Three is just around the corner...

On March 5th, Isabel will turn three!

It is so hard to believe that just three years ago she was the little baby in my belly we were waiting to meet. Now, she is turning into a beautiful little girl right before our very eyes. I like to do updates periodically and I have a sneaking suspicion that once Lucy comes it may be a while before I get to do another. So here is what Isabel is up to at (almost) age 3.

Sleeping: Still sleeping 7 to 7 for the most part. Sometimes we go to bed a bit later-- and during the week we have to wake up a bit earlier-- but overall, she gets a solid 11 or 12 hours per night. Can't complain! However, naps are another issue. Naps have gotten challenging during the past month or so to say the least. She is reluctant to go for her nap and almost NEVER naps at daycare anymore. At home and at YaYa's house she has begun to "explore" during her nap time... going into her closet to get books, playing with toys,and on one fateful day-- painting her entire body, dresser, bed, and sheets with nail polish. (Yes... you heard me correctly). I have a feeling that naps are going to disappear altogether this year.. but hopefully we can sill encourage "quiet, rest" time. Because her mommy needs it :)

Eating- Not much has changed here. Isabel is still a somewhat picky eater-- doesn't like any type of meat except for tacos, hot dogs, and chicken nuggets. She will eat veggies and pasta, and LOVES any type of fruit, and adores ALL ice cream (like her momma).

Potty-trained- Yay! Thank you Goddard School for doing most of this for us. I tried off and on throughout the summer but we didn't have much luck. However, when school started and the positive peer pressure kicked in -- she learned pretty quickly. Occasionally, she waits too long to go and has an accident and of course at night and we still put pull-ups on her because she is not always dry in the am. Thankfully though, we won't have to buy diapers for two babies-- can you say expensive?!

Clothes- I have to make this its own category because although she is only three-- she already has a mind of her own when it comes to what she wants to wear and we get into DAILY battles about it. She REFUSES to wear any jeans (jeggings are the best we can do) and loves all "comfy" clothes (aka stretch pants, t-shirts, and pajamas). Matching is not a priority and lots of plastic beads and jewelry make every outfit extra splashy. She loves to wear dresses to church on Sunday and a tutu or princess costume to dinner or the grocery store. I almost always have to cut the tags out of her clothes (not comfy) and she is very hot-blooded so she always removes sweaters and sweatshirts even on the coldest days.

a style all her own..

Interests-- She has so many! What a fun, fun age! Bel is truly a little girl now with her own interests, opinions and lots to say. Her teachers at school always comment on how verbal she is (must come from her dad :) Her fave things include her books, my Kindle Fire, Disney princesses, singing, her weekly ballet class, any type of art project, stickers, lip gloss, stuffed animals, her cousin "Pay", wrestling with Daddy, going to Target, cooking with mom, seeing her grandparents, and riding her bike.

"Indoor S'mores" with mom

Isabel is looking forward to meeting her new little sister, (or so she says) and has helped me get things ready for her. She is very good with her younger cousin and really likes babies, so I am excited to see how she is when Lucy comes home to stay. This next year will be full of changes for Isabel and I am looking forward to all the ways she will continue grow and change. I love my little nugget more than anything-- she is kind and funny and loving and stubborn and so, so beautiful inside and out. I am lucky to be her mom. Happy (almost) birthday Isabel Grace!