Oh BOY!

We had our ultrasound today and got the fabulous news that not only is the baby looking perfectly healthy but our baby is a little BOY! It is so wonderful to KNOW, now we can start thinking about raising a SON and sharing with Hazel all about being a big sister to a little BROTHER. She has been saying "baby brother" today (with my prompting) and it is just about the most darling thing I have ever heard. She gets a big smile on her face as she says it. I am trying to get a video to share, so stay tuned.

Yes, we are thrilled to know the baby's gender, but more than anything we are over the moon that HE is developing perfectly. Such an amazing thing to see! A miracle really. We had a great day, as I am sure you can imagine. I attempted to work this afternoon, though my productivity was definitely sub-par.

The poll was such a neck-and-neck battle...but in the end proved slightly wrong. I will admit now that I did vote twice - and it was BOY both times. :) Would I have admitted this if I were wrong, likely not!!

Here are a few peeks at baby BOY today. Thanks for sharing in our excitement.

This was the first view we saw of our SON today. Good thing we wanted to find out gender, no hiding his BOY parts with this angle! Will HE be embarrassed by this photo in a few years?

HE was a mover and a shaker, so we didn't get great photos...though clearly HE is handsome...all seven ounces of HIM! (Note HIS umbilical cord attached to HIS tummy.)

Oh my, more pictures?

Poor quality, but this is a video of the VHS video playing on our home computer...use your imagination if you must!

Rockaway Rendezvous

Where to begin? We just got home from a fabulous weekend with family on the Oregon Coast, Rockaway Beach...one of our favorite destinations!

Hazel has spent many afternoons checking out her cousin Oliver on his blog (see Hamilton Family), but had yet to meet him face to face...until Saturday!

Saturday, we all met up on the beach and the fun continued from there. Beau's Uncle Dick was celebrating his 60th birthday with his family in Rockaway. Perfect for us, as we love going to Rockaway and never pass up a chance to visit. Beau's parents, Bruce and Roberta joined as well to ring in Bruce's big brother's 60th!

Oh, and not only was it exciting for Hazel to meet Oliver...but it was equally exciting for me to see Beau's cousin Carrie again! We had only met once previously, nearly 4 years ago...and since have become friends via all forms digital! It was great to meet face to face and share REAL conversation! :) I hope we can all get together again as you will see in the photos to come that we had a wonderful time with family...

I have tried to condense my 300 pictures from the weekend, and I do think I did a fair job. However, you still my need to go get a fresh cup of coffee before you sit to view ALL these pictures!

A brisk day on the beach wouldn't keep us away!

Looking a little suspicious...if I were Beau I would be nervous!

I just thought it was funny that Beau stooped to tie his shoe and Hazel "stooped" as well. Thank goodness for safety belts!

Hazel needed to stretch her legs and took Grandma along for the walk.

Yes my nose is cold, but I love the Oregon coast!

Hazel became quite the beach-comber over the weekend, picking up MANY rocks and shells and stowing them away in her quickly bulging pockets.

I just found a fabulous rock and I am HAPPY!

We finally met up with our cousins on the beach! What fun that was...well, Hazel was a little overwhelmed at first, but quickly warmed to her new friends!

We went out for pizza and Hazel was most interested in the lemon "appetizers". Oh my!! Good thing she is so sweet to balance out the sour!

This was my best capture of the hugs shared by Hazel and Oliver! It was precious and this picture definitely doesn't do it justice.

Here is Beau's snail. He went for a run and came back to snag the camera and take back off for the beach. His mark - this snail he found precariously perched on a tall blade of grass. My husband...an artist?

Good eye Beau!

Day two on the beach. It was a little warmer (like a degree), so Hazel only wore one coat today.

My parents came to join in on the fun Sunday, so here is Hazel enjoying a beach walk with her Grandma and Nana...can it get any better?

Hazel's two grandpa's enjoy conversation as they stroll the beach. Bruce pulls off the pink bucket rather well I must admit.

Beau demonstrates Bella's leaping abilities. Is this why she slept ALL the way home today?

My two favorite bumps on a log.

Someones little legs grew weary and daddy's back was yet again the perfect perch.

We meet up once again! Hazel, I see Oliver!

Hazel shares a bunny cracker with Oliver...her sandy hand to his sandy mitten.

Forget the hand exchange, Hazel moves right in and gives Oliver his bunny the right way! He was so trusting and so was she...

Thanks for the bunny Oliver!

What a cutie with the lavender tools!

DIRTY!

Hazel didn't like the sand getting on her hands, or her pants, or her sweatshirt. Hmm...this could be a problem as the entire beach is made of that annoying stuff. She is sounding more and more like her daddy these days!

Oliver and Hazel playing hard.

We tried a mom and child shot, Hazel...not such a happy camper at this point....oh well, we tried!

Tired, wet, and DIRTY...we head back to the beach house for dry, clean clothes and a LONG nap.

We had a feast of a dinner on Sunday night. Prawns, halibut, salmon and oysters! YUM!! Here is the shucking of the oysters.

Freshly grilled oysters in a bath of butter and garlic. Nothing better!!

Oliver has such a sweet personality, what fun it was to see him in REAL life and not just in pictures and videos on his blog. (I love blogs - of course - but you can't beat seeing this little guy in person!)

Group shot. I hope we can all get together again sooner rather than later.

The kids loved taking in the sunset through the big front window. They were standing on a little stool so they could have the best "perch".

Rio full of smiles!!

Hazel with her grandpa this morning as we had to say our final goodbye to the ocean and head for home.

Hazel and her grandparents. Weekends like this go by way too fast. We will be back Twin Rocks!

One last pose...and then off to the car we go...bye bye ocean!

Hazel then proceeded to play with her hidden treasure on the drive home...her pockets were FULL of shells and rocks. It was hard to peel them out of her hot little hands. She does prefer her rocks and shells to be clean and not DIRTY.

New toy for Beau...I mean Hazel.

Yesterday, Beau came home from work, sat down on the couch and informed me that we needed to go to town to buy something. He wore a smile, so I knew to be suspicious! Turns out he had a great idea. (He has a great one every now and again. :)

He wanted to buy a red wagon for Hazel. Or is it for him? Hard to say. Check out the new purchase as it was put to good use this evening as we all strolled through our tiny little town.

Hazel LOVED every moment! Tonight, Beau said that stroll through town was the highlight of his week...seeing Hazel thoroughly enjoy her ride in her little red wagon I am convinced it was her highlight as well.

Did I mention he insisted we buy the "all terrain" model. Should I be worried?

Yippee!

She was so relaxed as she reclined into the wooden guard rails.

Bumping along in her little red wagon....

Daddy peeks to make sure the smile is still there! It is.

Showing off all around town in her little red wagon.

Those hands were cold as we pulled into the garage, no complaints from Hazel. Tonight, I imagine she is dreaming of her next adventure in her little red wagon. Beau may be also!

Patrick & Bonnie by Hazel

During dinner tonight, while "dip dipping" her chicken nuggets in ketchup, Hazel started saying "Patrick & Bonnie" over and over again. I guess she too is getting excited for their May nuptials. She kept it up long enough for me to get the camera and catch her in action. I love how she says "Packitch." Oh, and don't you love her CHEESE ball face coated with a layer of ketchup? We sure get a kick out of it. This evening's charismatic Hazel is a welcome sight, as she has been quite sick with a terrible fever for the past two days. Yay for having our happy and healthy girl back!!

Below is another video from tonight. Sorry the footage is all of Hazel eating...but it was SO nice to have her back in the land of the living...her smiles were gone for two whole days, so I am going to capture as many as I can.

Beau left to run an errand during this video. I love how she blows him a kiss as he heads for the door. This video also captures Hazel "singing" her new "song" the "ABC's." A week ago she was saying "A-B-C"...and now she goes through "G." It is cute and she is so proud of herself. Sometimes she throws in a "M-N-O" and ends her song with a "i know i know abc with me" (her version of the ending). I am determined to get it all on video one of these days....

Donald's tribute song

A month from tomorrow my dear brother Patrick will be marrying a wonderful woman named Bonnie. We couldn't be happier they are tying the knot! Donald sang this special song for Patrick and Bonnie last weekend. Yes, it was Easter Sunday...though at end of the video you will hear Donald's candid reply when I ask him what the song has to do with Easter.

We have always been struck by Donald's charisma, he has it by the bucket-full...as well as his commanding voice. This voice gets him in trouble often in school, but when he gets a song going...all heads turn to him! :) I hope you enjoy Donald's tribute to the engaged couple.

Here is Donald singing "My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean".....

Rainy Easter!

We had our Easter hunt for Donald and Hazel inside on Sunday due to rainy Oregon conditions. Not spectacular outdoor pictures of Hazel with basket in hand, running through the grass in her floral dress...but she was delighted with the indoor hunt. (Donald was too.)

Hazel didn't realize that the little bits falling out of the plastic eggs were edibile candies - until she got her little hands on a roll of Smarties! She is a smartie, and figured out how to get those little bits of yum yum into her mouth! :)

Here are a few pictures from Easter Sunday...

Donald breaks for a quick picture mid hunt!

I had to include this. Hazel eating one of Nana's biscuits...boosted with not ONE but TWO phone books! Maybe in a few months we will only need one? Probably next week with the rate she is growing before our eyes.

Happy Belated Easter everyone!!