One small step for Hailey, one giant leap for baby chaos!

This morning Hailey took her first step! She was standing in front of Sean, not holding onto anything. He put his arms out and said "Come here" and she took her first step!!! We couldn't believe our eyes!

I recognized her desire to walk so I got her a toy yesterday that she can hold onto and walk. She was playing with a similar one of Jacob's at his house and loved it. Instead of buying a used one for $15 I went to Target and bought a new one (but a different kind) for $19. I don't like the one I got so I'm going to get the used one today. It is similar to Jacob's but it's Winnie the Pooh.

It's time to get ready for the day. I need to dress Hailey, clean house and get ready for work. Nana and Aunt Stephanie are coming over to watch Hailey!

How can I make some extra moola?

I'm trying to think of ways to make some extra money. One thought I have had is to blog and hope it can bring in some cash flow. But what would I blog about? Babies and parenting? Or the learning of it that is. Music? My walk with God? I'm not quite sure any of those things would be all that interesting to a big enough group of people. Or that what I have to say would be interesting at all. I have also thought about trying a hand at baking and decorating cakes. I have had some fun in the past making cakes and decorating with fondant. I don't want to brag but for the lack of experience and absolutely no training whatsoever, I didn't do all that bad!

Well, if anyone has some suggestions, I'm totally up for them! In the meantime, I shall keep brainstorming.

Nine months ago...

Nine months ago I (and a few days). I gave birth to Hailey! We went to her 9 month doctor appointment today. In the waiting room were a couple who JUST had a baby. They were sitting there adoring her and still trying to figure out exactly how to hold the baby. I caught myself staring at them. I hope I didn't make them feel weird. I was just remember back to all those new parent feelings!

Speaking of new, I'm getting into some new territories with my 9 month old! She sometimes decides to try and fip onto her stomach when I am changing her. This is going to be a problem as she is very strong! Sean and I sat and talked about what we are going to do. I really feel like a team and am so appreciative of Sean's activeness in Hailey's life. He is a very involved father!

I have incorporated more baby food into Hailey's diet. She eats baby food 3 times a day having normally 4 or 5 jars total. I spent some time Monday making baby food. I made sweet potatoes and avocado. Then I cut up watermelon and cantelope into tiny pieces that she can chew on. She doesn't like the avocado or most of the vegetables for that matter but if I put yogurt or fruit on the tip of the spoon, she will eat it. Tomorrow I plan to make applesauce and banana.

I can't forget to mention that Hailey's weight is 15 lb. 12 oz. She is 28 inches long. Her weight is in the 10th percentile but the doc said she is gaining so they are not concerned. =o) The doctor did mention to not hold any food back from Hailey. She said to even give Hailey a french fry if she wants it. What?! That surprised me! I don't think I want to start my 9 month old on fried foods yet. If she is anything like me, fries are a HUGE weak spot!!

I gotta brag on my husband, Sean. He has been WONDERFUL (as always). But really, extra WONDERFUL! This past Saturday, he let me sleep while he took care of Hailey! Last week Hailey was making a habit of getting up at 5:00 or 5:30 AM. That's what I get for putting her to bed at 7 PM! So I had been getting up with her during the week but joked with Sean friday night that if Hailey gets up early Saturday, he can take care of her. And he did! I really didn't have to say anything either! So then he helped some around the house. Then today he worked on finishing a home project and a repair! Whoa!!! He took me to the mall last Friday night. He has also been spending more time with me and just watched the Bachelorette with me. Watch out Sean, I'm getting spoiled!

The nursery had gotten so clogged up. I mean junktified more than normal. There were all kinds of baby stuff everywhere, music, etc. So Sean put the playpen in the master bedroom and Hailey napped in there while I cleaned the nursery/multi-purpose room. I went through Hailey's clothes and boxed up a ton of clothes she has grown out of. I remember when she was too small for those clothes and they were so cute so I couldn't wait for her to fit into them! Now she is too big!! I found the hospital shirt and cap she wore when we first had her. I'm going to take pictures tomorrow of her next to it so we can see how much she has grown!

In the nursery I got out the CD player that was my grandmother's so I can play music for Hailey on it when she is playing or napping. Unfortunately, my grandmother passed away August 17th, 2006. Which that date ended up being Hailey's due date in 2008. (God was fulfilling my prayer of bringing new life) Anyways, it's unfortunate she didn't get to meet Hailey but I know Grammy would be so proud of her. The CD player had a cd that Grammy had left in there. I kinda didn't want to take it out. I know Grammy would be SO happy to see that I am now using it in Hailey's nursery! One of Hailey's favorite things to stand and hold onto is the rose wood table that was Grammy's. It is the perfect height for Hailey. She keeps her empty soda bottle on it. Yeah, I let Hailey drink soda. Every morning to wake her up. Haha. Got ya there for a minute didn't I?! lol... you can probably read my sarcasm. Hailey just likes empty bottles of any kind. I'm so happy to have that table that I can then pass down to Hailey and tell the story of Grammy and what a great influence she was.

Well, I see this is getting long and the Magic game is on so tata! Hopefully I will get to post soon!

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!!!