Happy Birthday Dear Hallie

What a year.

Wow. My baby is one. We made it through a whole year. And what a year it was. This journey has been full of more ups and downs than I had ever thought, and as much as I know they will continue for the years to come, I look back over the past year and I am proud. Proud of my baby girl and all she has learned and accomplished. Proud of my husband and the role he has taken on as sole provider for our family. Proud of myself and the decisions that I've had to make as a new parent. It has been a whirlwind of a year. But we did it. We kept our first baby alive, well, and healthy.

Hallie Rene



Nicknames: Bug, Buggie, Turkey

Favorite toys: Cookie Monster pop-up, Mom's phone, the remote, anything with buttons

Favorite foods: Chicken, yogurt, oatmeal, grilled cheese

Favorite things to do: Play hide and seek, jump on the couch, go to Walmart, give puppies hugs

Tricks: clap, wave hi/bye, points with her whole hand, sneeze and cough on command, blows bubbles, fake laugh

Words: Dada, Mama (when sad), cheese, doggies

I'll write soon about how her birthday went and how her party goes. Our world sure revolves around this sweet girl. She has taught us so many things over the past year, but the greatest was love. She has expanded our hearts and we are forever grateful to be her parents. We love you Hallie Bug!



Sweet child of mine

In the past few days I've realized that we have one of those kids that keep you on your toes. You know the ones I'm talking about. The ones where silence means they are up to no good. Hallie has mastered the art of climbing. It had me and Tyler laughing all weekend (once again, this goes to show how relaxed and laid back we are even as first time parents. Most couples would probably be freaking out if they found their kid doing some of these things, but we find it hillarious). Hallie learned a few days ago where I keep her baby cookies in the pantry. I was changing a load of laundry and came back into the living room and couldnt find her. I glanced in the kitchen, wasnt there. Anyways, I finally heard her and found her standing up on the shelf in the pantry (we have boxes on the floor that hold ziploc bags and she used them to climb). Now, if I forget to close the pantry door, which happens more often than not, I find her pulling things off the shelves to sit down and snack on. She also is trying to figure out how to climb into the bath tub, and is getting a little too close for comfort. That is one that makes me nervous, cuz that's a tough fall head first. Today on Tyler's lunch he asked me to buzz his head real fast. We stacked boxes up in the doorway to keep Hallie out of the bathroom because I didnt want to close the door. Next thing I know the little monkey is crawling up on the boxes, and over them into the bathroom. She is quite the skilled climber, but its keeping life interesting. Unfortunately I dont have any pictures, because even though I enjoy a good laugh while she is doing it, I'm not a horrible parent..so I stand close in case she needs me. This little girl is just too funny!