We're still here!

Hailey is becoming a pro at crawling. She will also pull herself up to standing and cruise. I have to keep doors shut in the house because she will suddenly "disappear". She loves to stand holding onto the dog gate at the kitchen and laugh at the dogs.

Sean and I were talking the other day how Hailey is quite fearless and very trusting of us. Generally, she is loud, happy - very outgoing. The only time she is quiet is when she is in a new place or a lot is going on around her. Then she becomes observant. God woke Sean up many times throughout my pregnancy to pray for Hailey and told him specific things to pray. I really believe because of the faithfulness of Sean's prayers, Hailey is as healthy and vibrant as she is.

New things Hailey is doing:
Crawling like a pro
Whistles
Tries to say "bye bye"
Plays with her tongue, sticking it out of the corner or her mouth
Stands in her crib (we lowered the mattress)
Holds onto her blanket for comfort


In other news: Sean is loving his school. He is going to get a BA in Theology. After that he is talking about getting his Masters! This schooling will help prepare Sean for doing more ministry and hopefully one day being a pastor! This is what we believe God is calling him to do for years so we are very excited.

My mom got a biopsy done of a lump in her breast yesterday. (She had a single mastectomy for breast cancer a little over a year ago). As we await the results, we know God is in control of the results and are confident everything will turn out okay. She got a PET scan just a few months ago which shows any type of cancer and it came back fine.

I have been busy with Hailey, work, keeping up the house and church. My struggle has been keeping the house up. More specifically, the mess Michael, our black laquer German Shephard makes. It is unbelievable! I could have a full time job just cleaning up after him. Really. It's been driving me CRAZY! Especially with a baby crawling too. My sister was talking the other day about someone she knows who loves to clean because then she reaps the benefits (a nice, yummy smelling, clean house to relax in!). I like cleaning my house because I like reaping the benefits but unfortunately, with Michael, I can't. As soon as I have cleaned it, he has made it messy again. So, it's an ongoing thing that is making me insane. FYI - definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over!!!!!

New Pics

God amazed me again!!

This past weekend was so very busy for us yet such an incredible experience. Our church had a guest worship leader/speaker come for the weekend. His name is Kent Henry. You can check him out at kenthenrymin.org

God used Kent to open our eyes to a level of deep worship that was missing in our lives and in the church. God also had a message for the church and for Sean and I. It answered the very thing that Sean and I have been praying and seeking God about. We know that we are supposed to do more in the ministry, working up to even full time ministry. We have been asking God to open a door or show us where to go and what to do. HE DID THAT THIS WEEKEND!!

But let me back track a little... just a month ago or so, Sean and I were asking the question "How do we prepare ourselves more?" He revealed things to us that we need to change in our lives. For me, it's priorities. I have definitely had a change of priorities since Hailey has come along. Or at least adding to the list!

Sean was praying about some form of education. Literally a week later he learned there is going to be a college accredited school starting in our church! This school is offering the exact course he had been looking for. What?! Really? Is this God's answer for that? Sean is going to a meeting tomorrow night to get more information so we can pray about it. Sean is also getting discipled by our pastor and going to a class to learn more about writing sermons.

I am getting back to leading worship in full force now. Angela is now the leader for the middle school/high school girls in the youth group. I assist here and there. I think this is better because I can focus more on the worship band and training our singers.

Sean and I were challenged that God wants to do more with us in the ministry at our church. Now we are praying about exactly what, the timing and preparation. We are so excited!! This time is crucial for us to wait on the Lord for His exact direction. Please pray for us and our church as we seek God's perfect will!

I hate my veggies!

I am disappointed that Hailey doesn't like veggies. She literally does raspberries, spitting the veggies out of her mouth. Look out!! For now, she will get away with it but when she is old enough, it's clean your plate or get nothing! Easy to say now but I'm sure it will be very hard to stick to. She enjoys baby yogurt, fruit and these puff things that melt in her mouth.

Hailey is all tuckered out from the weekend. We were here, there and everywhere. Poor thing, every time she got to sleep it was time to go somewhere else and I would have to wake her up. I was hoping she would sleep late this morning but she didn't. Her Mimi said that Hailey took two good naps today though. And I got her to bed at 7:30 PM. She didn't make a peep.

Hailey is scooting and started the first crawling steps! Sean and I watched her for the first time move her legs and hands and go forward in an actual crawling motion! It won't be long and we will be baby proofing the house. I have so many things I've gotta get up off the floor and clean. My plan is to have my mom come over one day that I'm home during the week and help me. Not sure that's on my mom's list of things to do as of yet. Do you mind, mom?? =o) Seriously, I need to give a shout out to my mom. She is simply fabulous! She helps me so much and bends over backwards to do whatever is easiest on Hailey and I. I can't thank her enough. I love you mom!!!

My petite little girl!

Hailey weights 14 lb 4 oz. She gained 5 oz. going from 6 months to 7 months. The doc said she seems healthy and it could be that she is just going to be very petite. He added that I need to take in more calories (b/c I'm nursing) and maybe that will help. Hmmm... I'm not so sure about that!! But I decided to drink some milk which may help. (I don't ever drink milk) The only way I will drink it is if I put chocolate syrup in it. So, we'll try that for now and see what happens.

Nowadays Hailey takes two naps. The length varies. Generally her longer nap is in the morning. After she is awake for about an 1 1/2 to 2 hours she is ready for her morning nap. Generally she sleeps for 2 hours, sometimes 3. Her afternoon nap is normally 1 1/2 to 2 hours. She ate baby food for her Mimi yesterday so well! I'm very proud of her. The poo after that was yucky though! Haha... Sean got to change it cause I was making dinner. (Pizza-nini... get recipe at RachaelRayShow.com)

Hailey is still sleeping through the night. Some people said that would change but I think she is pretty set into her routine being that she is 7 months old. She nurses 4 to 5 times a day. It generally takes about 30 minutes give or take. I was hoping she would end up being a quick nurser but she takes her time. That's okay though. =o) I was talking with a friend the other day and she talked about how hard it is (on the mom) when the babies stop nursing so I will cherish the time I have with her at this stage.

Please pray for my mom. She has lymphedema. The doctor is sending her to physical therapy and said that they can stop it from getting worse. This is swelling of the arm and can be extreme pain. Unfortunately, when it swells, it doesn't go down. But, our God is a mighty God and He can heal or he can help us cope. We put our hope and trust in God.

I got a treadmill! Yay!! My parents got it for me for my birthday. It took me a little over a week to pick one out. I couldn't spend a ton of money but wanted to get one with a nice warranty and one that could withstand two people running on it. I got it new at Play It Again Sports in Altamonte. I recommend this store! They are constantly getting a lot of great stuff. So far so good with this one! Time for me to go try it now while Hailey is napping.

Tata!

SwagBucks!

I've heard this really works! You can redeem $5 Amazon or Starbuck's gift cards, music or even electronics.

Growing up!

"Mamamamama!!!" That's what Hailey started saying on Tuesday, March 3rd. It ticked my heart to hear it! I saw at church today, March 15th, that she is starting to waive hello and goodbye. Then she peed on me. Then when I was changing her she looked straight at me and said "Mama". It almost seemed that she associated me with the word. Sean is convinced that she does but I'm not absolutely sure yet. When she says "mama" I try to make sure and respond to her. Maybe because of that she has learned a little early? I'm sure every parent is eager of this!





Things Hailey loves:
Swinging at the park
Jacob & Luke (her buddies)
Daddy's weird sounds
Nana and Aunties
guy's noses (she grabs them)
colorful set of plastic rings that stack

Things Hailey does:
pushes up with her arms and tries to get her knees under her
makes raspberries with her mouth
spits out baby food like a fountain
kicks her feet and waves arms when excited
splashes the water in the bathtub
sits up without support
talks a lot
working on saying "dada"
prefers mommy right now
starting to hold bottle (mostly little ones)
has a starter juice cup


Hailey goes to the doctor on Tuesday to get weighed. I pray she has gained enough weight. Last time the doctor was a bit concerned but said it could be that she is going to be petite. As long as she has gained sufficient weight then she will be fine.