More Firsts!

Even though we're done with our first year, Isabel is still experiencing new things all the time. As we mentioned in the last post, Izzy now has a new baby cousin, AJ (check out her shirt, thanks Grammy!). At first blush, she was a little hesitant, but she definitely warmed up to him. When Izzy first met AJ, unfortunately he was back in the hospital with a bit of jaundice (as someone once said - "who is this Billy guy, and what's he doing to my kid?") So maybe the tubes and lights threw her off. But she got more brave and started to gently pat his arm.

Then, a few days later, she got to experience her first Bris (the Jewish circumcision ritual). I'm sure she was thinking "thank goodness nobody's coming at me with a knife! Mommy even got to hold the baby, and daddy joined us all by phone from Germany.











Actually, Isabel's at the point now where she really won't sit still for long, so she played in the corner so that she didn't scream through the whole thing!

Isabel also had her first plane ride recently when we went out to visit Uncle Danny and Cousin Ida Sarah in Palm Springs. Luckily for mommy and daddy (and mostly lucky for the other travelers), Izzy did pretty well on the flight. She only slept a about half, but otherwise she played and kept herself occupied (mainly by having mommy chase after her up and down and up and down the aisle!). All three of us had a great time visiting and touring around Palm Springs. Thanks Uncle Danny and Ida for showing us a great time!

I could get used to this Hollywood lifestyle!

Yes, Isabel, one day your name will be in lights too (she is quite the performer already).

Here is one tired little girl! What better place to nap could there be?

Isabel Turns One!

Okay, so by now she's actually 13 months, but who's counting? It's been a while since our last post, in fact, we may be getting worse and worse with this, but at least we're trying. It's hard to believe that a whole year has passed since Isabel joined our lives. She is such a joy and we are so lucky. Isabel's smiles light up her whole face and she shares them often. Check out this video to hear Izzy laughing up a storm.

On February 12 Izzy was given a special reason to smile with the arrival of her baby cousin AJ! We'll post more about this soon, but check out this cutie!

Right now Isabel is cruising all over the place and will walk anywhere as long as someone or something helps her a bit with balance. She's standing really well on her own and we don't think it will be long before she's walking completely on her own. She also talks up a storm. Of course, it's her own language, but it sure seems to mean something to her. We figure we're in for it because when she really starts talking she's never going to stop.

Isabel has recently begun swimming lessons and she's a little fish. Ever since the first time we took her in the pool she has loved it. She's fearless in life, and in the water is no different.

On February 28 Izzy turned the big ONE! On her birthday we let her have a cupcake - her first real sweet and her first chocolate! She wasn't so sure about it at first, but then wanted more and more.














A couple weeks later she had her birthday party and got a real cake. She sure did have fun with all of her friends and family. The only bad thing about her birthday, was that her Aunts, Uncles and cousins couldn't be there. Uncle Jeff, Aunt Dana and cousin Lilye are too far away in Missouri, and cousin AJ is too new for a big trip (Aunt Melissa and Uncle Gavin are part of the package). Cousin AJ is probably the best present she got, since he came only 2 weeks before her birthday. She's still waiting for her next cousin to arrive, which will be Bubbe and Papa's big birthday present in June!

The Months Continue to Fly By

Well, once again Daddy is slacking on the updates. Since our last posting, there were a few holidays, special events, birthdays, anniversaries, well, you get the picture.

Over the past two months, Izzy has been busy growing up. When we last posted, she was starting to crawl. These days you can't get her to stop. She still does the army crawl when she really wants to get somewhere but she is now crawling with her legs. She is also pulling herself up on everything and can even stand for a few seconds on her own. The picture below was taken in early November. "Look Mom, One Hand"

She is also babbling up a storm and calling everything da-da. Daddy wants to believe it because Izzy loves him very much but at this point, we don't think she is referencing him everytime.

For Halloween, Izzy wore her BOO! outfit and helped Mom and Dad give out candy. We were also happy to have a few friendly visitors and Izzy was able to give Paige Connors, in her cute pumpkin costume, a nice treat.

Our four year anniversary was November 1st and met the Philly crew for celebrate. Scott's sister, Melissa, is pregnant and due in February, only a few weeks before Izzy's birthday. Izzy cannot wait to meet her new cousin.

With the weather getting colder and leaves falling from the trees, we spent a few hours at our local park. Little did we know, Izzy would have the time of her life. At the time, she had just transitioned into her "big girl" stroller and enjoyed the change in seasons. We took her down the slide and let her play in the leaves. She was in heaven. Izzy rode back to the house on Mommy's shoulders.

Isabel celebrated her first Thanksgiving in Philly. As usual, she was head of the entertainment committee and kept everyone in smiles. During dinner, she ate turkey and mashed potatoes for the first time. OK, we need to be completely honest, she had pieces of turkey and potatoes on her tray and played with the food for at least 30 minutes, most it landed in her hair, on the floor or in the seat. We think she had a few bites.

In December, Isabel celebrated her first Hannukah, on a few different occasions. The first celebration took place at Ermann's while Rachel's brother Jeff was in from Missouri with Dana and Lilye. It was great to see Jeff and Isabel had a lot of fun with Lilye. We then celebrated the first night of Hannukah at home and Izzy got her first dreidel. The Festival of Lights ended when Grammy, Papa John, Melissa and Gavin came to DC a family Bat Mizvah. We celebrated with Aunt Joan and Rachel Affenit. Grammy and Papa John got Izzy a personalized step stool that loved.

Next update will include Christmas, New Years' and probably July 4th, 2008.