The weaning process...

First, I just had to share these pics of Iz in her summer outfit (it was in the 90's today, so hot!), her first time in shorts and I just thought she looked too cute!

Chewing on her toy, typical these days.

I just liked her face in this pic, like she can't quite figure out what is going on... we have so many pics of her in this setting!

SO... I had to start the weaning process today (by eliminating one of my pump times at work for 4 days or so, then eliminate another one and so on) and I'm kind of sad about it, it has been such a huge commitment and inconvenience so many times, but I am surprising myself to say, I am going to miss it!  It's such a bittersweet thing, I love the time with Iz and the ease of being able to just 'whip it out' whenever, but it will be nice to have that freedom again of not being tied to the pump!  I am going to China at the beginning of July so that is the main reason why I need to start the weaning process.  I have been freezing my milk for awhile so we have a lot of breast milk stocked in the freezer and I'm hoping it lasts another month or so... I will keep you posted on the progress! 

Happy Mother's Day and 6 months to Izzy girl!

Brace yourself again, there are a lot of pics from our day!

Happy girl in her composer seat (and first outfit of the day)!  

Jacob and I were trying to leave for lunch and I walked into the living room and saw this picture of our sweet girl asleep... how to move the babe to the car seat without waking her up... impossible!

Iz and gram.. I just love the pic of Isabelle looking up at her.  Happy Gram's/Gigi Day!

And the fam photos begin...

The three generations

Isabelle has been making this funny 'cheese' face lately, it just cracks me up!

She must have learned it from her dad!

I got to go running in the morning and when I got back, Jacob was working on Isabelle's room to get it finished up and it was the best surprise ever!  I have been wanting to get it done forever so it is the best feeling to have it done (for the most part, we still need a few things)!

No, she does not sleep with the owl in her crib, but she does sleep with a blanket now, such a big girl!  I think she would get cold, so the blanket seems to help her sleep... then she loves to play with it in the mornings while she's chatting in her crib.

We finally got her matte board framed and hung that our friends and family signed when she was born :).

The mirror we bought yesterday, love it!

Tummy time... and she loves to stand now and play with her toys... I just loved her face of determination in this pic (sorry your eyes are closed mom!)

We had a fun low key day for my first Mother's Day, went to lunch at Ingredient, got ice cream at Syla's and Maddies (my fav, YUM), went in to a few shops on Mass. and then grilled for dinner with my mom.

  I had no idea how hard it would be when I became a mom, it really makes me appreciate all the things my mom did for me growing up.  The journey has been amazing, and I have learned a lot, there have been several times when I thought I was going to lose it, but I wouldn't change it for anything... being a mom is so fulfilling, I never thought I could love something so much!   Thank you dad, Isabelle and mom for a wonderful day, I'm so lucky and blessed to have you in my life!    Happy Mother's Day to all my friends and family that are also moms, you all are amazing!  

One last thing, I have to share this quote my best friend Kel sent to me for new moms that she got from an inspiring blog (kellehampton.com), "You have everything it takes.  You just don't know it yet.  Whenever you feel exhausted, confused, incapable, or at your wits end... look within.  Trust your instincts."  It pretty much just sums it all up perfectly, I love it, thanks Kel! XOXO

Happy 1/2 Birthday Isabelle!

I had to give Iz her own post for her big 6 month birthday...

 Our precious Isabelle, you are so intrigued by everything these days, you want to touch and hold all objects in your line of view (hence you grabbing the sign) and you love to put most of them in your mouth.

~you love Lucy and Reggie, you just want to pet them anytime they are near you and you get sidetracked by them every time they walk by, luckily, they like you too and don't mind you squeezing their ears!

 ~you sit up pretty well, but like to lean forward so you can brace yourself

~you are still wearing size 2 diapers 

~you are wearing mostly 6-9 month clothing, but I still put your 3 month pants on you even though they are a little short ;)

~we have your 6 month doc appt on the 19th so I will post your official measurements then

~you still love your tongue

~you still sleep about 10-11 hrs a night, go to bed about 7-7:30 and sleep until 5:30-6, then sometimes eat and go back to sleep for a couple hours (the best for mom on weekends!)

~you roll all over the place and some how can scoot across the floor

 ~you are such a chatter box, it's almost like you say words at times and I like to think you say mama, but dad is determined for you to say dada first!

~you giggle like crazy (especially when we blow on your tum and neck) and laugh at your self which is too cute and funny

 ~you love to bang things around and make noise (thank you mom for showing her how to with the spoon!)

~you still love to sit in your Bumbo on the island while mom makes dinner

~you are eating veggies these days for dinner and you love squash, sweet potatoes and peas, like green beans, and carrots still aren't your favorite... I have been mixing some of your rice cereal in with the veggies you don't like as much and it seems to help

We can't believe you are already 6 months old, time goes too fast!  We love you like crazy little mama!

Iz and Hen!

We had a fun 'pre- Mother's Day' shopping day today on the plaza.  It was a beautiful day, we had a nice lunch at Classic Cup and a fun surprise when we ran into our good friends 'the Wilsons' (yep, more Wilsons, no relation).

The future's so bright!  Isabelle loves her shades!

We stopped in to say hi while the Wilson clan was eating lunch and Isabelle and Henry got to officially meet... this was too cute, it was like they were talking to each other.

We went up to Jim and Jane's condo on the plaza so I could change and feed the little miss and so we could hang out more... Jane was holding Isabelle and Henry wanted to sit on his grandma's lap too, so we got this cute pic... they were so cute together, Iz really liked him, she grabbed for him every time he went close to her.. which is good since he may be one of her future boyfriends (she has several ;) ).

She had so much fun with Hen that she passed out for a much needed nap while we shopped around a little.  We finally found a mirror for boogies room so that was exciting!  We had such a fun day together and I can't believe Isabelle will be 6 months old tomorrow! 

Just a few pics from the week...

Bath time

 On our way to day care.. her facial expression is so funny, like, really mom?  And yes, me taking endless pictures of Isabelle in the morning contributes to me being a crazy person because then I'm running late... I just can't help it!  It's always better if Jacob drops her off because I never want to leave her!

Iz was so happy and chatty this morning... here's a sneak peak at her new talking style!

Delicious and Easy Granola Recipe

 My wonderful friend Abbey sent me this recipe and I have made it twice now.. it's so good and easy to make so I thought I would share it with you (it's actually called 'World's Best Granola')!

2 C Rolled Oats (not instant)
1 C Pecans or Toasted Almonds or both- chopped (I just blended them up in the food processor)
1/4 C Flax Seed
1/2 C Shredded Coconut (I'm not really a coconut fan, but it's good in here, you don't really notice it)
1/4 C Toasted Wheat Germ... and I may be lazy, but I don't toast mine, I figure it will get toasted when you bake it all in the oven ;)
1/2 C Dried Fruit (I use raisins, craisins and chopped dates)
Scant 1/4 C Cooking Oil (Not olive oil)
1/2 C Honey

Mix the oats, nuts, grains, seeds and coconut in a large bowl.
Measure oil into the measuring cup and swirl it around before pouring into bowl.
Measure honey into same unwashed cup... oil helps honey exit the cup.
Toss everything together (except fruit) until evenly coated, then pour into baking dish (I use a 9x13 glass dish, but a cookie sheet will work, just be careful so it doesn't fall off).
Bake at 300 degrees for 30 mins, turning with a spatula every 10 mins or so... you want everything to be an even golden brown.
When finished baking, return the granola to the mixing bowl and add the dried fruit, stir to combine and WHALA!  Enjoy :)

Hurray for the weekend!

We always enjoy the time we get to spend with our little lady on the weekends.. thought I would just share a few pics of our days...

Isabelle loves to sit by dad while he is on the computer... she would love if he would let her 'type' for him!

Gram came to watch Iz Saturday night while we went to a going away party for our friend Lisa :(.

We had such a good time (it was the first time I pumped and dumped, if that tells you anything!), so sad you are leaving Lisa, but so happy for you and Dave!  I miss you so much already!

AND, we got our rocker for Isabelle's room delivered (FINALLY!) on Friday.  I am so excited to finally have a chair for us... we still need to move it to her room, but of course Lucy had to break it in!  I can't keep  her off of it.. and really Luc, do you have to sit right on the pillow?!

Nakey baby is ready to eat!  I just love this picture of her going for the rice cereal box, she looks like the Gerber baby with mad face!

 Isabelle and dad again... hanging out before bed... still can't keep those hands out of her mouth!

I just LOVE this pic, Iz is so happy and excited, her arms are moving so fast they are blurry!  It's crazy to think that she was passed out like 15 minutes after I took this!