The Cake That Changed My Life

There is a loaf of banana bread in the oven for our Bible study tomorrow night.  I have been relying on our nice friends to bring us treats so I didn't have to bake since Hadley was "baking". But, every once in awhile, I get the energy and motivation to make something special for us to enjoy.

And that burst of energy is what motivated me, at 8 months pregnant, to make the s'mores bundt cake that changed me life. 

I was in the grocery store on a Wednesday, buying cocoa and marshmallows for my cake, when I ran into a former student's dad.  He raved about his daughter's new school, and slipped in a promo:  "If you're ever looking for a job, you should apply to this school." It turns out that this dad hadn't been to this grocery store in at least two years. I had just updated my resume that week and was ready to start applying.

My new school has restored my love of teaching and has deepened my faith in God.  I come home happier, less stressed, and am learning about being a better parent to Hadley.  This is more than a cake can do. I am thankful that God brought me to where I am now. It makes me wonder where else a little motivation can take me.

Saying Goodbye

Hadley went on her third plane flight a couple of weeks ago when we flew to California for my grandpa's memorial service. Her first flight was about a month and a half earlier, when she went to meet her great grandpa for the first time.  As we were leaving his retirement home, I wondered if I'd ever see him again.  I didn't think we'd be back just a few weeks later.

My grandpa, at 93, had a great life up until the last couple of weeks.  He was still sharp and witty, and befriended almost everyone he met with his probing questions and big smile. He could remember so much from his long life, and when Hadley was born, he told me details about my dad's birth 67 years ago (my grandma was in the hospital for ten days after birth, which was standard!)

When we were walking into the chapel for his memorial, the foyer was lined with photos of him at different stages of life.  I overheard two ladies, close to my grandpa's age, talking. One said, "He sure was a handsome young man!"  Her friend caught my eye and said with a smirk, "Well, he was a handsome old man, too!" I can hear Grandpa's low, rumbling laugh now.

Hadley with her great grandpa in July. 

Hadley, 5 Months Old

I was doing so well getting Hadley's monthly photos up on time, but these past three weeks have been hard- a week long trip away from my precious girl, a sad event in California, and the first week of school at a new school. So here it is, eight days late.  

 

 

Hadley, 5 Months Old

 

 

Discovered her toes!

 

 

     Sleep regression has improved- but she had nights where she woke up every hour!

 

 

Laughs when Kiowa licks her toes

 

 

                             Rolls to her side and *thinks* about rolling to her tummy

 

 

              "Talks" in her crib when she wakes up for the day, but still doesn't like to be put down in her crib for naps

 

 

Gets angry when we eat in front of her!  She grabbed Nathan's spoon the other day and put it in her mouth.

 

 

 

 

Our trip to Iowa (a little over 4 months old).  Hadley explored her great grandparents' farm.

Hadley's First Swim

Hadley's first swim warranted its very own blog post.  It's not hard to figure out why: I love Hadley. I love swimming.  There's a lot to write about.

When we were at my mom's house in California, we spent the day at our friends, the Anderson's, in their beautiful backyard pool. Nathan and I both wanted to be there with Hadley for her first swim, but it was even more special that her grandma, Aunt Rachel, and almost-Aunt Katrina could be there. Her cousins Nola and Drake even swam with her.

I was excited that we got her in the water before the newborn kicking instinct wore off.  She kicked her feet and even paddled her arms when we held her horizontal to the water.  She didn't want to get out- so we took a couple of dips before throwing in the towel.

Mom, Dad, and "Aunt" Katrina swimming with Hadley.  Hadley is pretty lucky that her first swim lesson was with Katrina, who is such an amazing swimmer and teacher! 

We will let Hadley choose to do whichever sports or activities she wants when she is older, but I have a feeling that she'll choose swimming (wishful thinking?) 

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Hadley, 4 Months Old

Hadley, 4 Months

Wears 3-6 months clothes

        Sleeps 8-11 hours each night (thank you, Sleep Regression!)

Rolls from tummy to back

                    Is a wiggle worm!

         Loves to play with toys! She cried when we picked her up from the church nursery on Sunday!

Weighs 14 lbs 12 oz, and is 25 1/4 inches tall

These pictures are getting difficult to take!  She wiggled onto the floor every time we tried to snap a good one!

This happened before Mom joined the photo shoot.  I will not encourage early walking! 

Summer Vacay

We took our first vacation as a family of three last week.  We visited my family in California and spent a lot of time in the car on our tour.  She did really well in the car and on the flight there, but the flight home with just Mom wasn't the same story!

Hadley got to meet uncles, cousins, Aunt Sarah, second cousins, her great Aunt and Uncle, and her Great Grandpa Schultz.  I really wanted her to meet him as he is 93 and she will never get to meet her Pop Pop Schultz. 

We drove down to Santa Barbara (it took 6 hours with a baby!), picked up my grandpa, and then headed to my aunt and uncle's house for a beautiful, Pinterest-inspired patio dinner! Hadley wore the outfit that her Great Aunt Nancy gave her, and her second cousin Justin, daddy-to-be, got to practice his baby holding skills :)

4th of July celebration at the Andersons! 

 This girl loved the lake in Twain Harte.  I hadn't been to my parents' house there for probably 5 years!  Nathan had never seen it, so we wanted to get up there and explore the town. Hadley discovered her love for swimming on this trip (more on that later!) so the lake intrigued her! We also went on hikes, watched an outdoor concert, and enjoyed the break from the 100 degree Livermore weather. .

Cousin Nola loved Hadley. She wanted to hold her- pretty funny since our big baby is probably already half the size of her cousin! 

I am going to write about Hadley's first swim later- but of course, I have a lot to say about it and a lot more pictures to add :) 

Hadley, Three Months Old

Three Months

Likes playing with her toys, especially the Kick n Play piano

                          Sleeps through the night in 8-11 hour stretches

Has decided napping isn't her thing, but marathon sleep days make up for it

                           Coos and "talks" to us 

                                           Wears size 3-6 months clothes

Loves splashing in the bathtub

Hadley at 3 days old, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months! 

                         

The Kick n Play piano is Mom and Dad's favorite toy, too!