Random Pictures

Saturday, January 31, 2009


Look at how big Ethan is in Isabella's lap. It's just not right.




This is Isabella's "cheese" face, though she says "eeee".





"Look at me"

Isabella loves attention from us. Her favorite phrase is "Look at me".

"Mommy, take a picture"

One morning while Isabella was eating her breakfast I was thumbing through some old pictures. Meanwhile, Isabella starts posing and demands, "Mommy ,take a picture." So I did.





This morning while Ed was still in bed, it was just Isabella and I eating breakfast. She turns to me, puckers her lips and says, "Mommy kiss me." Aww...how sweet is she? I wish I had filmed this to remember on those days when I wonder who is this child.

Los Feliz Train

Several weeks ago we took the kids to the Los Feliz Train. Susan and Michael took Asher and Isabella when they were here in October. They said Isabella was nervous but then loved it.

When we got there she was excited to get on train. When we got seated and the engine turned on she got scared and said "I no like it". After we got moving she sat silently and didn't really show that she enjoyed it until we got off.









Afterward we went to Shane's Inspiration in Griffith Park, which is the only universally accessible playgrounds. It's huge and offers lots for several age groups.




Ethan's Cute Outfits

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

We received many bags and boxes of new and previously owned clothes for Ethan. All are just adorable. Here's a little fashion show to say thanks.







Sleepless in Los Angeles



It has been almost three weeks since Isabella has slept through the night. It is the strangest thing to see your child experience fear for the first time. Now, she gets up 2-3 times during the night. The first 1-2 times she'll go back to her bed. It seems the last time she wakes up she's a little more emotional and it's usually around 4-5am. She will only calm down if I let her sleep in our bed. So, as a working mom who appreciates, no, requires sleep, I let her sleep with us. I've been trying to read about nighttime fears and night terrors. So this is what I learned:

  • Develop a consistent bedtime routine (done)
  • Use a nightlight, but look out for shadows (need to check that one)
  • No TV before bedtime (need to adopt new rule)
  • Use soothing music (done)
  • Watch out for TV/movie content - it seems most animated films have a scary villain (uh...need to adopt new rule)

I have to admit, we've let her watch TV before bedtime. There are three movies she absolutely loves to watch and asks for them all the time: 1) Finding Nemo, 2) Madagascar and 3) Happy Feet. Seemed harmless at first and was fine until my two-year now sees the world through new eyes. Now anything seems to scare her.

One morning, we're laying in bed while Ed's in the shower. And at the foot of the bed is a a small grey cloth to which she was curious about.


Isabella: Mommy what's that?
Me: It's a cloth to clean sunglasses.

Isabella looks puzzled and hesitant

Me: Go get it.
Isabella: No, I scared. Mommy go get it.


The last few nights were especially horrible. After Isabella crawls in bed with us I try to fall asleep. I open my eyes and see her staring at the ceiling. I think her imagination is taking over her mind. Then hours later, Ed and I both are startled awake to her feet kicking us in the head. We look at her and she managed to turn herself completely upside down over the covers. An hour later Ed gets up to feed Ethan and comes back to Isabella turned sideways taking up his side of the bed.

Last night she screamed at 2 in the morning. She had a nightmare in bed with us. She kept screaming and wouldn't let us soothe her. I remembered reading to not wake a child if she's having a night terror, but to put soothing music or her favorite movie on. But since we put a rule of no animated films (for the dark scary parts), I turned on the TV and was happy to see Little Einsteins. She was instantly calm and reverted back to the same sweet child I once new. She watched an entire episode and I turned off the TV and off to sleep to sleep she went.

We are very tired. I hope this is short lived.

Izzy's Room

Friday, January 16, 2009

The house is finally done. If only we can keep it clean enough to take pictures. Surprisingly, Isabella's room is the cleanest...maybe because all her toys make its way to the living room, dining room and kitchen.


Four Month Comparison

Friday, January 09, 2009

I took Ethan to his four month doctor visit. Because of the holidays I brought him in three weeks after he turned four months old. I was shocked to hear his stats. I've been carrying this baby around and new he was heavy. And one can't help but notice his chubby thighs during a diaper change, but I didn't think he weighed as much as he did.









At 4 months, 3 weeks:
Weight: 17 lbs 12 oz (90th percentile)
Height: 25" (50th percentile)














Isabella at 4 months
Weight: 13 lbs 13 oz. (50th percentile)
Height: 25 1/4" (90th percentile)