Howdy!

I'm so glad to see I'm not the only one that is struggling with Blogging! I just have nothing interesting to say! I do have some pictures though...below is Hazel in love with her Daddy. Check out her flat head...her ponytail is just not going to look right if I don't get this under control. We have been doing tummy time alot so hopefully that neck will get stronoger and we don't have to wear a hockey helmet thing to get it rounded out and pretty!
I have found some cute little bows that stay in her hair! On her few hairs on top...she gets so pissed when I put them in but she gets over it quickly. She is up to drinking 4 ounce bottles at school now!

Ryan has been traveling...Hagen always makes sure that Ryan packs some heat because the dragons are bad where he goes (the new favorite movie has been "How to Train your Dragon"). Ryan came home after Hagen had gone to bed and went to go wake him up and say he was home. Hagen was chattering non-stop "Say hi to Hazel, Say hi to Mama, Say hi to Dapper and kitty, it's cold outside, I'm in a new class..." then paused and asked Ryan, "Why are you talking so much? I gotta get some rest!" and went back to sleep. This was all while he was still sleeping...sleep talking?!

We have had Noah spend the night, Strep, random vomit, sinus infections, etc. so it has been eventful. But thankfully it hasn't gotten me! When Mama is sick...no one is happy...I make sure of it. I would like to give a shout out to our military families. This traveling hubby thing is hard! Don't get me wrong, things are going great with work and the kids are doing great at school, but it is lonely. I routinely am in bed at 8:00 or 8:30...

You can't see it in the picture above but I am wearing a new favorite! Merrilee got me a necklace that has the kids names on it. I LOVE IT. I have been wanting one for awhile and when Santa didn't bring it I was kinda bummed, but I got alot of neat things so just thought I would go get me one for my birthday or something. Then I got a package from Mer. Mer...I love it so much! It hasn't been taken off since I put it on and I don't wear my jewelry at night. Thank you SOO SOO much!!

As you can see from the above picture, Hagen is really into Hazel! He is being very sweet with her. When she is crying he will get whatever he is playing with and go sit next to her to "show" her what he is doing. He also wants to help...bath, changing diaper, putting her clothes in the hamper, Feeding her a bottle, etc. I put his old baby highchair thing that attaches to our chairs next to his at the dinner table so she can sit next to him (it reclines)...he LOVES it! She just stares at him and smiles from time to time...

He has been asking to go to bed at 6:30 or so everynight because he is tired. Uh, OK! Let's go! It is nice to have her in bed around 6:00 and him in bed at 6:30 or 7:00...gives me time to get things in order for the morning and catch up on a few shows and still get in bed early.

On Friday nights we have been doing PJ dinner at my brother's house. It is nice...we alternate who is doing dinner, the kids play, and we go in our PJ's. We are usually home by 8:00 or so but it is nice to have something to do on Friday nights!

That's all I got...kinda boring!

Carrie

Word...I got nothing but a pic...

Hazel is 2 months old!

Hazel had her 2 month well visit and she is doing great! She is weighing 9 pounds 13.5 ounces which puts her at 50%!! She is 75% in height and head circumference. She is doing fabulous!
Sista has a bit of a flat head on her right side. It is the side she prefers to lay on when sleeping, resting, whatever. So we have been working on more tummy time for Hazo!

When we were at the doctor for her appointment I had Hagen with me. He was going to be holding her hand when she got her shots. But at the last minute he decided to sit in the chair. When she started crying he was getting sad...he didn't like knowing that she was getting hurt. Sweet boy!

She is growing up so fast. She didn't like a paci at all until about a week or two ago. She likes the big obnoxious green monster from the hospital. I stocked up on them from Albertson's and we are good to go! She is waking up once a night to eat and then taking a paci the rest of the time. When we get home at night from school it is the crazy "rush to get dinner done" time of day. Hazel likes to be held and snuggled at that time also. So she has been cooking "with" me alot. I figured out that I can put her in a bouncy chair in the kitchen and she is happy watching me. Makes for an easier process that's for sure!!

She is eating good...3 ounce bottles at school. She has 3 bottles and then I feed her the rest of the time. Sweet precious baby girl...love her so much!

Love,

Mama

Our Daily Plan as of late

I could not be more pleased with how this week is going. Sunday night I was in a dark hole. Scared of how things were going to go.

I read a blog recently about how to have a routine not a schedule. So true! I have things that need to be done that are better done in an organized fashion but not necessarily timed out…a time is aimed for but not ridgid.

Here is the new weekly routine:
Mornings before work – Alarm goes off at 6:30 and I get up and get ready. Sometimes Hazel sits in her bouncy chair…sometimes she is still sleeping. Wake Hagen up at 7:15 and he get him dressed. He eats breakfast while watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while I change Hazel and pack up things for the day. Grab my lunch, pump, and diaper bag (my purse) and put them in the car and turn it on to warm it up. Grab Hazel’s bottles from the fridge and put them in her bag, clean up after breakfast, brush Hagen’s morning hair and wipe his face off. Put Hazel in the car seat and hit the door by 8:00. Drop the kids off, go to Sonic, and hit my desk by 9:00!

After work – run errands and then stop by home if I have time to organize milk, start thawing out dinner, etc. Get kids around 4:30, put a show on for Hagen, feed Hazel, whip up dinner, bathe the kids, I put Hazel to bed while Hagen plays, and play with Hagen. At 7:00 we go upstairs, eat a vitamin, brush teeth, and lay out clothes for the next day, read a book, hug and kiss and good night!

After the kids go down – clean up after dinner, prepare my lunch, make Hazel’s bottles, clean up all bottles and pump stuff, smoke a bowl, take some shots, and pole dance in my granny panties for exercise (just checking to see who is reading this boring stuff).

I pump and go to bed at 9:00…that’s our day!

One thing that I was very worried about was when I am putting Hazel down Hagen usually likes to assist me…which gets her all riled up and pissy. I didn’t want to say, “Get out! You are bothering us!” so what I do is tell him that I need some quiet time with Hazel to put her to sleep and to not enter. The faster I can put her down the more time we can play just us two before bed! So last night he sat in his puppy chair right outside my bedroom where I could see him while feeding her in the dark. He was playing a Memory matching game on the iPad waiting patiently. We were able to play 4 rounds of Candy Land…that’s what he chose to do.

I am BEYOND proud of him this week! No Whining, listening very well, eating his dinner, and just being so sweet to Hazel. We have turned the corner on that one and he now takes her a doll or a toy when she is crying, hugs and kisses her and has even got on the floor to play with her. It is sweet to see. Love when he says, “It’s OK Baby Hazel…Big Brother is here”…

Work is going great…interviews are being set up…I’m getting caught up…Ryan will be back late Saturday night…life is going well!

Tata,
Carrie

First day report!

Ahh...both babies are in bed...it is 7:10...

Hazel was up quite a few times last night. It wasn't a good start. But the alarm went off at 6:30 and I got in the shower, got pretty much ready then woke Hagen up...got him ready and breakfast served and Hazo awoke happy!

I dropped the kids off at school and there were no tears. Not even from me! It is so much easier dropping babies off when they can't say "Mama, don't leave me!". Hazel went to Miss Rosella like she knew her her whole life. Miss Rosella was Hagen's teacher when he was 1 so I know her and love her!

I got to work at 9:00 on the dot and the day went very well! I was able to get things going and even have an interview I am working on so things are going very well!

After work I dropped by home to put dinner in the sink to start thawing, bag the pumped milk, wash pump stuff, put some laundry away, and then I was off to get the babies.

They both had a great day! Hagen is transitioning to the next class. Juliette is in that class...he's pretty excited. His teacher said he did very well and ha a great time! He told me his name is on a penguin (a penguin on the floor that tells them where to sit during circle time).

Hazel had 3 bottles and took a few naps. They tried and tried to make her take a paci and she just doesn't want it. They said it is too big so tomorrow I am bringing the other 4 brands of pacis for them to try.

The kitchen is cleaned up, my lunch is packed, the dog is fed and I am watching the bachelor...life is good!

Tata,
Carrie

A letter to Hazel

Hazel,

Tomorrow is your first day at day care. I don't know what to think. Your Daddy is traveling more and he left tonight for the week...BUT...things are going well so far (it's been 3 hours). You and Hagen are all warm and snug in your beds asleep. Me? I'm sitting here thinking of all the stuff that I need to get together for your first day at school and my first day back after maternity leave to be perfect!

I have really enjoyed staying home with you these past 8 1/2 weeks. It's been trying, but for the most part I have loved it! I love your little rolls on your legs, I love the way your hair smells after a bath, I love the face you make when you are going potty, I love you when you have a bow on your head around your few hairs, I love the way you stick your baby booty out when I pick you up and you stretch, I love the way you put your little hands by your mouth when you eat, I love that you eat fast, I love the way you smile and coo at your Daddy like he is your hero already, and I secretly love that I am the one that can calm you and not many other people.

Hazel, I hope you have a wonderful day tomorrow with your new friends. Big brother will be there at the same place to check on you often. I hope that you like the toys, make some great friends, and eat good while you are there. I will be thinking about you all day and already can't wait to go get you and Hagen.

Much love honey,
Mama

Christmas Dinner at Papa and Pia's

How sweet are my babies! I'll tell you though, newborns in real clothes is ridiculous. Hazel had a darling little dress on and tights and was so hard to hold! I felt like she was going to slip right through! and her tights? They were folded under her feet in her booties. BUT it was a must do...Mom and I picked out her Christmas outfit when I was still pregnant with her and we were in love. Hagen looks a bit dorky with his slicked hair...it hadn't dried yet.
We headed over to Mom and Dad's for Christmas dinner. The boys both got "Stinky the Garbage Truck". It is such a cute truck! It is vulgar...so of course I like it. It farts...not alot but enough. They spent alot of the time playing with Stinky.

We have a meal every year (Christmas or Christmas Eve...which ever one we are together for) and it is fabulous! Standing Rib Roast, Mona's Potatoes, and bacon wrapped green beans. They must all 3 be present...it's just not the same if something is missing!!

My parents are the true Santa's. Dad did his normal splitting up $1,000 in 10 envelopes with "Merry Christmas" written on them and handed them out to random people that look like they needed it. He gave me 3 and it is my favorite thing in the world to do. You give it and drive away and not wait to see a reaction. It is hard to not wait and see, but you don't want them to feel awkward or anything.

I got tons of clothes, a sapphire necklace (did you know there are tons of colors of sapphires?), a new laptop, a roasting pan, and other things...I did pretty well! As always.

Hazel actually did very well. She was snuggled by Aunt Rebecca and fell asleep. Usually she will not do this at night but I think the poor thing was just plain WORN OUT so she did whatever was needed.

I start work on Monday...holy crap...

Tata,

Carrie