Lovely Lady

Isabel loves to have her nails done. Everytime I get out the polish, she comes running. It amazes me that she will sit still long enough for 10 fingers (and this time 10 toes too) to be polished, but she does. Then she proudly displays them for me and James and Pancho and Wyatt. It's really precious.

Out of Necessity

So I guess I'm potty training another kid already. Seems Isabel has developed a habit of trying to potty train herself. In order to save my sanity, I've decided to step in.

This is how her potty training has gone so far: I put her down for a nap. She does her business. She then takes off her diaper. The business falls on the carpet. She then realizes she needs to clean this up before Mom finds it. A light bulb goes off and she walks over to her dress up bin. She pulls out any and all clothing she can use to wipe herself clean. This evidence must be hid away at the bottom of the hamper. And the business on the carpet? Stepping in it and spreading it around seems to at least make it less noticeable. At this point, she's ready to finally nap.

Enter Mama 2 hrs later. No need to tell you by this time the house can smell her antics. Sigh. It's hard to discipline her because I know she's trying to do things like her brother. I mean, he takes his pants off to potty - why shouldn't she? And she's only trying to clean up after herself. SO I bought some pull ups and we're trying to hammer in the concept.

My motivation is strong - life changed a ton after James learned to use the potty. Can you imagine how wonderful to only have the infant in diapers??!!

Snow!

Yesterday we got snow - actual snow!! Not ice. Not ice pellets. Not sleet. SNOW! And not just a little but enough for the kids to play in! It snowed all morning and then all afternoon! It was great (well for most of us)!

JL's reaction
My reaction
The kids were all for it
Well...Isabel thought she was until she stepped in it and realized it was cold
She kept telling me it was wet dirt. After that, she wouldn't leave the cement
James, on the other hand...
Making a snow ball was one of the FIRST things he thought of
Not sure where he gets his ideas from....
He loved stomping around and seeing his tracks
He walked around forever yelling "I'm a Polar Bear!"
Then, of course, it was time to haul snow around, and dump snow, and build a snow field for the trucks to park in
I'm a huge fan of snow....in December. After the first of the year I get Spring Fever really bad and a huge urge to clean house. This snow fell 2 days after our high was 78! Still, I enjoyed it. It's not everyday we see the stuff, so I can't be picky when it falls!

AND it was the big, poofy flakes!!

Terms

I think I have come to terms with my MiniWoof and the stigma of owning one. Now that I have it loaded with 3 carseats, I can see a definite advantage. We were comfortably able to transport ALL my family and visiting family around without any issues. And the trunk never failed to swallow ALL the gear that goes along with said family.

So I'm a Mom of 3 kids who embraces her MiniVan-ness. Seems there is no other vehicle to fit my life at this stage. It's a cracker crumb, sticky Slurpee, diaper wipe, Pancho carrying, kid hauling machine and I'm proud of my crew!

Wyatt : 1 Month

Wyatt is 1 Month old today! He continues to be an excellent eater/sleeper and all around new baby. He's very cuddly and loves to sleep on Mom, or Dad, or whoever is around. He's very mellow, happy, and easy-going. He's big on car rides and walks around the neighborhood. Most of all, he seems to love his siblings (and the noise they generate!)



Happy 1 Month Big Guy! We love you!!!

Our Little Valentine

Isabel Jeanne turned 2 on the 13th! It is very hard for me to believe that she is already 2. I know I say that at every birthday, but I really am shocked at how fast time is going by.


Izzy is such our little lady. She's very much into dolls, and clothes, and shoes, and purses, and dress-up, and anything girly. But, she also loves to wrestle with Daddy and James and play cars with her older brother. I marvel at her giving attitude. There is nothing she wouldn't do for any of us - even at this young age! She is very observant and sensitive to our needs. I find that she is always there to help me or comfort James at a moments notice.


She got a ribbon full of barrettes from Aunt Erin and Family. First thing she did was drape it around her shoulders proudly saying "Bows Mamma - Bows!"


She loved this new little outfit from Grandma & Aunt Muggs - it required an immediate clothing change!
Isabel is huge into Dora (or as she calls her "Backpack, Backpack") so we got her a Dora Backpack. She carries it around singing the song and loading it up with all her gear.
Nana and Grandpa got her a cloth doll house that she loved! It amazes me that she knows just what to do with all the furniture, and the people.
She isn't a huge chocolate fan (I know, WHAT!!) so I made her a Strawberry heart-shaped cake. She LOVED it!
She is our sweet little girl and she's becoming a beautiful little lady. Happy Birthday Iz! We love you cutie!

Growing

This month has already passed me by. Wyatt continues to grow and eat and sleep and life is marching on. James and Isabel have banded together, and seem to be still very fond of their new brother. James just keeps waiting for Wyatt to grow a little so they can share bunk beds in his room. Isabel seems to want Wyatt to stay doll size so she can mother him forever. It is really cute to watch them both interact with him.



A huge THANKS to Grandma, and Grandpa & Nana for coming out to help me recover and welcome our new little family member into the house. Also, to my ward family for keeping us all nourished that first week! I can't tell you what a huge help you all were to me!

Grandma
Nana
Grandpa