Isabel Makes Us Laugh

Isabel has been saying some funny things lately, like during our trip to North Carolina. We were in the airport waiting to be picked up and Isabel had to use the bathroom. After much cajoling and pleading, she produced an impressive specimen. Immediately after washing up, she ran into the baggage claim area and YELLED, "Daddy, I went poopy! It was humongous!".

And if that's not enough bathroom humor for you, recently we were eating dinner, which inevitably has a laxative effect on my darling daughter. I sat with her in the bathroom. When she was all done, she examined her "output" and exclaimed, "My poopy looks like a turtle! I made a turtle out of my poop!"

Want a story that *doesn't* involve poop? Well, yesterday she was looking at my belly as we talked about her baby brother. She smushed her face in close and I thought she was kissing the baby via my stomach. Then I realized she had her eye on my belly button and she said, "I see you, baby!"

Turkey Basting

We spent the Thanks-giving holiday in Sanford, NC with my Mom (cue theme song). Big eatin' holiday + Mom = Jacqui having biggest baby weight gain to date. The food, needless to say, was delish all week long: spaghetti pie, cinnamon buns, tacos, peppermint milkshake at the Sanford Dairy Barn, and of course the Thanksgiving feast.

Of course, we did more than just eat! Isabel had brand new puzzles, games, and princess dress-up clothes to play with, but her favorite thing was probably the Disney princess sleeping bag. She got me, Mom, and even Kyle into the princess mindset:


Isabel enjoyed chasing the cats, hiding from Dan "the Dragon", and climbing the train in downtown Sanford, although maybe not as much as Kyle...



But of course all good things must come to an end and we flew back to a cold and snowy Ohio on the first day of winter - bah humbug. The only good part about coming back was knowing that Mom will be visiting when the new baby is born!

Two Cuties

A few weeks ago we got to meet our new nephew, Kolsen! He was a very good baby, and we hear he likes to party in the wee hours of the morning.


And here is Isabel sporting the latest winter fashion. She's had this Hello Kitty ensemble (with matching hat, scarf, and jacket, ooh la la) for a while but is just now big enough to wear it.

Halloween Princess

We had a great Halloween. The weather was unseasonably warm so the kids were out en masse. Isabel had a Halloween party at school and was excited by the prospect of getting even more treats. Her Cinderella costume elicited lots of "awwws" and "how cutes" from the moms in the neighborhood. Luckily for Kyle and I, 1.) The family across the street gives out full size candy bars, and 2.) Isabel hates chocolate!

The Eagle Has Landed

That's code... by "eagle", I mean "Isabel's poop", and by "landed", I mean "in the potty". All of a sudden right after our Chicago trip, she's started going. It's not without some fussing, and it's not consistent, but nevertheless it's a step in the right direction! Go Isa, woot woot!

Which reminds me that I neglected to post a while back that she is a champion potty performer in the #1 category. She even makes it overnight with no accidents, a fact that I'm sure made her Grandpa very happy since she slept in his bed last weekend. Anyway, we're very excited about this... with the amount we're saving from not buying diapers, we can afford to send her to college! :)

The Windy City

This past weekend we visited Chicago. Dad, Pam, and Licha were amazed at how much Isabel had changed since our last visit. The trip was very short but Isabel had a great time, even on the airplane ride. We stayed in Dad's new place and Isabel liked sleeping in "her" room. We had some good food at Licha's house, and Licha initiated Isabel into the Pando custom of terrible and embarrassing dancing.


We also visited Navy Pier/Children's Museum and the Lincoln Park Zoo. The Children's Museum was really fun, but the two biggest kids in the group turned out to be Kyle and my Dad! They had a really great hands-on exhibit which involved building a skyscraper. We worked as a team and were given 20 minutes to complete our architectural masterpiece. As we worked, pictures were taken of our group and then we were able to record our thoughts on how the project went. I don't have a way to host those files right now, so you'll have to be satisfied with our final output (last picture).

Another Tiny Creature

So this is a pretty momentous blogpost. For those of you who we haven't talked to in a while: we're expecting our second baby in early March! I recently went in for the second ultrasound of this pregnancy and, well, the picture says it better than I can...

Here's another shot of our little guy. As you can see, he's curled up pretty tightly in there!

Sleepytime Struggles

Our little Isabel has always been a good sleeper. Oh, sure, there have been the occasional sleepless nights when she was sick or in a strange place, but in general we would just put her to bed, say goodnight, and that was that.

That is, until we took her pacifiers away.

We've known we needed to do it for a long time but who willingly volunteers to give up sleep? Not us! But we were planning on moving Isabel into her new big girl room (pictures coming soon) and thought that would be a good time to make the change.

We started Saturday for her nap time. She was really excited to sleep in her new room... so excited that she couldn't fall asleep. This has happened every once in a while so we didn't think too much of it. That night, though, it was like someone had replaced our sweet daughter with a demon hellspawn. She was exhausted but kept insisting she didn't need to sleep. There was tantrum after tantrum and tears galore. After about two hours, she fell asleep out of sheer exhaustion mid-tantrum. Sunday and Monday nights have been repeats of that first ordeal. Oh, and did I mention I decided to do this the weekend before Kyle was going to be out of town? Great move, Jacqui.

So pity me, reader, and let's hope she adjusts soon! I may have to rent a hotel room when Kyle gets back to recover my sanity.

Days of the Week

Isabel-DaysOfWeek....

Here's a translation of Isabel's song:

Sunday, Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Each week has seven days
And today is FRIDAY!!!

Follow Me!

I've upgraded my blog to use some of the new blogger features. I'll be updating the look to be a little less "corporate" soon. In the meantime, why not follow me? Click on the "Follow this blog" link on the right side of the screen. Feed my megalomania, won't you?

*Google account may be required

Medicine

Yesterday I told Isabel that my stomach hurt because I'd eaten too much. She said, "You should eat medicine", to which I replied with my standard noncommittal answer, "Maybe so". Then she asked, "Can I see the medicine?".

I went to the medicine cabinet and took out 1 unopened bottle of eye drops, 2 different sizes of Advil containers, and one bottle of Vicks Vapor Steam. I put them on the floor and we sat next to them. Isabel thought this was quite awesome; I could tell by the way her toes wiggled back and forth. She picked up each bottle in succession, shaking it. Then she asked if she could see the medicine. So, I opened each bottle one at a time. She was fascinated and peeked inside each one again and again.

When, overcome by curiosity (the toes were wiggling like crazy now), she stuck a finger inside the Advil bottle, I told her she wasn't allowed to eat them. "I just want to feel if they are soft", she explained. So I let her feel the Advil pills and smell the Vicks.

After she'd felt up the Advils for a while she suddenly stopped as if she'd had an idea. "Are you going downstairs or no?" she asked. At this age, her methods of deception are not very subtle. "No, I'm not going downstairs", I responded. "Nice try, though".

Wedding Season

Earlier this month I attended two weddings for old (and I mean OLD) friends on consecutive weekends. So first things first: Congratulations Ixchel and Mando (Aug 2nd) and Jenna and Mark (Aug 8th)!!! The first wedding in Austin I attended solo, but the second, in Charlottesville VA, we enjoyed as a family. Since this is ostensibly a blog about parenting and kids and not just about me, me, me, I will focus on the Charlottesville trip. PG-rated photos of Ixchel's wedding are here.

Isabel was so excited about the trip: flying in an airplane, staying in a hotel with a pool, and most importantly watching the "prince" and "princess" get married. Thursday night we took Isabel to the rehearsal dinner where she was thankfully occupied by the kiddie box of treats that was provided to the young guests. I did however manage to knock over a tree upon arriving at the venue... I know how to make an entrance!

Friday we went to see Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. You might think we were nuts for taking a toddler there... and we were... but she did alright. The Monticello nazis - I mean *volunteers* - kept a close eye on Isabel and nearly fainted when she clambered on top of a statue. But it was a nice treat for Kyle and I and we are glad we went.

That night was the wedding! Isabel loved watching the wedding, although once again we made a spectacle of ourselves when, just before the ceremony began, Isabel fell out of her chair and screamed like a banshee. The wedding was lovely, the food was delish, and there was a play area in the basement which Isabel enjoyed. We had to leave when she threw a tantrum over her slice of cake (don't ask), but all in all you gotta call it a successful outing. More wedding pictures are here.

Saturday we explored downtown Charlottesville which is really cute. They have a Discovery Museum which seemed to be tailor-made for her age group and she really enjoyed it. The flight home was horrendous but other than that the trip was great.

Long time, no write! I'm back, making up for lost time with three out of date posts. Since these pictures were taken, we've gone back for another trip to the zoo, Isabel has mastered the art of riding her bike uphill, and Kyle has started a new job.

In this first blast from the past, we have pictures from my company picnic. Isabel went on her very first canoe ride. I hurt my neck from turning around and watching her so much; I was terrified she'd decide to jump overboard! She enjoyed herself though.

Bike Daze

Isabel moved into her new classroom in July and we found out that the kids in that room participated in the weekly "bike day". The only problem was, Isabel had no bike! So we went to Target and picked out a pink and purple Radio Flyer with streamers to match. Isabel decorated her helmet with stickers. She was a natural on the bike!

Summer at the Zoo

It was an overcast day, which worked out well for us because there were few people at the zoo and no lines for anything. Isabel enjoyed the petting zoo, where she kept saying, "Hi goat! Hi goat! Hi goat!".

Happy Belated Father's Day

Now, lest you think I am an ungrateful daughter/wife, I actually celebrated Father's Day in a timely manner. It's just taken me a while to write about it. To our dads, grandads, and great-grandads, Happy Father's Day!

Ga-ga for Gaga

A few weeks back, my Mom (or as Isabel calls her, Gaga) came to visit. I only took one picture of her and Dan and I know she would hate for me to post it, so it will remain locked in the vault. The two pictures below are from the Columbus Arts Festival. We went late in the afternoon when the sun wasn't so hot. Isabel participated in some arts & crafts, and also enjoyed running into the sprinkler tent, then up to the music stage, over and over again. Everyone was very sad when Gaga left; Isabel cried the whole way home from the airport. I tried to console her and asked, "Why are you crying?". She replied, "Because Gaga leave me". That was the saddest but cutest thing ever.

Sneakers

As Isabel continues to grow, we constantly need to pack up or give away clothes she's outgrown. This particular pair of tennis shoes, though, has seen better days. They weren't really worthy of being saved or donated, so I threw them in the trash.

Those shoes haunted me.

As I cleaned up the kitchen, I would need to put something in the trash but I delayed, not wanting the shoes to become any dirtier than they already were. The trash pile grew. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore... I snatched the shoes out of the garbage can and put them into the "keep" box. I just couldn't bear to have these cute little shoes that went with Isabel to school, and accompanied her outdoors, and then home again, rotting in some landfill. They'll rot just nicely in our house instead!

Big Girl Bed

Early this month, Isabel figured out that she could climb out of her cage... err, *crib*. We knew what that meant: time to take down the wooden rail at the front. As Kyle was taking it down, I explained to Isabel what this all meant. I told her she was a big girl now and could get in and out of bed whenever she wanted (gulp!). Once the baby Berlin wall was down, she climbed in excitedly... and almost immediately fell out, landed on her head, and started crying. So, it was off to Target to buy a small bedrail, and voila! here is the result. It took her a few nights to get used to it, but now she's sleeping like a champ again.

Memorial Day Madness

This year we spent Memorial Day in Cleveland. We did so many things that weekend! It started off with Kurt and Michelle's ceremony and reception. The next day, Kyle and I went to a Cleveland Indians game (the tickets were a birthday gift). Afterwards, we had a bbq complete with yummy food, a squirt gun/water balloon fight (during which Isabel ran around with the squirt gun aimed directly at her own forehead), and s'mores.

Kyle Turns 31

He gets more handsome every year. See for yourself, here he is playing with his birthday gift: Guitar Hero III.

Mother's Day x 2

I had a busy Mother's Day weekend. First, I flew to North Carolina (I know, I'm a jet-setter!) for a dear friend's wedding. She looked spectacular and so, so happy. While I was there, I was able to take my Mom out for a Mother's Day breakfast. She wouldn't let me take her anywhere fancy, but Cracker Barrel is delicious too. Then I flew back to Ohio in time to celebrate Mother's Day with Isabel and Kyle. They got me some gifts, but coming home to a clean house and happy family was the best part!

Falling Down

Watch father-daughter fun that nearly turns into a father-daughter ER trip.

Magical Fruit

Kyle and I are very, very proud.

MagicalFruit.wav

Slumber Party

Last night I had one of the nicest experiences of my life. Isabel and I were in her room playing when she asked for her pillow and blanket. She laid down on the floor and asked me to lay next to her. This kid never stays still for long, but last night she was in the mood for some "mommy" time. Suddenly she hopped up and said, "I be right back", and then went and got me my pillow. So we laid there, under her blanket, our heads on our pillows. I told her we were having a slumber party!

We did the usual slumber party things, only toddler-style. We told secrets; for her this means making "psst psst" whisper sounds in each other's ears. We talked about boys (and girls) from her class: "Who are the boys in your class? Who are the girls in your class?". I asked Isabel if she was the biggest girl in her class. She answered yes (she isn't, really), and then she asked, "I get bigger and bigger and bigger?" I told her yes, she would get bigger and bigger and bigger until she was as big as mommy. Then she snuggled her face against mine and said again, "I get bigger and bigger and bigger!"

Kyle came in after a while and we had a full family slumber party until Isabel got hungry and wanted a snack. It seems like such a little event but for me it was one of those rare perfect experiences that I hope I'll always remember.

The Little Princess

One of my favorite movies as a kid was The Little Princess, starring Shirley Temple. When Isabel is a little older, I'll be able to share that movie with her. In the meantime, she enjoys dressing up as a princess. We also encourage her to play with trains, puzzles, blocks... but she adores dress-up. Here she is at home as an angel/princess, and then enjoying girly-time with fellow royalty.

Easter, Part II: Egg-cellent Treats!

Isabel loved her Easter basket and seemed to easily grasp the concept of the Easter Bunny despite never having discussed him before. Her favorite basket goodies have been the Wizard of Oz stickers and the bath tub crayons.

Kyle, Dad, and Pam spent the morning entertaining Isabel. She was cute in her blue Easter dress. They dyed and decorated hard boiled eggs, while managing to keep the dress clean. Meanwhile, I fixed my first Easter lunch.


Not only was it the first time I've made Easter lunch, it's the first time I've made ANY large meal entirely by myself. Things didn't start off well when, on the previous day, my first attempt at bread in the breadmaker machine resulted in a lump of wet flour. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again! Round two fared much better, and we ended up with a pretty good lunch, if I do say so myself.

After lunch, we headed down to the basement where I'd hidden eggs the night before. Isabel made up for the previous day's fiasco, finding 21 eggs in record time. Afterwards she happily sat, surrounded by her adoring fans, opening each and every egg and exclaiming over the treats within.

Easter, Part I: Egg-regious Behavior

We were lucky enough to have my Dad and Pam visit us over Easter. Kyle was away in Nashville on Saturday helping out with a Nascar event (good lord, I thought he already followed every sport in existence, but he managed to dig up one he'd missed), so it was up to the three of us to get Isabel to a city-sponsored egg hunt. Like her mother, Isabel is not really a morning person, so it was a challenge to get her dressed and in the car in time for the egg hunt.

By the time she was in the car, though, she wanted to find some eggs. The event started at 10 and we were there by 10:02. Unfortunately that was one minute, 30 seconds too late; another parent told us that within 30 seconds after the start, all eggs had been found. Rookie mistake! Meanwhile, Isabel was whining ever more loudly, "I want my eggs! I want my eggs!". What was an anxious family to do?
Well, if you're the Keepers/Pandos, you cheat. Boxes had been made available for parents to recycle the empty eggs. While I distracted Isabel, Dad and Pam absconded with some "borrowed" eggs and hid them. It was cold and miserable out, so Isabel chose to direct me to pick up the eggs on her behalf. Well, we thought we'd managed to fool her, but she started with the whining again - "I want my treats! I want my treats!".

Crap! The stolen eggs were empty! We rushed back to the car, drove home, and I yelled, "Take your time getting her out of the car!". I rushed around the house trying to find stuff to fill the eggs with. Whatever it was, it was pretty crappy. Luckily Isabel is too young to know any better and was satisfied with our charade.

Adventures in Potty Training

Isabel has been making steady progress with her potty training. She's quite a pissing expert now! Many times she'll disappear into the bathroom, take off her own diaper, and a few minutes later shout, "I pee pee for you!"

We still have a long way to go though. Without getting too detailed, so far she's only comfortable with liquids. Also, she's fascinated with cleaning her potty, and with dumping its contents into the adult toilet. Since she doesn't have a steady hand yet, well... you can imagine the consequences.

I wish we could take credit for all the progress she's made so far, but truthfully we owe a lot to Isabel's daycare. Her teacher works with the kids on this every day, and just having older, potty trained kids around to emulate seems to be a big incentive for Isabel.

Cabin Fever

Between 12 and 18 inches of snow fell in central Ohio over the last few days, so we've been stuck inside. We've come up with a few ways to entertain ourselves indoors...

• Read books
  
• Jump on the furniture


• Take a bath


• Bake cookies


• Read the same books again (and again and again...)


• Roast marshmallows in the fireplace


• Sunday night is movie night!
  

Jungle Time

We are so sick of winter already! After enduring another week of snow, sleet, freezing rain, and ice, we racked our brains for a way to get out of the house. We decided the Franklin Park Conservatory was the way to beat the winter blues. For me, the Pacific Island area of the FPC is the only place in Ohio to feel truly warm during winter... surrounded by waterfalls, lush green plants, and balmy humid air, you can pretend you've gone to Hawaii for the day.