Snapshots from Our Christmas

 

catching up

Sorry I've been neglecting the blog world as of late!

 Here are some photos from here and there to try and compensate for my absence.

Life lately has been taking care of the little one, preparing for back to school, and soaking up the last of summer.

Next week begins my last rigorous and demanding 15 months of nursing school so wish me luck!

 

Dear Isabelle

You have been growing up way too fast this past month. You have been changing so much! You are more interactive with us, which I love. You play with us, kiss us, give us high fives, and are always curious about what we're doing. You clap your little hands and smile when your toys play music and sometimes you dance. It is the cutest thing.

You've been such a good eater. You love your whole wheat pasta with marinara! You walk around like you rule the house. You don't like when there's a closed door between you and your mama! You love playing with keys and pushing around your baby stroller. You also love playing with mama's purses and jewelery, and sometimes you try to put on my shoes (you're a girly girl in the making)!

You make a dash for the front door whenever it opens. Your prime target when you get into the bathroom is the toilet paper...don't know how many rolls I've had to wrestle from your hands. You are starting to really mimic our actions (both exciting and a little scary). Just the other day you tried to clean your own ear with a q-tip and later you knew to put our thermometer in your ear! 

I love you and am so proud to be there as you grasp more and more new things and continue growing.

Love Always,

Mama

back to the lone star state

Last week we got back home to Houston, and here are some photos of what we've been up to since then!

1. She was all smiles before our flight took off (a different story once we got on the plane)
2. Having a snack outside at church
3. Neon pants. I was feeling bold
4. The Acai Super Antioxidant from Jamba Juice, minus the sherbert!
5. Turned around to snap a photo of that cutie at a stop light
6. She loves her smoothies!
7. Good friends hook you up with free froyo
8. My little diva playing with mama's purse and jewelery

Happy Birthday America

Happy 4th of July! Isabelle saw her first fireworks show tonight! She pointed up at the sky and would whisper, "ooooh." Pretty darn cute.

Tonight is our last night in Florida. I'm pretty sad to say bye to my parents but ready to head on home. Crossing my fingers for a smooth plane ride!

life lately

Words of Wisdom Wednesday

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snapshots from the week

...a week that included my ever so cute sidekick, relaxing with a glass of Riesling, parking lot pictures, a play date, and a new tattoo!

summer lovin'

 what I'm loving so far this summer:

1. No classes at all...though I am itching to just get school over and done with
2. Iced soy chai tea lattes, please
3. Having time to read more. just finished the Fifty Shades trilogy!
4. Pool time with baby girl
5. Seeing Isabelle loved on by Grandma & Grandpa...gonna be sad when we go back home
6. Iron & Wine and Mumford & Sons stations on Pandora to accompany me through the day
7. Colored skinnies & pops of neon
8. Fresh blueberries & blackberries 
9. A DVR full of summer shows
10. Florida sunshine & even Florida thunderstorms

This will probably be my very last summer off in a who knows how long so I'm going to try and take advantage of it as much as I can. So far its been pretty chill (well aside from toddler tantrums heh) but I definitely want to get into productivity mode for the rest of summer! Hope everyone else's summer has been grand so far. Love & joy to you all!

Dear Isabelle

at 12 months you:

-are throwing those toddler tantrums like crazy...not too fun for Mommy

-have successfully switched to whole milk

-dance to music by swaying back and forth, so cute!

-are trying more foods

-love to push and drag things around- be it your baby stroller, chairs, or shopping carts

-are now climbing on the couch and most of the time are able to crawl back off without Mommy's help

-love seeing Grandma walk through the door. You race to her and throw your hands up excitedly.

-still love the outdoors, walking and exploring

-like shutting doors for some reason

-are still as clever as ever. When you sense you have something you're not supposed to you smile and quickly run away from Mommy

-have started walking around backwards sometimes...which results in a lot of collisions with the wall...silly girl

-are of course still so very very loved<3

a work in progress

I am a firm believer in always bettering yourself, and I'll be the first to admit that I am a work in progress. I have so many goals and desires for my life that have yet to be achieved. Lately, I've been pretty down about some things going on that are beyond my control- things that I never thought I'd have to struggle with, but I have decided that I'm going to look forward. I'm going to turn pain into strength. I'm going to think positive. I'm going to actively work towards what I out of life. I'm going to make the best out of every situation.

 Here are some of the goals I want to focus on:

 -to finish nursing school

-to always do what is best for my daughter and be the best mother I can be

-to forgive, and to never let the world harden my heart

-to live with grace and humility

-to complain less and focus on my blessings

-to get fit and accustom myself to a healthier lifestyle

-to find enjoyment in getting ready each day, rather than it being another task

-to better appreciate and grow closer to my family

-to surround myself with positivity, inspiration, and more music

-to have fun and enjoy the beautiful things in life!

-to never give in to apathy

-to never forsake love



Here's to a new day :) 

a 1st birthday

a few snapshots from Isabelle's birthday yesterday:

Of course she had no idea it was her birthday, but I'm sure she did not mind all the attention, cake, new toys, and late bedtime :)

my 1 year old

 

Dear Isabelle,

I can’t believe a year has already passed. Twelve months ago today they placed your tiny 6 lb, 12 oz body in my arms, and my life was forever changed. You have taught me so much about myself and about life. You have made me a stronger and more resilient person. Motherhood has had its struggles, but it has been so rewarding to watch you grow, to see you accomplish new things, to see you grasp new concepts. You are my wild child. My stubborn and sassy diva. My clever and curious explorer. I love you. I love seeing you light up and smile. I love hearing you laugh and talk. I love the way you say, “maamaa.” I love seeing your personality develop. I love the way you run to me when you’re scared, the way you know I’m your safe place. I love that you are mine.

I will forever be your fierce protector. I will always work to do what is best for you and make sure you have the opportunities to reach your highest potential. I will love you, today and always. 

Love,

Mama

"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be ." <3

you must think I live at the beach

what I am grateful for today:

-baby girl sleeping in until 10:20! a solid 7 hours of sleep without interruption for this mama = heaven.

-nice weather for a trip to the beach

-my little ladybug who I love so much

-parents who are so supportive and loving to me and my girl

-an amazing 3 course home cooked meal

a look back...

I can't believe Isabelle will be 1 in just 5 days!!

Here is a look back on the past year. She has changed so much!

 1 day old

 1 month old

2 months old

3 months old

4 months old

5 months old

6 months old

7 months old

 

8 months old

9 months old

10 months old

11 months old