Built in GPS

Who needs a GPS when you have Isabelle around!  Isabelle has always been very observant. Whenever I am driving she is always leaning to the side so she can see where I am going.  A while back she started pointing out our home whenever we would come up to the light at the corner.  I thought that was pretty normal considering that is where we always come in and out of every day.  Then last month we were driving to the YMCA and we passed the light where I would turn to go to my mom's.  Isabelle started crying and I was like "what's wrong?" then she said "Nana!!!"  I was shocked that she knew that is where I turn to go to my mom's.  It isn't even her neighborhood, just a light and there really isn't much of a landmark there.  I turned around and went back to the light and Isabelle was happy.  I guess Isabelle had a different agenda than me.  Now every time we pass that light Isabelle says "Hi Nana!" 

Whenever we take the toll road heading downtown Orlando Isabelle looks out the front window and as soon as the city's skyline is in sight she says "Papa's work!"  Typically I take the toll road to get to Charles' work when we meet him for lunch or sometimes dinner during the dreaded busy season, but the other day I decided to take the back roads and save a little money. Isabelle knew that we were going to Papa's work, but when I turned left out of our neighborhood instead of right she was all concerned.  She thought I changed the plans and was going somewhere else.  I had to keep assuring her that we were going to see Papa, just going a different way.  As soon as we were in view of the tall buildings, even though it was a different direction we were coming from, Isabelle was relieved and pointed to the buildings and said "Papa's work."  

The other day I was driving and Isabelle asked me for a cookie, I told her I didn't have any.  We got to the corner with Publix (a grocery store, where she always gets a cookie) and she said "Mama, Publix, cookie, please."  How can you say no to that?  Every morning Isabelle and I go to the YMCA.  On our way there Isabelle assures me that we are heading in the right direction with every turn I make.  And as soon as she can see the Y, she makes sure I see it too.  A couple weeks ago we were visiting with a lady from church and then we were going to Coleman's house (one of Isabelle's friends).  Well our house happened to be on the way to Coleman's house and when Isabelle saw us approaching the light for our neighborhood she started crying "Coleman, Coleman."  She was relieved when I continued past our street.  

Isabelle always wants to know where we are going.  Her new thing is I will ask her where we are going and she will start listing all the places where we are not going first and then say where we are going.  For example, Isabelle will say "Publix, noooo...Costco, noooo... Nana's, noooo...church, noooo, the Y, Yessss!!!"  Last weekend we were leaving a church activity and we were going out for ice cream.  As we passed our house Isabelle said "home, noooo... ice cream, yessss!"  It makes me laugh.  

So back to my original statement, I don't need a GPS, I have Isabelle.  She can get me to Papa's work, Nana's house, church, Aunt Jenny's house, the YMCA, Publix, Costco, Wet 'n Wild, Kayla's house, Coleman's house, our home and plenty more places that I probably haven't discovered yet.  

The Verdict is in...

Charles and I found out this morning that Isabelle is going to have a little sister!!!  (Oh and by the way I am pregnant, a little side note there.)  I thought for sure this time that I was having a boy, I guess that mother's intuition was a little off.  We are thrilled to have another little angel join our family.  I can't wait for Isabelle to have a little sister so close in age.  The baby is due right between Christmas and New Years.  The doctors say the 31st, I say the 27th, and the ultrasound said the 26th.  So I am about 20 weeks, half way!  Hopefully she won't follow the same time schedule as Isabelle and wait till January to be born.  We had a boy name picked out, but have a bunch of names being thrown around for a girl.  So we are open to any suggestions. For anyone wondering, this time I will be going to the hospital and I am thrilled to take advantage of any drugs available.  While a home birth was an amazing experience, I don't want to do it again.  Here are some fun pictures from the ultrasound this morning, she looks healthy as can be. 

There's my little girl!

I'll take their word for it.

She kept hiding her face with her little hands, maybe she was trying to play peek-a-boo.

Fun with Mamy and Papy

We just finished a great visit from Charles' parents.  They came and stayed with us for a month. It was the first time they had been back since Isabelle was born, so she has definitely changed a lot.  She absolutely adored them.  It really helped her French too to have them around.  It is amazing how she can switch back and forth between languages depending on who she is speaking to.  

During their stay we were able to do a lot.  Charles' dad went right to work doing different projects as soon as he got here.  He painted the garage floor, our bedroom, the family room, and two bathrooms.  He hung several picture frames and fixed a few things around the house. Charles' mom went right to work cooking and cleaning and playing with Isabelle.  They are the best in-laws!  We are so grateful for all they did while they were here.  

Fortunately their visit wasn't all work and projects.  We made a trip down south, with our first stop at my Grandma's house in Vero Beach.  After which we headed down to the Keys for a few days.  It was such a nice and relaxing week.

Vero Beach

Relaxing at Ma's house.

  

Charles' parents took the canoe out around the island.  It is a beautiful ride.

So this is a sore subject.  A little background... Charles has been fishing several times over the past few years.  He is yet to catch a fish.  He has caught a rock, but not a fish.  We went down on Ma's dock to try our luck.   Within a few seconds of throwing his line in, Charles' dad caught a fish.  He tried again and caught one right away.  Still no bites for Charles.  I came down to the dock and within 30 seconds I had a fish.  Needless to say Charles was pretty disappointed. Sorry Charlie.  I'm sure you'll have your chance one day.

Aunt Carol and Uncle Andy took us out on their boat for a morning ride.  Isabelle got her chance to drive the boat.  I remember doing that with my Pa when I was little.  Lucky for us there were lots of dolphin out that morning.

The Keys

After a fun time in Vero we headed down to the Keys.  We stayed at a nice place called Holiday Isle Resort in Islamorada (almost half way down the Keys).  We got in Thursday night so Friday was our first full day. We woke up to a terrible storm.  Not exactly what you want when you are in the Keys.  We looked online and saw that it was supposed to be clearer in Key West so we decided to head on down. Thanks to some missionaries that we found on the side of the street we were able to find an IHOP in Marathon on the way down to Key West.  

After a lot of driving we finally made it to Key West!  The drive payed off, the weather was absolutely beautiful!

We spent the afternoon at Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park.  The beach there was beautiful.  Charles did a little snorkeling while Isabelle enjoyed playing in the water.

Charles' parent soaking up the Florida sun.

While walking down Duval Street we saw the cookie store that I had been to many years ago. Of course we had to stop and get one of the huge cookies.  They were as good as I remembered!

Carol and I ten years ago in front of the same cookie place.  Mmmm good!

You can't go to Key West and not go to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville.

Isabelle thought this statue was so funny.  She kept touching the little boy.

Chillin' by Mallory Square.

J'aime ton sourire!

Playing in the water at our hotel.

We went to Robbie's Marina to feed the Tarpon.  While I was a little grossed out to touch the dead fish, Isabelle was not scared at all to pick them up and throw them to the tarpon.  The tarpon were everywhere and they were hungry!  I think the pelican wanted the fish too.  With all the tarpon here Charles could definitely catch a fish!

We found a great restaurant near our hotel called Lazy Days.  After dinner we went out back on their dock and took some family pictures.

The Zoo

When we got back from the Keys Charles had to go back to work.  Isabelle, Charles' parents and I spent a fun afternoon at the Zoo.  There is a fun splash park for the kids that Isabelle loved after a long day in the sun.  At first she was a little timid about the water, but then she just got right in.  

Rock Springs

The day before Charles' parents left we went to Rock Springs.  The springs are absolutely beautiful.  We rented some tubes to go down the river and packed a picnic lunch.  It was great until the mosquitos started attacking.  The mosquitos seamed to really like Charles' dad, he got bit all over.  Despite the annoying mosquitos we had a great time.

We had such a nice visit with Charles' parents.  We can't wait till they come back again!

Happy Half Birthday Isabelle!

Isabelle had her half birthday on Tuesday!  I can't believe she is already 18 months.  But at the same time it seems like she has always been a part of my life.  Isabelle is learning new things each day, she never ceases to amaze me.  Charles' parents got here at the beginning of May.  It has been great to have them here and for them to be able to get to know Isabelle so much better.

Here are some of the most recent updates on Isabelle and what she likes:

Talking:  Isabelle is a little parrot.  She repeats everything we say.  Recently, she has developed a new favorite expression "Heck Ya!"  The first time she said it Charles and I cracked up, so of course that was her cue to say it over and over.  Isabelle is doing great with both languages.  It has been a big help having the extra French influence of Charles' parents these past two weeks. Isabelle really seems to know and understand the two languages.  Isabelle loves saying prayers.  Every time we get to the table she folds her arms and says "prayer" before we can even say anything.  If we ever bring out a new dish after we start eating she always makes sure we say another prayer for the new food.  What a great example she is to us. Isabelle loves to say the prayer herself.   Usually she repeats what we say, but just this past week she started adding in her own things.

Me: "Thank you"

Isabelle: "Thank you"

Me: "for"

Isabelle: "Jesus"

Me: "and"

Isabelle: "Momma"

Me: "and"

Isabelle: "Papa"

It is so sweet to hear the prayer of a little child.  On occasion I have even heard her saying her own prayer when I am in another room. 

Favorite Songs:  Isabelle still loves to dance.  She always asks me to turn the music on. Lately she has started making specific requests.  She has named all the songs the best she logically can: "Low" (yes she loves Flo Rida), "Gaga" for "Just Dance," "Closer," "Castle" for Les Miserables' "Castle on a Cloud," "Rainbow" for "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "No Air." These are just a few of the many songs she likes.  She definitely has her taste of what she likes and dislikes.  

 

Favorite Activities: Isabelle loves doing puzzles, making different animal sounds, learning body parts, climbing on everything, and playing with her baby dolls.  Everyday when we walk to the mailbox Isabelle takes her baby in its stroller.  Isabelle loves looking at pictures and naming everyone in them. She loves all of our family and friends and we all adore her.

Favorite Books:  Isabelle adores reading.  She has more books than we can keep track of. After reading a book a couple times Isabelle will have all the names memorized and will start saying the words on the next page before we even turn it.  I always find her in her room sitting in the rocker reading her books to herself.  Some of her favorite books are Goodnight Moon, The Belly Button Book, Petit George, Moo Baa La La La, Je T'aime Mon Bebe, and Emilie. 

Favorite Numbers: Isabelle is big on counting.  She counts everything.  So far she can count up to 9 on her own.  She doesn't really seem to care about 10, 9 is like the best thing to her.

Isabelle loves playing in the fountain out back.  

Isabelle loves flowers, especially ones that smell good.

One of Isabelle's biggest developments is starting to potty train.  For a couple months now she would tell us when she needed to go potty, so about a month ago we finally went and got her a little potty seat.  She gets on it daily, but has only gone in the potty a few times.  I think it is more of a game to her.  I am not in a huge rush to get her potty trained, although it would be nice.  I'm sure it will happen when she is ready.  

We are so proud of Isabelle.  She brings us more joy than I ever thought possible.  I look forward to each day and the new things she will learn.