Backward Hat

We bought Hannah a new hat - because we bought Ben a new hat. Is this going to be a recurring theme? How long do we have to keep up the illusion of equity?

He gets a toy - she gets a toy.
She gets a snack - he gets a snack.
He gets to go to the movies with his friends - she gets to go to the mall with hers.

How soon do we get to stop all this and use the "life's not fair" line?

Anyway, she was very excited and put the hat on right away... backwards. I don't know where she's seen anyone do that; or what significance it has to her. When I was growing up, putting your hat on backwards was supposed to mean you were "cool," but really meant you were "a punk." Some people didn't put it on backwards, just crooked. Then there are the people who wrap the brim around a can of corn and hold it tight with rubber bands overnight to get the perfect shape. Finally, there are the people who wear their hat every day and refuse to get a new one even after it gets multiple layers of sweat rings and the fabric is torn along the edges.

So, what does a backward hat mean to Hannah? Maybe she is still cute and innocent and just wanted the bow in the front. I'm sticking with that explanation until it is proven wrong.

New Look

As you may have noticed, I've switched to a more neutral background for the blog. So far Growing Pains has been all about Hannah; but with the pending addition of Benjamin James, she will have to share the spotlight. Somehow, I think that sharing blog space will be the least of her tribulations. Let the true "growing pains" begin.

Last Day of School

It is the end of an era. Hannah has been going to daycare with Mommy since she was 6 months old. Having only a month of pregnancy left, it is time for Stacey to quit work and relax. While the door is not closed, she probably won't go back to work there even after Ben is born.

Hannah learned a lot in her 21 months of school, not the least of which is how to hold her own on a playground filled with older, bigger kids; but the most important thing she got out of the experience was her first friends. Her closest friend there is Jenna.

These two go way back. At last year's Halloween Party, Hannah and Jenna both came dressed as cheerleaders for their favorite teams.




It figures that as soon as Hannah and Jenna are finally able to understand and appreciate what it means to be friends, they should be pulled apart. Time will tell whether they keep in touch. They both still talk about each other and an open play date invitation has been extended. Whatever happens, these two have played an important part in eachother's lives.




Being so far from her family, Hannah already knows what it's like to miss someone, but I don't know if that will make it any easier.

Water Sand

The Step 2 Naturally Playful Sand & Water Activity Center, or as Hannah calls it, "Water Sand," is her favorite new toy. One side has bridges, boats and water and the other side is a small sand box... at least that's how it is supposed to work. When Hannah plays with it, the water and sand don't stay separated for long; nor do Daddy's sand castles and sand creatures stay in tact.

She has fun, though, and I'm sure she's learning in the process; as she does with everything now. Her memory is already better than Daddy's, which doesn't say much. She is putting together more complete sentances. She runs faster and stands up while we push her on her Rock Roll and Ride, or as she calls it, "Purple Bike." All this just in time to start from scratch with "Baby Brudder."

Baby Evy

We finally got to meet Hannah's new cousin, Evelyn. She is a cutie.




Of course, she doesn't know how to pose for the camera yet. Hannah handled it pretty well, though. She told Evy "O-K" and patted her belly - too bad that's not enough to calm a tired, hungry baby.




The next day was more successful. We finally have our first pictures of the girls together (click here for more). The family is growing.