Isabel's Baby Dedication

Isabel- Consecrated to God Proverbs 16:3 "Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed"
Grace- Lady of Grace Psalm 84:11 "For the Lord God is a sun and a shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; No good thing does he withold from those who walk uprightly"

On Saturday night Isabel had her "baby dedication" at Christ Community Church and her whole family was there to help her celebrate. In our church we reserve baptism for a time when you are old enough to make the decision to accept Jesus Christ for yourself. So instead we, as parents, dedicated ourselves to raising Isabel to know the Lord and the church congregation dedicated themselves to supporting our efforts. Bell, Jason, and I stood in front of the church for our vows and Isabel made it through the whole thing without crying! It was a really neat experience. We thank God daily for the blessing that is Isabel and pray that we can be good Christian parents for her. After church we had food and cake at my parent's house.

Isabel with the cross necklace her Grandma and Grandpa Leppin bought her

Mandy and I rubbing my cousin Shannon's belly. Baby Boy Hansen is coming this summer!

Me and Uncle Terry

Isabel is always comfy in Grandma Leppin's arms

Mommy and Isabel

Katie and Frank helped us celebrate too

Aunt Mandy and Uncle Zack

Bell's Cake- Yum! (I'll have two pieces please)

Happy Mother's Day!

I can't believe I am a mom! To celebrate my first Mother's Day Jason made me pancakes for breakfast and he and Isabel surprised me with a spa package (manicure, pedicure and massage!)
I am so excited. I have never had a massage before and I am a little worried because I am insanely ticklish. Regardless, it will be nice to have a relaxing day out. I am so blessed and lucky to have such a great husband and daughter to celebrate today with.

Our Trip to the Salon

We took a trip to visit Aunt Mandy at work yesterday. She works at Act One Hair Salon in Geneva and she has been eager to show off her niece to her coworkers and clients. As you can see Isabel slept almost the entire visit. She definitely does not like to be interrupted from her morning naps. Mandy can't wait for Bell to grow some more hair so she can get her hands on it.

Good Morning Bell

I am so happy when my mom comes to rescue me from my crib in the morning! It is one of the rare times I will smile for her. Notice that I need to be changed AGAIN because I like to spit up on myself.

9 Weeks!

Isabel keeps getting bigger! She is officially becoming a chubby little baby.
Yesterday we went to a park in Geneva with my firends from work and their babies. Of course isn't quite ready for the swings yet - she mainly napped in her stroller. The weather was beautiful and warm which makes it so much fun to be home with her. I think we are going to have a great summer together. I snuck this picture of Isabel in her crib while she slept because we are so proud of her. She goes to bed at 8pm and USUALLY only wakes up once for a feeding and then back to bed until 6 am. Of course, every night is different but it sure helps to get a full 7-8 hours of sleep. We hope she can keep this up.

Saying Goodbye to Family...

We had such a good time visiting with Aunt Debby, Aunt Belinda, and Uncle Bill this weekend. On Tuesday we headed to Naperville to have lunch once more and say goodbye to everyone. Isabel can't wait to see her aunts and uncles again. Maybe next time we will take a trip down south to see them!

Shop Till We Drop!

On Monday the whole family came up from Dwight to see our house and spend some more time with Isabel. It was such a beautiful day so we decided to go to Geneva for shopping and lunch. We walked around, ate at Egg Harbor and stopped for chocolate at Graham's.

Visiting the shops

Lunch at Egg Harbor- Bell was very well-behaved at the restaurant
Isabel relaxes with Grandpa after a long day of shopping

Isabel Meets Her Arkansas Family!

On Sunday we made our first trip to Dwight to see Grandma and Grandpa Leppin. Isabel's Aunt Belinda, Uncle Bill, and Aunt Debby drove all the way up from Arkansas to meet her for the very first time. Isabel was a good girl and slept the whole way to Dwight and back in the car. When we arrived she got lots of "sugar" and presents! One of her favorite presents was a University of Arkansas Razorbacks onesie from her Uncle Bill with a crystal "Hog" on it. (Daddy will let her wear it as long as they are not playing the Illini)

Isabel with Uncle Aaron

Isabel with her Aunt Debby

Isabel and Grandpa Leppin

Isabel thinks Grandma is very entertaining Aunt Belinda meets and holds Isabel for the first time!
(Of course she is sleeping!)