A2H 2020.01: Another Chance

The year is 2020 and not only is it a new year, but it is also ANOTHER CHANCE to catch up on my blogging.  Call me Captain Obvious, but I'm 'just a tad' behind in my posts and despite my best intentions Hazel will not have near the documentation of her first year that her brothers had.  The rational adult in me says that is perfectly fine and realizes that I already do more than most, but the OCD in me kicks me while I'm down reminding me of my failures and unmet goals.  Nonetheless, here I am still hoping to catch up...someday...maybe...not because I actually think that anyone really reads this, but rather because I enjoy going back to these posts to reminisce of my littles when they were littler.

So, in broken record fashion I'm starting fresh for the start of the year...again.  Catching up on the happenings of this new decade first to be followed (hopefully) in the not-too-distant future with the entry of our past, still waiting to be organized, composed and posted...

My littles hanging out at an Indiana Toll Plaza on New Year's Day.
(FB Post: Happy New Year from the Migrins!! Excited to see what this new year/decade brings!)

For us, 2020 began in Michigan.  After a fun holiday weekend with Eric's family it was New Year's Day and time to head back to Wisconsin.  We enjoyed a quiet ride with surprisingly well behaved kiddos, a couple of potty breaks and an early dinner at Portillos before making it home.

Video: Practice Makes Perfect

Hazel Stretching Her Legs & Taking a Stroll (or attempting to)

Video: Fun with Daddy

With New Year's behind us the kids and I enjoyed one last day of winter break together at home and then said goodbye to the 2019 Holiday season.  Eric took our traditional Christmas Lights photo and then together we all worked to get "The Holidays" packed away and also find homes for all of the new items that Christmas brought.

Hazel playing with her new Little People Schoolhouse.

It is only fair that each and every Little Person take a turn 'riding' in Hazel's mouth! ;)

Video: Asher & Hazel (BFFs)

The boys working hard on the Color System mobiles that they received for Christmas.

When the weekend came we continued to work on getting the house back into its normal condition while also preparing to host Hazel's birthday party the following weekend.  It was a busy and productive weekend with a few moments of fun, friends and family thrown in...

My friend Richenda secretly dropped by with a cozy gift.  Hazel and I caught her on the doorbell cam! :)

Video: Say 'Hi' Hazel

Hazel & I waving to Richenda

Anytime a package comes to our home, the boys CANNOT wait to see what is inside no matter who it is for.  Thus, as soon as I open up the cozy gift from my dear friend, Avery couldn't wait to model it for me (ear muffs and a travel mug).

One of the gifts that Eric and I gave Asher for Christmas was the Usborne Start to Cook cookbook.  Recently he has been wanting to cook with me more but rather than follow a recipe he wants to create things on his own.  While this is perfectly fine, it is also a bit of a food waste (since the combinations that he comes up with can be a bit unconventional).  Thus, I thought it would be a good idea to get him his very own cookbook so that we could start with the basics before getting inventive and have some good/fun one-on-one time together in the process.  Since Christmas, he has made several of the recipes from the book and while we were in Michigan Eric's mom suggested taking photos of him for everything he makes and putting together a small album.  We liked that idea and so it began...  This week we learned to make scrambled eggs.  ;)

Seeing Asher's confidence level rise as he learns to crack eggs, follow a recipe, use the stove and more has been a blessing to us both! <3

While Eric and I worked hard to clean up all of the Christmas decorations, etc. on Saturday the boys kept themselves busy with Legos and their new toys.

  Hazel was a different story.  To prevent her from breaking every ornament that she could get her hands on we took turns entertaining her, putting her down for naps and when all else failed giving her snacks!  ;)

Big Girl sitting on her own!

Video: Tonge Talking

Just shy of her 1st birthday, Hazel didn't have many words, but she still had a lot to say.  At this time and throughout the Christmas season that largely included a strange little sound that she liked to make by wiggling her tongue around her mouth and sticking it in and out.  It is one of those things that is just a phase of development, but one so cute I wish it didn't have to go away.

That evening (Saturday) when all else failed and we still needed the boys to be entertained Eric went out and purchased a copy of Just Dance for the Nintendo Switch.  The boys had played Uncle Baby Robby's over break and loved it so much we knew we needed our own copy.  Therefore after a day of hardworking we enjoyed a few minutes of fun family time dancing in the living room.

Video: Just Dance

Finally, it was Sunday and after such a busy Saturday getting the house back in order, we needed a day of church and rest to prepare for the week ahead.

Avery's artwork at Church.  Eric and I couldn't help but laugh...

Me and my beautiful girl <3

The face of a little girl ready for nap time!

Naptime successful!
(FB Post: My cherished moments of snuggling this spunky little girl are becoming less and less, so I will take advantage of the moments I have! 💕#littlemisssunshine #almostmybirthdaygirl)

Video: Just Dance

The perfect way to close out the weekend

Video: Highchair Dance

Even being an entire floor level away, Hazel could not resist the opportunity to dance in her seat to Old Town Road while the boys continued playing downstairs.