What's in a Name?

Hailey will be a year old in March. I've been thinking back at what has happened in this last year. We've been so blessed. I wish there was a way to take pictures with my eyes all day long. I want to record every little thing that Hailey does. While I was thinking back, I realized I never recorded where Hailey's name came from. I know it's kinda lame and doesn't really matter, but I loved hearing the story of where my name came from when I was older. I figured I should record it so I don't forget it. I'm surprised I've remembered the story this long. haha. This blog post is mostly for me, so sorry if it's boring.

We actually came up with her middle name first. I was working at Artco Stationary in Rexburg, Idaho. It's a big warehouse that does tons of things, including wedding invitations. I was working in the wedding invitation sample room, where brides can request samples of different invitations and have them sent to them in the mail. I looked at different girls' names on envelopes all day long. I was constantly searching for a name that I liked. One day I came across the name Lexie Ray. I seriously paused. It was weird. I stared at it for a long time. I loved that name. It was that girl's full name, but I loved it as a first and middle name (spelled RAE for the middle). I went home and told Travis, and of course his response is, "It's okay I guess". He wasn't much of a help in the name selecting business.

So I knew I loved Rae as a middle name. Like LOVED. I was pretty much obsessed with it. But I wasn't sure about Lexie. We had a few names picked out that we kept switching between. Lexie, Jocelyn (Josie), and Amy. I would be okay with one on one day, but switch the next. I searched and searched online for a first name that popped out at me. I would think I found it, but then I didn't like it anymore. It was so discouraging. I didn't think we'd ever get a name picked out. Then one night I sat up in the middle of the night and woke Travis up. I said, "Travis I know what we need to name her." He asked what, and I said, "HAILEY". He immediately said, "That's it, it's perfect".

So TADA! Hailey Rae. From the moment I put those two names together I knew it was the name for our baby girl. And I can't imagine any other name fitting this crazy girl's personality quite like Hailey Rae does. We love our little diva daughter. We gave her a name she can use when she's famous someday. Maybe a country singer, an actress, a dancer- whatever she wants. It works.

Anyways, that's my story.

Monkeying Around

Hailey gained a best friend this last Christmas. Hailey's GG (Great Grandma) sent some money for Hailey for Christmas and we spent it wisely. We came across this HUGE monkey at Costco and had to get it for her. It was less than $10! Whaaat?

It was love at first sight.

Hailey loves to cuddle him.

She cuddles one way, then gets up and walks around him looking for a different way to cuddle him.

She's a very creative cuddler.

You know how when you are young and have a best friend, you think they are so cool so you copy them? Yeah, Hailey does that too.

She loves him to much she gives him kisses.

I foresee this friendship lasting a long time.

 

 

I just hope she doesn't expect us to take him on vacations.

A Bit of Boasting

So I wanted to take a minute to boast a little about my hott husband.

Isn't he sooooo attractive??

 He finished his FIRST YEAR of chiropractic school! One down, three to go! I'm so proud of him. He is an incredibly hard worker. It amazes me how much he can cram into his brain. He's such a nerd, too. Everyday he has something to say about why something works the way it does. I feel like I'm getting an education too! But I love it.

His first two trimesters he was on the Dean's List! Isn't that a crazy awesome accomplishment!? We haven't heard anything about last trimester, but he still got good grades. So we shall see. He wouldn't want me sharing that, he's a humble guy. But I just want to shout to the world how proud of him I am.

Travis struggled motivating himself to work hard at BYU-Idaho. He barely passed a lot of classes. So when we came here, he didn't expect to be "smart". He's even surprising himself. But he absorbs what he's learning in chiropractic school because he seriously LOVES what he's learning. He's passionate about it. It makes all the difference!

AND he's a great dad and husband! I'm grateful everyday for the man I married.

 

Okay, boasting over.

Hailey at Ten Months

Ten months old? Holy moly! Holy moly! Holy moly! Only two months until she's a year old. It's coming up fast. Ever since she started walking I notice how big she really is. She isn't my little bitty newborn anymore. I'm thankful that she's into cuddling and giving kisses. If I didn't get my brief cuddles every now and then, I don't know how I'd cope.

Like I mentioned above, Hailey is walking. Like really walking. She doesn't crawl at all anymore. She's just go go go.

She loves giving kisses. If she's comfortable enough with you, she'll give you a kiss if you ask. She especially loves kissing random things around the house.

When we went to my mom's house for Christmas, Hailey discovered her cousin's small basketball. She carried it around the whole time we were in Washington, so my mom bought Kael a new one and Hailey kept the old one. She still carries it around here in Kansas. It's safe to say she's a little obsessed.

 

 

 

 

 

 She is pro at making messes. She loves emptying out containers and putting stuff back in.

 

 

 

She especially loves helping with laundry.

 She has a thing for stuffed animals. They make her smile

Hailey LOVES books. She loves picking them out and having me read to her. And she loves "reading" on her own.

 

 

Hailey makes me laugh everyday. I swear she has a funny little sense of humor. She's the joy of our lives.

 

Our Very Merry Christmas

Travis, Hailey, and I went to Washington for Christmas. We always love celebrating the holidays with family. My parents were so generous, as usual. They spoil their children, and especially their grandchildren.

My mom chose Disney for her tree's theme this year. She found little Mickeys and Minnies to set on the branches and even made all the gold mickey ornaments. I loved it!

On Christmas morning, there were presents galore! My parents always go all out.

 

 

 Even Lyla got spoiled!

My mom loved the apron I made her. And I'm pretty dang proud of myself for making it. Didn't it turn out so cute?

 

I loved Hailey's Christmas outfit. I may be a little obsessed with it!

 

Hailey was overwhelmed by all the people and new things. It took a few days to get my happy baby back.

We had such a great Christmas. It was so good spending time with family. We are so blessed!

P.S. I got a new camera for Christmas. So expect lots of awesome pictures from now on!