The Rauwerdink Family Blog

Our little girl is now transitioned to toddlerhood. She is very independent and loves to explore things. She is walking, and sometimes even running everywhere. Hannah has a love for purses, she is a true girl. She carries them on her forearm and may have more than one on at a time (as you can see below.) She also has a love for dogs. She now recognizes dogs in books, on tv, outside, and other places. She can point to her eyes and also can say eyes. One of these days she might poke her eyes out, she gets pretty dramatic. She just started pointing out her boogers too. We are not sure what this means but she starts smiling when you ask her. She says "this and that" too. It is not uncommon for her to be looking in a book saying " this, this, this." When asked what a cow says, she attempts to make the "moo" sound. It is very unique and knows she will get a reaction. She continues to work on eating with a spoon and seems to get better and better every day. She says and signs cheese, one her favorite foods. Hannah is such a happy little girl. She brings smiles to anyone who interacts with her. We always know when she is alittle under the weather, her smile and joy goes away. She at one point this month had a ear infection, pink eye, and the start of bronchtis. So it was a hard period of time to see her so down and out. Her hair is almost long enough to fit in a ponytail. She seems to have a new hairstyle every day from day care. Hannah really enjoys her new room at day care. She loves the "bigger" kids and loves the freedom. She has even been taking 2.5-3 hour naps on her mat. She brings home projects weekly.

Getting Ready for church.
She made sure to bring her purse with her.

Packing her purse for church.

From Russia with love.

Ready for the Super Bowl Party.

14 months.

I can give Bozo the Clown a run for his money.

Yummy Spaghetti.

More spaghetti.
She is signing more.

Wild!
She wanted to carry mom's purse.

It was about 65 degrees about two weekends ago.
She enjoyed the park. It had been awhile.

Dad, here are some wood chips.

Enjoying a walk on such a nice day.

She was having fun taking off her sock.

Loved the swings.

Last week was Super Bowl spirit week at day care.
They painted her face with a star and moon.
She decided she wanted to wear the hat when she got home.

Go Badgers.

Time out for a snack.

It was her friend Giada's birthday.
We went to a Mexican place for lunch.
We all had to wear sombreros. She is not too sure about it.

Happy Birthday, Giada!

We went to the Children's Museum for Giada's Birthday.
Hannah loved the store.

Had fun with dad in the snow.

Hannah loved touching and walking in the snow.

Touchdown.

Mom and Hannah before the Packer loss.

Go MU!

She loves her home, the box.

Pursees, purses, and more purses.

Like my hat?

It just seems like we were telling you Hannah turned one. Hannah sure had an eventful month since. She officially is a walker. She cruises all over the place. She is still walking slow but I am sure in a month we will be reporting differently. She loves to play. She is into taking things and putting them in other things. We seem to find new things stuck in very original places all the time. She is starting to talk. She says doggy, mamma, daddy, baby, and na night. But her most favorite is hi. She says hi to everyone. I found her just the other day waving and saying hi to her own shadow, it was pretty funny. She tries to tell us other things but we cannot quite understand her. She is starting to understand baby sign language and uses it herself too. She knows all done (which is huge for us), more, milk, and juice. This helps a lot. She gets frustrated when she cannot do things, and has not quite figured out how to communicate to us what she needs help. She has 11 teeth and seems to be drolling more and more all the time.

Tired out and the holidays have not even began yet.
I found Mike and Hannah one the living room floor one night in early December.

First visit with Santa.
Santa came to Hannah's day care.
She was not afraid at all.

Hannah had fun looking at Santa and feeling his beard too.

What did Uncle Matt get me?

Happy Holidays!

Miss Claus

I am ready for the big trip to WI.

Christmas with the Brazzale and Meier families

Last year we did not get to come back to WI for the Holidays due to the birth of Hannah. So this year was our first year back to WI since Hannah was born. It was so great to be back and see our immediate and extended families. We ventured to Stevens Point first for my dad's side of the family. Then we were off to St. Nazianz for my mom's side of the family on December 23rd. It was so fun to see all the little cousins interact with one another. Santa even made an appearance. Hannah was a trooper through it all. She was a little overwhelmed at times and of course did not want to miss a beat.

All pretty for the Brazzale Christmas.

Second Cousin Rowan and Hannah had fun rocking.

Hannah got some books from Santa.

Hannah was the first to sit on Santa's lap.

The cousin's sitting so nice.

Hannah Birthday Party

Grandma and Grandpa Brazzale hosted a small birthday gathering for Hannah on December 23. She had a blast seeing her boyfriend Bryce and her friend Scout. Amber and Steve came with baby Elise inside of her mom and not quite ready to play yet. Grant was there too along with her Aunt and Uncles. Hannah had fun playing and of course eating cake for a second time in two weeks.

Bryce and Hannah sharing spit already.

Hannah let Bryce have the toy, she moved onto something else.

Please don't go, you just got here.

Christmas at Grandma and Grandpa Brazzale's

We stayed at Grandma and Grandpa Brazzale's house. The first few days of our trip were pretty busy but as time went on it got less and less hectic. It was great to spend some time with Jeff, Kristen, Jon and Grant as we all stayed at the Brazzale Inn December 23 and 24th. It was relaxing and lots of memories were made. Mike and I got some sort of stomach thing so it was really nice to lay low, and close to a bathroom too. :-) We had a great time seeing the kids interact and learn from one another. We ventured to see Great Great Aunt Linda on Christmas Day. I think it was the highlight of her Holiday to see Hannah. Then we spent a quiet evening at the Brazzale Inn.

Sitting by the tree at Grandma and Grandpa Brazzale's house.

Having fun with my new maracas.

Grandma and Grandpa Brazzale with Hannah on Christmas Eve.

Uncle Jon with the Cousins right before bed.

Hannah had fun playing with Grant's work bench.

The three stooges.
They all got the shirts from Mom and Dad Brazzale and they got new hats too.

Merry Christmas!
All smiles after a good night's rest.

Cousin Grant.

Playing before Grant had to leave.

Hannah and her godparents.

Grandpa Brazzale with the Grandbabies.

Under the hair dryer with grandma.

Christmas with Grandma Jenny

It was so nice to get to spend some time with Grandma Jenny. We stayed at her apartment most of the day on December 26. We had fun watching Hannah move around the place, checking out her new territory. She had fun listening to the birds, and playing with all of Grandma Jenny's stuffed animals. Grandma Jenny, Mike and Hannah all went to see Great Uncle Clarence and Aunt Judy while mom went home to rest, still had some stomach issues.

The 27th we spent some time in the Madison area. We had lunch with our dear friends Jen, Brian, Allie, and Cameron Spredemann. We stopped at West Town Mall for some shopping and headed back to the Brazzale Inn.

The rest of the time was spent feeling better for Mike and I and getting some relaxing in before our trek back to CO. We look back and reflect how wonderful the trip was. We had so much fun seeing the people we could and regret we could not check in with everyone. 8 days just isn't enough time. But we wish everyone a very Happy 2008! We love you all.

Having fun at Grandma Jenny's House.

Grandma Jenny helping me open my gift.

What did I get from Grandma Jenny?

Relaxing with mom.

Mike and I had stomach issues most of trip back to WI.

Naughty or Nice?
Santa brought this new toy to stay at Grandma and Grandpa Brazzale's house.

Allie and Cameron having fun in the snow.
Hannah was sleeping and did not have the right gear along.

Jill with the cousins.

Playing with the new toy.

New Years Day and Christmas with the Rauwerdinks

We drove to see the Rauwerdinks' on New Years Eve and spent New Years Day with them. We had a blast watching the Aunties interact with Hannah. And Hannah had so much fun with all of the Aunties toys. Good thing she has three Aunties that have so many "girly" things for her to play with. I think we are going to have to watch out, Natalie and Hannah are going to be trouble in the years to come. We sure enjoy every minute we get to spend with them.

Opening presents at Grandma and Grandpa Rauwerdink's.

Hannah loved all the space to walk with dad and Aunt Laura.

Having snack with Aunt Natalie.

Aunt LAura trying to control the two little ones.

Hannah and the Aunties.

Hannah loved the shopping cart.
I think I might have a shopping partner already.

Hannah loves purses too.

Two Full Weeks of Fun

Hannah got to spend two weeks of fun with mom (and part of it with dad too.) I had off of school which meant lots of playing at home for Hannah. We ventured out a few days to try and find some after Christmas deals. We also played in the snow with Hannah's sled. It was nice for Hannah to play with her new toys and nice for mom to not think about work much. The fun has to come to end for a little while. But Hannah will get to explore even more at day care. She will be moving up to the next room where there is all walkers, no more bottles, one nap a day, no more cribs just mats for naps, and all table food. We are sad to see her leave her current teachers but I am sure she will have a blast.