words words words

they come in spurts but you really seem to want to talk. In fact, I often find you "speaking" with great expression while holding your books as if you are reading the story out loud or talking to the figures in the stories. There are a few things you say in addition to mama and dada. Your hit list includes:
- lights
- dottie
- go
- doggie
- book

your signs include:
- please
- thank you (throwing a big kiss)
- more
- waving good bye
- hugs
- grabbing your shoes and coats (not really a sign but its your way of telling us you want to go outside)
- shaking your head no, no, no, no, no
- nodding your head yes
- bringing us books, yes, all the time!

Books you really enjoy these days include:
- brown bear
- I wrote to the zoo
- barnyard dance
- happy as a hippo
- the little mouse, the red ripe strawberry and the big hungry bear

christmas time

Christmas 2013 was a bit different from previous christmas's primarily due to grams and papa not hosting this year. Instead we went over to Dan and Nancy's for Christmas Eve and spent Christmas day at our house (and grams and papa and Porter too came over).
Santa came to our house! He delivered so many presents for everyone. Hazel and Dottie got a new jeep car that Hazel drove Dottie around in. Hazel got the hang of driving pretty quickly and Dottie got the hang of putting the car in reverse while Hazel was driving much to her dismay. It was quite a sight to see in the condo parking garage levels.
Hazel also got the horse stable she was hoping for in addition to a beanbag chair, clothes, new underwear, musical instruments (thanks Jill), and other games and books.
Dottie got a piggy bank, a whack-o-mole type game, mega blocks, books and pajamas (ones that won't slide on you!). Our stockings were filled to the brim with all sorts of goodies.
Everything was fun with the exception of Dottie getting sick. Poor little thing had a high fever and just wasn't her normal self. She wasn't sleeping despite being pumped with tylenol and none of us got a whole lot of sleep. We kept her home for a few days from school and finally saw Dr Lindsay who diagnosed Dottie has having a double ear infection and possible pneumonia.
Merry Christmas Hazel and Dottie! The holidays are so wonderful with you around!

oh snap!

just like that you snapped - out of no where.
I think Hazel was jealous!

sisters

winter is here

and just like that you're 14 months old!

we were in kauai when it happened- no colander in site so we took a few days late : )

13 months old! (a missed moment but better late than never)

First words

I think your first word was dada and a somewhat coherent mama but your first word was uh-oh! You also like to roar when you see lions. Is there a connection I wonder?

Aloha Kauai

We decided it was time for a vacation. That we needed to get away from the hectic times at work and the increasing of our family. We chose to go to Kauai and stay at the Kauai waiohai resort which is part of the Marriott family. We are here for 8 days and so far it has been fantastic. You love so many things about the vacation including:

Swimming in the pool with your floaty

Walking up and down every stairs in the complex

Reading books over and over

The big bathtub

The birds, roosters and chickens everywhere

The warm weather

Your swim diapers 

Your pack n play cub though you still are the worst sleeper. Yes, the worst.

Going for walks in the Bjorn or the stroller

Slashing in the water or kicking!

I must admit that the plane ride was excruciating. You screamed the first hour and we finally got you to sleep the last few hours but daddy layer you on a row of seats and you rolled off on to the floor. You made it though and I'm already thinking about how you'll do on the way home. 

t the hotel you've been good except at night when you wake up 3-4 times at night. Why?? What's wrong with a solid 8-10 hours of sleep at night?it actually is a wonderful thing! 

Yesterday you rolled off the bed and bonked your head and in the afternoon you bonked your face against the bed rail and cut open your lip. Oh vey! You certainly aren't clumsy but perhaps too big for your britches. Xoxo sweet Ban Kee Moon. 

Santa baby

Saturday morning we woke up early, sent daddy to Nordstrom (at 6am) to get in line for our Santa photos. You girls were a big help and were easy on mommy. We got you looking cute which isn't difficult and headed downtown. Dottie in the Bjorn and hazel in the umbrella stroller (her pick). We had to wait a bit even thou daddy was technically third in line and by the time we got the front you and hazel were both done with the process. Santa was soooo good and patient with us. Hazel warmed up to the red jolly guy eventually but you were not happy. We eventually got both of you on his lap and decided to select the photo that was more suiting hazel since she wasn't in the picture last year. Hazel told Santa she wanted a horsy stable and Santa probed for other things but she couldn't think of more. He asked if you were good girls and hazel replied for both of you that yes, you were good little girls. Christmas seems to be officially here and it was so good to get this season started off with a littl ant time. When you get older and have children of your own you will appreciate this effort and remember to never have high expectations!

Thanksgiving

We spent our day of thanks at Dan and Nancy's. Grams and papa joined us and it was fun. Belle and Portia got hazel some blocks so you had a great time tearing down what your sister built. You played with the girls and ate a bit of turkey and lots of bread. We went home and watched Rudolph the red nosed reindeer- you didn't make it through and needed to go to sleep.

You and hazel looked so cute and we event tried for a family photo. Poor Dottie fell down the stairs much to belles dismay though I'm sure it won't be the last time. Xoxo I sure am thankful for you two adorable kids!