First Christmas

This Christmas was very special because for the first time we got to see it through our baby's eyes. It was so fun to show her how to tear the wrapping paper off her presents and watch her play with the boxes and tissue paper (while ignoring the actual gifts). We celebrated Christmas early at our house because we knew we'd be in Cleveland for the actual event. Isabel was intrigued by the boxes and enjoyed climbing all over them while Kyle and I exchanged our gifts.


Later that day we drove up to Cleveland to share the holidays with Kyle's family. Isabel loved spending time with her cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and more. On Christmas morning, she participated in opening a gift or two, then scampered off to the stairs (her new favorite climbing apparatus). She was spoiled rotten that day, even if she didn't know it!

The only hard part about Christmas is not being able to share it with all of our family. Since they are scattered across Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas, it's impossible to see everyone at once. Hopefully this blog makes friends and family feel a little closer!

Recent Events

Last weekend was another busy one at Casa de Keeper. This time we were visited by my dad and Pam. It was very cold so we were limited to indoor activities, which boiled down to hanging out at home or at the mall. However, this afforded us the opportunity to put up and decorate our Christmas tree, shop for and exchange gifts, visit with Santa Claus, and buy some goodies from Cheryl's Cookies. Unfortunately, we were so busy stuffing our faces with those cookies that we neglected to take any pictures of our visitors, except this one, in which you can glimpse my dad in the background...

Also in the last few weeks, Isabel has been doing all sorts of new things:

• Mimicking us (blowing on food to cool it down, shaking formula in a bottle, peekaboo, etc.)


• Pulling herself up to standing - she's a pro at this now, and even tries to take little steps while holding onto the coffee table


• Speaking of steps, she's climbed them all the way up to the second floor


• Wearing adorable hats

Turkey In Da House!

For the first time ever, Kyle and I celebrated Thanksgiving in our own home. We've always gone to visit different relatives during the holidays, but now that we have Isabel we decided the time was right to try it ourselves.

Luckily, my mom and brother were nice enough to join us because we probably would've screwed the whole thing up! My mom and I cooked the food (ok, that was mostly Mom) while Kyle and Danny helped by playing PlayStation. I'm not sure how that was useful... maybe it helped them work up an appetite.

The Littlest Buckeye

Last weekend was a very exciting time for OSU fans everywhere - the big OSU vs. Michigan game! We invited some people over to watch it. OSU was victorious so everyone was happy - especially Kyle, who ran victory laps around the house with Isabel on his shoulders. This shot was taken when the game was over; on the tv in the background you can see triumphant fans flooding the field. Now if only Vanderbilt would win a game...

Isabel's Baptism

Isabel was baptized on November 12th. Here's a snapshot where she looks like the little angel she is. Kyle and I would like to thank everyone who helped out that day!!!

Autumn Leaves

We took Isabel out in the back yard to frolic in the leaves. The picture is a bit misleading, she was more disturbed by them than anything else. We did get this nice shot though:

One More Halloween Pic

Here are Isabel and I in our costumes. Yes, I dressed up too... what girl hasn't wanted to wear the ruby slippers???

Happy Halloween!

Her costume? A picture's worth a thousand words...


Kyle and I spent two evenings making this! After sewing the shorts, dyeing the stockings, razoring out the "S" shape, and making the cape, we wondered if maybe we shouldn't have just BOUGHT the darn costume. But seeing how cute she looked in it made it worth the work.

Isabel Goes Mobile!

October 18th, 2006 - A day which will live in infamy! It was on this day that Isabel crawled for the first time. This explains the lack of posts since then... we've been too busy chasing after her. It's so amazing to us; one day she couldn't crawl, the next day she could! Now that she's discovered this new ability, where does she choose to go? The trashcan, of course. We've had to put up the childproof electrical outlet covers (they're very nearly adultproof, too!) and the cabinet locks will be going up soon.

Here she is, mid-motor:

Lessons

There’s a lot we can learn from babies. Sure, walking, talking, and using a toilet don’t come to mind, but I’ve learned as much from Isabel as she has from me. Her most recent lesson to me was philosophical in nature: the pleasure of being truly in the moment. Last weekend we took her to the park for the first time. (First time? We’re the worst parents ever!) We put her in the baby swing, gave her a gentle push, and let her fly. The look on her face was indescribable and priceless. I can still picture it (it helps that I have this handy picture)… the wind in her hair, the smile on her lips, the look of happiness in her eyes as she soared back and forth. She wasn’t thinking about the fact that the weekend was half over, or that there were chores to do when we got home, or anything at all, really, except the supreme joy of swinging.

I’ve found myself getting stressed out over small things lately, because I feel like I can’t keep up with work, friends, chores, everything, and sometimes that keeps me from fully appreciating the fun things we do. Next time I find that happening, I’ll picture Isabel, swinging happily, and remember what she’s taught me about enjoying the moment.

New Tricks

Ok, you can't tell from this photo, but Isabel has learned a new skill... sitting up! She's been able to sit for a while now, but only if we put her there. Now she can sit up on her own (sometimes).

Her other new trick is much less helpful, but presumably much more fun for her. She has been able to make a "pbbbbt!" sound for a while now. Unfortunately, she has discovered how to do that while there is food in her mouth. Then she immediately looks up to see my reaction. When I saw, "No, Isa," she giggles as though this were the funniest joke in the history of the English language. I can tell we're going to discipline issues.

Birthday Parties!

Last weekend, we attended two birthday parties for two-year-old girls. The first was at a friend's home, and there were at least a dozen children under the age of 5 in attendance. I don't think their house will ever be the same again! We all had a lot of fun, and Isabel was mesmerized by all the activity around her. She had so much fun she fell asleep within two minutes after leaving. Here she is in her party dress, pre-blackout:

From there, we drove directly to Cleveland so that we could spend the night and be there for Isabel's cousin Kierstyn's party. Kierstyn was so sweet with her little cousin; she shared her books and toys and even threw a little tea party for Isabel and I. There were a ton of people at this party too, so Isabel had a very stimulating weekend.




It was a busy but nice weekend. However, it brought to mind the good ol' days, when two parties in one weekend meant a killer hangover Monday morning!

What's new?

It's been a while since the last blog post! This one will be short... just enough to tide you over.

Isabel's been doing a few new things. She's sitting very well now, and can sometimes get from that position back down to her stomach (although this usually involves a voluntary face-plant). She gets up on all fours... well, technically all fives since she puts the top of her head on the ground, too, to help balance. While on her stomach, she can scoot around 360 degrees, and sometimes she can go backwards, but forward locomotion has thus far eluded her. Woe be to her parents when she learns that trick! She gets into all kinds of trouble as it is by rolling towards the fireplace or under the coffee table. Once she adds crawling to her repertoire, life as we know it will be over.

And here's a photo completely unrelated to anything I just wrote...

Football Season

Isabel had a sports-tacular weekend!



Here she is getting teary-eyed at the thought of another lousy season for the Browns...

Foxy Ladies!

Little Sitter

That's SITTER, not SHITTER (although after her first go-round with prunes, she was that, and then some). Our little girl has reached another milestone: sitting! Now before anyone gives her too much credit, this does not mean she can sit up on her own or for any long period of time. Nevertheless, it is an undeniable fact that when placed in a seated position, Isabel remains that way until 1.) the weight of her big head overwhelms her and she topples forward, or 2.) something off to the side catches her attention and she topples sideways.

No Peas, Please

Once Isabel got the hang of food, she's been great at trying new things. Rice cereal, sweet potatoes, squash, prunes - she's never turned up her nose at any of them. Until now...


But honestly, can you blame her?

New Stats

Isabel had her 6 month checkup this past week (although she's 7 months... oops, a little late on that one). In addition to being amazed to discover that she hates shots, we also found out that she is:

• In the 45th percentile for weight*


• In the 60th percentile for head size


• In the 90th percentile for height (umm... did we take home the wrong baby?)

*Except for her thighs, which my dad claims are in the 100th percentile

Leavin' on a Jet Plane

Well, there's a good reason for why it's taken me so long to update the blog... we went on another vacation! This time our destination was El Paso, Texas, and since it's so far from Ohio it meant we had to take Isabel on her first plane ride. We were terrified! We've heard all the stories about how the change in air pressure causes babies to scream and cry, which in turn causes other passengers to glare menacingly at the parental source of the problem.

So it was with much trepidation that we boarded the plane. We sat and waited for the inevitable wailing. And we waited. And waited. And guess what? It turns out Isabel is a SUPERBABY! She barely made a peep the whole time, and that was only when she was hungry. Several strangers commented to us that they didn't even realize she was there (which, in this case, was the highest praise we could ask for).

Many hours later we arrived in El Paso to meet up with the Pando clan. Isabel was "oohed" and "ahhed" over constantly and spoiled prodigiously. We had a good time shopping, kicking Danny's butt at Mortal Kombat (or at least that's how *I* remember it), and gaining several pounds thanks to Grandma's delicious food. The only bad part of the trip was saying goodbye at the end.

About the pictures: Notice how Isabel's feet hardly ever touch the ground. She was spoiled rotten the whole trip!

Little Tadpole

Today was Isabel's first swimming lesson. I won't say she hated every minute... maybe just 75%. The lesson was half an hour long and involved splashing the kids around in various exercises while singing songs to try to convince them they were having fun. Actually most of the kids were having fun, and the instructor was great. Isabel just isn't too sure about all this wet stuff yet.

Neither is her mother, for that matter. The instructor must have sensed this, because at the beginning of the class she said, "It doesn't do the kids any good to let them cling to you", as she pointedly stared at me. Doh!

Meanwhile, Kyle worked as photographer from the sidelines. That's how he was in position to watch, horrified, as I accidentally managed to let Isabel's head dip underwater for a brief moment. What can I say, the instructor was mesmerizing! Isabel took it all in stride. Actually it was good practice for her because at the end of the class, the teacher picked on us yet again. She came over and said, "I see you hiding over here!". She calmly explained what would happen next and then, taking Isabel from me, dipped her gently underwater and floated her to me. Isabel was terrific!

Of all the things we did at the pool, however, I think this was her favorite...

Beach Bums

We just returned from a weeklong trip to North Carolina to visit family and vacation by the sea. We rented a minivan for the trip and we found ourselves saying to each other multiple times, "We DON'T want a minivan... but this thing is awesome." And so the downward spiral towards suburban Martha Stewart-hood begins.

Isabel did great in the car; she was a trooper on such a long trip. We got to NC last Tuesday and spent two nights in Durham where we stayed with my mom. Isabel was introduced to my brother, stepdad, and old pals of mine for the first time. Despite screaming, "Get it off me, get it off me!" the first time I made him hold Isabel, I think she and Danny got along swimmingly.

Thursday we drove to Carolina Beach. We had great weather, although it was too hot and sunny for Isabel to go out during the middle of the day. Needless to say, this severely impacted my tan time. Instead, we took her out in the early morning or for an evening walk when, as my mother pointed out, the whitest of the white venture out to the beach. After modeling her sunglasses, Isabel managed to squeeze in a little pool time.

Here's a picture of Kyle threatening to feed Isabel to the gators if she didn't start behaving. Now that's parenting for you! Only joking. He's just letting Isabel get a closeup view of the alligators at the Wilmington Aquarium. I swear that the alligator scurried closer to Isabel when he saw her... she must have looked like a tasty, tender morsel to him!


We also spent a lovely evening with my aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandmother. We had an awesome dinner and it was just nice to hang out with everyone. We also got a great picture of four generations of beautiful, smart, and humble (ahem) women...

My Baby's Got Teef!

That's right, two pearly white nubs have wriggled their way out of her bottom gum. We discovered them a few weeks ago by accident, although it shouldn't have surprised us since she'd been making crazy grimaces and sucking on everything in sight.

So how did we greet this news? With joy? Delight? Exultation? Nay, my friends, with sadness, for it means that our little Isa is growing up before our eyes, and much too fast for our liking.

Excuses, Excuses

It's been far too long since my last blog post. I refuse to be held fully responsible for that, though; at least part of the blame lies with Jerry Seinfeld. And a bad lightning storm. And UFOs (ok, that one might be stretching it).

The truth of the matter is that we've had a busy month. We had all kinds of visitors over 4th of July weekend, each of which was intent on spoiling Isabel. We saw Jerry Seinfeld in concert, watched Superman Returns, played bocce ball, attended a parade, and lit sparklers. We went to a surprise birthday party, a regular birthday party, a cookout, and a photo shoot. Am I off the hook yet?

And without further ado, I give you... posts.

Stars and Stripes

4th of July weekend was great! Isabel got to show off all her new tricks (rolling! laughing! eating her own feet!) for Kyle's parents and my Dad and Pam, all of whom visited that weekend. It was also fun for Kyle and I because we got to get out a bit and go see Seinfeld and Superman.

We also did the traditional holiday things like cooking out, playing with fireworks (or rather their wimpy cousin, the sparkler), and participating in wholesome family fun like bocce ball and boardgames. Holy shit, when did I start bragging about "wholesome family fun"??? Before you hip cats judge me uncool, just take one look at Isabel's big brown eyes and tell me you wouldn't sing kumbaya for her!

Oh, and check out her patriotic outfit! I have truly gone around the bend as far as baby clothes go. What's next, a Columbus Day hat? Labor Day socks?

Here's one of us at the Westerville 4th of July Parade, or as I like to call it, the Commercial Calvacade. 95% of the "floats" involved a local business person's car with their company logo painted on it. The other 5% was nice - high school marching bands, boy and girl scouts, and other... sigh... wholesome family fun.

Got Milk?

Dribblin'

Today was another milestone for Isabel: her first meal. Ok, "meal" may be stretching it a bit; she had her first taste of rice cereal. Most of it ended up on her bib, and frankly she was more interested in putting that in her mouth than the cereal. Nevertheless, she was a trooper and explored this new substance for a whole seven minutes before getting annoyed at the proceedings.

Wedding Weekend

This past weekend, Kyle was a groomsman in a wedding. We went up to Cleveland for the big day. At the rehearsal dinner, Isabel was the talk of the party (well, there may have been some chatter about Sarah & Brad, the bride and groom). The day of the wedding, however, she was going to spend the day... AND NIGHT... with her grandparents. It was her first night apart from me. I know she had a blast (including her first trip to the zoo!) but I felt like there was a hole in my gut the whole time.

Kyle and I did have a wonderful day and evening together though. The wedding was beautiful, an outdoor event on a gorgeous day. It gave us a chance to reconnect and spend time together as a "married couple" instead of as "parents". We only called to see how she was doing three or so times (hey, it's not that bad). The next day we slept in (as parents of a 5 month old, we consider 8 AM "sleeping in") and then rushed to see Isabel. She was a sight for sore eyes!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day (belatedly) to all of our dads and granddads! Kyle celebrated his very first Father's Day with Isabel at his side. She tells me (telepathically, of course) that she is very impressed with his parenting skills and especially likes when he makes silly faces at her to make her giggle.

The only down side to Father's Day was that I'm super busy at work, so I had to spend most of the day programming instead of spoiling Kyle. Luckily I was able to work from home, but I felt guilty about having to do that.




In other news, Isabel found her feet! In this picture she's demonstrating her extreme flexibility. Maybe she'll be a contortionist. Sadly, the last time I could touch my toes was when I was about her age.

Miscellaneous News (sorry, lame title)

Haven't posted in a while, so here are some miscellaneous news bits/pictures...

Isabel rolled over for the first time from back to front (this picture shows her immediately after the exciting event). Unfortunately, no one actually witnessed her doing this. I was at the grocery store and Kyle was watching golf. She was on her back one minute, and when he looked back she was on her stomach. Sneaky!

In other news, Kyle was out of town for a bachelor party so Isabel and I were on our own for the first time. She was my date at dinner last night. We went out to a pub/restaurant. I tried to get there early (5 PM) to beat the crowds, but I forgot about those senior citizens! The place was packed with 'em. Isabel got many admiring comments and glances (although maybe people were just gawking at her fountains of puke).

A Day of Firsts

I was sick today, so I stayed home from work. Around 2 pm, though, I missed Isabel too much and retrieved her from daycare. She was in a great mood, so I decided to have her try some tummy time. To make a long story short, she rolled over from her belly to her back! Ok, to non-parents that's probably not too exciting, but it's a big step for a baby.

Now lest you think this was a graceful, fluid maneuver, let me be clear: this was an arduous ten minute process for her requiring lots of encouragement, clapping, and cheering on my part and crazy contortions on hers. I positioned myself so that I was out of her view unless she turned her head to look at me, and then kept moving so she had to wriggle more and more to see me until she finally flipped. But hey, I never touched her so it still counts!



Also today, we sat her in her high chair for the first time to get her used to it. It's just a tad too big for her yet...