Snapshot #493: Aunt Britton

February 16, 2012.  Salt lake City, Utah.  Hazel spent all day today with her Aunt Britton.  I am thankful for the blessing they are in one another's lives.

Snapshot #492: Table Decorations

February 15, 2012.  San Jose to Salt Lake.  All my bags are packed and I'm ready to go.  The above pictures are my inspiration for the centerpieces for the luncheon we will have on Saturday following Hazel's temple sealing.  

Snapshot #491: Hazel's Blessing Dress

February 14, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Today I am washing and ironing and packing to get ready for our early morning flight to Utah tomorrow.  After Hazel is sealed to us in the temple Saturday morning, she will officially be given her name and a blessing in this dress.  It will be a beautiful day!

Snapshot #490: Friends

February 13, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Zazu is such a good cat.  He not only tolerates Hazel's interest in him...he also comes to give her loves when she's crying.  I think this is the start of a good long relationship.

Snapshot #489: Almaden Lake Park

February 11, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Today our little family discovered Almaden Lake Park in South San Jose (a great find!), then went out to dinner to celebrate our wedding anniversary.  

Snapshot #488: Hello Self

February 10, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Hello self...it's nice to meet you.  

Snapshot #487: Hazel's First Kiss

February 9, 2012.  San Jose, California.  The sequence of events went something like this...

They started out as just friends...then Hazel reached out to encourage him.

He responded by holding her hand (she pretended not to notice).

Then, he came in for the kiss...

*@#*!!  He was floored...she couldn't stop smiling.

Snapshot #486: More Vaccinations

February 8, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Today was Hazel's six month checkup with her Pediatrician.  It was scheduled during her naptime, so all she wanted to do was sleep...despite the half dozen people doting on her.  She received another dosage of vaccinations; if it's anything like the last time, she'll be running a high fever the next 48 hours.  Poor girl.  

Snapshot #485: Sleep Training

February 7, 2012.  San Jose, California.  "They" say sleep training only takes 3 nights...but our experience has been more like 3 weeks.  Days 1-3 we weaned her off her overnight bottles.  Days 4-6 we weaned ourselves off of responding to every little cry.  Days 7-9 she slept 11-12 hours straight (something I didn't know was possible).  Days 10-12 were hit and miss; maybe she'd wake up maybe she wouldn't.  Day 13 she woke up every two hours (is she teething? is she cold?).  Last night, Day 14 she slept 12 hours straight.  Hopefully by the end of this week we will have had a miraculous week of continuous nighttime sleep--just in time to travel to Utah/Idaho and throw everything off again.  (Parenting...perhaps there's no such thing as figuring it out.)      

Snapshot #484: Oh My

February 6, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Oh my, look what Hazel can do.  (Not for very long though.)

Snapshot #483: Hazel's 6 Month Photo Shoot

February 4, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Today Hazel is 6 Months.  She is our joy!

Snapshot #482: "The Paper Garden"

February 3, 2012.  San Jose, California.  As slow a reader as I am, I am happy to report the completion of another book, "The Paper Garden" by Molly Peacock.  This one, I would like to purchase and add to my personal library.  I will be thinking about it for days, weeks, months, and years to come.  The writing was sophisticated, the true story of Mary Delany captivating, and the Flora Delanica inspiring; the culminating point being that "Some things just take living long enough to do."  I truly appreciated the examination of the nature of creativity.  The effect on me has been increased respect and optimism for the aging process.  Another benefit...I have discovered my preferred genre to read...biographies.   

Snapshot #481: Uh-Oh

February 2, 2012.  San Jose, California.  We're in big trouble now...she's about to start crawling.

Snapshot #480: Itty Bitty Hands & Feet

February 1, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Remember when I had imprints made for Hazel?  Well, here they are; age 2-1/2 Months.

Snapshot #479: Sewing Machine

January 31, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Look what arrived for me over the weekend.  Yeah for more projects!  (I had to promise Dave I would finish two 'in-progress' projects before starting another, lol.)

Snapshot #478: Baby Saucer

January 30, 2012.  San Jose, California.  A neighbor invited us over for lunch last Friday and Hazel got to play in her son's saucer.  Good times.

Snapshot #477: Shopping with Mom

January 28, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Hazel is a good little shopper; she is SO inquisitive about everything around her (wicked smart, quoting our Home Teacher).  For the first time, she was perfectly capable of sitting in the cart.  Makes me kinda sad...I remember walking around stores with her in the moby wrap thinking it would be ages before she could actually sit in a cart.  Sigh.      

Snapshot #476: Morning Jog

January 27, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I had planned to share a photo of Hazel sitting snug in the jogging stroller--where she's become accustomed to taking her morning nap--but this close-up of her eyes is just too beautiful to pass up. 

Snapshot #475: Enchanted

January 26, 2012.  San Jose, California.  This picture is for my sister.  I keep telling her how captivated Hazel is by the mobile we made...here's some proof.

Snapshot #474: Gently Used

January 25, 2012.  San Jose, California.  A friend of mine is having a baby boy, and therefore de-cluttering her home of all baby girl clothing.  She thoughtfully invited Hazel and I over to stock up on hand-me-downs.  It was a clothing feast. (Thank You!)  Her daughter was SO cute with Hazel and insisted on feeding her too.   

Snapshot #473: Army Crawl

January 24, 2012.  San Jose, California.  These days, every week has a new first for Baby.  This week it's an army crawl.  AND I'm learning how to put music to video...how about that.

Snapshot #472: Origami Rocketship Mobile

January 23, 2012.  Sunnyvale, California.  I spent a good portion of the day at a friends in an attempt to create an origami rocketship mobile for her son's bedroom.  It needs some fine tuning and a few more items, like a UFO...but it's quite captivating when everything starts spinning round and round.  

Snapshot #471: The Gift of a Family

January 21, 2012.  San Jose, California.  The last couple days I have been overwhelmingly grateful for the gift of becoming a family through the miracle of sweet Hazel.  Dave and I have become a tag-team in providing for her needs; I don't know what I would do without either one of them.  

Snapshot #470: Baby Reflections

January 20, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Hazel has recently become intensely fascinated by her own reflection in the mirror.  Watching her discover how things work is such a joy.

Snapshot #469: Baby Quilts

January 19, 2012.  San Jose, California.  One of my very best friends found out today that she is going to be having a baby boy.  I got crazy excited about assisting her in the decoration of her nursery.  Really charming baby boy articles are really hard to find...perhaps I have found a new creative outlet.  I pictured nurseries in the following themes:  #1: Baby Blue Argyle or #2 Dr. Seuss or #3 Camouflauge.  

Snapshot #468: Binky Thumb

January 18, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Hazel and I met up with Dave at Cisco for lunch.  She has figured out a way to chew on her binky and her thumb at the same time...smart girl.

Snapshot #467: A Sitting Hazel

January 17, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Hazel can sit up unaided.  In addition to sitting up, just today she started scooching herself across the floor on her tummy, reaching whatever she wants.

Snapshot #466: First Food

January 16, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Really, it was our third attempt at giving her rice cereal; but the other two attempts didn't seem to take.  As of late Hazel has expressed intense interest in food so we decided to get out the high chair and give it another try.  She may have actually swallowed something this time. (Can you believe how much older she's looking!)

Snapshot #465: First Teeth

January 14, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Look close, there are already two little teeth on the bottom gum.

Baby's Best: Top Ten Most Useful Baby Items, Ages 0-6 Months

I am interested in learning about other mom's and dad's favorite baby gadgets.  Mine are as follows.  What are yours?


Couple my love of good design with a financially wise husband and you get a list of the top ten most useful baby items, according to the Woods.  I like to have only the basic essentials around, rather than numerous fancy gizmos and gadgets that don't see a lot of use.  Are these products absolutely necessary?  No; babies don't 'need' a lot besides loving parents and food--but I do use these products on a daily basis.  Are these products the least expensive?  Most likely not; but they are a good value.

Baby's Best #1: Puj Tub

I highly recommend the Puj Tub to all my friends.  It takes up zero space for storage; I need only one hand to pick it up and put it away with zero clean up time; it functions in my tiny, counterless bathroom; I don't have to bend over and injure my back; and Baby loves it.  Price $40.  Made by Puj.

Baby's Best #2:  Moby Wrap

The Moby Wrap distributes weight on my shoulders and back better than any carrier I have tried.  It's easy to transport, easy to clean, keeps Baby close and comfortable, and has the option for either inward or outward facing baby.  I use my moby while doing chores around the house, shopping, traveling, for walks and hikes.  Price $45.  Made by Moby.

Baby's Best #3:  Diaper Caddy

I was introduced to this diaper caddy by my cousins.  It's great because it keeps diapers, wipes, ointments, and changing pad all in one compact location.  It also transports super easy.  Love it.  Price $30.  Made by JJ Cole Collections.

Baby's Best #4:  Microfleece Sleep Bag

A sleep bag keeps Baby's toes warm and also eliminates the snapping guess work out of a middle-of-the-night diaper change.  I like microfleece because it's soft and cuddly.  Price $8.  Made by Carter's.

Baby's Best #5:  Binky Clip

A binky clip is indispensable if you want an easily accessible, clean binky.  Price Varies.  This one is homemade by my sister.

Baby's Best #6:  Emery Boards

I found baby nail clippers to be intimidating, always worrying about whether or not I would also clip Baby's skin.  These little emery boards do the job without injuring Baby.  Price $2.  Made by Safety 1st.

Baby's Best #7:  Finger Toothbrush

The finger toothbrush gives me the control I want without worrying about choking the baby.  I first used it to remove milk from Baby's tongue and now use it to clean Baby's teeth.  Price $2.  Made by Summer.

Baby's Best #8:  Crib Mobile

I didn't get a crib mobile until Baby was over three months old.  I wish I had had it since birth.  It makes naptime easier for both Mommy and Baby, giving Baby self-soothing amusement before putting herself to sleep.  Price varies.  Mine is homemade by my sister and I.

Baby's Best #9:  Lightweight Waffle Weave Swaddling Blankets

These lightweight waffle-weave swaddling blankets are nice to have.  The lightweight natural cotton muslin is breathable--prime for use year round; the waffle weave is flexible, enabling a tight swaddle around Baby; and the blanket dimensions are generous enough to accommodate a rapidly growing baby.  Price (4 pack) $35.  Made by Aden + Anais.

Baby's Best #10:  Baby Bee Shampoo + Wash 

I'm a fan of the all-in-one shampoo + body wash for Baby.  I value the natural ingredients and who doesn't want a baby that smells like honey and coconut...yummm.  Price $9.  Made by Burt's Bees.

That's my list.  Now it's your turn!