Walk-a-Thon

Izzie's Nature Walk-a-Thon at school actually got to be outdoors this year--thank you for cooperating somewhat, Nebraska weather!  Mommy and Daddy were both able to visit her during the day at school and join her for the walk.  We collected leaves, sticks and acorns and had a lovely old time.  It's so fun to see her independence and socialization skills when she's in her own world at school.  We don't get to see her interacting with kids her own age often, so it's fun to witness her relationships firsthand.  She is growing up so fast!

Isabel and her friend, Lauren, examining some acorns

Sticks were by far her favorite.  We had to discourage picking
up a 4 foot branch that probably wouldn't have fit in the bag...

We got to see T and Aves since the infant room walked at the same time

A Baby Brother!

We had our ultrasound last Monday, and we can hardly believe it, but we will soon add a little boy to our family!  When the tech told us it was a boy, we sat there in shock.  It shouldn't have surprised us so much, but this pregnancy has been so similar and we were really expecting them to say we were having another girl.  Poor little man has been called a "she" for months--partly because we already have one, partly because I hate saying "it" so I just picked one, and partly because that's what the Iz called him.  But we are retraining ourselves to think little boy thoughts now!  I already have bedding, a boatload of clothes I found on sale online, and I even made him a sweet little sign for his bedroom.  So we are making up for lost time!

We were in the ultrasound for awhile as the tech tried to chase him--he is definitely a mover and a shaker (which Mommy already knew!).  He is measuring a week ahead of schedule, which makes Mommy a little nervous.  Izzie always measured right on schedule, and she was still over 8 pounds.  Here's hoping we can stay around that 8 pound mark with this one.  Needless to say, we can probably assume we'll skip the newborn clothes size...

I thought Izzie was catching on about baby being a boy instead of a girl, and then we had this conversation...
"Iz, won't it be so exciting to have a baby boy in our house?"
"Our baby NOT a boy!"
"Umm..."
"It's my baby brother!"
So, it turns out I might need to go into more detail about what the word "brother" means....

He is going to have a lot of pink and purple and princess to battle with, but I'm sure he's up for the task.  (Luckily we also have our share of dinosaurs, bugs and cars sprinkled in as well!)  We are so excited to meet him and his chubby little self!  We love you, Midget!

What Isabel Says...

 I haven't posted an update on her phrases in awhile... here are  the most recent I can think of:

"Whoa, she's frustrated!" (when she saw another girl crying)

"Oh, honey.  It's okay, honey."  (taking good care of her baby dolls, a new favorite pastime)

"Just leave me alone, okay?"  (embarrassed easily, she needs some alone time when something doesn't go quite right)

"This is the best day of my life."  (lying in bed with Daddy and a cup of milk, watching a show)

"It's okay, Mommy.  It's not you fault."

"I will do it!" (for everything, all the time)

"I no..."  (shortened version of "I don't know")

With a sigh, "Mommy, I just feelin' selfish."  (she's good at "feeling" words)

One evening, after a poor night's sleep and way too short nap, she was in time out for the 4th or 5th time.  She was just besides herself and emotional and having trouble doing the right thing.  As she sat on her stool, she cried and said, "I just don't know what's wrong with me, Mommy!"


She has a way of politely suggesting things, but at the same time actually leaving you no option whatsoever.  In one breath she''ll say in a sugary sweet voice, "Should we go watch a movie Mommy?  Okay?  Yeah?  Okay, let's watch a movie,"  and be off moving before I can even respond.

On a walk recently, she asked "How we gonna get our baby out?"  I wasn't quite prepared for that question, but said, "Baby stays in Mommy's tummy until she is big enough and strong enough, and then Mommy will go to the hospital and bring baby home."  (Crossing my fingers, just hoping that was enough.)  Her response, "Oh.  That's wonderful, Mommy."  What a sweet, funny little girl.

There are very few things she mispronounces, so I'm holding on tightly to the ones she still says wrong.  Bryan tried to correct her the other day, and I balked.  Let her be a baby just a little while longer!  Some of my favorites:  "Pack pack" (backpack), "bandaid" (headband) and "Gorge"  (Curious George).


Stepping in front of Avery in the church nursery after another toddler had the audacity to lightly shove her arm, "That's my cousin!  You no do that!"  Wow.  Didn't know you were angry and protective, or that you knew the word "cousin".  Got it.

Isabel's Style

Most of the time, we dress Isabel and she wears whatever we tell her.  She's not to the point where she really cares that much yet.  However, some days we let her have input, some days we're hanging out at home and don't care, and some days she comes up with these get-ups on her own.  Regardless, I am quite fond of her sense of style.  She's a keeper.

I think we can all agree that any outfit is better with a poofy skirt.

We would hate to get the Ariel pajamas wet while doing dishes.  The apron is a must.

Don't forget to accessorize, ladies!

Two, yes TWO, Rapunzel dresses squeezed over fleeces pajamas.
And they said it couldn't be done!  Hard to see the one underneath,
but I promise it is there.

I think we mentioned accessorizing...  "Need my glasses!
It's bright outside!"

Don't be fooled.  We read the fashion magazines, and know that too much skin
is a faux pas.  If you're going to let your bum hang out, please wear a hat.

Maybe my favorite.  Dress up dress, two pairs of fairy wings,
Mickey Mouse hat, and a pair of heels on the floor.

Sometimes books are better if you let yourself breathe...

And sometimes they're better with a sun hat and flip flops.
In March.

Another way to avoid getting messy by cleaning (in case
the apron isn't around) is to just remove your shirt altogether.
Cleaning is a new favorite pastime--give her a spray bottle
of water and a rag and she'll be busy awhile.