holi

Holi is a holiday here that celebrates the arrival of spring time, and people "play holi" by putting colors on each other. Either they'll be nice and get a little powder and smear it on your face and say, "Happy Holi," or they'll be more rowdy and throw dye on each other and shoot you with water guns. Either way, it's a pretty colorful day. Holi was in late March this year, and Jaya and some of her family came over to play holi with us. We almost didn't open the door because we didn't even recognize her! I tried to greet them at the gate using Hazel as a shield so I wouldn't get treated too badly. :)


Jaya said that wasn't fair, and smeared us both. I was pretty happy with that, actually, because Hazel got to play holi too. Afterwards, we went to the bathroom to wash off the color, and Hazel saw me in the mirror. She started laughing. So I think she enjoyed the fun.

I had to stand inside where I wasn't glowing.

hazel's first easter

Today was Resurrection Sunday, and we celebrated in several ways. First, we went to a sunrise service in some gardens here that have a lot of really, really old tombs. I love the idea that Jesus' tomb is empty!


We had to wake Hazel up pretty early, but she was pretty fascinated by the gardens and all the people, so she was wide awake through it all. In our sleepy fog we forgot to put her tights on her, and also didn't realize how cool it was outside. I got tsked a lot by some aunties who came around wrapping Hazel in her blanket and covering her head.


I like this picture of her and James.


This is her Easter dress. Dress from Ashley, tights and bow from Mimi, and patent leather shoes from Nana. Thanks, y'all, for wardrobing my daughter! :)


We went to the regular service, and then over to Matt and Tiff's house for lunch and fellowship.


This is Meredith who is 5 months older than Hazel. She loved Matt and Tiff's dog, and squealed loudly in delight every time he came near. She even said her second word today - "doggy". It was pretty cute! I'm looking forward to when Hazel squeals more and surprises us with words.


This picture is so cute! Meredith was trying to comfort Hazel as she toppled over.

hazel's first christmas

Christmas Eve we decided to open presents with my mom since Christmas day was a big day for us. Hazel cleaned up! Not only did she get all these gifts around her, she also was given the vibrating chair from Mimi. (that is also a nice gift for us, since it gives us a little bit of quiet! :) All the gifts were from Mimi and Pops except for the little the pink and tan striped shirt on the far right that we gave her. Also, Nana and Papa gave us money to buy her some things.


And check out the gorgeous blanket Aunt Christi had made for Hazel. It also came with a matching diaper bag and wipes holder.


Hazel's Christmas outfit! She wouldn't hold still for a good pic. Does it surprise anyone that the shoes came from Mimi? Yeah, I didn't think so. :)


Merry Christmas!!

stocking picture

I tried doing the cute stocking picture of Hazel. I put her in the cute red and white pj's from Aunt Christi and cute My 1st Christmas cap from Mimi.


However, the stocking was a bit small to fit over her diapered bottom. And as you can see, she didn't really like being squeezed into a stocking.


Since she was wearing neutral colors, I took the cap off her head and tried a little bow so you could tell she was girl. Once again, she wasn't too happy.


This is the only picture where you can't directly tell she's mad as all get out. Even while crying, she was so cute I couldn't stop taking pictures.


But she's definitely happy in Mimi's arms!