Tribute to my husband...

So it's New Year's Eve, but more than that, its Lee's birthday!! Happy Birthday Sweety! Unfortunately, I am pretty much bedridden with what we think is food poisening (I'm laying on the couch with the computer right now). What a terrible thing to happen on your husband's birthday. However, today has reminded me of why he is such a great man and why I love him so much. Despite it being his special day he has done everything to make me feel comfortable and take care of me and Isabel. So I thought I would write a special tribute to him (because that's pretty much all I can do for him today)...Top 10 things I love about Lee...

1. You love the Lord and want what is best for our family and to give Him glory.

2. You are a servant. You always are looking to help others before yourself and mostly your family.

3. You make me laugh. Lee always jokes the reason I married him is because he is so funny.

4. You can fix anything as my dad would say.

5. You see in me what I often don't see in myself and encourage me.

6. You tell me you "love me" everyday, despite our differences.

7. You are the best father to our sweet baby girl.

8. You do everything in your power to provide all our needs and then some.

9. You are so handsome and I love that we have continued to be best friends!

10. You don't like blogs, but let me have one anyway!

I love you Lee! I hope you don't hate me for this!:) It's all I could give you today...we'll do more tomorrow on your pretend birthday! Did I mention he's out getting me chicken noodle soup! What a great guy!

Cereal...it's still up for debate

Well, we tried starting Isabel on cereal. Her first time she actually seemed to like it....however, since then she hasn't liked it too much. We're still working on it as we are all trying to get the hang of it.

Isabel's 1st Christmas

Isabel enjoyed her 1st Christmas...

Especially the presents...

but mostly the wrapping paper...

and bows.:)

Understanding Christmas

We are now in Michigan experiencing the "frozen tundra" as Lee and I call it. Yesterday the wind was so strong it blew over the whole towns Christmas decorations it seems like, and I think the temperature was 6 degrees or something. Chilling compared to our Kentucky winter.

It's Christmas Eve today, but yesterday we convinced Grandma and Grandpa to let Isabel open a Christmas present early...after all she has so many. So Lee and I go look at all the presents under the tree...To: Isabel, To: Isabel, To: Isabel, To: Isabel...etc. Oh look...there is ONE for us.:) Here are some pictures of her trying to open one...with some help from Grandpa and mommy.

I look forward to day when Isabel can understand the true meaning of Christmas. Our prayer is we can not only during Christmas, but daily train her about what the Lord has done for us and why he sent his son. Thank you Lord for sending your Son that we might be saved!

Probably won't be blogging tomorrow so MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!!!

Welcome Home Aunt Martha, Hi Uncle Will

Isabel got to meet her Aunt Martha (aka Mart) for the first time this last week. Mart just returned to the U.S. after spending the last several months in Africa and Europe doing some intercutural studies. Isabel had fun giving Aunt Martha her Christmas present...a mini slinky..."it's cute cause it's mini." (inside joke to the Nordine family).

After spending a few days we Mart, we headed up to Michigan...it took longer then usual because we stopped through to see Uncle Will and had a mini Christmas with him.

Ho Ho Ho...Christmas at the farm...

We have had some busy weeks lately, but they have been fun filled also. Here is a picture Cydney and I got taken of the kiddos while we took a shopping trip to finish up last minute shopping. Jacob loved Santa's beard, and Santa didn't seem to mind him pulling it.

We also got to take a fun trip to the farm and visit "Grandpa and Grandma" Stiles...Isabel's adopted Kentucky/Indiana grandparents. Isabel got to see for the first time horses, cows, and chickens. She pretty much just stared at them fasicnated. Then we had a delcious dinner at the Stiles house and lots of fun with Isabel. Thank you so much Jim and Carolyn...it was a real treat! Here are some pictures of our visit.

4 months

Today Isabel had her 4 month check up. What a trooper. She got several shots and didn't even cry that much. She now weighs 12 lb. 6 oz. and is 25 in. long. Basically she is tall and skinny, but she if very healthy and the Dr. said she looks great. He said we can start her on cereal anytime in the next month, so we'll tell you how that goes in future posts.

What's been happening

1. Isabel turns 4 months Wednesday. Wow, time has flown by! She has her fourth month appt. tomorrow so we'll update you on how that goes. Today I found her in her crib with her socks pulled (from her doing) and I think her feet practically in her mouth. We've been putting her in the exesaucer and Johnny jumper, but she doesn't quite get that she can jump in them. She just sort of stands there and then when I try to jump her in them she moves her legs crazy sort of like jumping, but if I stop so does she. Oh well...we'll keep trying. Here's a photo of her in it.

2. We received the most wonderful present from some very gracious friends! I have been wanting to get Isabel her own stocking for Christmas, but Lee refused to let me get her one. He said that she could just have mine and that I could use one of his (yes, he has two). His excuse was it will save us money, we'll get them next year, blah, blah, blah... Well, little did I know he was scheming with our friends who had gotten us some for Christmas. What a nice gift and a HUGE improvement from what we had! Thanks guys!!!

3. I thought I'd show a picture of our pup! What a sweet dog he is! We love you Tucker...well most of us do!:) This came about from seeing the Neal's blog. No, he's not for sale, not even free, despite what Lee says.

4. Here's our family Christmas picture. I think it turned out great!

180 degrees

The last several weeks we have found Isabel in her crib opposite of how we layed her down. Meaning, her feet are where her head was supposed to be. Well, we never could figure out how she could do it. She doesn't roll over yet or anything, but just figured she rolled around. Well, today on the video monitor that our friends, the Pie's, let us borrow we saw her in action. Yep, we witnessed the 180 spin. She kicks her legs then arches her back a little, then kicks some more. She would have gone a full 360, but we decided we better end our fun and get her fed. It amazes me ever day how she changes and grows. What a great Creator we have!

Family Christmas pictures to come soon...

Oh Christmas Tree - First Snow

Ordinarily I would be watching Jacob and Isabel today, but Jacob's dad, Jesse, is watching him so Isabel and I are just chilling (literally) at home. We had our first snow today. In an effort to document Isabel's first snow, we took this picture. Not the greatest picture, but it works. We didn't want to freeze our baby girl outside, so we took the picture of her inside with snow out the window.

Last weekend we got our Christmas tree. It was somewhat of a difficult process. When we lived in MI we would always go to the Christmas tree farm and pick out a tree. Something I enjoyed doing every year. Here in N.K. we go to Lowe's or Home Depot. Traditionally since we have lived here we have gone the weekend after Thanksgiving to get our tree. Which we tried to do that this year, but both places only had a few trees to pick from. Well, I should clarify, only a few 9' trees to pick from. We like them big. We were very disappointed and went home empty handed. Last weekend, again both places had very few choices. However we didn't want to go home empty again, so we took the last 9' tree Home Depot had.

Here's a photo. Did you ever notice it's really hard to get good pictures of Christmas trees? I mean they don't look as nice in pictures as in real life. So instead of cleaning our house or putting away laundry, I tried every setting on our digital camera to see which one took the best picture. It was the night shot mode. If we had a tripod it probably would be even better.

Here's Isabel's first ornament. A gift someone gave us at one of her baby showers. Cute.

Okay, I am way too chatty today. That's all for now.

Oh one more thing. Congratulations to our friends Mark and Marty who had their baby girl "Lily" this last Sunday. We got to see her last night and she is so adorable.

Thanksgiving Weekend Activities

Happy Belated Thanksgiving everyone. Life seems to be a bit crazy right now...I guess that's how it gets this time of year. We had a great thanksgiving though and have so many things to be thankful for. Mostly for our Heavenly Father who has blessed us beyond we can imagine and who loves us despite our flaws. Thank you Lord!

Here are some of the fun activities we did over the weekend:

Visit to Creation Museum with Grandpa and Grandma, Jacob, and Isabel - Thank you Lord the promises in your Word are true.

Reading books with Grandpa - Thank you Lord for eyes to see and ears to hear books, especially the greatest book, your Word.

Trying on a handmade award winning crocheted dress given to Isabel from a very generous lady from our hometown - Thank you Lord for great friends and many gifts we have received.

Isabel getting a bath - Thank you Lord for shelter daily in a beautiful home.
And of course cooking the turkey - Thank you Lord for always providing food on our table and for time with those we love.

As promised

So here's a new cute picture of Isabel as promised. We have been working on tummy time with Isabel because to put it simply, she hates it. She absolutely hates being on her tummy. However, Grandma keeps telling us how important it is and we know that too, so we continue to work on it. Today she held her head up more than I have ever seen her do. She looks really cute.:)

Tucker going in for a kiss

Avoiding Laundry

I think I have posted something about this before, but I really hate laundry. I have had a bucket of laundry to put away...and I could have put it away all morning, but I procrastinate and do anything to avoid doing it. It's one of those things that never ends. Just when you get all the laundry put away, there is more to wash and more to put away. Enough of my sorrows. I'll post more pictures of Isabel soon, since that's what people REALLY want to see.

Update on the hair situation

Well, after several more washes and trying the baking soda idea, I think Isabel's hair is back to normal. And I repeat...NEVER AGAIN!

Awful experience

Well, I learned something as a mother today, as I do everyday. Do not put baby oil on your baby's head for cradle cap...at least if your baby has a wig of hair like ours does. Her hair is SO greasy. I have washed and washed and washed it, but the oil won't come out. Eventually I guess it will work it's way out, but for now I just have a child with a greasy head. Googling my mishap, I'm not the only person that has ever done this treaded thing to their child. I have a few more things to try...Dawn dish soap, baking soda, etc.

Hand in Mouth

Isabel is getting into the "hand in mouth" stage. She loves to chew on her hands. Last week I started to noticed her putting toys in her mouth too. Here is a clip.

Over the weekend we had a farewell party for a friend of ours, Louie (third back on the right). Louie is moving to CA and we will miss him. He played a significant role in Isabel's arrival. You see, Louie is a ballroom dancer and he and his girlfriend, Carrie, were giving Lee and I lessons at a wedding reception the night my water broke. I'm certain it was dancing with Louie that helped her arrival:)

Baby Burritos

So we found out that one of our favorite places to eat, Chipotle, was giving away free burritos on Halloween if you dressed up like one. At first we weren't sure if it was just a rumor or the truth, but it was true. We went along with our friends the Pié's and our two little "baby burritos." Our babies looked cute and got us free burritos. Thanks Jacob and Isabel!

Halloween!

So I guess when people start to tell you that you need a new post it's time to put one up...thanks Cydney and big brother Dave.:) Here is Isabel's Halloween outfit. I didn't buy her one because we are cheap (I mean, not cheap...good stewards), but she did get something as a shower gift before she was born that works. She is definitely "Heaven Sent." My dad told me the other day babies speak the language of Heaven, then they live here on earth and start to forget it. I told her the other day, since you speak the language of heaven can you tell God to help you be a good girl?:) Can a two month old have a tantrum? I don't know...it's still up in the air, but I think mine can.

It was really hard to get a good picture of her wings (especially by myself), but I guess this does the job.:)

Milestones

Holding a rattle (for more than two seconds)

Shots:(

Holding Hands

Just a cute one...

Isabel's first pictures

A couple weeks ago we had Isabel's pictures taken by a photographer from church, Lauren. She did an excellent job. We just got the final results. Here are a few for your viewing pleasure.

First Road Trip

Isabel went on her very first road trip. We went to visit one of our favorite places, Ludington, MI. It was a long trip (our usual 7 hour trip, took us 8 going and 9.5 coming back), but Isabel did great. Below are some of the people she saw/met. Also on Sunday morning we had a dedication ceremony at our home church and Isabel was dedicated.

Grandpa and Isabel

Grandma, Grandpa, and Isabel

Great-Grandma and Isabel

Uncle Will and Isabel

Dedication ceremony