My Niece, Hailey Jade

Hailey Jade is a wonder baby. Seriously. She is the best. It was great to spend three solid days with her and Jenn so I could get to know her a bit better. I have concluded that she is, as I said, a wonder baby.

For starters, she doesn't cry. Ever. She will make whiny noises when she decides she is hungry or that she needs a change of scenery, but she never cries. And, her whiny noises are so delightful!

Secondly, she is very good at entertaining herself. We canned applesauce on Thursday and she entertained herself for the majority of the time. She has this little play mat that makes music and lights up and she endlessly kicks it and giggles. She didn't even mind her cousins bombarding her while she was playing.

It's a good thing she can entertain herself because the next thing that makes Hailey so special is that she doesn't like to be held for very long. Forget about cuddling chest to chest this girl likes to look around. Enjoy the few minutes you have her in your arms because she will undoubtedly get fussy and want to be put down. I kid you not, she would rather lay on the floor or sit in her chair thingy than stay cuddled up in your arms. This makes her a wonder baby, but also makes me sad because I love nothing more than snuggling with a baby.  It's a good thing Jenn told me too or else I would have had a frustrated baby on my hands. What do you do when a baby gets whiny and sad?? Pick them up and snuggle. Nope, this girl likes to be put down and left alone. If she is down and whines it is because she wants you to sit and chat with her... but don't pick her up.

Hailey is also amazing because she has been smiling and laughing since she was three weeks old. I didn't believe it until I saw it, but when I met her at 2 weeks she was already laughing and beginning to make happy noises. Now she hands smiles out like they are going out of style - which they never will. She has just started finding her voice... by this I mean that I sat with her on the floor in front of me and we chatted. Like responsive talking. Like I would say something and she would move her tongue around making all sorts of baby noises in response to what I was saying.

Hailey is the most alert baby I have ever met. She has always been this way. I know that everybody thinks they have the smartest baby in the world, but I genuinely think she is the most alert and smartest baby I have ever met. Remember that mat that I was talking about? The one that lights up and makes noise? She has to kick it in order for it to keep going and she intentionally kicks it. I'm serious. She will wind up her leg and kick it in the exact same spot each time - no flailing for this baby. It's amazing.

I really wish you could all meet Hailey Jade and see for yourselves. She is wonderful. I am so glad I got to visit with her and her mama.