swings, reading and watching golf

Boy is time flying. Isabelle is getting so close to a year old, we are already planning her party. She is getting really close to walking around. She can take several steps (5-6) and has even stop and started, her balance is getting much better. This weekend she had a fun time celebrating her first easter and watching golf with Daddy (see picture below). Today we took her to the park and found out that she loves to swing!

Easter hat

Grandma Barb gave Isabelle a hat and sunglasses for Easter, doesnt she look cute in them. Isabelle had a touch of some flu bug last week, she only vomitted once but she had some loose stool. Now that seems to be gone as well. While she was sick she really didnt eat much solid food so we feel like we are back to square one in our effort to get her off the bottle. Oh well, we have 2 months to convince her she should only have 1 bottle per day...

The Zoo, first steps and messy dinners....

Isabelle, Mommy and I took a trip to the Como Zoo and Conservatory today. It was pretty fun. Isabelle stared at most of the animals, especially the giraffe. She did really well in stroller and just likes to watch the action around her. When we got home she took her first "official" steps. While she isnt walking all the way she will now string 3 or 4 steps together before plopping on her bum. I dont think it will be too long before she is up and running, literally. She seems to be pretty tired of baby food, today she was feeding herself mini ravioli's, it was messy!

standing up...

Isabelle is growing up so fast. She isnt walking yet but loves to stand up by herself, see below. This was a surprisingly difficult photo to get by myself so I like it allot. I am pretty sure that in the next couple weeks she is going to take off running around the house. She still loves to babble and hasnt added any words, I hear some "dadas" but I am not sure she knows what she is saying yet. Isabelle has really taken well to the stroller, we can take long walks with hardly peep. I hope the weather keeps up so we can keep it up!

9 month check up

Isabelle had her 9 month check up today (only a couple weeks late). She is still a big little girl. She is 30 inches long and weighs 23 pounds. She is in the 98th percentile for height and 96th for weight. She is starting to eat allot more people food, but we only have 2 months and to get her off of the bottle so she needs to get a little more used to the spoon. Isabelle is really enjoying the weather, she loves taking walks with us (see below). She still loves her movies and the other day she tried to play along with the TV...

Back from the beach!

Mommy and Daddy are back. After spending 5 peaceful days in Mexico, Gina and I are excited to be back with our baby girl. Gina only had a couple of emotional moments, but it was hard being away from Isabelle. Isabelle had a great time with Grandma, Uncle and Cousins while we were gone, she even got to spend part of a night alone with Grandpa Al. Isabelle was really excited to see Gina and I when she woke up this morning, I have to say it was the best feeling yet as a parent. To see the excitement in her eyes was really amazing!

visiting with family

This weekend Isabelle got to hang out with all of her aunts and uncles, both of her cousins, both grandpas and one grandma. The other Grandma will get 5 days with her next week, so I am sure they will get enough of eachother! Isabelle is now nine months old and is getting to look and act so much like a little person. She has her own facial expressions and unfortunately, attitudes! She is getting really brave about trying to stand up on her own, and her forhead has paid the price. She has been a much happier baby since her tube surgery and we all hope that her happiness continues. Gina and I are heading to Mexico this week, we are excited to relax and thaw out, but being away from Isabelle will be hard...

the tubes are in...!

Isabelle had tubes placed in both ears on last Wednesday. It was a much faster operation than I imagined. It was so fast I didnt have time to worry (that much). She has been a happier kid since the surgery and we are really hoping it continues to provide her relief from the pain of fluid and infections. Below are a couple pictures from the hospital and one with her spiffy new hat that she got for Valentines Day from Grandma Chris.

TUBES!

The ear infections have got the best of us! Isabelle goes to Mercy Hospital on Wednesday to have tubes in her ears. We are very hopeful that things will go well and that she will come out of it a happier baby. She has had an ear infection or fluid in her ear for nearly 3 months and has been on antibiotic for the last month straight. With any luck the procedure will eliminate the fluid, the pain and the need for antiobiotics. Aside from the ear infections things are going well, Isabelle as 3 teeth and loves to crawl, it is amazing how fast she can get away from me.

more new tricks

Isabelle is now crawling all over the place, she is curious about everything and really interested in touching /tasting anything she can find. She is pulling her self up on anything she can get her hands on, including the rails of her crib. We go to see the ENT doctor this week about the fluid in her ears and wether or not tubes are appropriate.

Ear infections are fun....

Isabelle is having a tough couple of weeks. Her second ear infection turned into a double ear infection, it cleared, and came back (a little). The infections were cleared as of this morning. But she still has fluid in her ears and it causes her some discomfort. Next week are going to and earn, nose and throat doctor, unfortunately TUBES may be in Isabelle's future. We dont want to her to have any surgery, but if it makes her feel better we would be excited to get it done. Isabelle is pushing 23 lbs and now has 3 teeth (more like 2.25 but #3 is coming).

Running out of ideas for titles...

Isabelle will turn months old this week. She is at the tail end of treatment for a double ear infection. We will be going to the doctor on Tuesday, hopefully he will confirm both infections have cleared up and that Isabelle can stop taking antiobiotics. Isbaelle is getting much more mobile, she makes it all around the living room and kitchen. Today we bought "baby proofin" supplies....fun stuff. Her most recent trick is clapping, she claps at just about everything, she also started waving at us today, hopefully it wasnt a fluke and she will keep it up, it was cute.

almost 8 months old

It is hard to believe how fast Isabelle is growing. She is now fighting her second ear infection and this one seems to have gotten worse since she started the antibiotics. Hopefully we will find a treatment that works and is gentle on her stomach. At the latest trip to the doctors office she weighed 22 lbs...she is still a pretty big girl. She is getting so big that we had to buy her new carseats. Isabelle is now starting to creep and crawl forward, she can go backwards pretty well, as you can see in the photo below sometimes she gets backs her self into a tight spot. I think she will be crawling for real very soon. Gina and I are really enjoying all of her new noises and faces. When Isabelle isnt spending time making wierd noises she really likes to eat things...anything...as you can see below she spends allot of time trying to eat a beach ball!

Isabelle Laughing VIDEO

I absolutely love this video of Isabelle laughing at the dog unfortunately I recorded most of it sideways and you will have to adjust your monitor or neck to see it correctly. Isabelle hasnt laughed like this very many times so I was happy to record it.

7 months old already

It is hard to believe that little Isabelle is already 7 months old! She is well over twenty pounds and remains pretty sturdy. She is starting to get more mobile but no actual crawling yet, she spins around and scoots backwards. She now has her two bottom front teeth. She had a good christmas with lots of time with family and piles of toys and clothes. She did a good job of opening her gifts, mostly because she wanted to eat the paper. Gina and I are very excited for next year when she can participate a little more. Happy New Year!

First sit with Santa and Mrs. Clause

Last weekend Isabelle had her very firts visit with Santa. She did really well, no fussing no crying, but she was pulling on his beard a little bit...Merry Christmas

First ear infection

Late last Sunday Isabelle took us on a trip to the ER to learn that she had her first (hopefully last) ear infection. She was in allot of pain, but still looked pretty darn cute in her hospital robe. The antibiotic she is on is giving her a nasty diaper rash, so we are soaking her in bum a few times a day, she likes her little "hot tub". On sunday we visited my office for a Christmas party and Isabelle was eager to get to work and make some phone calls. Merry Christmas!

new tricks

Isabelle seems to be learning new tricks every day. This week she started standing up holding onto our ottoman, she she cant stand too long, but is getting better at it. Isabelle also got a walker so now sits in her little chair and scoots all over the place, her first chance at mobility and she loves it. She tried feeding herself carrots, boy was that messy. She also started drinking some juice out of a sippy cup...all of this in one week! I cant imagine what next week will bring.

Hangin out with her toys...

"drinking" from a sippy cup (most of the juice is on her shirt)

Getting a head start unwrapping (eating) presents under the tree

Enjoying her new "scooter"