hadley's first birthday

hadley and i had a great day together on her birthday. we had smoothies, took photos outside, read a lot of books, and waited and waited for daddy to come home.

once we had our little family together again, and exchanged our welcome home hugs and kisses, we headed out to taylors/gotts with my parents.

hadley is becoming more and more difficult to take out to dinner, so we figured this casual burger place would be perfect.. plus we love the food!

we all got burgers and fries, hadley enjoyed the sweet potato fries dipped in ranch dressing (i promise i feed her well-rounded meals on a regular basis)

next we wont to the oxbow market to pick up a treat from kara's cupcakes.

we chose a mini banana cream cupcake for hadley.

back home hadley opened a big gift bag full of presents from nana and grandpa.

the cupcake was not enjoyed as much as we had hoped, but maybe it is a good thing she isn't crazy about sweets just yet?

the next day we celebrated with chris' side of the family. gramma made a huge spread (hadley's favorite- broccoli!) and cupcakes! poppy and gramma got the most adorable wooden rocking chair for hadley- she loves it! meems got her a pretty dress with matching accessories!

happy birthday little girl! you are our whole world and we love you dearly!

xo mama and dada

one year ago from right now...

i never could have anticipated the amazing love, awe, wonder, and delight i would know in a few hours from this moment. i have spent today staring at my little one toddling around babbling to her dolly. i have hugged her longer, and talked to her more. time is going by so quickly and it is all a bittersweet reminder to cherish every precious moment.

i remember exactly how i felt walking through the hospital doors around 7:30pm on 2.8.10.

i remember the feeling, but not the pain.

i remember the excitement i felt while it seemed like the rest of the world was sleeping.

i remember the serious moments without the worry.

i remember seeing, holding, kissing hadley for the very first time.

i remember the love because i feel it every time i look at my family.

nine ten eleven

nine

ten
eleven

So much has happened in the last few months!

Hadley decided she likes food, only if she can feed herself.

Her favorites are:

Cheese, raspberries, yogurt, oatmeal, cheerios, salmon, broccoli, artichoke, crackers, pears, and bananas!

Hadley also started walking right at 10 months, but decided it wasn't really for her. She would take a few steps every once in a while if prompted, but just started really moving on thursday, february 3rd. I am so thankful because my back was beginning to hurt from "holding hands" all day.

Hadley is fluent in "mama" and "dada" but definitely prefers to say "dada".

"na" is another common word accompanied by a head shake.

Sleep is still pretty rough.. that is all I have to say about that.

Hadley blows kisses and waves.

She scrunches her nose when she smiles.

She acts like a girl.

Hadley knows she is cute.

Hadley gives the best kisses "mmmmuuuuaaaaaaaah"

She loves all animals, especially dogs.

Prudence is her best friend.

She prefers a nightly routine of dad time, dinner, bath, brush teeth, massage, books, prayers, milk, song, sleep... until she wakes up at midnight.

strange coincidence

never in my life have i been the guest of honor of a surprise party.

my twenty-fifth birthday was a big surprise!

I met the girls that morning for delicious breakfast at abc, went shopping with my mom, and got ready to go out to dinner with chris.

we arrived at rutherford grill and the hostess, who i know told me "oh your friends are outside" my first instinct was that my friends had all gone out to dinner without me on my birthday. thankfully, that was not the case. we laughed and enjoyed good company, ate delicious food, drank bubbles and wine, and i couldn't have asked for a better evening.

thank you to our friends!

"today is my birthday party! cupcakes, presents!"

happy second birthday to my beautiful cousin bella!

i love you!

♥ hadley

bella's birthday party was so cute- minnie mouse everything!

Hadley's first Christmas

This Christmas was picture perfect.

Over the last few months we have gone through a lot of stresses. In the early fall Hadley got sick with a scary croup cough. We have to have her own nebulizer here at home, and giving her the treatments was not fun. Thankfully our wonderful brother in law is a respiratory therapist and her really helped us through this time. The worst part was taking Hadley to kaiser by myself and being left in the room to hold her sick little undressed body down for her first treatment. She was not a fan. When the nurse came in to check on us she said "oh don't worry, he will be okay" errr.

Like most things, this time soon passed and Chris found out there would be some changes in the the company where he worked and he would be laid off at the end of harvest. We prayed and prayed for God's will and his comfort, and he did not let us down. After many meetings and "trial periods" Chris is now the vineyard manager for this company. Everyone else was laid off but him!

During the time we thought Chris was to be laid off, our car was giving us major problems. $7,000 worth of problems. We sat in worry for a week over this $7,000, later to find out BMW would cover all but $1,200 of the cost. We paid the bill and drove from BMW to Subaru to trade in our car for a new outback. Best decision ever. I am thrilled with the peace of mind this car has given us.

Hadley's first Halloween was perfect. She was the most adorable little lambie. We spent the evening at our Church's light of life festival with friends, family, and good food... and not too much candy!

Hadley's first Thanksgiving was perfect. We spend Thanksgiving at Grandma and Grandpa's and celebrated again the following Saturday with Gramma and Poppy. Hadley enjoyed most of the foods Thanksgiving had to offer. We counted our many blessings and reminded each other all we have to be thankful for.

Hadley's first Christmas was perfect. We spent Christmas Eve at Church, where Hadley wore her cute Christmas ensemble, and we sang Christmas music. Christmas morning was just the three of us opening gifts at home under our sweet little tree. We feasted on a delicious brunch at Gramma and Poppy's with the whole Walden Family. Then we went over to Grandma and Grandpa's for a prime rib dinner with Uncle Eric, Uncle Scott, and Aunt Tara. Hadley was so spoiled by all!

Hadley's first New Year's Eve was really nothing to write home about on her account. Chris and I left her with Gramma and her cousins while we went on a date to one of our favorite places- Norman Rose Tavern. crab-artichoke dip. lamb burger. blue cheese burger. chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting. ohmygoodness.

We were in bed by 11.

Looking back on our best year yet, 2010 was honestly amazing. We turned 24, welcomed our beautiful Hadley to the world, celebrated many "firsts" with our girl- including our annual 3rd of July party, went to young life camp as a family, and celebrated three wonderful years of marriage. We had times of worry and doubt, but everything has worked out for the best. We are looking forward to all that 2011 holds.

2010 Christmas Card

Thank you to our dear friend, Morgan for taking the amazing photos!