Alas a Friday post!!! Don't think I forgot what I said about September. Yes, I have a birth story ready to go. I have a summer recap and lots of pics to share. BUT as I said I am working on a blog redesign which always comes with some challenges and trials. I'm gonna get it big time for posting this post today, but that's how much I am committed to you.
Hopefully see you next time with a brand new look here on Chasing Hazel and Nola.
Just checking in. How are you all??? We are good...
Summer so far has been great. Lots and lots of family time, mixed in with visits with friends and play dates with the girls. Also, managing to get some projects done around the house. There has been a perfect balance of outings and trips with an equal amount of those days of staying home and just hanging with the girls. Nothing on the agenda except playing in the yard.
Still missing Nonno like crazy. Actually, noticing his absence even MORE as the day pass. It's such a strange thing to try to get used to when such a presence is no longer with us. Not sure if it ever feels normal.
Here are all the "smiley" photos from our family trip to Buckhorn Lake (the rest of the pics will come later).
See you back here in September. Starting off the return with Nola's birth story. Stay tuned...
I CAN NOT believe it's been this many Friday's since I started documenting our life with Hazel. What's more insane, is to think now we have 2 littles to call our own. Unbelievable!!! It astounds me everyday (yes even on the hard days) just how blessed that we have been with our 2 little miracles.
Even more so, I am so honoured to have a space where I can share our journey with you. The way that you've embraced Hazel for the little girl that she's becoming. Yeah - sure - she has Down syndrome but that certainly doesn't define her. It's just a small part of what makes her who she is and who she will grow to be. I enjoy sharing her triumphs and tribulations with you.
You have been with us for 100 Friday's!!!
That's gotta be a milestone in our relationship. 100 pics of Hazel (and Nola too). 100 smiles. I want you to know that nothing makes me happier than imagining the 100 smiles that have landed on YOUR faces in the past 100 Fridays. It really is the least that I can do for you...
You, who takes the time to follow our girl.
You, who makes space in your heart to love her.
You, who has accepted something new and different into your life.
You, who have always supported me while I try to change negative opinions and stigmas about Down syndrome.
You, who see Hazel for the determined little girl that she is.
You, who spread the joy and love that children have to offer us.
And most important...For every person that has opened their minds and hearts up to those with Down syndrome, because of the interest you have taken in Hazel.
Thank you so much for being a part of the change, for allowing me to educate and advocate for my little girl. Please help me to continue to spread awareness for the next 100 Fridays.
Happy 100th Friday to you!!!
Hello Friends... We have a beautiful smile to share this week. Hazel and Nola's cousin Grace.
And then this is just so ridiculous, I thought it would be perfect for a Friday smile (or Saturday, or Sunday...)
Enjoy your weekend everyone!
Just pics...no words
Enjoy your weekend! Happy 4th to our US friends.
Feeling like we need a couple of smiling faces to end this treacherous week. I can't even. This girl IS joy!
This is what makes my world go 'roud. This is all I need.
Have a peaceful, restful weekend everyone.
Have a good weekend everyone!!!
Hazel has been having huge gains in terms of self-feeding. Anything I can get into a bowl is fair game. I have also started to give her a fork once in a while. She's a fan of the control she has. Particularly, in terms of what she will eat and what she won't. Unfortunately, I never get the memo.
The weather has been perfect these days. Just enough rain to water the plants, just enough sun and heat to be able to bring the kids out and enjoy the fresh air. I am so much more pleasant to be around when the sun is shining (in my opinion). Hazel likes to open the screen door and let herself out when she feels like it. So, we pretty much keep the door closed at all times. But, her face when she thinks she's smarter than us...priceless.
This week I'm sharing a little NOLA love. She's gotta be the happiest baby I have ever met. Her smile is so big her whole body goes stiff. Legs and arms are goin' every which way. Ughhhh...It's just way too much for me. I scoop her up, squeeze her and kiss her like a thousand times a day.
Hope you all enjoy your weekend. Happy Friday!!!!
xo
Hey y'all!!! (I just got finished watching Friday Night Lights and now I'm on to Nashville, soooooooo expect lots of "Y'all ing" from now on) We are back after some minor technical difficulties. Hope you are all enjoying whatever it is you enjoy on the weekends.
For us it's sunshine, BBQs with friends, yard work, a buddy walk, a birthday and lovin' on the girls. Also, we are keeping dear friends of our in our hearts this weekend and the days to come. They lost their father suddenly over this past week. We will be praying for you.
Enjoy...
Happy Saturday!!!
I know...I know... A whole week has gone by and not ONE post. Sorry!!!
This Friday's pic makes my LIFE!!! It also shows exactly why I have not been able to post. Although not for the best reason, we have had some family in town. My grandfather is ill and he needed the family to pull together and be present for a couple of days.
We did just that. All the cousins spent an entire day just being present. We laid on picnic blankets, blew bubbles, went for walks, listened to Nonno muster every ounce of energy he had to sing opera to us, pulled out old records of Nonno singing opera back in the 1950s (My Nonna and Nonno have had quite the history together. There love story is remarkable - REMARKABLE). We cooked and drank and ate - TOGETHER. It was just what the doctor ordered. By the end of the first day Nonno turned around for the better. He still has good days and bad but we were able to turn the bad into good. And we will keep on doing what we have to do to make sure all the rest of his days are the best that they can be.
I LOVE MY FAMILY!!!!! LOOOOOOOOOOve!
These munchkins....I die
Happy Friday all!!! Seize the Day and all that.
Another week has come and gone. Sometimes as the weeks pass our kids enter into good phases. Cute phases. This week Hazel has decided to start waking up at 4 am (ish). So that's super fun. It's one of the cutest phases ever! (NOPE - NOT AT ALL). On the other hand, Nola is finally starting to see that she doesn't NEED to eat every 3 to 4 hours through the night. Small victories... Anyway... It's Friday. Friday to a long weekend. That's something right?
Hazel thinks so...
Have a good one everyone! I'm going to get a(nother) cup of coffee...
This is more of a #fromthecuttingroomfloor Friday. Meaning these are pics I had on my camera but didn't share. I had to dig into the archives for these pics.
It's a miracle that I managed to get 2 posts out this week.
Have a great weekend everyone!
A couple more favs from Easter. Thanks to my sis-in-law.
Happy Friday!!!
Here's a few pics from our Easter shoot that I saved for Happy Friday!!! Thought I would post early since we are going to be in London for a heart check up tomorrow. I will report back next week. Just a check up, all routine.
Hope these make you smile
Have a great weekend everyone!!!
Here's a couple of collages to get you through the weekend. Those that follow us on IG (user name Chasing_Hazel) have seen this one but it was way to funny to not post here too! Hazel was in quite the mood the other morning. Climbing up on my lap, jumping all over me while I tried to drink my coffee. Like I mean she was literally on my head.
And this very fortunate capture happened the other night after Nola's bath. All little girls need a Mohawk, no matter the size.
Have a great Easter weekend everyone!
Happy Saturday from sunny Florida!!! We are loving this vaca so much. Nice to be in the heat and outside 90% of the day. It has been such a nice change not having to bundle up two babes to go out and do something.
I will of course post some more pics of our trip next week. I didn't bring the laptop so this pic is the best I can do for now. Also, I think I have figured out the place to put them to get them both to smile at the same time.
The stroller!!!
It kinda forces them to stay in the same place and look in the same direction. Got a couple of good ones while they were in here. I posted them on IG.
I had to share these from last week, World Down Syndrome Day. I think they are 3 of my favourite pics in the world. How can you not smile looking at these??? Also.
I AM SO SICK OF THIS WEATHER!!!!!
Lots of grey skies. I am desperate for some sunshine. Will be blogging from a much warmer state next week. YAY!!!
Happy Friday All!!!
I think we should give Nola a feature this Friday. Also she is much easier to take pics of cause she can't run away from me. Also (again) she's ridiculously cute...ahem.
Have a great weekend everyone!!!
I had no time for the Friday post so I am offering you this on Monday. I DID IT!!!! I did it. I DID IT!!!!
Both girls together in one pic smiling at the same time. If only you could see what I am doing and the sounds coming out of my mouth. I'm pretty sure they are laughing at me not with me. It's not the first time I've sold my soul and forfeited my dignity.
Behold....
Happy Freaking Monday peeps!!!!
This post includes the elusive, ever-coveted double smile. Something like the double rainbow, rarely seen but truly appreciated. It would be a true miracle if I could get both girls to smile in the SAME photo. One day friends, one day. We all have to have goals.
So I literally took this photo this morning. Just for you all. I have been told that Friday smiles make people very happy. I didn't want to disappoint.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Hi!!! (I wish I could use the 'wave' emoticon right here) So very kind of you to stop by and meet our little family. Prepare yourself to read about the daily shenanigans of living and loving life with Down syndrome. Oh - I should warn you - sometimes there's this neurotic women who takes control of this space and rants about the 2 tiny humans (ahem…terrorists) that are in current reign of the household. Join the chase!
