Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year

Happy new year all! We are in Texas tonight. It is Isabella's first
trip out of state, first night in a hotel, and Michael will be
performing his first wedding. Lots of firsts! It has been such a
blessed year for our family and I'm looking forward to what 2011
holds!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Here's to the last year of my twenties!

Celebrating my birthday involved time with people I love, one of my favorite restaurants, cupcakes, and some shopping. What more could I ask for?


Girls at Pinkitzel




I feel like such a blessed and lucky girl! Michael and I are working on our 30 before 30 lists of 30 things we want to do/try before entering our thirties! I am looking forward to the new year!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

First Christmas

I did a terrible job of documenting Isabella at our various Christmas gatherings. I will have to see what pictures other family members have. We had a wonderful Christmas!
Michael and I actually waited this year until Christmas morning to open our gifts- which was fun. We enjoyed a quiet morning in our home. We opened our gifts, ate cinnamon rolls, and waited for Isabella to wake up. (I did open my card and earrings in Isabella's room standing over her crib while she was sleeping because Michael didn't want her to miss out since it was from her too.) ;)
She was too sweet when we got her out of bed that morning...smiling and cooing. Melts my heart!


Isabella "opening" her gift




With her stocking at my Mom's.

We enjoyed time with our families and received so many great gifts. Of course the greatest gift this year is Isabella Grace. We still have two family Christmas gatherings to go! We are so blessed! Hope you all were able to enjoy good food, great fun, and time with your loved ones!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas!

We had a great morning at home for our first Christmas with our baby girl!

I got a sweet card from Isabella and special earrings from Michael and Isabella to remember this first Christmas as a family of three. More later- Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 24, 2010

My nugget of wisdom

I got A LOT of "advice" while pregnant and now as a new mom it keeps coming. Some of it has been helpful, some has not. Here is some helpful advice I would like to pass on to new parents. You will never regret having extra diapers with you while out. Even if you think you have packed plenty- pack some more. Put a few extra in your car, in your purse, in your husband's back pocket- ANYWHERE! You will never think "Goodness! I wish I didn't have all these diapers!"

Merry Christmas to all- and to all a good night! :)

Thursday, December 23, 2010

3 months




Sweet girl you are three months today! This month has been a big one for you. On December 1st you slept through the night (well 7 hours) for the first time and have done so many times since. On December 8th you rolled over for the first time! I couldn't believe it! You have really found your hands and have started grabbing things (including my hair- which has started falling out as much of yours and doesn't need any extra help). Your sleeping and eating patterns have become more predictable to me over the last month and that has been helpful. I can tell now when you are hungry or sleepy.

You have become a lot more smiley this month. When I go to get you out of your crib in the morning you stop crying and smile at me- it is such a sweet moment. We are loving how you have brightened our lives with your smiles and our love for you. One morning this week when Daddy got you out of bed he said you had become cuter over night. He is wild over you! We have been enjoying the holidays with you even though you are too young to remember/enjoy them. Daddy says you have made Christmas magical again.
A milestone for us is that we went out to a movie last night. It was the longest time I have been away from you. I missed you so much even though I knew you were in good hands.

These 3 months have been one of our greatest adventures. I love you more than the stars in the sky baby girl,
Mommy

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Traditions and family time

Isabella had her first annual Santa picture with my mom!

Here she is waiting in line to see Santa. (Northpark mall has a great set up, short lines, AND the money goes to charity.)


The hand off from dad to Santa...so far so good...


She was not impressed with our efforts to get her attention or make her smile- but at least this year's picture did not involve screaming as it might in the years to come.

Isabella also got to join us for her first family breakfast at Chick-fila-A. We love breakfast there and a new one just opened 3 miles from our house. Michael snapped these sweet pictures of her while we were there.





She is very smiley these days- when she is happy. We love her toothless grin! (Even thought daddy says it makes her look like the stay puft marshmallow man!)

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Welcome to our Christmas home

Welcome to Christmas at our home!

Nothing new on the porch this year just a lighted topiary I got a few years ago on after Christmas sale at Target and our wreath.


Come on in...


Our Christmas tree display for our cards and decorated side table


Stockings hung on the entry piece with care...


Our tree in the window


Hurricane vase with faux snow and mixed ornaments


Our Christmas table


New this year in our dining room window: I fell in love with these Christmas balls when I saw them and my husband is always complaining we don't have enough Christmas decor- so I thought why not! ;)


Finally, in our sweet girl's room is a pink Christmas tree. I will get some better matching ornaments when they are on sale.

Well, that's about it for the tour. I've loved being on maternity leave during the holidays and not being busy with work during this busy season. I'm off to bake with my Mom! Merry Christmas friends!

Monday, December 20, 2010

Sunday, December 19, 2010

I think it was asking too much...

Getting a good picture of three babies is not possible! Oh well! :) They are still sweet in their Sunday best all ready for Christmas.

Ava 8 months, Isabella 3 months, Milo 5 months

Izzy is saying "Give it up mom...not gonna happen and you are upsetting my friends!"




Saturday, December 18, 2010

7 Days...

til Christmas! Every morning after I get Isabella up we put up the new ornament on our count down to Christmas tree. We (she stares off looking at the light in her room) I have had fun doing it! I have had it for a few years, but am excited to have a child to share it with now.




Thursday, December 16, 2010

New to us

We have tried two new places in the last week that have been around, but are new to us.


My parents kept Isabella one night and we ran over to Cafe 7 for dinner. Their concept is open 7 days, 7 items in each category, food ready in 7 minutes, and everything is $7. We both got pizzas. They also have salads, sandwiches, and pasta. Our food was great and the food we saw other people eating looked great also. They also have a drive through if you want to order ahead and pick up. Very good! We will be back!

Next we tried Pinkitzel

They have cupcakes, candy, and some gifts. This is a perfect place for us as Michael would rather have candy and I would rather have a cupcake!

Beautiful presentation! The cupcakes are wrapped in bella cupcake couture wrappers- a blog I have been reading for a while. But a con for this place is the cupcakes are the size of a cuppies and joe cupcake but at 3.50 each cost more than the price a Sara Sara cupcake. I got the peanut butter cup cupcake. It was DELICIOUS! Light, fresh cake with excellent frosting. They also have party areas to have parties. You should check out the pictures on their website. I would definitely go back!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

I decided today was a good day to run errands being what might be one of our last days in the 60's for a while. My Christmas candy cane 'Bella Grace couldn't be more excited! Love her!


Favorite ornaments 2010 edition


I got this ornament at one of my favorite local stores the wild.flower next door to Cuppies and Joe. Very cute- no explanation needed!

We picked up this globe at the Grand Canyon this spring- which seems like a lifetime ago. It was a great trip and one we will always remember.

Probably my favorite- I searched everywhere for a 'baby's first christmas' ornament. The ribbon says Baby's 1st Christmas and the heart underneath says 'bless this baby girl 2010'. So sweet!
Merry Christmas everyone!