Happy Birthday To Hailey

It's a happy 4 month birthday for Hailey Elisabeth! We started the day cheering on mom's beloved Hokies who unfortunately opened their season as the Chokies losing to East Carolina ... ohwell, atleast we looked cute!

Hailey wanted to call coach Beamer after the game to discuss not redshirting Taylor this year ... but we decided he was probably already getting an ear full from his own new granddaughter, so we called Papa David instead.



Then we enjoyed some delicious rice cereal .. Hailey's first experience with "solid" food -- it was pretty runny if you ask me, but she didn't seem to mind she gobbled it right down.
What an exciting birthday!

PS Daddy is fired from shooting video ;)

Doctor Doctor

That's right folks, she's almost 4 months!! Which means a visit to Dr.Prabhu was in order. Our little super model in the making is 13lbs 3oz (41st percentile) and 25 inches (78th percentile) which means she tall and skinny!
We got the "all clear"... she's good and healthy, can start some solid foods (how exciting!?) and can continue with all her early swimming ...


Unfortunatly no visit is complete without getting vaccinated (sigh) ... first she got some tasty flavored Tylenol which she enjoyed,


then Rotovirus which wasn't so tasty



and finally three ouchie shots in the legs ... good thing we brought daddy along this time to comfort mommy!

Silver lining --- no more till 6 months!!

Are you ready ...

FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!!

We kicked off the beginning of college football with a friendly gathering at the Sondermann household. Hailey enjoyed watching Wake Forest beat up on Baylor and just hanging with the boys ...

Making Friends

Today was our first day with the SAHM (Stay At Home Moms) playgroup. In an effort to become more socialized I joined up with the group on meetup.com. We had a really great time and met some nice mommies and kiddos. Hailey was the youngest in attendance but only by a month. She has never really been around other babies so she was in awe at all the other little people. She was very good about sharing with everyone, as you can see our pooh blanket and toys became grand central station for babies. I'm so proud of my little one for playing so nicely with others!

Turning Tricks Tuesday

Today has been an active day in the Sondermann household. Hailey and mom went swimming at the Y, we love pool days. All the little ladies working out in the therapy pool complimented Hailey on her swimming skills! Upon coming home Hail's had a nap while mom hopped in the shower.
The nap must have left Hailey feel quite rejuvenated because she decided to show off her rolling skills ... I believe we might have mastered the back to front. Guess that means no more leaving her unattended on the bed or changing table (I know, I know your not supposed to do that, but lets not kid ourselves she doesn't do anything for the first few months of life what are the chances she's gonna fall off?!)

Hailey had her first portrait session today! Despite refusing to take her nap before hand and peeing on set we still managed to get some pretty cute pictures ... here is a little sampling of her photo shoot (mommy & daddy joined in too)

Solids? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps!

According to wholesomebabyfood.com these are some indicators that your baby may be ready for solids ...

• Loss of tongue-thrust reflex -- we have accomplished that
  

• Ability to let you know she is full from a "meal" with signs such as turning away from the bottle or breast. -- Hail's is good about saying "no more thanks"

• Ability to sit up and hold head up unassisted -- we're close!!

• Doubling of birth weight -- we'll find out Friday!! But I'm pretty certain that won't be an issue

• Frequently waking in the middle of the night when a solid sleeping pattern had been established -- recently this has been a bit of an issue

and finally

• Interest in your food --what do you think? ...

mmmmmmmm ... pasta!!!

Sunday Paper

Sunday means time to browse the sports section with daddy!

Milestone Review

It occurred to me that since I just started this blogging thing recently I haven't blogged Hailey's many milestones ... and with a visit to the doctor AND a big 4 month birthday coming up I thought I would share what she has accomplished so far in her almost 4 months on the planet so here goes ...

* being born, obviously a huge accomplishment, she even managed to do it upside down therefore landing mommy on the chopping block after several agonizing hours of labor, thanks kid ...







*First big outing, a shopping trip with mommy and grandmama, might I mention she was a natural ...








* First battleground trip Ft.Donelson (yawn ... oops) But seriously this was a "historical" moment, she got to go with Nana and Boompa which was special since this is totally their kind of thing (and daddy's) we was super excited to share it with them!

*Baptism, a big milestone that called for a big dress! Thankfully great grandma Betty was up to the challenge of finding the most beautiful dress ever, Hailey was a little princess!

*First time @ the beach during Aunt Heidi's wedding in Charleston, SC which was incidentally her first wedding and first big road trip 9 hours by car from TN, she was an angel!






FIRST ROLL!! Belly-to-back. This occurred about 3 weeks ago, just out of no where there she goes. It took several days for a repeat performance, and even today it's hit or miss -- she has since managed the elusive back-to-belly a few times, but it too is still a work in progress before she is a pro. None the less we're super proud of her!!


*Finally, Hailey gets caught with her foot in her mouth, literally. Over the past week this has become a big, and frequent, accomplishment -- she even has a little munch time in the bath tub!

Hope you have enjoyed sharing all our milestone moments -- there will be so many more to come and we look forward to sharing them with ya'll!

Much Love,
Karl, Susan, Hailey, Cali, Sophie and Jersey!!

The Little Things In Life

Clarksville ain't so bad after all ...

Oh happy day! We found a heated indoor pool with baby swim classes! Just when I was beginning to give up on Clarksville the Y has come through, yes the good ol' YMCA! Now our little buggle will have her swim time ... she won't start classes until October because you apparently have to be 6 months old (and even though Hailey is "advanced" they won't allow her 2 months early...bummer!) BUT ... silver lining ... we can still go and swim with mommy and daddy. So today we honor those many happy pool times!!

To Great Papa Neil

Papa Neil we just want you to know we are thinking of you in this difficult time and we miss and love you bunches!!!

It's been a Wild Wednesday

We had a super busy day today -- we visited daddy at work

where we had a smelly little (or not so little) accident on daddy's lap ... his reaction was a little over the top, I mean after all "shit happens" right?

Then Hail's and mom went to Super Sign Up and are now going to be involved in WAY too much -- thrift shop volunteer hours, playgroups, tuperware and longerburger bunko nights and tumbling tots (Hailey can't start until shes 18 months but it's never too early to start planning right?)

We ended the night hanging out with daddy while mom went to FRG training ... love daddy daughter time! (This scene has been recreated, ie picture from another time, however the emotion is real) ... we miss mommy when she leaves us!

Sound of Music anyone?

These are a few of my favorite things... (sing along in tune please)

Cleaning out toe jam from inside my toesies ...









Bath time to make me smell like the rosies ...









Peek a boo time with daddy and mum ...

Then a few moments to air out my bum!!

Mmmmm Monday ...

We started our day out a little sad -- as it was time for Aunt Lisa to go home ... Jersey was especially melancholy , mom never plays with her as much as Aunt Lisa did! (Mean mommy only has time for baby)

On a much happier note, daddy has come home!!



And as it is mmmmmmm Monday Hailey had to show off some of her munching skills -- can we say daddy's girl -- she will eat ANYTHING!

Commissary Run

It's Sunday which means food time!
Good thing Aunt Lisa came to help I don't think I could have managed pushing the cart without her to give some added height!
--Hailey

How bout them Cowgirls!

We went to the Clarksville Rodeo last night -- so much fun! Hail's enjoyed all the action and excitement, mom is now dreading the day Hailey screeches as much as the 12 year olds surrounding us in the stands -- they have an unnatural octave to their voices!

Steer roping, Bronco riding, Calf wrestling, Barrel racing and Bull riding -- a bit exhausting when all was said and done -- we ended the night with bug snuggling!