Visitors

Isabella is a lucky little girl. Even though, they don't live right around here she sees her grandparents quite often. Monte's mom stayed for a few days and left yesterday, and today my mom is coming to stay for a couple of days. These are some pictures of when Grandma and I took her to the pool the other day.

A Mini Makeover

Isabella has the tiniest little room, but we chose that room for her because it's in the back part of the house where it stays quiet. Her carpet was a horrible color that showed everything, it needed to be vacuumed everyday (not that it got vacuumed everyday). Monte's brother-in-law knows how to install carpet, and he was passing through on Saturday so we decided to finally update her room. I love how it turned out and she's even really excited about it. She keeps patting and kissing the carpet.

Before

Cleaning out the closet - what a mess!

Hanging out while I cleaned out the closet.

The finished product!

Three kids

On Wednesday I got to experience what it's like to have three kids. Isabella and I drove to Monte's sister's to pick up our nephews in the morning. Later that evening Grandma came to pick them up, they are going to spend a few days at grandma and grandpa's while their parents move. It was a busy day, but in some ways it was easier than having just one, they all kept each other entertained, which was very nice. The oldest one was feeding Isabella grapes and playing with her the whole way home. Isabella absolutely loved them, we don't see them very often, she's still talking about them all the time.

Isabella's Big Baby

Isabella is quite taken with her baby dolls, but her big, lifesize baby is her favorite. We're not inside too much, but when we are (like early in the morning when I can't function) it's the only thing she plays with. She is quite the little mommy, she feeds her, burps her, bathes her, rocks her, sings to her, gives her stroller rides, puts her to sleep, etc. I just need to convince her that her baby doesn't need to use her potty, as I am always catching her trying to stuff her baby in her potty. And to think, I almost didn't get her the baby.

Taking baby for a stroller ride.

All ready to go with the diaper bag.

She hasn't quite gotten a good method down for carrying her!

Washing baby's face.

Feeding baby.

More Video

I guess I'm in an uploading videos kind of mood. Here's one of her dancing with her beloved blanky.

The Singer

Isabella loves to sing, she does it all the time. She sings about people/things she loves. Her most common themes are - Daddy, Mommy, Mama, Boppa, Maggie (our neighbor's dog), and Blanky. Oh, and she also sings her favorite word quite often - "no". She does her sign for "I love you" at the end, her only sign she still does. She hasn't been doing any other signs for months now since she can say just about anything. Sigh . . . she's growing up.

Today

Today was spent outside sitting in the sun, with my feet in the baby pool, watching Isabella play happily and splash around. Someone in the neighborhood was blasting polka music all afternoon. That sure is some happy, jolly music. Also, the sounds of other kids playing in the neighborhood filled our backyard. It was a beautiful day.

This and That

Finally, we are having some really hot weather. It's in the mid 90's today, and I love it! I love really hot weather, although I probably wouldn't say that - A. if I didn't have a cool house to come back into, and B. if I was pregnant (I remember those days of swollen hands and feet, yuck). It was a good day to play in the sprinkler again.



Isabella is getting in 3 or maybe all four of her eye teeth. I've heard those are the most painful, and now I believe it! The poor thing. I've never noticed any changes in her with any of her other teeth, even her molars, they just kind of showed up. But I can tell these are hurting her. She won't even hardly eat, every time she puts food in her mouth she starts crying.

We went to my parents for the weekend, and attended my 10 year (WOW, I feel old) class reunion. It was wonderful to see Meredith ! Some people have grown up, some have not. It was kind of an odd feeling, being there, I can't really explain it.

And here are two more pictures from our trip, my mother-in-law emailed them to me.

Life goes on

Things sure do look better after a good night's sleep. I guess it's good to be reminded from time to time that we are not in charge, the One who is has a much greater plan for us, one that we don't always see right away. We've been reminded of that from time to time, and this is just another reminder, all we have to do is trust in Him. Thank you for your prayers.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way. - Proverbs 3:5-6

On a completely unrelated note. We got Isabella this sprinkler for $4 the other day! She and I tried it out today, she loved it! I was putting it away tonight so Monte could mow, and she kept saying, "sprinkler, ON!".

We need rain! Look how brown our grass has gotten since my post the other day.

A Bad Day

It's funny how your life can be going along perfectly, and then you get one phone call and it seems like your world as you knew it just fell apart! It's been an emotionally exhausting day, and I'm sorry for the vagueness of it all, but that's all I feel like sharing right now (plus I'm tired). Everyone's fine, but our little family could use a few extra prayers if you have any to spare.

A whole new world!

Isabella finally got over her fear of walking in grass today. Yes, you read that right! This opens up all sorts of new possibilites for her. For example, she'll be able to play in the yard, not just the porch and the driveway. We also won't have to carry her to the swingset and back anymore! What a crazy kid! And now for some proof that she was actually playing in the backyard this evening . . .

More fun at the zoo

Monte's sister and her kids are visiting his parents, so we all got together today to meet Monte for lunch. Then we took the kids to the zoo. Isabella was so excited once again that she ran almost the whole time.

Cousins

Being silly!

Taking care of his little cousin.

Holding grandma and cousin's hands.

I should be unpacking

but this is more fun. We got home from our trip today, we went fishing/camping on the Missouri River with Monte's parents. I know by now that traveling/vacationing with a little one is not all that much of a vacation, at least it's not too relaxing. But this trip was different, it was very relaxing, and Isabella did so good with all of the adjustments to her schedule. We stayed with Monte's parents in their camper. My main concern was how she was going to sleep, because there was no room for her pack and play in the bedroom of the camper. And we didn't want to put it out in the main living area because she goes to bed so early, and we needed to use that space. So we put her to bed on the big bed, and it worked every time!! I layed down with her for a few minutes the very first time, but every time after that she layed down by herself and went right to sleep. She still took her two naps every day, too. Then when the rest of us were ready to sleep, we just set up the pack and play in the main area and moved her out there. My mother-in-law and I took turns staying back at the campground with Isabella so I got to go out on the boat for two days, and she got to go out for two days. Also, the meals were really easy while we were there because both my mother-in-law and I spent the day before we left making salads, appetizers, and desserts to bring along. The weather was beatiful the whole time, and the resort we were at even had an outdoor Mass so we didn't even have to leave! Isabella had so much fun with her mama and boppa (grandma and grandpa) and she was even crying for her mama tonight because she missed her.

Isabella's first boat ride, it only lasted about 15 minutes and she fell asleep!

I did not have good luck fishing, this little guy is all I caught. But my father-in-law took pity on me and let me reel in some of his fish.

Monte had much better luck than his mom and I had, he caught several of these.

She was outside playing every day starting right after she got up.

Taking a break from the heat, and playing inside the camper.

Vacation!!

Details and pictures when we get back.

My first meme

I was tagged by Brenda at The Ones with the Baby.

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?

I had just graduated from high school, I was working my first "real" job as a nurse's aide at our local nursing home. I was getting ready to venture away from home and start my freshman year of college.

2. What are 5 things on your "to do" list?

Have more children. Get a different vehicle. Pay off some debt. Go to Yellowstone National Park. Be able to continue staying home with our kid(s).

3. What are 5 snacks you enjoy?

chips and salsa, peanuts, popcorn, Chicken in a Biscuit crackers, and bananas with peanut butter

4. Name some of the things you would do if you were a millionare.

Make sure our family was taken care of. Give to our extended families and close friends. Give to our church and other charitable organizations.

5. Name some bad habits you have.

I can't make a decision (VERY annoying to Monte), I pick my nails, I stress out too easily, and I worry about EVERYTHING!

6. Name some places where you've lived.

Minnesota, South Dakota

7. Name some jobs you've had.

Retail Banking Coordinator, tutor, nurse's aide, piano teacher, babysitter, and the best ones of course- wife and mommy!

8 Name those whom you are tagging.

Connie at Precious Moments Precious Memories and Anne at Back Home Again.

Frustration is . . .

having a daycare in town that sends their kids to the pool completely UNSUPERVISED! Apparently the older kids (who are NOT very old) are supposed to be in charge of the littlest ones. This is so not right!! Besides the fact that they are SO naughty because there is no one there to discipline them. They finally got kicked out of the baby pool by the lifeguards for being so naughty and for being unsupervised. So then they had to go to the big pool, and we were finally able to enjoy ourselves. We walked by the daycare on our way home, and I saw the lady outside all by herself doing some yard work!! Unfortunately, this is not a one time occurance, it's more like daily. I wonder if the parents know that this is going on with their precious little ones.