meeting hailey

I was hoping to stay in Surrey for longer, but only stayed for two days. My friend is due July 14th and her family has a history of delivering early so I didn't want to risk it and miss the babies birth. I figure I can always come back for a three day weekend after the baby is born.

 

Lindsey and I stopped in to meet Hailey on our way to my parent's house. I guess you could say we were a little emotional... or very. We were so excited to meet her! We've been waiting for a long time for her arrival. My oldest niece is 16 and Hailey is her first cousin on our side of the family. My youngest nephew is already 7!

We were most excited because Anthony has been waiting for a long time for this too. He's not a young pup anymore. Watching him with his little girl was amazing! He was so sweet... he would snuggle her and tell her how much he loves her. He is so proud of her and was SO excited to introduce her to us. I could not be happier for him... for them.

 Anth has made it clear that he wants to share Hailey with the family. He wants us to get to know her and to be intentional about developing a relationship with her. I think that's pretty special because I don't want to become "Ashley - the Aunt from (insert location here)". I think some of my family members are defined by where they live rather than who they are. I hardly know many of them and I would love to actually KNOW my nieces and nephews - to be a presence in their life.

 It's times like this that make it hard to live away from my family. I know I don't live far, but I would love to drop in and see Hailey whenever I wanted. I wish I could be there for her day to day life. I wish I could cook for them and bake for them and clean their house. I wish I could see them at family bbq's.

 Hailey is so precious and my family is absolutely head-over-heals in love with her! It is plastered on all of our faces - we think she is the best. And she is. The very best.

She was so alert the entire time we visited her... well until the very end at least. She just stared at us and grunted. It was wonderful! She has the cutest little features. Her eyes are my favorite. Or the way she sucks in her bottom lip and makes her gums stick out. Very cute.

 Look at her!!! It's amazing that her face is still chubby even though she is only 6 lbs. I can't believe they come that small! Her cheeks were delicious. And that new baby smell. If I could bottle that smell I would wear it. It's intoxicating.

 I may have had a bit too much fun squishing her little cheeks, but she didn't seem to mind. And lastly, look at how little she is in her car seat!! (and how much she looks like an old man)

 If she were any smaller the thing would choke her! She barely fits in it. It's the smallest it can be and the clasps are snuggled right under her chin.  What do people do with premature babes?