Big Bed... Big day!

Today Isabelle transitioned from her crib into a big bed.  And I don't mean a toddler bed, I mean a really big bed.  Tonight she is sleeping in a twin bed and to say she looks miniature would be an understatement.

Then again, I feel like it was just yesterday when we brought her home from the hospital and she looked miniature in the crib.  My how quickly time passes.

As I look at her sleeping peacefully in her big girl bed, I can't help but realize that my baby girl is not a baby but really a girl.  Those three years went by so quickly, I feel soon she'll be 6 and I'll think back, wasn't she just three.

I hope the night goes well and she sleeps as peacefully as she did in her crib.  She never seemed to not want to sleep in the crib but we knew it was time to make the transition.

Sweet dreams baby  big girl.  Mommy and Daddy can't believe just how fast you're growing up.

Until next time,
Angie

Their great dad...

Gabriel, Michael and Isabelle have a wonderful dad and this morning as I was getting ready for the day, I was reminded just how great he is.

I had just bathed Isabelle and while I was in the shower, Jarrett finished getting her ready.  Just as it is every other day, of course Isabelle wanted to wear her Elsa dress (we've given in and let her wear it everyday- it isn't worth the battle).  After getting her dress on, the next request was for her Elsa braid.  I listened to Jarrett talk with her as I finished getting the shampoo out of my hair.  Jarrett put detangler in her hair, then proceeded to comb it.  Meanwhile Isabelle just repeated over and over again, "Please can I have an Elsa braid?", "Please Dad."  I knew I had only a minute left before Isabelle would be opening my shower door telling me to get out so I could braid her hair.

When the minute passed and I didn't hear the shower door open, I wiped the glass shower door and saw this...

Yes, while you can't see Jarrett standing there, that it is him braiding her hair.  

I'll be honest, I definitely took a a second look and wiped my eyes again.  And then I couldn't help but smile.  Then I jumped out of the shower, ran across the bathroom to our bedroom, grabbed my phone, snapped a couple of pictures before hopping back into the shower.  Some moments are worth a ton of water all across one's floor.  

In watching Jarrett do his best at attempting to braid Isabelle's hair, I couldn't help but be reminded of just how lucky I am.  I am married to a wonderful man who works extremely hard to provide for us,  who jumps right in to help with the kids (and the dog) the minute he walks through the door and who is the perfect partner for me.

With Valentine's Day coming up Jarrett and I made an agreement we won't be spending any money or going out to a fancy dinner.  While roses are nice and a date night out as adults is wonderful, I'm thankful for the small gifts I get... like watching my partner jump in and braid his daughter's hair (even though he didn't really know what he was doing).  Sometimes, the simple things he does to take a little bit of the load off of me, are the best gifts I could get.

Thanks Jarrett for being such a wonderful dad.  The kid are blessed and so am I.

Until next time,

Angie

Nana and Papa's Anniversary

When we were at Disneyland a few weeks ago Nana and Papa celebrated their anniversary.  What a fun place to celebrate right?

Before the trip, the kids and I were talking about the trip and that we should do something special to help them celebrate.  That's when one of the boys came up with the idea to make them a "really big card" After talking about some of their ideas we came to the conclusion we'd make them a really big anniversary sign and then decorate their hotel room door with balloons and the sign.

So we got to work...

 Gabriel went to work drawing the bubble letters and Isabelle started right away to color them in.

 At first Gabriel wasn't so sure he liked the idea of his sister coloring the sign... but mom, she doesn't know how to stay in the lines.  I told him I don't think Papa and Nana would mind a few mistakes of color outside of the lines and that they'd enjoy it more if everyone had a part of making it.

 All the kids helped to make the sign special.  And after coloring in the letters, each person drew a special picture (Mickey ears, balloons, a heart for example) to show their extra special touch of care.  And then everyone wrote a special note.  When I mean everyone, there may have been even a special note or drawing touch added by a neighbor kid or two.

 On the morning of their anniversary the kids quickly got up and dressed in the hopes of helping me decorate their door.  It turns out Papa woke up a tad bit earlier than we thought he would and so we didn't get to decorate the door as we planned.

It was okay though as they kids held the sign when he opened the door and shouted Happy Anniversary.  I think they liked it just the same.

It was fun getting to celebrate their special day with them and we hope they know just how much they are loved.  We sure did put a lot of it into our little (okay, big) sign. 

Until next time,

Angie

How can it be.... our baby is 3!

 Yep, that's right Isabelle today you turn three.

Its hard for mom to believe you are such a big girl.

As I look into your beautiful blue eyes and are blessed by your contagious smile, I see its true.

You're turning into such a big girl, right in front of my eyes.

You are such a happy child, with a laugh that always causes more....

You've perfected the "cheeze" smile with a grit of your teeth and the clench of your fists.

Your zest for life is heart-warming, with curiosity that never sleeps.

Where once I saw a little baby, I now see a little girl.  

Isabelle, you are smart, funny, caring and loving.  Just some of the many reasons why you are loved so much.

As I look at this picture, I can't believe how tall you are.  Those legs don't seem to end! Mom wishes for your height.  

I don't know if you know this or not, but at night when we sit, rock in the chair and read together, I often gaze into your eye lashes, I study your cheeks and those beautiful lips.  I try to capture your innocence, your beauty, who you are now, so I never forget just how you looked at each and every age.

You've become such a talkative little girl who loves to sing songs, tell stories and talk about ANYTHING Frozen!

I love your expressions, for they are always big and your emotions clear.  Whether its saying hi to a bird in the sky (see above), so singing your songs, always clear, always big, always a blessing.

Isabelle, as you turn three, I look forward to seeing you grow, to watching you learn new things and to sharing more and more of who you are with us.

I hope you always look at life with the same zest you have now.

I hope you never loose your sense of wonder.

And I hope you always know how much you are loved.  

We wish you the happiest 3rd birthday and a wonderful year.

Let the world celebrate---- for now you are three!

Until next time,
Angie

Where did our baby go?

Three years ago tonight Jarrett and I went to bed for the last time as a parent to two boys.  Three years ago tomorrow, our baby girl was born and our life was about to change again.  And if we didn't think life could get better, we were wrong.  Welcoming Isabelle into our lives, into our family, made our heart grow in ways we didn't think it could.  It made two little boys love having a little sister and grow into big brothers that are protective, helpful and loving.

As this tiny little baby was welcomed into our arms, our heart strings grew together as a family of five in ways that intertwined and can never come apart.

I can't help but think about the fact that tonight is the last day my baby will be two.  Where did the time go?  I think she should still be that tiny baby that fit so perfectly in the crook of my arm, not the towering three year old that is already up to my waist.  While I loved the days of her as a baby, I have to say I'm also in love with who she was as a two year old.  She grew independently, found her running legs, tested me in new ways, and wonderfully verbalized she loves me in words, in actions, in hugs and kisses.

As she becomes three, the learning, the growing and the independence will continue to grow.  She will now be the age Michael was when he came to be ours.  How can that be?  I can't remember him being that small. And now she seems so big.

I pray for her to be happy, to be healthy and to thrive at being three.  For she's now another year older, but she'll always be my baby.

 Happy early birthday baby girl.  I love you so.... Mom.

Until next time,
Angie