Running in Circles

Hazel really got excited for Christmas this year. She happily made cookies with Brice for Santa, we wrote him a note and made sure to tell Santa that Rudolph was our favorite reindeer. We talked so much about the nativity and the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Hazel happily helped gather packages and loved helping me wrap Brice's presents- and she also enjoyed telling him what we wrapped. 

#stinker.

Hazel got some awesome gifts from family members, grandparents, Brice and I and Santa. This year she got a scooter, a play kitchen, new duplos, and a magnetic Beauty and the Beast set. Brice and I replaced her special "Kajsa" puppy that she lost over the summer and has talked about non-stop. that pretty much sealed the deal about Santa for her.

Henry wasn't so interested in his first Christmas. He did manage to sleep in until 7:50 so we were thrilled! Henry just sat back and watched Hazel work and mostly he just wanted to snuggle with his mama. Henry got to open up some new shoes and bath letters. 

Henry is 11 months old tomorrow!

- Walking, Walking, Walking

- Has double ear infections right now.

- Loves the bath, especially if you leave some water on while hes in there. He tries so hard to grab that running water.
- nicknames- boom-boom, little boy, Hen

- loves pouches, the vacuum, being near his mama.

- Loves swinging and sliding at the park, and trying to stick any leaves or acorns in his mouth. He climbed up a small slide by himself yesterday.

- loves peanut butter and honey sandwiches, apple slices, string cheese, pasta and red sauce, any form of crackers, bananas, and yogurt.

- His favorite pouches or baby food are spinach based.

- Still wearing mostly 3/6 month clothes with some 6/9 month shirts.

- Henry is getting the hang of using a spoon and fork- meal time is messy but he loves the bath afterwards.

- Finally starting signing "more" and "all done"

- Cut his 7th tooth (3rd on the bottom) and has such a cheesy crooked smile that we love

- Sounds like he's so close to saying MaMa and DaDa

- Henry is the best little chore buddy. He likes to unload the dishwasher, unfold clothes, put toys back in the baskets, and push the high chair back in its spot. :)

- I put him in his first pair of 6-12 month pants and they stayed on but the bottoms were rolled up about an inch.

- Has learned how to give high- fives and wave but both take a lot of prodding to get him to do.

Henry still brings a peaceful love into our home. He has been such an easy going and happy baby and I am so grateful. His little face lights up when he sees Brice or I.  Hazel is the best at getting him to be silly and laugh and watching them actually play together makes my mama heart so happy. I'm so grateful Henry has been a good eater, and sleeper, and nurser. I hope he feels loved and a part of our little family.

Hazel asked us the other day for " a lot, a lot, a lot more babies"....but right now things feel really good! 

:: hazel ::

1. yesterday she tooted and when I asked her to excuse herself she said "Mom, that wasn't a toot- it was a choo choo train."

2.  she cant keep a secret- she totally told Brice what I got him for Christmas.

3. Told me today she wanted to snuggle and she needed some of my sunshine (warmth) to get warmed up.

4. will not stop picking Henry up and it is driving me crazy.

5. is loving apples and peanut butter as a snack.

6. can spell her name and write the letters mostly.

7. recently obsessed with scissors and likes any excuse to cut something. I keep the scissors out of sight and out of mind in hopes of avoiding all bad haircut possibilities.

8. Is excited for Christmas but really still doesn't get all the Santa/presents fun. 

:: henry ::

1. Has learned to sign "more", clap, and say "moo" when asked what does the cow say.

2. got sleep trained post teething/vacation and is sleeping again from 8 pm-5 am.

3. LOVED spaghetti this week.

4. is a terror in the bathroom. He's climbing up the stool to the sink, dropping things in the toilet, unraveling the toilet paper. We've got to keep those doors shut!

5. I started fruit/veggie pouches last week and totally surprised me- he can suck on a straw. Who knew. He is loving all the fruits and veggies.

Henry started taking his first independent steps over Thanksgiving break- and now he's walking so well! He is hardly crawling and getting more and more sure of himself as he walks right along. I can't get over how little he looks though. At 10.5 months old he's still just 15 pounds.

Now we just got to get this boy of ours to start talking. He just babbles on and n but I'm getting anxious to hear "ma-ma."

:: hazel ::

1. keeps asking to go back to Savvy's house.

2. Along with telling stories and making up characters, Hazel loves to sing!

3. She is loving reading "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" but absolutely insists that the Whos' "roast beast" is a turkey.

4. is climbing on everything. Already this morning I've asked her to get off of the counters, the fridge, and the door handle.

5. She woke up at 6:00 am and just laid on the couch watching the Christmas lights. I came out 15 minutes later to nurse Henry and found her just laying there. I was so confused, but I guess Henry's crying woke her up but she looked outside and said it was still dark.

6. Her feet have grown so much the last few months- size 8 is now tight.

7. yet she still wears 2T pants.

8. Keeps asking who each present is for, but hasn't grasped the idea that Santa brings presents. She doesn't really ask for anything.

:: henry ::

1. is taking steps all day every day!

2. was not happy to get his picture taken instead of getting milk.
3. i'm pretty sure his favorite time of day is dinner time. He loves to eat anything.
4. is doing surprisingly well leaving the Christmas tree alone.
5. still loves the stroller and is such a trooper going on walks everyday.
6. is totally in that stage of getting into everything. The cupboards, toiletries, fridge, t.p.- things are starting to get messy around here.
7. opposite of Hazel- he is still wearing mostly 3/6 months with an occasional 6-12 month outfit, I'm having to buy warmer clothes in these smaller sizes because what i have prepped for him is way too big!

We had such a great trip to Utah for Thanksgiving this year!

 Flying over driving started the trip off on the right foot :)

While we were in Utah we got to visit Pear Johnson, Grandma Wilde, Nana, David and Michelle and their family, The Hunters, the Shermans, and Heather Hammond. Heather gave a free cougar ice cream coupon to Hazel and became her favorite BYU friend. We were able to see the Wrights and have dinner with them which really just brought back a lot of great school memories.

We ran our half-marathon, enjoyed a yummy turkey dinner, relaxed and watched Hazel love on Savvy. Haze loved all the attention she got from Uncle Jared and Aunt Chelsea too! 

We had family pictures taken at Gardner Village- I was freezing in my dress but I think the pictures turned out great! Its nice to see our family growing and to see everyone together at once. 

On Saturday Brice and I left the kids the entire day and drove up to cold, cold, Logan for the BYU vs UTAH STATE football game. It was an exciting game with a lot of scoring,snow, and being the visiting team at their stadium. It really was a much needed and a fun day just the two of us.

We were sure to eat at our favorites, stock up on chocolate covered cinnamon bears, and really take stock of what we were thankful for.