Drummer Girl

Michelle came to visit us this weekend, as Hurricane Ike did a number on Galeveston - where she is in school to get her PhD. Hazel had lots of fun with Michelle, and I will go out on a limb and say that Michelle had fun with her too! I love the video below - Hazel really loves her music! Michelle bought her the "Bee Bob Band" toy for her birthday, quite a HIT! (No pun intended - okay, it was!)

We were sad to see Michelle go - she was such great entertainment for Hazel! We look forward to Christmastime - when we get to see her again. Love ya Michelle!

We took a walk along the Eugene river paths today. It started cool and overcast, but after a few miles it got warm. Hazel chilled out in the stroller like a champ!

Story time for Michelle and Hazel

Oh Happy Day...just me and my drum!

Like mother, like daughter...

We have another treadmill junkie on our hands! No (Nana and Grandma), it wasn't on!!

Fall is a time for sweaters...

Hazel was given this sweater by Brock, our foster son who lived with us in the months up to her birth last year. I am quite fond of Fall and the sweaters that can be worn this time of year. This wool sweater may be a bit too warm, given our evenings are still quite mild...but soon enough, this warm wool sweater will not suffice as the temperatures continue to drop!!

Hazel gave me this look and I knew...she needed to stretch her legs.

Below, see the video of Hazel working hard to catch up to her Daddy, who was playing soccer in the far side of the field with Christian. (Christian is a 7 year old boy who has been living with us temporarily, until another foster home is located for him.)

Artichoke Lover - Already!

Hazel surpised me yet again today, by insisting on trying the artichoke I was having with dinner and then wanting, more...more...more. Who knew that with only two baby bottom teeth she would be able to make such work of that artichoke leaf!!

I LOVE artichokes and Beau was introduced to his love for them on one of his first visits to my parents home - while we were dating. Since, we get them a few times a season - and this evening was one such occasion. Looks like I will be buying 3 instead of 2 in very little time.

Clean Car Seat!

So...Hazel never spit-up or vomited AT ALL when she was itty bitty. She never did.

Well...in the past few months, she has vomited in the car seat 5 times. Twice in the past week. No fever, no other indications of her feeling sick...just all the sudden, here comes BREAKFAST! So...then comes the CHORE of taking the car seat and all it's 10,000 pieces apart, washing it all, and then trying to remember to put it all back together the right way. Here is Hazel enjoying her fresh and clean car seat once I put it together AGAIN, this afternoon.

She was funny about the car seat being in the living room. She didn't hesitate to climb on in....and began talking up a storm. I got the giggles at one point as she looked so funny all snug and strapped in on the living room floor. She just sat and seemed ready to head out on an adventure.

Hazel is such a talker - today it really seemed as though she had a lot to say. Her little voice is becoming less and less "little" as she learns she has many volumes too!!

Baby Crayons

So, I bought these baby crayons for Hazel's first birthday...and just this weekend got them out for experimentation. Hazel was happier to throw them off her high chair and watch mommy draw with them, than to try anything like that herself. We will try again...another time. I am sure the fridge will be covered with Hazel's materpieces in no time.

Starburst Candy!

Hazel enjoyed herself last Sunday at the 2nd birthday party of her friend, Dray! Dray moved far too fast for me to get photos, but here is Hazel happy as a clam, sitting up on the table with a big bowl of colorful Starbust candies! Little did she know that you can eat them! Thank goodness!

One Year Check-Up

Hazel got a clean bill of health today from her peditrician. That always makes a mom feel so good. He said she looks very healthy and happy...well, until she got some shots. Poor baby. She recovers quickly, but still....when will they devise a way to do those immunizations with drops or chewy gummies? :)

Here are her stats at 1 year in comparison to her birth stats. What a big girl!!

Weight:
birth - 7lbs 1oz
1 yr - 20lbs 14oz (48th percentile!)

Height:
birth - 19.5"
1 yr - 30" (78th percentile!)

Hazel's Top 10

At One-Year-Old, Hazel's Top-10 most favorite things...

10) Baths

9) Babies

Hazel has a number of toy babies and she adores them all. I can say, "go get baby" and she crawls right on over to the baby doll and brings baby back to me. She cuddles her babies so sweetly too and loves hauling them with her as she crawls around onto her next adventure.

This Cabbage Patch baby was mine when I was young, now Hazel loves playing with her when we visit Nana and Grandpa's house.

8) Kisses

Hazel has just recently begun puckering up for a kiss, though still some of her kisses are WIDE open mouth and usually there is some tongue involved! She loves giving (and getting) kisses!

7) Peek-a-boo

6) Rubber Duck(ies)

How could she not love duckies living here...Go DUCKS! Recently, Hazel has begun "quack quack quack-ing" in the bathtub when she has a ducky in her chubby hands.

5) ATTENTION from anyone!

I don't have a specific photo for this one, but a little info on my extrovert! Anytime Hazel gets strapped into a shopping cart, Little Miss Charming emerges! Hazel LOVES to wave and offers up smiles for just about everyone we pass while shopping. She is sooo much more outgoing than both her parents...and we love it.

4) Oatmeal with Mommy

Every morning, I make up two packets of the Kirkland Organic Instant Oatmeal (sooo good) and Hazel and I share. She loves all the flavors, and would likely eat the entire bowl if given the chance. It is such a fun way to start the day with her, and I look forward to seeing Hazel's excited face when I walk out with the "bowl"....she knows what that means!

3) Mommy's Cell Phone

2) New Ladybug Toy

1) Bananas!!

Time to PARTY!

Yesterday we celebrated Hazel's 1st Birthday at the local marina. The theme was FUN, summer picnic, and red ladybugs! Our little lady was in great spirits and seemed to really enjoy all the friends who were able to come. A highlight, or two...definintely the cupcake consumption...and of course the time with friends and family.

It is remarkable - really, unbelievable - that 365 days have nearly passed since we welcomed our Hazel into our family. What a sweet little girl she is and we love her more than we ever thought possible. She makes our family swell with joy, and we haven't laughed so hard before - you should see this girl eat! Hazel is so special and we are so very thankful for a wonderful first year of health and happiness! We look forward to watching each new milestone as they come and we enjoy living life again through a child's eyes. Here are some moments from yesterday...

I couldn't find a headband to match her red ladybug outfit - so I made this headband for Hazel. Don't look close or you will see I need to head back to 6th grade home-ec class.

Happy girl!

Lauren all ready for the water in her pink getup!

Luke, Carson & Dray enjoy some juice

Andre is getting ready to be a big brother in just over a week!

Birthday girl with love from Nana and Grandma

Cute Dray!

Nathan enjoyed the rocky/sandy shore - what a cutie!

Jake, Ryan and Ang - Jake, we are going to miss you! :(

Macey is such a special little friend to Hazel

Great cards!

Femeke's creation was much appreciated!

Uncle Patrick & Auntie Bonnie got Hazel this fabulous hat, she had to try it on right away.

Ryan and Nathan get some snacks

Lauren is very interested in that cupcake!

Nathan showing off his baby blues

Nana and Hazel

Grandpa checks out the festivities

Birthday girl

Daddy Beau getting his Oasis Island ready for the lake

Oasis Island in action

Hazel watched the fun from the shore, but she was so pleased to see her friends enjoying the lake on such a beautiful day.

Hazel gears up for her gifts - everyone spoiled her sufficiently...and then some...and then some...and then some. Thank You!

Hazel was delighted with the gifts, but really her favorite was the packaging materials. She was so impressed that her friends selected such fabulous tissue paper and put their cards in such interesting envelopes.

Nana made the cupcakes, all 60 of them! They were delicious, though no one enjoyed them as much as the birthday girl...

Happy Birthday Dear Hazel...

Hazel started eating the cupcake very daintily, even sharing with mommy, until...

She had enough of being dainty and grabbed that cupcake with gusto!

More efficient gobbling with two hands!

Do you think she liked her cupcake?

The 3 ONE YEAR old Amigos!

Nathan, Hazel & Ryan

Nuzzle from Ryan...Isn't she a little young yet?

Love from both sets of grandparents

bite for Grandpa?