My First Crazy Travel

Recently, I traveled with my family to Vietnam!  Before this I had only traveled around Qatar and the USA.  Mom and Dad decided it was time to break me in for true international travel.  Our flight left Doha at 2:30 am but I basically rocked that flight!  My little bed they gave me was awesome and I just slept away.

I spent most of the trip attached to Mommy in the carrier. Typically I would love being this close to Mom but it was so hot I got tired of her sweat getting all over me.  I still did pretty good hanging out in it and didn't complain about it too much.

Traveling brings up some fun situations.  Hardly any restaurants had a high chair that I could really sit in so I  spent most meals being passed back and forth from Mom and Dad.  Actually in a lot of restaurants the waitresses would hold me!  But when that didn't happen Mom and Dad occasionally got creative.  They pushed chairs together, laid me on the table (!),  wore the carrier, and even set up that back-pack carrier for me to sit in. 

When traveling, there is no time for an official "nap" so you just have to make it up as you go.  

We did get to do a little swimming on our trip and I had my very first experience with sand.  I tried to eat it but Mom wouldn't let me.  

 Even with all the difficulties of traveling I still had a blast and got to see all sorts of cool places.  I went to Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City, the Chu Chi tunnels, War Remnants museum.  I road boats on the Mekong Delta.  I traveled to Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi, and Halong Bay.  I saw temples, ruins, and mausoleums, beautiful cities, and friendly people.  Most of all I enjoyed the full week with my Daddy.  I can't wait to travel again!

Month 5

Hailey's Stats:

Age: 5 months

Weight: 12 lbs 5oz - still so little!

Length: not sure... 24.5"? 

Eye Color: deep blue- they are lightening up some but still very blue

Hair color: blonde- still hasn't started falling out! Crossing our fingers it won't. 

Clothing:  I recently pulled out her 6 month clothes and most of them fit

Eating Schedule: Every 2.5- 3 hours, except at night before bed when she cluster feeds; mostly nursing.  I think she eats about 4-6 oz/feeding

Sleeping: She goes to bed around 9pm but then I come in and give her a bottle around 11pm. Then sleeps till about 6 am for a quick feed and then back down till 8.  I've been trying really hard to get her to sleep through the 6 am feed.  She has been getting a 1 oz bottle for a week or two to try to get her over needing to eat then but it's been a slow process.  Sometimes she sleeps longer but other nights she is still waking up early.  Maybe one day we will get it!  Her naps are super crazy and inconsistent.  However, she does almost always sleep in the afternoon from about 2-5. This works out great because it is Jacob's nap time too.  But every other nap of the day is up in the air.  I never know if/when she will sleep!  Even without naps she is still a happy baby so I guess I can't complain. 

Activity: This month Hailey is rolling easily from her back to her tummy but seems to have forgotten how to go the other way.  I remember Jacob doing the same thing!  So now we can no longer swaddle her for sleep which has led to some struggles in the sleep department.  She also tends to roll onto her tummy while sleeping and then waking up mad about it!  It does seem as though by the end of this month we were starting to get past those issues.  We have started sitting/standing and playing in the exercauser, sitting in the Bumbo seat at dinner, and working on standing.  Hailey really doesn't like to put weight on her feet yet. Stubborn girl.

Personality:  Hailey is still an easy, happy baby.  She goes with the flow and seems to be ok with being taken around everywhere to play with Jacob.  She also thinks Jacob is hysterical as long as he's not being overwhelming or trying to hurt her.  Just recently she has started to really let us know when she doesn't like something.  She blows raspberries at us if she isn't pleased.  We get the most protest over going in the car seat, and occasionally for diapers or naps.  I have to admit, its pretty funny.  I can't wait to learn more of our girls personality over the next few months. 

Here's our beautiful Hailey Bear!

First Pool Experience

Jacob and I were invited to a friends compound for a play date at the pool.  This was our first time back out to the pool since winter and it was my first time EVER.  Mommy dressed me in my little swim diaper cover and matching hat and off we went.  I did great!  I enjoyed the water and liked sitting in my float.  When I was in my float, I was just kicking away.  Eventually I did get tired so Nana dried me off, changed my clothes and I headed off for a nap in the stroller while Jacob and his friend Gabe continued to play.  I can't wait to go back to the pool. 

First Easter

My first Easter was spent in Doha with my Mommy, Daddy, Jacob, and Nana!  I was so excited to get to have Nana here to celebrate with us.  Since the weekend here is different we went to our Easter service on Friday.  Jacob and I put on our Easter outfits and of course had to take lots of pictures.  

Our church service is really early so we opened our Easter baskets when we returned home.  I was excited to get my new swim suits and some bath foam! I thought my basket looked pretty tasty too. 

Happy Easter! He is Risen!