Babies Are Fun

Violet is now smiling and laughing. That is all. I must get back to tickling the baby.

Introducing Violet

Mabel has a sister! That's why we haven't updated for a while - things have been a little crazy. Violet Gray Hyland Hanna was born July 14, 2011 at 7:13 p.m. She is gorgeous and Mabel is in love, love, love with her. Mabel is also just about potty trained (and I probably jinxed myself by writing that). She had her first accident-free day today at school which as you can imagine was very exciting. Here's a look at Violet, who was named for her great-grandma, Violet Larson, and her Pop Pop, Thomas Gray Hanna.

Cute Times Three

Mabel went to her friend Ryan's birthday party over the weekend and had a ball. Here she is with her best pal from school, Annie, and Annie's big brother, Bobby.

Pals

Mabel and her BFB (Best Furry Boy).

Pink is the Word

Mabel and I went to our local garden center this weekend because the weather was so gorgeous and I just got the itch to plant some flowers. She 'helped' me pick them out, which is why they are all pink, hot pink or really, really pink. She also wore her favorite hat backwards, because she's just a unique individual. Or it may have been her tribute to the royal wedding, it's really hard to say.

Coconut Cupcakes

A lot of Mabel's little friends at school have had birthdays lately, so there have been many cupcakes to share. So she talks a lot about cupcakes now, and parties, and how her birthday is "Yune fird" (translation: June third) and also how "When my birfday comes to my house, I will be free on Yune fird." I made coconut cupcakes for my friend Julie's birthday last week and was sure to save one for Miss Mabel. Needless to say, she savored every bite.

Primping

Dylan takes Mabel to school most days, which of course involves getting both of them dressed and out the door. This means Dadoo is very good with the nail trimming, hair brushing and whatnot. Here's a typical morning scene in the bathroom.

Under the Weather

Mabel has yet another ear infection ... two of them, in fact. Also, her left ear drum perforated (but 'only slightly', according to the doctor. Phew.), which likely contributed to her extreme fussiness this weekend. She made the most of things by getting in some good cuddling with Hamlet, AKA her 'best furry boy'.

Backyard Tire Swing

This was taken on St. Patrick's Day, hence the wearing o' the green.

Where's Mabel?

This is Mabel's new favorite place to play: the big pine tree in our front yard. She likes to play hide-and-seek but when I say, "Where's Mabel? I can't find her?" she always gives herself away: "I right here, Mommy!"

Mabel's Favorite Things, Spring 2011

From the home office in Hyattsville, MD, and in no particular order:

10. New hula hoop ("my hula hula")

9. Blocks

8. Being in the kitchen, watching whatever's going on ("Lift me up so I can see, Mommy")

7. The cats, especially Hamlet ("Hammy is my best furry boy")

6. Singing - Mabel often sings herself to sleep and wakes up singing

5. Dogs. We often go for walks around the neighborhood to look for them.

4. PopPop and Grammy. Mabel talks about them all the time.

3. Peanut butter

2. Reading - usually a book from Grammy

1. Soft Baby (When Mabel gets home from school she immediately looks for SB, holds her close and whispers: "Oh Soft Baby. It's so good to see you.")

Happy Birthday to Grammy

The sun finally came out today and we spent a lot of time going for walks to look for puppies and playing in the backyard. How many kids have a pineapple hat? Not many, that's for sure. Happy, happy birthday to Grammy!

Sweet, Sweet Girl

A few minutes after I put Mabel to bed tonight, I heard her calling for me on the monitor: "Mommy, my pacis!" SoI went in and rescued her pacis, which had fallen on the floor. Then she stood up in her crib, patted me on the arm and said, "Mom, I like you." And then she leaned in and gave me a big kiss. Such a sweetheart, this girl.

And We're Back

The Editors of The Nugget Chronicles have returned from their very long winter's nap, and sincerely apologize for the unannounced histus from sharing all the Nugget news that's fit to print. We had a lovely holiday season, with a few unanticipated illnesses thrown in for flavor, and we're back and ready to go.

Mabel is doing great. She can now walk backwards, peel a clementine, take her plate from the table to the kitchen (mostly) unaided and sing all the words to Baa Baa Black Sheep and at least 5 other songs all by herself. Except in her version of Baa Baa Black Sheep, there are more than just three bags of wool ... depending on the night, there are usually 8 (the usual suspects, Mommy, Daddy, Grammy, Pop Pop and Mabel) and sometimes as many as 11 (the aforementioned crew plus her three cats.) So, she sings it her way, which we encourage.