Wordless Wednesday

8 month old and already a party animal!

Happy 8 month Birthday, Isabella! You have had quite the month! Last week, Isabella went to three parties in a two day period. She went to Jeff's Accounting Party and her friend's 3rd Birthday party and then a couple's Christmas party. Can you say party animal? She had a great time and loved seeing all of her "baby friends" especially Connor. December has been a fun month so far!

Here is Isabella on her 8 month birthday (today)! She loves playing with everything and anything. You have to be pay attention to her because she will grab something before you know it. Isabella still loves blowing raspberries and "talking". She says "dadada" with such conviction! She loves to eat solids. She has tried many of the Stage 2 foods and loves them ...but still sweet potatoes are a favorite! She likes to try and drink water out of my cup and makes the funniest facial expression. This baby girl loves her blocks (Thanks Alex! ). I don't think she is quite ready for a sippy cup at the moment. She has tried sweet potato puffs and doesn't quite know what to think. She is pretty much on a good schedule. She always (99% of the time) takes a nap at 9:30 a.m. The length of the nap varies though. The afternoon nap is not as consistent. She is obviously teething and has her fussy moments but with a little love and patience we are working through them! Isabella is just a sweetie and I love watching her grow. Here are some pictures from the last week and some from today. Enjoy.

Sitting up.

"Seriously,mom, more pictures?"

It has been so cold here lately. Isabella is dressed as if she lived in Alaska whenever we leave the house. Long sleeve shirt, hoodie, jacket, gloves, hat, and bundlesack. It takes like 10 minutes just to put it all on her.

Bella in her Babylegs. Yes, I love baby legwarmers and I am not ashamed!

Daddy's "honey baby"

In baby jeans...a little play before the birthday party.

I love this facial expression. The teething ring is this baby girl's best friend. She is beginning to "lose it" if you take it away from her. Someone may possibly be spoiled.

Got Milk?....and Got sweet potatoes....and carrots....and squash....and......?

Wordless Wednesday

Did you just say what I thought you said?

Looks like someone has something to say...


Jeff couldn't be a prouder papa and Isabella couldn't be a sweeter girl.

And Me? I couldn't be any luckier.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Goldstein crew!

Happy Thanksgiving! We have had quite a week here! Isabella is now sitting up. This opens up a whole new world up for her. She had been sitting up for short amount of time (a little wobbly) but this week has begun to sit up by herself and play with toys. I am convinced that she really could do it all along but preferred being held! On Tuesday morning we noticed that Isabella also had two teeth that broke through the gums. Needless to say, she is chewing on everything to help relieve some of the pain. She has been a pretty good sport so far. This was Isabella's first Thanksgiving and my first Thanksgiving away from Georgia. We spent the day cooking our famous dressing, sweet potato casserole, and homemade cranberry sauce. We spent Thanksgiving dinner at the Knieps house. The men deep-fried the turkey while the girls played inside. We had an awesome time chatting and eating with Martin, Linda, and the girls. Isabella had a wonderful time playing with little Nina and Sophia. Isabella sat up and enjoyed playing the toy piano. Perhaps we have a future Beethoven on our hands? The menu included turkey, dressing, potato casserole, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, sweet potato pie, coffee, and wine. Everything was so delicious and the company was awesome. Isabella enjoyed her "own version" of Thanksgiving as well. She has sweet potatoes (her favorite) and turkey. All in all, we had a very memorable Thanksgiving. We have a lot to be thankful for!

Mommy and Isabella on Thanksgiving

Sitting up on Thanksgiving Day!

I know it is a little hard to tell....but there are two little toothies in there!

Here is Isabella with her favorite toy these days.....her teething ring.

Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

And yes...I did venture out at 5:30 a.m. this morning like a crazy person to do a little "Black Friday" Shopping! Pure madness! I guess this begins the official countdown until Christmas. :)

Happy Birthday to Jeff!!

Jeff's birthday was yesterday! I can't believe another year has gone by! We had a great time celebrating his "first" 29th birthday(haha).

The day of Jeff's birthday:

Apparently the beautician came to visit Isabella's school on Jeff's birthday because when I came to pick her up that afternoon Isabella's hair was in a little ponytail sticking straight up! As I looked around, I noticed all the little girls (4) were sporting ponytails too. Yes, she doesn't have much hair so it was like a "6 strands of hair" ponytail. So cute! She still has dirty blond hair. For Jeff's birthday dinner, we went to Red Robin and enjoyed gourmet burgers and bottomless fries ....so good. Isabella was looking all over the place and was really enjoying the decorations. If you have ever been to Red Robin then you know exactly what I am talking about....there are crazy signs, posters, and things all over the walls. She loved it! The Balloon Man even came over but we all decided that Isabella was just a little too young for a balloon (the Birthday Boy refused one as well). Isabella did great but suddenly got a little fussy so I held her for a bit. And before I knew it, she was asleep. Poor little thing, the beautician from earlier that day must have worn her out! After dinner, Jeff and I enjoyed birthday cheesecake and ice cream. Yummy! Unfortunately, Jeff had to go to class so he carried on his celebration with his classmates. Bella had her bath and was off to sleep! She really had fun celebrating with Daddy! Jeff and I had a fun and relaxing night when he came from class. We had a very intense "Bop-It" tournament! SO MUCH FUN!

As you can tell, Jeff had a great birthday. Isabella and I were so lucky we were able to spend it with him. He is the most amazing husband and father.....and we love him so very much!!


Look for another post soon about Thanksgiving. :)

Just a little post...

Just a little post.....

to wish
you

a great

Monday Night!

From Isabella Love

7 months old: A letter to Isabella

Fall School Pictures (Taken when Isabella was close to 6 months old)
I love the Fall!

I am such a big girl!

Isabella: 7 months old. Isabella has tried many foods. Sweet Potatoes, Squash, Carrots, Peas, Green Beans, Bananas, and Applesauce have all be on the menu. Her favorite foods are sweet potatoes and carrots. She definitely does not like peas! Her favorite things to do is jump (in the jumperoo) and sit in the bumbo. She also likes holding on to her "plastic keys" and putting everything in her mouth. She loves her Zabba blanket and rubs her face with it every night before falling asleep. It is very sweet! She beginning to love bath time and loves splashing in the tub. She has begun reaching for the wipes when we are changing her. She enjoys being sung to in Spanish and smiles big time! Her bedtime is around 7:00 p.m. and she wakes up around 7:00 a.m. She is still sleeping through the night (Yay)!! Isabella loves watching General run around the room also. She still has no teeth but she is working on them! She loves smiling at Daddy and "talking" on the phone. Isabella is always is discovering new things and is curious about her surroundings.

Isabella loves jumping! Here she is on her 7 month birthday!

Happy 7 month birthday, my beautiful Isabella,

I wish time would stand still. It seems like just yesterday that I was in the hospital awaiting your arrival. You have brought so much joy in our lives from the moment we found out that we were going to have a baby. But God didn't give us just any baby. No sir! God blessed us with the most beautiful and sweet little girl. You never cease to amaze me, baby girl. When you smile, you really mean it. You can light up the room with just your sweet innocent smile. I love how you always make me appreciate every day with you. You make me realize that I should stop and be thankful. I should be thankful for you and Jeff and all the special people in our lives. You make me laugh. You have such a unique sense of humor. When you sneeze you even find humor in that. I love that about you. You are coming into your own. You are sweet but stubborn. You are you. I pray that I can continue to be the person that you think I am. I love the fact you love my kisses. I could hold you forever and never get tired. I cherish the moments when I rock you in my arms and you fall asleep...I could watch you as you sleep forever and never get tired. Isabella, the world is yours. You can be anything and everything you want to be. I say this because I believe it. You have such a sweet demeanor and I can tell that when I look into your big brown eyes that you will do great things. You have such a good heart. Yes, you may only be 7 months old today...but as your mother, my role is guide you and love you and believe in you.

I believe in you, Isabella.

Love always,

Mommy

The last several months in a nutshell! Travels, 6 months, and Halloween!

Isabella on Halloween with her first pumpkin! Thank you, Mrs.Kingrey for such beautiful pumpkin! We love it!
Baby's First Halloween

Isabella as a "Black Kitty Cat"

At Keezer's--Trying on Hats!

Grandpa Len and Daddy "fighting" over the baby :)

Auntie Janet, Elizabeth, Jeff, Isabella, Reena, Melissa, and Bubbie at Dinner

Great-Grandpa Harry, Isabella, and Jeff

Isabella's first trip to Kelly's Roastbeef . Her first time at Revere Beach, MA.

Isabella-6 months

Jeff's scholarship banquet!

Wow! I am really behind on blogging! It is really hard to remember every little detail that has taken place but I figure I will put some information on the blog and try and stay current on information. The Goldstein's went to Georgia for Grammy's birthday at the beginning of September. Some of the trip's highlights include The Cheesecake Factory for Grammy's birthday dinner, The Infantry Museum, Church, Shopping, and Sport Day at Chick-Fil-A. We had a wonderful time and can't wait to go again.

We have been big travelers recently! Isabella had her first trip to Boston at the beginning of October. She did great on the plane and enjoyed spending time with her grandparents and Uncles. She also got to meet a lot of our family and friends. We went to Kelly's Roast Beef at Revere Beach and enjoyed roast beef sandwiches and fried clams! Yummy! She also met many special people to us. Isabella met her Great-Grandpa Harry and had a great time with him. We had lunch with Auntie Susan K. and had a dinner with Cousin Elizabeth and Reena and Great Auntie Janet. We took her all over the city and she was such a trooper. It was so cute, Jeff and Grandpa Len even went on an "Emergency Pacifier Run" to CVS in the middle of the night. Isabella is so lucky to have these sweet men in her life! Jeff and I went to our friend Jason and Kelly's wedding. Isabella was in great hands with her Bubbie, Grandma Sue, Grandpa Len, and Uncle Dan. Special thanks to Grandpa Len and Grandma Sue for making us feel so welcome in their home! John invited us for a get-together at his new home! We enjoyed a great evening with "the gang"! John and Rodrigo made a wonderful feast for us and it was great to see everyone! No visit to Cambridge would be complete without a trip to Keezer's! Isabella had wonderful time trying on hats at Grandpa's clothing store.

Life sure is busy when you have children and work! Isabella is growing and getting into so many things now. She still doesn't have any teeth yet (she is still working on them) but is really loves holding things in her little hands and "talking"!

Here are Isabella's 6 month stats:

weight: 16 pounds 8 ounces 60%

Height: 25.75 inches 49%

Head circ: 42.5 cm. 50%

(Isabella's 7 month birthday is tomorrow!)

She did well at her appointment. She also had her flu shot. I really hate when she gets her shots but she did really great and fell asleep in the car on the way to school. She didn't get a fever after her shots this time. After a long nap, she was pretty much her happy little self :)

We went to Jeff's scholarship banquet at the end of September. He was awarded two scholarships on stage and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner with the accounting department and several Wichita accounting firms and businesses. Jeff is truly a hard-worker and he deserved the recognition! I am so proud of him!!

Grammy and Abuelo came to visit us in October. Isabella loved having them around and they were wonderful taking care of her. Isabella wasn't feeling too good at first but after a trip to the doctor she started to feel better right away! We had a great time with them. Some highlights include eating at our favorite Thai Restaurant, going on Post and shopping, watching the Auburn vs. LSU game (we lost the game, so sad) while tailgating, making sofrito, and enjoying a wonderful brunch. We hope they come and visit soon!

She is really loving school and enjoys spending time with her friends. At "school" Isabella had a Halloween Parade and went trick or treating at the dorm next to the school. We had a wonderful Halloween ! Isabella went trick or treating around the neighborhood and got quite the stash of candies. She dressed up as a black kitty and looked so cute. We spent the evening handing out candy to all the adorable children. General loved running to the door everytime the doorbell rang.

We had our first real "Parent Teacher" conference and Isabella's school last week. Her teacher said she is doing great and is right on track. Her best friend right now is Lila. They really love to entertain eachother! We are so happy that Isabella loves her school friends and teachers!

Anyways, that seems to be our recent happenings! I hope I didn't leave anything out. Hopefully the next post is in the near future. I feel so fortunate to have such a wondeful family. I have the best husband and daughter anyone could ask for and I am blessed :)

Back to work and school!

I have neglected you, blog! But only because I am back at work and things have been very busy around the Goldstein household. Isabella started rice cereal and she doesn't appear to be a fan. She prefers the bottle as of right now! We plan on starting solids sometime next month. She began "school" last week. She seems to be adjusting well and has already made friends! The teachers say she is doing very well and giggles most of the day. When I drop her off she smiles when she sees her teacher and friends. 6 month old Mia is her best friend right now! The best part of my day is when I pick her up and see her smile. I imagine that little face says to me "Hello there Mommy!" When she comes home she is really really tired (all of that playing must take a toll on the little girl). Jeff and I know she is benefiting from being around other children and will enjoy learning new things. I went back to work last week and I never realized how much I missed being in the classroom. My students are truly a blessing and I enjoy their curiosity about Spanish and eagerness to learn. I do miss seeing Isabella during the day but I know she is nearby and I can visit her whenever I want!