2 // Belatedly

I am a procrastinator.  Obviously.  Izzy's birthday was almost one month ago. In this case, I think we can attribute it to my being in just a teeensy bit of denial that my (formerly) tiny, 6 lb, wide eyed, nursing infant is now a walking, talking, kissy, huggy, silly, loving, wild, sassy, sweet souled little 2 year old toddler.  And time is going by so quickly. 

This little person has opinions, likes and dislikes, fears, and passions.  For instance, she feels passionately about Curious George (adores him)...after dinner walks (loves them).... bows in her hair (hates them- especially when placed there by yours truly..)... dogs -- "buppy!" (obsessed)... jumping on the bed (duh)... etc etc etc....  oh and she loves her family!!  mama, dada, aunt-tee, gigi, dahdoo, popop, mimi, aunt-tee, and uncle will (her version of this is still unpronounceable for me..)... OH and bayuh (bear!)... Loves hot dogs, loves chipotle... Loves wearing dresses that have been sent by Anna. (she puts them on and says 'ahhnaah').  

The amount that we love this little person and her emerging personality is indescribable...We love her  more than we ever knew we could love -- and that is the truth (and I KNOW.. that is exactly what every parent says/writes/proclaims, but it is the truth)... 

So I just got interrupted by a little Izzy wake up.... and was reminded...She likes to be snuggled back to sleep, while rubbing my earlobe... And anytime she's upset/not feeling well...I'll pick her up, and she'll rub my earlobe... for strength ;)  I've seen her rub her own earlobe a few times, while drinking her bubba, but someone else's ear is preferred.. 

Oh what else.... I don't know... But I DO hope that you (you, Izzy) can get more out of the pictures that I take... Because lately, that's where my heart is. with my little muse, my 2 year old sass-pot...With the most perfect curls, expressive eyes, lucious lashes, sparkly smile and vibrant everything... 

Two years old - and it just keeps getting better.  

We love you Ibby. 

xx,  

Mommeee, Dada, (and everyone else!)

PS

these pictures are from the 2nd birthday extravaganza, where we camped at the beach and went for the coolest bike rides ever!!!  

ONE

Photo cred: RMD PORTRAITS

Photo cred: RMD PORTRAITS

 

 Aaaand, just like that, we have a toddler on the loose... 

My BabyCenter email today was titled "something something something YOUR TODDLER"

{And really, I'd have to agree with them}

Isabellie is a little tornado... 

made up of... 

sweetness {SO much sweetness}, sassiness, affection,... goofiness, silliness, riskiness {the hunger to explore is strong in you girl}

and the little lady can put down a lot of food when her attention span and appetite are in line ;) 

She is just such a fun loving, spunky, precious little creature... {we love you so!}

It has really been amazing and overwhelming and scary and sad and happy and joyful to have been mentally celebrating this milestone for basically a week now.. I've been playing this game in my mind, saying:

"a year ago on this day, i devoured an entire pineapple {and probably another the next day}, walked 4 miles, then doused my dinner in hot sauce... in my maximum-pregnant, highly encumbered, and perpetually grumpy state."
{these habits were, duh, the result of my very scientific google/babycenter searches
for:  'how to have your baby at your due date.'}

 "a year ago today, i felt my first contraction" 

"a year ago on this day, i was home from the hospital, in a complete fog of sleep deprivation, mildly {ha} swinging hormones, and thick, syrupy love for the tiniest, most wonderful little person I'd ever met".. 

You get the idea... I'm still playing the game though... Today when I drove to work, I was thinking about it... And thinking about how Izzy fell asleep on me last night, and felt kind of huge compared to the size she was a year ago... Her legs hung off of me on either side, and I think she took up most of my torso.. 

Anyway, my point is, as usual.. to say that...
We are  just over the moon with this little giggling,
yelling,
pointing,
toddling,
squealing,
lip smacking,
precious pie.  

What. A. Wesh. 

We love you Isabel!!
{and cannot imagine life without you}

xx

M + D 

3/4 Of a Birthday

Dear Isabelie, 

Today, you turned 8 months old.  It snowed last night {not sure  how much... 6 inches??}.  I didn't make it out of my pjs today.  We were planning to put you in your new snowsuit {from your Gigi}, but when I heard that the windchill made it feel like 4 degrees outside, you and I both changed our minds.  Too frigid.

At 8 months:  you can crawl {but it's kind of more of an army crawl because your tummy slides along the floor-- but you move!  and you're probably cleaning our floors!}// you love dancing and singing to records {Hank Williams Greatest Hits is your current fave, Ella Does Gershwin is a close runner up, Bing's Christmas Carols were also loved}// you take your naps like a big girl-- going to your crib without crying and talking yourself to sleep!// you want to practice standing up everywhere all the time, but you also love playing in your room on the floor, and exploring every nook & cranny// you love making people laugh.. and you love giving big slobbery kisses.  Your disposition is our favorite-- part sweet, part rascal, and part communicator.

And today, I can't believe you only have 4 more months til you're one year. Wow.  Whoa.  I wasn't sure how I would react to your growing up so quickly, but I'm finding myself feeling so happy for you when you make these developments and take these steps towards becoming a big girl {but let's be honest, you will always be my baby.}  

You just keep making our lives merrier and brighter, every day... because you're the sunniest little creature to ever army crawl scoot into our hearts.  We're the luckiest.  Happy 3/4 Birthday Isabel!

Here are some snaps from this day:

XO

Cassie

Half of a Birthday

Isabel!

You've made it to 6 months, which means you are now halfway to one year old.  I'm totally alarmed at how fast this time is flying, and especially amazed at how quickly you're learning and growing. 

Here are some of the things that are going on in your world right now:

//You know your name!! {obviously though, duh, because you are very smart..you come from a smart tree, my little apple ;)}

//You're eating all kinds of vegetables these days {eggplant, sweet potato, broccoli, carrot, purple sweet potato, butternut squash...}. Just last week you ate an entire avocado.  "Delish!" you said. {jk, but really, I know you did}

//You make us laugh everyday. {at your cuteness/silliness/goofiness/bubble blowing/spitting/yelling/squirming/giddy kicking/ and your cuteness-- did I say that already?  did you get that? because we are obsessed with the cuteness, it should be noted}

//You laugh at us everyday!  {because we will be absurdly silly just to hear your giggles}

//When you're eating, we love to watch you open your mouth wiiiiide for the next bite {like a little baby birdie}, before the spoon is anywhere near your presh little mouth. 

//We LOVE hearing your talking, blabbing, babbling, shouting, yelling, singing, and ba-baa-ing. So many noises!!!Observe below:

// Picking you up from daycare is my favorite part of the day.  You greet me with a smile, a face grab, and a big ole open mouth smackeroo on my cheek.  {Daddy is way jeal of this-- I told him he needs to shave his whiskers for this treatment}

//You love practicing standing up.  Wobbly legs and all.  But, my little grasshopper, first we must crawllll.{and now I rhyme!  anybody want a peanut? ;) }

//Rolling is how you roll {get it?}.  We're not quite at the crawling stage, so the roll is how you get from a to b.  I've seen you roll across the length of your floor to get to something shiny.

//You had your first ear infection this week!  You handled it like a brave little toaster:

//You love storytime and bathtime at night. {each give a novel venue for sucking and gnawing on things-- 2 of your fave activities at the moment}

//You are sweet, serene, goofy, observant, patient, affectionate, flexible {in many ways}, strong, fearless, intelligent, and kind of an old soul.  I get the feeling that you've been around the block a few times already {hmm.. is that the right saying? or is that the dirty saying?... I blame sleep deprivation on my delirium...& now i'm talking to myself parenthetically... sorry Izzie} 

So... Happy Half Birthday to my sweet angel chickie baby.  I shudder to think that in no time, you'll be walking and talking.. and asking to borrow the car.  

You're the coolest girl around, and we love you SO MUCH!

XOXO!!

Mommy