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?"

Ski Patrolling

Hazel headed up to the mountain yesterday for her first day of ski patrolling.  She plans to be the youngest qualified member of the Junior Patrol, so she spent her day in the First Aid Room, learning the ropes.

Afterwards, she came home and performed amazing feats like turning over and hitting her head.  It's tough to be such a talented baby.

Going on an afternoon bike ride

Hazel is turning in to quite the cyclist.  She went on her second bike ride in as many weeks, proving that Dad IS in pretty good race shape.  Let's see...a 17 lb. bike + 11.5 lb. Hazel + 20 lb. bike trailer (give or take a few lbs.) + 3 lb. carseat = a lot of work for Dad.  Mom thinks that 10 months of carrying Hazel in her stomach vs. 3 years of pulling Hazel in the bike trailer is a pretty fair deal.  After much debate, Hazel agreed.

Hazel finds her voice

A brief moment of calm

Hazel has always preferred her laying on her back to laying on her stomach, but now that she is a whopping almost-4-months, Mom decided that it's time to get over it.  This picture was taken right after she spit up (check out those yummy regurgitated breast milk chunks) and right before she decided to throw a fit about the whole "laying on her stomach" thing.

Bear Suit #2

Beth was sad that Hazel outgrew her last bear suit, so she made sure Hazel got another one.  Babies in bear suits- it doesn't get much better than this.

Nap time on a sick day

Hazel has some sort of stomach virus today and she is not herself.  How do we know?  She fell asleep on her play mat.  This is a girl who fights naps on general principle.  Mom is leaving her there until she wakes up, poor girl.

Junior

Mom noticed that Hazel has a new obsession with grabbing things and putting them in her mouth, so Mom decided it was time to let Hazel have Junior.  Junior is a very small blanket that looks like a dog.  His name is Junior because, you know, we couldn't offend Noah.  Hazel doesn't seem to mind.

Busy day

Hazel?  She doesn't slow down for nothin'.  She spent her Sunday cheering Dad on at his cyclocross race:

(This is Dad's teammate, Vanessa.  She is in love with Hazel, so we like her.)

Then, she went to Cannon Beach to eat steamed clams and fried oysters and generally enjoy a beautiful afternoon at the beach:

To finish off her day, she hopped in the car for a jaunt back to Portland and dinner at Murray and Molly's house:

When Hazel got home, she was worn out, but that didn't stop her from asking, "Can we do it again tomorrow?"

Cycling trip

Hazel went on her first cycling trip to the Mosier Tunnels.  She is not quite big enough to ride in the trailer without her car seat, so Dad had the distinct pleasure of pulling the trailer with the extra weight of Hazel AND the car seat, which was no problem because he is super burly.  Hazel enjoyed the excursion and did what she always does: spent the first half looking at everything and the second half sleeping.

Girly Girl

When Hazel was 6 weeks old, her great-grandmother gave her this fancy outfit and Mom as SURE that she wouldn't fit in to it for a very long time.  Mom was wrong.  With shrinkage from the dryer and Hazel's recent growth spurt, it fits perfectly.  There is hardly any extra room length-wise, but plenty of room width-wise.  Grow, Banana Baby, grow!

Yo CUZ

This is Hazel and her second cousin, Sloane.  Hazel may be small for her age, but she still seems a lot bigger than Sloane.  Here, Hazel looks at Sloane skeptically.  Sheesh, 4-week-olds are such BABIES.  Because, you know, 3-month-olds are so mature and all.

Hazel likes BBQ

She just doesn't know it yet.

Hazel goes to college

While touring around Texas, Mom and Hazel stopped by Southwestern University, Mom's alma mater, for their Homecoming festivities.  "Hmmm..." Hazel thought, "While this is a pretty awesome university, I think I may just go to Harvard instead."

Hi Daddy! I miss you!

Yee-HAW

Hazel is in Texas.  Can you tell?

First Bike Ride

Mom has her triathlon bike set up on the trainer in the living room.  Hazel has been eager to get in to the saddle since birth, but her legs are still a little too short to reach the pedals.  Guess she has a little longer to hang out in the bike trailer.

Who couldn't love a face like this?

Verboort Sausage Festival

Mom, Dad and some friends rode to the Verboort Sausage Festival on their bikes, but Hazel got to ride in the car.  She also got to enjoy the bountiful homemade sausage.