Hanging out with Grandpa
For Labor Day we went to Gene and Linda's house for a little cook out. Of course Isabella didn't want to be with anybody but Grandpa. They "walked" all over the yard. Looking at birds and flowers. I'm sure Gene will be happy when she starts walking! is not easy to carry around almost 30 pds!
She keeps on growing.
Well I can't believe she's 16 mo. old!! Time has gone by so fast. She's quite a character! when we're at the table or in the car and we start laughing she fake laughs too! 
she tell you pretty clearly if she does or doesn't want something. She is doing pretty good with her signing too. I found a great book for baby signing at the Library, so I've been adding a few more words each week.
She likes to watch Sesame Street, loves Elmo and Big Bird. Every time we come in her room she wants her Sesame Street cd on.
She loves being at Grandma and Grandpa's. They have a lot o fun! playing outside, reading and just being silly.
The other day when I went to pick her up this crazy looking squirrel just kept staring at me! it was hilarious!!
We got her a growth chart. She immediately noticed it in her room and started "laughing", she was almost 34". I think she's going to be a tall girl.
Spring is here.
Finally Spring is here! everything is green and getting warmer. I love the rain, it reminds me of Costa Rica. We've had a lot of fun so far. We've been to the park, she loves the swing and the slides. I got a baby seat for the bike and iit's so much fun. Of course she want to keep on going. So we each take her for a couple of rides. I wish we had a bike rack for the car so we could go to other places. We might end up getting in shape. :~)
Work is going well so far for me anyways, Steve's not so good. It's being pretty slow but hte Lord has continued to provide one way or another.
Costa Ria,-Nicaragua Jan.09
It was nice for almost all of us to be together. It has been a long time since all five of us have been together. I think it's been at least 5 yrs! but I guess we can photo shop Jose in the picture. :~)
It was such a good trip but so short! two weeks flew by! But we did a lot and a lot didn't get done. I guess that's just how vacations work out after all. Of course I needed a week off to recuperate!
We went to Nicaragua to see family. Isabella was so good in the 8 hr bus ride! Actually even in all the flights she was great!
We got to cut a cake with Doña Nora, Ferdi wasn't there but his daughter Valeria was there- we got to keep up with tradition.
We also were able to see some childhood friends/neighbors. Some of them I hadn't seen since I left, 18 yrs ago!! yikes!! The picture at the corner it was quite funny! we have a picture of us and Jose at the same place when we were kids. I was holding Carolina and Jose and Oscar were on each side of me. Of course I had on some hideous dress that I hate it, Carol was wearing pants, and a hoody but Oscar and Jose were wearing tank tops and shorts! I'll look for that picture and add it to this post. I'll add some more pictures tomorrow.
Silly faces
She looked so big! pleaded skirt and all! Nancy gave her this outfit. It's so cute.
I love the second picture! you can see all of her teeth.
I can't believe it!
Every week I keep telling myself I have to update the blog. I guess Facebook takes the time I do have available. Although some days go by so fast and it feels like I didn't accomplish anything.
Isabella has gotten so big all of a sudden- seems to me. She got two more teeth one in the bottom and another on top, although there another almost through on top as well. She is quite funny, here is a picture of her "showing her teeth"
The other picture she is watching "Miffy" www.miffy.org is a claymation cartoon type but is really slow paced and educational. She really likes it so we let her watch it in the afternoons. She really likes Clifford too (ok, me too :~) ).
She still not walking but she pulls herself up and stands and walks along the furniture quite well. I've caught her a few times trying to let go of the furniture. So, I'm sure one of these days she'll start givign a few steps. I'm in no hurry either. :~) She's grown quite a bit, right now she is wearing size 24 mo. or 2T!
We've had a few warm days here and there and she just loves being outside. Steve takes her out in the stroller for walks and she is screaming and laughing. Poor baby she already has cabin fever!
Isabella's first birthday!
wow! her birthday is here. Amazing how fast time has gone by. We feel so grateful for such a beautiful gift and at times at awe that God would entrust us with such an endeavour. At times we still look at her and can't believe he's ours.
Her top teeth are finally out! but two more are coming. She is very vocal! she's speaking Dutch ... we think, because we don't understand a thing she says. ;~) she loves to get things in and out of bags, boxes what ever she has available. You can almost hear her little wheels turning when she's trying to figure soemthing out. She loves purses she puts stuff in them and then puts it in her arm and crawls with it or tries to crawl with it hanging of her arm. It's pretty funny!
Our lives are so much richer now with her around.
Christmas
I can't believe we already are in the first week of January! Isabella's first birthday just around the corner. So many more mile stones to come! walking, talking, eating on her own ... What a year it'll be!
We had a good time during Christmas. It makes think of how much fun next Christmas will be. we got her a little cell phone and it's so funny to see her play with it! who knows! maybe she'll win a texting competion later on. :~)
Aunt Nancy and Aunt Janice got her all kinds of goodies! Auncle Joe was also over for her Firist Christmas. It was an excited yet quiet time. We reflected on God's faithfulness.
Nan and Jan brought over a huge Elf I thought for sure Isabella would freak out but she didn't! everybody was saying that it was a sign that she wants a sibling. :~) ... funny!
I hope this new year brings joy and blessings to everyone.
10 months
I can't believe she almost 11 months! Time has gone by very fast!
Her first Christmas is here and her First Birthday is around the corner.
She's crawling really well, she gets on knees to try to reach things, trying to stand up. She is "talking" on the phone, "barks" when referring or looking at the dogs, likes to be read, "dances" to any music. Randomly hugs and kisses. Loves finger food and juice (even if is diluted). Thank goodness for Cheerios :~) it sure keeps her entertained!
This Christmas is bitter sweet to me because the joy of having her in our lives but at the same time away from my family. Although is been so satisfying to see her grow up with Gene and Linda around, to watch her hugging and kissing them or making "goo-goo" eyes at them (especially to Gene) just melts my heart! and they have been SO much help to us! they still watch her on Tues and Fridays when I work; and now that I work so close to the house is great! I can stop by their house during my lunch and see Isabella and get a "duper" grilled cheese sandwich :~)
I'm also looking forward to grow together as a family, you know make our own traditions or the special things she'll get to do with her aunts and grandparents next year when she's older.
The Lord has been so good to us. He has supplied all of our needs but the greatest has been our need of salvation. I'm so glad He loved us THAT much!
Getting ready for Christmas
Our friend Erica gave Isabella the little elephant. Which now that I think about it I should have wrapped it. Oh well!! She's been keeping busy trying to put the pieces in. In the picture she has the "am thinking" face. Super cute!!
She gives hugs and kisses - wet ones, of course! - awfully sweet!
She loves to sneak in some dog food and play with their water, you know the regular stuff! :~)
She has started taking baths in the regular tub. She loves it! loves the freedom of moving around and her little toys.
We went to Chuck and Krista's fro dinner. Jewel was there as well, it was so sweet she kept bringing toys to Isabella. We had such a good time! we sure miss seeing them and catching up every Sunday.
she tell you pretty clearly if she does or doesn't want something. She is doing pretty good with her signing too. I found a great book for baby signing at the Library, so I've been adding a few more words each week.
Finally Spring is here! everything is green and getting warmer. I love the rain, it reminds me of Costa Rica. We've had a lot of fun so far. We've been to the park, she loves the swing and the slides. I got a baby seat for the bike and iit's so much fun. Of course she want to keep on going. So we each take her for a couple of rides. I wish we had a bike rack for the car so we could go to other places. We might end up getting in shape. :~)
It was nice for almost all of us to be together. It has been a long time since all five of us have been together. I think it's been at least 5 yrs! but I guess we can photo shop Jose in the picture. :~)
She looked so big! pleaded skirt and all! Nancy gave her this outfit. It's so cute.
I can't believe we already are in the first week of January! Isabella's first birthday just around the corner. So many more mile stones to come! walking, talking, eating on her own ... What a year it'll be!
I can't believe she almost 11 months! Time has gone by very fast!
Our friend Erica gave Isabella the little elephant. Which now that I think about it I should have wrapped it. Oh well!! She's been keeping busy trying to put the pieces in. In the picture she has the "am thinking" face. Super cute!!
