News, news, news!

Good news! I got the job! I accepted the job offer on Thursday and officially started on Monday. So far this week has been crazy with meetings and new projects added to my list of things to work on.

Great news! Jason is officially done with his 4-year degree. He will get a week off and then back to school...just a mere 20-months and he'll be done with his Master's degree.

We had a wonderful time celebrating my dad's 60th b-day over the weekend. I wish I could tell you I took a ton of great pictures but we totally forgot to pull out the camera. I'm not sure how that happened - Darn it!

Our cute little girl is turning "1" tomorrow...I can't even believe it!

22 days and counting...

I admit it. I am not a big fan of this season called "winter".

I am ready for fun in the sun! Does leaving my baby behind bother me? "Yes!" In all honesty I get a stomach ache if I think about it too much. But the fact is this: bringing a 1-year old on a sailboat for 10-days is just not practical. So there you have it!

In job related news, Lifetouch is checking my references and completing my background check. Yes, I know, this is all a little odd seeing as I've been working here for over 6-months. They don't require these steps for a contractor. The process continues.

Love is in the air...

I have to admit, I love Valentine's Day. I know...it's a commercial holiday, but sometimes it is important to have an occasion that makes you stop and think...maybe write a little love note to those most important. Jason and I both worked from home yesterday and it was a pleasure to share that quiet space with him for the day...just the two of us. Plus, tonight I'm picking up PF Chang's for our official v-day dinner - any event that includes PF Chang's is a good one in my book.

Isabella has been ill with foot in mouth (our self-diagnosis) she had a couple of ouhies in her mouth and on her tongue. Tack on a nasty cold with a hacking cough - poor girl. Napping in our arms was the scene earlier this week. She seems to be doing better but the cough is still hanging on. All in all, other than waking up a couple of times in the middle of the night, she has been eating and sleeping fine.

Things Isabella can do:

- Walk...I've mentioned this...yes?

- Very close to running (especially when Jason is chasing her)

- Falling and getting lots of bumps and bruises on her head

- She can say, "mooo" when you ask her what a cow says

- She can say, "ruff ruff" when you ask her what a puppy says

- She can also give you five when you put your hand out

Things I wish Isabella could do:

- Hug and Kiss! For as much as we hug and kiss this girl I'd have thought she would pick this up by now.

- Say mama! I know she can say it, but she insists on repeating dada constantly (still cute, just not as cute as mama)

Recent Bella activities...

As you can see she keeps us busy!

Isabella loves her lawn chair!

Walking around in circles!

Climbing up on the couch.

Got milk?

Isabella is officially done with formula and bottles. We are moving on up into the world of whole milk and sippy cups. No more bottles to wash, no more formula to scoop!!! Yahoo! I can hardly believe how fast Isabella has grown. We had to move her crib mattress down to the lowest setting over the weekend - which seems awfully low but at least she won't fall out. Isabella has suddenly started walking more than crawling - that was practically an overnight transition.

As some things become more convenient, others become less convenient. Remembering to brush Isabella's teeth for instance, I'm guilty of forgetting more than I remember.

Jason is a few weeks away from completing his Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. He is planning to begin working towards his Master's degree in Human Services immediately. I am really proud of him, I know how hard it is to juggle work and school...but he has the added challenge of helping out with Isabella (and he does help out tremendously).

I am still in the process of interviewing at Lifetouch...a couple more steps left in the process including an appointment with a psychologist. Fun, fun!

We have started the countdown to our 12-day vacation in March. I'm already sad to leave Bella, but am looking forward to a nice getaway with Jason and our adventure of sailing around the British Virgin Islands.