Showering Shannon and Baby Hansen

Today we hosted my cousin Shannon's baby shower. Her little boy is due on August 18th (my wedding anniversary!) We can't wait to meet him. Shannon looks great- definitely glowing!Shannon, Aunt Joan, and me

Me, Shannon, and Mandy

Bell enjoyed the shower and she only needed one wardrobe change. We tried to convince her to take a nap but she didn't want to miss any of the fun. I think she is looking forward to bossing her new little boy cousin around.

The proud papa- to-be!

I can't wait for these two to be new parents- how exciting

Week 16

This was a big week for us because I went back to work for the first time. Of course I wasn't teaching because school is not in session yet but I took a professional development course from 7:30 to 1:00 each day so Isabel got to stay with her Grandpa. It was great because it gave me a preview of what it will be like this fall when I am officially back at work. I must admit it was HARD. Much harder to leave her than I thought. I even cried the first day on my way to school. I got used to it pretty quickly though and I knew she was in good hands. Bell and Grandpa had a lot of fun and even watched The Land Before Time on t.v. together.
The hardest thing about being back at work was pumping because I am still breastfeeding. What a pain! There was a class being held in my room so I had to do it in the bathroom during my breaks. Such a hassle and I was a little worried someone was going to walk by and hear weird noises coming from the bathroom and wonder what was going on...

I'm glad I still have a few months left to stay home with my little one.

Summer Days

It was so HOT all week! Isabel enjoyed both the baby pool and "grown up" pool much more because the water was sooo warm. In fact, her little pool felt more like our bathtub. (Ugh.... I can't believe I allowed myself to be photographed in a bathing suit. Ignore me and focus on the sweet baby)
Oh... she liked the big pool too!Her little wetsuit!

This pool was a bit small.....

Cool chick in her sunglasses!

Jason's First Father's Day!

Jason is the greatest dad ever! He makes Isabel laugh like no one else can. She can sit on his lap and watch the Cubs with him forever. When her daddy comes in the room she just lights up. We are so blessed to have him and we thank God for him daily. Happy Father's Day Jay!

I HATE Swimming!

Since Bell is too little to swim in my parent's pool her Grandma Kathy bought her a pool of her own. I dipped her toes in it today to see what she thought of it. Instant screaming! She was not a fan of the pool. Funny since she loves the bathtub. Too cold perhaps?

Father's Day with the Family

On Sunday we went to my parents house for a cook-out and to celebrate Father's Day and my sister's belated birthday. The weather didn't really cooperate but we still had a lot of fun.

Every Father's Day my dad's tradition is to grill out for all of us. He really outdid himself this time. We had BBQ ribs, BBQ chicken and bratwurst- Delicious! The fabulous apron was a Father's Day gift from us. The other two aprons were birthday presents for my sister (She wears aprons at work to keep the dye off her clothes!) I just wanted to wear one so as not to feel left out.

My cute hubby on his first Father's Day!

So awesome! Isabel finally got to meet her other Great Grandpa Joe!

Aunt Mandy LOVES Isabel!

Cooking Out!

On Saturday the Leppin's came over for a cookout. Jason grilled burgers and the weather was awesome! It had been a few weeks since Isabel had seen her grandma and grandpa and I think they were surprised by how big she has gotten.

Bell is always comfy on Grandma's lap.

I think this is a great Father's Day pic of Jason, Aaron and their dad. (Even though the guys didn't want to pose for it!)

Jason- the "grill master"

Yes..... Bell and I color-coordinated our outfits!

Remind me not to let Isabel ever wear that bow again

Visiting with the Wards!

Jason and Geri Ward were in town for the weekend and we were able to meet up with them for a quick lunch at Panera before they had to make the long drive back to Minnesota. It was fun to see them and little Isabel was very impressed by baby Brody's big blue eyes! I think she may already have a crush...

Awww... look at the cute daddies! (Is it wrong that Isabel is already bigger than Brody and she is 4 weeks younger?:)

Bell is blowing bubbles! (New favorite past time)

Week 15

This week Isabel went on a sleep strike. For most of the week she refused to nap during the day. Although she would get really tired every afternoon and would start to nod off in my arms, the second I put her down she was wide awake. We had some long afternoons- especially since Jason was in the city all week for a conference.On a positive note, she still slept well every night!
In the picture below you can see that Isabel is able to grab for some of the toys on her playmat now. Another new development- she is starting to razz! So sweet.

This is the Bumbo chair we borrowed from Arian. Isabel isn't quite sure what she thinks of it yet. I think she likes to sit up but she is still a little wobbly.Jason makes fun of the outfit she is wearing in these pictures. I thought it was cute and kind of preppy- but I won't tell you what he says about it on the blog. It is hard to believe we once worried about Bell being too skinny. She is a little chubba-wubba now. Here cheeks are hilarious! She loves to eat- (takes after her mom)

Lunching with the Ladies

My friend and coworker Lorie had us girls over for lunch yesterday. She made delicious chicken salad (which I could not enjoy because of my stupid no-dairy diet) and veggies, pasta, desserts etc. Lorie was sweet enough to grill me some chicken though. She invited Stephanie (who will be working at my school next year :) and Melissa who just had Emma four weeks ago. It was amazing to hold little Emma and try to remember Isabel being that little just a few months ago.

Lorie and Isabel

Stephanie is a natural

Lorie's mom stopped by to hold the little ones too!

My baby girl isn't so little anymore

Park Days!

We were wondering if summer would ever get here... Finally, we had a few nice days. Yesterday Isabel and I met Lisa and Mason at a "splash park" in Geneva. Of course Isabel was too little to splash but she enjoyed sitting in the shade and napping!

We also met Kristin and her son Dylan at Wheeler Park last week. We pushed the kids in their strollers and Dylan enjoyed playing on the jubgle gym equipment. Next summer Isabel will be his age and I will be chasing after him at the park! For now her idea of a good afternoon at the park is sitting on the bench and nursing :)

Happy Birthday Mandy!

June 14th! My little sister turned 25 today. We went to visit her and then went to the St. Charles festival. The weather was perfect and it was awesome to get outside. Tomorrow Mandy graduates from her "stylist educator" program (500 continuing ed. hours) and so we had lots to celebrate.

Meet Quinn!

This Saturday our friend Jill and her husband were in town from LA to show off their new baby Quinn. He is a few weeks younger than Isabel and has the prettiest blue eyes.

Quinn

Lisa threw a "sip and see" so all of us could meet the little guy. Quinn took a nice nap and then he was ready to party.

Jill and Quinn

Lisa and her son Mason

Us girls visiting and eating (of course)

I also went to a baby shower this weekend for my friend Becky who is expecting in Aug. Jason spent the afternoon with Isabel. (Of course she took a 2 hour nap for him!)

Arian, Kelly, Me and Colleen at the shower