First Lost Tooth

No, it wasn't Alex who lost a tooth today. It was Isabella. About a year and a half ago, she fell and chipped her two front teeth. We have been to the dentist 4 times, had it x-rayed and everything looked fine. Last week I noticed she had a blister on her gum and took her back to the dentist. They x-rayed it again and gave me the news that her front tooth would have to come out. I held it together until we got outside and then lost it. Isabella said, "Mommy. Stop crying over my tooth." I just couldn't help it - my poor baby girl.

All week long we have been talking about being brave at the dentist (more for me than her) and how the tooth fairy is going to come to our house and leave her money just like on Yo Gabba Gabba. Alex offered to let her use his special lost tooth pillow (that was daddy's when he was little). He also offered to go back to preschool and be in her class just in case anyone made fun of her.

This morning, we headed to the dentist. She climbed in the car, breathed the silly gas and held perfectly still. She was the model patient. Daddy and I were nervous wrecks.

An hour later we were home watching movies. Pop came to visit. Nana is on her way. She got some Lalaloopsy dolls for being so brave. Her best friend Kaitlyn surprised her with balloons, a card and some ice cream - just what Dr. Kohn ordered. (Thank you, Ms. Sarah).

A little while ago, she came into the kitchen. "Momma, I looked in the mirror."

"What did you see?" I asked.

"A princess."

Here she is, my beautiful, confident, happy princess with her new smile.

It's a Boy

Baby Boy,
Since the moment I found out I was carrying you, I wondered day and night if you were a boy or a girl. Well today at the ultrasound you were more than happy to show us that you are all boy!!! You are so cute…you were all curled up and comfy in my belly. I hope that means you are going to be a cuddle bug. We called all your grandparents and aunts and uncles to tell them that we were having a baby boy.

Then off to the store I went. I bought blue balloons, a blue stuffed monkey, and a little brother onesie. I picked up Isabella from school and told her the news. And then when Alex got off the bus we put the onesie on the bear and the look on his face when he realized he was having a brother was priceless!! He is going to be such a good big brother to you. He has already promised to teach you math when you turn 4. And he also said that he wants to go look through all his books and give you some and he will read them to you when he learns to read. And Isabella is going to be like another little mother to you. She tells me that she will hold you and rock you.

I can’t believe we still have a little over 4 months until we meet you. But when it is cold outside it will warm in our home because baby boy you will be here – and our family will be complete.

Big Day for My Big Girl

Today Isabella started 3 Year Old preschool. When we got to school she smiled as we snapped pictures of her by the “Chestnut Grove Tree.” Then it was time to go to her classroom. She put her tiny hand in mine and looked up at me. “Momma, you are going to stay with me?” I held back the tears and told her that no I wouldn’t be staying but she is a big girl and will be fine (but would I?) She wouldn’t let go of my hand. She might as well have been squeezing my heart. I kissed her and said a quick goodbye knowing she was in good hands. I held back my tears until I got into my car. I cannot believe she is already in preschool. As I have said so many times before, the years are going by so so quickly. I want her to stay my baby girl. I kept busy this morning and looked forward to seeing my girl at 12:30. When I picked her up she was sitting in her cubby with a huge smile on her face. She had a great morning.

We went home, had a snack, changed clothes and then we were off to her first ballet class. She was too cute in her pink tights, ballet shoes and tutu. When we picked up Alex from the bus stop she showed him all her new moves!

What a day!

Alex's First Day of School 2011

For almost six years, Alex has been mine. For all his days, I have been his caregiver, his teacher, his playmate. Yes, he went to My Gym, and to camps and to preschool. But the majority of his day was spent at home with me. Today that all changed. Today was a day that we have been talking about all summer. Today was the day that Alex got on the bus and smiled and waved as his daddy and I cried behind our sunglasses. Today was Alex’s first day of Kindergarten.

I can’t believe that he is old enough to go to school all day every day. I am one big conflict of emotions right now. I am so excited as he starts this new chapter in his life. He is going to learn so much at school. But I am so sad that he is no longer going to spend his afternoons with Isabella and me or be able to sleep in like a teenager. This morning she told him, “I am really going to miss you Ally.” And my heart literally broke. I still see him as my baby and I can’t believe he is no longer my baby, or a toddler, or even a preschooler. He is a school-aged kid. I want to rewind time. I want those years back when he was mine… all mine.

Today when I picked him up (did I mention he was only gone half day today? I might really fall apart tomorrow when he goes all day) he was so happy. He had such a “great day” (Mrs. Bensen’s words). I asked him how the bus ride was and he said, “I started to cry, but I was able to hold my tears back. And then I realized they were just tears of joy.” Then I asked, “Did you say, ‘I miss my Momma?’” He said, “No. But I was thinking it in my head.”

Well , I spent my whole morning thinking “in my head” how much I missed you. You may be a big kid now but as far as I am concerned you will always be my smiling, silly baby boy (even if you only allow me to say it when we are by ourselves). And even though I have to share you with teachers and friends in my heart you will always be mine all mine.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Isabella

Dear Isabella,

I think I am in denial. I can't believe that tomorrow you will be three years old. As I rocked you tonight you barely fit in my lap. It seems like only moments ago, you were an infant in my arms.

In the past six months you have really changed from my baby girl to my big girl. Six months ago when I asked if you wanted me to have another baby you would say, “Momma , you don’t need another baby. You have me. I’m your baby.” Now you call yourself a "big girl" and you are so excited to be a big sister in a few months. You tell me that you love the baby in my belly and you are so cute taking care of your baby dolls. I know you are going to be a great help when the baby comes.

Six months ago you wouldn't even consider using the potty or giving up your "nippy." Now you are potty trained and haven't asked for your pacifier in months.

Some things haven't changed though. You still think Alex hung the moon. You talk from morning til night. You are still in love with Gigi. You only want your daddy when you are hurt. You are as stubborn as can be and will not take no for an answer. You need to have your toenails painted...always! You love to cuddle. You always say, "Momma, will you cuddle with me?" And often times I walk into the playroom to find you and Alex cuddled on the sofa watching a movie. And although you two love to torment each other, your bond is and always has been undeniable. You are as much his protector now as he is yours.

One day when you look back and read this letter, there are some things I want you to know about yourself as you were turning three. You know your whole name - Isabella Grace Beynon and say your nickname is Izzy Grace. You sleep with about 20 stuffed animals and call them your "cuddly things." Your favorite movies are Snow White and Beauty and the Beast. Your favorite color is pink and you love books, especially Pinkalicious. You have a best friend named Kaitlyn. Your cousins vie for your attention and the older neighborhood kids think you are a local celebrity. I call Sophie and you "American Girl Doll and Bitty Baby." You love to help daddy in the yard. You went to ballet camp this summer with Mason and Preslee. You love to dress up and pick out your own outfits. You sit at your banity (vanity) and put on jewelry and brush your hair. You are a girlie girl. But you are also tough. You don't take any stuff from anyone and tell it like it is. And if you are in a mood watch out! You are quite the tattletale. Poor Alex can't get away with anything these days. You are learning the art of shopping. We go to the mall and our first stop is Starbucks (a chocolate milk for you and a coffee for me). And I know I am in trouble when you pick something out and say, "But Momma. I need this." (But usually I agree).

I am a little sad and a lot nostalgic tonight as I write this letter to you. You are growing up way too fast. But I am also excited to see what this year will bring. You are getting ready to start preschool and in a few months you will be a big sister. Big changes are coming your way my sweet, sweet girl, but one thing will always remain constant - you are and always will be the light of our lives. I have always said that you have a light in you that brightens the world around you. Your spunky personality and beauty both inside and out make my world a wonderful, funny, beautiful place. I love you with all of my heart.

Momma

Isabella's Strawberry Shortcake Party

When I asked Isabella a few months ago what kind of party she wanted for her birthday, she said, "A Strawberry Shortcake party." And you know how I can run with a theme. With last year's beautiful day in mind, I started planning and buying. I bought everything strawberry I could find...candy, cookies, clothing, decorations, even hand soap!! I started searching for strawberry dessert recipes. I hired a DJ and a Balloon Artist.

Everything was going according to plan. And then came Irene the hurricane. All week long I watched the weather and Irene get closer scheduled to make landfall in Maryland Saturday night. And that meant rain all day on Saturday! At first I was worried...my baby deserved a beautiful summer day just like last year. But that was not in the cards. When I told Isabella that it was going to rain on her party day, she said, "It's okay Mommy. It won't rain inside." So we cleaned out the garage and set up tables and decorated the inside of the house. We put the DJ in the mudroom - not ideal but it worked. We thought maybe people wouldn't come because of the weather - we should have known better - people filled and I mean filled our house. We ate and danced and Isabella had so much fun. She played with her friends and opened a ton of gifts and smiled when everyone crowded in the dining room to sing happy birthday to the sweetest girl in all the world.

Last night when I was putting her to bed, I asked if she had fun at her party. She said, "I loved my Strawberry Shortcake Party. Thank you for my party, Mommy."

You are welcome, Isabella. Anything for you.

Baby #3

Dear Baby,

Here you are at about 12 weeks. You are about 2.5 inches and completely perfect. I saw your little arms, your legs, your heart beating (165 bpm). You had the hiccups. You looked like you were doing karate in there which Alex thinks is so cool. And when I showed Isabella your picture she said, "That baby is sooo cute." And speaking of your sister, you look just like her. But that doesn't mean I think you are a girl. I have no idea. I knew for sure with Alex and Isabella, but little one, you have me stumped...I have had boy and girl dreams (including one where I was wearing a shirt that said, "It's a girl." And another where you were born and the doctor said, "It's a boy!")...Alex says brother...Isabella says sister. Well, I guess we will just have to wait 6 more weeks to find out.

One thing is for sure, no matter boy or girl, I am madly and totally in love with you.

Love,

Mommy

In Her Words...

Alex was dancing around naked after his bath. Isabella said, "Stop that, Alex. You are freaking me out."


Isabella was playing today. She picked up her bag and said, "Bye. Mommy. I am off to Target." Then she noticed the capital I that is stitched on the bag. She said, "I'm not 1. I am 2." I explained that it was a letter I. She said, "I'm not I. I am 2."


Alex was bothering her as only a brother can, so she said, "Go to your room. You are being a bad boy."

After asking Alex and Isabella to behave about 10 times, I raised my voice and told them it was time for bed. As we were walking up the stairs Isabella said to me, "You know, you don't have to be such a mean wady (lady)."

Mother's Day 2011

As is the mother, so is her daughter.

-Ezekiel 16:44

I can only hope this quote is true. I try everyday to be like my mom. She is my role model. I believe she was put on this earth to serve others and to lead by example. She has amazing faith. She believes the best of others. She is a selfless mom and grandmother.

I try to emulate her in every way so that maybe one day Isabella will in turn want to emulate me.

I really enjoy Mother's Day now that I am both a daughter and a Mother. I love that mothers have a day to be pampered and spoiled. Because let's be real...it doesn't happen often. Everyday I DO for my kids. I LIVE for my kids. I believe that is how it should be. If I am doing my job right, then my success in life will be reflected in how my children live their lives. I try to live my life in a way that will make my mom proud and to show the world what a great role model she is in my life.

I feel so blessed to have been honored this week by my children. Isabella and I made pizza in school which we shared at snack time. Then she presented me with her hand print in gold... her little hand that fits so perfectly in mine. The hand that touches my face when she says, "I love you, Mommy."

And yesterday Alex and I went on a date to the Mother's Day Luncheon at his school. He sat front and center on the stage and sang his heart out. He was chosen to hold up the sign "You" when the children sang our song, "You Are My Sunshine." He made me a plate where he drew us as a big sun and a little sun , because he always "wants me to remember our special bedtime song." Like I ever could forget. I can't describe the joy I felt when I realized that not only is he the light of my life, but I am his...

Some days are tough, some times I get frustrated, being a mom is not always easy...but it is SO worth it. As the Chinese writer, Lin Yutang, said, "Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother." I believe this with all my heart. Like my mother, I was born to be a mother and my children are most amazing gifts that I can give the world.

Happy Mother's Day!

Disney World

I can't believe we have been back from Disney World for a month and I am just now writing about it. It has just been in the past week or so that I have recovered. Disney is not a vacation - it is a trip. We didn't do much relaxing, but we had an amazing time. We didn't miss a thing! The seven days were spent dining with the princesses and Mickey and friends, riding rides, watching shows and parades, and walking and walking and walking. The kids were such troopers - getting up early and staying up late! Alex's favorite things in Disney were the Indiana Jones Stunt Show, being transformed into a pirate, and The Great Movie Ride. Isabella's favorites were the princesses and the fireworks. My favorite part was seeing the magic and wonder of Disney through their eyes. They loved every minute and marveled in everything they saw! They have already been asking to go back!

Here is a link to our photo book.
http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=a8b9a7e548040d716cdd16a80fdf8c46&sid=8KbM2Lhq2f--