Izzy learning to stand up on her ownShe kept on doing it over and over...she had a captive audience!

Mike and his father love to taunt Baxter. Poor Bully.

Sweet cheeks

This Thanksgiving holiday was a brief one for the three of us. We drove up to Ft. Wayne to visit Mike's dad on Wednesday afternoon and returned back to Carmel on Thursday evening. The meal was delicious and I made a recipe of Laura's (Mike's step mom) for a sweet potato casserole that I loved! Izzy wasn't so interested in food the last 4 days or so (is this normal...growth spurt?), so she didn't eat turkey or stuffing.

Izzy had an eventful Turkey Day: she learned how to stand UP on her own. Starting in the tri-pod and then up to standing. It was so much fun to witness her learning this new skill and keep practicing it over and over. She has been doing this ever since we got home. And today she even took a few steps on her own! She'll be walking by Christmas, we predict! Late bloomer, yes. But we're not worried. (Sorry the video below is sideways...I turned my camera to video her...guess I shouldn't do that anymore!)

Another Izzy first - she started using her very first sign: MORE. We have been teaching her signs and using them for many months at home. But just in the last 1.5 months since she started at Goddard School she has been exposed to many more signs. They sing and converse in sign and send home reports each day as to what signs they learned (and even the words and signs to songs they sing!). We try to incorporate the new signs she learns. However, her first sign she does on her own is the very first sign we taught her: MORE. She uses this sign when she wants more crackers or food, when she is hungry, and also when she wants us to read her more books. It's too cute. And encouraging to us to keep using the signs with her on a daily basis.

This year I'm thanful for my family, my friends, my husband, my miracle daughter and my health. What are you thankful for?

Izzy Rocks!!!!

Izzy girl LOVES her rocking chair...She plays peek-a-boo...
And climbs up and down it all day long

All bundled up and ready to run errands!!

Today Izzy and I had a play date with Jaime and Luke. Unfortunately, this is the only picture I was able to catch of the two peanuts, as we were busy the entire time!!! Jaime and I had hopes of crafting and baking....however, the baking took up most of the date! In between trying to make Buckeyes (YUMMY!) we were chasing crawling and walking babies, feeding snacks, picking up said snacks, getting Izzy down from standing on the rocking chair, making sure Katie dog wasn't peeing on Luke again, keeping Izzy out of the dog bowl AND trying to have some girl talk. Phew...it was a busy day, but SO MUCH FUN. I love me some Jaime and Luke. I'll let you know when we get those crafts done...

Reading time...

Isabelle LOVES reading..both on her own and on our laps. One of Izzy's favorite things to do is to pull her out her books (which we keep in the wooden box) and either hand them to us to read or sit alone and read out loud to herself. This is a nightly routine that she does just prior bedtime...her winding down. This evening while Izzy was doing the typical sorting and reading, she realized that once the books are out of the box - she could get IN the box. She was so happy with herself, she kept on climbing in and out, in and out. Mike got up and pulled her around the living room, which she thought was too fun. But she soon climbed out and retrieved her books and got back in. She read in there for a while...clapping at herself and thinking she was so funny. Which she was. I just love that she enjoys books and reading so much. She will read them in a box and with a fox and in a house and with a mouse. She will read them here and there. She will read them anywhere!

Early Thanksgiving Celebration...

Aunt Sharla, Uncle Scott and Aunt AndreaGrandma BergerUncle Scott reading to Izzy...which she loved!!! Trying out her first pickle...
And trying her first apple...which she LOVED (see carcass below)
Yesterday we drove up to Ft. Wayne to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with Mike's mom and step dad's family. The food was delicious and simply being with family was so much fun. We played cards until late hours and stayed up chatting even longer! Izzy experienced some new foods: mashed potatoes (which she did not care for-must be the texture), pickles (another one she didn't like), mandarin oranges (she devoured and we have seen remnants ALL DAY) and apples. Izzy loved the apple and would scream if you took it away from her. She also said a new word today: APPLE. I cried.

Go Colts!!!

GO COLTS!!!

The many faces of Isabelle...

Remember how Izzy won't push her stroller with the baby doll in it? It is still getting thrown to the side...Katie Monster keeps baby doll company :(

While Mike and I were away doing Funster activities, my good friend, Lori, came over and watched Izzy ALL DAY. What a sport. Lori has been looking forward to this day for a few weeks...and for good reason. She and Iz had a very fun-filled day, themselves! They went out for breakfast with Molly, played all day, and took a trip to the mall. Phew! Molly was able to capture some pictures of both Izzy Lou and Lori Lou :) They were just too cute NOT to post. A VERY BIG thank you to our favorite new babysitter, Lori. Izzy had a great day...she told me to tell you thank you and she loves you. Muah!

Funsters at IU

Watching the Marching 100 come through with the cheerleaders
A little Flippy Cup never hurt anyoneCornhole
The Funsters
The girls
Warming Up in the car

Ending the day at Nick's English Hut with Sink the Bismark

Yesterday the Funsters reunited for a day of tailgating at Indiana University. We arrived bright and early at 9am to gain a spectacular tailgate spot right next to Assembly Hall (we were able to go inside to use the warm bathrooms!). The day was a chilly 45 degrees, but that didn't stop us from playing Flippy Cup, Cornhole and grilling our lunch. We never did make it inside of the game...we were having far too much fun outside to go see IU get beat (badly) Wisconsin. Don't worry, we did follow the game on everyones' Blackberries :) After a full day of tailgating, we ventured over to Nick's, as what's a trip to Bloomington without playing Sink the Biz? It was a fun-filled Funster day...looking forward to the next one!!!