My Trip to the Dells

My mom and dad took me on a trip to the Wisconsin Dells.

We had a lot of fun. We stayed at a big resort with lots of water parks called The Wilderness. We got to share a room with Uncle Aaron, Aunt Laura and Carter.

Our trip started out bright and early on Thursday morning. Mom and dad packed up all of our gear and we headed out to Uncle Robert and Aunt Princess' house. We met up with Grandma Kathy, Grandpa David, Uncle Aaron, Aunt Laura, Carter and the Ball boys. The boys all got together and nailed down the trip route. Uncle Aaron forgot Carter's stroller and so they had to go back to there house because I sure wasn't riding with him in my stroller for my whole vacation.

We took three cars to the Dells. Mom, Dad and I went in our van, Aunt Laura and Uncle Aaron in their car and the rest in the Balls van. We had so much stuff it looked like we were moving out of our homes. We thought about opening a grocery store with all the food we brought. Mom and dad wanted to open up the back of the van at the first rest area and see what they could sell. We didn't do that but we had plenty of opportunities to. We had to stop several times so I could stretch my legs and so Carter could eat. The scenery on the way to the Dells was interesting. I slept most of the way so I was rested when we got to the Dells. Dad, Uncle Aaron and Uncle Robert had walkie talkies to play with so we could all talk to each other on the trip.

The first night we were in the Dells we went to this funny place called Moo.sejaw Pizza. They had these silly cars with a Moose on top of them. The pizza was pretty good and I slept well because it was noisy.

The next day we played at the water parks a lot. There were lots of fun things to do but I wasn't quite big enough to play in the water. I got a lot of good naps in at the Wilderness. Grandma Kathy and Grandpa David held me lots and played with Carter and I. I had a couple of special visitors on Friday. Mom's friend Rosie and her mom Fran came up to see me and Carter. They got us some really nice gifts and it was fun to play with them. Rosie swam with mom and dad while Fran went to Ho-Chunk to gamble. I hope she won lots of money.

We all did a lot of swimming while we were at the Wilderness. They boys got to play together tons and I think everyone had fun together. I especially enjoyed bedtime when Aunt Laura put on Carter's womb bear. It made nice sounds and even made mom and dad really tired.

Here's a picture of me in my swimming suit and cover-up. Mom didn't want me to get burned on our vacation. I was trying to have a conversation with Carter when someone snapped this picture of me. Our vacation was lots of fun and I hope next year we get to go again so I can actually play in the water.

We left Wisconsin Dells yesterday after a trip through the rest of the city. Mom and Dad want to come back next year and see some of the other things in the area. It's very tourist-y mom said but it looks like we will be able to have lots of fun there in the future.

The ride home was really long and I was sure that we were never going to get home. We had yummy ribs on the way home at Hickory P@rk. I finally arrived home to my bed around ten o'clock I think. I was happy to be home but didn't want to go to sleep. My parents were praying that I would go to bed but every time I would shut my eyes for a few minutes I would wake myself up. Little did they know I was dreaming of the great big water slide that they made mom get on. I was scared for her and every time I went to sleep the thought of it woke me up. I hope next year to go on some of the baby slides.

I can't wait to go again next year!!

We are going to the Wilderness

Our weekend was so much fun. I had lots of company and I think I got to spend time with everyone who came to see me.

We went to dinner with Great Aunt Doreen and Aunt Caroline on Friday night. They had Italian and I had a bottle. It was pretty good. My cousin Carter was there. He got sad right before dinner came so he got to go outside with Uncle Aaron. My mommy tried to help but Carter was really sad. He got a little better toward the end of the meal but they still had to leave a little early.

On Saturday my Bubbe's friends had a party for Carter and I. It was lots of fun. The noise in the party room was at a roar, just the way I like it. Perfect for a nice long nap. I was a good baby throughout the whole shower. My mom let my Aunt's Cari and Catie hold me first. Aunt Catie had been waiting a long time to hold me. Some people at my party were baby hogs and they didn't want to pass me around but mommy came and told people to take turns. I got a lot of really nice presents. I love my new stroller and my swing. I like to look at myself in my swing mirror as I glide past the birds and leaves that hang from above me. I got lots of really good books at my party too. My mom and dad have been reading to me. I love books and apparently so does my big brother Fred. He ate my Brown Bear, Brown Bear book that my mom bought me.

On Saturday night I spent time with my cousins Abbi and Mollie. My other cousin Ashley was already asleep. I had to stay up really late so everyone could hold me. Aunt Cari even got to feed me and she did such a good job. I didn't barf on her like I did on my Aunt Robyn last Friday. Sorry Aunt Robyn about that, I guess I need a new party trick.

On Sunday I went to breakfast with my whole family. Aunt Caroline and Great Aunt Doreen had to drive back to Chicago but not before taking LOTS of pictures of me and of Carter too. My dad promised to send the pictures to Aunt Caroline but we have been to busy packing for our trip.

Tomorrow we are going on a long drive to the Wisconsin Dells. We are going with lots of people and I hope we have lots of fun. I want to learn how to swim in the pool. My mom hopes I am good in the car. I don't know how it is possible for me to be bad when she has packed enough gear for ten armies to travel. My mom is crazy! We are sharing a room with Carter. I hope he cries a lot so I get a good night sleep. I like a lot of noise.

I am going to go take a nap. I hope all my aunts, uncles, cousins, bubbe, zayde, nana, papa and all my friends are having a good week.

Lots of Excitement

We have all kinds of exciting things going on in my life right now.
I already told you that a few of my aunts that I don't get to see very often will be in town for my party this weekend. My Aunt Catie will be here from Minnesota and my Aunt Caroline and GREAT Aunt Doreen will be here from Chicago. I am looking forward to spending time with them.

Yesterday my daddy got a new job. Mom and I are so excited for him because he will be working out west and will be making more money to pay for diapers and formula. I'm expensive. We went out for dinner last night at a fancy place. The food looked really good but I just had formula. Aunt Aaron, Aunt Laura and Carter helped us celebrate.

Later last night I overheard my dad tell my mom that my Aunt Robyn might be calling later. When my mom pressed him he said that he had helped Uncle Jason with a plan. We knew right away that Uncle Jason was going to propose. I waited and waited for Aunt Robyn to call but she didn't and finally I got so tired around six o'clock this morning I fell asleep. My parents were really happy that I fell asleep so they went to bed too. My Aunt Robyn called us at 6:15 this morning to tell all of us that she and Uncle Jason were engaged. Mom was really excited but probably wasn't to enthusiastic on the phone because she was so tired. I can't wait until Uncle Jason and Aunt Robyn get married. Mom got together some planning stuff for Aunt Robyn and put it in a pretty bag for her!

I am still eating well, I gobble down my food. I finally stopped throwing up for the most part. I think I might be figuring out how to eat out of my new bottles. I just get so excited that I forget to breathe. Mom and dad are helping me learn how to eat with my special bottles.

Tonight dad and I are going to have an evening alone. Mom and Bubbe are going to a cooking class and dad is going to pick me up at the kitchen store so we can have a night out on the town. I'm not sure what dad has planned but I think it may involve burping and farting. Don't tell mom she would be sad.

I'll let you all know next week how my party goes on Saturday.

My Fat Formula

Today my mom and I went to the doctor.
The doctor drives my mom nuts with my weight. Today when we went for our weight check we were thinking heavy thoughts and we knew everyone in the family was rooting for me to be heavy.
My weight today was 8 lbs 8.5 oz!!!!!! I gained 9 ozs in a week and I don't have to go back to that stinky doctors office until my two month appointment in three weeks!

Mom and I went and got more "magic" bottles at the hospital that our favorite feeding specialist set aside for us. My parents must really love me because those bottles are as expensive as 14kt gold. Our new bottles that are working so well for me are called pigeon bottles. I am really glad my parents found them because they help me eat. Mom laughed when we picked up our supply of bottles because the packaging and all the directions are in Japanese. How are we supposed to read that, I barely know english.

I will still be on my "fat formula" until my two month doctors appointment. Mom calls it fat formula because it is supposed to help me get fat. My dad really wants to get rid of it because it makes me throw up sometimes. It is really heavy in my tummy, but it helps me win the gas blowing contests against my dad. Boy can I toot with the best of them.

Mom and I are looking forward to our shower with Aunt Laura and Carter on Saturday. I can't wait to meet everyone. Dad is going to go do boy things with Uncle Aaron and "Uncle" Robert. Uncle Robert isn't my real uncle but I love him anyway because he likes to hold me and kiss my head. He is going to go swimming with us in the Dells when mom and dad take me on vacation. Uncle Aaron, Aunt Laura, Carter, and my Aunt Princess, Uncle Robert, their boys and also Grandma Kathy and Grandpa David are all going with me to the Dells. I can't keep track of who all these people are and how I am related to all of them. I think they belong to me but so many people hold me I forget who everyone is. I remember my mom and dad.

On Saturday my furry brother Fred is going to get some boot camp training. Mom says he better shape up otherwise Fred is getting shipped out. I don't know what that means but my furry brother Louie told me we all better be on our best behavior or we are kicked out of the house. Louie says mom means business. Now that Fred is "healed" from whatever it was that was causing his accidents we know Fred is faking it. The boot camp trainer is coming early on Saturday before my party. I'll let you all know if Fred gets kicked out of the house.

I better get back to work. Bubbe says I need to work hard and these last few weeks I have been working hard on eating, I guess I better learn a new trick.

Yep, I have been slacking a bit at getting my blog updated. Dad and mom have been busy running me here and there.

Tuesday I went to the doctor again to check my weight. I was 7 pounds 15.5 ounces. Evidently I have to go back again this Tuesday to check yet again. My mommy went to the hospital to get some parts for my special bottles that I use, and met with a feeding specialist. Boy an I glad that she did. We got a bunch of tips and tricks and she even got us a special bottle that works MUCH MUCH better. Mom and Dad used to take 1 1/2 to 2 hours to try and get 2 - 3 ounces down me. I would be so tired that I wouldn't eat so well. This new bottle is so much easier for me. It took some training, but both Mom and Dad can get me fed a lot easier and quicker. I can plow through 3-4 ounces in 30 -45 minutes.

Saturday I got to go to my first Farmer's Market downtown. It was fantastic. My mommy found some very cute bows that will actually stay in my hair really well. She took a look at how they were constructed and went out and bought supplies to make them herself as well. My mommy is soooo smart.

Sunday, my cousin Carter (pictured left) had a baby dedication at his grandma's church. Afterwards we all went back to Carter's grandparent's house and hung out. They had lots to eat and everyone got to hold me and say how cute I am.

Sunday night, Mom and Dad had to go to some leadership meeting, and I got to spend the evening at Bubbie and Zadie's house. I cannot talk about what happened there, because what happens at Bubbie and Zadie's, stays at Bubbie and Zadie's.

Hopefully I will have gained some weight tomorrow. I am thinking heavy thoughts.........

Nap Time

So here is what nap time looks like sometimes at our house. Mom is the photographer, and my two dogs are cashed out on the bed with me. They are the bestest furry brothers!

On Tuesday the 3rd I headed to the doctor for a quick weigh-in and I have gained 6 ounces. Currently I am sitting around 7 pounds 12 ounces. Mom and Dad have been mixing my formula rich to promote weight gain. We have another weigh-in tomorrow, so we are hoping for continued weight gain.

This weekend I slept in with Mom on Saturday while Dad did some chores around the house. He mowed my yard and did some work on the gutters as well. Afterwards, Dad headed out to watch some movie called "Transformers" on Saturday with Aaron and Robert (Carter's Uncle). Mom and I went to Sarah (Carter's Aunt) house and met Laura and Carter there. We hung out and did girl stuff.

Sunday I got to go to Dad's favorite store: Home Depot!!! Mom kept saying something about it being a record, because we were in and out in less than 20 minutes. Dad bought me a shower curtain rod to replace the glass doors in the bathroom upstairs. He says it will make it a lot easier to give me baths in the tub. I can't wait for that!

We had dinner at Bubbie and Zadie's house after the shopping. Quite an exciting evening.

Today I got to go to work with Mom. I will leave you with a picture of us working together at the office. I like to dictate as she types my emails:

Welcome to my blog

So here I am in all of my 7 pound 9 ounce glory. Let me introduce myself. I am Isadora Madeleine. I am new to blogging, so my dad and mom are helping me get things going. I want to use this blog to keep in touch with my family and let them know how things are going in my life. I am lucky to have quite a bit of family in town, but I also have some that live out of state.

A little bit about me and my family. I was born on June 12th at 5:55PM. I came with a pretty full head of hair. We were born in Iowa at the big Hospital. Both Mom and Dad were tearful as I made my grand entrance. They tell me my Mom does stuff with taxes, and my Dad does something with computers. I sleep, eat, and make Mom and Dad change my diapers. I have what is called a soft-cleft palate. It's kinda like the hole between my nasal cavity and my throat, in the soft fleshy area, never closed. Mom and Dad took me to a fantastic specialist and they said something about a surgical procedure in 9-10 months or so. Mom and Dad told me everything will be ok, so I am not going to worry about it now.

My first few weeks were pretty much a blur. Dad took off two weeks of work to spend time with Mommy and me. My parents sure are on the go! I have gotten to know my car seat pretty well, and at times I get REALLY sick of it. I spend much of my days sleeping, and often times I can sleep for 3-4 hours at a time during the night. I have had quite a few visitors, and our phone sure rings a lot! Thanks for all of the clothes, toys, and well wishes that you have sent me!

Mom and Dad got a new (well, new to them) mini-van just for me. It makes loading me up and heading out much easier. They tell me that we will be taking a trip to the Dells (wherever that is) in a few weeks. We will be going with my Uncle and his in-laws.

I hear that my Mom is going to be taking me to work with her. Dad's boss, although he thinks I am cute, said that it might be best for me to not come to work with him.

That's all I have for now. I hopefully will update this quite frequently.

Izzie