The Monkey Birthday Bash...

Finally... pictures from Isabel's first birthday party! (I know- it only took me a month to post these babies) My friend Julie Salzmann took them and I think they turned out really well. Plus- I didn't have to worry about taking any pictures that day ("Jason ...Quick! Get the camera!"). The party was fun and CHAOTIC. (Note to self- do not try to get your 1 year-old to open her birthday presents in front of everyone with seven other kids in the room) Bear with me.... I have a lot of pics to show you...

 Jason teased me about the party ( calling it "the wedding" Part II because I ordered a two tier birthday cake and invited all of our friends - ha ha) But hey.... I think it turned out fun and even though Isabel will NEVER remember it, we will have these great pics to show her someday :) Besides, I think the 1st birthday should be just as much of a celebration for the mom and dad because they successfully SURVIVED the first year of parenthood - (goodness knows there were days I did not think we would ) Anyway, Happy 1st  Birthday Little Isabel "Monkey" Leppin!

Goodbye Bump!

Okay...this post might be a little weird...

Today I had surgery (well...really just a little outpatient procedure) but I have had this big "lump" on the top of my head for many years. It started out as a pretty tiny bump but over the past few years it has just gotten bigger... and bigger.. and bigger... like... so big that I was starting to think it was turning into Isabel's new sibling.... In fact, I fully expected it to keep growing until it took over my whole head! It didn't really hurt or anything- it was just kind of embarassing. I never wanted anyone to touch the top of my head except my hubby (and my darling sister/stylist). My doctor assured me that it wasn't anything serious but she agreed it was probably time to take it out. So- Spring Break Day 2.... have my "baby bump" removed.

Jason came to give me moral support but he got kind of squeamish in the Dr.'s office. The most traumatic part of the whole procedure was probably getting my head shaved. (Yes... you heard me correctly. She had to shave a small patch of my hair) Then she gave me an injection to numb my head. That stung a little. But, it was all done in about 30 minutes. I even got one stitch to show for it!

Ahhh... I felt so much lighter afterward! I actually asked my Dr. to let me weigh myself again after the procedure but she just laughed (I was serious). My sweet sister brought me flowers afterward and my mom baked me a casserole. I could get used to that.

Here's hoping that my Spring Break plans get a little better!

It's Spring Break....

Ahh... It is Spring Break here in Illinois and I for one am loving it! Jason took the week off of work too- and we are all home together as a family. So what exciting plans do we have for the week? Vacationing in a warm tropical paradise you ask? Oh no.... not us.
We went swimming at the Centre in lovely, scenic downtown Elgin.

Actually, it was a lot of fun and Bel  really enjoyed it. The water was warm enough and she didn't cry at all even when we got her head wet. We're trying to get her ready for the backyard pool season. My parents got a heater for their pool this year so we may actually be able to get in before July!

As always, Isabel dislikes getting her picture taken though - so no smiles here.

The rest of the week we are supposed to have GREAT weather so we are looking forward to getting out more! 

In the dog house.......

Literally......


Poor Isabel. Whenever Lucky is in his "house" she works to get him out. She drops toys to him through the cage and pulls the cover off the top of the cage so she can see him better. She looooves Lucky. He is warming up to her a little more lately now that she can chase him around the house. Today she decided to climb into his cage- but once she was in she couldn't figure out how to get out. Poor girl. Of course I let her stay stuck in there (long enough to get a pic or two :)

Easter Eggs....

So... Isabel is probably a little young to dye Easter eggs but this is a tradition I really like so we gave it a go. Mostly she just sucked on the eggs- (which was okay until they were dyed blue- then she had "smurf" mouth) She dropped one on the floor midway through and Lucky ran off with it. He tried to hide it under the couch and actually took a bite or two of it before I caught him. (shell and all) Pretty gross. Jason does not like the smell of the eggs or hard boiled eggs in general so I guess Lucky and I are going to have to enjoy them on our own :)

A New Baby!!!

...and NO it is not mine! I can finally officially announce the great news on this blog. Mandy and Zack are pregnant! (Well really just Mandy is pregnant:)Today they saw the doctor and had an ultrasound. My little neice or nephew is about 8 weeks old and had a heart beat and everything! Wow- I am so excited. I can't believe I am going to be an aunt. I think it might be like being a mom but with benefits (like you get to love up the baby but then send it home so you can sleep at night) Really- I just can't wait. As most of you know my sister is my best friend and lives approx. 2 minutes from me so I almost feel like I am having this baby too. (I know... I know... boundaries - ha ha)
On a more serious note, about two weeks ago Mandy took a pregnancy test and then went to see her Dr. because she beieved she was already about 8 weeks along. They were able to confirm her pregnancy- see a baby- but no heart beat. It was really devastating and we were afraid that she was going to lose the pregnancy. They tried three times to ultrasound her with no luck. She had to do some blood tests- and then wait to find out if the pregnancy was viable.(Allt he while her and Zack had a vacation planned in the Bahamas so they were waiting to hear the news from another country)The Dr. office called to tell them YES she was still pregnant and it turns out she just had her dates wrong! So the good news is that this baby is due Nov. 1st (but really I am secretly pushing for Halloween because the Davis family is NUTS for Halloween)Mandy has zero patience- like me- so of course she will find out the baby's sex. My bet is on a boy- but I am pretty much always wrong when it comes to prediciting so we'll see.
Happy Day!

Ouch!

Isabel took a spill outside this week. She fell face first on the sidewalk in front of our house. I thought she looked pretty tough with this "shiner" on her eye.

Absorbed in a good book...

Do Not Disturb...

Caution- Jason thinks this is a very boring video. And yes.. it sort of is, but it makes my reading teacher heart proud so humor me:)