Snapshot #559: Seed Starter

May 3, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I'm so excited to be starting that garden I've wanted for years and finally have the backyard for.  I've never done this before (that I can remember) so we'll see how it goes.  I've planted seeds for basil, cilantro, cucumber, green onion, yellow onion, bell pepper, mesclun salad mix, beefsteak tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and zucchini.  I'm sure you'll get a photo update soon.   

Snapshot #558: Music Please

May 2, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Whenever Hazel hears music she raises her arm and waves it like our choir director at church.  She also knows that our piano makes music.  So today she crawled over to the piano and started waving her hand.  I walked over there and turned the player on and she got the biggest smile on her face.  Then she pulled herself up and started dancing (aka bouncing up and down and swinging her head side to side).  She is such a joy to be around!  I love my little Hazel so very much.  

Snapshot #557: Sweet Potatoes

May 1, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I make all of Hazel's baby food and so far I've been very happy with our purchase of the Ninja Master Prep...and glad we didn't spend five times the cash for a Vitamix.

Snapshot #556: Bath Time

April 30, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Hazel has graduated to the big person bathtub.  And...she loves it!  hahahaha (actually she really does enjoy bath time, but today she got frustrated because I wouldn't let her stand up in the tub...too dangerous.)

Snapshot #555: Helping Hands

April 28, 2012.  Sunnyvale, California.  We're out in a park today assisting the City of Sunnyvale with nature restoration; adding mulch, planting trees, general cleanup, etc.  I enjoy being out of doors.   

Snapshot #554: Ragnar Napa Valley

April 27, 2012.  San Jose, California.  PICTURE THIS:  The Golden Gate Bridge.  Wine Country.  Me and 11 friends running day and night, relay style, through some of northern California's most beautiful scenery.  It's the Ragnar Relay Napa Valley.  San Francisco to Calistoga.  September 14-15, 2012.  And I'm signed up!  I will be running three different legs of the relay over the course of 36 hours.  My first leg will be 3.5 miles, then 8.9 miles, and finally 3.8 miles.  I have butterflies already. 

Snapshot #553: Mowing the Lawn

April 26, 2012.  San Jose, California.  The older Hazel gets the more scared of the lawn mower she becomes.  I guess that's a good thing.  

Snapshot #552: April Showers

April 25, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Both Hazel and Zazu enjoyed the calm before the storm today.

Snapshot #551: Springtime

April 24, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Springtime means more time outdoors...yeah!!

Snapshot #550: Morning Jog

April 23, 2012.  San Jose, California.  A snapshot of Hazel and her new little friend glad to be out of the stroller after this morning's jog.  

Snapshot #549: Hazel's First Swim

April 21, 2012.  San Jose, California.  It got into the high eighties today...the only escape was to find a pool.

Snapshot #548: A Swimsuit for Hazel

April 20, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I found this adorable swimsuit for Hazel at Outrageous Outgrowns (a semi-annual weekend event hosted at the Santa Clara Fairgrounds).  I wish there were a matching one for mama!

Snapshot #547: Ring Stacker

April 19, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Yesterday evening we made an emergency run to Babies"R"Us for more binkies.  Hazel got a new toy out of the excursion...one I remember from my childhood...a ring stacker.

Snapshot #546: Red Roses

April 18, 2012.  San Jose, California.  My thoughtful husband came home from work with an armful of red roses...acknowledging several long, difficult days at home preparing taxes.  Ahhhhh!  

Snapshot #545: Eating Sand

April 17, 2012.  San Jose, California.  At the park today Hazel was determined to experience the taste of sand.

Snapshot #544: Red Hat

April 16, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Hazel looked so darling yesterday at church in her red hat...but it is nearly impossible to get a picture of her any more because she won't stay still for even a second!  (hence all the videos you've been getting lately instead)

Video Snapshot #543: Cruising

April 14, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Hazel has started to cruise around her crib..

Snapshot #542: Nap Time

April 13, 2012.  San Jose, California.  After Hazel talked herself to sleep this morning, I went in to put a blanket over her and this is what I found.

Snapshot #541: Easter Baby

April 12, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Hazel becomes more fun to be around every day. (Even with an ear infection)

Snapshot #540: Ear Infection?

April 11, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Hazel and I are headed to the doctor to find out if she has an ear infection.  Poor girl keeps grabbing her ear and crying.

Snapshot #539: Hazel's 8 Month Photo

April 11, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Today's trick...single-handedly getting a wiggly, curious baby to hold still long enough to snap her photo.

Exploring California: Snapshot #537: Mount Tamalpais

 

April 7, 2012.  Mill Valley, California.  We braved the crowded roads this holiday weekend looking for a mountain retreat just north of San Francisco and ended up on the top of Mount Tamalpais.  The views of San Francisco and the bay were spectacular...AND it was one of those rare days without fog.  Look close, you can see the skyscrapers of San Fran in two of these photos.

Snapshot #536: Story Time

April 6, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Look who flew in for story time!  Grandparents!

Snapshot #535: Crawling Together

April 5, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Early this morning Hazel was crawling across the floor when Dave decided he would shadow her.  She giggled and giggled whenever she took a step and he mimicked her.  He's an incredible Dad.

Snapshot #534: Cruising

April 4, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Hazel turns 8 Months today.  Can you believe she's already pulling herself up and starting to cruise around her crib?  It's making for more action-packed nap times, that's for sure.

Snapshot #533: Easter Egg Hunt

April 3, 2012.  Sunnyvale, California.  A friend hosted an Easter Egg Hunt in her backyard today.  Fun times.  I am thankful for the sociality of other Mom's with interests similar to my own.

Snapshot #532: Before & After

April 2, 2012.  San Jose, California.  I still need to varnish (hence the blue tape) oh yeah and sand, tape, prime, paint, stain the other three chairs--but they've been too much work not to deserve a post today. They're going to take another couple weeks (at least) to finish (I can really only work during Baby's nap times) yet I couldn't wait that long to share!   I am infatuated with the added splash of color in the house.

Video Snapshot #531: Playing a Game

March 31, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Hazel loves discovering new games.  And check out that dimple!

Snapshot #530: Lunch Break

March 30, 2012.  Milpitas, California.  Best lunch break ever.  A full hour test drive.  

Snapshot #529: Little Miss Hazel

March 29, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Because I haven't posted a photo of Hazel in several days (yes, I know the real reason you visit the blog!)

Snapshot #528: Before & After

March 28, 2012.  San Jose, California.  My upgrades for the rocking chair in the nursery are now complete (minus the ottoman...that's next).  I finished sewing the back pillow today.  I am pleased with the way it turned out.

Video Snapshot #527: Hazel Whistles

March 27, 2012.  San Jose, California.  This video is to dispel all doubt about Hazel's ability to whistle.  (Sorry Shelli...I think her whistle is better than yours.)  

Snapshot #526: Homemade Pillow Cover

March 26, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Today I finished this pillow cover for the seat cushion of the rocking chair in the nursery.  It is delightful having a sewing machine that works well!

Video Snapshot #525: Baby Kisses

March 24, 2012.  San Jose, California.  It's our darling baby doll giving herself kisses.

Video Snapshot #524: Hazel Laughing

March 23, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Our beautiful little Hazel is such a joy to be around!

Video Snapshot #523: Hazel Sits

March 22, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Look what I can do!  Look what I can do!

Snapshot #522: She Sits

March 21, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Yes, she has been able to sit up for some time now.  Her new trick is going from a lying down position into a sitting position all on her own.

Snapshot #521: Before & After

March 20, 2012.  San Jose, California.  (Hey Lindsey, recognize this table?)  If trying this at home plan on spending seven times the amount of time you think it should take!

Snapshot #520: She Whistles

March 19, 2012.  San Jose, California.  Hazel deliberately whistles...it's pretty cute.

Snapshot #519: Saturday Morning Chores

March 17, 2012.  San Jose, California.  The house is spotless...now let's play!

Snapshot #518: Cafe Baklava

March 16, 2012.  Mountain View, California.  For dinner Dave took Hazel and I to Cafe Baklava in downtown Mountain View; mediterranean cuisine.  Yeah for bonuses!

Exploring California: Snapshot #517: Ed Levin County Park & Golf Course

March 15, 2012.  Milpitas, California.  Hazel and I did a little hiking with friends this afternoon at Ed Levin County Park on the opposite side of the valley from us.  This picture is to entice my in-laws into coming for a visit...yes, that IS a golf course nestled between the hills.