Hazel Basil

Of course we had to come up with a nickname for the princess that has to do with food! Nat came up with that one. I'm "Culinary Christie", and now I have sweet "Hazel Basil". She also goes by "Sweet Pea" and "Heavenly Hazel" (that's my dad for you). She really is so sweet. She just gets cuter and chubbier every day. Today she is 4 weeks old, and James and I can't believe she's changed so much. Things that have stayed the same are her grunts while sleeping, the amount of hair she has, and her love of eating. =) The first few weeks were pretty rough recovery wise, but luckily my mom was here to help me through the biggest adjustment stage. She stayed 3 weeks (not long enough!), and it was really hard to say goodbye. Just having her around the house for company was great, but she overdid it on spoiling us too! She's the best. James got to stay home for a week, which was great, but it went by too quickly. He would have had 2 other weeks to take off in the next year, but we had to settle for 1 week because he decided to get a new job! I guess he thought while we were going through a big change of having a baby, why not get a new job too?! We're really happy about it. It's a smaller company with great perks, and I think it'll fit James nicely. I just want him to be happy! The only thing is the hours aren't less. Recently he's been getting home at 7, which is okay, but with a new baby, I'd like to have him here more! So Hazel and I just hang out all day in our jammies and watch a lot of Food Network. Maybe one day I'll start getting out... it sure is nice weather to do so!
The bishop's wife offered to take some newborn photos of Hazel, which was so nice, so here are a couple of them.

I'm so glad we captured some of her sweet newborn moments!

Hazel's Blessing Day

Sweet Faith was blessed this past Sunday by her daddy, my brother, so my parents and Nat and Jeff came in town. Since everyone was going to be here already, we decided to make it a double blessing day! James and I felt best about having Hazel blessed at our home since she's still so young and because we liked the idea of a more intimate setting with just family. So after Faith's blessing, the family came to our house for Hazel's blessing and for lunch. We had a full house with just the immediate family here! Hazel's blessing was beautiful, and she looked so beautiful in her white dress. It's already sad to think she's worn her 1st of 3 white dresses! I don't think she liked her bonnet, but she kept it on long enough for some pictures!

We love our sweet Hazel!

Halloween 2010

For Halloween, we had several visitors, but no Trick-or-Treaters! (We turned off the light... Bah Humbug, I know) I was surprised I got up the energy to put on black and orange, and thanks to Mom, Hazel had a pumpkin outfit! She was the cutest pumpkin ever. Next year, we'll try to be a little more creative with our family costumes.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Daddy's Little Pumpkin

Introducing...

Hazel Ellen Palmer
was born on October 20, 2010 at 1:39 pm and was 8 lbs. 19.09 in.
with plenty of straight, light hair!
James and I love her so much. She's the most precious thing we've ever seen.

I think she looks like James. Cute.

Our only family photo right after... we were a little preoccupied. James was taking photos.

What a surreal experience.

Hazel is named after my great grandma on my mom's side, Hazel Isabella Pixton Paxton, and the name Hazel also refers to my maiden name Hayes.
Her middle name Ellen comes from James's mom's name - Barbara Ellen.
We love that her name represents both sides of the family. She's very lucky to have wonderful family on both sides, and we're even more lucky to have her as part of our family.

Almost Go Time!

We're getting ready for little girl in many ways.

We're exposing her to lots of potential new friends:

We're getting her some QT cuddling with her new cousin, Faith:

We're exposing her to great Mexican food:

And we're getting her room nice and happy and bright!

(The final touch will be her name or initials above the crib.)

ONE WEEK COUNTDOWN!
If I don't go into labor before, I'll be induced Wednesday morning - the 20th - at 5 am.

October 12, 2007

Today we're celebrating 3 years of marriage.

I think our love has tripled.

We're so excited to add a 3rd member to our family soon.
I just hope she loves us as much as we already love her.

How About THAT Bump!

So here's my most recent picture with my baby girl. I went to the doc today, and she's a smidge over 6 lbs. and lookin' good! I'm getting really excited/anxious about D-day (delivery day). My nesting instinct is officially in full gear... I'm trying to get everything washed and organized in her room, fully understanding that she doesn't need her room all ready before she arrives. It's for my sanity I guess. I'm very close to done with the nursery, so I'll put up pictures soon. James is getting really excited to meet our girl too, so that's cute. I love that he loves her and got jealous that I got to see her at the sonogram today, and he didn't. It's hard to see her really well now anyway since she's pretty big. I also just completed my labor/delivery class, and it was actually more helpful than I anticipated. I feel like knowing more will help my anxiety about the whole process. Here goes the 4 week (or less if I'm induced a week early) countdown to meeting our little angel!