growing up already!

We've had a busy week here at the Moore house. A high school friend of mine, Miss Laura, was dying to meet Hartley. Oh and have lots of girl talk with me. She came this week and stayed a few days. It was fun, but I'm definitely looking forward to some rest.

Oh, wait. Just kidding. We have more guests coming tomorrow! My mother and her friend, another Mrs. Laura, are going to stop by. Grandmommie will spend the night and head home on Sunday.

We would like to send a shout out to Mrs. Erika for the above leggings. Umm.. cute!! They are very stylish, not to mention easier to change diapers while keeping little legs warm. So cute I'm wanting to get more for my sweet potato. (yes, I give my babies vegetable names)

Ahh, I can't stand how wonderful this little girl is! She loves sticking out her tongue these days (even more) so it's hard to get smiling pictures in.

She looks so cute in her little bows. And yes, that's a bunny bib. After Easter. Is this okay?? I think it's still Springish.

We found a new game that Hartley loves! Marshall blew on her face, making her hair fly up. She absolutely loves it! We're not sure about that noise she was making.. and that outfit.. 3-6months (hand-me-down and washed a lot). I can't believe it. Every morning she feels heavier and looks bigger. And I'm totally sure she laughed at Maddie the other morning and reached towards me today.

three months!

You are three months old today, Hartley!!

What in the world are you up to??

You are growing like a weed, that's for sure! While you still fit in your 0-3 months clothes, you are outgrowing them in length. Your sleep-n-plays are quite snug now.

You went for a few nights sleeping ~10 hours straight. What happened to that? You usually go to sleep between 8:30-9:30 and sleep until 4-5am. We nurse for about 20 minutes and put you back to sleep. Some nights you fuss, others you are out! And Daddy usually rocks you before bed.

You've started waking up around 7am, which is a little too early for me, but at least you get to see Daddy before he leaves for work.

I would love for you to be on a 3-hour schedule, but you're still not there. You prefer 2.5 hours. And you would much rather take catnaps during the day than solid 1.5 hour naps. This makes housework and gallivanting a challenge.

Your favorite things to do are standing up, kicking, squealing, watching the dogs, and smacking on your fists.

Somehow you learned to pout. You do this especially when you want to eat and someone else is holding you. And you've already learned to cry when you want attention. For instance- you were just'a fussin' this afternoon. I picked you up while you were still crying and you started smiling.. while crying. You are so silly.

one-month

two-months

three-months today!

• Daddy and I have been working really hard getting you to sleep in your crib and not your swing. You've done very well since Saturday! We are very proud of you! I'm only concerned with how you scoot around in there. I know we place you right in the middle, but you scoot your way down into a corner.
• While you hate tummy time, your neck muscles have gotten so strong! You hold up your head very well. And you are trying to kick yourself off your back already. It's pretty soon to be rolling over, but you seem like you really want to.
• You absolutely love talking to your Momma. You have a favorite spot though- your changing pad. If you're ever fussy, I know you'll get happy there. I don't even have to change your diaper!

You learn something new everyday it seems, which makes being your mommy so much fun. Although you wear me out, I love being with you all day. These days get a little difficult, especially when you don't take a nap or don't nap very long, but I enjoy them. All your smiles and coos. And squeals. You've been crying for the past 5 minutes, so I'll feed you. :)

oh, Dad..

It was getting close to 45 minutes into Hartley's first afternoon nap. She has a lot of difficulty with sleep transitions. Each sleep cycle is about 45 minutes.. so we have to be careful around that time not to wake her.

Marshall got home around that time, so I was telling him he needed to be quiet for the next 10 minutes.

"Because of the 45-minute demon?" he asks.

What??

"The 45-minute dragon??"

At this point I'm losing it...

"What is it!?!?"

It's the 45-minute INTRUDER. (this is a real term from the Babywise series)

We had a good laugh.. and of course, Hartley cried a little shortly after. On and off for a few minutes, but she fell back asleep. We're nearing the next nursing time, so I'm really proud she made it through her nap. Oh.. in her CRIB!!

Brag note: Hartley has been sleeping about 10 hours straight for the past few nights. She's still in the swing at night.. but I get a good 6-7 hours for myself!

a post by Hartley

Hello White Box!!

Momma walked away so I crawled up on the desk to see what the big deal is with this computer. Now I see why my parents spend a lot of time here.. there's so many colors and pictures!

Everyone says I'm growing and changing each day. Of course I am. Have you seen my poopie diapers?!

Momma wanted to weigh me at Daddy's office yesterday, but Daddy didn't want me laying where cats have been. But I'm at least 10lbs! Hey, I could even be 11. We don't have an official weigh-in until June 2, at my 4-month check up.

For the past 2 months of my life, wait.. all my life!.. I've been sleeping in a swing. I keep trying to tell my parents that I don't want to sleep in that cage! Oh excuse me, the crib.

So, Momma tried putting me in the "crib" the other day and this is what happened!

I put my right leg out.. I put my right leg in.. I put my right leg out and I shook it all about! And I did the same with my left arm. And I fussed and fell asleep. BUT! When I woke up, someone had shoved me back in my snuggie! I don't know how that happened..

I visit my family a lot! I have so many cousins.. they are sooo loud and never let me talk. But they all love me and like to talk to me.

I've recently started bearing weight on my chunking-up legs. I like to stand and squat. And I love watching the other baby in the mirror do it too! That guy in the picture is funny looking. Tehe.

I went to a birthday party for my cousin Caleb recently. There was a babaloo.. or baloo.. hold on let me ask Momma... a BALLOON. You can see me holding the ribbon in the picture above. I held on tight and when I moved my arm it moved too! I liked following it as it bounced in the air.

And I can't go take my nap without telling you about these hairy creatures that walk around the house on four legs. AND! They have a fifth leg that just waves around in the air. They don't walk on that one. These beasts kinda smell and love to lick me. I touched the white one the other day. And the black one can do this thing called "tricks."

Wanna know what my new "trick" is?? I pulled a rattle toward me. I wasn't sure what to do when I got it, but Momma and Daddy were proud. Uh-oh, speaking of the woman with the milk.. she caught me!! Bye White Box!

Hartley's New Friend

"I love you, Sassy!"

"I love you, too, Hartley!"

nuzzle, nuzzle

kiss, kiss

"We're going to be best friends forever."

[no animals or babies were harmed in the making of this post]

friendly visits

We had the best weekend with our Athenian friends, the Gurleys! Although we are all exhausted and in need of naps, especially the little ones, we enjoyed the stuffing of faces, game playing, and parenthood.

It was also time for Hartley to meet her future hubby Hudson. This has been in the works for about a year now. Progress has been made. Now we just have to wait about 20 years for the wedding.

And I think someone needs to slow down with the weight gain... 21 pounds at 6 months?!?! Hartley is half the size of Hudson!

Mollyanne is always encouraging. Our parenting philosophies are very similar, so any ideas she has are pretty sound. And having timelines are helpful. Knowing that Hartley may grow out of some of her quirks in the next few weeks is something I look forward to. Plus, she will be getting into the "fun" months soon!

We had a pretty successful weekend. Both babies did pretty well sleeping during the night. Church was a different story.. we won't go there! At least they let us eat OUT in a RESTAURANT! For the ENTIRE meal. That doesn't happen often for us. It was nice to eat with other couples with babies too.

After a weekend full of food (always a must), it's time to relax with my 2liter Diet Coke. If only weekends were 4 days long...

wacky wednesdays

Help me come up with an alliterative phrase for Wednesdays, my seemingly busy day of the week. It never fails that I go grocery shopping and errand running on Wednesday. And I think I bite off more than I can chew.

Yesterday was no exception. We were slipping out the door when Hartley points out there's a box with her name on it. A surprising gift from some sweet girls in Kentucky- Aunt Laurie, Katie and Ally.

They did a great job picking out some flirty summer apparel! I love greens and teals.. and Hartley didn't have any of those colors yet!

Marshall thinks baby shoes are ridiculous. I think they're super cute!! Don't you love 'em!

Back to my workin' it Wednesday. Hartley woke up early from her nap, setting me an hour early from dropping her off with Marshall to do my own thing. I decided to try something new- bring Hartley with me to get my haircut. We nursed before we left and Hartley fell asleep in the car, only to wake up when we got to the salon. She fussed briefly twice- once because she wanted someone to talk to her (and those gossipy ladies at the salon didn't wanna miss out) and when she was getting tired. So- it worked out. I finally got my haircut, and Hartley behaved.

We made a pit stop at Aunt Bec's to nurse again (yes..) and do a nappy change. Then on to more errand running! Hartley always wakes up in the middle of grocery shopping. So I usually have to boogie out, likely forgetting something. Yesterday was tomatoes.

We also needed to run by Josephine's, the fancy baby store in town. We received some gifts that could be monogramed. And they could only be picked on Wednesday after 4:00pm. Meaning we needed to stay in town a little longer.

We passed some time by going to the local new and only strip mall. They've got TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby, and Books-a-Million. Pretty good choices.. about the only ones!

And finally on to Josephine's we went. I think I'm becoming monogram happy, or at least somewhat happy. Believe me, I don't go all out and have every piece of clothing (or towel) monogrammed.. but secretly I want more.

We finally got home and had a fussy evening. Hartley nursed for the last time around 7pm and after crying with Daddy she fell asleep. I didn't wake her up to nurse either. She finally decided to eat at 3:30am. About 20 minutes.. and was ready to begin her day at 7:30 this morning. I can handle that! I should have gone to sleep when she did last night!

We are loving our new camera! Diamonds are definitely a girl's best friend. And so are handbags and sandals. Hartley may very well be a girly girl after all. Marshall is going to do his best and get her interested in tools and landscaping. Good luck, Buddy.

Now- on to cleaning our house for the Gurley's!