What's new?

Occasionally people ask me what is new with us. I rarely can think of anything to say other than, "Oh nothing. Same old. Same old." So to combat that speechless question I am coming up with a few minor "eventful" occurrences here at the Hazelwood House. So if you ask me anytime soon the dreaded question, "What's new?", this will be the response.

Our little patio beds covered in phlox. We could never keep anything alive in them until we discovered how beautiful and easy phlox was to grow. I gave up with the annuals and planted a big bed of it. It is very pretty cascading over the walls.

1. Gardening season. Though it is quite small in comparison with either of our grandparent's home gardens in the past, I feel it is an accomplishment to be proud of. We have tried our hand at this 3 years in a row with questionable results, but I have a good feeling about this year. We have tomatoes - Better Boy, Sweet 100s, Arkansas Travellers, and Mr. Stripeys; yellow squash; zucchini; okra; pole beans; and a strawberry. I also have planted a larger herb garden this year: basil, oregano, sage, and cilantro. Right now the cilantro is doing the best. I have already had to replace the basil and the sage looks as if something is nibbling it. Ask us in a few months and we will see if my optimism is still full throttle.

Miles inspecting this year's plant selection.

I really want to pass on to Miles and Grant the understanding of where food comes from and the satisfaction that growing your own food fulfills. And it tastes better than the produce you buy at the store too. I'm hoping that will be an obvious one.

It must have been a great winter for bulb plants. My Irises not only bloomed but seemed to be larger than life. The blooms were as large as my head!

2. Tooth update. I've been saying for months that Grant was teething with no results. My children have a tendency to make a liar out of me. This past week I felt a little hard smooth tooth poking its way through. One down, quite a few more to go.

Grant outside in the swing sucking on his bottom lip because his paci was displaced.

Grant at mealtime. He is eating all baby foods and we are moving on to table food. I know that at 9 mos. Miles was eating mostly table foods. Grant may be a tad behind on his eating skills.
I know. You wouldn't know it by looking at him.

Where Grant may be behind on his table manners, he is going to make up in mobility. Though we aren't crawling or scooting yet, he is quite a reacher and has started the occasional rocking. Miles hadn't showed any signs of mobility at this point. But trust me, I am not pushing it. I just think he is going to be up and around sooner than Miles.

3. Juice and TV Detox. We have taken Miles off all juice (and milk now too) due to some unpleasant diaper issues. I will spare you the details. I know you are thinking , "Whats the big deal?" But if you have stayed with Miles for more than an hour you know that JOOCE is one of his favorite words and things. To him, juice is any kind of liquid refreshment: water-juice, moo-juice, and juice-juice. I thought it was going to be a painful transition but he hasn't questioned it once. As long as he doesn't see the pitcher in the fridge, or anyone else drinking it, he is ok. Now the real-deal juice (still dilluted) is a treat instead of the norm.

Our other issue with Miles is that the boy loves TV/movies. He will sit and watch a full-length feature cartoon. I even think I could take him to a movie at the theater and he would be content sitting and watching. For a 2 year old, I don't think that is common. Since we watch non-commercial programming, I do not have any real issues with TV other than I know that he should be playing instead of sitting watching the boob tube. And that playing is essential for him to learn pretty much all the skills he needs as he grows. He still probably watches more TV than he ought to, but I've gotten to where I turn it off more. It seems to be much more painful than the juice detox. There is wailing and gnashing of teeth for just a couple of minutes but then he finds something to play with and is content.

Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth? Really? With that face? (I am pretty sure he is watching Curious George here - hence the content and satisfied look on his face.)

Peek-a-Boo ("Boo Boo" as Miles says it.)

Post-spaghetti dinner with his water-juice. I have started adding ice to his water. As simple as that seems, it adds a surprise element to his drinking experience. Whatever works...

So that is what is going on at the Hazelwood House here lately. Our calendar is filling up quickly and maybe we will have some more interesting things to post in the near future.

Photo Dump: Miles

Part 2 in my Photo Dump - Miles. You can tell he is the more active participant of the household since all his pictures involve him doing something.

Now this is the money-shot. When Miles brings home a girlfriend, I will stick this picture in Grant's back pocket.

Hard-working and determined, already.

Very focused. For this moment at least.

Terrible-Two Temper Tantrum. Yes, they happen. Gran likes to call them "spells".

We received this tricycle for Christmas and finally in March he decided to ride it.

Sunglasses and a hat make for a fun photo shoot.

What? You don't watch tv in a bathtub in your living room fully clothed?

Miles trying to fill Daddy's shoes.

I'm not sure if this is a "Hmmm, let me think about it" face or a "Shhhh, Quiet" face.

Photo Dump: Grant

I have so many photos that I want to share that I have decided to do a 3 part photo dump. We will start with Grant's best recent photos.

I am sure when Grant brings home some sweet little girl for us to meet, Miles will pull out this photo to humiliate him. I personally can't get enough of it!

Look how well he is sitting up! (Thanks Kathy for the pic.)

Grant is very flexible. Toes are just as tasty as fingers.

He seems to enjoy the Jump-a-Roo but not as much as Miles did.

Contently sitting on the floor with his toys.

Too cool for school.

What a sweet smile.

Surprise!

A visit with the Denhams

We recently went for a visit to see my Mamaw Denham - this time at my Dad's house in North Carolina. We saw them all last year about this same time but in Louisiana.
We decided to fly instead of drive - a few hours of intense traveling versus 4 days of communal confinement in the car. It was Grant's first time flying the friendly skies and Miles' third. It went ok. We survived but was glad I did not have to do it again in the foreseeable future. Miles did not care for the whole stay in your seat with the seat belt buckled but he had to get over it. On the way home he did much better and I learned a valuable lesson - don't take it off once you get it on. Grant slept most of the way there and got lots of comments about his cheeks!
We didn't really DO much but got a lot of visiting in, which is what we came for. We did make a minor outing to Pullen Park and to the mall. There were no dining excursions though, which is usually a high point of my vacations but can you imagine the hostess' face when you tell her you would like a table for 7 adults and 5 children: 2 boosters, and 2 highchairs? Yes, you get quite a stare :)
Mamaw got to know two of the newest grand babies in the Denham clan, Grant and Dylan. That was one of the main agendas of the trip. We don't get to see her often and I am glad we took this opportunity.

Me, my Dad, Kim and brother Sam

Dylan post-breakfast. He wears it well.

Mason manning the bacon station at breakfast.

My dad and Sam paddle boating at Pullen Park.

Mason going down the slide like a big boy.

Miles showing Mason how it is done. Mi Mi was there to help.

Cheeeeeeeeese. Carousel ride at Pullen Park.

This picture cracks me up. They all look very concerned at what exactly is in that nasty-looking water. The little boats went round and round like a carousel.

Paddle boat lake. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom and were beautiful.
A very nice park indeed.

Miles and Mason with me in the paddle boat.
I believe this was Miles' first excursion on a real boat.

Two of my favorite people.

Miles having a heart-to-heart with Grandaddy
(probably about something of great importance like that rock there.)

The choo choo at Pullen Park.

Me and the boys at Pullen Park

Cousins in space.

Cousins at the mall. Very nice (free) play area for kiddoes and seating for parents.
Our mall should take note.

Cousins hanging out on the quilt.

Mi Mi taking advantage of naptime.

Mamaw with Grant

Sam and Miles - these two have some sort of very sweet bond. Miles loves to play with Sam and I think Sam genuinely likes playing with Miles. I also think that Sam and Miles resemble despite their limited "relation".

My favorite picture from the trip. Sam recently got glasses and I think they make him look very cool and smart. Grant loved all the attention at Mi Mi and Grandaddy's.

Mamaw Denham with her brood: me, Dad, Kim and Sam.