One Small Step for Most, One Giant Leap for Her

Our home is only one level so Isabelle rarely gets practice with steps. We have a step down at the front door, into the garage, and at the patio. Now that she is walking everywhere, we have been encouraging her to take the steps too while holding our hands. Going up the steps was no problem and if we aren't there quick enough with a hand, she just crawls up. Going down terrified her even with helping hands offered. One day Isabelle was playing in the patio and I was lucky enough to catch this video.

Talk about gutsy especially while holding the basket! I think I was pretty gutsy too just watching!

Then attempting going up with that can do attitude even when she fell and coming back down with the nondramatic response after falling! I was expecting the worse. If only she would do this every time when faced with a step or any obstacle, for that matter! Sometimes I just want to show her these videos to remind her that she is capable of going down the steps without help. At least she is no longer terrified feeling helpless standing on top of a step. Isabelle continues to improve on going down these small steps with our helpful hand. Just goes to show that letting them figure things out on their own is sometimes the only way for them to learn and hopefully I won't cringe too much in anticipating disasters.

Giddy-Up, Zebra

After visiting a friend in VA who had this zebra and seeing how much Isabelle enjoyed it even then when she was much smaller, I was thrilled to find it at a consignment store this fall. I finally got her room rearranged and found a place to put the zebra in there. She does pretty well when someone sets her on it. She originally just rocked but she now also spins. Maybe the actual jumping will come as she gets taller.

It was rather impressive how she was able to dismount so gracefully even though she was still a little short when this first video was taken a month ago.

These more recent videos show her also spinning and another dismount. Isabelle isn't always confident in her ability to dismount so again pretty impressive. It will also be nice when she can mount herself on the zebra too.

Another great purchase made to help Isabelle get some energy out.

Playing Mommy

Isabelle has started to really take to her dolls and stuff animals. I guess she has picked up on some of my motherly tasks too. On this particular day she carried her cabbage patch doll, Erika, all over including the window to see the puppy. She also was nice enough to feed her and entertain her with music.

Ok, so Isabelle did accidentally drop Erika but every baby falls at some point. She was just preparing Erika for the real world.

Sleeping Angel

Every night before I go to sleep, I slip into Isabelle's room to cover her with a blanket and turn off the light. One night I found her asleep in this position where she looked like an angel with her arms up like that.
I managed to take this picture without waking her up and now can share a picture of our sleeping angel.

More Outside Fun

With quite a few days of nice weather, Isabelle got to experience outside even more. She continues to adjust to the elements: walking on the grass, touching the grass, and getting dirty. In these pictures, she is easily amused by the neighbor boy who purposely performs for her. Looking closely at the other two pictures show her dirty face especially around the mouth. All this outside play has led to more baths which thankfully she is enjoying again.

Got another video that day. Isabelle was still reluctant to fall on the grass but was at least willing to pick up a piece to give to me. At the end you can see all the dirt on her hands too.

When I tell Isabelle to get her shoes, she actually gets them and gets very excited since that means she will be going outside. On nice days, we go out shortly after breakfast and again after nap for about an hour each time. It is so engraved in her personal schedule that she even gets her shoes or goes to the patio door before I mention either. Even all the pollen and sneezing as well as the gnats bugging her haven't kept her from going outside. Sometimes the gnats are so bad that they get stuck in her hair and I have to blow or pick all of them out. Feels like monkey grooming, but I don't eat them. One time it was dark and she was insisting on going outside but didn't get to. Another time it was a chilly day yet she insisted on going out. I put her jacket on, plopped her outside, and went to get my sweatshirt. When I returned she quickly retreated back inside. I guess she has adjusted to being in Florida.

We don't have any outside toys yet so Isabelle has been enjoying the beach and pool toys, mostly the buckets and balls. Either she places the balls or grass in the buckets and wonders around with them. She finally accepted sitting in the grass too.

Here's a little bucket playing, pointing at the frogs on the decorations, and cleaning up the toys. When she finds a "job" to do, she is one busy girl. Easter egg hunting this year should be fun.

Once Isabelle gets accustomed to sand, she will have a great time playing with these toys at the beach also. As much as she loves being outside, there will be many more fun outside pictures to come.

Eat, Sleep, Play, Repeat

Isabelle has started to handle her fork and spoon during meals. Just as Ariel in the Little Mermaid, I think Isabelle confused her fork for her comb. At least Isabelle then puts food on the fork and eats her food properly. Although it looks like she is just having fun playing with her food, she is learning.

On another occasion, the inevitable finally occurred. Isabelle fell asleep while eating. When I was getting her out to lay her down, she stirred a little and reached for some food. So amusing!

After nap time, we went outside to play. Isabelle had never walked on grass before. Being St Augustine grass, which is quite stiff, as well as having some what new lumpy sod made that a bit of a challenge. I love hearing her "wow, wow, wow" at many different things and seeing her point too.

When Isabelle faces something new, she often resists the consequences. She loved walking on the grass but couldn't stand falling on the grass, touching it, or getting dirty. When she did fall on her bottom, she got so upset when I wouldn't help her up since she still uses her hands to stand and they would have to touch the strange grass.

Here Isabelle points at the dog and a bird, does a little jig, and celebrates being outside.

This video showed her walking on the grass better then the other one and her excitement about being outside.

Isabelle loves being outside and continues to get better walking on the grass as well as dealing with the other consequences of being outside.

Bawling Belly Boo

These videos may look a little familiar back to the magnet videos. Just wanted to post these separately as they show other Isabelle characteristics. The first one Isabelle is upset that I won't let her have the camera so you get a little taste of her tantrums. She quickly recovers from that and tries to play peek-a-boo with her shirt. She had done that before with her dresses which are quite easier to do. Isabelle often shows her belly and sometimes even finds mommy's or daddy's. When playing peek-a-boo with her hands, they only get as far as covering her mouth.

This video you can hear her say "dere it is" which she often says when revealing hidden things or herself.

Already she plays these simple games and continues to learn everyday.

Playing with daddy

This dinosaur was a steal I found at a consignment store last fall for half price. Isabelle got it for Christmas. I thought it was so cute that Isabelle and daddy were playing together.

She does well with the balls but as you see, sometimes she pushes the buttons that the balls usually hit upon entry just so she can hear the sounds. Isabelle quickly figured out how it really works.

Valentines Day

Thought this video was appropriate for this Valentines post though it was not taken that day. This is a doll she got from Grandma 'Dene for Christmas. Thankfully the voice box is removable and sometimes is removed for personal sanity.

Valentines Day morning daddy sent Isabelle in the bedroom with cards from both of them for mommy. Later that day some flowers were delivered in a Hershey's Kisses vase that I found ironic since I asked for no candy. When Jon got home, however, he said they were the incorrect arrangement. The florist exchanged them for the right ones that evening. To my delight, I definitely liked the correct arrangement better. Isabelle enjoyed the flowers as well. She often pointed at them and said her version of "oh pretty". Near the end of the roses looking nice, I put the bouquet on the floor for her to look at it more closely. Isabelle and I would enjoy more flowers to come.

"Aunt 'Lysha, see?"

Aunt Alysha came one Friday to watch Isabelle while Jon and I went to a fun adult church activity. I dipped a variety of items into chocolate at Peterbrookes Chocolatier with the ladies while Jon enjoyed drinks with the guys next door. Then the ladies joined the guys for pizza. We all had a great time. Meanwhile Aunt Alysha was being an awesome babysitter and even got Isabelle to sleep before we came home. This is worth mentioning since at that time it was very difficult to get Isabelle to sleep at night.

Aunt Alysha stayed the night and then went to the zoo with Isabelle and I the next day. Of course, we spent a long time at the giraffes. The pictures below from top left across show the females eating, the male telling them to move, and the females dispersing. Found that amusing. The bottom pictures show the cute baby giraffe. I especially like the one where the baby kisses mommy.

I think the giraffes are a favorite since Isabelle can very easily get down and watch the giraffes. Below are some fun Isabelle facial expressions while watching the giraffes and showing Aunt Alysha.

Another favorite is the giant anteater all shown on the left. Isabelle looked at me as if asking "where is he?" in the first picture. Then he came around, you can see his nose in the next picture followed by his tail. What a great exhibit, so up close!

Aunt Alysha had Isabelle pose for the gorilla picture with some hesitation but then she proceeded to check him out closer afterward. The other up close exhibit with the tapir was neat until it sprayed the glass. Also got a decent shot of the ostrich this time.

When we got to the squirrel monkeys, Aunt Alysha and Isabelle decided to monkey around too. Isabelle chased Aunt Alysha around the tree for a long time giggling and having fun.

At the end of the day, Isabelle showed little sign of being tired and was pushing her own stroller. If only I could have ridden. She likes to push her stroller but occasionally needs some steering guidance.

Here is a short clip of her pushing by herself.

All around a fun weekend. Thanks Aunt Alysha for watching Isabelle, putting her to sleep, and enjoying the zoo with us!

Dog watching

Isabelle loves looking out our dining room window. It is the perfect height for her too although in the bottom picture you see her on tippy toes I think in excitement.

For now she can occasionally see a dalmatian when it is outside. Pretty sure once the house behind that yard is purchased there will be a fence installed.Throughout the day, Isabelle goes over to the window barking and looks for that puppy.

Babysat

Isabelle went to Serena's, our church friend, while Jon and I went to revise our will. It was way past time to get Isabelle included in them. Isabelle really enjoyed their yellow lab except the big slobbery kisses and tail whapping. They also had a fun riding airplane she pushed around. The little time Isabelle got to play with Serena's kids, Dawson and Olivia, when they were picked up at school was enjoyed by all of them. We are so thankful to have friends who will watch Isabelle for us.

Isabelle gets a slobbery kiss.

Hi, hi, hi

Isabelle gets pretty excited when someone comes in the door and repeatedly says "hi". She has the same response any time she hears any door in the house close. Here she meets daddy for a hug.

Cheese Please

Any time Jon or I are in the kitchen, Isabelle thinks it is snack time. Cheese tends to be the easy snack pleaser. She walks around with a piece in each hand and gobbles them right up. Any crumbs are quickly snatched up too. I was also glad to catch her humming, showing her belly, and waving goodbye. First time I had ever seen her gag while eating it though. At least I know those reflexes work well.

More Presents!

Have I mentioned that Isabelle is spoiled? She got a special delivery from my friend, EmLee, who helped deliver Isabelle, and family. First of all, Isabelle was happy to see the Scooby-Doo wrapping paper as was daddy I think. The top package was for mommy and daddy to encourage us to someday have a candlelit dinner. The next package contained cute plaid overalls dress and pink dress with flowers that she will wear soon. They are still a little big but Isabelle is outgrowing her 12 month clothes. Best of all was the Cabbage Patch Kids Surprise Newborn with a birth date of December 19. I was glad to reveal that it is a girl. Though her official name is Norah Erika, I think she will be referred to as Erika.

Isabelle took her responsibility as a parent to heart immediately with helping to dress Erika and then feed her the bottle. Though Isabelle did need to sample the bottle herself occasionally. Erika has similar features to Isabelle except for green eyes instead. She sure smells pretty too. I recall having my own Cabbage Patch doll and am glad Isabelle now has one of her own.