The Hailey Herald

The Hailey Herald

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Happy Birthday!

Hailey enjoyed her day with family and friends, swimming, napping, presents, and eating (two of her faves...spaghetti and cake!)




She unwraps VERY ssssllllooooowwwwwllllllllyyyyyyy!  One teeny piece at a time!



Busted stealing her brother's snack.

I can't remember what the pout was for, but I love this pic!

Still pouting.

And two minutes later, fit over and smiling!


Playing with big brother and her balloons.


Spaghetti....she didn't even bother with a fork.


Who knew spaghetti could be this much fun?


She seemed content pushing the cart with the presents inside...never tried to open them.





Hailey's "pet".  It yips.  She isn't always sure about it.



She thinks he moves to slow so she gives him a shove.tr5

More presents?!

Oooooo...new shoes


How do I get to that?


Hey mom, if you aren't going to give me a fork, I'll just use my mouth!


Yum!

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

2nd So Different than the 1st

This might sound peculiar, but Hailey's 2nd birthday is so different than her first.  The first year was so much about fear, survival, sadness, the unknown, and exhaustion.  Having basically every aspect of your world turned upside down.  Hailey being diagnosed with Down syndrome wasn't what we "expected" or "planned".  It wasn't "our dream" for our 3rd child.  Our only daughter.  Just with Ds, we were thrown into a facet of life that we were never a part of before.  I felt like a needed a dictionary just for the new terminology that was thrown around from day one....hypotonia (low muscle tone), palmar creases, EI (early initiative), IFSP (individual family service plan), physical therapies, etc.  Then add to it, eating and breathing issues she had to overcome to just graduate the NICU to come home to her brothers.  The NICU was a new experience for us, as well.  There was March 17...the day our little one came home.  The second time my world had stopped in 3 weeks.  The day we found out that she had a congenital heart defect and would definitely need open heart surgery in a few months.  Having someone tell you to watch for the signs of congestive heart failure in your 3 week old, makes you fear sleeping.  What if something happens in the night?  What if I miss something?  Following that was other specialists that we started seeing regularly...audiologists, ophthalmologists, physical therapists, developmental pediatrician, occupational therapists and speech therapists.  We were fortunate with Hailey...her list is relatively short compared to some children with Ds.  Added to that was the pressure I put on myself to try to nurse Hailey.  It didn't work so I made myself pump for 6 months.  Every 3 hours for 6 long months.  I gave myself one heck of a guilt trip after 6 months when I physically and mentally couldn't go on any longer and quit.  Her hospital visit for OHS was short...we were only there 3 1/2 days but I think I aged 30 years that week. 

When Hailey's first birthday arrived, we were so happy.  We made it.  We survived!  Don't get me wrong, it was not a miserable year.  We had a lot of good times that year also, but it can be a challenge to overcome so much all at once.  To adapt.  We had a huge bash for Hailey's birthday last year.  We celebrated with family and friends that were on the journey with us.  It was a celebration for them as well.  We had all learned so much that year and we were so proud and in love with Hailey. 

This last year has been different.  I didn't dread her birthday this year.  I didn't get the huge emotional wave that I did on her first birthday.  The memories are still quite vivid.  I can almost replay every minute of her birth and first day, but the rawness doesn't exist.  This year has been fun.  More and more of Hailey's personality has emerged.  We are getting a true glimpse of who Hailey is.  In her mannerisms, her play, her interaction with people.   I have been truly excited for today.  So excited that my little girl has turned 2!

So what does Hailey do on her 2nd birthday?  Not a lot.  Everything is much lower key this year!  She had swim lessons this morning with big brother.  She is napping now with Daddy.  This evening she will have a huge plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce (one of her favorite foods...just make sure you have time to give her a bath afterwards).  She will finish the night off with cake and presents with mom, dad, and her two brothers.  She'll spend today like most of her days....laughing a lot, sharing loads of kisses and making as many messes as humanly possible!

Here's to celebrating 2!  I love you more than you will ever know baby girl!


Having a lengthy conversation with Papaw on her play phone.

Putting her baby down for a nap...complete with blanket that she covered the baby's head with.

She seems quite happy that she has full control of the remote control.




Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Exactly What I Expected/Wanted

As I did with Hailey's first birthday, there has been a lot of reflection going on in my mind and in my heart as her second birthday is only days away.  I know the emotions that I felt after Hailey's birth diagnosis were "normal".  I have forgiven myself for them (holding onto guilt always harms more than it helps), but I will never forget them.

I thought that God had punished me or Hailey.  I thought God was taking something away from me.  Looking at my 2 year old toddling  and jabbering through the house, I realized she is exactly what I expected out of a 2 year old.  She is rotten, mischievous, loving, messy, independent (when she wants to be), funny, stubborn and so incredibly aggravating!

God didn't make a mistake....Hailey is the exact little girl that belongs in this family.

Mom actually gave me a cupcake for Valentine's Day

Sometimes life is exhausting

Poor Daddy....they are velcroed to him all night!




Playing with the big kids

She likes to "steal" the recliner and the iPad!




Poor think had to bundle good for swim lessons!

Apparently the balls need to walk about the house.


Thursday, February 14, 2013

Love, Hearts & Smiles

Valentine's Day....  what comes to mind?

Flowers
Candy
Cards
Hearts
Mended Hearts
Love

We don't go all out for Valentine's Day in our house.  The boys made valentine's for their classmates.  Hailey is all decked out in hearts and red.  I'll cook my husband one of his favorite meals and bake cupcakes for the kids. 

It's a day to remind others how much you care and love them.

So I'll share with you a few of the things we love in our house....

Lazy mornings...no commitments...hanging out in our pjs.






The smiles from these 3






Watching this little girl walk




Watching this little girl play and learn more every day




Things that make me laugh long after the kids are asleep

I've looked for these Little People for a couple of days.  Apparently, I was looking in all the wrong places!



Little helpers







Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!