Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

Aah. We're all together again. Todd's back safe from Afghanistan and playing like a madman with Hazel. We've been busy the last couple of weeks, with lots of traveling and apartment hunting. I just wanted to send out a quick note while I had a minute to let everyone know our family is happily, thankfully, reunited at last.

Big News

Todd sent me an email 12 hours ago saying he'd be flying out of Afghanistan sometime in the next 12 hours. Hooray! He'll be in transit for a while, but should be back in the States in a few days.

I am so relieved.

I'll see him Saturday night. We're rendezvousing for the weekend at his post-mobilization site. We found out he'd have a couple days leave and suddenly couldn't stand the thought of waiting five more days to see each other. (Hazel will see him in a week and a half, when he returns to California.) I'm ecstatic. There's no point in even trying to express myself in words.

My heart feels like it's going to blow up with happiness.

The only part that makes me sad is that Hazel is already doing this:

We had both really hoped Todd would be able to teach her how to walk. He's already missed so much. I didn't encourage it, didn't practice with her or anything, tried to hold her off, but it was no use. The kid is a mover. (Guess who that comes from?)

But hey, maybe she'll run into her daddy's aching arms, huh?

For Daddy

We're Almost There, Guys

Ow, owwww!!!

I couldn't stop wolf-howling at Hazel. She just took SEVEN steps in a row!!!

Iconic September

Hazel found the jackpot: apples from the neighbor's tree. They are the perfect size for her squishy little hands. It is surreal watching her take bites out of an apple. It makes her seem like a little kid instead of a baby.

I couldn't resist grabbing the camera. The moment just screamed "September!" The plaid, the leaves, the apple... Aah.

I love Hazel's winter hat.

Is it so wrong to feel vanity through your child's wardrobe?
I bundled Hazel up for our morning walk and couldn't stop thinking the paparazzi should snap a photo of her adorableness as we strolled through the entire neighborhood. Never you mind that I was still in my pajamas, with frazzled bedtime hair. My kid is a looker! Plus, don't you just want to smooch those huge, soft cheeks?!

A Week of Firsts

This week Hazel had her first hair-do:

I'm not sure if I love it.

And she also took her first step. She was walking from ottoman to couch, holding on to the furniture. Left hand on ottoman, right hand reaching out to the couch. Arm span not quite long enough to breach the distance. Left hand lets go, one foot lifts, she takes a step forward. Balance. Then she kind of fell into the couch as she tried to take the second step to get there. She did it twice in a row. That's my girl!

I really thought mac & cheese would be a hit.

Nope. Of the five or six noodles that actually made it into Hazel's mouth at dinner, only about two did not immediately come squirting back out, accompanied by a wrinkled nose and a "phleh." Mostly she just had a fun time playing with gravity.

Oh, brother...

Todd is growing a post-mobe 'stache. "All the guys are doing it." Please.

Vote on the sidebar to let us know how long you think Todd will keep it.