Mad Baby is 4 Months Old

This week Mad baby turned 4 months old. It's been a quick 4 months!

What you NEED to know:

• Mad Baby really isn't mad anymore! She's a happy happy girl now!


• Her favorite things are milk, rolling over, "standing up", her big sister, and SLEEPING! (Thank you baby Jesus!)


• Her hair is definitely going to be dark, maybe even darker than Isabella's.


• Her eyes are still kind of a bluish color, but they are changing for sure.


• My best guess is that she weighs in the ballpark of 11.5 - 12 lbs. Officially the teeniest baby I've ever know that was born fullterm.


• She is still rocking the newborn and some 0-3 month clothes.


• She is in size 1 diapers.


• And she still loves to be swaddled.

There really isn't that much to tell about a 4 month old! Her well child check is Monday and I will have more stats then. I'm not looking forward to her having to get shots, but thats how it goes.

Do You Still Love Me?

Of course you do! I may be the world's worst blogger, but I'm the only person in the world blogging about something you all love - ISABELLA! So let's get to it.

Almost 2 months ago Isabella turned 18 months old. We took her for her well check up and everything was great! She weighed 21 lbs 7 oz, and was 31.5 inches long. Can you believe she it? She had a huge growth spurt and grew an inch in one month. Um, that's crazy! She has a fat head, that we already knew. When the doctor measured her head she said "Well, we know she has a big brain!". Love it.

She is running around, talking, singing, dancing, causing chaos, and most of all, leaving a trail of toys everywhere she goes.

She has big brown eyes that could charm the pants off of anyone. And unfortunately I think she already knows that.

She's smart.

She's independent.

Oh, yes, and she is STUBBORN!

She can say anything she wants to say, but 99% of the time she doesn't want to say ANYTHING when we want her too. Stinker.

We love the little person she is becoming, it's a miracle every day watching her grown and learn.

I love her guts.

**This pictures is from almost exactly a year ago (Jul 21, 2009 to be exact). Look how much my baby has grown!

Isabella Is 17 Months

Isabella never had a 15 month appointment because she was sick and on antibiotics for most of March which pushed her 15 month appointment to yesterday, the day before she turned 17 months old. The appointment went well despite having to wait forever because there was only one doctor and one RN working! Isabella is 30.5 inches tall (I don't think she was standing up straight, but who knows?) 25th percentile, they said she is falling to the short side which is weird because she has always been kind of tall. No worries though, because I'm short and Jonathan is no giant. She weighs 21 lbs, between 10th - 25th percentile, which is where she has always been. And her head is 18 1/4" which is the 50th percentile, again, kind of where it has always been. If you are wondering, she gets that melon from her Daddy.

The nurse was wowed by how good a patient Isabella was, and the doctor too. When they stuck her finger she didn't even flinch. She was amazed by the blood and loved watching it flow from her finger. She even smiled as she watched it travel up the little tube that they use to test for lead. She was so well behaved while she was being examined. The doctor was impressed and said we have a very laid back little girl. She was in and out in a flash, she said it usually takes her twice as long because the kids fight and won't be still. That's our good girl! Everything was fine with Isabella, she is perfectly health! The only concern was that Isabella hasn't been on vitamins and she should have been for the past 5 months. We didn't know this, of course, and the doctor who saw her at her 12 month appointment didn't mention it at all. So glad we decided to switch doctors. She had to get 2 shots, and although she did cry a little, it didn't last long, not even a minute. Because she was such a good patient the nurse gave her two "treasures" which pleased Isabella so much she blew the nurse a kiss.

I meant to talk to the doctor about potty training but forgot. Isabella is showing a lot of signs that she is ready to start, so we are going to take a very laid back approach and see what happens. I would love to have her potty trained before the next baby arrives (no, I'm not pregnant, yet!), but we aren't pushing it. She is a smart girl, she will let me know when its REALLY time. I cant remember if I posted it here or not, but one time last week Isabella asked to sit on the potty and she actually used it as soon as she was on it! I'm so proud of my big girl!

This picture has nothing to do with the appointment, it's just here for your viewing pleasure!

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

I'm a slacker, I have neglected my blog and for that I apologize. (Blame Facebook, seriously, I'm always on there.) There is no way I can recap everything that has happened in the past, we'll say "few", months. I don't even know where to start so I here is the Cliff's Notes of December - now.

• We spent Christmas in Florida with Jonathan's family, something we had never done. We had a great time seeing everyone and Isa got to meet a lot of her extended family. Isabella really enjoyed her gifts and got way too spoiled. A special THANK YOU to Aunt Rhonda and Uncle David for sharing their rented vacation home with us. We had a late Christmas with my side of the family after. Again, SPOILED!
• In January I had a chance to reconnect with one of my friends that I hadn't seen in 8 or 9 years! Jenny, her son and her boyfriend moved to SC about the same time we did, how cool! It was great to see Jenny again and to meet her baby and boyfriend. We had a great time playing. Isabella LOVES baby Alex and he loves her too. My Jonathan and Your Jonathan, as we have named them, have a lot in common, they have had a few good video game sessions since then. They have a lot in common, its almost scary.
• In February Jonathan had a lot going on at work so Isabella and I went to visit my family for a week. We had a good time visiting, I especially loved the naps! It snowed while we were gone and Jonathan didnt get to enjoy it because of work. Sore subject...moving on. In Febuary we also took Isabella to the zoo for the first time. She really loves the animals and being outside. She gets it honestly.
• March, oh March. Isabella was sick and on medication most of March. RSV followed by an ear infection. Two courses of antibiotics and 2 weeks of breathing treatments and we all somehow came out of it with our sanity. Isabella did not get her shots or have her 15 month check up because she was sick.  And finally in March we were very happy to hear that Jonathan's colonoscopy showed no signs of Colitis! Everything went fine with the procedure, there were no polyps, and the labs all came back normal. Great news! I've taken on yet another crafty hobby...sewing. So far I've made three adorable pillows. If I ever get a free second I'm going to start working on a little dress for Isabella. I have always wanted to learn how to sew, and I am finally working to make it happen. I'm teaching myself so I'm probably doing it all wrong, but I am determined to learn.
• Now it's April and Spring is definitely here even though it feels so much like British Summer. Isabella and I are spending time outside every day! We're in heaven! We are considering planting some strawberries or herbs, but I'd hate to get attached just to watch them die.We spent Easter in GA and out little eagle eye found 4  eggs that were hidden for the big kids and all the eggs that were for her.We don't have a lot of plans for the rest of this month, but we definitely have a busy summer ahead of us.

Since my last post Isabella started walking and promptly started running. She is always on the go and most of the time it's so much fun. She is a great "helper", and loves doing anything we're doing. She is talking now and always has something to say. She still babbles a lot, but she can say almost anything when she wants to. It's amazing when your child promptly repeats something that just came out of your mouth. Time to be careful with what we say! She'll be telling all our secrets soon. All in all Isabella is a sweet, energetic, social butterfly.

We have finally settled in here in Sumter, and into our home. ALL BOXES UNPACKED! We are loving life and feel so blessed to back in the states and so close to our families. I promise that I will do my best to keep this blog updated with stories, pictures and videos. I won't be here every day, but I promise it won't be months again.

Isabella Is One Year Old

Where to begin? (I'm crying already!)

As you all know Isabella turned a year old on December 4th. It has been a long and beautiful year. A little over a year ago Isabella came into our lives a teeny 6lbs 12.8 oz and 20" long. Today she is 18 lbs 8 oz and 29 " long! There is no doubt that she takes after her Daddy in that department. She has a long thin body with supermodel legs and monkey arms. She is still slowly working on some curly brown hair which will be just adorable when it gets here. Her eyes have decided on brown, they are so big and "yummy chocolaty", she can definitely melt you with those eyes. Those eyes combines with her adorable toothy little smile (6 teeth!) are deadly.

She has such a little personality and we can see a lot of Jonathan and me in her. She is very very independent and strong willed as well. Once she gets something into her head there is no stopping her! This has led to epic tantrums which we have to completely ignore. She is quite smart and if she ever thought that screaming, crying, or wallowing on the floor would get her attention or whatever it was she wanted we would be in trouble. BIG TROUBLE! She is also very sweet and something of a comedian as well. When she wants attention she will say "Heyyyyyyyy" and then laugh and laugh. And how could I forget how fearless she is? She is afraid of nothing! Bugs, lizards, crabs, swans, geese, heights, thunderstorms, her Uncle Keith constantly yelling at her trying to scare her...nothing can shake her.

Isa loves music as much as anything. She has several different pianos and there isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't play with each and every one of them them. Sometimes she even sings us beautiful songs while playing the piano or playing a drum. Isn't it amazing how a baby can turn anything into a drum? When she isn't busy making music she is busy dancing to it. She can really shake it, and she must have gotten that from someone else because she didn't get it from me or Jonathan. She is starting to play more with her baby dolls and other toys now. Her favorite thing by far are books and going outside. We read to her several times a day, and sometimes she even reads to us. She will hold her books and turn through the pages examining every page very carefully before continuing to the next. Doing anything outside makes her happy, whether it be playing on the porch, a wagon or stroller ride, or a walk around the yard...she is in heaven!

She isn't walking yet, but I honestly think its just laziness on her part. She has taken a step or two once or twice, but anytime she starts to walk she will just fall to her bottom and then crawl the rest of the way. She can crawl at the speed of light, it's crazy. As far as eating goes, we have no problems there! HOORAY! She is finally eating like a champ, she doesn't have problems with anything anymore. She is so good about trying and eating new things, it's almost too easy. She is so not weird about food, who does she take after? Surely not me or Jonathan, we are food freaks. She is talking and signing like a champ. She says Mama, Mommy, Dada, Daddy, Bad Dad, Nana, Hey, Bye, baby, all done, Mumu (sometimes), and she is trying to say Isa. I don't think I left anything out. Her signing is making great progress as well. She is finally signing on a regular basis and we couldn't be happier.

She is our baby, our Isabella, and she is perfect to us just the way she is.

Assignment

I know these blogs are all out of order, sorry about that, just trying to get caught up!

On Monday, April 13, we finally got an assignment. As you all know we are going to....Minot, ND. It's the one place in the world I feared going the most. Well, Japan then Minot, but I knew we werent going to Japan. I was really upset about it at first but now Im trying to be more positive about it. I've actually done some research and it seems like it wont be nearly as bad as I had feared. I joined a yahoo group for people stationed at Minot and everyone loves it there. Every base is what you make it! Im still hoping we wont be there long, its 30 hours from home. Boo for that.

Quick Update

Not a lot has happened since our last update. Isabella still sick so we're trying to stay home as much as possible. Luckily we have been able to get out of the house some. Although she is still having a hard time breathing she has been in good spirits. As I mentioned before she rolled over again yesterday, proving that it was not a fluke when she did it before. Jonathan and I were both here and got to see her rollover this time. We were cheering her on and it was so exciting! I just can't believe how big she is getting, and how fast everything is happening. Being a parent is challenging and rewarding at the same time; it's all worth it when you get to see your baby happy and healthy.

In other news, Jonathan's performance review is due this week. This means that he should be able to reenlist soon, God willing. Hopefully we will be getting orders soon then we will know where we're going, and have a better idea of when will be home for a visit. I cannot wait, not knowing has been killing me. I've been so homesick lately, I just want to come home and see my family. And of course, I can't wait for you all to meet Isabella. Poor Jonathan hasn't been home in three years so he is definitely ready.

No more updates for now here are some pictures to keep you entertained!

Love you guys, only a few more months.

She's Growing and Changing

Isabella has finally moved up to size one diapers! The newborns were getting to be too short and her little baby butt crack was showing. She's our little lady so we just couldn't let that happen. Not to mention all the poop that could escape from there. To date all of her poops have remained in the confines of her diapers and we like it that way!

She is growing and changing every day, her little face is so chubby now, we just love it. She is spending a lot more time awake now so we get lots of play and cuddle time. She has started "talking" a lot more recently. You know, making sounds that aren't crying? Its so much fun to listen to her cooing and gurgling. We are talking to her a lot, and she just loves to look right into your eyes while you do it. She has the prettiest eyes but they still haven't decided what color they want to be. They are without a doubt changing, we just cant tell what they are changing to.

In other news I finally gave up on breastfeeding. The whole ordeal was just too stressful on everyone and despite my best efforts my milk supply continued to decrease. I was very upset about it at first, but now I am at peace with our decision. I know she will be just fine, and now that I'm not stressing about the breastfeeding all the time I'll be fine too. She got 5 weeks worth, that had to count for something, right?

And one last thing, I took my first shower yesterday with no one home but me and her! I put her in her bouncy and sat her in bathroom while I took a quick shower. She was fine, but I was a nervous wreck. I don't know exactly what I was worried about, but I'm glad I finally braved it. I can shower whenever I want now! Its amazing how such small things seems so big when you have a baby!