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.

Our First "Baby"

Dear Mom and Dad:

Remember when it was just us?  Just the three of us, and I got your undivided attention and all your extra time?  That was awesome.  And then you brought Pixie home.  I was a little nervous, but we all quickly realized that I was smarter and stronger and obviously still in charge.  So I could put up with her.  And then the mini-human came home.  Doggone it.  I dropped considerably in the rankings in terms of time and attention.  But still, as long as I maintained a perimeter she pretty much left me alone at first.  Now, however, she has grown.  And she has decided it is her job to take care of me.  Mom and Dad, if there is anything more humiliating than having to put up with this, I don't know what it is.  (See pictures below.)  And if the rumors and my doggie sixth sense are right, you're bringing another one home this August.  Oh, Mom and Dad.  What did I ever do to deserve this?

Maya 

I was inside cleaning and Miss Iz was outside with the girls playing on the patio.  The windows and doors were open so I could monitor their activities, and Iz had been out for awhile when I heard her say, "S'okay Maya.  I give you a bath."  This felt like something I needed to check on, so I peeked around the corner and saw poor Maya sitting on the step, her eyes filled with irritation and restraint, saying "Save me, please!".  And there was Iz, poking her with a stick (she thought she was "brushing" her, apparently).  At first it didn't look that bad.  However upon further inspection it seemed that Izzie had dumped potting soil all over Maya's back, and then followed that with a good dosing of water from the doggie bowl.  What resulted was a lovely paste that she then tried to brush off with a sharp stick.  Poor, poor Maya.

She might be misguided in her care of the puppies, but oh how Iz loves them!

Punzel Party, Part 2

All of our lovely friends and families showed up to help Punkie Poo celebrate.  Of course both sets of grandparents were there, as well as Great-Grandpa Olson and Great-Grandpa and Grandma Rahn.  All the aunts, uncles, and cousins were in attendance (except for the Larsons and Jared because of illness--darn February!), and it just wouldn't be a party without the Abbotts and Uncle Dan.  Isabel loved opening her presents--everything from bath crayons and pajamas, to dump trucks and princess castles.  She was spoiled!  And nothing is better than running around with all the kids afterwards--you need some way to burn off the sugar from that cake!

Later Grammy told me a story from when Izzie was eating her cake.  She made Grammy laugh by leaning over to her and whispering, "Hey, Grammy.  Stupid."  Mom tried not to giggle and asked if she was supposed to say that word.  Izzie smiled and said no, then took a bite of her cake.  Grammy thought it was hilarious.  Mommy thought it was a good thing she didn't hear that...  

Regardless of some typical, two-year old hiccups, she was an absolutely gracious party hostess.  We had practiced and talked about how to be polite and open presents, and she very sweetly looked at every person after opening their present and said, "Dank yew for my present." So hey, we're getting some thing right, okay?  Even if stupid and poop are still awesome words to use... Sigh...

A pre-party cupcake.  It was torture seeing her Punzel
cake and not getting to it eat.  This was the compromise.

Guests arriving.  Caden was distressed about not having
a Flynn Rider costumer.  Solution:  Iron Man.

So happy to see Grammy!

Our little princess.

We can't believe our girl is TWO!

Chillin' wit my homie 

Crowns also work upside down!

It was a tight fit!

Snuggling with Brayden

She had plenty of help with the gift opening.

Feeling a little awkward about all the singing...

"Mommy took my cake!  Worst birthday ever!"

"Whew.  She brought it back.  I'm okay."

Posing with Nana and Grandpa

Duh.  Fort under the party table with Caden and Dan.

Punzel Party, Part 1

We had a wonderful, Tangled themed birthday party the Sunday after her birthday.  It was chock full of purple and gold and lanterns and princesses and all things Rapunzel.  If you haven't seen the movie you may not appreciate the decorations, but trust me, they were spot on!  More pictures of the actual party to come later!

The door was my best shot at "Rapunzel, let down your hair!"

Rapunzel's things in the entryway

The floating lanterns, right?!?

Look at how much my girl has changed!

And it was...

Pascal and Max.  The stars of the movie.

Frying pan plates.  You have to see the movie.
 

Bryan was appalled that I was going to make the cake.  I think it's evident that
they probably cracked out a better Punzel cake than I would have.  Point HyVee.