Snapshot #370: Tummy Time

September 30, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Hazel LOVES tummy time; and it's making her stronger.  Each day she looks less and less like a newborn...sigh.  (I love her so much it's ridiculous.)  

Snapshot #369: Grocery Shopping

September 29, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Hazel and I have gotten pretty good at shopping together.  Sometimes I carry her in my arms, sometimes I wear her in the Moby Wrap, and sometimes she stays in her car seat.  I loved this photo...you can see her cute little rosy cheeks.

Snapshot #368: Eichler Homes

September 28, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Between 1950 and 1974, Joseph Eichler built over 11,000 homes in northern California with distinctly modern architecture.  Dave and I are currently renting a small Eichler in the San Jose area.  Today I had lunch at a friend's who recently bought an Eichler.  The more I see of these homes the more I like them.  I could see myself settling in an Eichler one day.  What do I love about them?  The open floor plan, large and numerous floor to ceiling windows, indoor atriums, outdoor living spaces, interesting elevated ceilings, fireplaces, etc.  For more photos of typical Eichlers, click here. 

Snapshot #367: Park Day 101

September 27, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Today was mine and Hazel's first outing at the Park.  A local group of mothers get together on a weekly basis at various parks and revel in domesticity; still unfamiliar and slightly uncomfortable territory for me.  We were a half hour late (I still can't manage to show up on time anywhere with a baby) but to my surprise so was everyone else.  Park Day, I learned, is also a picnic day and lasts for several hours.  We had an enjoyable enough time and met some great women.  Yeah for Park Day.          

Snapshot #366: Nautical Nonesense

September 26, 2011.  Carmel, California.  Yesterday after church Dave, Hazel, and I drove down to Carmel for the Annual Sand Castle Contest.  The entries were nothing like the pictures I saw on the internet, but still fun to see.  I was hoping for something more like this: 

Snapshot #365: Speaking Spanish to the Baby

September 24, 2011.  San Jose, California.  I have determined that the best way to teach Hazel spanish is by making that our primary language when we're home together during the day.  I've had to broaden my vocabulary for baby talk--words like Cosquillas (Tickles), Estirar (Stretch), Cuna (Cradle), and Chupon (Binky).

Snapshot #364: Baby Burrito

September 23, 2011.  San Jose, California.  She sleeps so much better through the night when she's wrapped up like a burrito.

Snapshot #363: Hot September Days

September 22, 2011.  San Jose, California.  It has been in the 90's all week long.  I would like it better if we had a little air conditioning at home.  Hazel doesn't seem to mind.

Snapshot #362: Imitation

September 21, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Tomorrow Hazel will be 7 weeks old.  You can see from the evolution of photos that she is getting more and more vocal and animated.  She trys to imitate our facial movements.  Watching her progress is a delight!  Sometimes I think I can remember what it was like for me to learn some of the things that she is learning.    

Snapshot #361: Baby Music Director

September 20, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Hazel and I listened to "The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever" today.  She got all excited so I decided to teach her how to keep a beat and direct music.  She's a natural.  My favorite piece from the album is this one.

Snapshot #360: Baby Faces

September 19, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Hazel makes the cutest faces.  I tried to capture some of them today.

Snapshot #359: A Good Night's Sleep

September 17, 2011.  San Jose, California.  I woke up this morning singing and dancing.  Thanks to Dave I had a wonderful night's sleep.  He has taken it upon himself to take the night shift with Hazel on Friday and Saturday nights so that I may catch up on some much needed sleep.  He's wonderful.

Snapshot #358: Backyard Patio

September 16, 2011.  San Jose, California.  I like for Hazel and I to get a little outdoor time each day.  My ultimate plan for the covered patio at the back of the house is to create an outdoor room complete with lighting, a rug, loveseat and chairs, a place to dine, and a grill.  Until then we just use our lawn chairs.  

Snapshot #357: Late Night Shopping

September 15, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Late last night Dave and I went shopping at Target for some essentials.  During our meanderings we came across this adorable little chair, so we had to try it out.

Snapshot #356: Gathering a Crowd

September 14, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Mine and Hazel's excursion today was to visit the pediatrician on Cisco's campus and then to drop in on daddy.  I was impressed by Cisco's onsite medical facilities.  There's a private waiting/consultation room adjoining every exam room.  Before I went in, I put Hazel down on an ottoman while I filled out paperwork.  By the time I was done she had gathered a crowd.  She is such a doll!  Before our day was through, she even garnered the attention of Cisco's CFO, Frank Calderoni.    

Snapshot #355: Antique Wooden Desk

September 13, 2011.  Menlo Park, California.  I purchased this antique wooden desk from craigslist--an online yard sale.  It's going in the office.  Craigslist in the Bay Area is like treasure hunting.

Snapshot #354: Sleeping Baby

September 12, 2011.  San Jose, California.  I just can't stop taking photos of her.

Snapshot #353: Red Hair!

September 10, 2011.  San Jose, California.  This picture is to show off Hazel's beautiful auburn-colored hair.  I'm excited for it to grow long!

Snapshot #352: Mommy's Checklist

September 9, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Now that I'm a mommy I have a new checklist for shopping excursions.  #1. Park next to a "Return Carts Here" corral to reduce time trekking through a car lot with a baby in tow.  #2. Park car at the far left-hand side of the parking space to allow better access to the car seat on the right-hand side.  #3. Park in the shade whenever possible so car seat doesn't get too hot and metal attachments burn the baby.  
What other secrets of the trade have you parents out there discovered?

Snapshot #351: An Explosion

September 8, 2011.  San Jose, California.  As of late, explosions in the Wood household are of a more frequent occurrence; your welcome for sparing you the photos.  :)  

Snapshot #350: Tummy Time

September 7, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Dave read in a book that while Hazel should always sleep on her back, she should get plenty of tummy time during the day.  Turns out...she loves tummy time.

Snapshot #349: Not So Fast

September 6, 2011.  San Jose, California.  I have been actively anticipating all of the exciting 'nexts' in Hazel's little life.  When will she start sleeping for 3-4 hours at a time?  When is her next visit with the doctor to see how much she has grown?  When will she start smiling?  When will she be able to hold her head up on her own? etc. etc.  This morning I realized that I'm in no hurry for any of that to happen.  I LOVE having a baby.  I waited many years before this miracle came into my life.  And here she is.  She's going to grow up too fast.  Today I re-commit myself to do my best at enjoying every moment with her and Dave (even waking up every 2 hours to feed) rather than continually pushing for the next exciting thing.  

Snapshot #348: Mine, Mine, Mine

September 5, 2011.  San Jose, California.  He's all mine.  I'm such a lucky girl.

Snapshot #347: Hazel's One Month Photo Shoot

September 4, 2011.  San Jose, California.  I did a little editing of the photos and have to share the new look.  Not bad...eh?  I can't decide which set I like better; in this--the antiqued set--you lose the brilliant blue of her eyes.  She is SO gorgeous.

Snapshot #346: Hazel's Happy One Month

September 4, 2011.  San Jose, California.  I couldn't pass up the opportunity for a photo shoot!  (Yes, I took these photos with the new camera)  Today Hazel celebrates an entire month on this beautiful earth.

Snapshot #345: Fog City

September 3, 2011.  San Francisco, California.  We went for a drive today to pick up an antique floor lamp I found on craigslist.  We drove through San Francisco to get there.  It was my first time back in a long time.  Man, I love that city.

Snapshot #344: 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:00 Rock

September 2, 2011.  San Jose, California.  1AM, 3AM, 5AM, 7AM has become our nightly feeding schedule.  We can't seem to graduate to 3 ounces every 3 hours...we're in a holding pattern of 2 ounces every 2 hours.  I'm tired; but it's worth it.

Snapshot #343: A One-Drawer Kitchen

September 1, 2011.  San Jose, California.  More unpacking today.  The biggest fault of this house is that the kitchen has only one drawer.  That is this kitchen designer's nightmare; my ideal kitchen would have nothing BUT drawers.  After some serious organization I've managed to find a place for everything except my large utensils...