My Momma is a slacker!

It's a busy month for me!!

A lot has happened over the last several weeks and all of my friends and family may have heard my good news through the grapevine but I want to share it here too.

First - I am walking now and lovin' it.

I started walking toward the end of July taking baby steps but have since perfected my moves and now I am a walking fool. My mom thinks it's so cute that I show off my Frankenstein moves as I amble forward. Keep in mind I only walk when I want to not when asked. A girl has to have some standards.

Two - Teeth that is. I am still growing my two top front teeth. It has been months and months and months....we have been waiting a long time for those two teeth to come in. They keep coming up and going back but they are finally ALMOST through the skin (but not quite).

Three - The most exciting news is that my parents sold our house and bought me a new one. Actually truth be told mom was off having a great time with Aunt Robyn and Bubbe in the Bahamas and Dad and I sold our house. I helped clean while Dad did the talking. Mom did all the negotiating once she got home but Dad and I made it happen. My cutely decorated room sealed the deal.

That pretty much brings you all up to this week.

My grandpa Jay was supposed to arrive tomorrow for Aunt Robyn's wedding but he could hardly wait to see Carter and me so he jumped in his car and started to drive WAY before he had planned. Mom said he will be here late tonight so we won't get to see him until tomorrow night probably. Aunt Robyn and Uncle Jason's wedding is this weekend and we are all so excited for it to get here. I have been practicing flashing my two toofies for the camera and I am so excited to wear my pretty party dress Aunt Robyn bought me and my pink sparkly shoes my mommy bought me. Aunt Caroline and Aunt Suzanne arrive in later this week and I have all kinds of cousins, aunts and uncles arriving soon. I am going to stay with Nana and Papa after the wedding. I am sure they have something fun planned.

Bright and early on Monday morning after every one of the wedding guests is gone and Uncle Jason and Aunt Robyn have long boarded the airplane for Hawaii, mommy and Bubbe are going to finish packing my house up to move. On Wednesday morning after they have taken me to school the movers are going to pack the truck up with all of our stuff and move it to our new house. My dog Louie, my mom, dad and I are going to move in with Bubbe and Zayde for a little while. On Thursday mom and dad close on our current house and on Friday mom and dad close on our new house. Then it's to work Dad goes scraping off all of the wallpaper. Mom wants paint on the walls and no wallpaper. Dad is going to take off the whole next week to make my new house pretty. I can't wait for my new room, it is huge. Mom and Dad keep talking about how excited Louie will be when he sees our new four season room. He can look outside all day long. Mom is excited about our living room/dining room and Dad loves the huge garden and yard. Dad even promised Papa lots of rhubarb for pies next year.

It's been an exciting few weeks and the next few weeks are shaping up to be pretty exciting as well. We can't wait for all of you to come visit us at our new house!!!

Lots of love,

Izzie

Taking care of Bizness

Woooweeee it's getting warm here in the middle of the state and it's been raining, raining, raining here! We actually have had several dry days where the humidity has been pretty nasty but I have been outside playing and having a grand old time.

When I last wrote in my journal it was my birthday. My parents took me out to eat for a delicious BBQ dinner in the town where my mom grew up. Aunt Robyn, Uncle Jason, Uncle Aaron, Aunt Laura and Carter met us for dinner too. Carter and I had a great time sitting next to each other causing trouble. When they came at the end of the meal to sing Happy Birthday to me I was a little scared and wasn't sure what to make of all those people. I had a fun birthday and I slept really well that night. My dad's birthday was the next day and for his birthday we went and had my pictures taken. Mom and dad think they turned out really well and were so happy with what a good girl I was. I slept on the ride back home because I was so tired from being cute. Mom wanted to take Dad out for dinner but I wanted to remind my parents who was in charge now and so we stayed home and I went to bed. My parents enjoyed a frozen pizza while I slept.

That Sunday was Father's Day and I celebrated Father's Day with ALL the guys in my life. I had breakfast with some of my uncle's and my Grandpa Al, my Uncle Aaron stopped by briefly, and I had dinner with my Zayde. I gave my Dad a really nice card and a gift card so he can go buy the camera that he wants. My brother Louie and I pooled our non-existent allowance together to pay for all the gifts. My Dad takes really good care of me and I love him a lot.

By the time Sunday night hit I was exhausted from everything over that last week my parents anniversary was the next day the 16th of June and I could not handle one more party. Bubbe and Zayde wanted to do something small at their house for my birthday, Carter's birthday, Daddy's birthday and Mom and Dad's anniversary but I couldn't keep my eyes open. Right in mid-bite my head flopped over and I fell asleep. That was the end of my partying for the evening.

Just six short days after I turned 1 year old my favorite cousin Carter turned 1 year old too. We had fun on his actual birthday swimming in the afternoon. Mom and Aunt Laura let Carter and I splash around the pool. We caused all kinds of trouble and it was so much fun. Grandma Kathy and Grandpa David (Carter's grandparents & my adopted grandparents) were at the pool too with Carter's cousin Brady. Grandma Kathy took lots of pictures of us and I told her she could come play dress up and purses anytime she wants with me (she only has grandsons). That night we celebrated with immediate family with a pizza party. Then on Saturday Carter had a big bash for his birthday at Aunt Sarah's house. It was so much fun AND Aunt Sarah and her boys even bought me my VERY OWN purse.

That brings me to the title of this entry. Taking care of bizness. That is what I do. I am very important these days you see. I am totally attached to any sort of article that resembles a purse or a bag. Sometimes I even stoop so low as to care a shoe or sandal if I can swing it over my shoulder like a satchel. This is very important work I do. With my bags, purses and satchels in hand I am able to stand and move forward just a bit. No purses...No moving forward...

If I have stuff in my hands I can stand and will do so with no support from anything but I refuse to move once I realize that all I have is crap in my hands, and then I plop down with all of my stuff dragging on my arms and crawl faster than the speed of light to get myself where I want to be. I also blow kisses, wave, blow raspberries, skwack like a bird and a number of other nifty tricks. I am growing two big teeth up top that refuse to pop through and I have perfected the temper tantrum when I want something. All equally important skills to have when you are a girl.

The thing my parents are fairly proud of is that I drink from a cup all by myself. Granted we took a step back in that I drink from a regular cup with a sippy lid but at least I do it all by myself. It got to the point where I was taking other kid's pacifier's, bottles and cups because I wanted to do it all myself. I do a great job of drinking by myself and I like everyone to clap for me to acknowledge that I did a good job. If you do not clap for me I clap for myself and then get your attention. Mom says she can forsee what I am like after I turn two. We could all be in for a real treat.

I hope I get a chance to see all of your this summer some time or another. I am certain I will get to see a lot of you at my Aunt Robyn's wedding which Aunt Robyn has assured me is not very far away. I believe that as my mom, my aunt and my Bubbe are feverishly doing "art" projects!

I can't wait to see you all this summer!

PS. SHOUT OUT to Aunt Caroline in Israel for a few weeks!

Happy Birthday to ME, Happy Birthday to ME

Happy Birthday dear MMMMEEEE!!!! Happy Birthday to me!!!

Today is my first birthday and boy have I had quite the week. It started last Saturday when my mom and dad threw me a fun birthday backyard bar-b-Que. All my family who could make it came to my house for hamburgers, hot dogs, salmon and all kinds of other stuff. Bubbe made me pasta salad because she knows I LOVE anything pasta. Mom is still feeding it to me almost a week later. Some of the veggies are a little hard to choke down but I still love the pasta. Before my party started mom was cutting up watermelon and she let me have my own slice. I knew exactly what to do with it. I shoved the whole thing up to my mouth and bit right in. I eat that watermelon all the way to the rind. DELICIOUS!!!!

My parents bought me a cake for my birthday party. We actually had two cakes. One cake for everyone else to eat and one cake for me. This was called the "SMASH" cake and I got it all to myself. I was a little nervous when my parents set it down in front of me. I carefully placed two fingers in the cake and then licked them off. They I did it again and again each time placing my fingers and hands a little farther in until I was able to get my whole hand through the cake without anyone saying anything. Finally when I thought nobody was looking I face planted into the cake to get the maximum amount of cake in my mouth possible. It was AWESOME. The I proceeded to rub my hair and my eyes, and that's when I started to get angry. Mom was right their to save me from my cake and she whisked me to the tub. I got all cleaned up and into a new outfit and then I got to open my presents.

I got all kinds of fun things for presents however the top highlights included: a pink cozy coupe to drive around Windsor Heights in, LOTS OF BOOKS, a purse with a cell phone for calling all of my "people", a little people doll house and the best of all was a big girl car seat. My car seat makes me so happy which makes my parents happy because I don't fight them to get in my seat.
My fun party ended with a nice snuggle from my friend Joy, she let me take a rest in her arms. If you are reading, Thanks Joy (you are very snugly).

Saturday night dad washed are carpets and cleaned up the very small amount of water we had in our basement from all of the rain. Sunday morning mom was going to make pancakes for breakfast before she and dad dropped me off at Bubbe and Zayde's so they could go to a meeting. Bubbe called before we had a chance to make pancakes and told us her basement was flooding. We went right over to Bubbe and Zayde's to help. Dad, Uncle Jason and Uncle Aaron worked until late on Sunday night cleaning up.

Yesterday I got my first hair cut. Zayde always asks if you got "ALL" you hairs cut when you go for a haircut. I actually only got my bangs cut because they were way down past my eyes. I was such a good girl and had fun making silly faces in the mirror. Daddy held me while Maggie cut my hair. I wanted to get a funky style but mom said no.

I finally recovered from my party and from the flooding and I was looking forward to today when it was my actual birthday. I took Popsicles to school with me today. Mom packed a special outfit for me because I am sort of messy with Popsicles but I love them. Tonight we are going to Hi.ckory P.ark in A.mes for dinner. Mom and Dad always went there when they had birthdays so my parents keep talking about how if I am good I will get to have a Merry-Go-Round for dessert. I have no idea what that is but Mom and Dad are pretty excited.

Tomorrow I am going back to my favorite photographer Amy D. in N.ewton for my 1 year old pictures. We love Amy's pictures, she took my picture when I was only four days old. Mom thinks Amy takes such good pictures of me, we only hope the weather cooperates.

I have had such a full week already I am going to need a big rest to recover from this week when it is over. I hope all my friends and family are not flooded out and if you are I hope the water leaves quickly!

Dot-2-Dot

If you look at my legs and connect the dots, or you grab my arm and trace the red marks up and down it you may be able to figure out what exactly I have.

My mom picked me up from school yesterday and thought it was weird that they were doing all kinds of construction by the baby room. They put me in the baby room for the last few minutes of the day before my mom arrived. When my mom picked me up she noticed I had several big red splotches by my mouth and several on my feet and some on my legs. Immediately she called Bubbe to see what she thought. My mom thought I had Hand, Foot and Mouth disease because it is running right through daycare. Bubbe wasn't sure what it was but mom called the doctor just in case I needed to be seen. The doctor knew immediately what I had.

CHICKEN POX!!!!!

Can you believe that I have the chicken pox? Mom took pictures of me today. My case is not SUPER bad but it is bad enough. I am so crabby and not much makes me happy. Mom HAD to get some work done today so I came to work and helped Bubbe.

I am sad that I am going to miss swimming tonight and I am probably going to miss it on Saturday too. My parents call me their little fish. On Saturday at class I learned how to back float. I was just chillin' in the water. I love swim class.

On Monday night I did something that I had not done before, I took my little push cart and I took about ten steps right behind the cart. I did it all on my own with no help. I will be on my own and walking in no time.

My parents are planning my first birthday party. They said immediate family only but I may try to sneak some other friends in. Can you believe I will be one on June 12, 2008. A whole year has gone by! My parents can't believe how big I am.

I'll let you all know how I am doing in a few days. Several more pox have shown up even over the day!!! Mom will post a picture as soon as she can.

The post after the long silence

Where to begin?

I have been VERY busy that's for sure. My social secretary almost had to be fired and my Zayde even commented that it had been WAY to long since my last update. So here I am with all the information. What do you want to know?

I will start with the point in which we left off.

Just moments after my social secretary hit publish on my last bullet point post my two bottom teeth popped through. My mother thinks they are the two cutest teeth on the planet. I let her think they are cute while I use them as a secret weapon to get what I want. Those two teeth are in and they are big, and pearly white. My mom thinks I am working on a couple more on the top.

Tax season FINALLY ended but my mom and my Bubbe and Zayde still have oodles of work to do. My parents can't wait until the work is done because they want to spend more time with me doing fun things.

On April 12, 2008 my new cousin Mason made his appearance. He arrived not a moment too soon on my ten month birthday. I can't wait to meet him. My parents said they would take me for a visit to MN to visit him sometime soon. Though they will be moving shortly and I hope we will be too.

That brings me to the next fun fact. My parents are getting our house ready to put on the market. Dad thinks we need more space and mom doesn't care one way or the other. I have been trying to be helpful in my own room by standing up and pulling ALL of the books off my shelves. I laugh when I do it but mom doesn't seem to think it is quite as amusing as I do. I have a favorite book that I am always looking for when I pull my books off the shelf. The book is called "Baby Cakes" and I got it as a gift through a book exchange. I love that book and my parents read it to me every night before I go to sleep.

I could be close to walking but I will never tell. If you push a toy along I will walk forward but otherwise I just move side to side.

My cousin Carter and I got to share the first night of Passover together. Their were a few other kids their and mom and dad helped me look for the afikomen. I found the afikomen and Zayde gave me two shiny gold dollars. Dad put those in my piggy bank for me for someday when I really need them. I had a lot of fun tasting all the new things. I love carrots in brisket juice and the carrots from the matzoh ball soup too. Matter of fact I don't mind matzoh balls either.

Mom, Uncle Aaron, Aunt Laura, Carter and I went and made a special surprise for Bubbe, Bubbe Bubbe and my Nana right before Mother's Day. We went and had our pictures taken together. The pictures turned out really well everyone said but I couldn't keep still during the pictures. Mom said Carter sat there like a good boy while I was all busy, busy, busy checking everything out. Mom was beet red and sweating by the time the photo session was over. I was on the move.

Speaking of Mother's Day, Dad and I did several very special things for mom. First we went shopping a whole week before Mother's Day. We tried to be very sneaky and shop while mom was off helping with crap for Aunt Robyn's wedding. We did lots of shopping and I was exhaustedd when we got home and slept for hours. It was probably a good thing as dad had sworn me to secrecy. It was a long week but on Mother's Day, dad and I let mom sleep for a little while and we played downstairs. Then when mom came downstairs we let her open all her cards and gift's. Mom loved them all but most especially the gift certificate to the pottery place so mom and I can paint something together. At daycare they had an activity where they made a really cool tile out of my foot print from the pottery place.

I got to spend time with both my Bubbe and my Nana for Mother's Day and I gave them my pretty pictures as gifts. We also went and looked at a really fun new house on Mother's Day. Mom and Dad were going to put in an offer but Dad wants to sell our house first. Hopefully we will have a new house this summer.

Last night I started swim class. Mom and Dad want to get me all ready for the pool this summer. As soon as mom and I got in the water I was so excited. My arms and legs were going and I was so happy to be playing in the water. Their were lots of other kids and babies there and we were in a circle. I was trying so hard to be quiet but it was way to hard. It was dead silent in the indoor pool and the instructor was talking, I carefully rested my mouth on my mom's wet arm and blew the biggest tootie noise I could on my mom's arm. Mom was so embarrassing but I just roared with laughter. Everyone else was laughing too. Mom called me the class clown. I was just having a good time. Dad arrived a few minutes into class and took pictures and video like all the other daddy's. I can't wait for Saturday when the next class is. Mom told Aunt Robyn she could come with us if she wanted to. That will be even more fun.

I have done so many amazing things since my last update it is hard to believe. Mom keeps telling me she can't believe that I am almost a year old. They are going to have a big party for me and everyone should come. I love friends and family!

Bullet Point Post

No time to blather on about what I have been up to. I have been reduced to bullet points!

* I turned 9 months old, my mom turned a bigger number the same day

* I crawl faster than the speed of light

* I can crawl over things and under things, including climbing through bookcases at Daycare!

* I crawl as fast as I can in the morning when my mom drops me off and drag myself by her pant legs

* I know how to stand and I love to do it

* I have learned to eat all kinds of yummy food

* I don't mind cake but I love YOGURT

* I will try anything

* I love my blankie more than almost anything in the world (my parents included)

* I smile and laugh when you say "MY BLANKIE", then I get angry and grab for it feverishly

* I chatter a lot

* If you call me I will try to carry on a deep conversation with you

* That or I will heavy breathe into the phone

* I love my dog and think it is so much fun to pull myself up by grabbing his hair

* I take a few bites of my food and then lower my hand for my brother Louie to finish what I started

* I still have no teeth but my parents think they might be coming soon

* I love to laugh and smile and show all my gums when doing so

* I am so impressed with myself that I clap and wave when I think I have done something right

* I wish tax season was over so I could spend more time with my mom!!!

TAP....TAP...TAP...

Is this thing on?

I know, I know...another long absence. My friends are all going to abandon me I keep telling my parents. Parents just don't listen.
I have been sick for over seven weeks with the crud. My mom took me yesterday to ANOTHER doctor's appointment knowing full well that I had an ear infection. They started me on my ear drops that we had at home on Friday. By yesterday my ears were doing better but I was still hacking up a lung. My mom told me I shouldn't tell you guys but I can blow some wicked good snot bubbles. Anyone want to try and challenge me???

After yesterday's visit to the doc it was determined that I have a full blown sinus infection. It only took several trips to the doctor, nebulizer treatments and all kinds of homeopathic remedies to figure this out. I am back on my antibiotics from the good ole' days (before my tubes and cleft surgery). Ten days of strong antibiotics and I should be good. I have my nine month check-up on Friday. I know, can you believe I am going to be nine months old?? I am such a big girl.

I do some truly cool tricks. My parents barrel in laughter as I crawl with one leg and try to stand up as I go so I can go faster. I try to skip a step to see if I can make this belly dragging any faster. My parents really think I will be walking in no time. We'll see about that. I will do things when I want to NOT when they want me to. I wave to just about anyone however I really prefer my mother. I want you all to know that I will go to you and you can hold me but I don't have to smile about it. I do have a charming smile if I do say so myself. No teeth yet.

My parents have been packing up some of my baby stuff to pass on to my new cousin that will be born sometime very soon. I can't wait for him to arrive so I can go see him. Plus my parents want to clean up our house so they can buy me a bigger house for all my treasures. A girl has to have room for all her clothes. A clothes horse just like my mother.

Speaking of my mother I don't see much of her. The two of us usually spend quality time eating yogurt and fruit for breakfast and then it is off to daycare. We don't get to spend much time together unless dad has a haircut during the week or dad brings me by the office for a surprise visit. I still get to play with mom on Sunday and she keep promising that it will only be for six more weeks. Mom and I are starting an exercise regimen once tax season is over. She even promised my furry brother trips on his lease.

My furry brother Louie is my new best friend. I let him drink out of my cup of formula when I drink formula, I give him my sticky hands to lick, I drop tasty morsels so he can share in my treats and I let him give me lots of kisses. In return I pull his ears and try to make "nice doggy" with him but he only take a little love from me before he tries to move on. I absolutely LOVE his dog bones and I crawl after them at every chance I get. Mom and dad have figured out my sneak attack on the dog bones and on more than one occasion have found me open mouth with a big dog bone hanging out. I love the flavor of that dry, white grit.

Daycare is going well. It would be better if my mom would stay with me when she takes me to daycare. I get pretty upset when I see her leave but I love my teacher Pam and she loves me. I have all kinds of friends at school. I do all kinds of cool tricks there too. I figure that if my parents take me and leave me there than I can do tricks for the people at school that I don't have to do at home. Maybe if they are lucky I will do them at home for them.

Right now it's just me and dad. Dad and I don't follow mom's rules. We do what we want. Mom says as long as I am alive in six weeks she doesn't have much control over what happens as night. Dad has been able to get me asleep before mom gets home. Mom doesn't know it but I lay really quiet when she gets home so she doesn't know our secret. Dad runs and puts me in my crib just as mom is walking in the door. Good secret I know!!!

Well I hope I get to visit some of you soon. My wants to take some road trips after tax season and I always like visitors. I promise it won't take me a month to let you all know how I am doing. I will talk to you all soon.

The long overdue post

My parent's have done the unthinkable...


Last Monday my mother dropped me off at a place in a room with other alien life form. I refer to these little life forms as "Snot nose belly draggers" (OK maybe I don't call them that but my mom certainly does). I am in the "crawler" room. I was generally happy to be around these other little things like me. They all squeal and carry on like I do. I was put in a room with a few other kids and I thought the world was good. Day 1 was perfect. I heard mom telling dad last Monday night that she got of the daycare without crying and the world was good. Mom told dad that the office just wasn't the same without me and the silence of the office was deafening. Mom only called daycare once on Monday and she and Bubbe stopped by to watch me on the big screen in the lobby while I took a nap in my daycare room. Monday evening I ate and slept just like a good little baby.


Day 2

Hmmm...how do I put this...

Day 2 didn't go quite as well as Day 1. Mom didn't hear from daycare all day on Tuesday. The office was busy and though she and dad thought a lot about me mom only called once in the morning. On Tuesday evening as she was wrapping up work and driving to daycare she went to call dad on her cell phone and she noticed she had a voicemail waiting to be heard. She quickly listened to the VM and heard that it was daycare and they were URGENTLY trying to get a hold of her. This made mom sad, one in that she knew that in a few seconds she would be at daycare to see what was up but more that she hadn't heard from them all day and now she saw she had an urgent voicemail from them. The second reason why this made mom sad was that before they sent me to school (daycare) they literally had to fill out 27 forms with contact information, emergency numbers and so on. The only call all day that mom saw was one call from daycare on her cell phone. When mom got to daycare and talked not to my teacher but to another teacher who was watching me she told mom that I would not eat all day AND that they tried to get a hold of her eight times. This had to be a lie because I know if they would have called the office, Bubbe, Zayde or my buddy Diana would have come to save me. But no one came and no one answered the daycare according to them. Mom picked up my stuff had words with the director and walked out, making it clear that tomorrow better be a better day. The staff understood that they had made a mistake and mom and dad took me out for some soup.

While out for dinner mom fed me my peaches and cereal and gave me a little milk. I slurped down all my food because I was starving. Mom and Dad were pretty stupid in that they only had my daycare bag and a few diapers and wipes in the car but did not have my regular diaper bag. They thought for sure they would be OK because mom had my food in her purse and if I needed a diaper change they could run out to the car. I had maybe had my peaches in my tummy for a little under three minutes when I threw them up ALL OVER the table, my chair and mom and dad. Some lady with kids felt sorry for my stupid mom and dad and gave them a stack of wet wipes. My parents have sworn that they will not travel without my regular diaper bag in the car again.

Day 3

Being as I had throw up at Mexican the night before and I had thrown up a few more times that evening, mom thought she should keep me home from school. We called the doctor to see if I what the course of action should be. The doctor's office told mom to expect a few days of puking and then two or so weeks of diarrhea. Oh boy was mom excited about that. I learned to eat fruit juice pops and boy they sure are my new favorite thing. If I could live on them I would.

Day 4
Mom sent me back to school with specific instructions about what I could and could not have. I did a little better but late in the afternoon they called mom to pick me up. My days at school last week were sort of up and down.

Over the weekend I started with a pretty nasty cold and it has only gotten worse. I have been so grouchy and I certainly don't want to charm anyone. I have managed to give out a few smiles but I am still not eating and I continue to throw up lots of things. Bubbe made me some special juice that I get at school.

On Sunday my great Aunt Doreen and great Uncle Mark came to visit Carter and I. We had a fun time eating pizza with them and we were glad they drove to see us. I wish we got to play with them more often. They are so much fun!!!

Yesterday at school was a little better day. At least on my "crawler gram" they told my parents I was a happy baby. I made an art project for my mom and dad. It is a small formula can covered in construction paper and then I got to paint with my hands on it. It is really cool and it has something special inside of it that makes it fun to shake. I still am not feeling very well and I am not eating very well either. I think I may have passed my sickness to my mom and dad and maybe to my Uncle Jason. Sorry Uncle Jason if I made you sick...and I hope you get better quick!!!

Free at last, Free at last...

Thank goodness I am free at last.



It has been four long weeks since my surgery. The natives were getting restless and so mom and dad let me stop wearing my arm restraints during the day last week. I still had to wear them at night but it was a nice break not to wear them during the day. Last Thursday I was able to completely stop wearing them for good, we hope...

I turned seven months old on Saturday. Mom and Dad took me out to lunch with Aunt Laura, Uncle Aaron and Carter. We had a lot of fun and ate way to much. My belly was upset on Saturday so I didn't eat much but I had a good time anyway. We celebrated by having a slice of cheesecake in my honor.

I have a new trick. My mom and my Bubbe taught me how to wave bye-bye at people. I haven't quite perfected my skill yet but I wag my arm when you say "BYE-BYE Izzie". I am certain I can perfect this skill in no time. Last night I got to see my aunts and uncles on mom's side and I got to play with Carter. He is pretty cool because he can army crawl and he goes really fast but I can wave. Carter has three teeth and I have none. I don't think teeth are all that important anyway. My mom and dad think it's OK I have no teeth because a smile with all gums is so cute. I might even go to kindergarten with no teeth!!!

Aunt Suzanne came to visit me at Bubbe and Zayde's house last night. She came to see Aunt Robyn so that she could get measured for Aunt Robyn's wedding. Her wedding will be here before we know it and Aunt Suzanne is moving to Alabama for a new job. It was fun to play with her while she was here. She had to go back home today so she could pack for her new job. My mom and dad said maybe we would drive down and visit her after tax season.

Tomorrow we are going to see Bubbe Bubbe (Bubbe's mom) in the quad cities. I think she is feeling a little blue right now since her husband died. Mom and Bubbe are going to try and squeeze in a short trip at the outlet mall too. A girl can never have too many clothes. Mom packed up all my little clothes and some of my favorite outfits got put away because they were just too small. I am getting really big.

Speaking of getting big I start school (daycare) next Monday. Mom is getting very busy at the office and even though I am really smart apparently I take a lot of time to play with and so during tax season I am going to go to school. Mom and Dad will re-evaluate after tax season and see what they will do with me after tax season. The school mom and dad are sending me to looks like so much fun. Mom and dad will be selling their souls in order to afford it but it is one of the best schools (daycare centers) around. It is close to mom's office and offers dry cleaning, a convenience store, online web cams so they can watch me at school and several other amenities. I am sure that is why it is so expensive. In the mean time I can't wait to play with all the other kids. I'll let you all know how my first day is next week. Mom will drop me off and dad and I are on our own in the evenings. I think it will be a long 10 weeks for dad during tax season. I am going to have to get used to dad's lullabies when I go to bed. I am trying to pack in all the work I can at mom's office in the next week so I don't miss anything before I start school!!!

Until I perfect my wave I will send you all a wag of my arm and a smile.

Prunes, Prunes the poopie fruit

I know, I know, I shouldn't be talking about my bathroom habits but I am so happy to be back on baby food I can hardly stand it.

I LOVE ME SOME STAGE 1 FOOD!!!!

Last Friday Mom and Dad took me to see Dr. F. and check out my mouth. I was so tired of wearing those stupid arm thingy-s and I wanted to be set free. No such luck at the appointment. Dr. F. told us that I look really good and my mouth looked great. I tried to charm him by flashing my gummy grin so I wouldn't have to wear the arm restraints any more but it didn't work. I was told that I had to wear them two more weeks. Mom kept saying that it would be fine and Dad was surprised that we could just stop using them after two weeks without another visit to see Dr. F. I will be free in five days!!!

The biggest thing that happened at my appointment last Friday is that I was able to start back on my food. I love all of it. Ok I am not super happy about the peas but I love everything else. I eat prunes like they are going out of style and my mom learned an important lesson about giving me prunes at every meal. The end result was NOT a pretty picture and Bubbe helped Mom clean up the mess. She made all my clothes sparkly white again. Mom by the way has invested in Ox..yClean stock. She thinks that is the wonder potion. When I started back on my baby food my parents also opened up my new highchair. I love to sit in it and play while my parents have dinner.

I am learning to do all kinds of things. I continue to try and get out of my arm restraints at all costs though my parents don't keep me in them much, only when I sleep or mom needs to get work done.

I had an exciting New Year's Eve. I went to a party and got to play with all kinds of fun people including my Aunt Robyn, Uncle Jason, Uncle Aaron, Aunt Laura and cousin Carter. Around nine o'clock I was getting really sleepy and mom tried to get me to go to sleep but the escape artist that I am I got myself out of my restraints and started screaming. By eleven thirty or so mom and dad had had enough and they took me home. I fell asleep the second they closed my polar bear cover. I slept all night and I was so tired. Dad watched TV and mom promptly fell asleep. She is ashamed to say she didn't even see midnight. Maybe next year I'll be awake and happy for the big event. I have high hopes for 2008, walking....talking...and showing my charm.

I hope you all have a very HAPPY, HEALTHY 2008!!!!

Love to all my fans:)

Izzie