good times to come! 

​Summer '16 was definitely a summer to remember! 

We kicked off our week yesterday with a trip to Dr. Yaeger to checkup on our growing girl! Unfortunately she was in a mood and cried pretty much the whole time. Checked her vision. Cried. Measured her length. Lots of crying.  Listened to her heartbeat. Hysterics. Guess she woke up on the wrong side of the crib... 

She stopped to smile for the camera, in between each torturous moment, however. 

Hadley's 15 Month Stats: 
Weight: 20.4 pounds (15th percentile)
Height: 30.25 inches (49th percentile) 
Head circumference: 46 centimeters (55th percentile) 

​Still right on track and developing just perfect! She also passed the lazy eye test! Woohoo! 

Her doctor also spent a lot of time discussing how to continue her good eating habits and going over ways to not let her manipulate us! It's almost like he thinks she's in charge over here.... Oh wait.... ;) 

Hadley got to conclude her checkup with two more shots! More tears shed. 

I'm just glad that she gets over things pretty quickly. We regained our composure and were out the door in less than a minute and then she ripped off her Wonder Woman bandaids after about an hour, once we got home. Tough little cookie! 

We have been so fortunate to have such a healthy little girl these past 15 months. Already looking forward to her 18 month appointment in November! :) 

Oh wow, it's been a month since my last post! Guess we've just gotten carried away soaking up the summer  and haven't had the time to post about any of our fun! I'll try to do some catching up this weekend. Each month continues to be even better than the one before, as we find ourselves fascinated watching Hadley  learn and do new things!

I truly thought that I would miss her baby days terribly, but I really don't. We are having the best time with our curious little toddler. 

15 Month Favorites:  

Favorite book: 
"Everywhere Babies" - Hadley has just reached the point of sitting still long enough to be read to. This is her most favorite book that she likes for us to read over and over and over. I just about have the entire book memorized. The very cutest thing though, is on the second page when I read the line "Everyday, everywhere, babies are kissed..." and she leans over and gives me a kiss *muah* 

Favorite toy: 
She is still loving on her baby dolls and carries them around with her through out the house. Her other favorite toy right now are her Duplo blocks (Legos). She has learned how to put them together and take them apart and has even starting creating some structural masterpieces! :)

Favorite song(s): 
"Peekaboo Song", "Wheels On the Bus", "Baby Beluga" 

Favorite "show": 
She is loving her "Wheels On the Bus" nursery rhyme DVD!

Favorite foods: 
Fruit & cheese, though she hasn't ever turned anything away yet. She is still a great eater! ​

Milestones this month: 
1st trip to the beach /Vacation
1st Mother's Day Out class/3 day " day camp"
Finished nursing
​1st ear infection /1st antibiotic
Has 7 teeth with at least 2 more visibly on the way
1st trip to the aquarium 
​Blows on her food to cool it off
​
Words: 
Mama, Dada, Hi, Bye Bye, bird, ball, baby, bow, Night Night, ow, boo, mermaid

What's Hadley Up To?

Loving anything musical. She loves when we go to story time and sing songs and also enjoys watching nursery rhyme music videos on YouTube. She has memorized the videos and knows what song they are going to sing just by seeing the characters. Her favorite is "Boo" (the Peekaboo song) which she sings along to!

Likes to take an occasional afternoon nap in bed with Mommy. She has finally calmed down enough to settle in without trying to jump off the bed. 

Working puzzles! She can put her puzzle pieces in the correct spots and will build and re-build her stacking rings toy until the rings are in the correct order! Smarty!!

Picking up new things left and right! She knows which foods are hot and which are not and will blow on her food to cool it off when necessary. She is a total sponge and does whatever we do! 

Goes to bed around 8PM and wakes up around 7:45AM! Let's keep this schedule forever, shall we! :) 

She is a kissing fool! She gives Mommy & Daddy lots of kisses and even makes the *muah* sound effect! 

Speed walking! She is on the move big time and doesn't care for being confined to a stroller or shopping cart. I usually let her out once most of my shopping is done to give her a little freedom and also, just out of curiosity, to see what she'll do and where she wants to go! She loves exploring, but thankfully doesn't stray too far from Mama!

She has gotten good at listening, understanding, and completing tasks that we ask her like, "Bring Mommy your baby please". I was super proud when I asked her to take her egg shakers back to the stage at the library after we were done with them. She walked by herself, put them in the box, and then came back to me! 

She loves taking out her bow and throwing it on the ground, but will sometimes pick it up, bring it to me, and say "bow" (meaning put it back in). :) 

She is in a major pinching stage. She thinks it's hilarious to pinch even though we act hurt or upset when she does it. Still working on taming our little crab....

She stalls before bed time! When Daddy says it's time for bed she'll quickly cozy up to Mommy or even pretend to be interested in reading a book all of a sudden! I have a feeling this is only the beginning of bed time shenanigans! 
​
She loves being around other kids! She is gentle with babies (unless she wants their paci) and is in awe of big kids. At a birthday party last weekend she went up to and hugged the birthday girl! It was the sweetest!!

As always, we are loving every minute with you, sweet Hadley, but even more so as you begin to make sense of the world around you. It is wonderful to be able to communicate with you more and more every day! I feel like I can almost always tell what you want, which makes for a much easier day for the both of us. You are just the happiest little girl. Smiling from the time you get up in the morning until our last book is read at bedtime. You are my shadow, always under foot, and you still cry every single time Mommy or Daddy leave the living room area to go up or down stairs. There is no doubt that you love love love your parents, which of course we LOVE! :) You are a precious angel and we just adore watching you grow up! 

We love you dearly sweet girl! Happy 15 months! XOXOXO