school is done for the day, and Hazel is down for a bit. i'm brewing a pot of afternoon joe, and the kiddos are playing nicely outside. oh, and i'm feeling GOOD! it is nice to feel kind of human again. i've felt like i've been sleep-walking for, well, since about a week before Hazel was born. but i think i've been getting a little more sleep the past couple of days, or maybe i'm getting more efficient with what little sleep i'm allowed. either way, i don't feel tired at all today, praise God! the baby blues have lifted and i feel energetic and

neighbors from the next street over brought us a huge pot of soup, a loaf of sourdough bread, a bag of Clementines, and some chocolate-chocolate chip cookies last night. what a blessing! i just feel overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity we've received lately! this morning, Sandy, another friend, dropped in with a gift for Hazel - two cute little outfits with appliques on them. Brian brought home a gift from his co-worker, Anthony and his wife, Monica - a little jean/cardigan set. i need to get with it on thank you notes.

Brian has been working half days from home this week, which has been fabulous! it gives me a chance to get out and exercise or run a quick errand.

i am amazed at how much milk that little baby can put away! she eats around the clock. i feel like 75% of my waking hours are spent on that futon in her room feeding her. and that's not counting all the eating she does in the night. she now has round cheeks and a tiny double chin and her legs aren't so skinny anymore.

it's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is next week. with Hazel's birth and all the activity surrounding that, it seems like the calendar days are just flying by. we'll be gathering with all of my mom's family on T-Day, and then going up to visit Brian's family the rest of the weekend. i'm really looking forward to spending time with all the kinfolk and introducing Hazel to them. gotta get out my recipes and figure out what yummies i'm going to whip up.

well, baby is hollering for me, so i'd better run...