A Letter: 25 months (2 years old!)

Posted on | March 26, 2014 | 2 Comments

My sweet baby Hazel,

I can't help but still call you my baby, despite you turning 2 last month!  Oh how time has flown, I honestly can't believe it.  In the last 6 months since I've written a letter to you you've grown in leaps and bounds, and had so many fun experiences.  You went to Italy (and France) in October, making it a total of 17 planes you've been on since birth.  You did seriously amazing on all six of the flights back and forth, two flights that were 12 hours in length.  Let's hope your sibling is as relaxed and easy as you've been!

Speaking of siblings, you will be a big sister in one month!  We don't know if your baby is a girl or a boy yet, but you more often than not say 'brother' (although you call him 'April' - since we are due in April, a hard concept I know).  You love to read books about being a big sister and taking care of babies, and you still kiss my belly every night.  You've been telling me lately that my belly is "biiiiiiig!" ... that's very true, my dear.

Your language has exploded since about a month before your birthday.  You went from preferring sign language to using full sentences in a matter of weeks, even if your dad and I are the only ones that can tell what your saying half the time.  You love to tell us to "get up, get out!" in regards in getting up in the morning, you say "it happens" all the time in relation to missing the potty or getting hurt.  One hilarious thing that you said recently is - "I took a dump. It stinks. Don't touch it..." I still don't really know where you learned the word 'dump' although I can guess your daddy?  ;) You also have full blown conversations with your various stuffed animals, and like to talk to grandma on the phone.


Since we're on the potty subject, I'm proud to say you're pretty much potty trained!  You still miss a poop here or there, but your great about telling us immediately when that happens.  It completely surprised me as you pretty much independently did it the week before your birthday, and have continued since even through a couple of illnesses.  Way to go, girl!

You recently a fish you named 'Daryl' - where you came up with that name, I'll never know.  You also call the baby Taco, and Purple (in addition to April, as I said above).


You also got your own big girl bed for christmas, and have been doing great sleeping in it with occasional hiccups during illness.  Last week we moved your toddler bed into your own room after keeping it next to our bed for a couple months, and so far you seem to be enjoying having your own space but you still occasionally cry and call for us at night.  That's okay, I'm always here for you ... just maybe cut us some slack and sleep through the night in the next couple months, okay? ;)  Trust me, you don't want to be in our room with a crying and hungry newborn every 2-3 hours - take advantage of that, haha!



You also weaned about a month ago, another independent choice. I was starting to think you'd want to nurse this entire pregnancy and beyond, and I was even open to tandem nursing if you needed it.  But once again you surprised us and peacefully weaned just after your 2nd birthday.  I think there was one time that you whined for just a minute about not getting it, but otherwise you decline and tell me they're for baby.  I have such amazing memories of our nursing experience together, and am so proud to say that you nursed for as long as you did, as I know it'll effect your lifelong physical and mental health.

I'm starting to notice a resemblance in us - I recently put together a picture of me at age 2, and you just a few weeks ago.  We both have sort of a 'stink face' as I like to call it, it makes me giggle.   You have the best expressions!


Some of your favorite toys these days is a stuffed purple monkey you aptly named 'purple ah,' anything pooh bear related, your easel, and books books books!  I swear you could read books with me for hours, paying such close attention to each one.  You continue to love all our animals, being fond especially to the chickens and cats as of late despite the fact they almost always run away from you.  Your birthday party was Pooh Bear themed and you had the time of your life!  You still talk about your birthday and ask when it's coming again.  You also love to hike, climb, swim, paint, color, and basically anything outdoors!

A 100 Acre Wood birthday bash!

Posted on | February 15, 2014 | No Comments

My excuses for lousy blogging:

Posted on | March 26, 2013 | 2 Comments

I officially started working 'per diem' this week at the hospital - meaning I pick up shifts when & how much I want.  It's great to have the flexibility but also a bit nerve wracking when there isn't particular shifts available!  But if it leads to us having dinner more than twice a month as a family together (Hazel's entire first year), I'm IN!


I start training at the nurse midwifery birth center this week.  I'm especially excited about this since it is the birth center where Hazel was born!  I absolutely love the whole approach birth centers take regarding maternity and labor care, and I feel like this journey is absolutely right for me.  It's going to be a lot of call (24 hour stretches) so that makes me a bit nervous but the excitement overpowers that.

Hazel is walking - no, running - all over the place!  She's finally pretty steady but I still have to watch her every move to avoid constant head bonks.  Hardwood floors and stairs aren't very baby friendly, duh.  Why don't we think of these things when buying/remodeling a house?



We have baby chicks - well, pullets now - they are 5 weeks old this week.  Our remaining four girls are  going to be in for a surprise very soon!  H loves to check on the chicks each day, calling them "ducks" and laughing when they get spooked by her.

I'm planning a trip back home to Michigan in July, with just H and myself.  It's my high school reunion and despite never planning on attending I think it would be nice to see my core group of friends and obviously see my family as well.  I'm already trying to plan the logistics of traveling alone with an 16 month old, however...

I keep wanting to get my raised beds weeded & start planning for gardening but I am slightly apprehensive.  Last year my gardens were embarrassing. I simply didn't put the time into them being a new mom, and we don't get very much sunlight here so what I do get is always lackluster.  Hoping to get more excited about them this year!  Anyone have any good veggies/herbs they recommend for partial sun areas?

We've been getting out to some local hikes here & there, and we've also started geocaching.  We read about the Eugene Cascades & Cost Geotour in our local paper & it's been fantastic getting out to some backdoor hikes & learning the art of geocaching.  Have you tried it?

One trip around the sun!

Posted on | February 1, 2013 | 3 Comments

This moment: crawling soon!

Posted on | August 24, 2012 | 2 Comments