Week 10

We went tailgating today; Isabel's first experience with large crowds of people. She gets noticed; we get a lot of cute baby comments. We were not down there very long; we got there maybe 30 mins before the game started. Got going a little late and then had to walk quite a ways. Also, it's never easy finding someone of interest. Phones do not work and txted directions never quite work out how you'd like them to. In the end we got a long walk in for the day, went back to the house during the game and took a nap.

This last week has been really good for all of us. Isabel's been sleeping 7 - 9 hrs each night all week long. We have a pretty routine bedtime schedule that's suiting us. Emily will feed Isabel around 6. Depending on the day or how messy she's been she'll then get a bath (by the way, Isabel loves her bath time!). Then we all try to take a walk; Isabel also loves the Baby Bjorn carrier that we have. I'm facing her forward now and she just looks around all by herself. She like to hold my pointer fingers as we walk and if I let go she starts squirmin. Eventually she falls asleep and we make it back home. We then feed her again pretty quick (2 hrs. later), swaddle her up and sway her to sleep. She sleeps in her crib every night and sometimes hangs out in there during the day with some stuff animal friends. All in all, we're all pretty happy with how things are going. Emily and I definitely miss our usual freedoms, but are starting to get some of them back slowly.

Oh ya, this last Thursday Isabel had her 2 month check up where she received some immunizations. She definitely did not like the shots. Her whole face scrunched up really tight and turned beat red. It was over pretty quick and Mommy and Daddy were fast to give out some calming love. She was definitely fussy later that afternoon, but honestly I think it was her band-aids on both thighs. As soon as I removed them she was in a much better mood.

Stats:
23.5 inches long
12lbs 8oz
Cannot remember what her head circumference was, but she's in the 90th percentile for her growth since birth. Dr. says she's coming along well and commented on how strong she is. I think it's the calisthenics I do with her in the evenings.

Andrew

Hellooooo there. It's good to see you again.
What's that? You want to see more of my wonderful photo's? Then scroll down silly!


I'm a little embarrassed; this outfit's getting tight around my mid-drift. You recognize this outfit?


That's because I wore it home from the hospital 6lbs. lighter.

See my dad. He's very proud of me on my first day home.


This is my room. I hang out in here with my animal friends. They keep me company in my crib when I'm awake and open to playing with them. At night when I'm sound asleep, they look over me. Makes me feel so comfortable that I sleep all night long.

This is wear my Mommy and Daddy change my nappy. What's a nappy? It's Australian for diaper. Those Aussi's have some weird English words. I mean come on, we all read from the same dictionary; but they insist on changing things to make them sound more cool. For instance, if your lights go out down-under you might say "Hey, where's the torch". No they're not looking for a combustible stick. That's what they call their flashlights. Anyway, I've been catching up on my Aussi-English lately because in Feb. the whole family's going down to visit our good friends Adam, Emma, Annabel and Amelia. It's going to be a great trip, Mommy and Daddy wanted to go for their honeymoon, but then I came along and threw a wrench into their plans. It's OK, I've since made it up to them.

Here's a photo of my room before Daddy was done making is special for me. I think it turned out pretty well. The galaxy wall was great and all, just too many memories from the psychedelic 60s.

What????
Do I always have to be on? Give me a break, it's hard work being cute.
Occasionally, I can relax just like like all of you.

Yeah mommy!
I love my Mommy so much.
She takes such good care of my during the day. She's always moving me from place to place making sure I'm satisfied and distracted by something new. I've decided to start rewarding her by staying content longer in one place. I'll be fine, I'll just play with my animal friends or look into those strange mirrors. Then if I really need her I'll let her know.




Is there anything better than a good warm bath? Not in my opinion.
I just love the warm water. I feel so free; I can kick my legs and make all the girgley noises I want.

Wait. What's that dark shadow.

Oh, it's just my buddy Cirque. He likes to follow me around and keep me company.

Dad was trying to clean my bumm. I thought I'd take it easy on him and stood up. Cirque was proud of me. How'd I accomplish this? Well, I'm not much for my "Tummy Time". I know my Dr. says it's good for me, but I like to strengthen my neck and arms in other ways. Anyway, Daddy's been working with me on my strength and balance. We'll do some squat-thrusts and finger sit-ups couple of times a week. One day he even helped me walk the slack-line in the backyard.

Don't get scared Sadie, I'm not a bear. Just you're little Alpha Female friend in training.


I said that I like baths, not tongue baths!

Cirque and Sadie both love the rug in my bedroom. I'm not allowed on it yet, but it looks very soft and cozy. I believe Mommy and Daddy picked it out at Lowe's, it's called a Woolly Bully. A very appropriate name in my opinion.

2 months and counting...

Oh how the time flies by when your having fun sleeping, eating and pooping. I can't believe our little one is already 2 months old and 12 pounds!! Isabel is really starting to be more and more fun and interesting. She is getting this whole smiling thing down and the noises this girl makes are quite entertaining. Her new thing is grabbing her hands together and gnawing on her fist, it is so delicious.

Her eating is starting to get less frequent and more productive, which is nice for mommy. Izzi is a good eater, hence the 12+ pounds but doesn't always feel like having a bottle, which is tough for daddy. She will fight it for a time, but eventually gives in and succumbs to the sweet allure of the milk.

Izzi's sleeping is really starting to get better (Thank God!) Just when we thought we would be insomniacs forever, she is sleeping for great chunks of time. We put her to bed about 9:30 or 10 after some crabby and at times screaming fits and she doesn't usually wake up until 4 and then goes back to sleep after a full belly until about 8. If she stays on this track for a while we will be very happy.

Bath time is the best for Isabel, she just loves to get nudey and kick around in the warm water. She is so entertained and loves everything about it, except when it's time to get out, then she turns on the screaming and doesn't stop until she's dried off and settles herself on her changing table. Thank goodness for the cute pictures above her table that she could stare at for hours, they always do the trick and are very special because Grandma Helen made those for me when I was a baby and now they are Izzi's.

Emily

Here are some before & after photos of Izzi as she has grown and changed from just a little pip squeak into a rounder version of herself:

9 Days Old

8 weeks old


Contentment!

We went back to my parents (Andrew's) the weekend before last and Isabel got meet some new relatives:

GGma and GGpa Storjohann


Dan even flew back from Co. to meet his niece.

In the little spare time we had, my dad, Dan and myself pulled out the neglected boat to clean her up and assess the situation. I little history; my dad and his brothers built this boat back in the 60's. They ordered the plans, bought the lumber and put it together. They found on Corvette engine in a junk yard and dropped it in. When I was younger we took it out every summer for a little fun in the sun. It at some point developed an overheating issue and we never dealt with it. Since then (15 - 20 yrs) it's been sitting in the machine shed collecting dust. Evidently we didn't feel the need to tarp it very well.
We got it clean up nice over this weekend. I wish I would have gotten an after photo. It's a nice blue and white exterior with Mahogany stained wood lining the passenger compartment.

Required Fixes:
Engine rebuild to clean out the internal coolant passages.
Fiberglass patchwork to the exterior hull.
Fix the seat backs and cushions (Raccoons had stolen the stuffing and ripped them apart).

Basically a lot of time that my dad, Dan and myself do not have.
At least we know what it'll take. One day it will be revived to her original beauty.




Cirque, Sadie and Isabel:

Many have been asking about Cirque and Sadie's relationship with Isabel. It's really been good, both all three of them are curious about each other. Sadie tends to smell her, lick her and run of to lay on her bed before Cirque attempts to claim it. Cirque is a lot more curious, he hangs out where ever we are and sneaks in some really cute photo opportunities.

Isabel's really starting to pay attention to them. We catch her watching them occasionally. Pretty soon she'll be crawling all over them. I think Cirque and Sadie will handle this well once they've become accustomed to it. They've really settled down over the years and are happy just lying around most of the time.

Andrew