The Adventures of Hattie Rose

Winter at the Beach

2010-01-16T21:49:00.000-08:00

One of the best things about living in California is the weather! With rain on the way, Mommy and Daddy decided to take advantage of a warm and sunny day and take me to the beach. First, we got cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Then, I got to run on the sand and splash in the water!

I ran and ran and ran! The water kept washing up onto the sand and back again, making my toes sink into the sand. It also revealed buried stuff, like rocks!

While I was running in the water, a big wave knocked me over! But my Daddy came and caught me and kept me from floating away. I talked about how he saved me for the rest of the day. (He modestly said I was never really in any trouble, but here's video proof! He's my hero!)

My dress got all wet! But Daddy just peeled it off me so I could keep playing. I decided to build a sand castle that turned into a sand chair that I sat in. I loved lying in the sand! The only problem is ... it got everywhere!

Daddy rinsed me off at some outdoor showers, then wrapped me up in a blanket and stuck me in my car seat. I was cozy and dry and warm again. What a great day! I can't wait to go back to the beach again ...

Fun with Pumpkins ... and Friends!

2009-11-17T22:57:00.000-08:00

I just love pumpkins.

Every year, we go to a pumpkin patch to get pumpkins for Halloween. If we're lucky, the ones that don't get carved stick around until Thanksgiving. Daddy picked out some big pumpkins this year, and me and my friend Natalie wanted to get a big one, too, but we're not quite strong enough yet.

We decided to leave carrying the big pumpkins to our dads. Then I picked out a little pumpkin for myself. It was so cute! I didn't want to let it out of my sight for the first few days. I held it in my car seat, carried it from room to room at home, and even snuggled up with it in my bed at night!

The other thing I like about visiting the pumpkin patch is seeing all the animals that live there! There are chickens and goats and pigs and donkeys and all sorts of things, and you can buy vegetables to feed them all!

I can't wait to go back next year! Maybe I'll be strong enough to lift my own big pumpkin ...

Stroller Giveaway!

2009-08-05T08:18:00.001-07:00

Two kids means we will eventually need a double stroller. I love this one from Bubmleride! We could never afford it, but it is worth trying to win one! You can enter to win too at the blog Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House.

Welcome Baby Tilly!

2009-06-15T11:25:00.000-07:00

Matilda Jane Miller was born May 18 at 3:30 in the afternoon. She weighed 6lbs, 1oz. She was born on the bathroom floor of French Hospital. Ryan caught her. Please go to our other blog, Commonplace, to read all the details. Here are a few photos of her birth:

On the bathroom floor, minutes after Tilly was born. Our nurses and OB were amazingly supportive!

Hattie managed to get a nurse to take her in to see all the action. This was seconds after Tilly's birth. I'm pretty sure Ryan is still holding her.

Hattie adores her new baby sister! We adore her too!

Learning about birth...

2009-05-06T08:33:00.001-07:00

A couple of months ago mom and dad took my placenta out of the freezer and defrosted it to show their childbirth class. After class I got to look at it! I was so excited and kept saying "my placenta!" "Baby Hattie's placenta", "new baby placenta inside mommy". I really liked to look at and touch it. I have been talking lately about the placenta being born after the baby.

I love to help our midwife, Mary, listen to the baby and can explain how babies are born. At least once a day I will tell someone, "baby inside mommy... will come out here (points between legs)... in the mommy baby bath (I have watched lots of water birth videos)... baby placenta come out too... baby nurse". I'm super excited to be a part of my baby sister's birth whenever she decides to arrive- sometime in the next few weeks!

The Conservatory Overcoat GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-02-17T13:37:00.000-08:00

My mommy loves this coat, and the beautiful photos on this blog:

The Conservatory Overcoat GIVEAWAY!!!!

Ichiban

2009-02-09T16:30:00.000-08:00

Mom and Dad took me out to lunch today. We went to Ichiban, one of our favorite restaurants in Santa Maria. In fact, I had my first solid food at Ichiban about a year ago (tofu from Mom's miso soup). The staff there knows us, they have watched me grow up from a tiny baby. They know that Mom and Dad always order the same thing, the California Roll Combo, they even know that Dad loves iced tea so they always leave an entire pitcher of it for him at the table. What they didn't know was that today, I was going to order my own meal, all by myself! When our waitress came to the table for the formality of taking my parent's orders, I turned to her and said "rice please". A minute later she returned with my very own bowl of rice! I have officially ordered my first meal in a restaurant! I am very proud of myself. Mom and Dad are proud of me too!

One Month Ago....

2009-01-26T14:13:00.001-08:00

Since Mommy and Daddy's Christmas pictures didn't turn out well, Grandma Simonson set a few that she took. Thanks Grandma! Christmas was so much fun!

Here I am doing Aunt Rose's makeup. So Fancy!

Being super silly!

Taking care of the Baby Jesus.

It's Been Awhile...

2009-01-23T11:06:00.000-08:00

Mommy is finally over feeling nauseated, and was able to help me post some new pictures. My new little brother of sister is doing very well. I can't wait to meet "mommy's baby" in May or June!

Daddy got a new haircut and a new suit in honor of our friend's Ross and Ashley's Wedding:

I had so much fun dancing with Ashley (and everyone else) at the wedding!

Here I am, busy at work with Daddy. I'm wearing the Christmas dress that mommy and daddy had custom made for me from Etsy. Though, I didn't end up wearing it on Christmas since Grandma Miller bought me a special Christmas dress too!
Most of our Christmas photos didn't turn out, but here is one of me playing in all the wrapping paper. I loved burying myself in it then throwing it over my head!

Halloween

2008-11-03T09:40:00.000-08:00

We dressed up as the family from the Scarlett Letter for Halloween. Mom was Hester Prynne, Dad was the Reverend Dimmesdale, and I was their creepy daughter Pearl. We got tons of compliments from the people who understood our costumes. A lot of people just thought we were pilgrims....

Batman!

2008-10-30T11:27:00.000-07:00

I dressed up as Batman yesterday for a costume party that we ended up missing. I wore a cape that belonged to my uncles when they were my age (thank you for sending it to me Grandma!). Mom thinks I looked just like my Uncle Deven when he was my age. I have his curls! My mom forgot her camera, but Natalie's mom took some great pictures. You can see them on Natalie's blog!

Golden Girl

2008-10-15T12:15:00.000-07:00

Guess What I'm Getting for My 2nd Birthday!

2008-10-09T13:41:00.001-07:00

My little sister or brother is due to arrive just a couple of weeks before I turn 2! Someone smaller to boss around, what more could a 2-year-old want?

Here are some pictures of me telling my grandparents about the new baby:

Grandma and Grandpa Miller

Grandma and Grandpa Simonson

What I have been up to...

2008-09-24T16:59:00.000-07:00

Sharing my red boots with Natalie (thank you McCarleys for the boots, and the book Gossie that taught me that sharing is more fun than keeping things for myself)

Typing on my very own keyboard that my mom bought me hoping that I would leave the real computer alone.

Playing dress-up and drawing. Drawing is my current all-time-favorite activity. Mom is very happy that washable markers were invented.

Feeding baby goats at Avila Valley Barn.

Also, mom and dad kept a list of all the words I know (that they can remember). Instead of posting all 98 words in my "milestones" here they are:

doggie (oof, oof), cat (meow), baby, chip, up, down, more, bug, back (put it back), mess, trash, dirty, eew, all done, outside!, watch, daddy watch (me), duck, diaper, water, o’s, blue berry, book, E, apple, cracker, sock, shoe, dress, brush, nose, hi, bye-bye, nurse, draw, snack, ear, toes, walk, eyes, teeth, bath, night-night, mommy, daddy, soft, nice (fuzzy things), Nanny or Natty (Natalie), What is it? What is that?, hug, kiss, No!, please, uh-oh!, tickle, neigh (horse), (makes a fish face), (roar), ant, ball, balloon, me ma (grandma), dance, walk, stuck, pretzel, cow (moo), bird, drop, neck, pretty, hair

Enter to win five new baby carriers!

2008-07-29T10:06:00.000-07:00

Along for the Ride Baby Wearing Fashion Finds

"http://www.alongfortheride.biz/contest-s/49.htm"

Win the Essential Babywearing Stash from Along for the Ride (one Beco Butterfly, one Hotsling baby pouch, one BabyHawk Mei Tai, one Zolowear Ring Sling, and one Gypsy Mama Wrap

My mommy uses several of these types of carriers every day and can't recommend them enough! She couldn't resist sharing this contest with everyone who reads my blog. Go to the website and enter to win! Happy contesting!

The Great Outdoors

2008-07-10T22:20:00.001-07:00

Sorry I haven't posted any more pictures from my birthday ... I've been busy camping in the mountains and visiting all of my grandparents and even some great-grandmas in Sacramento!

My favorite part about camping was playing in the dirt. There were lots of rocks I could pick up and carry around, and the sand was nice between my toes.

If I got too dirty, I could just splash around in the lake!

Keep watching for more details about my summer adventures!

I am 1!

2008-06-19T23:43:00.000-07:00

On June 14, I celebrated my first birthday. There will be more pictures to come from my party, but here's one of the pinkest I've seen so far ...

Birth and Baby Fair

2008-05-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

My mommy has spent the past eight months coordinating the Birth and Baby Resource Network's annual Birth and Baby Fair. The fair was last Saturday and it was a huge success! Lots of people attended and everyone had fun. Here are a couple of pictures of me and Natalie hanging out with our mommies very early in the morning while they set up the fair.

First Steps!

2008-05-14T08:41:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday, May 6, after spending most of the day with my friend Natalie (an accomplished walker) I decided "I can do that!" So, that evening I surprised my parents and took five steps across the room to mommy. I continued to practice all evening while mommy and daddy took pictures and video. I don't see what they were so excited about, this is no big deal.

Easter!

2008-03-30T17:48:00.001-07:00

I had a great time for my first Easter! I got to wear a pretty dress and a bonnet that my Mommy wore when she was as little as me.

There were so many flowers in the front yard!

I held onto Daddy's leg while he took pictures of my friend Natalie and her Mom and Dad.

The orange flowers were nice to look at and touch.

Mommy and Daddy wouldn't let me eat them.

I managed to chew on some yellow clover when they weren't looking.

I looked for Easter eggs, but they were all in the house. I found a bunch with tasty treats inside. What a great day!

Happy Birthday Grandma Sue!

2008-03-08T00:48:00.000-08:00

Today is my Grandma's birthday. I wish I could be there to give her lots of baby kisses and help her celebrate. Since I can't, here are a few pictures of times we have spent together.

I'm just minutes old in this picture!

Grandma came to visit when I was was 6 weeks old.

Here we are at Christmas!

I'm practicing my newly acquired waving skills in this picture! I think that Grandma has a picture of mommy that looks just like this. We are both bonnet girls!

Happy Birthday Grandma!
I Miss you!
I Love you!

(Mom and Dad asked me to tell you that they love you and miss you too)

A trip to the zoo

2008-03-04T12:06:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago Grandma and Grandpa Miller visited to help celebrate Daddy's birthday. We took my first trip to the Atascadero Zoo!

I was afraid of the Meerkats, so Grandma held me while I looked.

Walking around with Grandpa

Looking at the tropical birds with Daddy.

A day at the beach

2008-01-30T13:27:00.000-08:00

Two weekends ago Aunt Mary Rose came for a visit. We went to Montana De Oro, for my very fist visit to the beach! We had a wonderful time!

I liked to touch the water! Some college students standing near by kept saying that I would be washed away to sea because my dad let me touch the water. I wonder what they are teaching them at that crazy school?

Playing with Aunt Rose was fun!

So was being tossed into the air by daddy!

Look at me!

2008-01-18T16:29:00.000-08:00

On Jan 10, I decided to pull up to standing. No effort, no practicing, just decided to do it. Now I pull myself up on anything I can reach!

Christmas Eve Eve

2008-01-07T11:44:00.000-08:00

On Christmas eve eve Grandma and Grandpa Simonson's church had a worship service. Grandma Simonson organized it and I was asked to portray the baby Jesus while Aunt Mary Rose sang. I was very fussy and grumpy during the service, but as soon as I was on stage I calmed down and was focused on Aunt Rose's face. I think God answered a lot of prayers and calmed my fussiness.

Grandpa taught all the kids about Advent.

Uncle Deven sang some songs and narrated. Uncle Stephen played the drums, but I don't have a picture of him.

Even Daddy sang!

Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Miller

2008-01-02T15:47:00.001-08:00

Ooooh, tissue paper, my favorite! Now I use this box as a train-car, daddy pushes me around the house in it.

Hangin' out with Grandma on Christmas Eve.

Look at the beautiful tree Grandpa!

My friend Nate stopped by to say hi!

Hope and Ella loved the playsilks and doll slings that mommy made for them.

Our Christmas

2008-01-02T14:14:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, Dec. 22, we had Christmas for just the three of us. Daddy worked really hard (and late) on Friday night so he wouldn't have to go into the office on Saturday morning. Here are some photos of our family Christmas ...

I wasn't too interested in the stockings,

but I was a very cute Christmas elf!

Mommy made me a delicious blanket with an extra tag of satin just for chewing!

My favorite toy was the shipping box that Aunt Dee Dee and Uncle Mike sent (the outfit that was inside was super cute too).

My "big present" from mom and dad was a cashmere sock monkey! I love to chew on its tail!

More Christmas pictures coming soon ...

The Santa Maria Sun

2007-12-21T14:54:00.001-08:00

Natalie and I were on the cover of the Santa Maria Sun last week!

Here is the image on the inside of the cover story. This is the first time I sat up on my own!

I can't get these images to come across any clearer. They look a lot better on Natalie's blog...

These photos were taken by Steve E. Miller, the New Times and Santa Maria Sun staff photographer.

My Newest Hat

2007-12-18T09:59:00.001-08:00

My parents say that my "mobster name" is Hats. With a name like that (and the fact that I have very little hair) it is logical that hats are one of my favorite things. My friend Natalie's (aka Chomps- her mobster name) mom, made this super cool ear-flap hat for me. I love to chew on the ties! Thank you!

Also, thank you to Peter and Kathy Olson who gave me the adorable dress that I am wearing!

Christmas at My House

2007-12-17T14:07:00.001-08:00

A tree inside?

I want to help!

All decorated. I love to look at the lights and have surprised my parents by not being too interested in touching the tree.This is my very own Playmobil nativity set (even though I'm not allowed to play with it yet).

Our stockings. Mine is already getting full.

Merry Christmas!

I Got Mail

2007-12-17T13:54:00.001-08:00

A package arrived in the mail addressed to me the other day! What fun!

Hmm... What is this...
Not one, but TWO hats from my Grandma Miller! In my favorite colors, pink and brown.
I love hats!
Thank you Grandma!

My Birth

2007-12-06T12:39:00.000-08:00

Well, here I am as a brand new baby. I was pretty messy when I was first born, but my parents saw through the gunk and knew I was pretty.

After 85 hours of labor, my parents were really happy to see me!

I look a little better here. My mom's midwife, Brenda, is checking my heart and lungs. I'm sounding pretty good.

Yes, that is the newspaper that my dad edits in the background- he wrote that story about bees.

Oh yeah, I was born at home on my parent's futon in their living room.

I'm one day old in this picture. I am so happy that my parents love each other so much!