Presents anytime

Anytime Kevin and I can spoil Isabella we do! So Valentine's Day so no different. This special day called for special gifts. She got two new shirts, stickers, candy and other toys!

What's that?!!!!

Isabella had a rough week going to bed. She fussed and cried and talked, some nights for more than an hour before giving up. So when she screamed out on Feb. 13 I didn't think much of it...at first.

After a minute, I knew this cry was different. This was a scared cry. I walked back to the door of her room and listened to hear if she's calm down.

No luck, so I opened the door to a dark room. I could see dark spots on the bed sheet but thought it was wet milk. Not until I looked at Isabella did I notice the dark mess on her face.

I yelled for my mom and flicked on the light.

Blood everywhere. Isabella had her first bloody nose.

The bleeding quickly stopped and we got her cleaned up and back in bed. Now I don't wait longer than a few short minutes when she's crying at night to go check on her.

I can make cake

Every girl cherishes the time she spends helping to cook. Isabella will, too. Here she helps make a Valentine's Day cake that mom and Grandma Mary scarfed down.

Quite the little reader

We spend at least 30 minutes each day reading together. Isabella really enjoys reading at the table because she sees me and Grandma Mary reading the newspaper there every morning. She loves reading her first 100 words book because she thinks she's so smart when she points at the picture and says the name.

On the go

Wow! It's been awhile since I've posted any new pics. I've got lots to catch you up. I thought recovering from back surgery meant laying around a lot but with a 20 month old that's impossible. So we are on the go all the time...

"Mom, I know it's cold but I'm ready!"

Blahhh!

What a blah day! It is the type of day that everyone should cuddle up in bed with a good book and sleep. At least that's what we did. Isabella even took a nap today (yeah!).

Fun visit

Since my back surgery, we haven't got out much. But finally today, Kevin, Isabella and I went to see Kevin's parents. We enjoyed a nice lunch...pizza of course. Isabella was adorned with presents for Valentine's Day...yes, a little late, but that's my fault, and we all played for three hours. Isabella was so excited to visit that she couldn't even wind down to nap...not that today would be any different than others of late (ha, ha). When we got back to Grandma Mary's and Papa Steve's house, Isabella shared all her new stickers with her stuffed animals (how cute, until I had to clean them up)!

Getting better...but not much

Thanks for all the comments on how to help with tantrums and eating.

Yesterday, Isabella ate much better, but still was a holy terror when told NO or given commands. I've been trying to explain to her why I tell her NO or why I tell her to do or not to do something. I feel it gives her a reason, though, I'm not sure she quite understands the reasoning yet (but it's a good habit for me to get into because the WHY phase is on its way.).

Timeouts seem to help and see understands what timeout is, often coming to me after timeout with a hug and a SORRY. Now if we can get to a place where we know timeout is the next step and she stops her behavior before timeout (but that's wishful thinking at this stage.).

Bad, bad baby

Isabella has officially begun the terrible twos! She is saying 'No' to everything she's told and she's throwing horrible tantrums. She's refusing to eat (she's even lost two pounds.) Timeouts have yet to work. Any suggestions?

Wishing you all a Happy Valentine's Day

I know it's a day late, but Isabella is keeping us very busy! So Happy Valentine's Day to everyone! Isabella was spoiled again - she probably thinks she should get presents everyday. Daddy bought her a pink froggy with a purse and we also got her two Valentine's Day shirts, stickers, socks and books. Grandma Mary & Papa Steve got her a Diego DVD and the animated Charlotte's Web (since she soooooo loves animals), along with a shirt and books and Dora toys. Like I said...very spoiled!

Rocking her new vandals

In Kevin's words, Isabella is "rocking some new vandals." To the shoe layman, she got some new Nike tennis shoes from her daddy.

Walking in daddy's shoes - literally

Kevin is an avid Lebron tennis shoe collector. One of his latest acquisitions landed on Isabella's feet. She loved walking around in his shoes!

Shot day

We are off to Isabella's doctor's today for her 18 month shots. Because Isabella came home at nine-months-old, she is behind a few months in well-baby visits, but we are catching up fast.

After shots, it's off to Grandma & Grandpa Kramers for a sleepover!

I know I'm cute

Here are some extra cute pics of the princess!

I make Uncle "Cis" tired!

Doing flashcards can be pretty exhausting!

Does anyone have any pickles?

Isabella loves pickles!

Sleepover at Aunt Julie's & Uncle Chris's

Isabella had so much fun this weekend with Aunt Julie and Uncle Chris. Not only did she get to leave Grandma's house (we are all getting a little stir cray since I can't ride in a car yet), but she got to go to Kohl's and the new Super Wal-mart.

She slept good only waking at 6:30 a.m. when she was wet-to-the-bone - literally - with pee through all her clothes and sheets. After a quick change she feel fast asleep until 9 a.m. and bath time.

Sick Baby

Isabella spiked a fever and had diarrhea today forcing the cancellation of her play date with Tracy and Paige. We're all hoping she's just got a 24-hour bug.

Moving along

Just checking in to tell you that everything is going well!

I'm finally starting to feel better but the nerve pain can be pretty unbearable at times. Thank goodness for pain meds.

Isabella is having a blast playing with Grandma Mary and is finally sleeping better for her!! YEAH!

Hoping to load some pics in the next few days but not sure what those days will bring!

Check back soon!

Talking up a storm

After five days without Isabella I was THRILLED to have her back in my arms. She walked through the door and I thought "is that my Isabella?" She seemed to have grown three inches; her hair seemed inches longer and her vocabulary tripled.

She is finally repeating everything we say to a fair degree of understanding. While she stills omits the v and l sounds in most words she really tries to pronounce the words accurately. On to the multiple words statements!!!!!!!