Haddie is 2

Photos by the lovely Sara McMillan of Sara McMillan Photography (Hutchinson, KS)

Haddie turned 2 on January 2nd. Since her last birthday, she has grown up considerably. She went from a baby who was very attached to momma, to a little toddler with lots of words and a mind of her own! In the last month or so, she's added "children, obey your parents" to her vocabulary which I think will make Jo, her speech therapist, happy to know there are four words all together. Haddie likes to make a very unsatisfied face when she is asked to obey and then told to go sit on the step when obedience is not chosen. But, she almost always comes out of time out ready to do as she is asked. She just needs to feel like she's in control, I'm afraid. When she is asked "why" to something, she responds "cuz" or sometimes just shrugs her shoulders.

Play time usually consists of babies, her favorite "How to Feed Your Cheeky Monkey" book, her new tea set, or a variety of toys from the boys room. She really likes to read and sing. Her favorite song is "The Angels Sing" which was the song her class did for the Christmas program at church. It really is adorable listening to her animal sounds and the little actions. When I play piano at church, she likes to sit on my lap at rehearsal and play along. (That's getting a little more difficult as baby sister is growing and mom's lap space is limited.)

Her brothers and dad are her favorite. When she wakes up in the morning she asks for Micah first, and then Eli usually followed by "school", and Daddy followed by "work". 

 I love the next photos. The boys were very comfortable from the get-go when we had pictures taken. Haddie took a little longer to warm up. But at the end, she knew what would get a laugh from her brothers. 

 Shortly after Haddie's birthday, she got her big girl mattress, so she's been sleeping on that for about a week. It is fun to watch her in the monitor and her new-found freedom. During nap time she likes to look at a few books and play with her babies before deciding to fall asleep. I don't mind, because she stays really quiet and so far has fallen asleep eventually. Before bed time, she listens to the Bible story with her brothers and then is the first to volunteer to pray. She starts "dear God, Eli, Micah, Daddy, Mommy, brothers, Micah, grandma, friends, church, Eli (at this point we either help out with names or encourage an amen) Amen". She is always willing to pray. I hope she always has that openness and willingness to talk to her Creator. 

This one is a perfect depiction of life right now. Eli blazing the way for Micah doing his best to keep up and Haddie tagging along discovering much of who she is through her brothers but certainly making her own way when she wants to. Won't be long now and there will be another tagging along behind Haddie.

Height: 31.5" (doesn't register on percentile) :) 
Weight: 24.6# (22nd percentile)