It is All in the Details....

It is All in the Details....

It is All in the Details....

Isabella's Garden Party

At the end of my wedding reception, I cried. I couldn't believe all my hard work and planning was over. You can hear me on the video saying, "I will never be a bride again." I remember thinking that I wish I could have a wedding every year. You know... one day a year to celebrate with family and friends in a BIG way with flowers and music and way too much food. Well, as I was putting the flowers in vases, finishing the decorations and preparing (and ordering) all of the food for Isabella's Garden Party, I thought to myself, "I guess throwing Isabella a huge party is just as good as having a wedding once a year." Actually it is better, because we are celebrating the birth of my little girl. (And actually I get to have two huge celebrations a year, because Alex needs one too!)

Some people would say having a dj and 12 flower arrangements and 90 people for a 2nd birthday party is over the top. And maybe so, but I don't care. My little girl is a social butterfly and she loves music and everyone loves her. So as the sun rose on a beautiful 84 degree Saturday (yes, I saw it because I was up cutting pb&j sandwiches into the shape of flowers), I could not wait for the party to start.

The party was so much fun. Butterflies, bees, ladybugs, and our family and friends filled our home and our yard. We ate, drank and danced. Isabella twirled around in the middle of it all, surrounded by people who came to celebrate the day the world became a brighter and better place...the day our Izzy B was born.

Gigi

If anyone knows Isabella, then they know Gigi - her beloved giraffe. Isabella is never without Gigi. Well Gigi needed a bath in the worst way. So this morning, I pried it out of Isabella's hands and put it in the washer (on the shortest setting). Isabella immediately started screaming. She stood by the washer crying and everytime there was a lull in the cycle she would say, "Gigi done!" Alex and I tried to distract her with other toys, but she wasn't having it. Out of desperation, I took out the "extra Gigi," the one I have been saving just in case Gigi gets lost. I handed it to Isabella, she hugged it and said, "Gigi" as though she had found a long lost friend. About two seconds later she said, "Not Gigi" and threw it on the floor. She returned to her post in front of the washer and threw the biggest tantrum I have ever seen. When I went down the stairs she stood at the top and threw her pacifier at me. She jumped up and down and stomped her feet all the while screaming "GIGI DONE!" over and over and over. When I tell you that this tantrum went on for the entire 37 minutes of the wash cycle, I am not exaggerating. The child was out of control!

When the washer finally beeped signaling Gigi was in fact done, I took the sopping wet giraffe out and handed it to Isabella. She hugged it and then screamed in agony as I took it away to put it in the dryer. She immediately started screaming again...I tell you what, Isabella is one persistent kid. Finally, I was able to bribe her with her second favorite thing in the world, Yo Gabba Gabba. I let her watch an episode as Gigi dried. Luckily, after those 23 minutes, Gigi came out dry (or barely damp, anyway).

The two were happily reunited...

Alex's Hair Through the Years

Alex at 1 - Bald Baby

Alex at 2 1/2 after his first haircut

Alex at 3 -The Wave



Alex at 3 1/2 - Surfer Dude

Alex at 4 - The Flop


Alex at 4 1/2 - my big boy

He's Going to Be a Soccer Player...He is....

Last week Alex had his first experience playing sports. He participated in a week-long soccer camp put on by UK Elite. He was a little leary about playing in the weeks leading up to it, but let me tell you...he loved it! He went right out there and kicked and ran and kicked and ran some more. And boy did he sweat! It was so hot, but he didn't complain. He listened to his coach and played some really fun games, all while learning some important soccer skills.

We are so proud of our little man. He was such a great team player. He learned how to dribble, stop the ball, and even how to steal the ball. I think his favorite part was when Momma was the goalie and he got to kick the soccer ball AT me!

One day after practice, he told me (in true Alex form) that he liked soccer, but he doesn't like to "sweat or run." Ha! We signed him up for rec soccer in the fall - hopefully it will be cooler so he won't sweat so much, but not sure what we are going to do about the running part. Maybe we have a goalie on our hands?!

Halfway to 5!

Alex,

Tomorrow you will be FOUR AND A HALF YEARS OLD. You are growing and changing into a true little boy right before my eyes. When you sit in my lap, I realize that gone is that chubby little baby and here to stay is a lanky boy with long legs that seem never to end. But you still love to cuddle (when you are in the mood) and I don't care how big you are, you will always fit on my lap.

You are a challenge - your wit and your stubbornness get you in lots of trouble. You like to push your limits and some days not much I do is right. We butt heads as I know we will do for years to come. You mimic me, you tease your sister, you back talk your daddy. But at the end of the day, I know you know how much I love you. And I know even though you get frustrated at me for my rules and expectations, one day you will thank me...(I wonder how many times that phrase will come out of my mouth in your lifetime?)

You continue to learn everyday. You can write many letters, you love to do addition problems, you are swimming like a fish, you are a natural in the ocean, you are learning to fish and play "the cross" (Lacrosse), you love to do science experiments and art projects, you are making friends, you fight bedtime every night, you are a wheeler and a dealer - always trying to argue your case, you have an imagination that exceeds most, you love to dance - the robot is your signature move, you want to be "cool," you are interested in books - in fact we just finished reading your first chapter book (I read, you listened. I worried that the format of a chapter book might be over your head, but when the teacher in me couldn't resist asking you comprehension questions, you could answer them even though the book is on at least a third grade level).

You love. Deeply. Especially your sister. She is your biggest fan and your bestest friend (besides Daddy). You are fiercely loyal. You say you are sorry when you hurt someones feelings. You want to be a friend to other kids, and are learning the ins and outs of getting along with others.

You are my baby boy - from the minute I conceived you to this very minute as I listen to you singing in your bed (you are supposed to be asleep) and for the rest of your life...you will always be my first-born, my counterpart, my son.

I love you,

Momma

Mother's Day

Alex gave me the best gift in the world today...he sat all cuddled up next to me in church for the whole mass. (Isabella lasted about 30 minutes, but that is okay too.) On the other side of me was my mother, and next to her, my grandmother. Behind me was my sister. I felt so blessed. It was the best gift I could ever ask for on Mother's Day.

Mother's Day is an amazing day. I love being both a mother and a daughter (and a sister and a granddaughter) on this day. I have had such beautiful role models in my life, and I hope and pray that one day my children say the same thing about me. I remember being a young child and growing up with my mother being patient and kind and loving. I always knew (and still know) that she loved her children more than anything...and the feelings I have for my own children cannot be put into words. They are beautiful and ornery and loving and frustrating. They are the reasons my heart beats. And as I sat in church today, I prayed for them that they always know no matter what they do or where they are, their momma loves them.

20 Months Old

Isabella - You are 20 months old! I cannot even tell you where the last few months have gone. Two is right around the corner. You have become such a chatterbox. All of a sudden you have so many words. You repeat everything. And that little voice of yours is just too cute to describe although I have to write down some of the things you say. Time as you will see goes too quickly and I don't want to forget....

I call you Little Miss Manners because whenever you ask for something you say "pease" (please) and you always say "thanks mom."

You always want your snacks in a "bowl."

You can recognize your name when it is written and you call yourself, "Belba." You call Gabrielle "Babe" and Nicki "Nee Nee."

When you are hurt you only want "Al-ee" to make it all better, except of course if he is the one who hurts you. Then you love to tell on him - he usually denies everything! Ahhh siblings!

When I ask you where Alex is, you say "cool" (school). And you tell me that Daddy's at "work."

Your favorite books are any with animals and flaps. And you love Napping House.

You love having your toenails painted and "pee-pops" (lollipops/Popsicles).

And I love you. Goodnight Sweet Girl!
Momma


PS - Here are some other words/phrases you can say:
Help Me
Ook (Luke)
Jake
So-pee (Sophie)
Fin-me (Finley)
Mae-Mae (Mason)
Pray (Preslee)
Spider-Man
Drew
WaWa (Laura)
Dave
Mike
Nana
Poppy
Pop Pop
Grandma
bike
Gabba (Yo Gabba Gabba - your favorite show)
Most animal sounds
Char-Char
Radley
GiGi
Nae-Nae (Nathan)
Bagel
Spoon
fork
plate
milk
wa-wa (water)
ou-side (outside)
pool
bath
pink/purple (everything is the color pink or purple even if it isn't)