Ladybug...Ladybug!

What a great Halloween we had.  Being a parent to our little toddler on Halloween was totally awesome. Here's the little bug in action...

 

 

Happy Halloween!

 

Happy Halloween! Looking forward to having a silly night with the cutest ladybug in town... check back for photos tomorrow!

Officially a toddler now....



12 months old?!?! That's what adds up to one whole year. (Obviously since I've posted tons of birthday stuff!) I want to share all of the neat things that Isobel is doing on a daily basis.

Last week we had Isobel's 12 month check up at the pediatrician's office. Here are the official stats:
Height: 30 3/4 inches (90th percentile)
Weight: 22 lbs, 12 oz (75th-90th percentile)
Basically, very healthy and growing at a normal pace for her age. As long as she's healthy, that's what matters! Also, got a few shots, which she only cried for a short while, so happy that she didn't hurt for too long.

I wish that I had written down for myself Isobel's weekend routine when not at school/daycare so that I could look back and see what our days were like, but I didn't. Here is what her days look like now:



7:30-8:15 AM Good Morning! Drink milk and play for a while
9:00 AM Breakfast - usually yogurt or whole grain bar
9:30-11 AM Play time
11:30 AM Lunch - fruit or vegetables and maybe some cheese or meat
12:00 PM Nap time
2:00 PM Wake up!
2:15 PM Play time. This also my best chance for getting errands in because she is awake and she's very happy.
4:00 PM Nap
5:00 PM Wake up!
5:15 PM Play time
6:30 PM Dinner - veggies and whole grain pasta or brown rice. Sometimes a few bites of what we're eating.
7:00 PM Play time or go to dinner if we decide to eat out.
7:45-8:00 PM Bath Time
8:15-8:30 PM Goodnight! Drink milk and go to sleep
And then she usually wakes up once in the night to drink more milk again around 4 or 5 AM. It's not that bad. Twice in the past week she's slept through the night so I'm hoping that she's headed in that direction :) (I know that lots of people would suggest letting her cry it out more in the night but for now I'd rather not. It's good to be able to make your own parenting choices based on what's best for your family.)

We spent many, many days at the pool this summer. She loved the wave pool at the Lakeway Resort. My future beach diva.

She's also enjoying play time in so many ways. She likes to dump out all the toys from all of her baskets. She never worries about the mess it will make and doesn't mind that somebody else will have to help clean it all up. When she hears music from her toys or on the iPhone she bounces her little body up and down and dances. She likes to watch balls roll across the floor and likes to drop balls into containers.

At one year Isobel can say hi, bye-bye, Mama, Dada. She can wave hi and bye-bye. She can blow kisses. give big wet sloppy kisses. Isobel has has 4 teeth - 2 on top and 2 on bottom, with more coming in. She can follow simple directions like "Come here," "Give me the ball," and "Can I have a kiss?" .  Isobel can do sign language for more, and all done. She can quickly climb stairs and knows how to go down steps on her tummy. When we hide something from her, she knows that it's still there and will look for it. She will even use a blanket or bucket to hide her own face when she wants to play peek-a-boo. She is walking so much now and take many steps without falling down!!!! 

We're working on using a spoon and fork right now. She does a good job at sharing the spoon - I scoop, she puts the spoon in her mouth. I will sometimes let her use the spoon and bowl towards the end and that's always a big fun mess! She hasn't become a picky eater yet but I know that's very typical for toddlers so I'm ready. For now she is happy to eat most fruits and vegetables but will eat as many gold fish as I would let her even if she's told me that she's all done with the rest of her food. We've given her beans and mashed potatos this month. Working on bottle free - only sippy cups for this one year old. She does like drinking water from her cup.

Isobel is the best little helper ever! Putting laundry in the washer and dryer? She's there. Need something from the refrigerator? Right behind you. It can be challenging but I love it.

As emotional as it can be to watch your infant grow into a toddler it is also so freaking amazing. There are times when Brad and I look at each other and say, "WHO IS THIS???" She learns so many new things so quickly. We were watching her play the other night and noticed that the way she interacts with her toys is changing as she understands more and has distinct preferences. It sounds simple but it's really cool to see the changes in her.

1st Birthday Party: Let Her Eat CUPcake!!!!

 

I was very excited, nervous, stressed, but mostly happy to celebrate Isobel's 1st birthday. I was really happy with the way everything turned out. It was the perfect party and everything went so well. I heard someone say once that you don't really understand the importance of a child's first birthday until you've had a baby. Then you realize that the emotion and joy is so much more than just cake and presents. It's an accomplishment for the whole family! So true.

 



 

 

 

In the backyard for a few family photos. Auntie Jeannette did a fantastic job snapping these photos!

 

 

 

And then it was time for......cake....CUPcake that is!!!!!!!

 

 

Our friends and family are too generous! Isobel got lots of cute clothes and fun toys. That girl is set.

 

Thank you so much to all of our wonderful friends and family. You were the ones that made Isobel's birthday so special. Thank you for being excited for us. Thank you for being generous and loving our little girl. We love each of you so much!!!!!



Birthday Girl!

 

Dear Isobel,

 

I'm writing this letter to you the night before you turn one year old. One whole year. One year full of so much growth and change, and most importantly, full of love. I was rocking you tonight and I thought about how special it was to hold you when you were brand new. When I was your whole world and you were the little girl I had been waiting for. You were all wrapped in swaddling clothes as your bright eyes stared back at me. Your hands were tiny, your feet were tiny, your nose was tiny - and all so beautiful!

 

 

It is still special to hold you. Your sweet spirit brings so much joy to my heart. I love your smile and your laughter. You have taught me to love and to enjoy each day fully. As I rocked you tonight I prayed for you and thanked God for letting me be your mama for a whole year.

 

 

When I think back about what my life was like before you I can hardly remember. I'm sure that I slept more, had more "me time", had a cleaner house and clothes without smudges on them. I am so happy to trade in all of those things for the honor of being your mother.

 

You are worth the sleepless nights. I absolutely love spending my days with you. Your toys and belongings, food crumbs and messy hand prints in my house are symbols of the wonderful life you have added. Being your mama is totally awesome!

 

I hope that you will know how deeply you are loved. Loved by me. Loved by Daddy. Loved by all of your family. And most of all LOVED BY GOD. He was the One who created you. He has given you your beautiful laughter and your tender heart. He is the One who daily gives me the strength and wisdom to love you well. You are His most precious child. We are just blessed to be your parents.

Happy Birthday, Isobel!!!!! I hope your first birthday is full of family-hugging, present-opening, cake-smashing, kiss-sharing fun!

love, Mama





Rules...

I recently came across Team Studer, one of my now favorite blogs. Tabitha has an insane way of making any word or concept beautiful. After reading her 25 Words for Mothers of Sons, I found so much wisdom in her words that I figured, my daughter deserved the same. After all, i have a son and a daughter. So, some rules for myself in regards to being her mother...and hopefully being great at it.

To my daughter: I promise to always "be home" for you. Love you, Isobel Bellie Belle!

1.  Paint her nails. Then let her scratch it off and dirty them up. Teach her to care about her appearance, and then quickly remind her that living and having fun is most important.

2.  Let her put on your makeup, even if it means bright-red-smudged lips and streaked-blue eyes. Let her experiment in her attempts to be like you…then let her be herself.

3.  Let her be wild. She may want to stay home and read books on the couch, or she may want to hop on the back of a motorcycle…gasp! She may be a homebody or a traveler. She may fall in love with the wrong boy, or meet mr. right at age 5. Try to remember that you were her age once. Everyone makes mistakes, let her make her own.

4.    Be present. Be there for her at her Kindergarten performances, her dance recitals, her soccer games…her everyday-little-moments. When she looks through the crowds of people, she will be looking for your smile and pride. Show it to her as often as possible.

5.   Encourage her to try on your shoes and play dress-up. If she wants to wear a tutu or dinosaur costume to the grocery store, why stop her? She needs to decide who she is and be confident in her decision.

6.  Teach her to be independent. Show her by example that woman can be strong. Find and follow your own passions. Search for outlets of expression and enjoyment. Define yourself by your own attributes, not by what others expect you to be. Know who you are as a person, and help your daughter find out who she is.

7.   Pick flowers with her. Put them in her hair. There is nothing more beautiful than a girl and a flower.

8.   Let her get messy. Get messy with her, no matter how much it makes you cringe inside. Splash in the puddles, throw snowballs, make mud pies, finger paint the walls: just let it happen. The most wonderful of memories are often the messy ones.

9.   Give her good role models…you being one of them. Introduce her to successful woman- friends, co-workers, doctors, astronauts, or authors.  Read to her about influential woman- Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, Marie Curie. Read her the words of inspirational woman, like Jane Austen, Sylvia Plath, Emily Dickinson. She should know that anything is possible.

10.   Show her affection. Daughters will mimic the compassion of their mother. “I love yous” and Eskimo kisses go a long way.

11.   Hold her hand. Whether she is 3 years old in the parking lot or sixteen years old in the mall, hold on to her always. This will teach her to be confident in herself and proud of her family.

12.   Believe in her. It is the moments that she does not believe in herself that she will need you to believe enough for both of you. Whether it is a spelling test in the first grade, a big game or recital, a first date, or the first day of college…remind her of the independent and capable woman you have taught her to be.

13.   Tell her how beautiful she is. Whether it is her first day of Kindergarten, immediately after a soccer game where she is grass-stained and sweaty, or her wedding day. She needs your reminders. She needs your pride. She needs your reassurance. She is only human.

14.   Love her father. Teach her to love a good man. Someone who lets her be herself…she is after all wonderful.

15.   Make forts with boxes and blankets. Help her to find magic in the ordinary, to imagine, to create and to believe in fairy tales. Someday she will make her 5 by 5 dorm-room her home with magic touches and inspiration. And she will fall in love with a boy and believe him to be Prince Charming.

16.   Read to her. Read her Dr. Seuss and Eric Carle. But also remember the power of Sylvia Plath and Robert Frost. Show her the beauty of words on a page and let her see you enjoy them. Words can be simply written and simply spoken, yet can harvest so much meaning. Help her to find their meaning.

17.   Teach her how to love with passion and kisses. Love her passionately. Love her father passionately and her siblings passionately. Express your love. Show her how to love with no restraint. Let her get her heart broken and try again. Let her cry, and gush, giggle and scream. She will love like you love or hate like you hate. So, choose love for both you and her.

18.   Encourage her to dance and sing. Dance and sing with her—even if it sounds or looks horrible.  Let her wiggle to nursery rhymes. Let her dance on her daddy's feet and spin in your arms. Then later, let her blast noise and headbang in her bedroom with her door shut if she wants. Or karaoke to Tom Petty in the living room if she would rather. Introduce her to the classics—like The Beatles and listen to her latest favorite. Share the magic of music together, it will bring you closer- or at least create a soundtrack to your life together.

19.   Share secrets together. Communicate. Talk. Talk about anything. Let her tell you about boys, friends, school. Listen. Ask questions. Share dreams, hopes, concerns. She is not only your daughter, you are not only her mother. Be her friend too.

20.   Teach her manners. Because sometimes you have to be her mother, not just her friend. The world is a happier place when made up of polite words and smiles.

21.  Teach her to stand-up for what she believes. Even when it’s scary and seems impossible.

22.   Let her choose who she loves. Even when you see through the charming boy she thinks he is, let her love him without your disapproving words: she will anyway. When he breaks her heart, be there for her with words of support rather than I told-you-so. Let her mess up again and again until she finds the one. And when she finds the one, tell her.

23.   Mother her. Being a mother—to her—is undoubtedly one of your greatest accomplishments. Share with her the joys of motherhood, so one day she will want to be a mother too. Remind her over and over again with words and kisses that no one will ever love her like you love her. No one can replace or replicate a mother’s love for their children.

24.   Comfort her. Because sometimes you just need your mommy. When she is sick, rub her back, make her soup and cover her in blankets- no matter how old she is. Someday, if she is giving birth to her own child, push her hair out of her face, encourage her, and tell her how beautiful she is. These are the moments she will remember you for. And someday when her husband rubs her back in attempt to comfort her...she may just whisper, "I need my mommy."

25.   Be home. When she is sick with a cold or broken heart, she will come to you: welcome her. When she is engaged or pregnant, she will run to you to share her news: embrace her. When she is lost or confused, she will search for you: find her. When she needs advice on boys, schools, friends or an outfit: tell her. She is your daughter and will always need a safe harbor...where she can turn a key to see comforting eyes and a familiar smile: be home.

Christmas and New Year's Eve

Hey there! Sorry, I haven't helped Isobel post any pictures in a while...She's trying to fall asleep now, but on her way to bed, she asked me if I could publish a few fresh pictures from the Christmas holiday for her fans. She can't really type all that well, so I usually transcribe for her.

Isobel had a great 1st Christmas… she actually stayed awake for most of it…happily awake I might add!

When we woke up the house, I played elf and handed out her presents from Santa. Then we enjoyed a Christmas breakfast of Strata! So good! After cleaning up we all relaxed, watched movies, napped, and ate a Thanksgiving inspired dinner.  It was the perfect day and I'm so glad that we were able to spend it with family and our new little addition! Baby Isobel really does make everything so much better...

Hope you all had a great Christmas this year ❤

The last day of 2011 is tomorrow and I can't help but feel so lucky and blessed to have this little angel in my life... Here are some more recent pictures of baby Isobel...