Hazel

If someone to ask me what Hazel was like, I think I'd respond, "She's a goofball". She is seriously hilarious. She is full of energy and full of laughs. She has her cranky moments (especially if another child is trying to sit in mommy's lap or requiring mommy's attention), but overall, she enjoys being silly.

Here's a video of Hazel doing one of her favorite things.


Some other funny things about Hazel

• She always uses 2 toothbrushes
• Anytime I ask her to say anything, she growls at me (that about sums up how the speech development is coming along)
• She hums the tune to "Are you sleeping?" a lot
• If ANYTHING is slightly out of place, she points and says, "uh-oh" and wants me to put it back. This also happens if I happen to leave something somewhere for a prolonged period (even if it's not the right spot). When I try to move it, she gets upset. It was VERY hard trying to take down fall decorations. She kept picking them up and putting them back.
• She is constantly telling me to turn the lights on
• Her laugh is very contagious 
• She thinks Jude is hilarious

Nona's favorite game

Nona LOVES to play peek-a-boo. She has been doing this for a long time. She buries her face into whatever (the carpet, her bed, a chair), looks up and waits for someone to say, "peek-a-boo!". One time she followed me into the bathroom and tried to play by planting her face into the tile floor. She was not too happy after that.



In other news, one of her other favorite things to do is to take a "culinary tour" around the kitchen and dining room and eat any little thing she finds on the floor. Sick. She also gives big, open mouth, slobbery kisses (which sometimes include biting) and she pats me whenever I pat her to burp her.

She had her 9 month appointment this week at the doctor (I know, she's almost 10 months) and she's doing great! Since she's well past 9 months, her percentages aren't totally accurate, but regardless, she's growing and we are taking joy in having a "normal" baby. I'll find her stats soon to post them.

Staying Sane

It has been really cold here, but in trying to keep my sanity, I've been taking the kids for walks almost every day this month. By the time 3:30 rolls around, I literally don't know what else to do. Nona is SO cranky and wants to be held or walked around and everyone just gets really whiny. So, we bundle up and head outside. 

Here's how it usually goes. First, I put Nona's socks on. Then I get socks for Hazel and Jude. Nona takes her socks off. I put Jude and Hazel's socks and shoes on. I put Nona's socks on again. I get everyone's coats, hats, and mittens out of the closet. Jude and Hazel run away (Hazel saying, "No!"). I chase them down. Nona takes her socks off again. I put Jude and Hazel's coats and hats on. I put Nona's socks on and put her in her snowsuit. Jude takes his hat off. I go outside to get the stroller out and they all start screaming. I come back in, put Jude's hat back on, and rally the troops. We get outside and into the stroller. I put Jude and Hazel's mittens on. Jude takes his mittens off. I tell Jude, "If you take your mittens off again, we will not go for a walk." I put his mittens back on and we finally leave. It takes about 30 minutes. And often someone decides it's time to poop in the midst of all of this. Yes, I go through this nearly every time. Why, you ask? Because they are SO cranky that it's actually worth it. My life is insane.

Nona

It's been so long since I've updated about our kids, I hardly know where to start! Nona is nearly 10 months old now. I can hardly believe it! For the most part, she is a very smiley girl. She's been very cranky for the past couple of weeks due to cutting 4 top teeth and being sick. Hopefully she's back to her old self soon (which would include sleeping better). 

This is Nona's favorite face. I have a hard time catching it on camera, but she ALWAYS makes this face. Hazel and Jude used to do this too. I have no idea why.

Nona loves to splash in the tub!

Here's a little about Nona:

• She has 6 teeth (4 top, 2 bottom)
• She is often saying, dadada, nanana, ahda, and occasionally bababa
• She loves clapping
• She can sign "more"
• She is a crazy eater and eats so much! She usually eats whatever we're eating.
• She prefers to play with things that are not toys and can often be found pulling my cookbooks off the shelf or chewing on shoes in the entry way.
• She still crawls on her belly
• She is able to stand for a long time if placed in standing, but is not pulling herself up yet (she does pull up to her knees)
• She wants to be walked around ALL the time (someone holding her hands and helping her walk)

Christmas!

We enjoyed a quiet Christmas this year. It was just the 5 of us and we spent the day lounging, eating, opening gifts, and having fun.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

This was Jude and Hazel's first experience with stockings (I don't remember putting anything in theirs last year). I put a couple items for each of them and they really enjoyed it! 

What's in here?

More beads!

Paints!

Jude's favorite item in his stocking was a set of keys. He loves our keys so I went to Ace Hardware to put together a ring of keys for him. They had a bunch that they had cut that didn't work and they gave them to me for free! Jude was thrilled. He went to all the doors and tried to put his keys in them.

Hazel putting her new ornament on the tree. The kids actually never took any ornaments off! Amazing!

Hazel looking cute in her new dress from Grandma and Grandpa!

The next few pictures show how hard it is to get a good picture of all 3 kids. Okay, it's not hard. It's impossible. At least Nona stayed put!

Nona slept in and opened her stocking later.

Beads!

Hazel had a very cute pair of shoes on. That lasted only a couple of minutes. Then she insisted on wearing Jude's rain boots. Lovely.

Presents!

Nona loved the paper.

We had so many presents to open. The kids still aren't very interested in it, which made it a long process, but it was still lots of fun!

We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Santa

Home Depot in Oak Harbor hosted an outdoor petting zoo and Santa sighting! Since it was outdoors, I thought it was safe to take the kids (even though they're in isolation again). About a week later, I was proved wrong as the kids got really sick again. :( Thankfully they fought it without needing steroids!

Luckily, Noel was able to stay home with Nona. I could never manage all 3 kids in public alone. 

These Santa pictures perfectly capture my kids' behavior in public. Jude will NOT sit still, be okay with a still stroller, shopping cart, etc., and Hazel will sit very still and not make a peep. I took Hazel with me to the doctor one time and she sat on my lap without saying anything or trying to move while I had a 45 minute conversation with the doctor! I took Jude with me one time and he sat in my lap for about 15 seconds, then opened and closed the door several times, ran out of the office, opened and closed other doors, and resisted me trying to catch him. 

Hazel's friend Audrey. Hopefully they can play together again sometime soon!

They loved this horse. Jude was very interested in it and even pet it! This was the first time he's shown interest in animals which is exciting.

I'm quite sure it was either this bar or Santa to blame for the kids getting sick. Audrey got sick too. :(