Hazel's top TEN at TWO years old

Hazel celebrated her second birthday this past Tuesday!! Here is a look at what makes Hazel happy at age TWO...

10. Books - Read by a loved one, or read by herself...Hazel loves a great story. Some of her favorites at age two are; Five Little Monkeys, Good Dog Carl, and Bless Me.

9. Singing - Hazel especially loves rounds of sing-a-long by the family in the car. Her favorite track, ABC's. Other favorite songs she loves; Muffin Man, Twinkle Twinkle, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Mr. Moon, This Little Light of Mine, and of course HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

8. Cuddling - Hazel has become quite the cuddle-bug in the past few months. Unfortunately, her mommy is running out of good space to cuddle with the ever growing belly. Hazel has adapted, and every morning can be heard asking to "cuddle shoulder mommy." I hoist her up to perch on my belly and she then rests her head on my shoulder.

7. Hugs and kisses - Hazel is such a warm and loving little girl. She showers her mommy and daddy with hugs and kisses throughout the day. Often, after getting a hug goodbye in the morning, she will run back into the house to give her daddy "more hugs." Hazel also shares sweet hugs and smooches with her friends at day care. Often, when I arrive to pick her up it takes us a good 10 minutes to leave as Hazel has to do her rounds giving hugs goodbye. She certainly has a sweet little heart.

6. Wagon rides - Some of Hazel's most favorite outings this summer have been her wagon rides to the park courtesy of her daddy. Hazel is so content to sit in her wagon and bump-bump her way to the park and back. It will be fun to see her share her wagon with her baby brother next year.

5. JELLY BEANS! - Hazel discovered Jelly Belly jelly beans at the cabin this summer, thanks to Jill and Kelsey. For ages after we returned, Hazel thought every small colorful item was a jelly bean. Key to Hazel's heart...a handful of jelly beans! 4. Lips - Hazel is such a little girl. She discovered a love of lip gloss/chapstick a few months ago. She also is a quick study and discovered quickly all the drawers and special places where mommy keeps her stash. She has been told she has to ask mommy before using "lips." She will at times come out with a full slather of sticky gloss on her mouth (chin and nose), and proudly say to her mommy, "ask mommy!" Hmm...we have to work on that one.

3. Pretty Nails - Hazel's Nana polished her nails for her months ago, and ever since Hazel LOVEs having her nails painted. She sits sooo still and is patient as she softly blows them dry. Hazel also is an admirer of other's "pretty nails," always commenting whenever she spies a nice pedi/mani.

2. BIG GIRL BED - Hazel has embraced this step in her growing up, sigh. She loves playing bedtime in her bed with all her friends...Cookie, Elmo, Ernie, baby Andrin, Owlie. She tucks them in, reads them books, and sings them to sleep.

1. Baby Brother - Hazel will see me touch my moving belly, and she runs over, puts her hand on my belly and asks "moving?" She talks about baby brother often and points to the crib and says "baby brother's bed." I don't know how much her two year old mind grasps, but she seems to be gearing up for our new arrival. Baby brother will be covered in Hazel kisses before we know it...

Two years old! Wow...Hard to believe. My little girl is certainly becoming more and more of a big girl. She is embracing the new skills she continues to learn...drinking from cups without lids, sleeping in big beds, reaching the light-switch, climbing steps on her own.... I embrace her enthusiasm for all these new milestones, but often wish to slow down time, if just a little.

We love you Hazel!