While Mama's away, Daddy and Bella will play..

SO, I had a work consortium to attend in St. Louis on Thursday. I had to leave early Thursday morning before Bella even woke, and returned home on Saturday at 8pm. It was so incredibly hard being away from Eric and Bella for 3 days. I thought about them constantly and just wanted to be home. The weather in St. Louis was so humid, it was gross! However, I got to attend meetings at the Moog school. The Moog school is the oral school for the deaf in St. Louis, which is run just like Desert Voices and is based off the Moog curriculum. The school was absolutely amazing. It was 2 stories, windows everywhere looking out to the playground that looked like an acre full of trees and grass, it was just beautiful. The whole conference just made me realize how awesome it is to be doing what I'm doing. I get to help deaf children learn to talk! How stinking amazing is that? It was a great way to end the school year because towards the end of the year, teachers get burnt out and just want the summer to come. However, after attending this consortium, I really feel better about what I do. During almost every speaker I got teary eyed or cried at least once. It may be because I was extra sensitive because I missed my family, but after becoming a Mom, I have realized how precious life is and how much we just want our babies to live the best life possible.
Me being away gave Eric and Isabella some alone time. My friends and Mom said they would call and check in on him and see if he needed anything, but I knew he wouldn't! He has got it covered. He is used to being home w/ her 1 or 2 days a week, but the difference is that I get home by 1 o clock. While I was away, he was in charge of it all. When I returned home, he shocked me by saying that he really can't believe how much work it is to be home all day with a baby. Now, Bella is a pretty easy baby. She doesn't cry or fuss often and takes 2 naps a day. She is really independent and most of the time just likes to explore. However, I know how hard it is to be at home w/ a baby. He said it was easier to be at work during his 12 hours shifts than be home all day with a baby. Hallelujah! He finally understood what I was talking about! Its so much easier to take care of her when you have 2 parents at home, but all alone for most of the day is hard work. I can't say it enough, God Bless those moms who aren't just single moms, but really GOOD single moms! It's a lot of work! I'm just thankful now Eric truly gets it. I am also thankful that he is so active in taking care of her! When I got in the car when they picked me up from airport, she looked at me so strangely like "how dare you leave me mommy!". She just kept looking at Eric. I was a little sad because I knew she had really attached to Daddy even more so while I was gone, but once we got out of car and got to play, she was warmed back up to me. I never want to leave again!
To add to this, I am officially off of work for 6 weeks! I'm so excited to have some time to relax. These last few weeks have been so stressful and Im looking forward to being home with Isabella and unwinding. We have some pool days, parties, jumping gyms, and a vacation planned to San Diego this summer. I am looking forward to having a great summer with my family! Hopefully being a stay at home mom doesn't kill me :)

Father's day 09

We really had a weekend celebration for Father's Day. I asked Eric what he wanted to do and he said he really wanted to take Bella to Desert Ridge and let her play in the fountain again and have lunch. SO on Saturday, along with the Tortora Family, we headed to Desert Ridge to do just that. We had lunch the 3 of us and then headed to the fountain to meet Greg, Jammie, and Guiliana. Bella was not as interested in the fountain as she was last weekend, but nonetheless had a great time. Guiliana played in the fountain a lot while Bella roamed around the shopping area and played with the rocks (her new thing). We spent a couple hours outside and had a great time. We had smoothies while the girls played, Jame and I chatted, and the boys hung out. It was super fun!
Sunday, Eric woke up to biscuits and gravy, bacon, eggs, and hash browns. We also gave him his gifts : 3 new shirts and socks :) We then just hung around the house until Eric's dad and stepmom came over to have dinner. I asked Eric what he wanted and he said bbq sandwiches. So I roasted a pork and made pulled pork sandwiches, cole slaw, baked beans, and corn on the cob. Yumm! It was nice for Grandpa/Grandma to spend some time W/ Bella. After they left we took Bella outside (she can't get enough of it) and just let her play (of course in the rocks). IT was a just a perfect best friend/ family weekend!
I was so happy to celebrate a day dedicated to Eric. He does not ask for much (nothing in fact) and he loves Isabella w/ all that he has. I could not have asked for a better father to partake in this journey of parenthood with. We love you Daddy, thanks for taking such good care of both of us!
THE GIRLS HAVING FUN


IN HER FATHER'S DAY OUTFIT

PLAYING IN THE ROCKS

videos

WALKING AROUND DESERT RIDGE






FINALLY FIGURED OUT HOW TO RIDE THE ATV ALL BY HERSELF!!

My actual Birthday-June 14th

Today was my actual Birthday. My dad and Rhonda left (booo) and I napped for almost 2 hours. Then, I had a 1 pm massage, and it was awesome! Then it was time to get ready for dinner with Eric and Bella. We went to Bj's at desert Ridge and it was yummo! Bella was getting really antsy so we decided to let her walk around outside since it wasn't too hot. Well, we then ran in to the big fountain. I really did not think Isabella would have any interest in it. Boy was I wrong! She just kept walking closer and closer and was giggling at all the kids playing in it. She inched her way toward it and within minutes, she was absolutely soaked. Head to toe! She had so much fun! She was wearing a dress and I had no extra clothes so we had to go. However, we have plans to take her again next weekend since she loved it so much. My birthday weekend was the best EVER and I appreciate all those who made it special for me.


ON OUR WAY TO DINNER






OOOH I SEE WATER!





THINKING ABOUT IT.


IM GOIN IN...






AWWW MAN, IM SOAKED!

MUCH BETTER, HAD TO TAKE DRESS OFF

29TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

My wonderful husband set up what was supposed to be a "surprise " birthday dinner w/ our closest friends. However, me being me, I found out :) However, he did manage to surprise me with my Dad and Rhonda being there. It was an awesome night full of yummy food, drinks, and wonderful friends and family. I appreciate my husband for setting it up and for my Parents driving from San Diego just to be here, and for the best friends in the world! I had a super Birthday!


My Best girlies

THE BEAUTIFUL SHADOWBOX/POEM JAME MADE ME














MY LOVE

Isabella's 1 yr check-up

Today, I was so nervous about Bella's one year check up. I knew she would be getting her MMR shot, and myself and Eric are totally freaked out about that shot. We knew we were going to have her vaccinated no matter what, it was just really nerve wrecking because of all the controversy surrounding that particular shot. So Eric took half the day off to be there for it. Anyway, we got to the Dr. and she had to walk around. ON our way back to the room, she was walking the hall and ahead of us. Dr. Rampley saw her and said "oh my look at that Ms. Diva Isabella"! She was walking around like she owned the place and not allowing daddy and I to pick her up, and waving at the nurses. We finally got her in the room to get her measured and weighed. Not to our surprise she is in the 95th % at 31.5 inches long and in the 85% at 22.9 lbs. The Dr. inquired about her eating, sleeping, and behavioral issues and told Eric and I that we were doing absolutely everything right and that we are awesome parents. It was a really nice thing to hear. She also told us that Bella is developmentally ahead of most her age (which Dad and I already figured :) She was very impressed w/ her vocabulary, motor skills, etc. YAY! Then came the 4 shots.. yuck! I of course have to stand w/ her at the table because dad can't be too close, he gets to upset. She did fine as soon as they were over and could be held. Now we just wait and make sure she doesn't have a reaction to the shot and pray it will all be ok. I know they will be!