March...so far

A few weeks ago Isabella and I went to Santee to meet my Dad for lunch. He lives in Charleston and we don't get to see him nearly enough, so we met half way at the Cracker Barrel. It is always great to see and get to spend time with him!!
In the car on the way, it was a pleasant trip--it just does not look like it at this moment!
We will just let it look like she is smiling--don't look too closely!!
You can see the sleepiness on her face!!
The restful ride home!!
March 2nd is Jason's birthday and the 5th is my Dad's birthday!! Dad and Andrea came up to visit us and celebrate birthdays with us Saturday March 1st. That afternoon we did a little birthday shopping and then celebrated birthday dinner at Percy and Willie's (Jason's favorite restaurant). I took an ice cream cake with us, and they were kind enough to put it in their freezer until we were finished eating dinner and were ready for it. We usually have the family over for birthday cake after dinner, but even though we had thoroughly sprayed Lysol, we did not want to take any chances of anyone catching Jason's flu germs!! We had eleven people for birthday dinner and dessert!!
The birthday boy and his little girl--so sweet together!!
Papa and Grand!
My Dad and Andrea!!
Mark (Jason's brother), Dawn, Mackenzie, and Jesse!!
As I mentioned, we shopped Saturday afternoon. We decided that I would get Jason a seat to go on the back of his bike for Isabella to ride with us, and she got him the helmet that she is required to wear. Even though he was still recuperating and Isabella and I had colds, we went for a little ride Sunday afternoon to try out the new seat---she loved it!! Getting all strapped in and ready for her first ride!
I hope that you had a wonderful birthday weekend, Jason!! We love you and are so blessed to have you in our lives!! Happy 28th Birthday!!!

FINALLY, pictures of our new house!!

After a few very crazy weeks around here, I can finally sit down and blog about our new house!! The wonderful man that we purchased the house from let us come in before we close on it to get some painting and cleaning completed. I just love the names that companies come up with for colors--we painted Isabella's room "Rhapsody Lilac", the kitchen "Cantaloupe Smile", and the rest of the house a mixed khaki color!!!
i almost forgot--I love the Magnolia tree in our front yard!! It is so pretty and southern, I can't wait until it blooms!! Jason, and a lot of other people swear that we need to severely cut it back or down because of spiders, the roots... We haven't made a final decision yet, he did relent to let it bloom at least once before we decide!!
For Valentines day my super sweet husband bought Isabella and myself a wonderful porch swing--I grew up with a front porch swing that I LOVED, and have always wanted one!! That weekend Jason and his dad set to the task of hanging the swing, and they did a great job--no worries that anything (or any weight) will ever bring it down!! As I knew that she would, Isabella loves sitting on it with us and swinging!
My Jason and his Dad, after a long afternoon of working!! Isabella enjoying her first swing with her Daddy!!
As I wrote in my last post, we closed on the house on Wednesday the 20th of February, and that Friday Jason started not feeling well. Isabella and I moved out and stayed with my mom the whole next week, per the doctors recommendation. Even though the house certainly was still a mess, I was so ready to get back here. Please don't misunderstand, we totally love my mom and are so thankful for her and her ability to help us--but there is no place like your own bed!!!
Slowly but surely the house is coming together, not as quickly as I would like it to, but we will get there some day!! We get more comfortable here everyday, and Isabella can already take you down the hall and right to her room when asked!
She has already claimed a cabinet for our Rubbermaid for her to play with!!
Our first breakfast in our new house--a carpet picnic of bananas and Captain Crunch cereal!
Sharing a donut with Papa--notice the "Cantaloupe Smile" she is leaning on! :)
I wish that you could hear the way that she cackled while being dragged around!!
These pictures are of how Papa kept Isabella entertained while the rest of us were hard at work painting! She loved being pulled around in her "cart"!!
Speaking of Isabella, I have to brag for a few minutes!! Since we got her ear tubes she is constantly picking up new words and phrases. Seriously, every time you hand her something she says "taint you." We went to see Dr. Whitehead for her 15 month checkup the week before last (I know, a little late), and he handed her a book and her response was "taint you," he looked shocked and said "well, your welcome"!! She is up to 23 pounds and 33 inches! Growing like a weed, and continuing to amaze us every single day! We are so very blessed and thank God everyday for her!!
It did not seem to matter whether she had a little ketchup or a lot, she just wanted some!!
Isabella has finally figured out what some of us have known for a really long time--ketchup makes everything better!!! I purposefully tried to not introduce her to condiments, trying to keep things simple--but one night we were eating at Chik-Fil-A and she would not take a bite without there being ketchup on it! I am telling you, something new everyday!! It is SO MUCH FUN to be a parent and experience new things with her!!