the final countdown

Here is one of the last documented pics of my pregnancy, here I am 8 months prego, right before my baby shower (thrown by some of the best visiting teachers and friends a girl could ask for!).


Same day...I had des about two weeks later.
Brandies and I at this great little hole in the wall fish and chips place in Portland, Maine.

In early March, Brandon took me to Portland, Maine for a little babymoon/birthday present. We had the most fantastic time shopping at the outlets, having fish and chips, wandering downtown, I got a pedicure, more shopping, fresh lobster dinner, checked out a great bakery, discovered When Pigs Fly bread, and had this amazing romantic quality time together before our family of 3 expanded. He spoiled me rotten and I loved every second of it! Amidst all of the shopping, I also realized it is kinda lame to shop for myself and we got Hazel this really cute outfit with a matching dress, shoes, hair bows, and undies from H & M. Our friends watched her overnight and by the time we got back, she was perfectly content moving in with the Hanns, they do have a swing in their basement after all.

Hazel B and her Princesses

when did my little baby grow up?
Hazel turned 2 December 20th
and we took her to the See Science Museum
with 3 of her little girlfriends
the dress code included tu tus
and the girls ended the party all wearing tiaras and had a wand
it was about the cutest thing I've ever seen!

It was over Brandon's Christmas break, so he got to join us and so did Eliza while she was here.
I think this one is my favorite, they charged all over the place just like that!
This was their favorite spot to sit when they weren't trying to climb over the divider onto the train display.
The bubble spot was a hit as long as no other kids wanted to play there, they each needed their own stool and bubble wand.
They were so excited they charged up and down the stairs and around the whole place in a little pack.
A little toy computer that they were all very sweet to share.

Ever since this day, she has been going around blowing out candles every chance she gets. Her "cake" was these flower shaped rice krispy treats on sticks like wands.
No idea what this was, but they loved crawling underneath it!
fun mirrored area

I can't believe how big she has gotten!

Ward Halloween Party

One of Hazel's best friends, Anna, was also dressed up like a fairy. So cute!


I realized I didn't get any photos of Hazel's Halloween costume posted
She was a fairy and we dressed down a bit
we weren't up for our same costumes, so I was a witch with this fantastic hat we found in Salem, MA
and Brandon was a cowboy
it was a ton of fun and Hazel got to trick or treat, although she was a little confused
and kept trying to take some from one bowl only to empty it out at the next door
it was really cute!

Family Photo Shoot

This was back in November, so I was only 3 months prego, but we decided to hurry and get some shots of our little family of three. These were taken by my friend Suzanne. We showed up with both families and took a bunch of shots for each other then had lunch out at this little diner after. So much fun! A little crazy and windy, but fun!

Keen Pumpkin Festival

Yes, I am well aware that I'm a bit behind
and that it is February and I'm writing about something from October
but with camera/computer issues and some other insanity this is what you get
and these photos and this event are too fun not to share!
I'm a little obsessed with pics with Hazel on Brandon's shoulders, I just think it's too cute! He's such a fantastic daddy!
Hazel on her leash...see explanation below...

There were supposedly tens of thousands of pumpkins here this year. They were set up all along the walkways and on this huge display like 50 feet tall. It was the perfect fall festival!
Our friends Nate and Lindsay came with us and we got to meet up with some of Lindsay's friends too. They are the most adorable couple and way too much fun!
Hazel just started to get to a phase where she refuses the stroller for stretches of time, and yes, I put her on her little poodle leash, there were way too many people there and she can fit through much smaller spaces than I can!
Hazel got to sport her Paris jacket too, it's my favorite! This is better proof of the thousands of pumpkins.
Right next to this spot were these fantastic Apple Doughnuts that were actually apple rings battered and fried. Ever soooo tasty. There was also a great pizza spot right there too! Although for a pumpkin festival, there was an extreme lack of pumpkin flavored food!

Overall, a fantastic almost free perfect fall afternoon! I'm missing gorgeous fall weather at this moment too.