Dear Hadley,

3 Months! Ahh! Based on what I’ve read, 3 months marks the point where you are no longer considered a “newborn”. You are officially an “infant” now! Part of me wants to go on and on about how sad this makes me, because you are getting SO big SO quick, but another, bigger part of me wants to celebrate. We have come so far, baby girl! And you are growing and learning and continuing to light up our lives even more than I thought possible. So, instead of lamenting that you are no longer a “newborn”, I am choosing to rejoice in all that you (we) have learned and accomplished thus far.

The biggest joy for me in month three has come just in the last week or two—the giggles! I thought the smiles melted my heart, but the giggles? Oh man. It is definitely the cutest sound I’ve ever heard. And just about anything can make you do it—you giggle when your Daddy and I are talking to you, when I’m changing your diaper, when you’re naked (LOTS of giggles then), when you’re in the tub, when you look in the mirror, when you play with your toys, and when you hear music. I LOVE these laughs—they come from deep down in your belly, overtake your whole body and make you lose your breath from laughing so hard.

One thing that people (our family, friends, church members, etc.) have said to us over and over is “wow, she really knows her Mama!”. If someone else is holding you, as soon as you hear my voice you lock your eyes on me—and don’t take them off of me! Also, there have been several times when you have been inconsolably fussy, and no one (not even your Daddy) can calm you down, but as soon as I take you, you stop. Completely. And sometimes even start smiling! From fussing to smiling in approximately 5 seconds. This lets me know that a) you love me and b) you sometimes just fuss to fuss, and to see if you can get me to cave in. Sneaky (but cute!) little thing. 

You are still growing like crazy. You are a little over 14 lbs and almost 24 inches (2 feet!) tall. And boy, do you have some thighs on you, girlfriend. Your Meemaw made it a point to take your pants off and show everyone your thighs this past weekend when we were in Union Grove… I asked her how she would like it if I made her take off her pants and show everyone her thighs! ;) I really LOVE all your rolls, and don’t worry—you’ll grow out of them, I did! :)

I can’t wait to see what the next few months bring. I pray for your continued health, for you to keep growing big and strong just like you have been, and for you to know just how much you are loved (a LOT, by SO many people!). I also pray for many, many more giggles. The kind that make your whole body shake and make you have to catch your breath. I can never have too many of those!

You are one happy girl, Hadley. And you make my life (and your Daddy’s) so much happier. I read a quote this week that a friend posted that rings SO true to me right now: “A little child enters your life and fills a special place in your heart. A place you never knew was empty.” This hits the nail on the head. You fill a place in my heart with so much joy that I feel like it will overflow! So happy 3 months, beautiful girl. I love you with all my heart!

Love, 

Mommy