LIPS!

Yesterday, Hazel found her long-lost tube of delicious LIPS! (Lip gloss) She found the tube in the privacy of her own room. By the time she came out of her room, she was a painted lady! She was rather delighted with herself and I couldn't help but laugh and take a few pictures. What a funny little girl.

I have a tube of "orange lips" in the car. It is rare for Hazel to take a ride in the car and not ask, "orange lips please." I am working on her using just a little lips. Usually, she can be seen in the rear view mirror smearing those orange lips around and around and around her mouth. Afterwards, as she hands the tube back to me, she says "got lots of lips mommy." She says it with complete satisfaction, and follows that with a good smack of her coated orange lips. I hope my little girl always loves a good tube of orange lips. I know I do.

Simply happy

A couple of days ago, Henley had just taken a warm bath. He was relaxed and easily convinced me to let him hang out NAKED for a few minutes before getting diapered and pj'd. It was a photo opportunity! I took a number of photos before he soaked the towel, which I figure was a successful mission. A little boy without a diaper is risky!

One photo I had to get was of Henley with his name train. I took a very similar photo of Hazel at this same age with her name train. I think it is quite obvious these two kids are sibs. They don't just have look-a-like baby cankles, but look-a-like cheeks (both varieties). I know I am biased, but I think they are simply beautiful. They have such sweet personalities too, which makes the whole package quite irresistible. EARLY mornings are so much more palatable when the little one waking you looks like this...

Nearly four months old, already.

My son is a happy one.

When he is serious like this, he reminds me of my brother's baby photos.

When he smiles and his eyes twinkle simply at the sight of ME, I am humbled. How could my presence alone mean so much to someone so perfect?

Cute kids...

In the past week, Henley can JUST touch in the lowest Jumparoo setting. He has already worn out the batteries (with Hazel's help).

Hazel's new favorite song, "Jesus Loves Me." Note, Henley in the background enjoying a basketball game on TV with his daddy.

Mt Pisgah

Saturday, we met up with friends to hike up Mt. Pisgah in Eugene. It was a rare nice day and we all were desperate to get outside for some exercise and fresh air. Femeke and Andrin joined us along with Julie, Macey, Murphy and Matt. Hazel was quite excited for yet another new adventure. She was a champ riding up the mountain in the backpack. On the way down, she insisted on walking quite a bit, and she did faboulous. Henley was in the ERGO the whole way, just waking near the end of the 2 hour hike. What a trooper.

The hike was memorable, Julie made is clear that a jogger stroller may not be the best method of getting young children up the mountain! She was amazing and we made it all the way to the top!! Beau had never gone up Pisgah, so it was a new place to explore locally. We hope to do it again soon.

Macey had the smoothest ride, and she could be heard encouraging her mom as she pushed her up the mountain.

Sweet Andrin enjoying the view from his mommy's back.

Just as we reached the top - Beautiful view!

Double rainbow from the top. It did sprinkle on us a bit just as we were about to reach the top.

If you ZOOM in on this photo you can see the quaint little community in which we live. Such a pretty place to call home.

It got COLD on the walk down the mountain. A fun time with friends!

Breaking in the BOB!

Today was the nicest day we have had in a long time. We even saw the sun for a spell. At work, Beau and I planned for a late afternoon run along our local river paths. We used to run these paths all the time when we lived in town. We trained for a few marathons on these paths, and Beau even ran one on the same paths. We LOVE the river path system in Eugene/Springfield!

It was a JOY to load up the car with the two kids, the BOB stroller (thanks again Jasper staff), and our Bella. We may not set any speed records, but we kept a decent pace and finished sufficiently tired and hungry. I already am thinking about when we can do that again!

My two kiddos ready for today's adventure!

Henley all snuggled in to the BOB for the first time! He did fabulous during the ride, staring up at the passing trees and clouds. Once I heard a bit of a grunt from the little guy, but other than that he was content to take in the fresh air. It sure did smell wonderful out there. So fresh and clean. I LOVE Oregon.

At the turn around spot, halfway done! Hazel thought it was time to get out. Thankfully, she settled back into her seat and enjoyed the second half of the adventure.

Fuzzy, but proof that I was there. Sorry Beau...didn't get a photo of you, and you really were the one to push the kiddos the whole way! I had Bella tugging me along. She LOVED being back on the Eugene river paths. We need to do this more often!

Hazel is such a little Duck at heart. She spots the Oregon "O's" all over town...on cars, signs, and of course at Autzen Stadium! We parked just across the street from the hallowed home to Duck Football and she was quite delighted! Oh, and whenever she sees the "O" for Oregon, she says, "I saw number O mommy!" Letters, numbers...ahh, we will work on that one someday.

Hazel insisted on walking the last bit to the car. Someday I hope she will be a running partner!

What is this little guy thinking now? Wish we could know!

Hazel ready to head back home, another adventure complete!

Bella was happy to come along for the adventure, she just wished she had a smidge more room in the back of the car!

Thanks to Beau's favorite Christmas gift (above), we know we ran exactly 4.70 miles. However, I don't know how much I like this new gadget of his. He definitely upped his pace at the end of our run, pushing himself (and me in the process) to run just a little bit faster. Ugh!



A quick video before we headed back for the car. Hazel really did enjoy herself, no matter how she seems in the video. Promise!

My Buddy and Me!

Hazel was very interested in playing with Henley yesterday. Beau had to work for a few hours and during that time Hazel occupied herself (and Henley) by insisting on playing with him. She and he played tea party, read stories, and sang songs. Henley's expressions during all this were priceless. As was Hazel's determination to get Henley to cooperate during the tea party. The silly boy seemed to want to spill his "tea" over and over and over again! I was thoroughly entertained and look so forward to watching these two grow and their relationship as well.

Henley eyes his tea cup his sister so delicately places in front of his soon to be flailing three month old arms!

More friends were invited to the tea party.

A brief moment the hostess paused to survey her party.

Ooooh!

No crying over this spilled tea.

Beyond tea parties, these two took their first bath together the other night. Hazel was delighted! If Henley's incessant kicks were an indicator of joy, he was quite delighted as well!

This was so funny. I thought I was taking a video of Hazel and Henley sitting together, and Hazel started pounding on the wall saying she was putting things on the blog. It was news to me that she knows what a blog is, well at least sorta. I don't typically post to the blog by hitting my kitchen wall.

Here is Henley quickly disturbing Hazel's efforts at a peaceful afternoon of tea.

Hazel thought they needed some story-time along with their tea.

Hazel playing the "Elmo" game with Henley.

If Henley goes to kindergarten thinking this is how you sing the ABC's - watch out! Hazel is such a good teacher - makes learning FUN!

DRY Undies!!

We have made the official switch this week from diapers to pull-ups. Today I took it a little further, and when Hazel came home at 2:00 this afternoon, I put her in some big girl panties. She was DRY until bedtime. She went pee-pee 7 times from 2:00 to 8:00. I reminded her to go 4 times, but 3 times she told me she had to go...and she did!!

We are so proud of her, and she just glowed from the attention. Or was it the allure of JELLY BEANS? She got a special treat - one Jelly Belly bean for each time she was dry and went potty in the toilet.

She had such success, she and I had to run a quick errand at 5:00 to the local market for more jelly beans. Whatever it takes is my motto right now, well...within reason. I refuse to buy one of those giant tubs of Jelly Belly's from Costco. You know who would end up eating MOST of them!

My plan is to have her continue with the pull-ups at night and during her time at day care until she is regularly dry. But, when she is home I hope to take advantage of every opportunity to get her in those big girl panties. She is a big girl, and keeps proving more and more she is ready! Where did that little baby girl go?

Wednesday after work...

Yesterday I brought Henley home when I got off work and Beau took Hazel into town for a few errands. Ever since Henley arrived, it has been fun to see Beau and Hazel take off on daddy/daughter ADVENTURES! She loves spending this alone time with her daddy, and I know he loves it too. I thought they were just going to the bank and vet for Bella's medicine. After they had been gone longer than I had anticipated, I sent Beau a text asking for an ETA. (The Costco pizza was waiting to be baked.) He wrote back with the picture below and this message, "We made a little stop."

I had mentioned a few times over the past week that I really wanted to get her hair cut, just never found the time. Daddy did!!

Just before she dunked under the water, here is my smiling girl with her trimmed bangs!

*

I feel it only fair to Henley to share a few photos I took of him during our special mommy/son time yesterday afternoon while we waited for Beau and Hazel. He is such a happy boy. Truly, he smiles so often I wonder if his cheeks hurt! I hope not, as he has some hefty cheeks. Here are some photos of my happy little man. Oh, and his favorite "toy" these days are his very special two little hands. He has his fingers in his mouth all the time. Hazel didn't get her first tooth until she was in her 11th month...wonder if her brother will sprout one earlier? Nice that his favorite chew toys are always within reach!

Wonder what those sweet baby fingers taste like?

Henley ponders his mommy's wise words of wisdom.

Happy guy in action.

Macey's BOUNCE birthday party

After a day of fun in the snow on Saturday to celebrate Macey's birthday, today we celebrated Macey's birthday with her at her party. Her mommy, Julie, sure does know how to throw a fabulous party!!

Macey's party was at Bounce Gymnastics, and Hazel seemed to remember how much fun she had there last year the minute we walked in the door. Her shoes flew off, coat too...and away she went to play with her friends! Thanks for inviting us Macey, we had a great weekend celebrating with you your big #4.

Birthday girl taking a bounce - go Macey!

Hazel wasn't extremely coordinated on the trampoline, but she sure was a lot more coordinated than she was last year at 16 months old. She had such FUN!

Run, Macey, RUN!

Hazel loved falling down as much as she did jumping!

Jump, Jump, JUMP!

Andrin was such fun to watch, as he explored all the fun toys at Bounce.

Theme of the party was the Little Mermaid - so SHELL mac and cheese for dinner.

Hazel and her good friend Naia. These two love giving each other hugs and are so SWEET to each other. They have look alike piggies most days.

BONK! Laugh it off girls.

HA HA HA!

The three child swing was a hit again this year. Here are some of the older kiddos enjoying a swing. (They go a bit HIGHER than the littles.)

Next, Hazel and her little friends Naia and Lukas go for a swing...

Pure GLEEEEEEEEEEE!!

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Macey has always been so good with the little ones at day care...Here she is playing with Natalie. (Macey has had a baby "Hazel" dolly since Hazel was born. Now she has a baby "Henley" dolly two. What a sweet little girl she is.)

Brothers Evan and Noah enjoy a swing together.

I stole a quick picture of the birthday girl when she was trapped in her fort!

Still trapped, but happily so.

Macey's lovely Ariel cake - a work of art - but still quite edible! Yum!!

Happy Birthday dear Macey!

Henley was in the Ergo for the first 1/2 of the party, then he came out to play!!

Ari and Andrin having fun on the cushy mat.

Macey and a new dolly. (Had to pry this one from Hazel's hands before we could leave at the end of the party. Oh what fun!)

Beau and Henley hanging out.