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