grape stomp ... North Dakota style

One of the traditions we had goring up in Sonoma County, California, was going to our county harvest fair and watching (and participating in) the grape stomp. Grape stomping is a fun and messy way to celebrate the grape harvest and the beginning of wine-making.

My mom made a connection with someone in Bismarck with free "you pick" grapes so she coordinated a mid-October family grape stomp ... North Dakota style.

We had so much fun! Amazing memories and a great way to break-in my parent's house.


The event started with festive photos




and there was lots (and lots and lots) of leaf-raking with Grandpa Z










Kya and my cousins Parker and Lauryn


Baby Gavin joined the stomp








Grape stomp footprints

Happy Halloween!

My parents were quite excited about Halloween this year. My dad and mom always dressed up for Halloween when we I was young. But this year they had two grandkids to celebrate with AND a house to decorate (extra points if you noticed the bats on their house). I'm not sure who had more fun — my parents or Kya. My dad was Zorro, complete with sword and goofy poses my mom was a witch; Kya was Gretel Von Trapp; Gavin was a baby skeleton.

Oh and by the way ... their neighborhood is the coolest, most magical place in autumn — historic houses, lots of trick-or-treaters (my parents had over 500), about a gazillion beautiful fall leaves ...


Meet baby skeleton and Gretel (Gretel VonTrapp from Sound of Music ... singing "Do Re Me" and "Favorite Things" to everyone/anyone who asked).
Best. Halloween. ever.

Gavin: two months old

Our favorite little dude is two months old!
He weighs 10 lbs, 10 oz (25%) and is 23 inches long (40%). He's already got the Zundel-Hager skinny bean pole body where all his pants are baggy and too short and his shirts are too big yet the sleeves are barely long enough (or way too short in most cases).

he's got her hair

Who do our kids look like?!
Babies clockwise from top left: Me (Mom aka Erica), Gavin, Kya, Dad (aka Corey)

Obviously Gavin got my hair. And we all have blue eyes. And I think we make some darn cute kids (if I do say so myself).

Gavin: 6 weeks old

It is already quite difficult to imagine a world without Gavin in it. We love this little guy with all our hearts.

At his 6-week weigh-in, Gavin weighed 9 lbs, 9 oz and grew another .25 inches to a length of 22 inches. 

Gavin is a great sleeper and gets up just once or twice a night. That makes for one happy mamma. When he is tired, he likes to be swaddled and left alone (no bouncing or rocking). I get plenty of cuddle time in though :)

He started smiling last week and is smiling more and more. Thus far, the person that gets the most smiles out of Gavin is Grandpa Z.

I'm thinking Gavin will need a haircut before too long - he has quite a head of hair and doesn't seem to be losing any of it.

I could go on and on. We are so very blessed.

Sleeping on Grandma and Grandpa Z's couch

Silly Gavin

Photo taken this morning: Early morning pals
I love watching these two. They already have a special unbreakable connection. 

well hello there (this photo was taken just a few minutes ago)

(this photo is a couple weeks old, taken Sept. 12)

Gavin: 4 weeks old

Kya and I took Gavin to the well-baby check up today (free weigh-in clinic at our hospital).

He is four weeks old and weighs 8 pounds, 8 oz and is 21.75 inches long (the nurses said his weight gain must have gone to his increase in height!). I think Gavin will grow up to be very tall (and skinny, at the rate he's going). 

Super Gavin. He doesn't wear bibs. He wears capes.


Kya said her baby doll was hungry ... and then I walk into the room to find her feeding her baby. Boppy pillow and all.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Like mother, like daughter. Happy mom moment.

Gavin: 3 weeks old

Our littlest Bison fan is already three weeks old!
At Gavin's check-up on Tuesday, he finally passed the 8 pound mark, and weighed 8 pounds, 2 oz.


Gavin's hair keeps getting longer and blonder.


... still loves to sleep!
Gavin slept 6 hours straight overnight this week. That made for one very happy (and rested) Mama.

Gavin Donald's baptism

On Sunday, September. 1,  (Gavin's 3-week birthday) we celebrated Gavin's baptism at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mandan. The day was perfect and so very special.

Mass was extra fun since we were surrounded with by full pews of family members and kids (from both my family and Corey's family).

Many thanks to my sister Caitlyn for taking such fantastic photos of the day.


Gavin's God parents are Andrew (Corey's brother) and Megan (Corey's sister-in-law)








All the Hagers

gavin: 2 weeks old

Our little buddy is 16 days old today. I took him to the well baby check up and he is gaining weight well - he is 7 lb 12 oz. I knew he had gained a bit of weight ... his size newborn pants finally stay on.

He has Corey, me, and Kya all wrapped tightly around his little finger.

Gavin loves to be swaddled and cuddled, really enjoys his pacifier, and loves to sleep. That pretty much sums up his typical day.






Gavin's hair is starting to lighten and covers the tip top of his perfect little ears.


hello sunshine!


Go Bison!

. . .

And now for a little randomness ...

There was a beautiful sunrise this morning.


Our jogging stroller tire was flat (with a hole) so the kids and I took it to Scheels to be repaired. While the bike guy fixed it, he offered free bowling for Kya. She had a blast!

vote for Bison Booties!

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Last year, Bison Booties was a top 15 finalist, from over 2,000 nominees! I can't do this without your help, thank you for your support!

Gavin - day 10

Gavin was 10 days old on Wednesday, and I can't believe how fast the first 10 days have gone. I also can't believe Gavin has only been here 10 days because it seems like he's been in our family forever. We are all totally completely in love with him.

At the well bay check up on Tuesday (at the time Gavin was 9 days old) he weighed 7 lbs, 5 oz. and 21.5 inches long. Babies lose weight right after birth and it was great to know that Gavin has re-gained his weight and is eating well. Gavin is still wearing size newborn clothing.


And oh my. Gavin loves his pacifier and loves to be swaddled.






Last Saturday Corey and I took Gavin to Bismarck Harmonyfest downtown (a local music in the park day). Gavin's first concert!




Our little peanut on his beautiful new quilt from one of Corey's coworkers.

big sister Kya

Want to know how to be a good big sister? Watch Kya.


She takes her job as big sister very seriously. There is a lot of hand-holding, singing, and helping around here.


A LOT of hand-holding. Melts my heart every time.


Kya has been very curious and eager to learn all about the baby "supplies" ... in fact, it seemed to take an entire morning to explain to her that this particular item is not a megaphone or hair blow dryer.


Big sister duties are hard work. Exhausting. Corey takes Kya and Reagan for walks every evening and one evening she fell asleep. Hard.

. . .

Just a day or so before Gavin was born, I interviewed Kya about some of her likes and favorite things. I hope to repeat this periodically throughout the next few years.

Kya's answers, August 2013:
Favorite thing to eat: veggies
Favorite thing to drink: water
Favorite treats: jelly beans
Favorite person to visit: Grandma Rene
Best friend: pink bear
Favorite song: DoReMi
Favorite movie: Sound of Music
Favorite color: pink
Favorite thing to do: play with blocks
Favorite animal: cow
What she wants to be when she grows up: a big sister
Favorite book: the Hallmark Bell book (the one with the dog that responds)
Kya says she is good at: dancing and puzzles




I think Kya grew up overnight that night Gavin was born. She seems so much more grown up and mature. Kya and I have had fun with more "grown-up" games and activities at home, like making this cardboard police car and/or bus (depending on which Kya chooses to be at the moment).

. . .

Complete disclosure - we did have a few speed bumps the last week. Oh my, it was really hard work for me to take care of a newborn and a toddler at home the first few days! Many thanks to my mom for coming to the rescue so I could get some much needed sleep. Grandma Z and Kya had a few days of fun that included camping at the river cabin, swimming at the water park, a haircut, and time at grandma's new house. Thank you mom!