Success!

Neighborhood Walk: Take Two

The weather complied with my wishes today. Hazel and I meandered through Midway for 45 minutes. It did the following fabulous things for me:

1. Gave me fresh air to breathe!

2. Combined a workout with practice for Italy (walking outside in the Bjorn is largely going to be Hazel's entire international experience, while Todd and I bask in architecture, art, fine dining, and exquisite landscape).

3. Got Hazel to stop crying and actually be happy for a while.

4. Also got Hazel to take a nap, which she continued for 15 more minutes when we got back inside, while I walked around the house picking up clutter and eating a snack.

5. Got me to the post office to send off a package to a friend (enjoy, Rebekah).

6. Helped me to realize that I am so not going to need to wear as many layers around Italy as I had planned on packing. Walking with a baby and a Bjorn keeps a person quite warm! I was sweaty when I got back inside and actually opened a window for a while.


Aah, delightful. I couldn't bear to take my jacket off when I got inside, however, because I thought it was too adorable that Hazel had a little handful of green hoodie in each fist.

Afghan Update

Things are going well here. Here's a picture of me and my co-pilot Lemmons after my first mission, as well as a picture of one of my first patients. Missing my women back home pretty bad, but at least the Medevac mission we're doing over here is pretty important, at least for the guys we pick-up.

It's Been a Long Time Since I've Had One of These...

It was time to put Hazel down for her nap, so I took her in her bedroom and started singing quiet hymns to her.

She had been crying, but found my arm and started sucking on it.

I thought it was cute.

After a minute or two, it started to hurt, and I realized what was happening. . .

. . . but I didn't stop her because I kept thinking what a funny blog post it would make.

Ra ra, ra ra ra! Goooooo Cougars!

Hazel went to her first basketball game this week. It was BYU versus New Mexico, and I'm delighted to report that my Alma Mater won. It was fun to be able to do something out of the ordinary, and I felt a surge of pride singing the BYU fight song with Hazel in my arms.

The Haz was unsure what to think about it all. At first, she was happily occupied with looking at all the new scenery and people. Her eyes were huge. But then the game got a little more exciting and there was quite a bit of cheering and whistling going on. Every time there was a good play and a lot of noise, she got scared and started to cry. Looks like we'll have to practice going to games a little bit more.

Confession

Blue has been my favorite color for as long as I can remember.

But green has been creeping up on it for years.

I've been in denial for quite some time now; when asked my favorite color, my response has been blue, but that green comes in a close second. I haven't been able to admit what has become the truth.

Until now.

I've got to post it, make it official and public, so I can stop fooling myself.

I'm in love with green.

There. I said it. And it's true. Sorry, Blue. But you're a close second!

A Gift for Daddy

Happy Valentine's Day, Daddy!

Love, Hazel

I have been trying to video Hazel talking for a couple of weeks now, but she gets so darn camera shy! She'll jabber herself to the moon until there's a camera in front of her, and then mum's the word. I finally got a little bit of footage today by holding the camera behind her and to the side. I'm fairly certain she didn't know it was there. Hooray! A great Valentine gift for Todd!

On Holidays...

I feel like playing dress-up with my baby doll.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Before and After

We picked up the new brace today, and I can already tell it's going to be a million times better than the last one. I didn't take any pictures of Hazel wearing the first brace - I was too distraught to think of that, what with a screaming, starving, insomniac in my arms 24/7. But I did snap one of the brace on its own after I stopped subjecting my child to its torture. Here it is:
And we've only got 20 minutes of experience in the new brace to report on, but so far it's good news. Right after I put it on Hazel, she was smiling and "talking" to me, and she hasn't acted like it's bothering her yet. I'm feeling positive about it. It's really lightweight and easy to put on and take off. And, unlike the first brace, Hazel can still fit into all her footie pjs, her bunting, her blanket sleepers, her carseat. . . I'm feeling good!

A Finished Project!

Well, I've finally got Hazel's name on the wall in her room. This took me for-e-ver because. . .

I couldn't start it while I was prego, since we hadn't decided on the chica's name for sure.

Then every time I went shopping for letters, not all five were in a set - even online!

Then, I had to find time to paint them when Hazel didn't want to be held. (Happened at my mom's house when I had lots of helpers.)

And finally, I had to hang them up in her room when she wasn't sleeping in her crib and she didn't need to be held. (She's sleeping in her swing down in the kitchen as we speak.)

It takes a long time to do these things when you're a "single mom!" But, at last, I am ready to reveal the finished project, and I must say, I love it.

The Latest on the Haz

Hazel and I attempted to get out of the house the other day. I checked the weather on the internet first - 40 degrees, no wind. I layered her like mad and stuck her in the Baby Bjorn, then stepped outside and breathed in the fresh air. Aah. (We hardly ever get outside.)

We started down the street and made it past two houses before my cheeks were chapped and Hazel was sucking in air like an asthma-ite. Um, hello, there was a BITING wind! Sadly, we turned right around and hustled back into the house. I can't have a sick baby on my hands!

She did manage to fall asleep as we walked back indoors, though. Too bad it only lasted until I had her in the crib.

This morning Hazel made a breakthrough and smiled for the camera! (Usually she smiles til I get it out, then stops.) We had a photo-shooting blast. There were even coos and one delighted shriek, people!

Look how she's flailing her hands in excitement. This was the shrieking part!

P.S. We're still waiting for the plastic brace to come in from the shop, so we've been foot-loose and fancy-free for the past week and a half. Hazel loves it. I enjoy it, but worry a bit about her little foot reverting and having to re-cast. Hopefully not.

Abs of Steel, Anyone?

Well, Hazel's two months old and I'm happy to report that I'm back to my pre-pregnancy weight! However, my new body is shaped differently. While I'm delighted that my hips are trimmer than before, my stomach is much less pleasing to behold.

Todd has his two-week leave in March, and we're going to meet up here. . .

Italy!!!

We hope to impress each other with our new, hot bods. (Todd may be the only 30-year-old man I know who struggles to gain weight - he's been pumping iron like mad to try to beef up for me.) I'd really love my flat tummy back when he and I rendezvous. While I realize that may not be realistic, I'm asking for tips so I can try my best. What workout moves and activities have helped you or someone you know regain their abs post-baby?

Hazel's New Trick

This week Hazel figured out how to get her hand in her mouth. She was going wild with it the other night at dinner. I think it's the cutest thing ever!