It seemed like a good idea at the time,...

... but what in the world were we thinking?

Seriously, who gives their kid fully loaded pudding for dessert at 7:00 pm? Obviously she thoroughly loved it and enjoyed every little bit of it, as seen in the above pictures. What you can't see is her laughing hysterically, running and screeching like a maniac and bouncing off the walls all around the house while we were desperately chasing her and trying to get her ready for bed

Her parents however, learned a very important lesson that goes a little something like this: If you absolutely have to serve dessert, do it much earlier in the evening and make sure not to give them a gallon o'sugar; if the actual dinner time is an issue, give her an "equally" delicious sugar free treat; and if that's not an option readily available, who doesn't just love biting into an exquisite apple or banana.

Phew,... I'm exhausted just remembering the entire fiasco. Her daddy however is still laughing about the whole experience. Hilarious, isn't it?


P.S. She started out eating her pudding with a spoon like a civilized person ~ when it all went south is anyone's guess.

An Overall Wonderful Day

What an unbelievable day we had today. Great company, perfect weather, good food, a nice nap ~ you just can't beat that.

We met with Marci this morning and had our pictures taken at the Art Museum grounds. It was awesome. Isabella was being a little diva, well actually a big diva, but I finally broke down, pulled out the M&Ms and started the biggest bribe job in Butler history. I'm proud to report that it worked, for a little while anyway. Afterwards I had to resort to a different currency, potato chips, but that's a whole different story.

After the pictures Scott, Isabella and I went out to lunch and then home where Isabella and I both took a two and a half hour nap. We were totally exhausted ~ modeling and working it for the camera is hard work, I tell ya.

Anyway, we got up and went outside to play for a while. Scott mowed the lawn and Isabella and I watered the flowers, played with sand, played with bubbles, and chased the dogs. I guess that was one re-energizing nap. And as if Marci taking 340 photos earlier today wasn't enough, I took another 50 or so pictures of Isabella outside.

So, here I sit watching the movie "Just Friends" and laughing like crazy. It doesn't really matter that I've seen the movie 10 plus times, it's still hilarious to me. And I'm wondering whether or not I should suggest ice cream to Scott. Don't you think that would be the perfect end to a perfect day? I don't know if he'll be up for it being that it is 10:15 pm. Oh well, here I go, wish me luck!

She's having so much fun...

...no seriously, she is. I promise, I was there to witness it. What I'd like to know is how is it that she can be laughing one of those hearty belly laughs, you know the kind that I mean, the kind that makes your cheeks and your belly hurt, and the minute she sees the camera it all immediately comes to screeching halt?

Now let me explain why this might pose somewhat of a problem. I have taken thousands, literally thousands of pictures of Isabella. There are some pictures of her with her momma and some of her with her daddy, but very few of the three of us together (unless you count the many pictures of just our faces taken by either Scott's or my stretched out arm). So we've decided that we need some nice family pictures and tomorrow we are going to meet with a photographer who is going to take pictures of us individually and together at our local Art Museum grounds.

So right now we are hoping for two very important things (1) nice weather ~ overcast, sunny, I don't care as long as it's not raining, (2) a cooperative Isabella ~ please pray that she has some fun with the process and smiles and that not all her pictures are of her serious look or the side of her head.

Me personally, I am so excited about tomorrow. It'll be fun to not worry about being behind the camera and taking the "perfect" shot. The pressure is off me and I am so looking forward to just playing with Scott and Isabella, having a great time and getting some wonderful photos back in a couple of weeks. From there, the possibilities are endless. Yeah!

Don't get me wrong, I still love many of the pictures I take of Isabella, like the one below which we lovingly refer to as "The Look" (no further explanation needed).
But hopefully tomorrow the photographer will be able to capture the fun side of the three of us. I'll keep you posted.

This is what sassy looks like...

And oh, how I wish you could hear what sassy sounds like.

You see, we are very blessed with a beautiful, unbelievably intelligent, incredibly independent, stubborn and opinionated child. A child who absolutely, positively, and without a doubt knows exactly what she wants, how she wants it and when she wants it.

So here lately she's decided that since she has a voice then she will be heard. And boy are we hearing it. She truly believes she is in charge of everything and everyone around her, just ask Mick and Copper. She's got "Come", "Stay", "Down" and "Sit" down like a pro. Unfortunately, those commands are not just reserved for the dogs, but for her mommy and daddy and anyone else in the vicinity as well.

People talk and write about the terrible two's, but I beg to differ on what "the terribles" actually are and certainly when they actually start. So until I have some time to figure it all out, we'll just have to continue dealing with the sassiness that surrounds us.

Has it been a week already?

Goodness, I can't believe it's been a whole week since my last post. Where does time go? Well, let's see. Isabella is finally getting better. What started out as a stomach virus has turned into a cold with a snotty nose, lots of coughing and a very raspy voice. She's still not 100% herself, but we're slowly getting there.

Easter Sunday was a bit hectic, to say the least. We woke up and Isabella got to enjoy her Easter basket with all her toys, books and candy, for a little while anyway.

Afterwards we all enjoyed a nice breakfast and a wonderful church service. We came home, had lunch, put Isabella down for her nap, and started cooking like maniacs.

Being my daughter, her favorite part of the day was of course the chocolate. Notice the death grip she has on that piece of chocolate in her left hand. And just for the record, she has asked for chocolate by name every single day since Sunday.


We had dinner with our neighbors and Isabella participated in her first egg hunt. We were amazed at how quickly she grasped the concept, definitely trying to get as many eggs as possible worrying about the contents later. Pretty smart girl, if you ask me.


Other than that, we're just focusing on recuperating at the moment and looking forward to warmer weather which should be coming soon, right? I mean, it is almost mid-April.

Good Intentions

Ever since last night I've been thinking about what my day would be like today ~ get up early, go to my Bible study, get lunch for Isabella, put her down for a nap and clean like a crazy woman. I mean, I have been pumping myself up for everything I was going to get done today and I could hardly wait to have the cleanest house in the neighborhood.

I got up early, went to Bible study, got Isabella some lunch and then reality hit. My baby's not feeling well. And how do I know you ask, well for starters the fact that she did not eat her tasty McDonald's fries, all she wanted to do was snuggle with me on the couch and now she's running a low grade fever. She did nap for about an hour, and I'm willing to bet just about anything I have the cleanest bathrooms in the neighborhood, but that's as far as I got.

Right now we're sitting on the couch, drinking some yummy apple juice and watching The Backyardigans. Well, I'm on the couch and she just gravitated to her Dora the Explorer "sofa". Like any momma I hate it when she's sick and would do anything to make her feel better as quickly as possible. But I'd be lying if I told you I didn't enjoy all the cuddling she does when she's sick. You see, she's probably one of the most affectionate babies out there, with her infinite supply of yummy hugs, kisses and "love you"s her daddy and I get on a daily basis, but she does not like to cuddle. And trust me, it's not for lack of us trying. I think there's just too much to see, do and explore to sit with anyone for any given period of time. So, as much as I hate to have a baby who feels yucky, I'm really cherishing the snuggling.

So in closing, right now I have a dirty house with really clean bathrooms and a stunning baby girl on my lap snuggling against her momma and making her the happiest person on earth. When I woke up this morning I had good intentions, but if you ask me, I got a lot more than I bargained for. Yeah!

Theater Rookie

My brother called me this afternoon offering me 4 tickets to a kid's play called "If you give a mouse a cookie". So Isabella and I got dressed as fast as we could, picked her cousin Christian up (who she is absolutely crazy about), went downtown, had dinner with Scott and went to see the show.

This was Isabella's first play at a theater, and she loved it! She's been to the circus before and we just saw the Wiggles live in February, but this was totally different. Unlike the before mentioned events, today she was expected to be relatively quiet. I seriously didn't know what to expect and even warned my nephew that we might have to leave before the end of the show. Amazingly, she conducted herself like an old pro. She walked in and sat on my lap for most of the 55 minutes mesmerized by the huge "mouse" up on stage. When she wasn't focused on the action happening before us, she was fascinated by the stars (lights) on the ceiling, the people around us, or giving me and her daddy lots of hugs and kisses.

What a nice evening! Good food, good show, great company. I can't think of a better way to end the day and I can't wait for her next play. Ooohhh ~ isn't The Lion King coming to town?