Tulips and Izzy

These pictures are so adorable to compare...above is April 2007, below is April 2008, precious moments!

What we've been up to...

Hi friends & family!
The last few posts have been centered off the fam so I thought I'd post about our latest happenings. We're doing well in this honeymoon phase of home ownership. It was pure joy watching Aaron mow our first lawn for the first time, and I take a little pride in pulling out each dandy-lion that pops up every morning when I wake up. I know all of these little things will fade so while they are still fun, I have to document them!




Aaron played in the annual MUSS-membered Utah game. Isabelle and I watched from the sidelines as he tackled really well in a flag football game...oops!

Isabelle waving hi, she's a true pro! Her smiles and waves are the highlight of any social occasion!
I'm always behind the camera, so here's a blurry self portrait, yes, still look the same, nothing new there!
Isabelle gathering the troops for bedtime.
Isabelle deciding if she's going to put up with flip flops spreading her toes apart all day, she was a trooper, and she looked adorable!

Home Sweet Home!

It's official! Aaron and I are proud owners of our own .13 acre lot of home property. We moved in last weekend and so far it's been unpacking boxes, patching/sanding/priming/painting walls, drilling holes, lowes/home depot runs, learning to live w/o a microwave or dishwaher (for now, hopefully will change asap!), loving a yard and flat/tree-lined neighborhood, meeting neighbors, enjoying our backyard mountain view and so much more!!!

When I find my camera I'll post pictures! Stay Tuned!

You tell me...

I don't know if I should be surprised by this or not, but you tell me.

So I'm sitting here on Sunday afternoon "blog-hopping" and Isabelle is running around doing what she does best and she comes over to the computer and I could smell you know what, so I asked her "did you go poo poo?" She left and went towards her room, and came back with one diaper in her hand handing it to me. I took it from her and followed her into her room, and watched her reach up on her tippy toes to the changing table for me to change her. Wow...this seriously amazed me, don't ask me why. If she is this aware of diaper changing, should I be trying to attempt toilet training? You tell me...

ABC's...sort of...

I've been meaning to post this video for a while for our far-away-family, and anyone else who doesn't see Isabelle regularly. This is her attempting some of the alphabet, it's a work in progress. She is an independent and smart little thing-we are amazed every day and the things she can learn.

Here's take two of Isabelle and the ABC's. She doesn't get very far until she starts enjoying the play-back feature on our camcorder while we're recording. She keeps Aaron and I laughing at her Iz-ms! We love our Izzy! And P.S. I apologize that Isabelle never looks well-groomed in our videos-I guess by the time I get the video camera out it's always the end of the day or after nap time when her hair is all over the place. I really do bath and comb her hair daily, you just can't tell from these videos!

Then and now...

The picture above is Isabelle one year ago. The picture below is Isabelle now (this picture inspired me to get her haircut!). I can't believe how much growth has occurred in a year. She has gotten so big and compared to her cousin Grace who is 1 year younger than her. Isabelle looks ginormous! I guess I have to finally fess up that I don't have a baby anymore, I have an active toddler that ceases to amaze me. Recently she has some how learned how to snap her fingers. Don't ask me how, I had nothing to do with it. She is obsessed with brushing her teeth, she is obsessed with putting shoes on her feet, my feet, anyone's feet. She hasn't figured out how to say "no" and so she says "oww" instead which is still cute when she's mad about something. She folds her arms when we say prayers at dinner which is so adorable. She drinks out of a regular cup-small amounts of water, blows kisses, has learned how to jump (and loves doing it!), is adament about feeding herself with a utensil, and always chases puppies that we encounter if we're outside. She keeps things fun and we're excited to see what's next!!!!

1-2-3-Jump!

Many of you know, many of you don't, but Aaron and I are moving into this home next month. We are feeling every emotion about it-excited, elated, relieved, anxious, nervous, scared, and anything inbetween. I'm sure you fellow-home owners out there can relate to what I mean-and the pre-homeowners will know what I mean when it's your turn. My mother-in-law compared this home to what she'd call a "dream house" which is exactly the way we feel as well! The real selling points for me with this house are the backyard (fully fenced), and the quiet, cute neighborhood. It's a few houses away from Dilworth Elementary, which will someday be Isabelle's school! We are so excited to take this jump together and we'll keep you posted on the updates. We also sold our condo this week which is a great relief! The buyer's of our condo are coming with an inspector tomorrow to start the process of turning over this condo space to becoming their own. We feel so blessed to be prepared for this move and although it will be a stretch for us, it will be a move in the right direction.


For those of you who live nearby, the house is located near 2300 East and 19th So. We hope to host many of you here for visits in the coming months!

Valentine Vases

Today is Valentines Day-business as usual for most-still go to work and school. This morning I was woken up by my early morning student calling at 6:30am saying they wouldn't be coming due to the reminder by mother nature that it's still winter time-almost 12 inches of new snow are outside my windows this morning. So there I was, awake, in the dark, and I hung up the phone and turned around only to see this adorable display laid out by Aaron. The card says "Happy Valentines Day to Amy & Izzy" and he got flowers for both of us. Sweetest thing! In this season of mundane color outside, these are a breath of fresh air. I am so lucky to have the coolest husband who is still so thoughtful. Last night I woke up around 3am and noticed he wasn't in bed yet, and could hear he was out on the computer doing homework. Poor guy is working so hard for school and still takes time to buy me AND IZZY flowers! Love you Aaron!

Happy Birthday Amy!

One year ago...
1. I was 23 pounds heavier
2. I was nursing our 7 month old Izzy
3. Aaron and I didn't know where we'd be in a year, crossing our fingers he'd be accepted to the U of U Nursing School
4. I had never stepped foot into a gym
5. I shamefully was shopping at "big women" stores.
6. Isabelle was our only something to help us see happiness in every day.




















Today...
1. I'm 23 pounds lighter
2. I'm not nursing or pregnant.
3. Aaron is 30% done with the U of U Nursing School
4. I workout 4-6 times per week, and I LOVE it.
5. I don't have to have an "x" in my sizes anymore.
6. I feel in control of my life. My life brings me joy-every part of it.

I know that through hard work, dedication, committment, patience, and faith that the impossible is possible. This past year has been such a great one for me. Being a mother has helped open my eyes to the importance I have as a role-model. Being healthy has helped me realize how much better life can be with a little more confidence. Seeing Aaron accomplish his dreams brings both of us so much happiness. And of course, Isabelle is still the sweetest thing!
I look forward to what's in store for this year...other than the fact I'm another year closer to 30, eeeeek! Thank you to friends & family who have called, emailed and wished me Happy Birthday. I only hope I can remember to do the same for you!

I know...more Isabelle...

Isabelle has been quite intrigued with all the snow outside, I think she's finally learning how to say "snow" but it's not one of her strong words quite yet-don't ask me why. It's nice to finally be able to have her walk to the car by herself, she knows the way well now. I know in a few weeks I'll be eating my words when she starts running away from me and it'll turn into a chase rather than the nice walk that it is now...I guess I'm warning myself for that all-too-soon day!

A New Month...

This post is picture-less, a real shocker. I'm posting because is there anyone else out there that can't wait for January to be done? I absolutely hate January and this one has been no exception to my hatred of the month. February is much better, my birthday month, Valentines Day, and 3 pay-days this year with leap-year! Bring on February, I'm more than ready!

I guess the one good thing about January is that I lost 4 pounds, so I guess I shouldn't complain too much, I'll go ahead and just brag about it on my blog! Yeah for me!

Kisses...and jibber jabber

This video is mainly for our family, far from us, but any who are curious are welcome to watch. This is a 2 minute video of Isabelle-isms. Kisses, words, expressions, all around sweetness! I think my favorite part is her interpretation of "Adam"-Oh yah, and a nose-pick, gotta love toddlers!

Friday Night Graveyards....

Aaron does Friday night graveyard shifts every other weekend so it's always a little lonesome here on "date night." This time gives me a chance to tell you how proud of our little girl we are. She has grown up so much lately....
1. She is officially bottle-less, day and night
2. She doesn't wake up at 11pm anymore, thanks to a kick in the butt from my Dr. at her 18 mo. appt. to stop "fueling the fire" when she wakes.
3. She says over 30 words, I could go all out and list them since I've written them down, but I'll save you all the reading time. I'm sure many of you have already heard her jibber jabber! A few full sentences (toddler-style) too...i.e. "it's a baby!" or "it's a cow!" or "where'd-it-go?"
4. She prefers to eat her food with a utensil at meals, and she's always keeps her drink in the "drink holder" on her tray, she's already organized and she's not even 2!
5. She's polite, she says Hi (or HELLO!!) and Bye to any passer-by and spreads smiles where-ever we go.
6. She's a good traveler. Car rides are great with her. She hardly complains, doesn't need much entertaining, a few peek a boo turns are enough to keep her smiling.

I'm sure I'll think of tons more as I'm laying in bed tonight thinking of "what else I could've said" but I'll save that for my own journal.

Friday Night Graveyards...

It doesn't make much for date night, but it does give me time to blog hop. While jumping around the blogs I spy on, I found this link on my sister-in-law's blog to test my mad-typing-skills. I scored 75 wpm, then 79, then 76. So I guess that's an average of 76 WPM. I gotcha beat Holly!!! Anyone want to challenge me? Visit the site and test your mad-typing-skills!

http://speedtest.10-fast-fingers.com/

Miracle Belt!

I found this great product this weekend that I can't wait to get in the mail. It's called an invisibelt! It's prime purpose in life is to keep your pants where you want them without the bulk of a belt. I HATE wearing belts so this is my answer! It's $20 and fits sizes 2-14, I'll let you all know how well it works when I get it...you can check it out and www.invisibelt.com!

Santa found us!

Isabelle was pleased with Santa's arrival of toys for her. She's had the same toys for about 6 months now and it'll be nice to have some new things to keep her entertained and happy. Seems like she didn't even need to open this one to figure out how much fun it would be-can you guess what it is??? The infamous corn popper-pink edition of course!!!!
Isabelle loves making music. This fun piano has her favorite animal attached to it as well, COW!
Isabelle was introduced to sledding on Christmas Eve with a few family members. Of course, decked out in pink, she absolutely loved sledding and couldn't get enough of exploring the fresh snow!!! I can't believe how big she looks in this picture-do I say that in every post?

Tag! I'm it...are you next?

Melissa tagged me on her blog, and I just so happen to go blog hopping tonight, so here are my "fun facts"

#1. List 6 facts/habits about yourself that no one knows
#2. Tag 6 other friends and post their names at the bottom.

Amy's Answers...
1. I am a lean mean typing machine, I am a pro typer...all from the good ol' days of typing class in 7th grade when I met my life long friend Kailee...and an internet addiction in high school-wait, isn't that still a problem?
2. I can go with or without a cell phone. I've currently been cell-phone-free for 1 year and can honestly say I don't miss it much-sometimes it's nice to be unavailable!
3. I am a closet-reality show addict. All the cheesy ones that you want to roll your eyes about when you flip through, I'm probably addicted to it: Bachelor, Biggest Loser, Hills, even Newport Harbor-the worst of all!!!
4. I type/save/print my weekly grocery lists (reference #1)
5. I eat scrambled eggs and OJ for breakfast almost every morning (unless I'm dieting, then it's oatmeal)
6. I lost 18 pounds this year! woopeee! 15 more to go starting January 1st!

Aaron's Answers...
1. I am actually warming up to the Wiggles characters, who once scared me.
2. I'm a strong defender in the basketball key.
3. I've been to more U of U football games than high school football games.
4. I had never worn flip flops before moving to Utah in 2001.
5. I've never seen nor been nor enjoyed the infamous Lake Powell I hear so much about.
6. When I get road rage, you don't want me near you...and it happens a lot.

Friends I'm tagging: Anne Leymaster, Sarah Johnson, Becky Norton, Amanda Hansen, Katie Williams, & Shelbi Owen. Have fun!

Cow!

Thank you to Grandma Norton for this fun cow for Isabelle. She's already gotten acquainted with it and loves to tell us what it is!!!!! Enjoy Isabelle in this movie we call "Cow!"

'Tis the Season...

Has our little girl really gotten this big? This picture says it all, she is a true toddler. I can't believe how much she's grown in the past few months. She says a whole language of words, can communicate what she needs and wants so much easier, and is developing her own little personality. But alas, she still has lots of "baby" in her still-she kept us up until 4:30am last night, still has her "bink & blanke", still moans in our arms before she falls asleep-something she's done since she was in our arms at the hospital. We've enjoyed (a little too much) shopping for Isabelle's Christmas. Stay tuned for post-Christmas posts to see all the loot! Happy Holidays!We had our good friend Kailee run over to our place to snag a family photo for Christmas and if you only knew what it took to get a decent photo-well I guess all of you who have children know what it takes! All you hope for is that everyone's eyes are open and there are no tears right? Smiles are just a bonus if you're lucky! This is us saying to all of you, Merry Christmas!!!!!!

Ute Fan in Training!

I know I'm a couple Saturdays too late, but these jammies say it all! No matter what, we will always be Ute Fans! Aaron found these at the Utah Bookstore and couldn't resist! We should've gotten a red/white binkee to match, she wouldn't let me take the picture without it-oh well!
This blanket she drags around all day is starting to remind me of the Velveteen Rabbit...but yet, she still adores it! 'Til next season, Go Utes!