Words Words Words!

As Hazen learns to talk more, I want to update his current repertoire of words. I can't believe how fast he's learning to say things. He makes me happy.

Mommy
Daddy --both of these are in all of their variations (Mama, Mommy, Dada)
Ball
Cracker
Weeeooooo (firetruck)
Doodle (Max)
Baby
Puppy

He talks all day long. I love having "conversations" with him. He'll look at me, say something, and then laugh, and wait for my response. It's rad.

--I'm sure there are more, but it's almost 1 am, and I can't think of any. Please tell me via comment if I'm missing some, and I'll edit!

The Mo-Tab

Aubrey's longtime friend, and my new-ish friend Sam's mom had extra tickets to the Mo-Tab Christmas Concert, and I was lucky enough to be one of the recipients! I was so bummed that I wasn't able to get tickets, so the invitation literally made my day. I woke up really sick that morning, and was very nervous I wouldn't be able to go, but I got in the shower, rose to the occasion, and was glad that I did.

We started the evening off at Thaifoon. It was ok, but super overpriced. Give me my Thai Chili Gardens ANYDAY. I would have taken a picture there, but the lighting was SO dim, that even with a flash you wouldn't have been able to see us. I used the light of my cell phone to read the menu. After dinner, we were a little short on time, so we had to hoof it to the Conference Center from the Gateway. If you didn't know, and you're wearing heels, it's really far away- don't do it. I still have the remnants of blisters on my feet.

We got seated just fine, and tucked in for a great concert! The Mo-Tab, flawless as per usual, didn't disappoint. I could have done without their headliner. He was too Broadway for me, which is fine, but when it comes to the Mo-Tab, I'm a total purist, and I don't think that ANYTHING other than clean, beautiful music should be paired with it! It was still a great evening, and it really helped me feel the Spirit of this season. I'm grateful for beautiful music that really moves me.

The Little Gym

I enrolled Hazen in The Little Gym a little over a month ago, and I'm really glad that I did! It was hard, in the sense that it was at 9:15 am, and he sleeps until at least 9:30 most days, so waking him up early and getting out the door was a little bit of a challenge, but I was always happy that I did! Hazen loved it! It was nice, because the age-range was a good match for him; 10 months to 18 months, so he was right on par with what the other kids were doing. I enjoyed seeing his capacities grow over the past 2 months, and it was good for him to interact with other kids, and also to try to test himself. I tried really hard when we were there not to "save" him, but to make him do everything himself. It was great, because we both learned a lot about his capabilities. I'm proud to say he never had any tears when he was there, and was much less whiny than lots of the kids there! :) It was a good chance for us to get out of the house and to be active. This next semester starts in 2 weeks, so I'm excited for all that we can do then!

I'm Gonna Clean The House Today.....

He is cute, and he makes me happy. We bought this toy for him for his birthday, but just in the recent weeks or so has he started playing with it how it's meant. He loves to "vacuum" all day long, which is funny, because when the real vacuum comes out, he heads for the hills! What a good little helper I have!

**Side note: A prize goes to the person who can tell me what the song sings when you turn it on. A REAL LIVE prize. I have every word memorized and can sing it on demand. **

Oh Baby

A few weeks ago, we went to Tepanyaki for Aubrey's birthday. It was great fun, and I was included in her group of girl friends that have been getting together for years. How honored I was! :)

We started the evening off with Tepanyaki, where we had our meal prepared by our chef, O....baby. Yeah, that was the name on his name tag. Aubrey and I had a fantastic time making jokes at his expense. Good thing that it's so loud in there! After, we went to Smart Cookie where I enjoyed an Ice Cream sandwich. Too bad my chocolate chip cookies totally work Smart Cookie's.

I'm so glad to be friends with Aubrey. She has been such a blessing in my life. I feel really lucky, because I feel like there are very few people that come along in one's lifetime that you meld so well with. Aubrey is just that. She's been my best friend just when I needed on near by, so thanks, Aubs!

Gross.

I am usually so DILIGENT about making sure that the bathroom doors are closed. I can't always insure that our bathroom door will be closed, but I make sure that the lid is down, and for added measure, we don't even put the toilet paper on the roll, which is slightly annoying, but traditionally saves us from messes.

Imagine my surprise when I turned my back for 2 seconds, realized that it was a little too quiet, and saw my darling child up to his elbows in toilet water. In good news, he's the only child, so it's not like he has any older, potty-trained-but-not-so-great-about-flushing-the-toilet siblings around, but STILL. Gross.

Who needs Elves?

When people see Hazen, knowing that it is Christmas time, one of the first questions that is asked traditionally is, "Has he completely terrorized your tree?" He's actually stayed away from my tree like a champ. I think the fact that Grandma and Grandpa have a train around their tree that scares the living crap out of him has helped. (Thanks Mom and Dad!!) He likes to look, and occasionally touch the sprigs of the tree, but really, he's only taken an ornament off twice. He promptly gave it to me, I told him, "No no!", and that's the last of it.

However, my little Santas helper is more of a Santa's hinderer. The kid will NOT leave the presents alone. He was good for a few days, but since then, it's all gone down hill. Finally, this morning, I just allowed him to unwrap the big present in the front, because frankly, I'm sick of fighting with him about it, and let's be honest....it doesn't make a lot of sense to get mad at him for doing something that I'm going to be encouraging him to do in 2 weeks!! Needless to say, he had a great time. Lets hope that he has it out of his system now!