What a Great Christmas!

Christmas gets more fun each year with kids! Isabelle was so fun with the whole Santa thing. I am convinced parents perpetuate Santa for thier own enjoyment. I know we did. Every mall we entered for the past six weeks Isabelle yelled and waved at the mall santa, "Hiiiiiiiii Santa!" like he was an old friend, "Remember me from the last time we were at the mall?" kind of thing.

Santa came to our house a bit early this year, since we were at my parents for Christmas. Isabelle was amazed to see he had eaten her cookies and left her presents. We definatley didn't go overboard, and have no intention of doing so in the future (we have enough family to do that for us!) And her favorte gift, by far, was the Bubble-Yum chapstick she opened from her stocking and replied, "ooohhhhh make-up" before smearing and re-smearing it all over her lips!

Other gift highlights for Isabelle was the really cute little pink kitchen my parents got her, and a the little cupcake apron my Grandma made her to go with her kitchen. Conrad got me a Cricut and I got him a digital photo frame. Neither of these had the traditional Christmas surprise. I found mine on e-bay and we bid on it together, and I got it personally from "Santa" aka the UPS guy. And Conrad's, although a surprise, didn't show up till two days AFTER Christmas. Oh well...the best laid plans!

We had a wonderful time at all the family Christmas parties and Isabelle and Grace were the belle's of the ball. It wasn't too crazy for us, except for the mounds of stuff we pack to go out of town for a few days with two children and the obscene amount of stuff we had to haul back after Christmas! We were unpacking for days!

Since so many of you bearers of gift read my blog...thank you for all of the wonderful and thoughtful gifts you bought our girls! They are thoroughly enjoying them as I write, and dressed very well, while they do it. It was good just to see everyone and enjoy everyones company gain. I think with each passing year I feel blessed to have such a great family and to have one more Christmas together!

Another Potty Tale

A few days ago Isabelle was sporting her big girl underwear for her usual two hour stent. She came up to me and said, "Momma, I go kaka." (the "international" word for poop that we use most of the time.)I took a look in her panties and didn't see anything so I said, "No you didn't Isabelle." And she took off playing and I continued doing dishes in the kitchen.

A few minutes later I took a look in the living room and noticed something sprawled out on the floor. Little black balls of all different shapes and sizes. My first thought was, "What toy did that come from?" followed by, "Oh no, it couldn't be." Sure enough Isabelle has pooped in her underwear, thought it was a yucky feeling, so she took it all out of her panties and left it on the carpet in the living room.

It was the first time I pulled the full name parental, "ISABELLE AGNES MICHAEL!"

Happy Dance, Sad Dance

Today I'm doing a happy dance because I filled up our van gas tank with Unleaded Plus for $5.60. I had $1.40 off per gallon using my fuel perks card. Wow! This summer I was spending over $60 for a tank of gas! Yeah for recession!(just kidding)

On a sad note: Today was Isabelle's last day at her daycare. Both Grace and Isabelle start homecare at a ladies house down the street. We loved her daycare and her teachers were almost in tears tonight as we said goodbye. Isabelle ran back and gave Ms. Dana a hug as she started to get...just a little bit...what was happening.

Things I said I'd never do: #76

I'll never dress my children in matching clothes. In my defense: there only jammies.

Isabelle-isms

As she's sitting on her potty Isabelle proclaims, "I go tinkle. Like Oma." (this word sounds suspiciously like a word my mom would use too)


As we are playing she says to me, "Go away!" I ask her, If I go away who will take care of you?" She thinks for a minute and replies confidently, "Opa will."

Come Back Granny!

This week was so great! Having Grandma here with us was wonderful! The girls both LOVE her and Isabelle cried real tears when she left today, with a "Where'd Ganny go?" She was also gracious enough to hold down the fort while I went to the gym in the mornings AND I actually pumped some milk for Grace and went out for a few hours.

On Wednesday Isabelle had her first ever Christmas performance at school. All of Isabelle's "peeps" came from up north to see her debut. She didn't disappont! The whole class of two year olds sang jingle bells and rang thier little Christmas bells. Isabelle stood in the middle of the group and jumped straight up and down the whole time. When the audience applauded, the toddlers just stopped and starred. The lights were dim and I really don't think they realized that there were PEOPLE out there. When I came to get her off stage, she cried, "Take me back up!" "I wanna go with my kids!"




We continue with potty training and this pretty much sums up how our week has been on that front.


Grace was sweet and easy going (thank the Lord!) and she and Grandma spent the week bonding while Isabelle and Mommy worked on Christmas cookies. Grace talks and smiles as long as someone will sit and talk to her. She is such a joy. Isabelle tells me, "Make Gacie funny (laugh) Mama." She also likes to put her panties on Grace's head...but I'll save that picture for another post.

My Heart

When I see this little smile my heart just melts...

Big Girl Panties

No, I'm not talking about my maternity underwear, I'm talking about the cool new Dora the Explorer panties Isabelle is currently sporting two hours a day. Yes we are trying our hand at potty training, part time. It's really the best avenue for us, since we have a new baby and usually we both work.

Isabelle pees on the potty usually twice a day, when she gets up in the morning and when she gets up from her nap. Other than that she piddles on the carpet like a puppy about three times EVERY day when she has underwear on...and poops regularly in them too! Even when I am asking her every 15 minutes, "Isabelle, do you have to go potty?" We haven't made the connect quite yet.

Oh well. She still thinks these panties are the bomb and acts like a rock star when she has them on!!

An Unexpected Christmas Gift

Last weekend we met my parents halfway between our two houses to pick up my Grandma so she could come and spend a couple of days with us.

Anyway, we were at a Cracker Barrel having dinner. Toward the end of dinner we were all running in and out of the restaurant to the store portion with Isabelle to entertain her at our rather long dinner. While she was out in the store, she spotted a big plush rocking horse. Isabelle is really into horses these days. Everywhere we go she asks, “We go see horses?”

So while she is looking at this beautiful rocking horse that neighs and moves it’s head and makes clip clop sounds a family comes up and starts looking at Isabelle. “She is so cute.” Thank you, replies Oma. The adult son pulls out the horse for Isabelle to get on and ride, as Conrad thinks, “Oh no, now we are going to have to pull her off of this thing kicking and screaming when we go.” But he smiles politely at the stranger who is down talking to Isabelle as she rocks.

Soon the stranger’s mother comes up and comments on how beautiful Isabelle is. They stay talking to her and watching her as Isabelle is just rocking hard and fast. Soon my dad comes into the restaurant where I am with Grace and says, “That lady says she is going to buy Isabelle that rocking horse.” I said, “Seriously? No. Tell her no thank you.” I thought he was joking.

To make a long story short: A complete stranger bought Isabelle a rather expensive rocking horse! She wouldn’t take no for an answer. She said it made her Christmas. We laughed and talked about that for the next few days. It made our Christmas too!

We are thinking of putting Isabelle outside of wal-mart to collect for the salvation army soon.

God Bless Grace

This last weekend we also had Grace's baby dedication at my Mom and Dad's church. Since most of our family lives up north, it's so much more meaningful to have it there. Not to mention, it's very important to us to have my Dad to the dedication and "blessing." Afterwards we had brunch and cake at a local joint. Grace smiled like the little charmer that she is and slept fitfully through brunch.

Isabelle was a total ham. She had on a new little pink dress we got her for Christmas. The moment she first saw the dress she said, "oooh costume." I guess you can see how often we dress this child up. About 2 minutes into sunday, she ripped a big hole in the new tights she had on. What can you do?