Tour Thru Tree

After Stout Grove, we headed to Klamath California and drove thru a Redwood tree!  Pretty fun stuff.  The tree is over 725 years old.  The tunnel was carved thru the tree in the 70's.  It is one of 3 remaining trees you can drive thru. (in the USA?)

We each took a turn driving thru--here is Gracin driving.

How many people have a family photo inside a tree??  Pretty unique-- well except Hazel isn't in it:(

 

Riley camera phone shot for me.

The Redwood Forrest

We practically live in the National Redwood Forest.  I have seen huge Redwood trees less than 10 miles from our house.  I'm sure there are some closer.  But, I wanted to go where the big ones grow!  This has always been a dream of mine.  I never thought I would get to see the Redwoods.  I'm not sure why they have always intrigued me, I have always been fascinated by huge trees.  Riley had Labor day off so I planned a whole day of adventure for us.  I don't think any pictures I have seen or things I have read accurately illustrate the actual size of these trees to me.  --And I know I won't be able to.--  They are so amazing.  I was in awe and Heavenly Fathers creations.   We found a short easy hike--essential when hiking with little kids.  But there was no shortage of Redwoods here! 

Here is a tree that was on the drive to the grove.  We all fit inside of it.  It was hallow for probably 50 feet up!  Ok Gracin didn't actually go inside but he definitely would have fit.

Here is one that was right where we parked the van!  This was one of the few covered in moss.

Hazel had fun on her first ride in this hiking backpack. 

The forest was so pretty and green-- like everything in this part of Oregon.

Can you find me in this next picture?  Yeah I'm about as tall as the ferns growing on the ground!

Redwood trees are the tallest living things on earth!  They can grow to over 300 feet, and live 2000 years!

After a few min into the hike, the only trees we could see were Redwoods!

This was by far the biggest tree here.  And the biggest tree I've seen.  (we even drove thru a tree I'm sure was smaller than this beast)

Hazel is 5 months!!

 Physical Changes
Height: about 50% for her age
Weight: 16 lbs, about 75% for her age. 
She started out so small, 30% for weight.  She's making up for it now!  She is so chunky I just adore all her rolls.  She has almost completely lost her bald spot (see last picture.) Her eyes are still bright blue.  I am starting to notice the light hair coming in has a slight reddish tint.  Super smiley.

 New skills
She learned how to roll over-tummy to back and back to tummy.  She moves all over her crib.  She can also turn around 180-360 degrees while on her tummy. She can push up all the way to her hands while on her tummy. Goes after and grabs toys that are "out of reach." Can bring toys to her mouth easily.

 Sleeping and Eating Habits:
Started waking in the middle of the night again.  But we got that under control:)  Sleeps about 12 hours a night usually.  She has been waking up because she didn't like sleeping on her tummy.  She wouldn't turn her face to the side, so she pretty much face planted into the mattress and kicked her arms and legs screaming!  It took almost a week for us to work through that.  I had to go in many times thought the night and turn her head or roll her over.  She would also roll and get her arms stuck hanging out the bars.  I had to put the bumpers back up so she didn't get so mad.  She also has been swaddled until now so there were a lot of sleeping changes this month.  She still takes amazing long naps when we are at home.  As far as eating goes, she loves her bottle.  She eats about ever 2-3 hrs when awake.  We tried cereal and pears this month--she hated them both.  She would gag and then make herself throw-up!  Not a fan.

 New Places Visited & New Experiences
She went to the fair, went more places in the stroller but prefers the Bjorn. Hung out outside with Rhylan and Gracin to watch bubbles.

 Favorite things & activities
Loves spending time in the exersaucer.  Pretty much done with toy bar--rolls over any time I put her down.  Likes to play on her play mat.  Loves to eat cloth- burp rags, blankets, my shirt, cloth toys, etc.  We gave up on the binky all together.  She gags every time I put it in her mouth!?  She is a big finger sucker, making sure its never the thumb. Starting to notice strangers --not a fan.  LOVES Mom.  Whenever she is sad, all I have to do is pick her up and instantly she stops crying.  She likes to grab my face and slobber all over it.  I pretend they are kisses.  Loves when ever Rhylan or Gracin talk or sing to her.  Loves bath time.  She has started kicking during bath time.  When she is happy she kicks her legs and slaps her arms down fast.  She also laughs more often now.  She is ticklish, and likes pee-a-boo. She likes to scratch things.  She scratches the couch when she is over my shoulder, scratches the car seat while driving, etc.

 Heath
Over all pretty healthy.  She has a cough off and on.  I think it's because of the moisture here. I think she has started teething!  Oh boy:}

Instant Replay

8/19/12-Hazel learned a valuable skill.

 I DID IT!!!

 Aww it was nothing.

 Wait were you photographing me?!!