Hangin' with the Greats and the Grands

Went to the Great-Grandparent's for Sunday dinner today, Hazel was supposed to be in charge of keeping Grandpa H and Great-Grandma H entertained...apparently it was a bit overwhelming for her."Phew, Grandpa H, you rescued me!"

"Three cheers for Great-Grandma!"

Seriously?

Hazel was being really good this morning, so as a reward I finally gave in to all of her begging and styled her hair after her bath. She said she'd be even better if I put product in it. Deal.

(Stylist: Geri, Product: Pureology Nanowax)...just in case you wanted the same look.

Hazel's First BFF

My friend Leslie, had a little girl a month before Hazel and we've decided that they are going to be friends (like they wouldn't want to!)
So, Miss Anna and her mom came to visit today, she and Hazel couldn't wait to laugh, dance and play barbies together. Unfortunately, that seemed a little overwhelming to them, so they settled for taking turns in the swing, sucking on pacifiers, eating and sleeping. It was exciting.
And of course, we had to document!
Hazel wasn't so thrilled about the pictures, I think she was mad at me, because she didn't have a cute headband like Anna. D'oh.

A Handful

Helping Mom with laundry, glorious proof that occasionally Hazel can be awake and not crying (or eating)...

even if it doesn't last for long.

Hazel Highlights - Month 1

Hazel's first month, according to her...

• Sweet, I'm home...now where's that milk? Why is Mom gritting her teeth and curling her toes each time I want to eat? How rude!
  
• Why, hello Grandma H...thank you for spending 4 nights walking around with me while my parents sleep. You ARE amazing.
• PS- Grandma H, thank you for making curtains for my room, it's awful bright at night. Now I'm sure I'll sleep like a baby.
• I met my great-grandparents, how lucky am I to have great-grandparents?? I have a sneaking suspicion that they like me.
  

• Bath time, me likey. I hear Dad was a speedy swimmer, makes sense- it's fun hanging out in the water.
• So, I think it's pretty funny- every time I try to talk to Mom and Dad, they look at each other and say, "why is she crying?" Do I have a funny accent or something? I take after Mom, I like to "talk".
• What? Another Grandma...Hi Grandma G. Thanks for flying out to see me, I think you like me. I like being your "little Dollie".
• Thanks Grandma G for bringing me so many goodies from Utah. I think Mom really liked the cinnamon bears.
• I can't wait to meet my cousin Madison. She must know that Mom and Dad haven't bought me any clothes, because she sent all of hers to me. Good thing she's a little older than me. I like hand-me-downs.
• Dad seems sad today. I'm really grateful that I'm here to give him a hug. I think he needed it.
  
• Does Mom sew? I see her sewing machine, but I've only seen my Grandmas use it. Looks like Grandma G is making ties for my curtains. Silly Mom.
• Why have you stripped me down to my diaper and abandoned me on this cold metal? Is this what all doctor appointments will be like? I don't think it's your business what I weigh!
  
• Aunt Laura! You are home! It's nice to meet you, how cool are you for serving a mission? I like you.
• Oh, and it was really neat going to the airport, Mom and Dad thought I couldn't cry the whole way home. That sounded like a challenge to me! I showed them, 45 big minutes of it!
  
• Wait...why am I at the doctor's again and again and again. Are we really going twice a week? Sorry Mom, I didn't mean to lose weight, I'll try and eat a ton so I can gain some back. Mom, you're excited about that...right?
• Am I special? People keep coming to visit me. It makes me feel cool!
• Oooh, me like the car. Where can we go next? What? I can stay in my carseat and ride around in a stroller? Life is good. I'm going to take a nap now. Zzzzzzzzzz.
• I'm such a good girl, I was an angel while my parents took me to "see the sights". DC and Gettysburg are pretty cool, maybe we could go back when my memory is a bit better? Oh, and next time it's pouring in DC, could we maybe skip the trip down?
• I don't know why, but Mom and Dad seem really tired? I thought they liked spending their nights with me. I get the impression they like when I sleep in my crib, but to be honest, I like to curl up in their arms and sleep in that fancy chair in my room. (I bet they're glad they splurged on that!)
• You know, Mom and Dad, sometimes when I'm screaming I find it soothing to listen to the bathroom fan, or better yet- Mom, lay me on the floor just outside the bathroom and let me listen to your blow dryer. Ah, Zzzzzzz. Uh, Mom how come you haven't done your hair in a month?
• Whew, being a baby is hard work, I wonder if my parents think the same thing. Nah, I'm too cute.
• I wonder what we're going to do next month...

I guess some people like to see even more pictures of me, so go ahead and look away:

4 Weeks

9 pounds (50%)
21.75 inches (75%)

Still beautiful!
Technically she was up to 9lbs. 3oz. three days later, gotta love weight checks. We're clear for now, no more appointments until next month. Yeah!

Hazel and the Cannon

Hazel and I joined Grandma H, Aunt Laura, Aunt Joan and Great Grandpa S for a Gettysburg expedition. Hazel was an excellent sport and loved the museum, she didn't even cry when the cannons went off. To be sure that Hazel was an official Halsey; Joan and Laura made sure that Hazel got her picture on a cannon. She was super excited about it!

Hippety Hop!

(for the record, she is wearing sheep on her feet)

Apparently the Easter Bunny hasn't been getting much sleep lately, and forgot to stop by our house. Thankfully he remembered to leave a basket for Hazel at her second-cousin Emma's house and one at Miss Kali's house as well. Her lame parents were bailed out this year!
(We didn't get a picture of the basket from Kali, but it was full of goodness. Spoiled little girl!)

Hazel Does DC

It seemed like a great idea...head down to DC and see the cherry blossoms. Seth and I went last year and it was awesome, definitely worth seeing. We talked our friends into going with us, telling them it was "so great". We headed down early, with hopes that the rain would let up soon. Well, anyone that has been out to visit us knows we have the darnedest luck when it comes to sight-seeing and weather. We attract rain, and lots of it. Today was definitely no exception!We started at Arlington, we made the hike with strollers to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I really enjoy the changing of the guard and the tradition that goes with it.

Hazel was excited to get out of the rain (she didn't get wet!) and ride the metro over to Ben's Chili Bowl.
Although we are at the front of the line in this picture, we had waited allll the way around the corner and down the alley. Apparently it was a good day for chili! (Check out the album to see who's table we sat at.)
We are very happy that Hazel likes her car seat, which means she also likes the car and stroller. Praise be! However, she prefers to be in motion, which meant I got to do laps while we were all stopped at the bathroom.
We hit a couple of the monuments on the way back to the car. It was a pretty successful outing as a "family". Woah!
Here's the star of the day...with eyes open!

There are a lot more pictures in the album, Seth took quit a few (most of what you see). I'm convincing him to make up an album of DC through his eyes. Baby steps!

2009-04 DC

Peach Pit's Big Entrance...

For those that could care less about any details, just skip to the bottom, and you can see pictures from the hospital. I will give the relatively short...or long...hospital hooplah.

It all started Thursday, the 12th, I had just officially started my maternity leave and I went to my doctor's appointment. I was positive I was not as far along as the doctor's were saying, because I had not had any contractions (false or real), no pain, and in all honesty, other than the constant nausea, I was okay to be pregnant a while longer. (Even forever, after watching the birth videos in our baby class). So, when Dr. F told me I was at a 4, and to be prepared to go into labor at any time over the weekend I was freaked out. She also assured me that it could possibly be another week.

Peach Pit and I had a little talk, and I explained that Uncle Eric was coming to visit and it would be really nice if she would stay put until Monday ...or even Sunday night. She seemed okay with that. And let me waddle all over DC and Annapolis with Seth and Eric.

Monday morning I was set to have the baby. I was positive that I'd be the girl that goes to her doctor's appointment and is immediately sent over to the hospital. (Still no pain, just what my mind was set on). I drove the 45 minutes to the doctor's office at the hospital (the office by my house was closed this week) and was positive the whole way that they'd make me stay, how could they not?? Oh, they could not. Dr. Z looked at me and said, well...I wouldn't be surprised if she comes this week, but with it being your first I'd rather not induce you right away. Let's set that induction for next Monday. NEXT MONDAY? No way!! I wanted to cry. My back was bugging me, but hey, it's hurt the entire pregnancy, I do work on my feet after all. So I didn't think much of it. I briefly thought I should mention it to Dr. Z, but I talked myself out of it, convinced it was a result of walking around all weekend. By the time I got to the parking lot it was really hurting, but I was focused on getting home, figuring a hot bath and a nap would cure it. By the time I got to the freeway, the back pain was making me cry. Not normal for me. I called Seth and told him what was up, he said I should call the doctor right away, I brushed it off and said I would if it still hurt when I got home. By now I was getting cramps along with the constant back pain. The thought of contractions passed through my head, but I didn't want to be one of those girls that goes to the hospital with false labor. So, the drive home continued, but now I was making great haste.

Upon arriving at home I could not find a comfortable spot anywhere. I caved and called the doctor, after some confusion I was finally able to talk to Dr. F after 45 minutes and a second call to the office. She asked if I was having contractions, and in a pained voice I told her I wasn't sure what contractions felt like. I guess something in my voice gave me away, and she said she thought the baby might be trying to come today. I hung up, called Seth and asked if he thought he could come home from work. He left immediately (which still takes 30 minutes to get off base and to our house) and whisked me off to the hospital. I have never experienced so much stinkin' pain as I did that day. Every bump, turn and stop HURT! I really felt like someone was stabbing me with giant, rusty screwdrivers over and over! I could handle the contractions because they came and went, but the back pain, phew!

We made it to the hospital, where they told us my contractions were about 2 minutes apart, gulp. Nurse Mary asked if I wanted an epidural, I told her I would have liked it before I left my house. She began prepping me for that, poor Seth was trying to do all the things we had learned in our class, breathing, comforting, etc. I told him (rather calmly) that I didn't need help breathing, but just a hand to squeeze. He excelled! The epidural was still a ways off, as the doctor had a few patients ahead of me.

The wonderous epidural doctor showed up and made life much better. I think I was at a 7 or 8 at that time, and quickly moved to a 10. My doctor, Dr. G, showed up and told me I could start pushing, and push for a long time, or if I was comfortable I could wait a little while and let Peach Pit make her own way down, thus decreasing my push time. I liked option 2. Seth and I settled down and watched Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune and Chuck. Near the end of Chuck, Dr. G came in and wanted to begin the pushing...lucky for him Chuck was a rerun and I was okay missing the last 15 minutes. Push, push, push. Two hours. Holy shiz, youch, ta da! Peach Pit's here. (Sparing too many details).

She came out and I was so excited to see she had ten finger and toes, a normal head and beautiful eyes. We love her guts already! I guess it's okay that we missed our third, and final baby class. It was Tuesday night...I guess we could have gone down with Peach Pit in hand.

2009-03 Hazel Hospital

She's Here!

Peach Pit has arrived!

Hazel Dollie Halsey
March 16, 2009
8 lbs. 13.4 oz.
21.25 in.

Mom, Dad and Hazel are all doing great. A little (or a lot) on the tired side, but we can't complain, she is beautiful, healthy and happy (when fed).

Seth has taken about 1000 photos (give or take 200), I'll get more posted soon-ish. As well as details of the big day - the edited version!

Swimming Superstars

Seth and Eric have been best buddies since they met on the U's swim team years ago. He has become more of a brother to both of us. When he told us months ago that he would try and come out over his Spring Break we were super excited. Yippee. Oh, wait...that's the week Peach Pit's due. Bummer. What to do? Come on out! Worst case you keep Seth company at the hospital. (He's as close as family anyways).
He's supposed to fly in Friday evening; at my doctor's appointment Thursday, the doctor tells me she wouldn't be surprised if I went into labor (gulp!) over the weekend (technically, I am already in labor...details, details). Well, that freaked me out. So, I had a little chat with Peach Pit, I told her I would really appreciate it if she would hold off for the weekend, so we could show Eric around. She must be very obedient! The weekend was great!We started out Saturday morning with a brief tour of the Proving Grounds where Seth works (brief, due to the lack of public access). BUT most importantly we were able to walk around all the tanks at the museum.

Seth and Eric could pretty much name every type of tank, which wars they were used for, and what country they came from. I was impressed. Well, until I saw this next tank...
THEN I was really impressed. (I'm pretty sure that was the German's...the American's was behind us. It wasn't as impressive!)

I have seen the boys around "big trucks" and "big tanks" before, it was probably a good thing there were "No Climbing" signs posted all over, otherwise we would still be oogling the tanks!
We then headed to DC, we decided to hit the monuments. Yes, we started waaay up there by the Washington Monument, the boys were very patient with my slow, penguin walk. Oh, and apparently they drain the reflecting pond. Who knew!?
I wanted proof that I made it up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
Clearly, the boys made it too. (And at a quicker pace than me!)
I love DC, even if it was pouring on us!

Peach Pit still hadn't arrived by Sunday, so we decided on more adventures! We headed down to Annapolis and stopped by the Naval Academy. I love the campus, it is just so pretty. Yes, it was raining again. That's my sweet Navy umbrella, bought the last time we went to Annapolis (and it was pouring...hmmm, I'm noticing a trend here!)
Eric's great-grandfather is buried at the Academy's cemetary, we decided we'd go on a hunt to find it. Seemed like a good idea, until we saw how many headstones there were. We must be living right, because Eric came across it rather quickly (he'd never been to it before). It was pretty neat. I was glad they found it, I just wish they would have found it before I hiked to the top of the cemetary to look around!
They boys were really excited by all the planes and toys at the academy.I chose to show my enthusiasm from a distance, I was pretty sure I'd eat it if I tried to go down that wet, grassy hill!

After exploring the Academy, we went downtown and had the BEST seafood. Crabcakes, rockfish, shrimp, oysters, and lots of other stuff that was fried and unrecognizable to my untrained-seafood eye. I stuck with my favorite, cream of crab soup...mmmm.

It was so much fun having Eric here. We look forward to his next trip out here, when hopefully the weather cooperates, and we can do even more exploring!

Camera Shy

Seth dusted off the camera equipment tonight and took some "maternity" pictures for me. It's been a long time since we've been able to just goof off and play with the camera.
Ah, the big belly. I've actually kinda liked it!
I like feeling Peach Pit kick and squirm, I could sit for hours chasing elbows and knees across my stomach. Seth's going to make the best Dad. (Even if we are both terrified after watching the birth movies in our baby class!)

(The pictures aren't "touched up" to Seth's standard, but well...he's not home and I felt like posting, so you get the raw-uncut editions!)