Kai says Hi and...

At 8.5 months Kai learned to wave Hi. She also climbed a stair while we were not looking....

....then promptly fell off the stair while we were trying to take a photo. Kai, we are awesome like that.

Christmas

I have always been interested in other people's Christmas dinner traditions, so I thought I would share mine.  Our dinner is all about the potatoes. Not just any potatoes, but Grandma's party potatoes, which are full of butter, sour cream, cream cheese and onions and are Ooohoohh so good! Usually Grandma would make these potatoes, but since we were in Kansas City this year for Christmas, I had to figure it out myself with no help from my brother, who was telling me I was doing it all wrong. I have to say the potatoes turned out just perfect.  Other meal items included: green bean casserole, corn casserole, prime rib, gravy, stuffing, and cranberry sauce (because we did not have enough at Thanksgiving this year.) The desserts are always different, and this year we tried a pistachio pudding pound cake dessert with heath topping and it was delicious. Christmas at the Hadley house was a success.

Buddies

Yum, Paper. Best gift ever!!

I have lots of presents, hehe.

A green rattle!?!?!?!?!  YEEEEEESSSSSS!!!!!!!

I just started standing, and now you want me to walk?!?

First bite of party potatoes. 

Kai say's Merry Christmas Everyone.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.  Merry Christmas to everyone from the Hadley family. 

I'm a mover and a stander

Kai is all over the place, which keeps me on my toes. We have installed baby gates on the stairs and outlet plugs, but still have lots of things to baby proof. This girl is into everything. 

A Christmas Elf that loves checking herself out. 

Did you say nap time? No silly, I'm not tired. 

Look at this face.  How could you leave me in here?  

Do you want to see my dance moves? 

How many days?

How many days does it take to unpack a whole house with 3 people and a baby? 5 days. That's how long it takes to open all the boxes, put everything in it's spot,  paint a room, buy a Christmas tree, decorate it, wrap presents and go on mega grocery trip.

Kai's Nana painted her room this perfect green. Thanks Nana!!
Her toys were picked up at one point.  

The stocking were hung

Rough start

We arrived at our new abode Friday morning with happy anticipation of a new beginning. It was not a happy beginning. We walked into a mess with the semi full of our stuff following closely behind. The refrigerator had old food in it and was filthy. The trash was full. The carpets were stained with pet urine, a dead mouse was in the washer, and the list goes on.  I frantically called the property manager in tears. I had just finished scrubbing a house top to bottom the night before and did not expect to find my new home filthy. He of course, did not answer on the first or second try, so I preceded  to call another bajillion times. On the bajillion and one call he answered and I cried. I told him of the mess and the scum and the dead mouse and the pet urine in all the carpets. He was kind and listened and apologized for the mess. He had a cleaning crew, a carpet inspector and someone to fix the locks by mid day. Some carpets are supposed to be replaced and others shampooed. It was a rough start, but the home is coming together and it's going to be perfect.

This fridge has NEVER been cleaned

Pet urine, getting new carpets soon.

This fingernail polish is all over the house 

Then there was this. The previous tenants left the basketball hoop
up but emptied the base which blew over onto my car during night # one. 

8 month check up

I took Kai to the Dr. yesterday to get her last flu shot and last Hep B shot. Dr. Cole said it was a bad year for the flu and he has already seen a lot of cases. Yucky. Kai was 16lb 8 oz and 28.5 inches long, which puts her at 25th percentile in weight and 90th percentile in height. I have been concerned about her weight recently because she is soooo skinny and not eating her purees anymore. He said just to keep trying them. I guessed that is what he would say, but I was hoping he would have some magical answer and then Kai would eat them again, but nope. She took 2 bites this morning and clamped her mouth shut. Thank goodness she is still nursing. She has 2 teeth and is constantly drooling, to the point of having a rash on her neck from the always present dampness.  Ooooh goodness, I love Mommy problems. 

Kai in more Christmas attire 

Kai met Santa

Wow, those bells are cool. I want those bells.

Wait! My Mom is over there? On whom's lap am I sitting? 

I don't think I know this man in the hat.

Nope, I defiantly do not know him. MOM, come get me!!

All Better