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We've got a cake smasher!!!

Here's Hattie's first birthday cake (the first one of the weekend)! She wasn't shy. Happy Birthday sweet darling doll baby!

5 more days...

Hattie and Daddy took a swing today at Howard Amon.

Easter! Part 1

Popsicle!

Cute babies

April is here; suddenly it seems like little babies have gently tapped their shells and emerged all fresh and darling. And while this is happening, my baby is getting a few teeth- all at once- and has become preoccupied with untangling herself from her car seat. Ahhh...one month until Hattie turns one and I'm feeling more overwhelmed than usual. So much promise up ahead and so many mixed feelings about the year that has passed. I'm so looking forward to having time to myself someday (ha) and so not looking forward to the day Hattie decides to walk. Well, that's not true. I just don't want her to walk away from me.

When Hattie turns one, this blog will be no more. It has been a marvelous journal and a good social media experiment for me. I've enjoyed chronicling this year and so glad I did it. I realize now how fleeting this has been. Before I say, "Gee, I wish I took more pictures," let me share some pictures I took that I'm so glad I have. And a really funny one of me.

Etienne as a baby, now my 11-year-old boy.
Me, expressing my opinion about McDonald's. I've never been one to hold back.
Hattie, as a brand new baby. Just as beautiful as anything can be.

Strollin' and rollin' in the park

Today Hattie and I staked out some potential party locations at the park. This was after her play date with Gabe. Photo 4 (in jammies) shows Hattie in her pre-play date excitement.

Hattie is either very freaked out by older boys, teething, tired, or just cranky in general. She seemed to enjoy sharing Mum-Mums and her piggy toy with Gabe; this was after she stared at him for about 10 minutes while clutching on to her Leap Frog shopping cart. Hey, it was good for her. We'll try again!

Uh-oh! Rhymes with Impetigo

On the day that Hattie Jane was going to have professional portraits taken in her Easter dress, she came down with a nasty case of impetigo, a yucky- and contagious!- skin infection. Joy! Hope it clears up before Elijah's big First Birthday Party this weekend.

Hattie, 10 months, almost 11!

Hattie loves to stand and "walk"! Here she is, rocking out on Daddy's guitar.

Please scroll to bottom of blog...

Hattie's birthday is coming. I can't deal....!!!

This just in...

W. Va. lawmaker wants to ban sale of Barbie dolls
The Associated Press

CHARLESTON, W.Va. Just in time for Barbie's 50th birthday, a West Virginia lawmaker wants to outlaw the doll.

Democratic Delegate Jeff Eldridge is proposing to ban the sale of the Mattel doll and others like her in West Virginia.

He says the dolls influence girls to place too much importance on physical beauty, at the expense of their intellectual and emotional development.

He joins others who have criticized the doll over the years for promoting materialism and an unnatural body image.

Barbie turns 50 on March 9, and the toy maker has made big plans this year to mark the anniversary.

Hattie Jane, Ten Months Old!

Hee!

Obamicon Me!

Get your own at http://obamiconme.pastemagazine.com/

One more, as I hear the kid waking up

Wanna buy a monkey?

Lutefisk...and a cute hat

A couple of weeks ago, our friends Susan and Dave invited us to the Sons of Norway Annual Lutefisk Dinner. Susan and Dave have displayed unwavering attendance to this annual event for 20-odd years now; it was a big woo. In honor of the occasion, Hattie wore a darling, Susan-designed hat. Hattie also enjoyed the green beans (not sure about the lutefisk). Here she is!

Finally! A blog post

Internet access, and my free time, has been intermittent lately. Since I have five free minutes, here are some recent photos of Hattie and my mom at my mom's birthday dinner party.

Hattie on TV

Isn't this a freaky-looking photo? The vibrant, colorful and lifelike Hattie set against the somber and muted tones of the family room. Had to share...

Score!!!

Hattie (almost) Takes Off!

I found this little gem and realized I never posted it! Here is Hattie at five months, showing everyone how to use her Bumbo seat, along with the ever-present Sassy Guy. Enjoy this blast from the past!