Hazel turns 4

I think it every time - because it's so so true - how FAST the time does fly! Here we are with our sweet Hazel baby turning FOUR! I will confess (because mom guilt is real!) I have been way too nauseous and sick to do very much to celebrate our sweet girl this year. It makes me sad. I don't think you need to go overboard every year, but  I was sad that I could barely even sit at her birthday dinner - I have been SO sick. But, I can't complain because even though I don't feel great, I feel better than I did a week or so ago (when I couldn't get out of bed or off the bathroom floor for over a month, basically). To focus on the positive: I made her a birthday cake, from scratch - a really really delicious buttermilk layer cake with cream and strawberries - it was SO good! We paired it with some strawberry ice cream and a little sparkler action and it was perfect! She was so excited and happy just to have her own special cake, and to have her loved ones there, singing to her! We gave her two special gifts, which have been on her wish list for quite some time. She never had her own baby doll - so we surprised her with TWINS! She got boy/girl twin baby dolls! It took her a few days to settle on names, but she finally decided on Sally for the girl, and Ross for the boy. I'm not sure where she got Sally - but there is a little boy named Ross in her sunday school class at church. They came with pacifiers and bottles, and little shoes and hats - and she has been so wonderful sharing them with her brothers and sisters, who were almost as excited about the twins as she was. Of course, for her babies, we had to give her a cradle. So now Sally and Ross can sleep soundly next to her bed (on the nights she chooses not to co-sleep, that is ;). I guess focusing on her joy in the little things - a cake, family that loves her, and some gifts to enjoy - well, it doesn't seem so bad after all. I think I am just going to have to accept that this year will be a tough one - for them in some ways, but mostly, for me. It is hard work growing a new little human. The kids are SO excited about this bonus baby - as are we! I hope they remember the anticipation of expecting and waiting for their new baby rather than all the things their mom couldn't do as well as she would like during this time. 

Hazel is such a joy to be around. She has a little bit of a stubborn streak that shows up every now and then, but all in all she is always smiling, always giving lots of love and hugs all around. She LOVES to snuggle up and doesn't hesitate a bit in telling you how much she loves you and likes you a zillion times a day. She adores her older siblings as well as her baby brother. She thinks the new baby will be a sister. She loves to be outdoors, loves to swing, loves to paint, and loves to play games. She is a good sport about falling into the "middle child" category. She is a sweetheart and has such a big bright spirit about her, though she is super petite and tiny. She will move mountains in her life - and she will do it all with a great big smile. Love her so much!