Time Is Taking My Baby Away

Two nights ago we converted Isabella's crib to a toddler bed. Personally, I wasn't ready for the change, but Jonathan's upcoming shift change made it necessary. It may seem like a really small thing, but for me it's just another reminder of how my baby is a baby no more. Although I've spent almost every day of her life with her and watched her every move she turned into a big girl without me even knowing. The days came and went, and now my baby is almost a year and a half old. Time, it seems, is not my friend. On the bright side my beautiful baby is now a smart, funny, loving little girl. Still beautiful, but so much more too! By the way, she loves her new bed.

Her Mother's Daughter

We went to The Children's Place today to get Isabella a swimsuit. Because we weren't going to be very long Jonathan carried her in, we didn't bother with a stroller. When we got to the section that has the clothes for her size she wanted down. The first thing she did was ran over to some shoes and said "cute"! That's my girl!

This picture has nothing to do with the shopping, but it was taken today and it's CUTE! See, I really am trying to be a better blogger.

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!

A Conversation With Isabella

Me: Isabella do you like your new shirt?

Isabella: No

Me: It's pretty!

I: NO

Me: You're wearing it.

I: No thanks.

Me: Don't tell your mama no.

I: fake crying

Me: You're wearing the shirt Isabella.

I: Okay.

We Went On An Edventure

Yesterday we took Isabella to the Edventure Children's Museum in Columbia. We had a great time! I was a little worried that Isabella would be too young, but she was really into it. She got to do all kinds of things, like play music, learn about Africa, go grocery shopping, drive a firetruck, learn about building homes, and so much more! She even got to "ride" on a John Deere tractor which made her screech in delight. It was a very busy day, so busy she slept through the night. I think we'll go there more often if it can get her to sleep that well! ;)

Isa's New Shoes

Isabella recently got new shoes, they were on sale!

My Daughter The Fish

Isabella is IN LOVE with water. In June we are taking swimming lessons, and I'm sure she will do great. She isn't afraid of the water at all, a natural swimmer. Here she is playing in a pool when we were in GA for Easter.

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.

First Birthday Videos

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.

Isa's One Year Check Up

Isabella had her appointment today, she is 100% healthy! My big girl (baby) is 18 lbs 8 oz, 29" long, and her head is 18". The doctor said she is long and thin just like her Daddy. He even commented on her long arms and legs. Her hemangioma is almost completely gone and he didn't even notice it without us bringing it to his attention.

One year update coming soon!

Swan Lake

Yesterday we took a much needed break from packing to get outside. I had found information about this lake online and we thought it would be cool to check out. The reason it's called Swan Lake is because it's the only lake in the States that has all 8 breeds of swans. The weather was nice, about 77 and sunny. We had a really good time getting outside and seeing this beautiful lake. Isabella loved everything about the trip, but especially the birds! She was fearless feeding the geese, but we kept her away from the swans (evil birds). She even got to play on the playground a little before we left. I have a video of her laughing on the slides that I will post later today.

The Sweetest Thing

Night before last Isabella and Jonathan fell asleep on our bed reading. How adorable is this?

Bye Bye Bottle

Today makes five days since Isabella had her last bottle! She had been showing very little interest in her bottles for some time so we decided to go ahead and see if we could ween her off, and it worked. Right now she is still taking formula in her sippy cup, but next week we are going to start working in cow's milk. No bottles...no formula...praise the Lord! This is going to make our lives so much easier. While it is very exciting it is also very sad because this really is big girl territory. What happened to my baby?

Next we are going to start trying to take the paci. Now that's terrifying! We are going to start off slowly, only allowing her to have it at naps and at bedtime,then work towards no paci at all. She loves her paci a lot more then she ever loved her bottle so I don't expect it will be as easy to get away from her.

Happy Halloween

We drove down to Georgia for Halloween, it was HOT, but we had a great time. Isabella was a chicken, a very cute chicken.