18 Month Pictures!

Hazel had her 18 month pictures today. She only smiled one time the entire time we were at the sitting, luckily, the photographer was able to get a picture of it. Here are a few of the screenshots from the online album (sorry I can't really make them much bigger, I have been trying to play around with them, but when you don't buy the electronic versions of the pictures they make it very difficult to steal them from their websites!).

If you click on the picture itself, you will open a new page with a larger version of the picture, but that is best I can do (sorry grandmas!).

18 Months Old!

It is hard to believe that my baby girl is 18 months old already. She had her 18 months well baby check yesterday afternoon and she is a healthy growing baby girl- almost a toddler! I refuse to call her that until she turns 2 (I guess that means that I'll technically have two babies for a few months when new baby comes in January!). Hazel weighed in at just under 27 pounds (80%), her length was 33 inches (80%) and her big ole noggin was 19 1/4 in (97%). She has some big old brains! Her and Gus both got flu shots and she also had a few more immunizations.

Here are a few of Hazel's accomplishments and favorites so far:

• Enjoys eating raisons, grapes, bananas, goldfish crackers, mac n cheese, BBQ chips, orange and apple juices, milk, processed cheese slices, scrambled eggs, and toast. Does not like meat (much like her mommy!).



• Has the funniest personality! She loves to chase you around and try to scare you (this is what she was doing last night to me in the picture above with a toy spider ring). She is starting to cuddle a little more, but only on her own time (kind of reminds me of our old kitty Buster in this regard!). She has the best laugh and is the toughest little cookie I have ever seen.



• She can say many words (mind you they do not always sound exactly like they are supposed to) but chooses not to most of the time. Some words are: nana, more, juice, no, Dora, nite nite (blankie), baby, bye, Gus, mama, dada, back pack, book, ball, out, pants, and a few others. Most of time Hazel chooses to use nonverbal communication.



• She can point to her head, hair, ears, eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, tongue, belly, back, bottom, feet, legs, hands, arms, and fingers.



• She has a mouthfull of teeth but not a lot of hair.



• Loves playing with Gus, loves taking baths, 'reading' books, absolutely LOVES dolls and any doll accessories she can find, and loves carrying around purses and bags.



• She is a daddy's girl (and he can't get enough of it!). Our favorite time to play with her is in the morning. Unlike her brother, she is a morning person.
  

Sure can't imagine our lives without her... She is so fun to watch grow. We love being her parents. Gus and her are loving little buddies (most of the time!) and we can't wait to give her another sister or brother to play with in a few months.

Fall Farm Fun

"Don't you dare take my picture mommy!"

Definitely not the best picture I have ever taken to display my lovely Hazey's beauty, but this is a face I get often when she wants me know she doesn't like something!

The boys fighting when the Varners came over for lunch on Saturday.

Poor Parker!

The girls got along much nicer than the boys.



Kennedy found a pumpkin she liked in the patch we went to Saturday morning.

The 'patch' was really a corn field with pumpkins randomly thrown out for us to pick up. I don't think the kids noticed, but I wasn't very impressed.

The pumpkins were pretty picked over, but Hazel liked to try to lift them up (and then throw them down as hard as she could!).

My pretty girl.

Enjoying the hayride.

There were little rides and fun activities for the kids- this part I did think was pretty cool.

Hazel always seems to find funny places to take naps when we visit pumpkin patches.

There was a pretty elaborate play area for the kids to explore in.

Farmer Gus.

Balloon animals!

Gus and his balloon puppy.

Halloween Costume Party!

Parker in the bouncey house!

Snacking.

Hazel's "Say Cheese" face!

Hazel had such a blast! We don't think we have ever seen her laugh so hard.

Jumping around!

Our pirates!

This weekend we went to an annual Halloween party at a fellow YMCA sports directors house. It is always fun, but this year we were a little sad because so many of the YMCA families that we normally hang out with have moved away this past year. Ironically, however, Lindsey works with his wife, so her family was invited this year too. It was great to be able to hang out with them at such a fun party for the kids (and parents too!).

Kennedy Dancing!

Parker, Kennedy and Gus (who refused to look at the camera).

Hazel was a little cold, but cheered on her cousin.


Kennedy danced before the Belton high school football game last weekend, so we went to cheer her on. She was adorable and did such a good job! That girl sure knows how to shake it.

Quick Trip to St. Louis

It's darn near impossible to get a photo of all of us looking at the camera, let alone smiling.

Our little Angels.

"Get me outa here!"

Hazel found a nice little place to take a snooze.

Aunt Tricia helping Hazel ride the little tractor.

"Is that a needle?!"

Andi and Gus whispering about something funny!

Kacy and Gus sliding down the huge slide. Before you could get to the top, you had to climb through a maze of hay. Kacy was so helpful with Gus. Josh was thankful he didn't have to go through nearly as many little mazes this year, as Kacy was able to guide a more mobile and responsible Gus.

I made it to the top!

The sun is so bright. Mommy, why did you make me wear long sleeves and pants?

Blasting some corn cobs.

Last weekend we decided to take our annual quick fall trip to a pumpkin patch in St. Louis and visit the Spratt family. It was a quick 24 hour trip, but we all had a nice time. The kids all got along great, and Trish and Steve were wonderful hosts. Thank you!

I had my 25 week appointment this week. Baby is growing nicely. We had another untrasound too, as the one from 5 weeks ago did not give us a clear enough image of baby's face. But, after a very stubborn attempt yesterday, the technician was able to get a good enough image. I am measuring a little big (no surprise there- I feel like a house lately) so at this point doctor said she feels comfortable inducing me up to a week early (and since I had to be induced with the other two) so that will help us plan things out a little better when we get to that point in the pregnancy. We are looking at the end of January as a baby arrival time.

Hazel has her 18 month check up this coming week, so I will be posting her stats soon. She is such an amazing baby girl. Her personality is growing each day and she is constantly amazing us. She is a quiet girl, but so smart- and tough!

Not much else going on. We will see the Varner's a few times this weekend, and have a Halloween party to go to as well. We might buy some rakes and clean up the yard a little this weekend too. I am really enjoying the colder weather, and so are the kids.