Week #9 - Offical 2 Month Birthday & Sleeping through the night!

Hazel's official 2 month birthday was on St. Patty's Day so of course we had to celebrate with the family! Nana made an AWESOME dinner and the boyz (Finny & Cayman even got dressed up for the occasion)!

To kick off the weekend Mike and I had our first "hot" date since the arrival of Hazel and of all the places to go we headed to the Car Show. I was a bit nervous because we had been having a difficult time giving Hazel a bottle and didn't want Nana and Papa (our all- pro babysitters) to struggle giving the bottle.  I don't even know why I worried as Hazel took the bottle down with no problems from her Papa.

On Sunday, we went down to Rochester to visit Hazel's Great Grandma Ringen. Grandma sure loves little Hazel and really wanted to keep her.

Favorite things this week:

• Hazel began sleeping through the night starting on March 16th.   She slept from 9:30pm - 6:30am (an AWESOME 9 hours) and has been pretty much sleeping through the night ever since! Mike and I hope this continues as Hazel has always been a great sleeper usually only getting up once or twice but this entire night thing is the best.

Like Mother Like Daughter

People have always said " Like Mother like Daughter"........................  

 Hazel & I (2010)

 

Mom & I (1978)

Me at 2 Months (12.28.78)

 

Hazel at 2 months (3.14.10)

Week #8 - Shots & Visits

Favorite things this Week:  The smiles Hazel gives when she is looking right at you and all the cooing & kicking she does when you change her diapers! She is starting to hold things in her hands.  I just love it when she grabs my shirt when I am feeding her.  Getting into the "zone" this week Hazel just wanted to be swaddled, bounced, and her nuk held in her mouth - amen as our arm muscles were bulking up from swinging that darn car seat.

This week Mike and I brought Hazel to the doctor for her two month visit.  I brought Mike for support and to comfort Hazel when she got her shots. As soon as the nurse came in to give the shots I left in tears and stood outside the door plugging my ears while crying.  The nurses were kind and held me like a baby, patting my back telling me it was going to be alright until I pried my fingers from my ears. Seriously the shots were over in like 5 second  and Hazel was almost asleep in Mike's arm when I returned. Why are these shots so hard on mom's?  Besides the shots the visit went well and she is doing great.

Hazel's 2 Month Stats: 
Weight: 11lbs 14oz (75%)
Height: 23 inches log (75%)
Head: 39 cm (50%)

This week we also ventured to my work to show little Hazel off! I figured it was about time to prove I did indeed actually have a baby and my belly that had grown for nine months was just not because I changed my eating habits.

Week #7-Birthday, Reunion, and the "Zone"

Favorite things this week: All the giggles, coos, & smiles

***Since it was above 40 degrees outside this week we had a wonderful playdate with a friend & her little one.  Hazel also got her first outdoor walk under her belt. It was really nice to get some fresh air and I am now really excited for the spring weather to arrive permanently!!!!

This week we celebrated my cousin's 21st birthday.  We went to dinner and Hazel wore her little shirt for Danny.   Hazel definately wanted to get involved with the celebration and started vocalizing her excitement before dinner so this was the first time I had to nurse in the car.  It was an interesting experience but never the less it worked.  After nursing, to try to get Hazel back in the "zone" we took a drive around the block.  Hazel loves car rides and this usually puts her right to sleep.  However, as soon as we got back in the restaurant Hazel was fulling alert and ready to party.  Luckily, Nana was able to hold Hazel as she feel aleep allowing Mike and I to eat.

Little did we know but this was the start of a week trying to find Hazel's "zone"! It never fails as soon as Mike gets home and we eat dinner and little Hazy tests our parenting skills and plays "Guess what is going to get me back in my zone today."  We have already dicovered that Hazel gets bored easy and has started demanding more of us. No longer is just bouncing Hazel on the ball acceptable but now swinging her in her car seat followed closely by boucing the car seat on the ball (only after our arms were about ready to fall off with the car seat swinging) is the current tactic being applied.  However, tomorrow's game of "Guess what is going to get me back in my zone" might be something completely different.



Gettin' in the ZONE:

• The "zone" I am referring to is the calm state right before going to sleep.  We have been learning Hazel does not want to miss a thing and flights sleep like a great Roman warrior.

 Birthclass Reunion:
We also got together with the couples from our birth class.  It was great to see all the babies and hear the different birthing stories and parenting experiences thus far.

Hazel's Baptism - Sunday, Feburary 21st

Hazel was baptized on Sunday, February 21st at the same church Mike and I were married in a little over 4 years ago.  Hazel did great and slept through the service - not even stirring from her slumber when Pastor Duane placed water on her head. After the service, my parents hosted an amazing Baptism Brunch at their home. Mom and Dad (aka Nana & Papa)  you sure have a special gift of hosting events - the food is always amazing!

 

Baptism is a lifelong journey of faith that commissions us to use our gifts to transform the world with God's teachings. We are excited and look forward to walking with Hazel on her journey until she claims the way of Christ as her own.

We want to thank all of our family that was able to attend Hazel's baptism and for their support as we begin our journey with Hazel. 

Family in attendance supporting Hazel in baptism

 Nana & Papa (godparents)   
 

This verse was on a card Hazel received and I thought it was fitting

"And I will send showers, showers of blessings." (Ezekiel 34:26 NLT) 

Week #5- Lovin' her reflection & meeting up with friends

 Another great week being home with Hazel.  Everyday is like Christmas morning as it seems Hazel is changing daily.

We had dinner with a few  high school friends this week. Crazy to really see the differences in baby stages when you put the kiddo's side by side.  Hazel, Kendall (5months), and Jackson (18months) had a blast together!   It is really fun to watch your friends kids grow up together.

Hazel Highlights Week #5:

• Lovin' her reflection - Hazel loves to look at her reflection in the mirror while playing on her playmat.She just kicks her legs and "coos."

• Baby Nest Carrier - I finally figured out how to use the Baby Nest Carrier and be "hands free". Hazel likes to sleep in the carrier right against my chest. With this device I am able to get stuff done around the house while little Hazy is right by my side.  I figure if women can work the fields with similar carriers the least I can do is laundry.

Week #4 - Daddy's First Feeding & Valentine's Day

First Bottle Brought Tears:

Since I will be going back to work eventually and Hazel will need to learn how to take a bottle we decided 4 weeks old would be a good time to try it out.   I was excited Mike would now be able to share the feeding experience. Though I would have never thought I would have had the reaction I did.  When Mike gave Hazel my breast milk in a bottle I teared up and felt incredibly sad. I thought she is growing up so fast  as before this point she got all her nourishment  directly from me. After all, breastfeeding is such an incredible intimate moment between mother and child. Breastfeeding has provided a wonderful bonding experience for Hazel and I.  It also makes those 3AM feedings worth getting up for!  I love the moment when Hazel's eyes begin to droop,  her beautiful lashes close, and pure contentment covers her little body.  It is truly amazing how a little one can go from screaming to satisfied in a blink.  Now I will have to share some of this time with Mike. However, as I continued to watch Mike feed Hazel that first time, I saw her gaze up at him and lock eyes as she ate.  It made me feel better and I loved  knowing Hazel loves being fed by her Daddy too!!

Valentine's Day:

Sunday, February 14 we decided to  venture out and take Hazel to church for the first time.   We don't quite have a schedule for Hazel just yet we were unsure how she would react. Would she scream, cry, or sleep through the service?  Mike and I enjoyed listening to the service on LOVE while Hazel simply slept in her car seat in the pew. After church we headed to Nana's & Papa's for brunch where our delicate little Hazel had a massive blow out that got all over her v-day outfit. Good thing we have already learned to carry multiple outfits in her diaper bag.  Luckily, we were able to snap a picture of her valentine's outfit after she was cleaned up!

A visit from Uncle Bryce and Hazel's Highlights from week #3

  Uncle Bryce & Girlfriend Jennifer

My Uncle Bryce Rocks.......

Bryce came home from California to meet his new little niece, Hazel.  It was great to see Bryce and to meet his girlfriend Jennifer. This was the first time Jennifer had ever seen it snow so she definitely came at the perfect time.   Uncle Bryce really spoiled Hazel and I think she has all the attire for hitting the surfing scene when we visit California!

 

Bryce getting the hand off &  holding Hazel for the first time

Week #3 highlights for Hazel:

• She started "cooing" - this is one of the cutest things ever
• She is beginning to track your face more and more each day
• She has found the mirror on her Gymini Playmat and loves gazing into it
• She is more content in her bouncer chair and seems to be taking it all in. This chair has actually made it possible for me to put little Hazel down - before this magical chair I just held her all day long and love it!!
• We introduced her to the nuk- she reminds me of Maggie Simpson when she has it in.

                      

Great Grandparents....4 generations

On Sunday,Hazel's Great-Grandparents Walt & Shirley came to visit.  Little Hazel was sure in awe of her Great-Grandpa Walt as she just seem to gaze up at his eyes when he talked to her.  We were also able to capture a 4-generation photo which was really special!