Snapshot #396: Trick? or Treat?

October 30, 2011.  I think Dave had even more fun than the children tonight finding ways to make them and their parents scream.  Our home tonight was filled with shrieks and screams and laughter.  He's a fun dude.

Snapshot #395: Sleeping Booty

October 29, 2011.  San Jose, California.  I personally think it's odd that a church would host a halloween party...nonetheless, they did and the Wood family decided to show up in style.  This year the pirate's luck yielded them a handsome booty...a darling little treasure who slept through the entire party.  

Snapshot #394: Sleeping Beauty

October 28, 2011.  San Jose, California.  The last few nights Hazel has only woken up once during the night.  Hallelujah!

Snapshot #393: Airman Sherman Coming Home

October 27, 2011.  Somewhere in the Sea.  My brother Sherm, living aboard the USS George Washington based in Japan, is coming home for Thanksgiving!  (You're welcome for finding you a flight man!)  I guess that means that I am going home too.  It's been over 2 years since I've hugged my bro...it's time.  The USS Georg Washington Facebook page posted this just a day or two ago about Sherman King from Wendell, Idaho:   

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Oct. 24, 2011) – Aviation Machinist’s Mate Airman Sherman King from Wendell, Idaho, tightens a jet engine’s afterburner to the exact torque specifications in the jet shop aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). Sailors working in George Washington's jet shop maintain and repair damaged jet engines. George Washington pulled out of her forward-operating port of Yokosuka, Japan Sept. 19 to continue her 2011 patrol. As the Navy’s only full-time forward deployed carrier, George Washington’s mission is to help ensure security and stability in the Western Pacific Ocean.

Snapshot #392: Baby Faces

October 26, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Hazel and I were doing lots of 'talking' back and forth this morning.  I captured these cute facial expressions.  I still can't get over how beautiful she is.

Snapshot #391: Thumb Chewing

October 25, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Look what baby can do!  She's been trying to figure out how to get that thumb in her mouth for two months now.  So far, it's more like thumb chewing than thumb sucking.

Snapshot #390: A Brilliant Dad

October 24, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Last night I gave Hazel a bottle and after some time noted to Dave that she was just chewing on the nipple and not drinking any of it.  I was surprised by this because she should have been hungry.  After some time passed, she started to get fussy and act hungry, but still she would not drink anything from the bottle...she kept pushing it away.  At this point Dave took over to see if he could figure out what she wanted.  After about 10 minutes more she was still crying nonstop and refusing the bottle.  Finally Dave looked at me and said, "Could there be something wrong with this formula?"  I indicated that I had prepared the bottle in the same way as every other bottle.  So Dave surprised me by putting the bottle in his mouth to taste the formula himself to ensure it was drink-worthy.  Suddenly his eyes lit up...he couldn't get anything out of the bottle...the nipple was closed up.  Voila!  Problem solved.  With a new nipple the baby drank happily and fell asleep.  I have a good husband.  I never would have thought of that.           

Snapshot #389: Little Miss Active

October 22, 2011.  San Jose, California.  I haven't posted a pic of Hazel in a while...so here you go.  It's becoming increasingly difficult to get a still shot of her because she is so active; makes life fun.

Snapshot #388: Date Night

October 21, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Another joy of parenthood...date night tonight was a trip to Costco for diapers and formula.  (sorry...I forgot to take a cute picture of us strolling down the isles with the cart and Hazel strapped in the Moby Wrap...maybe next time.)

Snapshot #387: Lunch with Friends

October 20, 2011.  San Jose, California.  I had a friend over to the house for lunch today.  I hope to make this a weekly tradition.    

Snapshot #386: Itty Bitty Imprints

October 19, 2011.  Sunnyvale, California.  Today I took Hazel to get her hands and feet imprinted in clay...so cool.

Snapshot #385: Emma Prusch Farm Park

October 18, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Play group met at the Emma Prusch Farm Park today.  We had a good time dodging chickens.

Snapshot #384: Baby-Locked

October 17, 2011.  San Jose, California.  I had a great many things planned for this morning.  I guess this will do instead.

Snapshot #383: Sitting Up (almost)

October 15, 2011.  San Jose, California.  With a little support, Hazel can sit up.  But her favorite thing is to stand...I'll get a photo of that soon.

Snapshot #382: "This is Scary"

October 14, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Last night Hazel and I went to Dave's office and helped him decorate his cube for Cisco's Halloween cube-decorating contest.  He wanted to keep it relatively simple.  This is what we came up with...hahaha!

Snapshot #381: Daddy Dave

October 13, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Tonight while I was making dinner I overheard Dave in the nursery singing to the baby.  Hazel LOVES being sung to.

Snapshot #380: Sweet Hazel

October 12, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Our gorgeous little babe, looking like a little lady.

Snapshot #379: Wrapped in Love

October 12, 2011.  San Jose, California.  My oldest sister lives in Wales--on the Isle of Anglesey.  Just before Hazel's birth I received a package from Wales full of baby items that little Freya has outgrown.  It's very meaningful using items that Jana and her kids also used.  Somehow, it bridges the distance.   Hazel still loves bath time; we get a lot of use out of this tiny bathrobe.  As the photos convey, Hazel gets more and more animated daily...so, SO fun being her mommy.   

Snapshot #378: Baby Blankets

October 11, 2011.  San Jose, California.  When Hazel was born we were given no less than five homemade blankets along with many cute store-bought ones.  I had no clue that we would need so many...be we use and love them all!    

Snapshot #377: A Mother's Influence

October 8, 2011.  San Jose, California.  This evening I attended a discourse given by Julie B. Beck, General Relief Society President for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  She is a phenomenal women; the best they come.  She caused me to ponder on the profoundly influential role that Mother's play in the course of mankind.  Personally, I will forever cherish the gift of motherhood.

Snapshot #376: Baby Changing Station

October 7, 2011.  San Jose, California.  Hazel's changing station is now set up.   It looks fabulous in her little room.   I found the used hutch on craigslist, Hazel was gifted the dresser by Dave's parents, the changing pad from a good friend, the diaper caddy from my cousins, and the music box from Hazel's great-grandma Shirley.  We have so many thanks to give! 

Snapshot #375: Hot Chocolate

October 6, 2011.  San Jose, California.  My recipe for comfort after 4 straight days of rain...hot chocolate served with croissants.

Snapshot #374: Little Miss Charming

October 5, 2011.  San Jose, California.  We had Hazel's 2-month checkup with the doctor today.  Boy was she charming!  She charmed the entire office; I mean look at that face...so sweet...so docile...but then she told that doctor...Go Ahead, Make My Day...    

Snapshot #373: Miracle #1

October 4, 2011.  San Jose, California.  This morning I couldn't stop staring at our little Hazel.  She is so perfect, so beautiful.  She is Miracle #1.  I felt an earnest desire for Miracle #2 to also make his/her way into our lives.  I want Hazel to have a sibling close to her in age.  Families are an incredible thing.

Snapshot #372: Baby Smiles

October 3, 2011.  San Jose, California.  I just love all these photos of Hazel looking up at her daddy.

Snapshot #371: A High Chair for Hazel

September 29, 2011.  San Jose, California.  A very large package recently arrived on our doorstep.  I was so excited I insisted on putting it together immediately.  Hmmm...I guess she'll have to grow into it!  Excessive thanks to Aunt Lindsey & Uncle Jim!