Family Time

"The virtual photographer forgot to tell me when to smile!  I demand a retake!"

"Grandad, I am your favorite person in the whole wide world, right?  Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

"Uncle Clay, this is a mighty tasty hand.  I should take it home with me."

"I like this story and all, Grandma, but I think I will work on my rolling from back to stomach technique instead."

"Aunt Ailey, what are your secrets for being so photogenic.  Do share."

"OMG, Ritchie, you're going to be my uncle??  Does that mean that one day I will have a cousin with a British accent?"

Christmas just keeps on giving

Hazel spent the weekend after Christmas celebrating the holiday a second time with her mom's side of the family.  She quite enjoyed all of the extra special attention.

Hazel with her loot

Santa only brought functional items this year: pajamas, sippy cups, plastic spoons and of course, MORE RINGS TO CHEW ON.

How Hazel spent her Christmas

Mom and Dad splurged on Christmas day and took Hazel to the ski area daycare center.  It was a win-win: there was two feet of fresh snow in the mountains and Hazel loves to go to daycare (in fact, her report card was: very lovely.  And Mom wondered, maybe they are talking about a different baby??).  As part of her report card, the teacher took a picture of Hazel playing.  Here's Hazel enjoying her Christmas:

Hazel thought long and hard about Daddy's birthday gift

And she was pretty psyched to give him a beautiful Veloforma bike.  Initially, she just wanted to give him some new black socks, but Mom convinced her otherwise.

The requisite Santa picture

Mom, Dad, and Hazel have been trying to see Santa for 10 days, but due to Snowpocalypse 2008 and Dad's long days at work telling the public how bad the weather was, it didn't happen until today.  And even then, only Mom got to go.  We thought about waiting until tomorrow, but it's supposed to snow several more inches AGAIN tomorrow and if we couldn't make it to Santa then, we would really be screwed.

First, we have Mr. Magoo waiting for her first visit with Santa:

Then, we have Ms. Serious sitting on the big man's lap:

Hazel obviously thinks that Christmas is a very serious affair.  "Don't mess around with my gifts," she told Santa.

Yes, Hazel, Santa really does love you

Dad holds down the home front while Mom goes skiing

Growing Little Monkey

Remember this pic (taken at 7 weeks)?

Here's Hazel in the same outfit at 4 1/2 months:

I think her head grew a little.

So did she.  She is now 12.1 lbs. and 24 inches long.  She dropped down to the 15th percentile in weight but the doc says she is happy and healthy, so he's not worried, especially since she seems to be growing in height, if not girth.

I see visions of talking UP to a 13-year-old in my future.

What to do on a snow day

After taking the dog for a walk in the snow and going to the coffee shop for 3 hours, it's time for a little exercise.

Why turn over when you can see everything from your side?

Fine, people.  I will perform for you, but just this once.

That's right.  Clap and cheer.  I know, I know, I deserve it.

Bring on the snow!

Hazel intently studies the radar before she makes her plans for the day.

Hey, look!  Daddy is in the strange black box!  Can you bring some snow home for me, Daddy?

Imagine this at 4 in the morning...

The talking, not the annoying music.  Hazel likes to have conversations with herself every day at 4am- LOUD ones.  Mom and Dad get to lay in bed and listen to her through the monitor (no, they do NOT get her out of bed, in case you were wondering).

Until tonight, that is.  When Mom mentioned the night-time conversations to Hazel's doctor, he looked at her and said, "What?  Does your house have an east wing and a west wing?  Does Hazel sleep in the servants' quarters or something?  Turn that monitor OFF."

No, doc, our house most assuredly does NOT have an east wing nor a west wing.  And as much as I will miss Hazel's monologues on who knows what, I will appreciate my sleep so much more.  Goodbye, monitor!

Hazel Speaks From Her Throne

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Hazel took a little trip to Seattle to celebrate Grandma's birthday with the family.  She wasn't super excited about hanging out in a fancy restaurant, but her Christmas outfit charmed everyone anyway.

Hazel eats her Christmas dress for dessert.  Mom's milk just wasn't enough this evening.

Aunt Marissa, Uncle Nate and Hazel in her Thanksgiving bib.  Oops, wrong holiday.  Gobble, gobble.

Aunt Ailey thinks Hazel needs some hair.  What Ailey doesn't know is that she herself didn't have hair until the age of 10.  All those childhood pictures?  She had a wig on.

Grandma, the honoree, gets the best of Hazel.  Maybe that was just Hazel's way of saying "Happy Birthday".

The baby? She is CRANKY.

It must be the lack of snow in the mountains, because Hazel has not had a very positive Sunday. First, we tried to give her to childcare at the gym.  But they unfortunately closed at 3pm.  Then, we tried to pawn her off on Jeanie, Bryan, and Lander, but even they wouldn't take her.  Guess we're stuck with her for now.

Super Fan

Mom went on a long bike ride with Team Oregon this morning, so Dad took Hazel to watch the USGP Cyclocross Race at PIR.  Then, Mom came home, Dad went on a ride, and everyone went to the USGP Race again (where they met Patrick, Alysha and Baby Silas).  Hazel is turning in to quite the cycling fan.  

Time to exercise

Hazel is the proud owner of a slightly-used Exersaucer.  Since she still only weighs 12 lbs., we had to stuff a blanket in with her to make it fit.  As you can see, she is not entirely confident that this Exersaucer is really all it's cracked up to be.  Will it build muscles and burn fat?  Hazel is skeptical.

Your silly antics do not amuse me

Happy Hazel Daze

Bumbo Time

Hazel wasn't having a lot of success in the Bumbo seat until Mom finally figured out that it's a size issue, not an ability issue.  Duh- Hazel is just too skinny for it!  So, Mom stuffed a thick blanket in there around Hazel and Voila!  A seat with a happy baby.

Hazel 's First Christmas Tree

From The Christmas Tree

Moooooo! Hazel hasn't had a close encounter with a cow in a few weeks (when she was at her Grandad's ranch in Texas) and it was a great kickoff to her first hunt for a Christmas tree a few miles from home in the West Hills.

From The Christmas Tree

Hazel hung out with her mom in the chest pack and they told Daddy which tree looked the best.

From The Christmas Tree

From The Christmas Tree

When we got home Hazel spent a lot of time staring at the pretty lights.

From The Christmas Tree

Hazel approves of Christmas decorations.

From The Christmas Tree

Flying Babies

Baby Hazel and Baby Silas practice their mad skills during the Thanksgiving get-together.

Giving thanks for her family

"Geez," says Hazel, "Are they here YET?  I need some attention STAT."

"I am so grateful for Mom, Uncle Nate, and Aunt Marissa who all took turns pushing me during the 4 mile Turkey Trot.  Thanks for the nice relaxing ride- too bad the rest of you had to actually climb those hills.  Suckers."

"Uncle Clay, when I grow up, can I have hair just like yours?"

"Also, Uncle Clay, can I borrow that hat?"