The Monkey Is Back

I just cannot believe the amount of arm strength this child has. She can hang from anything and our drawers are not off limits. Paul and I were in the living room and Izzy walked into the kitchen, opened up two drawers that were next to each other, and proceeded to hang from them. Luckily, she let go before anything could happen, but we are now more careful when we hear two drawers open, we should check to make sure she is not hanging.

Christmas 2008

Maybe you can recognize the play-doh we don't go anywhere without.

Gift from Santa

Gift from Aunt Elsie

Gift from Auntie Kari

Looking at all her new sea creatures

Christmas is getting more and more fun each year as Isabella begins to realize what Christmas is about, not just the materialistic side, but the family traditions and faith. We are so blessed to have her and she is just an angel.

This morning she slept in till 800 where we got her ready to come open presents from "Santa" (she didn't care that these were the same gifts that we bought during Thanksgiving at the Long Beach Aquarium). She loves the set of sharks and marine animals and spend a long time in the bath playing with them later in the day. We opened the rest of the gifts and then had breakfast. We set about our usual daily routines and then around 3 o'clock family arrived for Christmas dinner. We had a great time talking and eating. It was nice and relaxing just to be with everyone and hearing the giggles from the kids. They are growing up too quick. I have asked Izzy several times this week, "Can you please stop growing and stay 1 1/2 the rest of your life?" In my brain I hear her sarcastic 1 1/2 year old response "No, No, No". Yes, that is a favorite of hers. Which I am done with! But anyways, we had a great time opening gifts and playing.

Next stop MiMa and Grandpa's house for more family time and Christmas.

Toys

Paul and I had a great time the other day laughing with Izzy at the good ole' Wal-Mart. She discovered the aisle with "Don-key" and wouldn't leave and then started to dance with the toys that when you push the button they sing and move. We had more fun playing at Wal-Mart for free. Another free place to entertain a child.

Eco Bowls

For Christmas, Izzy got a book that has really cool ideas from Aunt Steph, Uncle Colin, and Cousin Jude for using items around the house that otherwise would have been thrown out. We decided to make the Comic Strip bowls with the newspaper that Grandpa left at our house. We are just waiting for them to dry and then we can clean up the edges. Then we can use them to sort items.

Play-doh

I learned today that toddlers are unpredictable creatures. I put Izzy to bed last night at 745 and she wakes up this morning at 900am. Most parents would relish the thought of a few extra hours of sleep or the ability to watch Sunday Morning in bed with no kid. We did, but we payed for it later. You might ask, "Well, what was the payback?" Let me start by saying she didn't take a nap. That would do it for most people who have had kids. No nap equals no fun for parents. We had a family Christmas gathering and she decided that the appropriate time to take her nap was, as we were pulling into the driveway of our party. Then she was a perfect angel in her dress, ate all her food, socialized appropriately, a doll. But, you may not know that her Evil Twin (who we have only seen 3 times, two of which I have been able to video-tape [see videos on blog]) decided that during opening gifts time, that when she couldn't open her play-doh, that she would come out. This was shocking for family to watch. Many had not seen "her other side". There is nothing like seeing her on the ground screaming. Maybe that works for some kids, but not our family. Do that and you are immediately removed to sit on a chair. Done! She calmed down quickly and then got to come back, but by then gift time was over. So, yes we had a nice relaxing calm morning, but I would rather take a day with a nap any day and have to wake up early then no nap and the Evil Twin.

Time with Izzy

Today starts our 24 day holiday with Izzy. I am off of work for three weeks so we are going to have the longest vacation together since I was on maternity leave. We are excited to spend time with her and hope to work on potty training while we are at it. We have a few family get togethers planned, my sister will be in and out of town as are my parents, we are going for our trip to San Francisco and Monterey with hopes of staying in Carmel, the local library has a Sing, Giggle, and Wiggle program, maybe hit a few local museums with our free passes, have play dates with our next door neighbors, walks around the neighborhood to watch the birds and stare into the drains with the pictures of fish on them, and hope to spend time with some cousins. Best of all we won't be waking up at 5 am to commute each day. Yeah to sleeping in.

Congratulations!

Izzy told me she wanted to congratulate her Auntie Kari who just finished her nursing program. Now we can call her and get "real" medical advice from a trained professional and boy does mommy love to call and say "What should I do about....?"

Yoga Baby

Here is Izzy doing her "Yoga pose". Just imagine her doing this in the middle of the living room randomly. Again is this normal for a 22 month old?

A Carousal Horse

Paul and I decided to go out to dinner with Izzy after work one night. As we were sitting there, Isabella noticed a carousal horse as a partition.



She identified it and then went into a melt down because we wouldn't let her get out of the booth to ride it. We looked like such horrible parents, not being able to control our kid and worse off, we were taking pictures of her melt down.

New Words

She was standing on her tower and looked over at me and said "Bless you".

She walked out of the bathroom towards the kitchen and looked at Paul and said, "How are you?"

"I'm sorry."

Grace and courtesy, our skill in practice.

Donkey

While we were in Orange County my friend Amanda gave us a movie, Shrek the Halls. We were gracious with our thanks knowing that Izzy doesn't watch tv. Paul and I were holding out no hope that she would actually watch it, but to our surprise, throw some animals in and lo and behold, we suddenly watch tv. She throws her pillow right in front of the tv and lays down to watch the movie. Her new favorite word is "Donkey". Can you just see her saying that? When the music plays she gets up to dance. It is a nice 30 minute respite. Who would have thought it? Maybe it is one of those experienced mommy things. She just knew my kid would like it.

Thanksgiving to a Toddler

Here is how these pictures went.

1. "Look, mommy. No more pumpkin pie"
2. "Look, mommy I am licking the pie off the spoon"
3. "Happy" (yes, that is her "happy" face. I kid you not. She actually does this when you ask her if she is "happy").
4. Smiles. Yummy pumpkin pie
   

Long Beach Aquarium

Some of our favorite pictures from when we went to the Long Beach Aquarium. Izzy had a great time touching the sharks and rays (which wanted to be touched unlike the Monterey Bay Aquarium). Also, they have a great seal aquarium where they swim below the cat walk so it was like they were playing peek-a-boo with here. Also, they have great outdoor areas and touch tanks. Altough we are excited to get back to Monterey because there exhibits are far more interactive for toddlers unlike Long Beach which is more for elementary school students.

In the car

I am not sure how many people actually realize how much time Izzy spends in the car each day, at least 80 minutes, but stick her in the car for 7-9 hours is a whole different story. First, off I have to say, I have the best baby in the whole wide world. She is the best traveler. Here are a few pictures of our car ride down to see Mi-Ma and Grandpa for Thanksgiving. I even got in an opportunity to work on a "job". Look at those pincher fingers. Writing here we come.

Funny

Paul asked Izzy to put the powder on her dresser. Izzy can barely put it up because the dresser is so high. It falls off the dresser, as she is putting it up there, lands on her head, and she turns around to Paul with her hand on her head and says, "Funny". We are beginning to get a sense of humor. She will see something that she thinks is humorous and will say, "funny".

Daddy at School-School

And people say children aren't paying attention and don't get it. Izzy get's it. Today, I picked her up from school and we played at school for a few minutes on the playground. When we got to the car and finally got into the car seat she looked at me and said, "Daddy at School-School". I replied with, "Yes, Daddy is at School-School". She loves her Daddy so much.

Prepared Environment Without Store Bought Toys

I had another realization today that Izzy doesn't need toys. We were at Ethan's Birthday party and they had sodas in these really cool bottles. So my mind started working and I washed three out and brought them home. What a success. I watched her put small glass rocks in them, shake it, pour them out, cross over the mid-line, use both hands to put rocks in, and even, are you ready for this, better sit. She can screw on a cap. We were shocked.

She is content with putting toothpicks in clay.

She is content with putting glass rocks in a muffin tin.

She is content with pouring rice from one glass to another.

She is content with sticking those white stickers you use for repairing ripped holes on a hole punched paper to black paper.

She is content with looking at old greeting cards.

She is content with reading books from the library.

I love this baby!

Enrichment Trips

Paul and I have tried really hard to go at least once a month to a place of learning. This month we went to Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding, CA about 2 hours and 15 minutes away. We had a great time looking at the fish, playing at Paul Bunyan's Camp, and seeing the Sundial Bridge. We even saw a great exhibit on Geckos. She came out of it saying, "Gecko".

Cheese

We missed lunch time today because we were at Ethan's 1st birthday, so we went right to Costco and Izzy was in her usual spot, the basket. Except this time, when we threw something in she felt the urge to try. Yes, that is our kid eating right off the block of cheese at Costco.

McDonald's

When the media tells us that advertising for young children can influence their behaviors and actions, I now can personally attest. We are driving home and we pass a large billboard on the highway for the McDonald's that is 20 miles north. What does Izzy yell from the back seat, "Pizza!" Now I know McDonald's doesn't sell pizza, but at 20 months she has figured out that what they have is what she wants and it is probably like pizza. Pizza to her could also mean pasta. Her two favorite foods. So now every time we drive pass this sign and she yells, "Pizza". I yell back, "No, McDonald's". Again I reiterate, how does a young child who cannot read, know that that sign that only states McDonald's, the classic arches, and where it is located, know that is what she wants?

Montessori in the Home

I have been fascinated with the ideas of Montessori education since before Isabella was born. We have begun to rethink how we interact in the environment with her and how our house is set up for her. Paul finished a stool for her in the bathroom so she can reach the sink to wash her hands. She has her own hook for her towel when she is done. Her eating utensils are set low in a drawer, but I think within the next week they will be put into her cupboard, arranged for her to access easily and with as little mess as possible (she already gets her own bowl, plate, cup, top, spoon, and fork when prompted independently). I am going to begin to teach her how to fold a napkin and set the table. She already clears her plate. For Christmas I am going to buy her some beautiful pitchers to pour her milk and water from (she already does this daily at school). By summer, I would like to set up a wash station for her to begin to wash her own dishes. (I saw a parent on a website turn over a large plastic storage container, put down some towels and have a two water tubs). Around Christmas we will turn her bed into a toddler bed. She asks to go to bed and usually falls right to sleep so we think she is ready for this. Starting tomorrow we will have no tv. Yes, we are escaping the holds of television. We have had channels 2-13 for almost a year now and have found anything that we truly want to see can either be seen on the internet or on Netflix. Plus, the cable company was going to charge us $40 a month for this. We are not home that long during the day so what the heck. We increased our Netflix to 4 movies at a time and bought some new Christmas music, so we are going to see if we can do it.


Going back to my Montessori kick. I was wondering if anyone out there has some of the following items that they don't need anymore and may just be sitting around your house. I plan to set up one "job" at home per day and maybe two or three on the weekends and will rotate them. If you have one of these items, maybe the next time I see you, you could pass it on.

1. A round paint pallet (the kind you use to mix acrylic paints. Usually has 10 or 12 holes to put paint into). We are going to use it to put colored gems into.
   
2. Round colored gems (usually used to put in vases to simulate water). Used to put into the paint pallet.
   
3. A clear glass salt shaker (almost looks like a Parmesan cheese shaker). Used to practice putting toothpicks into.
   
4. Golf tees. Will use to hammer or push into clay.
   
5. A plastic Parmesan cheese container (the kind with a lid that you get at the grocery store). Used to shake out lentils from.
6. Straws. Used to put into a water bottle.
7. Various containers with tops (could be from peanut butter something like that). Used to practice screwing and unscrewing.
8. Sand paper (various courses). Paul is going to put together some Rough and Smooth boards to practice textures and will eventually lead to sandpaper letters and numbers.
9. Buttons (various). Used to practice sorting colors, sizes, transferred between containers, etc.

Daddy's Little Me

Paul walked by me today and tickled my hair (I was sitting on the ground near Izzy) and he proceeded to the kitchen. Izzy got up and tickled my hair, just like Daddy. I quietly told Paul and he came back around the island to give me a kiss and walked back. Izzy came over and gave me the same kiss. He then walked back over to tap my hands. What does Izzy do, but the same thing. She gets it! She knows exactly what we are doing at all times, even when we think she is not watching.


Which takes me to another point. She is an astute observer. She may not share a lot of words when others are around, but she is watching like a hawk and picking things up. Now get her in the car and she is not quiet the entire 40 minute drive home.


Which leads me to again another point. We love living in Plumas Lake. We have an opportunity every single day to share with her something new especially on our rides home. Recently we have seen tractors and combines out in the fields, the walnut trucks bring in the harvest, crop dusting planes, horses, sheep, goats, pigs, ostrich, wild turkeys, a leaf storm while driving through downtown Sacramento, the geese are migrating back to our area, trains and RTs, helicopters, airplanes, the large trucks moving dirt to widen our highway, create overpasses, and improve our levees, and lastly the KCRA 3 (a local television station) water fountain in front of their building. Izzy is so much fun to be around because everything is new.

A fun video of Izzy

Museum Day

We are trying to enrich Isabella with trips to the museum. Target had a special day Kids Day at the California History Museum so we took her there. We had been a few weeks earlier with my grandparents and still had not seen the whole museum. So we were really looking forward to going back. This day was focused on cameras. We got to stand in a life-size replica of a camera obscura, visit Izzy's favorite exhibit "California Canines", and see the most amazing wall out in the courtyard. (We didn't even see this the last time we were there). Definitely a hidden jewel of Sacramento.

The Pumpkin Patch

Paul and I celebrated our birthdays at Bishop's Pumpkin Patch in Wheatland. We love the pumpkin patch. There is so much to do and I refer to it as "Disneyland for Pumpkin Patches". Izzy rode the train and hung out with her cousins. It was a great day to have family with us.
My parents came the following week and we went back for more. You wouldn't believe that even after your fourth trip there, you can still find things you haven't explored. Next year we will go earlier and during the week when there are less crowds.

New word

Izzy was not wanting to come change, but she did want me to chase her so after coaxing her into the bedroom, I told her, "I got you" and lo and behold she told me clear as day, "I got you". Our first three word sentence. She did it several more times for Paul, and Auntie Kari called and we were able to share that with her too.

Halloween

I tried, I really did. Finding a costume for a toddler is just too hard. Last year, we bought her a pumpkin outfit and she sweltered in it. This year we tried a dog costume, too small so we took it back. Then we tried a Scooby-Doo and she screamed in that (although she did like to hold the costume. Putting it on is a whole different ball-game). Plus have you seen the ridiculous prices for Halloween costumes. The Scooby-Doo was $40 and Paul and I did not realize that till we got home. That is outrageous. So we are sticking to a nice pumpkin shirt that Mi-Ma bought and a pair of orange pants to match. I think we can manage that. Maybe next year.

Izzy's Last Day

Well, it is finally here. Izzy's last day in the "baby room". She is now on to bigger and more challenging things, the toddler room. We are sad to see her grow up, but I am afraid we (Paul and I) are just too excited too see what life holds for her. It is funny because she is one of the biggest kids in the toddler class yet all the kids "get it" that she is still a "baby". One of the little girls today, said something about the "baby" and was referring to Izzy. Her teacher had to correct her that Izzy is not a "baby" and that she is a "big girl". How do kids know that?

Videos

Okay, I am getting into the technological age. I got out the video camera that I bought a few years ago and decided that I should start uploading videos of Izzy so you all can see her, when you can't see her. (The video is about 9 and a half minutes so I apologize that it is long. I am still working out the kinks).

Izzy shy?

Izzy's toddler teacher was sharing how she had a better day today (cried most of yesterday) and she stated that, "Izzy is shy". I have never thought of her as shy. I see it, but I wouldn't call her shy. She is quiet, a thinker, an observer, but not shy.

Exploding Independence

When we moved into our house I tried to not put too many things out and set her up her own cupboard (I envisioned a sneaky kid). Well, it finally came in handy for her. Paul and I were in the kitchen and neither of us realized that she had walked out of the room (yes, I know bad parents). All of a sudden she came back in and was standing in the hallway drinking water. Neither of us had given her a cup and I quickly realized that she had grabbed a cup out of her cupboard, walked into the master bath, turned on the water, filled up her cup, turned the water off, and walked back to share with us that she had filled up her own water. She was so happy that she had done this all on her own. She even showed Daddy how she did it. Paul and I quickly decided that the master bath is now off limits like the office and is locked to children under the age of 2. (I told her teacher this and she said ohh yeah. That's what they do in the toddler room if they are thirsty. They go grab a cup, fill it up from the sink).

Some new words

Giraffe (sign and vocal)
Monkey
Elephant
She knows some of her friends names at school
Hello
Beginning to say, "Izzy".

Songs

1. Wheels on the Bus
2. Twinkle, Twinkle
3. Ring Around the Rosie
4. The La, La Song (A song they sing in school)
   

T.V.

I have tried really hard to get Izzy to like TV, but to no avail again. I rented her a Baby Einstein from Netflix and I though maybe this would be the day. I popped it in set up her booster seat on the tile, moved the green rocking chair so she could see the TV, and put Izzy in with some food. I got that video started and the first picture she screamed "bear". I was shocked. It was the same bear from her flash cards and she recognized it. She was so excited. This lasted till she was done eating and when I set her down, she ran to the TV, gave it attention for about, ohhh... 5 seconds and then ran off to go back to "Izzy World". Failure again.

Izzy and the Potty

So we are starting to gear up on potty training. She is just beginning to realize what is happening and associate the words with the actions. On Friday night, she went pee-pee in the potty all by herself. Today I let her wear big girl panties and she went potty in them but used the words to tell me. So we are making headway.

Linking two words

We have seen an exponential growth in language since beginning her transition to the "big girl class". Yesterday she linked two words together "Bye-Bye Da-Da". Which of course Paul is over the moon about. Today it was "A Book". She also is repeating more words and saying spontaneous words to us that are appropriate (ex. we put her down tonight and she waved and said "Bye-Bye". So cute.

Making do

When you don't have a pool and it is over a 100 degrees outside, buckets will do. So our daily routine is to feed Tooga and then get in the water. Izzy recently decided that getting into the bucket was better than standing outside of it and splashing around.

Growing up

Look at this picture! This is my little baby who has only been on this earth for 18 months.