One last visit

Last weekend, Isabel and I went down to New London to visit Great Grandpa Horning. He hadn't been feeling very well and we wanted to cheer him up a bit. Aunt Laura, Uncle Fred and Cousin Griffin were there when we arrived. Grandpa enjoyed watching his great-grandchildren playing on the floor. Then they needed to head back home but we got to stay with Grandpa and watch the parakeets in his day room until Aunt Gail came to retrieve us to settle at her home for the night. The next day we visited again before we headed back off to Worcester. We watched a bit of the Olympics and Grandpa watched Izzy, giving her kisses and calling her "honey pie." He mentioned that she looked like Grandma Tefft whom I didn't know but I'm told she was also named Isabel.

Sadly, Great Grandpa passed away this past Thursday. He had a long life and he had seen too many go before him. I'm glad that Izzy was able to make him smile.

Izzy and Grandpa notice the camera

Hi, Grandpa! Check out my giraffe.

A Family Photo

Rest in Peace Great Grandpa. You are missed.

A Nice Saturday Outside

Last Saturday, Daddy surprised us with a trip to Quabbin and Amherst to get us out of the house. We stopped by Wilton's Children Store in Ware and bought Izzy a couple cute outfits. Then we went to the reservoir to walk around and enjoy the weather. Unfortunately, a squall moved across the water right towards us and we had to beat a hasty retreat. Heavy drops fell on the car right after we got inside. Whew! Then Daddy treated Mommy to yummy BBQ and Izzy got to eat pear blueberry oatmeal outside. Finally we continued to Amherst and walked around and had some ice cream. Daddy let Izzy have a taste and then we had to be careful to stay outside of her sight since she liked a bit too much. Oops!

Mommy and Izzy pose on Windsor Dam

Um, that's quite a storm out there.

Izzy enjoys a meal alfresco

Back to Bottles

Last week, we reintroduced bottle feeding since it turned out we had gotten lazy about it with me home for the summer. Look who can hold her own bottle now.

First Day with Ziggy

Today Izzy had her first solo visit at daycare. She'll be going half days this week to help her acclimate before going full time starting next week. I think Daddy had the hardest time leaving her there. She did very well with minimal tears. The report is that she had a great time watching and playing with the kids on the floor, ate a big lunch and took a nap from which she just got up when we picked her up at noon. She also got to go outside and she smelled of sunscreen. There's a girl there only one month older who's on the same eating/nap schedule. It will be good for her to have someone her age though I think the four year olds were particularly enamoured and Ziggy's daughter waved to her from the window as we were leaving. So sweet :)

Mommy's Birthday

I had a pleasant birthday weekend with Izzy and Daddy. Daddy took my actual birthday off and we spent the day hanging out and went to the playground for some swinging. We also took a nice family nap before Daddy and I went out to eat with a group of friends. Great Aunt Carla and Uncle John graciously babysat. Izzy had a minor fuss due to a change in her bedtime routine but supposedly she didn't peep after we left.

Izzy got me Richard Scarry's Best Storybook Ever which was my favorite bedtime book when I was little. We've already read about the color rabbits and bedtime for little bear complete with chocolate cake. Daddy also got us a membership to the Ecotarium which we visited Sunday and again on Tuesday with Grandma Pat. Izzy liked the baby skunks the best. They were busy running around in their new home. We also rode the little train and Izzy did well through the tunnel. Then it was time to go since it was naptime.

Birthday Kisses are best

Presents!

Izzy dictated the inscription to Daddy

Izzy watches the other baby stinkers at the Ecotarium

Mom, I NEED that water bottle!

... and Swedish stores

Thursday, Izzy and I paid a visit to Aunt Laura and Cousin Griffin and went to the Ikea store. Both cousins managed to scam some toys into the basket but fortunately Ikea toys are fairly inexpensive. And it was Griffin's birthday week so he's allowed some treats. Laura treated us to lunch as well. Izzy was a little miffed that we were eating and she wasn't. Even though she had a big lunch right before we left. Izzy will be able to have her own mac 'n' cheese before too long but she's a bit young for meatballs. So she got to chew on my spoon with a trace of lingonberry jam. Yum!

Who's touching my bottom?

Izzy "hangs" out Griffin's walker

Griffin shows off its many features

Izzy practices sitting up tripod-style

Swings and Swimming

Last week, we traveled north to visit Grandma and Grandpa P., Aunt Kim and Cousin Olivia. Izzy had a grand time playing with Olivia now that she's old enough to interact more. Our first night we got there so late, that Izzy went straight to bed but Saturday, Izzy and Livvie had played all day in the living room. Livvie was a big help feeding and changing her little cousin and even set up a little tent for her. All the excitement led to a few naps in the play gym instead of the crib. We also got to visit aunt Kim at her portrait studio and got a few photos taken of the cousins. Sunday, Aunt Kim had the day off from work. So we all got to go to the playground and the town beach. Izzy loved the swings and was good about staying in. She wasn't so sure about the lake though.

Livvie and Izzy BFF!.

Ride 'em Duckie! Quack, quack!

Livvie gives Izzy her snack.

Livvie and her mom pay on the dinosaur.

This swinging thing is great!

High flyin' Izzy!

Hey Dad, I need a push, please.

Izzy takes a dip with Auntie Kim

Hey Mom! My skivvies are wet.