Catching up with Izzy

7 weeks

Izabelle Alice is now 8 weeks and time is flying by. She weighed 9lb7oz at her last appointment and is 22 inches long. She started sleeping in her bed last week but I usually move her to her bassinet about 6am when she gets really fussy. She still eats every 2 hours and acts as if she is being murdered if the boob isn't immediately placed in her mouth...haha. Nursing is so easy with this baby and she has never had anything but breastmilk...which makes me feel awesome. It is amazing to know that you are the source of your baby's survival and nourishment. It also forces me to just sit and chill with her every 2 hours.
London is doing great with her and growing more patient during feedings. He is a good helper and every morning he is so excited to see her and "talk" to her. It usually consists of,"hiiiiiiiiii baby! Whatcha doooooin?" in his best high-pitched voice. She is growing and changing so much and after a bad case of cradle cap she's getting her hair back. She is getting chunkier every day and I just love this little thing. She makes me very very happy and it feels like she's been with us all along. 

first night in her crib

4 weeks

First Christmas as 4

making cookies

Santa came!

 We had a good Christmas. We decided traveling with Izzy would be too much so we planned to stay home this Christmas. We actually decided last year that we will spend Christmas day at home so our kids can experience Santa at home and then leave for PA the next morning to see my family.
We spent Christmas eve at Kary's parents house and exchanged gifts and had dinner. I even got a manicure and pedicure at Kary's salon that morning...much needed! We got lots of great stuff including a carpet shampooer and a grill! We had yummy tofurky and London had a great time with Sean's kids.
Kary and I were so excited to be able to buy and wrap gifts for London and surprise him. He is still a bit young to really flip out but he was excited. This was our first year making cookies, building a gingerbread house and talking about the story of Santa. Izzy slept through all of these activities but we are happy to have our little squeaky always nearby. She'll be big enough to participate before we know it. Risa and Brent spent the day with us and we ended the night at a great Chinese restaurant. It was a nice day but really missed my family. I already have a new plan in the works for next year.

out to eat

first Christmas

handsome boy

Uncle Jim and cousin Eric stopped by on their way to Florida

all dressed up

 

traaaaaaaaaaaaaaaains

"I don't like him"

London giving them their gifts

toasting

cheers!!

looooves popcorn

An Interview with London James...

I asked London a few questions. Some of them he answered with random nonsense so I answered them for him.

Favorite Drink: milk and apple juice
Favorite Food: oranges (actually tangerines), candy, blueberries
Favorite Cartoon: Team Umizoomi
Favorite Toy: Thomas, castle, castle guys
Favorite Dog: Willow (Josh & Sarah's dog)
Bedtime: anywhere between 8-10pm, he wakes up a few times and sometimes needs a drink or mommy or daddy to lay in bed with him for a bit, he's getting better every night ;-)
Loves: his baby sister, the park, candy (chocolate kisses, "candycane hangers")
Favorite Phrases: "try it again!", "I do it!", "Max and Ruby is coming up!", "I hold Izzy", "It hurts really bad", "It very hurts", "Down the tunnel!", "I wanna have that!" (every toy in a commercial), "Santa's Coming!"
*We understand about 95% of what he says...we do have to translate some things for people mostly because he has a random string of thoughts.
Favorite Books: Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, Little Einstein trains, Thomas, No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed, Gerald Boing Boing

Happy 1 Month Izzy belle

It is hard to believe that Izabelle has been with us for a month already. But at the same time it's hard to remember our lives without her. Our family's adaptation to her was as easy as her birth. London thinks the world of her and although he can be pretty rough, he is such a sweet big brother. He holds her hand in the car when she cries and tells her he loves her all the time...it is adorable!
Izzy had a few rough nights the past few weeks but just as quickly as she turned 1 month, she decided she'd go from sleeping an hour at a time to 5 hours straight. It has made life much easier for me actually getting some decent sleep. We ordered some monthly stickers to track her growth (stole the idea from a friend) and here is the photo shoot.

London finally got to meet Santa!!

This is London's 3rd Christmas but the first year he officially met Santa and had his photo taken. His first year we didn't bother because we were first time parents and worried about germs, last year he was totally freaked out by every man and we were not into torturing him.
This year we prepared London for the experience by talking to him about it for weeks. We also made him a video message from Santa and had Santa call the house.
When we got there London decided he was not into it. He freaked and yelled, "I don't like it!" I was super bummed but we left and decided to give up and just shop. When we were a few stores down London started to whine and told Kary that he was ready to see Santa now. Kary turned the stroller in a flash and we bombed down the mall hallway back to Santa.
There was no line because this Santa cost $25 and the other one was free. The other one was a 3 hour wait and we were totally not going to do that with a newborn.
The second time we walked up to Santa London did ok. I handed Izzy to Santa and she just kept sleeping. London was still not quite sure so I walked him up to Santa. I prompted him to tell Santa and he did it. He told him he wanted an umicar and a Thomas Steam and Go (Speed) train. He didn't want to get on his lap so one of the elves suggested he get on the bike. Kary got him to smile by having him yell umicar. His hair was a mess but the smile is priceless. I also love how Izzy has her little arms up. I was soooo elated that my little man finally faced his fear and met Santa. I think I was more excited than him.

attempt at a Christmas photo

the binky calmed her

sweet Izzy belle