My little girl and I have so much fun together (most of the time). We went to the zoo with some friends last week, and for the most part Hadley just had fun running all over the place. She didn't want to sit in her stroller and she has no fear of running out of my sight. Good thing it wasn't a crowded day and I could easily catch up to her. She did have fun making some animal noises. She has gotten really good at certain ones...cows, goats, ducks, dogs, and cats.
The mountain lion exhibit was pretty creative. The lions walk right overhead and they were out and active the morning we went!
And of course each week we go to the park numerous times during the week. Hadley has learned to climb up the stairs on the little slide and go down it without any help! She gets off the slide and starts again. I discovered this when I was talking to someone and Hadley decided she didn't have the time to wait for me to assist her.
A few other things we have been up to lately...getting aquainted a bit with the potty. She goes a few times everyday in it, but I don't think she is really 'getting it' yet. We have also been working on a house, and the inspection is this week. It was slightly delayed, but we will post pictures once we have gotten the inspection report back. I am sure it will have no serious issues. This one is newer than the last one we went for.
She liked the horses, and reached forward to touch them, but then would pull away at the last minute. She had a lot of fun at the McDonald's Farm, a little fake farm geared for really young children. She got a basket and was able to 'gather' some eggs and 'pick' some vegetables and fruits. We put her basket down while she got to ride a tractor toy and someone took her basket. I think it was a mistake. I saw the girl toddler and her mom walking off with it in the distance, but thought, 'Oh well. We will finish without it.' Hadley got to sit on a tractor and a wooden horse that was wearing a real saddle. She liked seeing the fake sheep, and mostly just running around grabbing all the fake veggies. She did enjoy the apples that they gave them upon exiting.
I think she had a fun day, and even though I only had her to talk to, I had fun with it being just my girl and me.
Can you believe this is New Mexico?! Not what used to come to my mind. And it is really pretty close to where we live!
As for Hadley updates, she is almost 17 months. For a while I felt like she was speaking new words a lot- every few days, but it seems to have slowed a little. She said 'up' today when she wanted down- is that really progress? But she also says 'ball' now, and she runs around the house with my soccer ball throwing it down, picking it up, and actually kicking it around too. She thinks it is really funny when I dribble it around her, and she tries to get it away from me. Tonight she really pulled a new one...she was coughing like crazy in her crib and I went in to check on her and she stood up, giggled, and reached for me to let her out. I laid her back down and left and the coughing started up again. Can you say manipulative?
Alex, one of my former students made us a wonderful dinner while in Utah. She is going off to college now!
My sister, Alyssa, and Hadley in Sea Port Village in San Diego. Hadley wasn't too thrilled about the bird, but had it been a dog...that would have been different. She loves dogs!
I am old! I went to my 10 year high school reunion and met up with my friend that I went to elementary, middle and high school with! Seeing Tina was a highlight of the night! 
And Jade! I played field hockey and soccer through high school with her! She still looked so very much the same!
This one was taken in Missouri. Hadley's cousins were reading to her at bedtime. So cute!
Hadley stole the piece of chocolate that my grams had given to me on my way out the door and shoved it into her mouth before I knew what to do. Little girl likes chocolate- like her momma!
