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.

We've got the crib, the chair, the diapers ... Where's the baby?

Aah, the glider has arrived. Now this nursery just needs a baby. Well, and then the baby needs a name. Then I can get cracking painting and hanging letters on the wall. Can't wait for this chica!
So. . . what to name her? Cast your vote on the sidebar, if you haven't already. I never would have thought I'd be so indecisive about it. I pegged myself as the type to have a solid name choice by week 22. Who knew?

Todd comes home on Wednesday morning. The plan is to induce early next week if she hasn't arrived on her own before that point. Which means we're talking about a baby in arms in just about a week, give or take a few days. We're stoked!

Celebrating the Love of My Life

Today is mine and Todd's four year wedding anniversary. Kind of a bummer that we're not together, but at least Todd will be here in just seven days!
In honor of the occasion, I have made a compilation of interesting facts about us, each with four answers, one for each year we've been married. Some are quirky, others more serious - they are all a part of the experience.

Songs We Always Bust Out Singing to Each Other:
(Please enjoy the links to the music videos!)
1. Straight Up - Paula Abdul
2. Elvira - Oak Ridge Boys
3. Love of a Lifetime - Firehouse
4. Wind Beneath My Wings - Bette Middler

Fun Places We've Been Together:
1. New York City
2. Hawaii

3. Scipio
4. San Diego

Pet Names I Call Todd:
1. Babe
2. Lover
3. Hottie
4. Todd Floyd

Ways We've Celebrated Our Anniversary:
1. Power parachuting in St. George (honeymoon)
2. Sunset sail in Santa Cruz (one year)

3. Kayaking at Morro Bay (two year)
4. Weekend in New York City (three year)

Things Todd is Really Good At:
1. Running
2. Taking breathtaking pictures
3. Basketball
4. Working hard

Activities We Love to Do Together:
1. Read books - I read aloud, Todd listens (especially great for road trips)
2. Body boarding at the beach
3. Indoor rock climbing

4. Traveling

Physical Features of Todd's That I Love:
1. Dimples that only come out when he really smiles
2. Gorgeous eyes

3. Washboard abs
4. Big, strong shoulders

TV Shows We Like to Watch Together:
1. 24
2. The Office
3. Lost
4. Gilmore Girls - it's true! One of Todd's most embarrassing moments was during lunch break while working at Lockheed, when a girl mentioned she was excited to see what happened on Gilmore Girls that night, and, without thinking, Todd chimed in and said he was, too. Imagine the looks he got from all the other guys! Ha ha ha!

Things I Nag Todd About:
1. Did you take a shower today?
2. Come eat your dinner while it's still hot.
3. When's the last time you flossed?
4. Please, please, please, let me get the tweezers and pluck the hair on your ears!

Attributes of Todd's That Made Me Fall in Love With Him:
1. Persistence/very goal-oriented
2. Adventurous (he had just joined the Skeleton club when I met him)

3. Good cook - his crock pot roast really put my mac and cheese to shame!

4. He's the Nicest Guy in the Universe. I kept waiting for him to let the guard down and be a regular guy (you know, sometimes they can be jerks) but it NEVER happened. It was hard to believe he was sincerely such a good person. Once I figured out it wasn't an act, there was no way I was letting this guy out of my sight!

Todd, I love your guts.

37 Weeks

The Bean is huge. We're getting too big for my maternity clothes. She'd better show up soon so I don't have to stroll the streets of Midway in the buff.

Veteran's Day

Last year Todd and I went to New York City over Veteran's Day weekend to celebrate our wedding anniversary. One of our best trips ever.
This year, Todd observed the holiday sitting in class learning all sorts of bad things about life in Afghanistan. I know they were bad things because he wouldn't tell me anything about it. I hate that. It makes me cry.

I went to Memorial Hill, a local spot where they honor war veterans from the area. They've got plaques with the names of all the local soldiers who have served in each war. Todd's name is on a plaque for the War Against Terror.
Next year, my veteran darn well better be safely back on American soil, planning another anniversary trip with me.

Quiz: Take Four

4 Random Things I Love About My Husband:
1. He flirts with me all the time
2. He's easy to brag about, because he does cool things all the time
3. I LOVE how he smells right after he puts on his deodorant - it makes me go crazy
4. He drools over tools, but hardly owns any

4 Jobs I've Had:
1. Daycare supervisor
2. Burger flipper at the Cougareat (BYU food court)
3. Early morning custodian at BYU - cleaning urinals is always fun, but especially at 5 AM
4. Teacher - easily the best job ever

4 Movies I've Seen More Than Once:
1. Princess Bride
2. Deja Vu
3. Arsenic and Old Lace
4. Pirates of the Carribean

4 TV Shows I Watch:
1. Lost
2. The Office
3. American Idol
4. Gilmore Girls

4 Places I've Been:
1. Oahu, Hawaii
2. The Bahamas
3. New York City
4. Seattle, WA

4 Places I've Lived:
1. Provo, UT
2. Mountain View, CA
3. Enterprise, AL
4. Midway, UT

4 Favorite Foods:
1. Lasagna
2. Ice cream - it doesn't even matter what flavor (I can't resist the stuff)
3. Green peppers
4. Raspberries

4 Places I'd Like to Visit:
1. Italy
2. Washington D.C.
3. Ireland
4. New Zealand

4 People I Tag:
1. Amy N. (when you get a sec to catch your breath)
2. Courtni M.
3. Jamie J.
4. Stephanie H.