Ironman

Just for the record, this was cool. I'd like one of these on my bucket list, please. Yes there is that small holdup that I don't know how to swim or bike, but I think I've got a 6-hour marathon in the bag.

Little Graduate

This little one has walked the walk. She might be a little unclear on the numbers 6, 8, and 9, but they let her get her diploma anyway. In their super cute presentation, they sang a song about numbers and each child held up a number when they sang theirs. Well, Ella had 6. And well, Ella held up 9. Oops.

Kindergarten here we come!

A Tisket A Tasket

Maybe it's time to let Ella in on a few little holiday secrets. She asked me this year if the Easter bunny was a person dressed up as a bunny that sneaks into people's houses or a real bunny trained to shop at the store. And bunnies don't lay eggs anyway.

Stop growing up and thinking logically; that is no fun, Ella.

This morning, a trail of plastic eggs led from the girls room, down the stairs, and straight to their baskets. We had to hurry and check out the goods so we could make it to church on time.

This Easter Sunday was brought to you by Disney's Tangled.

I can't keep from kissing this little Easter chick's cheeks.

Blessed Baby

This month has been a whirlwind of company and fun times. With my mom and my dad in town, we blessed Hazel on April 10 and celebrated with a Cafe Rio party at the clubhouse after church. Pretty much that was the best day ever. When I walked into sacrament meeting and saw all my favorite friends, old and new, in one place, it was the best feeling ever. We had a fun time getting all the food together and joking around that we were buying out Costco for all the limes, garlic, and cilantro that made that day happen!

Hazel was in the best mood when she got up that morning. She was smiley and giggly and so happy, just as though she knew that day was just for her. She even giggled while Bryson was giving her blessing prayer. And of course when Bry held her up nice and high afterwards (Simba-style) she gave the congregation her winning grin.

Notes for future gatherings:
I have no desire to ever own a catering business.
If you leave Ella alone for 5 minutes, expect to come back to a line of 5-year-olds (and adults) organized into a line waiting to hold the baby. And Ella telling you when your turn is up.
The blessing dress heirloom is still going strong. That dress was worn by me, Kristen, Becca, Ella, Avery, and Hazie.
Group photos are always a gamble, aren't they?

Notes

I decided this week that Jumpin Jacks is cheaper than physical therapy. And about as effective since every time we are around authority figures Ella pretends she is a baby and makes goo-goo sounds. It's awesome, let me tell ya, reassuring the physical therapist that no, we really don't need to stop by speech therapy on our way out. So we are doing most of the exercises at home and just checking in with PT.


Avery has some strange habits. Dress up phase is in full swing, which you already know if you've seen us in public. And when dress up day is done, dress up night begins...
How many things can Aves fit in this bed? It's truly a game of balance and precision.

Hazel's new tricks include straight legs, where she pushes up into a standing position while being supported. She is not a huge fan of tummy time, but she's pretty good at it. At our last appointment the dr. said she had really good head control for a 2-month-old.

Also on my mind lately is what it would have been like to be a fly on the wall of the marketing meeting that decided that Skinny Cow would be a brilliant company name.

Captain Day in Green

Thursday was Ella's captain day at preschool. Being captain is the bomb diggity. You get to tap everyone with a magic wand before they can leave rug time. You get to say, "You may eat" when it's snack time. You bring the snack, whatever you want. You get to sit in the front on a special chair. You get to feed the fish, Goldie. And your whole family gets to come to preschool to play for the day. It's pretty much the best day ever.

Since the college is on spring break next week, we were the last school day before St. Patrick's Day. We brought these fun chocolate-dipped pretzel shamrocks and green grapes for the treat. All right chillens, you may eat!

Little Funnies

I am going to keep better track of the stats on this little one. Time is slipping quickly away and she is already two months old.

Hazel is sleeping through the night (which means 9/10 to 5, since I get up around then) almost every night. Sometimes she still gets up once. This is so freaking awesome I could cry.

She is growing out of her newborn clothes :( I bought a few new little tiny clothes for her since she was smaller than everyone else and it makes me a little sad to already be folding them up for the attic.

Hazel has a smile that fills up her whole face and which she has absolutely no control over. It takes her by storm and then passes in a burst of happy explosiveness. I love it. Rock it, girl.

Random weirdness: Hazel has hardly had any formula. The first two times we gave it to her she got so constipated that we just ditched it altogether. And really, there's no need for formula if she's sleeping...please refer above.

Every time Hazel throws a hand into the air to stretch, Ella and Avery tell me, "Mom, Hazel has a kes-chun!"

Yesterday Ella was tattling on Avery for about 10 minutes. Apparently, Avery was touching Hazel. We were going back and forth telling Ella not to tell us useless information.
Bryson (to Ella): "Hey. Ella. Let's just drop it."
Avery (surprising us, since she was NOT the one we were going back and forth with): "What?! No!"
Bryson: "Yes, let's just drop it."
Avery: "NO."
Bryson: "Avery AND Ella, enough. Drop it."
Avery (really upset now): "No, mommy told us we are not supposed to drop Hazel."

Pretty much everything Hazel does sends the girls into hysterics. Like the other day Ella pointed to her hiccuping and in a fit of laughter told me, "Mom, look, Hazel is hiccing up!"

Hazelnut

Little Hizzle Fo-Shizzle joined our family last Wed. morning. We almost were able to slide in Tues. night at midnight, but the evening shift picked up and we ended up going with our scheduled induction day after all. The hospital called us around 5:30 a.m. and told us to come in by 6:15, and we were ready to go and excited! I heart being induced. The kids went to Kathy's the night before and were sleeping soundly undisturbed. And me and Bry had a good night's sleep too.

Dr. Lunt broke my water and then we began a morning of watching movies and eating popsicles. Many, many popsicles. What a nice nurse I had!

I got the epidural around 10. Yowza, the needle hit a nerve going in and I almost jumped off the table. It was the perfect dose because I could feel everything; the medicine just took the edge off the pain. When it came time to push, I was good to go: 2 contractions and she was here!

I had a major adrenaline rush right at the end of the whole deal. The epidural had slowed my blood pressure so they'd given me some ephedrine and I'm not sure if that contributed...? My hands were shaking and my heart was racing. It was wild.

Dr. Lunt held her up and she was amazing and perfect in every way, so small. Apparently, 7 lbs. is normal, but it was a treat for me. Her little head looked just like a grapefruit.

Then she ate for an hour. That is a family trait.

We spent the rest of our stay enjoying the fun room service meals and snuggling the sweet new baby. And then we came home to an overload of generous neighbors, offering babysitting, visits, meals, gifts, etc. Hazel has been well loved :)

And this will be her baby blanket.

Thanks to Jessica Jewkes who took these awesome pictures for us!