Hazel's Baptism

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If you are here everyday for the photos, well this is your lucky day. This post has a ton of photos and most were taken by Vita Photography. A special thank you to Nonna B...you made Hazel the most beautiful gown...gorgeous! Hazel's baptism was the perfect day to celebrate and send her off to her surgery with lots of love and support from friends and family. It was a positive, hopeful day that was much needed and appreciated by Hazel's mommy and daddy. We could not have been happier to look around and see all those present with smiles from ear-to-ear, all wanting to be near Hazel and share in the blessed occasion.

When I look back at these photos, I am awe struck by how much our girl has grown since then. It feels like she is a different baby, so chubby and happy and eats like a little piggy. I never thought that she looked small, but looking at her now its like night and day. We are so happy to see the progress she has made and are thankful to share our content little girl with all of you!!

Thank you to everyone who made this day a very memorable occasion that perfectly honoured Hazel. Your positive energy and generosity carried us through to her surgery and beyond. Amazing!!!

Much Love...

Thank you to Auntie Paula for taking pictures of Hazel's special day too!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Venice Dinner Anyone?

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You get a little bit of family history with this post. A glimpse into a family trip...

4 years ago we were fortunate enough to be able to take a trip to Italy, which began in Venice. During our stay in Venice, we rented an apartment that we called home. A typical day, in Venice (I'm going to keep saying "in Venice" because I was there and it rocked and it just sounds right!), consisted of walking along the canals...

visiting shops, fighting crowds of tourists in St. Mark's square,

battling the 100 degree weather, eating paninis...

and, at all costs, honoring the beer o'clock rule that began at the airport in Detroit before we even left. Beer o'clock happened whenever anyone in the group declared that it was beer o'clock. The only rule with beer o'clock was that once declared, we had to be sitting and drinking within 10 minutes of the declaration. Simple..in Venice.

By far the most favoured experience, in Venice, (aside from Beer o'clock) was to walk through the ancient Rialto Fish Market. This market has been in existence since 1097 and is still busting at the seams with vendors today. You could spend hours scanning the goodies...the colours, the smells, the language...it's all too much!!! It was here the dinner with the huge tomato began...in Venice.

We had limited items to use in the kitchen, so for dinner one night we made due with the goodies we collected at the fish market and what was available to us at the apartment. It ended with an amazingly perfect meal of spaghetti with a sauteed garlic, butter and shrimp. The salad was simple and consisted of a huge tomato (which fed 7 people and is shown above) topped with some fresh basil and olive oil (every kitchen in Italy is equipped with olive oil).

So this past Labour Day Monday was our 4th annual Venice Dinner. We enjoyed our spaghetti with shrimp and our huge tomato salad. I have made it a mission of mine to grow the biggest heirloom tomatoes I can to honour the one we had in Venice. I have gotten close over the years but nothing quite as big. Nonna B grew the tomatoes this year. We were a little busy with having a baby and surgeries and whatnot...nevertheless the tomatoes we had were delicious. We also had a few new faces this year....Hazel and Monroe.

All these pics below are taken by my favourite photographer Vita...

We look forward to our dinner every year, where we get to be nostalgic, talk about our trip and spend time with each other. Here's to many more Venice Dinner's with the family!!! Hopefully we will have another one of these dinners in Venice again.

We wish we had a pool while in the bustling heat of Venice.

 

 

Sneak Peak at Vita Photography's Photo Shoot

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Here is a little glimpse of our family photo session that we got done with Vita Photography. The rest will be posted soon and are AMAZING!!! I am not bragging about my family (although we are pretty perfect...I kid), I am bragging about the photographer. When life seems to fly by at a hundred miles an hour, Tiffany really knows how to make it seem like it's standing still. She captures that moment in time that you never want to forget. Her photos are so much more than what you take in with your eyes, they are defined by what they make you feel in your heart. Well done my friend, well done...

 

Hazel Laughing Video

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If this doesn't make you laugh, or at the very least bring a smile to your face, I will quit writing the blog!!! For us, there isn't a sweeter sound. No harp, or birds singing, or babbling brooks, or ocean waves...NOTHING is better than this sound. So pure and innocent and simple. Our new favorite thing to do at home is try anything and everything that will make Hazel do this...

Cottage Getaway

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We finally got out to visit our family cottage again this summer. Hazel had a great time. She slept in until 11 twice...so Matt and I had a very serious conversation about moving out there permanently. It was so nice to be relaxing as a family and have daddy all to ourselves for a while.



 



So, she didn't think the sunglasses were funny...she really needs to learn to take a joke...



...not today though apparently!!!



There was some time spent building a puzzle. I may have been a little obsessed with it at one point, seeing as I couldn't walk away from it even though Hazel needed something, food, sleep...general acknowledgement.

Well, if you can't beat em' join em'!!!





Seriously, look how much she loves her daddy!!!





This next photo makes my heart flutter, my head tilt and my mouth smile!!!



Part of the reason Hazel slept until 11...



Elephant and Giraffe DID NOT enjoy each others company...



Walking with daddy. Not sure who was happier about this, Hazel for the free ride and the great view of the world, daddy that he could provide this for her and spend time with her or...



...mommy who got lucky enough to have a little time to take in a few deep breaths.



Not sure where she was headed here but she was having a great time.



Auntie Andrea, Cousin Gracie and Uncle Roy came to visit. I am pretty sure they were only talking to us at all so that we would let them come back again. Hazel really was the only thing they saw. Adorable!!!









This is the most recent edition to the facial expression portfolio that Hazel has been working on...



Here is another one...



On this cottage trip some very important, landmark events took place. One, we really got to spend time together to connect as a family again. No therapists, no doctors, no appointments, no interruptions...

Two, we got these next few pictures to document our time spent. I am IN LOVE with these pictures...they couldn't be more perfect!!!





My favorite picture of me and Hazel to date...LOVE!!!



Third, and maybe most importantly, Elephant found the room within the depths of his soul to give the relationship with Giraffe a chance. He saw how happy Giraffe made Hazel and figured he must not be all bad...the rest is history...



 

1st visit to the family cottage...

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Daddy was very excited to get Hazel out to the family cottage. It has been one of his dreams for us for a long, long time. Finally we made it there!! We enjoyed spending time relaxing by the water with Hazel and Nico. Nothing could have made me happier than to see the look of contentment on my husband's face as we had yet another wonderful experience with our new little girl. Just being able to share and watch how happy he was to be out at his favourite place with his favourite people, was a wonderful experience for me. We are quickly learning that wherever Hazel is, love and joy are right there with her!!!

Hazel's 1st bottle at the Cottage
Nico wants to play too...
Here is how we bath at the cottage...
Hazel sharing a smile with her Mommy...
and kisses with Daddy!
Princess Hazel will take her bottle at room temperature...oh...and as long as she can
continue playing with her toys...
Things go from good to bad in seconds...
Hazel really does love us even though she seems like she doesn't in this pic...
Love, Love, Love the family photo!!!

First Photo Shoot

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We finally had a professional photo shoot done with Hazel this week. As you may know from the fashion show posts, she is not one for posing for the camera. Needless to say I was a bit nervous about her behaviour for the big shoot. As you can see from the final product, she threw me for a loop...again! Just when I think I know her she changes things up. Thanks to Vita Photography for the most beautiful, precious pictures of little Hazel. Also, thanks for getting her to participate so you were able to capture her in a perfect state. Thanks to BellaLuluBaby and Aunt Sharon for the props.

Overall, the session was a huge success where the final product brought tears to my eyes. What a perfect little girl we have been given. Her beauty often brings me to my knees. I am so proud to be able to share this little miracle with all of you. Enjoy!!!

Hazel's Video Debut

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We finally got the video camera out and we are going to try and get a few video's on the blog of her.  I know we've posted quite a few pictures of her but it will be nice for those who have not met her in person to get a glimpse of what she is like in action.  She's pretty funny and hopefully they will keep you pretty entertained.  We are really excited for our nieces and nephews to also get to see her!!!!  So hope she makes you smile as much as she does us!

Hazel's Video Debut

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We finally got the video camera out and we are going to try and get a few video's on the blog of her.  I know we've posted quite a few pictures of her but it will be nice for those who have not met her in person to get a glimpse of what she is like in action.  She's pretty funny and hopefully they will keep you pretty entertained.  We are really excited for our nieces and nephews to also get to see her!!!!  So hope she makes you smile as much as she does us!