I'm One!

Special birthday dress picked out by Great Grandpa Bruun

A quick post to give an update on Hadassah's stats. We all went to visit the doctor today for Hadassah's one year check-up. All was well (as we knew).

Her weight: 20 lbs. 8 oz (40%)

Her height: 29 1/2 inches (64%)

Her head circumference (last one they will take): 17 1/2 inches (31%)

Michael and I continue to notice how much she is leaning out. She keeps getting longer and not gaining as much weight. Her cloth diapers keep her looking chubby! SO cute!

She is still nursing 4 times a day, although I think she might drop to 3 times soon. She has been give the okay to eat anything (which really only means adding honey and peanut butter) and so far we have not had any issues. It has been interesting to read up on the whole "when to introduce foods to your baby" issue. They are beginning to think that it is best to introduce most foods to babies at a younger age as opposed to waiting until a specific age. Seriously, lets think about it. Do you ever go to a third world country and see kids with special foods and diets??? No, they just eat the food that they can! I think if we would all relax we would see that our kids would do just fine with a HEALTHY BALANCED diet. I am all about monitoring what they eat and allowing them to slowly get used to food but if I lived overseas right now there would be no telling what Haddie would have already eaten by now and I am sure she would be just fine.

So...more to come on the whole birthday bash soon - I need to upload some video. I wanted to be sure to get this up before life got going too fast again.

Hadassah Sharing about her Day

I love to her Haddie talking in this video! The best part is that she could see herself at the bottom of the screen while I was recording and she didn't like looking at the "baby" on the screen - which was her! I also love that at the beginning of the video she moves her mouth a bit and realizes that it is her in the screen (or that the baby is doing the same things as her)! I think you will enjoy watch this as well!

From Infant to Toddler

Over the past few days I have noticed that Hadassah is really stepping out of the "infant" season and is moving toward the "toddler" stage. How exciting to see her grow and change each day. Here are a few examples. While I am not holding my breath, it seems as if Haddie is beginning to learn how to use the toilet. I have only had to change one dirty diaper over the past 5 days! Yep - she is going in the toilet!!! Now, I still have wet diapers to change but we are moving in a new and exciting direction!

Tonight while we were waiting for our dinner to cook I decided to read to Hadassah. However, she had other plans! As she squirmed out of my lap she went over and picked up her sandals and brought them back to me! I asked if she wanted to go outside and her immediate smile let me know that I had guessed correctly!

While we were on our walk (down the driveway) she did something new. She noticed something specific and paused to stop and look at it. She then picked it up and decided that this would be a perfect little treasure! It was such a joy to watch her discover the world around her - and her trying to figure out how she could hold onto my hands and her little treasure at the same time!

Here is an up close of her treasure!

It won't be long and she will be running down the driveway and through the yard. For now I am VERY content with her slower pace at life.

Haddie is definitely hitting those special milestones all the time. One very special one is coming up! Her 1st Birthday! I can't believe that she is almost one. It really has gone by so quickly. Having jaw surgery, moving, and Michael changing jobs definitely helped the year move by fast! I am in awe of how much Hadassah has grown up this year. While we were chilling in bed this morning I turned on a clip of her as a newborn. She sat there quietly next to me and watched the "baby" on the screen. Hard to believe they are one in the same!

For her birthday (and the ones to follow) I am making a birthday banner. Here is the first peak at it! I will be sure to post more as I work on it. Should be fun!

PJs Pizza and a Movie

Today was one of the most beautiful days we have had in a long time. Haddie and I decided to skip her afternoon nap in order to take a walk around Lake Peachtree. Of course we had to end at the park! I am blown away by how much Haddie is growing. She can climb on the big toys without my help! I think it is just a matter of time before she will be walking!
Something Michael and I have talked about is the importance of having special family traditions. One that I specifically have wanted is something to usher in the weekend! For me, not a whole lot changes from day to day and it is easy to forget that we are in the weekend - minus the fact that Michael is around more. So tonight Haddie and I tried out PJs Pizza and a Movie.
I found a great recipe for a no rise pizza dough that turned out really well (look for it at the end of this entry)
We made it special by 1. Letting Haddie watch a movie (Babies singing songs) 2. Eating in the living room.
Haddie's favorite song was about a giant dog! After I got Haddie to bed I treated myself to a movie as well!
We are looking forward to being able to share this special night with Michael when he gets back. Until then us girls will be sure to continue laughing and enjoying this special time that we get to have together. Hadassah truly is joy and delight to my life! Thanks for keeping mom company!

Pizza Dough:

Ingredients

• 1 (1/4 ounce) package dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoon bread machine yeast)

• 1 cup warm water
• 2 1/2 cups flour (I did half whole wheat and it turned out great)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. 1

   Dissolve yeast in warm water in a medium bowl and add rest of ingredients.

2. 2

   Beat vigorously 20 strokes and let rest 10 minutes.

3. 3

   Press dough onto greased 11x17" baking sheet and add topping ingredients of your choice.

4. 4

   Bake at 425° for 15 to 20 minutes or until done.