Ode to Isabel

Isabel....Isabel....Isabel. All too often I find myself talking to friends about Isabel. And in these conversations I am always so quick to discuss the challenges Jason and I are facing with Isabel. So lately I have found myself feeling very guilty. I've spent endless hours wondering why I'm not sharing more of our fun moments with Isabel and less of our not so fun moments. I think I just have a fear of becoming that mom thats always obsessing and gushing over her child (please let me know when I become that mom:) With all that said, I've decided this first blog should be an Ode to Isabel....I think its the least I can do for her.

On Oct.19th Isabel turned 3! What an exciting day for her. Everything in our lives has changed since that day! All of a sudden Isabel turned 3 and she just "got" it. Isabel has become the best listener and she can and does follow direction so well now. Isabel also has reached huge independent milestones. Isabel dresses herself "all by myself" (Isabel's words), she buckles herself in her car seat, she gives herself a bath, she goes to bed on her own, and she even has started cleaning her room without being told! Life has truly never been so easy.

In dance class you can truly see how much Isabel has matured and how she is learned to listen and follow direction. Isabel is in the preschool dance class this year (which means she is dancing all my herself...no more mom). When classes first started Isabel spent a lot of class time running to me for hugs and reassurance. Sometimes she'd just stand in class while everyone else danced, especially if it was a part of dance class that she didn't like (she hated doing stretches). But then Isabel turned 3 and our first day to dance class after her birthday was the best day ever. Isabel did every part of dance class from start to finish. She even participated with a smile on her face. I was so proud of her. And ever since that day, she has continued to be the best little dancer she can be:)

Isabel has also shown us her love for music as she can now sing songs and carry the tune to them. Isabel first started singing the Disney Princess songs this summer. By summers end Isabel was able to sing each song on her own. And I have to say there is nothing cuter than watching her hold her head up high with closed eyes as she hits the high notes and her vioce cracks. Along with learning princess songs Isabel also loves to sing nursery rhymes. Her favorite (and ours....you'll see why..) is Patty Cake. Isabel will sing patty cake in a loud voice and usually is stomping her feet and making a frown (I don't know why)while she sings it. This is Isabel's version of patty cake...."Patty cake, Patty Cake, make me mad, make-a-me-a-cake as fast as you can..." I tried to correct Isabel the first time I heard her sing it that way. But she told me, "yeah mom, thats what I said." So Jason and I decided who are we to tell her she can't sing patty cake that way. Plus its so cute and so funny. We always bust out laughing.

Isabel is the sweetest most giving little friend. Isabel has always been a pretty good sharer (just ask Jenny Hanson;-),but lately we've seen the depths of her generosity. When we are out shopping and Isabel gets something (usually from Targets $1 spot) she will immediately ask for another one for one of her friends. Or if we are going somewhere I always pack a snack for Isabel, she will immediately remind me to grab one for whoever we are going to see. And when Isabel has 2 of anything new (like princess socks) she will tell us one is for her and she is giving the other pair to one of her friends. Its gotten to a point where I need to explain to her that we don't have to share everything (mostly because we can't afford to feed and provide socks for everyone..I'm exaggerating...alitte) with our friends, some stuff is just for us.

Lastly I have to take a moment to talk about how darn cute Isabel is......(yikes, did I just turn into that crazy mom???) I feel like everyday Isabel's features are changing. Sometimes from just the right angle she looks like her daddy. But when looking at pictures of Isabel, I immediately see myself. Even though Isabel looks alot like me (according to everyone), Isabel does have distinct Aaker features (or least Jason and Grandpa Leroy features). Isabel has big beautiful eyes that slightly droop in the corners and her eyes also sink in just a bit (its more define when she's tired) just like daddy and grandpa. Those are my favorite features of Isabel (probably because its so cute to see alittle Aaker in her). Isabel also has a cutie pie smile that sometimes gets so big you can see her upper gum (thats my favorite). And Isabel has the cutest little gap between her 2 front teeth. It reminds of her sister Jocie's when Jocie was that age. Jason doesn't see the resembles, which is fine with me, because I see it so clearly.

So this is my ode to Isabel. We are truly blessed to have a healthy child like Isabel. Our lives as parents is so excited. Jason and I are growing and learning so much from Isabel and we are always looking for ways to become better parents.