Hazel Meets Hazel--August 26

Our last morning with Van and Christina was nice and relaxed.  It was hard to say goodbye.  Hazel had it easy.  She fell asleep for that part of the day!

Out with Van and Christina at Afton State Park ---August 25

We spent an afternoon walking at Afton State Park, complete with a few mosquitoes.  It was very quiet, despite the fact that it was Saturday. 

Hazel got a little fussy in the carrier about halfway through the walk, but she was quite happy to be held by her papa for the rest of the way.

12 Days of Fun, Ending Labor Day--August 23

We visited the Minnesota State Fair on Thursday, opening day.  We started with the poultry barn and the bunnies, and moved on from there.  We made in through the horse and cattle barns, and through the barn where they have the baby animals before moving away from the allergy-inducing hay.

Christina had a pork chop on a stick, and the rest of us had Pronto Pups.  Banquet on a stick doesn't even begin to cover how amazing a Pronto Pup is.  

We had fun looking at the new cars on display.  Van tried on the Dodge Challenger.

We watched the St. Paul Police K-9 demonstration.  The dogs are all imported from European working dog lines, and spent a lot of time in puppy kindergarten.  They are pretty amazing to watch.

We hit the Mighty Midway last, as it was getting dark and all the lights were flashing.  

We sat and watched the "Slingshot," a two person ride that shoots two people at a time up in the air like a slingshot while  Christina went to get a bucket of Sweet Martha's Cookies.  

Hazel Meets Grandpa Van and Grandma Tina--August 22

Van and Christina flew in from Boston early on Wednesday.  We have been keeping very busy, so far!  We went to the Mall of America that afternoon when our outdoorsy plans were spoiled by afternoon thunderstorms.  Emma has been spoiled with lots of extra attention.  

Bedtime--August 20

We are working on a bedtime routine, although bedtime appears to be a bit of a moving target for little Hazel.

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Step 1: Bath

Hazel, like her Mama, prefers a fairly warm bath.  She also likes her bubbles.  Her Papa calls bath time the evening "wildcard," because even when Hazel is at her fussiest, fritziest,grumpiest state, popping her in the bath will make her smile and giggle.  

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Step 2: Dry Off and Diaper

This step is crucial, because certain little friends do not enjoy being cold. 

 

These diapers are nice for bedtime because, like disposables, they wick away moisture.  Unlike disposables, they aren't disposable.  Also, they are kind of enormous.

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Step 3: Read a Book

Tonight, we were reading I Want My Hat Back. * 

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Step 4 (not pictured): Baby Goes to Bed and Hopefully Falls Asleep Peacefully to the Soothing Sounds of Lullabies and an Oscillating Fan

Emma and Hazel--August 18

Emma enjoys spending time with Hazel on the floor.  

Hazel has just started to show a little more interest in Emma, reaching out to touch her ears and smiling when her little fingers are eagerly licked.  The camera caught her mid-rollover here.

Zeppelins and Jammies--August 16

Sometimes the zeppelin impedes her progress in her attempts to roll over, but sometimes it is nice to snuggle with.

Lil' Cowpoke--August 13

This little shirt says "Lil' Cowpoke" and comes with a built-in kerchief, so we can ponder our future home on the range in style.  The socks match--they have little boot-and-spur designs on them.  

Hazel is now apparently an expert at rolling onto her tummy, and she's a little happier being there than she was a month or so ago.  The little birds she's playing with came from Nellie's birdhouse, which we just rediscovered.  

Indian Mounds Park-- August 12

Bath Time?--August 9

Hazel spent some time in her tub while the shower curtain was being put back after a trip through the washing machine.  

Giggles, Creep Mouse, & Rolling Over (Round Two)--August 8

First, Hazel is giggling now.  She giggles when you do Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes with her, and when you move her arms to dance along with a new Josh Turner song, Punching Bag.  She also really likes it when the zippers on her sleepers get zipped up.

 Second, she has a new appreciation for the "creep mouse" game--where the little mouse creeps up to tickle her under her chin.  This is her post-creep mouse giggle, happy to see you, face.

Third, she is rolling over from her back to her tummy now.  She started doing this at naptime, which has made the swaddles unstable, unfortunately.  We're still working that out.  She seems a little ambivalent once she's over, but she keeps on doing it.  Here, a zeppelin got in her way.

 She took a break before trying again..  

Someone helpfully moved the zeppelin, and she finally made it over.  

Triangle Puzzle--August 8

The triangle puzzle thing is pretty much her favorite object to mess with, Sophie the giraffe notwithstanding.    

Hazel Has a Tongue!--August 8

Hazel is now experimenting with sticking her tongue out.  We think she will imitate us, if we try it first.  Either way, she's discovered an entirely new thing to work on.