Happy hump day

Have you seen the huge full moon this week? I love it.

Today is a big day as it was the grand opening of the OKC WHOLE FOODS! I told Isabella all about it on our way there. It wasn't as crazy busy as I had thought it might be. The parking lot was completely full. I strapped Isabella to me and started walking. Then a man on a golf cart came and shuttled us over. Kind of crazy! There were police to direct traffic and everything.

You can tell how much she was soaking in this unique experience! :)


Beautiful!


Loved these heirloom tomatoes! They would make a fabulous bruschetta.


I also loved their huge variety of pumpkins!


The white Cinderella pumpkins were my favorite.

The make and take salad bar looked great, as did the pizza. I didn't buy anything, just browsed and checked it all out. Which I think officially makes me old that checking out a new grocery store was enjoyable! I look forward to going back and picking up some fun things or trying dinner there.

I took the girls to the park before nap today. It was breezy, sunny, and perfect.



They are both getting so big and wanting to explore more!

My baby has some new teeth coming, fussed a good part of the day, and did not nap well. We were both happy for dad to be home!

The difference a year makes:

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

8 months

9 months

10 months

11 months

12 months

Branson

We spent this past weekend in Branson. That meant 5 hours in the car each way. For the most part Isabella did well, but it seemed like a bad sign when 30 minutes down the road she was signing "all done" and reaching her arms out for me to hold her. But we made it there and back without too many tears. Here are the highlights in pictures:


I would venture a guess that one of the highlights from Isabella's point of view was getting to share a hot fudge shake with Mama at Braums, on the road. She loves those shakes, just like me!

Friday night we decided to walk to dinner instead of drive. This meant a very hilly 20 minutes each way walk, but we got to see the "sights" of Branson, and get some exercise after being in the car.

We were tempted to stop and eat at this crazy chicken house, but we pressed on toward Fudruckers.


We went swimming that night, and Isabella was delighted! She splashed and splashed!



We watched the sun burst over the Ozarks Saturday morning from our hotel room.



After breakfast we headed out to Silver Dollar City. We were there for an event with Michael's work so the three of us were decked out in OC shirts. SDC was decked out for fall which I LOVED as I love all things holiday-ish! I've heard they go crazy decorating for Christmas too with a parade and everything- which would be fun.



Hanging out.
We borrowed this bjorn from our friends (*thanks*) which we both loved and probably need to scour craigslist for one of our own!


It was a beautiful fall day!


By the afternoon, our little eagle could take no more, and had a nap in the stroller.



On Sunday we went to church in a outdoor amphitheater at SDC. It was another beautiful day. I could get used to having church outside, in great weather, with the breeze blowing, huge leaves falling slowing, singing my heart out! :)

The view from my seat.


And Isabella...well she fought the good fight, but ended up falling asleep during church in her daddy's arms.

After the service we walked around some more and took some pictures in the pumpkin patch before heading home.





And then Isabella decided it would be fun to eat the pumpkins, which was our cue to move on.


Awkward family photo material?

I love getting to spend lots of time as the three of us, so it was a good weekend, even with the stress that traveling can sometimes bring.

Happy fall, and have a good week!

One year

My dear Isabella,
You are one year old now! How much we have both changed from that night a year ago in September when you made your entrance into the world, and I became your Mom. We have had some sad days in the last year, but way many more happy days. I have loved having you in my life this last year.






I love your smiles, cheerful spirit, and laugh. I love you on the sad days and on the happy days. I love you on the days when I don't know what it is you want or need and have to keep guessing. I love you on the days when things go great and we have lots of fun together. I love you on the days when I'm tired and frustrated. I love you when your teeth are coming in and when we are laughing at the park. I miss your tiny days when you could sleep curled up on my chest, and I love today how you are constantly learning and doing new things.


We went to the Dr. last week for your one year appointment. It is amazing how far we have come since our first visit there when you were tiny and I was scattered, exhausted, and unsure of myself. It is still strange to me when the nurse pops out and calls out "Isabella", and that means we are up, and I am the mom to Isabella. I love being your mom. I'm sorry for the days I haven't been patient enough or I could have been more playful. I hope to be growing all the time into this role as your mom and that God will continuously give me grace to serve our family well.


You weighed in at 19lbs 12 oz and were 28.5 inches tall. (Your bracelets also made their debut at the doctor). Quite a change from our first days at the doctor! He said you looked perfect. You are signing "all done" and sometimes "more". You say Hi, Bye, Dada, and Mama. You love music and feeling the wind in your hair. Some of your favorite foods are sweet potatoes, bananas, cheese, and avocados. You can walk along furniture or pushing your cart, but you mostly crawl. You are very fast!

This year has flown by, and I have loved sharing all of the holidays, birthdays, and seasons with you. I look forward to what this next year will bring and will try to soak in every fleeting moment.
I love you so much. Happy One Year Sweet Girl!

Our week in review

Last week:
On Monday we read books and played at the library before I had to go to work.


There is a park right outside the library and for the first time, in the many times we have been the library, we stopped to play and swing there.



Another day we met up with friends for a walk, playing at the park, and cupcakes!


Michael had some busy evenings last week so I took over bath time those nights. Those bracelets from her party have been everywhere, even to the bath now.


My cousin and her daughter came over to play one day and brought Isabella a toy that Chelsea had loved. Isabella has played with it every day. She loves opening the window and peeking out at me. It makes me smile every time.


The weekend finally came, and Saturday we had Isabella's one year pictures with our friend Courtney Waugh. Here is a sneak peek at one. I love seeing her baby teeth in this one.


We went to dinner at Mama Roja, which we love. Isabella played with these red bracelets I was wearing through the whole dinner. She loved the guacamole.


One of my favorite things about being at lake hefner is enjoying the lake, but look how low it is! Those boats are completely out of water! We need some rain.


We came home, and after Isabella was in bed, I enjoyed all things fall. With the windows open and candles burning I finished putting out my fall decorations. I didn't get out as much as I usually do with having a baby around to check everything out- and put it in her mouth.
I baked my favorite pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and simmered some apple cider and mullings spice. It was glorious.


Sunday was gorgeous so after Isabella's nap we headed to the zoo. The grizzly bears were more active than I have ever seen them.


And I haven't been quite ready for her party to be over. So one of her banners is hanging in our house and I hung the tissue pom poms over her bed just for fun.

We have a busy week ahead and are traveling over the weekend, so I loved being home and enjoying our home this past weekend. Happy Monday!