Up! Up! Up!

Morgen loves her big purple snowsuit, and the blue boots she inherited from "Roro." But Saturday, when we went outside to play, she lasted about five seconds in the backyard before insisting on being carried. Nothing changed her mind, not even watching mommy make a snow angel. Morgen doesn't like the snow. Doesn't like the way it sticks to her mitts. Doesn't like the way it comes up the sides of her boots. Maybe next year she'll be jumping into snowdrifts and tossing snowballs around. This year it's all about being carried and waving at the camera.

Those who do and those who don't.

Every morning Gavin and I corner the child, interrupting her very important toddler business. One of us (usually Gavin) holds her down while the other (usually me) wrestles with her locks. She then admires herself in the mirror for a few minutes, and sometimes likes what she sees enough to do a little happy wiggle. But even if she doesn't like it, Morgen doesn't really mind. I think it's because she knows that she's only a few hours away from school, where one of her teachers has been improving upon our efforts. Seriously. Every day, Morgen is bound to come back from daycare sporting a superior style. Today, she left the house with something similar to the picture on the left, but she came home with two tiny french braids neatly tucked behind her ears. I have to admit, this rankles a bit, especially since we considered this morning's effort such an improvement over our usual (see below, our version of the Cindy Lou Who "do"). I'm not sure which of Morgen's teachers has been giving her these fancy upgrades, because I've never been there to see it happen, but I have a theory...and I wonder how she gets the kid to sit still long enough to do it? It's yet another reason for the awe I feel when I think about the people who help us raise our daughter.

Introducing ...

Just in case the antics of one little Hammel were not enough to keep you on the edge of your seat, the producers of this blog (i.e. Jess and I) are proud to officially announce for your blogging pleasure that our third season, which commences around the end of March/beginning of April will feature ... a brand new cast member! Currently, this yet-to-be-named addition to the Lovett Hammel cast is about 10.5 inches and 3/4 of a pound, but we are certain she - the sonographer was about 90% certain about the sex - will grow considerably over the next few months. And as you can see, despite her small size, she is already extremely photogenic.

We are sure you are all as excited as we are to see what this latest plot twist will mean for our little drama, and we, the producers, will do our best to keep you informed. In the meantime, don't touch that mouse!

Slide, Snack, Santa

Perhaps we'll wait another year or so before returning to Toronto's Santa Claus Parade. If we wait until the mighty Morgen is older, she can join the hoards of children reclaiming the normally traffic-clogged Bloor Street with chalk drawings and pick-up street hockey. As it was, Morgen spent the pre-parade hour playing in a nearby park with her Grandpa and Daddy while Mommy and Grandma guarded her front row seat. Waiting for the parade to begin, Morgen fussed a bit, snacked a bit, and toddled around the curb in front of the spectators a bit. Five minutes into the thing she asked for a blankie and fell asleep in my arms. Twenty two marching bands crashed and honked by us, 1500 clowns threw candy, people dressed as giant skunks, dogs, butterflies, princes and princesses processed along the street, and still she slept. Until the big man arrived. Then, she smiled and waved...after all, the girl has got her priorities straight.

Peepers

Look at these eyes.

Perfect for seeing things way up high.

Like the "Moooo, mama, mooo!"