Exciting news!!

Izzy girl and I drove to KC Wednesday night so I could see one of bf's, Abbey, before her and her husband moved to Germany + have dinner with friends.  It's so crazy they are going to be so far away, but I'm so happy/jealous of them and it was so good to see them before their departure!

.Megan. Lizzy. Abbey. Sally. Moi. Katie.

We decided to just stay in KC because we were going to be driving to Lawrence Friday anyway, so we just hung out around town/Sue Sue's... Friday we went down town to have lunch with Sue Sue and Isabelle got into my old earrings before we left.. pretty.

Her face is so funny here because she did not want me to take a picture
of her shamrock earrings... I don't see why not? ;)

Just showing them off here...

We had lunch at a wonderful little place down from my mom's work called, 'Cafe Gratitude'- everything is vegetarian, local + organic- so my kind of place!  It was so delicious, I was in heaven and can't wait to go back!  All the meals have names like, 'I am Thankful', mine was called, 'I am Humble' and Iz's was, 'I am Excited', which was so perfect for her!  Such a great little place, especially if you need a little life boost.  We walked down to a little coffee shop afterwards so I could get a pumpkin spice latte treat/dessert... love those about this time of year!

We had such a nice time in KC with Sue Sue... I headed to Lawrence Friday night for the early game Saturday while Isabelle hung out with Sue Sue.  We got up early Saturday and went to the Farmer's Market {yay!}, got apple cider donuts, yummy veggies, our favorite tamales and oatmeal cream pie cookies!!  Then I got to go to 'the mirth' and get an order of my veggie biscuits + gravy and chai latte {2 of my favs in Lawrence that I haven't had in forever- thank you love!!}, it was the best morning/start to my day- I was a happy girl!!

We stayed in Lawrence through Monday morning because we had our sonogram doc appointment!!  We had a little time to kill before the appt., so we went in a few places on Mass...  I just loved these two at the table.

Iz looking away like, 'really dad?'.

Love this one!!

Oh and have you met our little diva?  She sat right down to take off her shoes and try on any pair in her reach, then moved on to the purses/bags and carried them all over the store... she is so going to be trouble!

Isabelle did such a good job at the doctor, for the sonogram lasting almost 45 minutes and having to wait for the doc for about 20... she did play on the scale, try to open all the doors, empty my purse and sit with me on the table.. it was so fun to have her there to see the sonogram, not sure if it helped her to understand anything, but I'm still glad she got to see the babe.

And the verdict is...

She was so funny, this was the third take!  She said brother the first time!  Oh and we are not naming the baby 'Time', my mom's cat's name is Valentine and Iz calls her 'Tine', so I think she was talking about her since she mentioned Sue Sue after {just a little side note}.

And here is our beautiful baby girl!!  Since our sono last so long, we got a lot of pics :).

her little hand

her mouth and little nose

 Plain as day...

The nurse was like, oh, I can tell what it is and I was like, um, so can I!  Our little lady was moving all over the place so she didn't get a good profile shot {one of the reasons it took so long} and then I was having some little contractions {she said they are totally normal and a lot of women have them and don't realize it}, but it increases the width of your cervix, making it hard to get an accurate measurement  {other reason for why it took so long, she was waiting for it to go down}.  AND, our babe was measuring 18 wks 5 days {a week behind what we thought} so our doctor moved our due date to Feb. 13th.. same thing that happened with Isabelle.

We secretly wanted a boy {just a healthy babe really but, you know}, just to have one of each, but we are so excited for Isabelle to have a sister! {and we don't have to buy anything!}

Izzy girl on the way home, love her face while she's pointing to her mag!

Oh this girl, sunnies always up-side down.

Dad had to mow when we got home and man was Iz excited!  It was quite a bit chillier in Salina, so Iz got layered up, rain boots and all!

Love that happy girl!

Isabelle is so cute with her babies, she is patting her back...

telling her 'shhh', go nigh, night.

Iz + baby enjoying her desk.

Trying to carry everything... just like her mom!

We didn't have any socks that fit Iz so I ordered some and had just gotten them in the mail and you never thought a 2 year old would be so excited about socks!

"Quacks" + the park

After we took Isabelle's '22 month' pictures, we headed to the park to feed the ducks/quacks and play!  "I want to play, mom!"  Iz was a little hesitant with feeding the ducks at first, but then she just loved it, I had to go back to the car 3 times to get more buns.

So happy!!

It was so fun to watch her, she just enjoyed it so much!!

Park time!  Driving miss daisy!

My girl loves slides!

We had such a great time, until it was time to leave... we ran into a friend and her son and Isabelle was following him around the pond {as we were talking about how gross the water was and that I would die if she fell in} and there was a little spot for the ducks to walk in, so Isabelle just stepped right onto the rocks and stepped right into the water!!  We were a little behind her and just watch her walk right into the water, I couldn't believe it!  We ran over to pull her out, but she went all the way under, I couldn't see her for a second and then her arm shot up so we could see her and pull her up... it was the scariest thing ever!!  I just stripped her down {thanks to my friend who had a blanket} and we went straight home for a nice soapy bath!  I mean, her white shirt had a greenish tint to it and we both just smelled, so gross.  I was a little frantic about it, called Jacob and then just started crying- it scared me so much!  I just kept picturing it happening and it was just awful.  The thing is, Isabelle wasn't really scared, she kept telling everyone how she jumped in the water with the quacks, thinking it was exciting/funny.  So we have been trying to tell her it wasn't good and that she should have done it, but explaining that to an almost 2 year old who loves water, almost pointless.  Man, are we in for it with this girl?!!

:: 22 months ::

Oh Izzy girl, I feel like so much has changed in the last 2 months, I hope I don't forgot anything {which I know I will.. may just have to come back to this page and update as things pop into my head}.

~you are wearing size 4 dipes now and I up'd your night time dipes to size 5's, oh my gosh was that crazy for me!

~you are still wearing some 18 month clothing, but mostly 18-24 mos and some 2 T.. it's so crazy to put something on you and have it be too small when I feel like you just wore it!  Stop growing so fast!

~I feel like you went from a size 5 shoe to size 6 in a day, I just kept putting 5's on you and someone had to tell me they thought they were too small because you kept taking them off and said one pair "hurts"... worst mom ever ;)

~you can be a picky eater, but you can also eat really great, just depends on the day.. you really like grilled cheese {surprise, I know} and those handy little appelsauces in the squeeze pouches {great for travel and walks}, for some reason it's not the same when it comes from the jar.
~you love fruit, which is great and peas {especially when mixed in with mac + cheese}
~we still usually have "O's" for breakfast or a "bar" from TJ's... oh and MILK!  "milk, mom", we did take you down to 2% and I just recently bought 1% {doc said either was fine} and just try to give you about 3 C a day {as I've read is recommended for your age :)}.. but girl, you would drink that stuff non-stop if I'd let you!

~you love to jump, both feet, big jump!

~you also love to run, you will say, "mommy/daddy, run!" because you want us to chase you around the house.. I love it because you just get so excited and giggle the whole time, then crash at the couch and get 'tickle monstered' or a big squeeze.  You totally have that cute 'girly' run going for you, with your arms flailing while you're on the move :). 

~you are very interested in the potty and want to help mommy and daddy wipe {so helpful ;)}, then flush.. I think you are ready for the whole potty training thing!  You can take your pants off and pull them back on by yourself and sometimes you insist on doing so.

~you can be such a little boss/sass ;), you will clap your hands at me and say, "mom, come, come mommy", like I'm a dog... I try to keep a straight face every time.
~you are an independent little girl and like to try and do things on your own before having help and you play really well by yourself, which I love to watch secretly
~you are such a helper, you will run up to me while I'm doing something and say, "I want to help mommy"

~you prefer to pick out your own clothes, even your jammies.. AND your shoes, you usually pick those out first, you run to your closet, sit down and put on several different pairs of shoes before deciding which you are going to wear for the day {whether they match your outfit or not}
~you want to see everything that I'm doing in the kitchen, especially while cooking {"I want to see mom!" with your arms up to be picked up}, which makes it hard to get things accomplished ;).  I do love that you want to see + learn what I'm doing! 

~we did push your bed time back a little to closer to 8, we start your bath {or shower} around 7:30 now, so it's nice to have more time with you and not have to rush to get dinner made and eaten.  You sleep until 7:30-8, so it all works out :).

~we have had some issues with your naps lately, you like to procrastinate and run around your room to try to play with things real quick, it kind of makes me crazy... like, what happened to my little girl that wanted to sit on my lap and read books before bed?  Now, you like to run story time and sit on the floor on pillows, not on mom's lap :(.

~you are so cute whenever I ask how your nap or night, night was because you always say in the cutest little voice, "good".

Some of your words: please, excuse me, hummus, grapes, purse, bracelet, watch, blocks, baby, sister, happy birthday, cheese, cold, hot, hoodie, pants, shirt, shorts, socks.. I mean, really anything we say, you will repeat so this list could go on forever, I can't even think of all the words. Oh, I love when you say "oh gosh", like when you drop something or can't get something to work.

~you love to sing and one of your favorites is 'Itsy bitsy spider', you even do the hand motions :)

A couple funny things you've said lately:

~you gave Reggie a chip and I told you not to and you said, "I'm nice mom", "Reggie, treat".. I was like, "oh, you are?" "yeah" :)

~I kind of pulled out in front of a car because we were in a hurry and I said, "oops, sorry dude", so you immediately said, "sorry dude" over and over and then, "bye dude"... it was pretty funny.

~you say, "silly Izzy" or "I'm silly mom"

~I asked what your name was and you said, "Izzy {while patting your chest}" and I said, it's Isabelle, "no, mom, Izzy".. okay child ;)

~you say, "I did it!!" with such excitement a lot.  You get so excited when you do something on your own and that is your famous line.

There are so many other great things you say and do, I try to keep a list of them all, but of course, some just don't get written down {or let's be honest, typed in my phone}, but I will be sure to add them as they come to mind.  You are such an amazing little "big" girl, so smart and such a sweet heart.  I can't believe how fast you are growing and developing, I wish I could tell you to slow down, but I know it's life and it's good for you.  I just love watching you and playing with you, you are my little bud/side kick!  I love you dearly!!  love, your mama {and dad of course}

:: KC + Lawrence weekend ::

Izzy girl and I went to KC Thursday night so we could check out all the antique shops downtown in the West Bottoms.. note to self: go earlier and without Iz ;).  The poor girl wasn't feeling 100% so she slept until almost 10 {holy smokes, I know!}, but of all mornings!  So we didn't get down there early enough, but I don't think Isabelle could have lasted much longer anyway.  I did find a wonderful dresses for my closet that I have been hunting for for awhile now, so that was exciting!  I need to go back to the next 'First Friday' weekend.  We also got to make it to TJ's which is always a bonus.. Iz loves it too :).

 We went to Lawrence on Saturday to meet dad, Papa and Cooper... oh and I got bangs!!

I can't believe I forgot to add these, Isabelle and I went for a walk and she wanted to bring both of Betsy's pups' carriers, she just loves to push strollers, so she was so excited when she saw this in the garage!

She decided that was too much to handle and we would just bring the little one.. she kept stopping and opening the door for the 'puppy' to get in and out.  It was pretty entertaining to watch her.

She did get tired of trying to lug the carrier around so we got to put it back and go on our actual walk ;).

 Breakfast with Papa... love Global Cafe!

 We put Isabelle on this little carousel probably around this time last year, so it was fun to see her on it again.  She just loved it!  The girl rode it 4 times and she would have ridden it more if we hadn't pulled her away.

 It was just so fun to watch her on it, how happy she was and how much she enjoyed it.

Cooper joined her for a ride.. love how she's looking back like, 'what are you doing on my horse?' ;).

 We grilled and had the fam over for dinner when we got home Sunday night and it's always fun to watch {and listen} the girls play...

 Cousins :).

Such a nice weekend being in KC + Lawrence!

OH and we picked up my wonderful new embroidery machine!!  I can't wait to get 'in business' so stay tuned for that!

So excited for fall!!!

Oh man, can I tell you how excited I was to see candy corn in the grocery store?  I just love this stuff- candy corn + peanuts!!  So good, can not stop eating it!  It just makes me have 'fall fever'!

Jacob and I made delicious pizza on the grill and I just thought my veggie {mushrooms, black olives, zucchini + cherry tomatoes from the garden} looked so pretty, couldn't resist the pic :).  I made the same pizza dough that I've posted in the past.  It was so nice to be able to eat outside without it being ridiculously hot.

 Enjoyed it with my Izze!

and my 'real' Izzy! :)  She is such a goof ball!!  Yes, she wore her tutu yet again.

:: dress up + pasta w/mexican black bean sauce ::

Isabelle and I were going through her closet and I totally forgot about this adorable Asian dress that one of my coworkers + friends from China gave us when Iz was born... so fun it fits now!  

She did not want me to take a picture of her, so she is running from me!  

Oh and yes, she had to wear her tennies with it!

This is Iz asking for me to put 'two ponies' in her hair... that's what she calls pigtails :).

So serious...

I found this recipe on a blog {sunnysideup} that I like for last minute dinner ideas and it was delicious... it seemed kind of weird at first, but it tasted really good {we even made it the next weekend at my mom's}!  I attached her recipe below with how I adapted it in pink... enjoy :)!

Pasta with Mexican Black Bean Sauce

Ingredients
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (4.5 oz) diced green chiles {I used 1 can of rotel + 1/2 C salsa because I didn't have diced tomatoes or green chiles}
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1 can (14.5 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained {I also added a can of kidney beans, just to add more to the sauce}
Chopped fresh cilantro and cherry tomatoes for garnish
Cheese for garnish (optional)
12 ounces pasta, cooked according to box directions

Directions
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until translucent and tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, chili powder, sugar, and oregano. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Remove 1 1/2 cups of the sauce, and add to the bowl of a food processor* along with the black beans. Process to desired consistency then add back to the skillet and stir into the reserved sauce.  If you don't want the sauce to be super "refried beany", then don't process all of the beans... I left some whole and I was glad I did.

Serve over pasta with cilantro {didn't have, but did add spinach}, cherry tomatoes, and cheese garnish.