The Day Our World Changed Forever

Dancing Queen

2009-07-27T14:16:00.002-04:00

Isabella has become quite the dancer. She reminds me of one of those robotic toys that starts moving when you play music and stops when the music turns off. She has a variety of "moves," ranging from the stand-in-place-and-bounce to a new one during which she bounces while her whole body undulates from front to back. She even dances while reclining--sometimes with a sort of body pop and sometimes with an upper body shimmy. Let's just say that "So You Think You Can Dance" nights have become very interesting around these parts!

Jeff is currently in San Francisco with some other attorneys for a convention and Isabella and I are hanging out at home. Yesterday afternoon I took her to White River State Park to see a performance by Dance Kaleidoscope, a local Indianapolis dance company. It was a beautiful afternoon and the show was very family friendly. Isabella was GREAT. I'm not sure how much of the dancing she watched, mostly because she put on a performance all her own.

For your viewing pleasure...

2009-05-15T15:59:00.000-04:00

I know it's been a while since I've been able to update the blog, but I wanted to share some video that I took of Isabella just last night. Enjoy!

2009-03-30T11:39:00.000-04:00

We got all dressed up...

We went to the wedding...

We ate cheese and crackers at the reception...

And then we celebrated!!!

...

Pure Joy!

2009-03-25T10:40:00.001-04:00

When did our little baby turn into such a little girl? Isabella will be a year old in a little over a week and it seems like the past year has just flown by. It's amazing to see her personality shine through--even when she's crying with her jaws clenched so we can't give her medicine or pushing something away (and all over the floor!). Below are some pictures from a recent trip to the park, where Izzy reveled in her love for swinging.

Bath Time Fun!

2009-03-11T10:32:00.000-04:00

2009-02-13T10:19:00.000-05:00

Most Beautiful Baby?

2009-02-06T14:42:00.000-05:00

Well, of course we think so :) We want to enter Isabella in Regis & Kelly's Most Beautiful Baby Contest and the deadline for entries is February 13th. We would like all of your opinions as to which of the following picture of Isabella we should enter. So, please pick the picture below that you think we should enter in the contest, click that the corresponding letter in the Poll, and then click on "Add my Vote." Please pick your very favorite only and feel free to comment if you think none are good enough and we need to take some more :)

Isabella's First Trip to Florida

2009-01-25T18:53:00.000-05:00

Isabella is becoming quite the world (well, maybe continental) traveler! Last week we worked a short week and flew down to Tampa, Florida for a visit with Jeff's grandparents in Venice, Florida. Isabella refused to nap before the flight and, of course, wouldn't nap during the flight so it was rough at times. She did, however, make friends with everyone who would make eye contact with her during the flight! We made it in one piece and made our way from Tampa down to Venice. The weather in Florida was chilly, but beautiful. We spent most of our time visiting with Jeff's grandparents, who were wonderful and very excited to meet their great granddaughter. On Friday, we drove back up to Tampa for a trip to Busch Gardens. It was another beautiful day and there were hardly any lines at the park, so Jeff and I actually got to ride some roller coasters!

We flew back today, Sunday, and were welcomed by clouds, snow, and sub-freezing temperatures. Ah, such is life in Indiana. Isabella handled the flight back very well and slept on her daddy for most of it. We've been resting this evening, as all three of us are exhausted. Jeff and I both have a busy work week in front of us to look forward to. But, we wanted to post a few pictures of our trip for everyone to enjoy. So, without further ado, enjoy!

Waiting for our plane in Indianapolis

Hanging out with Great Grandpa
Three generations of Gibsons

Isabella at Busch Gardens

Christmas 2008 in Pictures

2008-12-31T21:26:00.000-05:00

Bouncie Bouncie!

2008-12-24T08:34:00.001-05:00

Look Who's Mobile!

2008-12-23T18:38:00.001-05:00

Way to Go, Kathy!

2008-10-08T11:38:00.000-04:00

Our Kathy is going to save the world! :) The picture above is proof enough. Don't believe me? Click on the link below...

http://www.dnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081006/NEWS01/810060318&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL

Labor Day Laughs!

2008-09-02T16:44:00.001-04:00

Same Picture But Better

2008-08-15T09:46:00.001-04:00

Make sure to check out the website on the bottom of the picture...it's hilarious...for reals...

Ooooh! What's these?

2008-08-14T15:36:00.001-04:00

A New Day, A New Day Care!

2008-08-11T10:50:00.000-04:00

This morning we dropped Izzy off at her new day care--Beech Tree House. It's right next door to the old day care, but might as well be miles away. We're very excited about it and so far are thrilled. This is a privately owned day care that was started by a woman thirty years ago for her six kids. It is a great place, seems very clean and secure, yet comfy at the same time. The school also has a private elementary school that takes kids all the way to seventh grade, which is a nice option. Two Fridays a month they provide care from 6-10 pm for $15 so the parents can have a night out! The women taking care of Izzy are very nice and seem very calm and nurturing...they are both grandmas :)

Mrs. Beech Tree herself was there this morning, and was greeting all the parents and kids with refreshments when they came through the door. She had some crazy shimmery bronzer on! I bet if you turned off the lights her little smiley face would have appeared iridescent. I don’t mean that in a mean way, more endearing. I think she’s adorable and sweet, and just the kind of person I would want taking care of my baby. Anywho, we dropped Izzy off and she was fine. She smiled at the ladies and went to them willingly—very subdued though, I think just taking it all in. Can I tell you how nice it was when they told me I could take my huge pile of carefully laundered and stacked according to size bibs home with me? Apparently they use their own and just launder them there. And their own sheets and blankets. All I have to bring are diapers, wipes, and milk. I can even bring frozen milk! I know, I know, it doesn’t sound like a big deal, but every Monday morning I looked like I was moving her in at Goddard and now I only have to bring milk.

We took Izzy for her 4 month check-up and shots last week. In the last 2 months she only gained 1.5 lbs. They like for babies to gain 1 pound a month, so she's not too off. Breastfed babies tend to gain weight slower. Of course they would have liked for her to continue on her previously adopted growth curve, but I don’t think she could continue her “pound a week” curve for very long. Anywho, she’s right at the 50th percentile now and the doctor would like her to pick a curve and stick to it. So we’re now on a mission for the next two months to try to make sure she gains 2 lbs. First I talked to the ladies at Goddard on Friday. Apparently, Izzy wasn’t really getting all 4 ounces a feeding that I packed for her. When I asked, the ladies told me that she lost “a lot” of milk each feeding either by not gulping it down or by the bottles leaking. Now, I’ve used the Dr. Brown’s bottles many times “practicing” with her (so has Jeff) and I never had one leak, but that’s what they said. So now the 4-5 soaking wet bibs I was taking home at the end of each day make sense. We're a little irritated that they never mentioned that little fact before. We also feel a little guilty that Izzy wasn’t getting all of her feedings. However, she always acts content and never acts hungry, so that makes us feel a little better.

Oh, and another reason her weight probably didn’t go up as much is because she has been sleeping through the night and not having nighttime feedings. We decided after the doctor’s office visit that I would give her one late (10:30-ish) feeding a night too. As if on cue, though, she seems to be having a growth spurt…for the first time in 2 months she is waking up hungry in the middle of the night. Growth spurt aside, we’re totally on a mission now. We’ll show that doctor and her annoying little growth curves, yes we will!

On Saturday afternoon we went to the State Fair. It was such a nice mild day so we walked down the Monon Trail to the entrance to the fairgrounds at 38th Street. It was packed! The Midway was crazy and you could get anything imaginable fried while you watched :) Jeff and I each tried a fried peanut butter cup! They were yummy. We've decided that we should get a booth, buy every Hostess product we can find, and then fry them up for next year. They were charging $4 for 2 friend pb cups. With that kind of mark-up, we could quit working and just become Carnies! Aside from the food, we also watched a Horse Pull contest in which 2 Belgian Draft Horses weighing in at around 3500 lbs (combined) pulled a sled weighing over 7500 lbs 27.5 feet! I've never seen anything like it. It was amazing. Plus, the handlers couldn't use any whips or even smack the horses with the reins. All they could do was "ask" them to pull...and pull they did! It was nice to see horses doing exactly what they were bred for. (Okay, they weren't bred to pull cinder blocks, but you get what I mean.)

On Sunday, we went to get pictures taken at JC Penney’s. We printed out a coupon online and got a good deal. They did a really good job and the pictures turned out adorable. We should get the link for them online in about a week and then of course I’ll send it to everyone so they can see how cute she is too. Cousins Courtney, Eric, Claire, and Cal sent Izzy adorable gifts last week! A perfect little Baby Gap sundress with her initials embroidered and some original artwork as well :) On the way home we were talking about what we would want her to wear in her pictures. Imagine our surprise when there was a box on the porch with the perfect outfit inside! So Miss Izzy modeled her sundress for her pictures and I think you'll see that it was the perfect choice. Thank you Courtney and Eric for the dress and picture album and thank you Claire and Cal for Izzy's artwork! (Another aside, I knew it the box was from Eric when I saw the CNH packaging :)) We miss you guys, hopefully we can see you all soon!

That's about it for the update! I don't have any new pictures to post today...so my words will have to tide you all over :)

Izzy's 1st Trip to the Zoo

2008-07-23T16:53:00.001-04:00

My days as a single mom..

2008-07-16T16:47:00.000-04:00

Are Over! :) Jeff came back from Philadelphia last night and we (the entire household) were so glad to see him! For those of you that don't know, Jeff left early...EARLY...Saturday morning to go to an American Assocation of Justice (haha, how funny is that name?) conference in Philly. As an aside, doesn't that name make you think of a cartoon of superheroes flying around in brightly colored tights and capes? (As a double aside, and directed to some of my oldest friends--you know who you are--doesn't the image of superheroes make you think of "shirka shirka dirk, Muhammed al jihad"? Among other things that I can't write about on here, of course!) When I translate the superhero image into real life I just imagine a bunch of grown men running around in superhero underoos armed with their Blackberry's! Ah, that makes me giggle.

Anywho, so Jeff left early Saturday morning while Izzy and I (and the dogs, even Nemo) were still asleep. Izzy and I got up later in the morning (much later), got dressed, and decided to go shopping. It was a joint decision, of course. We went to Castleton Mall and to Von Maur to shop for my birthday presents from my parents. Izzy's first visit to the Von Maur shoe room was unproductive, but we did find a couple of cute dresses for me to wear to work. Unfortunately I wasn't lucky enough to find any nice summer pants/shorts that fit me yet. I'm working on that though. I'm up to running 4 miles again and Jeff and I went to our first Spinning class at lunch today, after which we both ran a mile. Watch out summer clothes, I'll be ready for you...it may not be until Fall though...which means you have some time before I'm comin' after you...but be ready just in case...

I forgot to mention that before Von Maur, Izzy and I tried to catch my friend Trent at his new apartment. It's not really that new, but he moved there before Izzy entered the world and I haven't seen him since. So, it was high time that he met my mini-me! Alas, after driving around the most ginormous apartment complex I have ever seen, we found Trent's apartment and he wasn't home. But, while hiding my disappointment in the shoe room, Trent called and said that he and his girlfriend Kristi, also a friend of mine, had just been out at the grocery store and to come back over. (Trent at the grocery store is another very funny story--I'll tell it if I have time left over.)

Izzy and I went back to Trents and ended up staying there until 10 pm! What I didn't mention is that Kristi is a GREAT cook and Trent LOVES good food (and is a pretty good cook too!) so they MADE me stay for dinner (hehe). Dinner was fantastic and much more than I would have eaten at home. We had filet mignon with sauteed mushrooms, real baked potatoes, a wedge salad, and fresh bread. It was so nice of them to have us. Kristi was a natural with Izzy and even got to her to go to sleep when she was tired and fussy. After she went to sleep, I stayed and hung out with my friends until it was time to feed her at 10, when we got up and went home. It was so good to see my friends again, I've really missed them! I just wish Jeff had been there too.

On Sunday my mom and dad drove down and had lunch with us. We had a really nice visit, and they couldn't believe how big Izzy had gotten while they were in Maine. While they were here we went to Babies R Us to pick out my new jogging stroller. Dad and I explored the virtues (and drawbacks) of each jogging stroller in the store, while mom tended to Izzy. Turns out she needed a lot of tending to! As I was getting Izzy out of her carseat so she could "try on" the first stroller, I noticed that her diaper was dirty...not only that, but it had leaked...upwards...all the way up to her little arm pits! Unbelievable! Unfortunately I didn't have an extra outfit with me, so Mom bought her a little outfit to change her into :)

Dad and I found a nice jogging stroller (we'll see if any jogging ever happens in it, but it's still nice for "outings") and we headed home. After some more visiting, Mom and Dad headed back to Fort Wayne, leaving us alone again.

Nothing much happened in between Sunday night and last night when Jeff got home. Hopefully the rest of the week will go by quickly since we have visitors coming this weekend! Andrea, aka Andi-Bird, is going to be in Indianapolis for a wedding on Saturday and is coming to meet Izzy on Sunday. I CAN'T WAIT to see her and for her to meet Izzy! So if you're reading this, hurry up and get here Andi!

Well, it's time to go pick up the little one...below are some pictures from Trent's house!

And here's one of me and Trent after a long Carb Day 2007--that's his "pretty" face.

And one of me giving Kristi a piggyback ride earlier the same day. She's an itty bitty so it wasn't hard to do :)

Happy Birthday to Me!

2008-07-07T20:14:00.000-04:00

Well everyone, it's been awhile since we've done any blogging, but what better day to make a return than my birthday?!? That's right, I'm a whole 29 years old today! Mom and Dad are still in Maine, but they ordered a cake from a local bakery and had Jeff pick it up. It was the most chocolatey cake I have ever tasted! I got emails all day at work either telling me how good it was or chastising me for bringing in the cake that ruined their diets! :)

We took our first family vacation last weekend and went down to a cabin in Brown County State Park. It was a wonderful cabin--fully furnished with everything you could possibly need and only a quarter of a mile walk to Ogle Lake. The cabin itself was situated right up against the park and we put Izzy in a "front pack" and walked around with her. She loved to look at the trees!

On Friday we went into Nashville and walked around the streets and looked in the little shops. Saturday we drove to Bloomington, walked around campus and had lunch on Kirkwood. We even dressed Izzy up in her IU cheerleader outfit and new IU baseball cap that we found for her in Nashville :) Saturday evening, Ryan and Jenny Barney drove down and had dinner with us followed by a game of dominoes. It was Jeff's first experience with dominoes and, good news Williams family, he liked it!

We packed up and came home to the real world Sunday morning, but we had a great time while it lasted! Today we got an adorable picture of Christian in the mail from Meredith and Rich. I can't believe how much he's grown!! It's hard to believe that he's already a year old and walking...Izzy isn't even laughing or rolling over yet :) Hopefully it won't be too long before they get to meet each other. We're really hoping to take a trip to Arizona to see all of the family out there in the Fall. I know Nanny Williams really wants to meet our little girl!

Hope you enjoy the pictures of our weekend!

The Loves of My Life

2008-06-01T18:22:00.000-04:00

Here they are!! :)

First, she who needs no introduction!

Izzy's first ride on Ronnie!

Ronnie (ignore the tangled mane...we didn't bring the detangler with us!)

And some of Mia--look how big she's gotten!!

C.U.T.E.

2008-05-30T15:59:00.001-04:00

It's official...we think we have the prettiest baby ever and feel socially responsible to share her beauty with the world!

Izzy's First Camping Trip!

2008-05-27T21:15:00.000-04:00

I hope everyone had a nice relaxing Memorial Day! We sure did! On Friday we loaded Izzy up and took her camping at Wyandotte Woods Campground in Corydon, Indiana with my parents. We weren't sure how it would go, so we only planned on staying Friday and Saturday night. However, it went so well that we stayed until Monday. We took lots of pictures to memorialize our weekend. Here is a little picture blog of the weekend.

Izzy was tired after the car ride to Southern Indiana.

Saturday morning--Izzy sleeping around the campfire.

Izzy sleeping on her Daddy in her new camping outfit!

She finally woke up!! Look at that smile!

Izzy (sleeping) with her mosquito netting :)

Jeff, Dad, and Ash went kayaking on the Blue River. Jeff and Dad were in a tandem kayak and Ash is in his own (itty bitty in this picture) kayak.

Izzy doing what she does best while the guys were out on the river.

Sleepy baby!

Mommy and Baby

2008-05-22T17:18:00.000-04:00

There aren't very many pictures of just me and Isabella out there, partially because I'm usually the one behind the camera but mostly because I refuse to let Jeff take pictures of me in my many states of disarray :) But the other day I got Izzy all ready to go out during the day and she was so cute in her hoodie and overalls that I had to take a picture. Then she kept smiling at me so I tried to get some of both of us with her smiling. Below are the results of my efforts...I think they're pretty cute...please try to ignore my double chin, I'm working on it!

We also gave Izzy a bath last night and she really enjoyed it once she got warmed up! Here are some pics for you!

Look Who's Learned to Smile!

2008-05-18T20:51:00.000-04:00

Sorry it has been so long in between updates! Everyone is great here. Izzy is growing and changing sooo fast. It really is fun watching her learn and become aware of her surroundings. We're stil in love :) Without further ado, here are some pictures of our pretty girl...

The Pediatrician Says....

2008-05-05T14:43:00.000-04:00

Isabella is PERFECT :) I took her for her one month appointment today and was so proud of her! She fussed a little when I had to take all her clothes off (but hey, who doesn't fuss when they have to take all their clothes off in public?), but other than that, she was great. The whole time the pediatrician was completing her examination, Izzy watched her with her big blue eyes :) Isabella now weighs 11 pounds 2.6 ounces and is 23 inches long--she is in the 97th percentile for both height and weight. I asked the doctor everything I could think of and she assured me that everything is perfectly normal. One month is the "height" of a baby's fussy time and is also a growth spurt so her fussiness and eating habits are normal and should pass. Her conclusion was that Izzy is perfect and a ver good-natured baby--I'm so proud!!