Merry Christmas!

They Just Don't Make 'Em Any Cuter Than This

Love that pretty face!

I squeal at her cuteness every time she's in the bunting.

Hot stuff for her church debut.

Absolutely irrisistable in her sleep.

Update and Thanks

I wanted to grab the opportunity to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers that Todd would be able to be present for Hazel's birth. We feel so blessed that it worked out so well. Todd came home for Thanksgiving and he and I were able to have several days together, just the two of us for the last time. It was so fantastic having him home again. He's so much fun to be with. And he was busy doing projects for me the whole time he was here - putting window plastic in Hazel's windows to keep out the cold; fixing the dishwasher; changing the shelves in the fridge so they hold things more efficiently; making lists of how-to's to keep by the computer for all those things I always ask him how to do. I've got the best husband in the universe!

We had an induction scheduled for Monday morning (Hazel's due date) but I ended up going into labor on my own that morning, which I was so grateful for (although it meant not much sleep from 2:00 in the morning on!). And then Todd was able to be here for another week, which was wonderful. (I really liked the part where I could cuddle close to him at night again, instead of having a gigantic watermelon between the two of us. I missed that!)

I loved watching him with Hazel. He is fantastic with her! She loves to hear his voice. He always calls her "girl." It's sweet to hear him talk to her: "Hey, girl, c'mere." So cute.

We were also able to gather the family together and bless Hazel Friday night, which was something very important to us, that Todd would be able to be the one to give her her baby blessing. (Awesome job making the dress, Mom!)

Todd's in Oklahoma now, leaving for Afghanistan this weekend. It's hard for me to wrap my mind and heart around how I can be so extremely full of happiness and grief at the same time. Hazel is an amazing blessing that we have waited for for a very long time. I have a hard time peeling my eyes off of her. She's such a doll. And I miss Todd so much I feel sick to my stomach and tears are always filling my eyes. It's hardest at night, when I can still smell him on his pillow. (I miss you, babe!)

I love Hazel's little Budda pose. So sweet!

Whose Face Does She Have?

We found some baby pictures of both of us, and while the pictures are a bit old and grainy, we are soliciting opinions as to who Hazel takes after most. Apparently the first picture I posted looked to much like me (whoops, imagine that), so in the interest of fairness I posted a couple more Hazel pictures to level the field. Take a close look and cast your vote. (for todd)

Angie

Todd

She's Here!!

The Marathon of Labor has finally ended.

After 22 hrs of waiting (for me, Angie would probably use a different word)
Hazel Deon Bonner was born last night at 11:36pm,
was 8lbs 14oz and is totally healthy.