it's a little after 5. i've been awake for a couple of hours with a fussy baby. Hazel fusses most nights. it's really frustrating not knowing what to do for her. she'll act like she wants to nurse, but then she seems to have an upset tummy after she does. this has gone on for weeks. so i get up up because it's better than lying there with her writhing around. sometimes i think it helps her calm down if i leave her with Brian.

i've had the kids do a small amount of school this week, just math and grammar. after Christmas we'll take a break so that Brian and i can reassess where we're at and what we want to accomplish for the rest of the school year.

the other night we met up with some old friends, three of my closest girlfriends when i was a kid: Tasha, Deonna, and my cousin, Lisa. we all have kids now, 13 between the 4 of us. Tasha's three brothers and their families also came. we laughed so hard. it was one of those nights you just hate to see come to an end.

yesterday i got out and did some Christmas shopping. i'm nearly done with all i need to buy. i have some baking to do which will happen tomorrow.

yesterday i stopped in the Gap and they had a lot of stuff on clearance. i had bought several pairs of jeans while i was still pregnant in hopes that i'd be able to wear them once Hazel was born. well, i still have a size to go before i can fit into them, so i picked up a couple more jeans yesterday in a bigger size. it's encouraging to be dropping sizes without too much effort. i bought some size 2 Gap jeans when Hazel was a week or two old and now they're too big. Gap no longer makes size 1, they now call it 0, and what used to be 0 is now 00. weird, but that means i'm now in a 0. not sure if i'll ever comfortably fit into those 00 again.

i took Hazel with me when i ran/walked yesterday morning. i kind of enjoy having the company. her stroller has an mp3 plug in thingy with speakers, so we listen to Christmas music together while we exercise.

Margaret has been such a help lately. she cleans house without being asked, keeps up with her school work, and helps with Hazel. the others help, too, but not like her.

well, i need to gird up my loins and get out there to exercise.