two months

after your bath, january 08

Ella...You are growing up so fast. Already I feel as though we are not as careful with you as we used to be. When we brought you home, we were afraid you would break in a million pieces if we even kissed you too hard. But now....now you are bigger and you seem more sturdy. Who knew that there was such a difference between 6 pounds and 10? At 6 pounds, you seemed to me like a hollow eggshell. I was afraid to try to put your arms in their sleeves because I thought sure they'd break. Your whole head fit inside daddy's hand. Though you are still a tiny little thing, it gives me great pleasure to have to wash inside the little fat rolls on your wrists and legs. We are still careful with you, very careful to be exact, but we are less worried about "breaking" you! We put you in bed with us in the mornings and we are speechless at the sheer length of you. Our preemie is long gone. In her place is a cooing, smiling, chubby baby girl.

Your voice! I do not mean to get so sappy...but your voice is the very sweetest thing I've ever heard. I can tell you have handfuls of laughs that are just waiting to come out. Your little mouth forms an oval and out comes a string of "oooooooooss" and bubbles, too. Your dad and I have both seen you do this many times now...but that doesn't stop us from saying, "Hurry up! Come over here! You have to see this!"
Each new morning is like meeting you for the very first time. You are new and different each day. It is so neat, for lack of a better term, to see your little personality emerging. You will look up at me, when you are just playing around instead of eating, and smile a very sly grin. You will hold that pose for a moment and then play shy and bury your head so no one can see you. I wonder what is going through your head during those times. It seems to me that your most lively and happy time is in the early morning. (Which, if you weren't a clone of your dad, would lead me to believe you were switched at birth! Your parents are the farthest thing from morning people!) I cherish my mornings with you. Your eyes are so bright and clear. You smell like a combination of sweet milk and daddy's cologne from where he holds you before he leaves for work. I look forward to the half hour or so that we spend....playing on our bed in the day's first light. Thank you, baby girl, for how my days begin now.

The craziest thing is...we keep loving you more. We would drive an outsider crazy with our constant "can you believe how great she is?" so we generally try to keep it to just the two of us. It's hard though...because our hearts are simply full to bursting. We love you so incredibly much. You have added so much to our lives and to our love.

having a nap in front of the space heater after a bath, january 08

Thursday...

baby present, january 08

I am a total sucker for pretty packaging! And I love polka dots. This one gift inspired me to go on a hunt for b/w polka dot wrapping paper. Of course, online you can only find it in a roll big enough to wrap the house in! I love ribbon, too.
Ordered some baby pictures today. I went with the color for the great room since we will have so many black and whites downstairs. Normally I always go with b&w....but this will work out well because the maternity picture (thanks, Allison & Linda) in the middle of the array is color...so color will probably flow best.
On a blue note....we are very sad that Libby had to cancel her flight in this weekend due to the flu and a fever. Tommy and I were so looking forward to your visit, Lib. We must reschedule soon. Give me another month and I might be brave enough to fly out to Chesapeake to stay with you! Anyway, we're bummed you can't be here this weekend. We will miss you.
It is supposed to be veeeery cold here this weekend. It snowed some last night...but only a dusting that quickly melted with the sunrise. Pop pop and Angie are coming in to visit....we plan to visit a winery and possibly take a tour at a local whiskey distillery. These both sound very baby friendly, no? Also, Max Lucado is speaking at church on Sunday which we are both very excited about.
Also...the nursery is CLEAN! Woooo-hooooo! It took the better part of an afternoon to accomplish... I had to take a small break when I got to the part where I was to store away the preemie clothes she came home in. So, so tiny. I will save them for aways. I ordered her baby spoon today, too. Can't wait to get it. Fun mail!!
photo via L.L. handstamped jewelery


Not that you care, but our very favorite show, Prison Break, started again this week and we missed it! We forgot to continue the tivo season pass for the show from last season and we were playing with the baby and completely missed it. Does anyone else watch it? I bet the season opener was good!

something funny

the last of the Christmas decor, december 07

The other day I took a load of darks out of the washer and started sorting them into "dryer" and "hang dry" piles. About one or two items into my sorting process, I noticed that they smelled TERRIBLE! Not the I-left-them-wet-in-the-washer-for-two-days-mildew smell...no, it was something way worse. In particular, it smelled very much like fish. Though I love hot summer days on the lake...I am not fond of fishy smells at all. I started sniffing all the garmets and they all smelled equally disgusting and fish-y. My mind was racing as to what this could possibly be?? Neither Tommy or I even eat fish (as if eating it would explain the smell? what? don't you ever put a fish stick in your coat pocket for later?) I was totally perplexed...and mad! The smell was so strong that I fully believed the entire load was ruined. And my ONLY pair of jeans that fit me, post pregnancy, were there in the fishy pile. Just as I was ready to carry a smelly shirt out into the living room for Tommy to sniff (you're welcome, babe) I saw a mysterious little purple piece of mush and immediately recognized it! AH-HAH! I had washed a prenatal vitamin that I had put in my jeans pocket to take when we went out to lunch the day before (which I clearly forgot to do.)
I can now assume that the pills are just as full of fish oil as the bottle says they are.
I'm happy to report that the whole load smelled delightful after two more washes and a generous amount of fabric softener!

ella, 1 hour old, 11-20




Which Parent Will I Be?

~Author Unknown~

"I got two A's," the small boy cried.
His voice was filled with glee.
His father very bluntly asked,
"Why didn't you get three?"

"Mom, I've got the dishes done,"
The girl called from the door.
Her mother very calmly said,
"Did you sweep the floor?"

"I've mowed the grass," the tall boy said,
"And put the mower away."
His father asked him, with a shrug,
"Did you clean off the clay?"

The children in the house next door
seem happy and content.
The same thing happened over there,
And this is how it went:

"I got two A's,"
the small boy cried,
His voice was filled with glee.
His father very proudly said,
"That's great, I'm glad you belong to me."

"Mom, I've got the dishes done,"
The girl called from the door.
Her mother smiled and softly said,
"Each day I love you more."

"I've mowed the grass," the tall boy said,
"And put the mower away."
His father answered with much joy,
"You've completely made my day."

Children deserve a little praise
For tasks they're asked to do.
If they're to lead a happy life,
So much depends on you.

me, hormonal? no!

angel face, december 07


Case in point:
This morning I got up and opened all the blinds in the whole house so we could enjoy the snowfall. After breakfast, I put Isabella in her swing..but I decided to put her in backwards (facing the other way) so she would be able to see the leaves and birds on the mobile better. (Note: this may sound dangerous, but it isn't. The swing is like a little bowl and it really doesn't differ from one end to the other.) Anyway, I turned it on and started the mobile. Within just a few minutes she was going crazy...smiling, moving her arms in wild motions, kicking her feet...I swear, at times it sounded like she was laughing! I grabbed my cell phone and snapped a picture to send to Tommy. I text him and said look at this! You wouldn't believe this! She is so cute right now. He quickly text back and said "Get the video camera and record her--I don't want to miss this!" Oh yeah, I thought! Great idea! What was I thinking! I ran to get the camera, the whole time trying to remember how to turn it on and what button is "record". Found it, got it, running back to the scene of the excitement...hurry...hurry!
I arrived just in time to find her fast asleep. No more laughing, kicking, smiling baby! She was sleeping peacefully, her pacifier moving in and out, in and out.

My tears just came out of nowhere...with no warning at all.
The show was over....and I missed the chance to document it.
I'm missing things all the time it seems....and I'm right here. Trying to be as "in the moment" as life allows. But, still, I'm missing moments and time is passing with a crazy pace.
She is bigger today than she was last night when I tucked her in.
Yesterday I put on a small variety show with me as the main character right in front of her bouncy seat....trying so hard to get a big smile or a tiny laugh....nothing. Then today--she does both and I missed the chance to preserve it. To show it to her daddy. To share it with her grandparents.
I have yet to document a single item from the past 7 weeks. And it makes me so sad. I'm forgetting. I am forgetting exactly what Tommy and I said the moment we saw her for the first time. I am forgetting all the teeny tiny moments that made up that first night we spent with her in the hospital. I am forgetting. And the irony is..if I take the time right now to record our story...I'll be missing the chapter of our story that is unfolding this minute. I'd like to do both.
Maybe I'll set aside 10 minutes each evening for this??
See, I'm not hormonal. Not at all.

Planning to post pictures of my pregnancy journal later on (for you, cousin!)

If you were going to hang it in your great room, would you choose color or black and white?

isabella, january 07, in daddy's hands

Wish us luck. We are headed out...just the two of us...to do some shopping while Tommy is at work. Who knew it would be such a process to go shopping? I used to just quick get ready...grab my purse, and go. That is not the case these days. I have to pack a crazy amount of "supplies." I almost always forget something of great importance. I seriously throw my back out trying to get the stroller in and out of the back of the truck. The mirror we bought so that we can check on her from the front seat is absolutely useless...so I practically climb in the back at every red light to make sure she is fine. I use 30+ anti-bacterial wipes to ward of all those germs that lurk on every surface, handle, etc. All in all, not a whole lot of shopping gets accomplished!
Also, I am taking her to school to meet my class. I think I will have to implement a "no touch the baby" rule for my own sanity!
ETA: Hurry on over to www.designmom.com and scroll down a few posts. She is giving away 5 Lands End Diaper bags (I think you could use them as a regular bag, too.) and all you have to do is leave a comment on the post...any comment at all! If you win one, I will need you to send it to me since I told you about it! haha

aunt libby & uncle justin

j&l, august '07

We miss you guys so much and we are so proud of you for the work you are doing.
Isabella is sending you a little treat in the mail. Be on the lookout for it.
xxoo

my work cut out for me...

I have some work to do this week...

first item on the to do list is this...

Isabella's nursery before Christmas...

And...after Christmas...

If any time remains after this job is done...
Other things I'd like to get accomplished include...
starting a baby book
cleaning floors
starting a mondo beyondo list for 08
(i did the uber list for 07 ((a list of 107 things to accomplish in the new year)) and really liked it. Hopefully the mondo beyondo list will be as good. I will post about this soon.
getting my 08 calendar set up (one of my favorite things to do)
dinner with blake and tex
take the Christmas tree and various other pieces of Christmas down...
I procrastinated with this because I was waiting for my new Sterling Pear ornament storage organizer to arrive. It is here so now I have no excuse.
(I actually won this item from a website called Design Mom..she has fabulous give aways from different companies (some for kids, some for their mommas) almost every single week. All you have to do is enter your name. It is a great website. Google 'design mom blog' and I am sure you'll find it. If not, leave me a comment and I'll try to remember to post the actual web address) Hurry on over...I think she has a give away going on right now. She has hundreds of readers -- so I can't promise that you'll win...but I enter all the ones that I like....and I finally won one...so you might too!
Clean bathrooms (sick--i hate this job!)
finish ALL birthday, baby, Christmas thank you notes!
thaw several dinners (thanks to dad and janae for getting us 24 meals from dinners by design as a baby welcome present. What a help they have been! And they are delicious, too)
Go through baby clothes to see if Ella has grown enough to wear any of them
make some plans for my sister-in-law's visit (can't wait to see you lib)
read some of my book (A Thousand Splendid Suns)
take baby for a walk if weather holds out
tidy up my car (this, I have trouble with!)
order some pictures for basement frames
etc etc etc


We had a great visit with Jack&Company. We got to have lunch at the Cheesecake Factory along with a quick visit to Janie and Jack for some baby shopping. (Jack got to throw $100 in change in the fountain while we shopped! haha)
We played C L R (fun dice game with dollars)
We watched the games.
We did some more shopping.
We just visited--which is always the best part.
Now I will have to plan a trip to Michigan for Ella and me in March to visit after baby thompson is born.
Thanks for coming guys. As always--it was a great time.

ten things i love about you...

isabella, december 07


1 the way your sweet breath smells
2 how cute you look in the sleep sack that pop pop and gramma angie got you
3 the way your lip quivers when you are sad or hungry (it's powerful...and i hope you don't plan to use it as a weapon against your dad and me for your whole life! i'm afraid we'll cave every single time.)

4 the tiny laundry you produce (i often find myself in the laundry room just marveling at the itsy-bitsy-ness of your garmets.)
5 the way you look in our dimly lit bedroom in the middle of the night (your eyes are wide open but have that sleepy look that lingers for the first few minutes of your feeding)
6 your little hands that seem to grip onto everything now
7 the way you smile in your sleep (it's always worth the wait, you never disappoint)
8 the peace and contentment that holding you gives me
9 the way your movements are still exactly like they were in my belly
10 how you are just the right mix of momma and daddy

************

We are kicking off January 08 with Chris, Allison, Jack and baby t. The guys are having fun watching a never ending string of bowl games and we girls are having fun talking, eating, and shopping. We had our little Christmas last night and I can now take the tree down. Oddly enough, I am ready to take it down this year. Could be that we put it up so early because we wanted it up and done before she arrived...or it could be that we have what seems like endless baby stuff in the great room...swings, boppies, bouncy seats, play gyms, etc. This year I will gladly store away the decor and get my furniture moved back into place. Will my tree need security guards next year? Maybe. All of the ornies might have to be placed out of the reach of Ella Grace. She already loves the lights.
Off to bed now. Looking forward to the weekend...some relaxing, some hanging out, some staying warm.

07/08

warming the bottle, december 07

We are ringing in the new year here at home.
What we're drinking...
Tommy: Miller Lite
Sara: Moet
Ella: pumped breastmilk

New Years is special to us because we got engaged on 12-31 in New York City. We were wild and crazy then...all dressed up, staying out late. Now we are content to stay home in our pajamas just 4 short years later! Rest assured though...we will be up late tonight...Isabella is quite the night owl.

I am wishy-washy about new years eve. I enjoy the thought of starting fresh...but I've never been good at change or letting go. '07 will always be a cherished year for us. A year of brand new territory for sure. We made it. She's here. And there's no one else we'd rather celebrate with tonight! We have much to thank God for.

I love this quote...
Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right. ~Oprah Winfrey

Cheers indeed!
I'm off to watch the Dick Clark Show and clink glasses (and bottle) with my dear ones.
Wishing everyone another wonderful year. Hope you are having fun this evening....however you decide to celebrate!

the holidays can make you....

....so tired!
Christmas was very merry....
and so special with a brand new baby.
We got lots of nice things
and spent some quality time with both families.
Now we are enjoying some down time...
some relaxation.

A large stack of birth announcements/Christmas cards
kept me fairly busy before Christmas.
They were a lot of work and a lot of fun.

pop-pop and gigi admiring miss ella, december 07

Christmas is almost here...
We opened the best gift we'll ever receive a month early...
She gave us her own little version of a Christmas gift last night...
something we really needed...
in fact, something we'd both been begging for...
F I V E sweet, straight hours of precious sleep.
Thank you, Isabella. Mommy and daddy really appreciate it!
We hate to be greedy..but we're asking for it again tonight.

us

-together, d.r., summer 07

today i am thankful for you, tommy. this journey that we are on...you know the one...the one where we get very little sleep but are so fully alive during all of the "moments" of the day..... this journey that can bring me to tears and bring us both to our knees in gratitude to God.... a journey that includes creative shift work, but returns a tiny unexpected smile that is worth more to us than we ever expected.... a journey that makes us both laugh out loud... a journey that smells a lot like a pee diaper but mostly like a huge blessing...
i really couldn't do it without you.
seriously.
i'm the type of person who lives with her shoulders up around her ears. to say that i'm anxious and tense would be an understatement. but you...you are my glass-half-full-gonna-be-alright guy. thanks for coming home to me (to us) each day. my shoulders drop, inch by inch, the moment i see your face. or, if i'm being honest...the moment i hear the garage door.
all my love to you.

**thanks to my step-mom (and one of my best friends) for taking the above picture of us...which is probably my favorite photograph of all time. you framed up, perfectly, the essence of "us."

thirty.

Hard to believe that I am 3 decades old now. In blog-style celebration...I will make a random thirty list...
"30"
1. I think it is amazing how being a mom can make me feel so old and so young at the same time. Last night on the way home from my birthday date with Tommy, he asked me (through his own yawns) if I wanted to go to one of our favorite places for a drink or two...after already having had a drink or two at the restaurant...I simply couldn't imagine being able to hold my eyes open through one more drink. (This, in case you didn't pick up on it, made me feel extremely OLD.) As we drove through downtown and saw all the people just on their way out--all I could think about was my pajama pants. (Again, feeling senior citizen old here!) On the other hand...I look at her sometimes and think...I am not old enough for this! I am way too young to be someone's mother! I don't have good advice to give...I hate vegetables....I often have coke with my breakfast...I can't even get myself ready to go somewhere on time...I have even forgotten to feed my dogs before. This is all proof that I am too young!
2. My parents came in for the weekend to help us celebrate and to watch Isabella while we ventured out on our very first date post-baby. It was so great to have them here...and also very great to go out with my husband. He started the day off right with my favorite...an egg souffle breakfast from Panera....in bed! And ended the day with dinner at my very favorite restaurant. We (make that I) only called home twice for an update.
3. Yikes, did I say 30 things? They are going to have to get considerably shorter.
4. Just finished an amazing book...The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. It certainly took me a lot longer than it used to to finish a book--but I did finish it and it was so very good.
5. It is getting a wee bit easier to get up for that 3am-ish feeding. Big emphasis on the wee part. Still hard, but not quite as hard. Ella and I have been watching the rodeo on ESPN during her middle-of-the-night snack. Why the rodeo? If I watch something disturbing or scary--I ruin what little sleep I have left...so the rodeo seems like a very neutral sort of thing to watch. Momma and baby are both well versed on bull riding now.
6. We are enjoying our sock advent gifts. It is such a fun thing to do. Ironically, almost more fun than actually getting the gift is the part of the note that says where to find the gift because it reminds us of good times in the past. For instance, Tommy's last note to me said to look for my gift in the very spot where I told him I was pregnant. My mind immediately flashed back to standing in the corner of the kitchen telling him the news with sweaty palms and a pounding heart.
7. Kite Runner, the movie is out! If the movie is half as good as the book...I am so excited to see it.
8. It is bitterly cold here today---but no white stuff.
9. I really need to get Ella's birth announcements out early this week. I always thought I would be the type of person who mailed them out in the first week. I clearly underestimated how sleep deprivation can squelch one's creativity.
10. I am very contradicting when it comes to Christmas gifts from Tommy. Most of me wants to say...I would really rather shop for my own gifts after Christmas so I can get things I want, etc. So just give me money or gift cards. But, this tiny immature part of my really likes the element of surprise that comes with him shopping for me.
11. I think I would like to make a family tradition of celebrating Christmas each year somewhere tropical....say, a resort in the Dominican...or Key West....or the Bahamas. Santa could stop by our place early...he could even leave a note that said "Your stockings will be filled on Christmas morning at the __________ Resort. Make sure you leave me a seashell instead of a cookie. Also, leave your balcony door cracked so I can get in (as long as you aren't on the first floor.)
12. Of the 24 hours in a day, I spend a good 7 hours putting the pacifier back in Isabella's mouth after she lets it fall out. The other 17 are spent looking for the pacifier.
14. I skipped the number between 12 and 14 because I am weird like that.
15. One of my favorite smells ever (besides the smell of my baby, of course) is Aveda products, particularly Sap Moss and Rosemary Mint. Just got some for my birthday from my sister in law. Thanks Brigit!
16. My favorite Christmas commercial this year is the Lexus one where the husband calls home to say that he can't pick the son up from practice. The wife is kind of miffed and comes out the front door to find the husband and the son in the driveway with a new Lexus and a big red bow. The husband smiles and says, "Just a little somethin'." I love it!
17. Justin and Lib sent me a Martha subscription for my birthday. I love magazines...and I love getting a subscription for a gift. It's truly the gift that keeps on giving.
18. I am LOVING the mail these days. Between baby congratulations cards, birthday cards, and Christmas cards...there is almost always something fun. As I always say, my favorite cards are those with pictures. It is especially fun to receive cards with photographs that I took!
19. Chris, Allison, and Jack will be here soon to stay with us and meet the baby. We can't wait.
20. My mother-in-law got me a baby book and I am excited to start writing in it. I plan to have 3 baby books for her....one made online that will have all the photos from her birth and will tell her birth story, one that I will adhere one snapshot per page and journal about the picture, and one regular baby book. My pregnancy journal is huge and I still love looking through it. Hopefully she will love it, too. I totally enjoy looking through mine and Tommy's.
21. I saw a quote that said daughters and mothers are never closer than when the daughter becomes a mother. How very true.
22. I really thought that once the baby was born, my worrying would subside. I was so wrong. I have googled one million potential problems and worn out the first 50 pages of "What To Expect-First Year." I guess the worrying only gets worse the older she gets. I am in for it. Good thing I have a husband who isn't an alarmist like myself.
23. I have shopping left to do and gifts to wrap. The kids of the family all want money. Though it is easy--it isn't near as fun to give.
24. I am loving snickerdoodles and gingersnaps but have decided against baking any more of them since it takes me several hours to make them...and they seem to disappear within the evening.
25. The two baby items that we have gotten the most use out of so far (if you don't count the thousands of diapers and wipes we've gone through) have been the swing and the boppy pillow.
26. And the diaper champ...thank goodness for that.
27. And the Mylicon Gas Drops...those are very handy.
28. Lots of my tastes have changed after pregnancy but I still love doublemint gum and my favorite drink is still Moet (much to Tommy's dismay!)
29. The messy bathroom...seriously...tomorrow, I'm on it!
30. The treadmill....seriously..tomorrow, I'm on it....maybe...probably.

Glad to be thirty...so thankful to God for the many, many blessings in my life. Looking forward to another great year.

old&new

seeing you with your only great grandpa made me miss my two grandpas. i wish they could have met you, held you, loved you. oh how they would have loved you. pop pop's dad would have held you in "the pocket." gigi's dad would have called you "chick-a-dee" just like he used to call me.
you may not have all of your great grandpas ... but you certainly have 2 GREAT grandpas who love you to pieces. you're very blessed that way.

{by the way, happy 3 week birthday, love! It's hard for me to believe you are that old...but it's also getting harder and harder to remember life before there was you.}

growing up...

Ella...Just to let you know..your dad and I spent the first 2 weeks of your life praying that you would gain weight and grow. Gaining weight has never been something we've had to pray for around here! (In case you don't recall....you were more interested in playing around than actually eating.) Now that you have gained weight and seem to be growing and changing each day...we are praying that time will slow down! That you will be a tiny newborn for a little while longer. (I can't lie, we want you to be a tiny newborn but with the sleep patterns of a lazy teenager.)
I left your hospital bracelets on you for several days. It was as if cutting the tags off meant that you weren't so new anymore. Finally, your dad insisted that I cut them off because he thought they were hurting you. I cried (but of course!) as I cut them off and put them aside to tape in your baby book later. When you are grown up you will not believe that such a teeny-weeny piece of plastic ever fit around your wrist. I will save it so that you can see it and so that we can chat about it over dinner some evening. Perhaps you will be pregnant with your first baby and you will be curious about your own birth. I will tell you everything...especially about how beautiful you were and about how we had prayed for you all along. It will be a great conversation.
Last weekend, I took you in our room to change you and tears sprang to my eyes once again as I realized that the very last of your "tags" had fallen off. Your umbilical cord. This, indeed, meant that you were officially grown up and it broke my heart. I wasn't prepared. I thought we had another week with you as "Newborn Isabella." I yelled for your dad to come and see. Instead of crying, he was so excited because now we could bathe you. He's been talking about your first bath since you were about one half of an inch big, nestled cozily in my belly. Why? I don't know...but he was just sure that you would love the water and that it would be so fun. Later that evening...we put his theory to the test. Sure enough, father knows best. You seemed to love your bath. You were as content as can be and spent a big part of your tub time gazing at your reflection in the mirror. I don't blame you sweet baby...I spend a large part of my days just gazing at you. You are amazing.

You should also know a couple of things about these photos....
~Our bathroom has been crazy messy since the day you came home. I keep thinking I'll clean it...but then it's time to feed you again and the mess just gets further out of control. I think today is the day though. During one of your naps...I plan to conquer the bathroom!
~We took pictures of us with you but I decided against printing them since your dad and I are both sweating like we just ran a marathon due to the fact that we put the space heater in the bathroom to keep you from getting cold. I would guess that the temperature reached about 100 degrees by the time we finished up. Are we a bit overly concerned about you catching a cold? Maybe.
~It might appear that your dad has no decent clothing to wear since he was sporting a vintage polo t-shirt (complete with requisite hole) for your first bath experience. Later on in life, he might try to blame this on you. He might try to say that he was forced to wear tattered clothing because your diapers were so expensive. That would be something he would do...he's quite the funny guy. In reality though, I'm here to tell you that your dad has worn those extra soft, extra old polos at home for many years. They are his favorit...no matter how ratty they look. He's made many sacrifices for you, that is true...but the holes in his shirt have nothing to do with the price of your pampers, sweet pea.
~Nope, your hair is not the least bit red. It's actually medium brown. For some reason, any picture we take of you with the flash on makes you look like you are a strawberry blonde.
~Lastly, we loved your first bath as much as you did. Thanks for another unforgettable experience.

PS...aunt libby, the monogrammed towel/wrap was the perfect end to a first bath. thanks.

that day...

Baby Isabella... Some things to remember about your homecoming...
We brought you home on Thanksgiving Day and it was a Thanksgiving like no other. Never before have your dad and I been so very thankful.
It was very cold and rainy. Your dad drove slower than he ever has. I sat in the back to hold your little head in place because you were (and still are) much too small for your carseat.
We heard a song on the radio that made both of us cry. We couldn't believe that we were actually bringing you home with us. It seemed so official. We kept stealing glances at each other in the rearview mirror....as if to say, "Do you think we can do this?"
You were an angel. You slept the whole way.
You wore your baby gap outfit that your aunt libby got you. Though it was very small...it appeared to be an xl on your tiny frame. You also wore the turkey hat that one of the nurses in the hospital makes for babies who go home on a holiday. That hat is so incredibly cute. I fell in love with you all over again when they wheeled you into our room late at night wearing it.
Thanks to your dad (and some very hard work by your uncle jus and aunt lib and gigi) our house was all decorated to welcome us home. It meant so much to me. It was perfect.
The dogs greeted you with many sniffs. You didn't seem to mind. I hope you guys will grow to love each other.
We took you up to show you your nursery. It was tough to tell since you never opened your eyes...but we think you love it!
You spent the whole entire day in someones arms. No one could resist holding you...especially your pop pop.

Your dad and I think you fit perfectly here.

...so very blessed...

She has arrived and she is everything we ever dreamed of and more. She is perfectly wonderful...a gift from God...a miracle, for sure. We wake up every morning and can't believe that it's true...she is ours! Our daughter...Isabella Grace.
Will write more and post photos soon. For right now, I'm off to hold my baby...that is IF I can get her away from my husband!

wish list

This morning between contractions (the kind that hurt like crazy but obviously mean nothing) baby floyd told me she would like the following things from pottery barn baby for her first Christmas...so if you are her daddy, her grandparent, etc...this is her way of giving you a hint. PS...she says she wears 0-3 months.

ETA: YAY! I JUST GOT THE TOP OUTFIT IN THE MAIL FROM MY JACK IN MICHIGAN!

Wherever has the summer gone?

{the view from our room..family trip...dominican republic...summer 07}

Look at me...back to blogging twice in one week! I'm more in the mood for a list of randoms than a real post...

• It was so cold here today. I actually saw real snowflakes! They melted before they even hit the windshield...but they were flakes, nonetheless.
  
• I'm finiding it a bit harder than I expected to turn my class over to a sub. Oh, sure...they'll be fine...but it feels wierd and not so comfortable. How am I going to do being a stay at home mom? Hmmmmmm....
• Abby is displaying signs of baby jealousy already--this stresses me out.
• I really wanted to make snickerdoodles tonight but just couldn't muster up the energy.
• I need to finish 2 photo shoots and then I am done for a few months.....I'll miss taking snowy pictures.
• I am in love with the swiffer wet jet mop thingy (thanks, al)
• Though I love the summer and scenes like the one pictured above...I am ready for the winter holidays. (then hurry, hurry spring--before it gets too boring and gloomy)
• Speaking of heat, Tommy was sweet to get me a pregnancy massage since I am a wee bit uncomfortable. It was at the salon that I go to here in town. I was very excited...scheduled it for yesterday...went in there nice and sore and ready for some relief. Well, long story short, they have you resting on this bed of water (supposed to simulate the womb) which was a lovely idea in theory...except that it was so hot that I couldn't stand it. I was sweating and obsessing that the baby was getting too hot. Finally, I had to ask her to remove the water effect (which I'm assuming was the main point of the massage) and even after she did, I concentrated on feeling the baby move so I could make sure she was ok rather than concentrating on the nice massage I was receiving. I swear, I was halfway home before I cooled off. From now on, I will stick to scalp or feet massages. They are my favorite.
  
• I miss my brother and sister-in-law...what is it? 7 maybe 8 days until they arrive?
• I just got my hands on some back issues of Martha Stewart Baby magazine which I am very excited about. I told Tommy I would save them and he could use them for a sock gift (see advent calendar post from last year) but seriously, there is no way I can wait until December 1. I think I lied.
• I am very scared about labor. Have I mentioned this before? Surely not?
  
• I am wondering why you don't update your blog, Blake?
• I should probably be in bed since I am never to receive a solid nights sleep for the next decade.
• I will miss all the random conversations I have had with strangers about being pregnant. It has renewed my faith in the niceness of people in the world.
• I will not miss heartburn.
• Heartburn=a baby with hair, or so I have heard...so I bought her 5 tiny bows...just in case the heartburn really is from that. They are packed in the "hospital bag" that I had a very hard time packing.
• Our house is officially decorated for the holidays. Will have to post photos of the tree (yes, singular, the first time in 4 years that we only put one tree up--we decided that was the parent-y thing to do--since we'll have a newborn this year during the "clean up/take down process."
• Tomorrow is Friday...and Friday is the best day, in my opinion. I'm off to bank some sleep. Each night I find myself thinking, "Could this be the night?" I'm pretty sure it's not going to happen tonight. Surely not.

I think I can...I think I can...

I really want to get back into the habit of blogging again! Hard to believe that I haven't done it since April! I think it was a combination of factors...I got a little burned out...didn't have the time...etc. With the baby due any day now....it will be a good way to give updates on our daily life. At the moment, we seem to be "hurrying up and waiting." We thought for sure that Friday was "the day" only to wake up Saturday to no contractions at all. Tommy and I think any child of ours will most certainly not be EARLY for anything in life...much less her birth! We'll keep waiting patiently! And.....I'll hopefully keep you posted on our happenings. I'll leave you with a belly shot. If you can imagine this...it's even bigger now!

We're still here....

Pepper basking in the sunlight of the foyer, March 07

baby chase, a tiny piece of heaven, April 07

Today...

Today I am thankful for a brother whom I love with all my heart and a sister-in-law who is so easy to love.
ETA: More photos from today can be seen (click HERE)

since i've been told that the old blog is pretty boring as of late...i thought i'd pop in for an update...but no capital letters, kay?
let's see...what have we been up to...besides wishing on every star that it would snow 10ft. and i would get a snow day?
i think we've been keeping busy working hard and playing hard, too. mid-january we had a couple's shower for chris and brigit and the future baby floyd (who should be making his/her debut any day now). that was fun. i went with a sage-y greenish theme since the gender is unknown. just a picture or two out of the many i took but haven't waded through as of yet.
made more window treatments (master bath pictured) and painted more walls mid-january.
mid-january, too...finished a great book called waiting for birdy and passed it on to blake. hope she likes it as much as i did. it was book #1 on my new years uberlist goal of reading 10 great books this year.
mid-to-late january...had justin and libby and chris and allison and jack here for a long weekend....and to say it was a great time would be an understatement. we had a faaaaaaaabulous time. allison is libby's oldest sister and i just love her. BUT, as much much as tommy and i love hanging out with chris and allison...we love jack (their 2 year old...pictured in the post below) even more! he is pure love..the anti-super nanny child. as in...if the super nanny came to jack's house...she could sit on the couch and eat baked lays while jack practiced his manners over in the corner. ok, enough about jack...i am starting to miss him just talking about him! anywho...the 6 of us had fun visting the new wine bar that just recently opened here in our town. we also (the next day) went to a local orchard for a wine tasting...which was too fun. on saturday night we went to a super restaurant downtown...and it was delicious. i love hanging out with my brother and my soon to be sister-in-law...and what a bonus that we have become such fast friends with her family. we are thinking of playing paper, rock, scissors to see who will switch states so we can hang out on a regular basis.
let's see...what else...still doing the photography thing and really enjoying it. so many cute little babies in the world. maybe that's why i really like the quote ..."Babies are God's opinion that the world should go on." it's true, i think.
tommy is still busy with his work....and currently building some storage shelves in the basement. who needs storage? not this packrat.
can't seem to think of anything else inetersting. groundhog day brought the news that spring is on the way, right? sounds good to me. if it isn't going to snow heavily and result in a 2hour delay or a day off work...i'd just assume skip winter all together. it was bitterly cold here today. we nearly froze walking from church to the car. tommy forgot his coat...so he was really cold!
i guess that's it....i am going to finish watching the superbowl and head off to bedtown. i have to get my rest....24 is on tomorrow night.

HEY JACK...

TOMMY AND I WANT OUR HEARTS BACK!!

Christmas has come and gone is a glittery haze! We enjoyed time with our families and ate way too much. Cookies? Yeah, we've had thousands. Celebrating the season sans Jus/Lib was sucky...but they were on a ski trip in Whistler....lucky dogs!! We were so busy this holiday....it made for a rushed kind of holiday. Instead of gifts....we gave lots of gift cards. I guess that's OK (I mean...I do like to receive them) but it just seems so general. I used all gift bags, too...which is big for an obsessive wrapper like myself! Oh well...none of the hoopla is the true reason for the season anyway. Any Christmas spent with my Thomas and the rest of our family, all of whom have been given God's grace, is certainly all I need. I just vow that next year...I will get back to my usual shop early self. The fact that I did not send out cards (thanks for calling me out, rachy!)has been nagging at me (so much so that I haven't ruled out sending Happy New Year Cards) except that New Year's is upon us too. Aaahhhhhh! I think the warm weather also made it feel different somehow. I was out shopping with no coat. That just doesn't seem right. Now....if I lived on the beach I would be fine with the warm Christmas....but, alas, I live farrrrrr from the ocean and I want my Christmases white.
On a different note....I have realized that one of my most favorite things about the holidays is the glow of white twinkle lights on trees. I love that one of our trees is right by our bedroom door this year. Of course, I leave it on all night. I love the ambient light that it gives. I've also decided to sew charming sweater stockings for all of us next year. (I use the term charming very loosely!) They will be part of a whole sewing binge that I plan to go on. I think my photography will slow in the months of January and February to a point that I can do other creative things that I have been thinking about...and read some books, too! I am thinking of starting The Red Tent tonight at bedtime. Speaking of bedtime. I have been going to bed at 2am or 3 am or even 4 am! I reverted back to my pre-teaching self. I can't even imagine how that first morning back at work will go since I've been rolling out of bed about the time I am generally walking my kids to lunch. I can't help it. I am a true night owl. What do I do til all hours? I don't know. Nothing productive really....just things here and there. We have watched 2 movies last week--You, Me, and Dupree and Little Miss Sunshine...both of which were cute, I guess....but subpar. Good thing Blockbuster lowered it's rental fees. Neither movie would have been worth the old $4 price.
Hard to believe that 07 is a few short days away. I remember my old post from this time last year where I said that I liked '05 and didn't want to let it go. Here I am again...holding on to '06...I wish I was one of these I-can't-wait-for-everything-that-07 -will- bring type people. I wonder why I fear change so much ? In my defense, it does show an intense love and appreciation for the current state of my life, right? Like....NO...not a new purse! I love my old purse!...only insert YEAR instead of PURSE. I should move forward with grace, though. Letting the old year go and embracing a new one. Two thousand six was a great year for us. Both Tommy and I saw personal dreams come true.....we took several very fun trips....we moved into a new home that we love...we saw friends get married and others have babies.....we began attending a new church that we love....so many wonderful blessings--and yet, so much to look forward to in this next year. We will gain a new sister-in-law (Libby) and a new nephew (I'm going with my gut on the gender) from Chris and Brigit in 2007....and much, much more, I pray. Fun stuff! Time to have dinner at our favorite restaurant and set some goals and projects for a brand new year. That gets me excited!
I'm off to watch the news of Saddam and finish the never ending folding and putting away of the laundry. Will have to post some pictures of our Christmas bliss later...even though I decided to be in the moment this Christmas rather than through the lens.

Can't come up with a picture to post tonight...it seems I've been taking pictures of everyone else...and never my own family.
I'm currently typing on a laptop with no "b" key because Abby decided to hurl herself up into my lap this evening when I wasn't ready for her.....aaaaaaaaand, the result? 3 keys went flying...and the b is the one I can't find. Must put that on my list of "to-do's" tomorrow. (Along with....buy every single Christmas gift for family and friends)
Tommy and I were supposed to do some shopping tonight. Instead, we went to dinner and then to Barnes and Noble for some reading. We scooted our big comfy chairs close to each other. I think they should start renting space heaters at Barnes and Noble. I would rent one and put it an inch from my feet while I perused random books. Tonight, I read some of David Sedaris' Holidays on Ice. It was good...funny. While sipping my coffee I heard the faintest student voice calling me by my teacher name. Sure enough! He had that same look students always have. The one that reads You have a life outside of our elementary school?? Nuh-uh??
At dinner tonight I had a berries gone wild martini and it smelled just exactly like he kisses that my old strawberry shortcake doll used to blow. I was telling Tommy about it and he asked if I put something inside the doll to make the kisses smell that way. Of course, I didn't...but, how then did her breath smell so berry-liscious for so may years. I haven't a clue. I never thought about it. I certainly wish someone would come out with a perfume that lasted that long. Or...even last a whole day!
I love getting Christmas cards with annual pictures in them. It's great! We always send one out but may have to skip this year. Christmas crept up soooo fast!
AFter the holiday dust settles....I am going to work on unpacking and organizing and decorating the upstairs. That will be both fun and helpful!
Welp, the coffee from earlier has worn off and I am fading. Must get to bed so that I can find my b in the morning.

for you...

When you're on the outside, baby, and you can't get in
I will show you..you're so much better than you know.
When you're lost
And you're alone
You can't get back again
I will find you, darlin, and I'll bring you home.
~Sade, By Your Side

now all I need is snow.....

I'm headed to bed after a long day of decorating! With the trees up and the lights twinkling....I know it's a bit cliche....but it's beginning to look alot like Christmas.....

The socks? They are our own homemade version of an advent calendar...from December1-24 we will find a little gift/note/something in there each day. (I have the odd days, Tommy has the even) So far, so good. Helps us to enjoy the entire month leading up to the big day. I'm happy about it...and excited to add it to our Christmas traditions.
Below....our great room pencil tree.
The first ornament Tommy ever gave me. I just love getting it back out each year. It seems like yesterday and then it seems so long ago, too.

The sock advent calendar going up the staircase. Ewwwww...looks like day 4 has a note in it already....

The main tree in the dining room...less something for the top. Going to have to be something small, huh....since the tree is nearly busting throught the ceiling...

Cheers to a wonderful holiday season....

It has been a long time since I have blogged. We have been busy, busy bees as of late. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving (I fully intend to do a thankful post sometime this week.) and a great "Holding Party" for our friends Mike and Casey and their new baby, Abby Kate. It was so nice to see everyone. The weather has been amazing. Warm weather that isn't supposed to occur always stirs something inside me....I find myself thinking back to all of my summer memories. Summer is such a great time of year. All the seasons are great...but summer seems the most alive. The most energized.
My mom came to visit last week and we were able to mark a huge item off the ol' to-do list...WINDOW TREATMENTS. She was there for moral support (even though she always says I have crazy ideas) and together, I am more than pleased with the outcome. I'll have to post some pictures soon. I had to dust off the old sewing machine. The last thing I had sewn, prior to the window treatments, was my half-finished sorority t-shirt quilt. Might want to finish that project soon. Seems like a waste of my parents' money to have all those $20 arrogant t-shirts cut up into squares....serving no purpose at all. I'll have to be sure and put the "You better watch your boys cause your boys are watching us" tee in the very center. Yep....hard to believe I ever wore that. But I did. And I probably had it tucked into some very flared Abercrombie khakis complete with the darkest pair of running shoes (not that I ever really ran) I could find. Maybe even a sorority hat to match....IF I was running late to class.
Proofing lots of holiday and baby photos lately. I have moved all photos to here.
(Holy cow, I made a link. Thanks, T.K.) I have to stop and remind myself that I am actually doing exactly what I have always wanted to do. I am photographing people....and their relationships.....and their love....and their bonds.....and I couldn' love it more. I certainly have lots of improving to do...especially with tiny babies (they are so hard) but I am truly enjoying the process. Tommy says that I say, after every photo shoot, "those are not going to turn out." Well, I get nervous. I can't help it. And....with lighting, the moods of your subjects, the clothing, etc....you never know! Thanks for always believeing in me, babe. I think I could take a picture with a disposable and he would say something like...."Now.....that is AWESOME! They are going to LOVE that!" Ahhhh, the eternal optimist.
Looking forward to putting Christmas up around here. It is usually up in early November---but I am just now getting regular decor situated...haven't had time for holiday stuff. We need to pick a night this week to drag it all out. I will make Tommy turn on the Harry (Connick) for the Holidays CD and sing along and drink wine even though I will be fully aware that he'd rather put on a football game and scream along and drink beer. Hey, marriage is about sacrifice, right?

Speaking of love and marriage and inspiring things....something has been weighing heavily on my heart since June and I want to share it today. The internet is a crazy thing, isn't it? I know it has it's dangers (You're talking to the most faithful watcher of Dateline "To Catch a Predator Volume 467" here) but I have found blog reading to be such a blessing in my life. I have a collection of about 30-40 blogs that I read weekly. That number could be way bigger if I didn't have a job and other interests. I am an avid reader and find that blog reading is like a giant, ever-changing edition of something similar to Chicken Soup for the Soul. There are a myriad of different genres, topics, emotions, etc. I have learned, and changed, and laughed, and grown.....all from reading tiny snippets of other lives. Many of whom I will never know personally. None have touched my heart quite so much as this one. I first ran across this blog from another way back in June and I vividly remember sitting at my desk (which was actually more of a card table at the time) and just sobbing. I went to Tommy and sat in his lap at his desk and just fell apart. I tried to tell him, through heavy tears, and he listened and offered his faith and optimism. Since that day, I have prayed for this girl, who is so close to my age...who is so full of life....who is so in love with her husband...evey single day...multiple times a day. Perhaps I have prayed for her more than I have prayed for anything. And I don't even know her. Yet I check on her at least 5 times a week through her blog (or her husband's blog, as he updates for her) just to make sure she is still fighting. This has scared me....but this has shown me strength, too. The courage of this young woman....and the love that she and her husband share have changed me in a way that I will never forget. I encourage you to go to her site. And to his, too. (It is linked on her sidebar under "My Love.") I am certain that it will touch you the way it has touched me. You will have t go back into the archives for the whole story. But it will be well worth your time. Just yesterday, her sorority sisters created a fund for her benefit. In this, the season of giving, I can think of no better cause to give to. Check it out....and then please, please join me in lifting this girl and her husband up in prayer. It would mean the world to me....and I'm sure it will to her, too. They need a miracle.

Edited to add....her husband has added a section on his sidebar that gives you links to their journey. This will make it easy for you to be brought up to speed on their story without searching through months and months of posts.