All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth...

And guess what....she got them! Yes, Friday morning as we were preparing to leave for Michigan, Michael was playing with Isabelle (which consists of hanging her every which way) and noticed that another one of her bottom teeth was coming in. Then, when taking a closer look, he noticed that there were two small white teeth just about to push through on the top!

What a wonderful and crazy whirlwind of a holiday it was for all of us! We had a nonstop flight to Cincinnati where Isabelle slept for 4 out of the 4 1/2 hours as Michael and I watched Super Bad (funny stuff) and Hot Rod (not so funny or really worth seeing). However, Isabelle did not sleep all that well the first two nights at the hotel in Ohio in the pack and play. She would be fine when we put her down but would wake up in the wee hours of the morning and wouldn't go back to sleep so reluctantly and after an hour of soothing her and even letting her crawl all over us (we got great infrared video footage of that), we broke down and put her in bed with us. At the other hotel in Michigan, she did fine. Besides unfamiliar territories, maybe it was the time change too? All we know is we were very happy when she finally slept through the night as she does at home.


On Saturday, we had a wonderful time visiting with the Gebhart crew (Mom/Grandmama's family)in Ohio. We got together with Mom's youngest sister, Sylvia, and her granddaughter Shelby (who is 14) and went to Ron's pizza (the best pizza I have ever had) and then went "malling" to pick up a few last minute, we didn't want to lug them across the states, gifts. As you know the mall is chaotic enough during the holidays, let alone the fact that we were there the last weekend before Christmas. Well the mall also just happened to be where our sleep deprived, always on the go, little darling had a complete meltdown on Grandmama. After 5 solid minutes of crying she finally fell asleep in her arms, while Tara and I were still shopping and Michael frantically calling for us to get back. She slept 2 1/2 hours that afternoon and boy did she need it! That night we had dinner at Bullwinkle's...a pub/restaurant donned with Ohio State everything! Michael was in heaven and said if he lived there, that would be his hangout :) We caught up with all of the family we hadn't seen since our wedding and some even longer. Reno, our cousin Kim's son, absolutely fell in love with Isabelle as she did him. Cant you tell?

First thing the next morning we were off to Michigan. Like we said, it was a non stop whirlwind! After a 4 hour drive to Grandma and Grandpa Owston's, and Isabelle did very good considering the long drive, we were ready for a beer or two (or 12 if your name is Michael). Grandma and Grandpa O couldn't believe how big she had gotten and how much she has changed. You know how everyone says Isabelle is the spitting image of her Father well that fact officially has changed. Grandpa Owston has a baby picture of himself up in the hallway and with no doubt in any one's mind, except for his picture being faded black and white, they look exactly the same (God forbid child, you don't want to look like your Grandpa Owston-LOL...just kidding Dickie). We had a great time catching up with all of Michael's buddies. Hoppe, Christina and their daughter Ella Marie who is 2, showed up and Ella had Isabelle laughing so hard and having such a great time that she didn't want to leave when Grandmama and Grandpa were ready to head back to the hotel! Michael and I had an "adult night" staying out till,get this....12:30! LOL!


Christmas Eve day, after we hit the mall one more time (courageous,we know), we all headed over to Uncle Don and Aunt Sue's house (about a 5 minute drive from the hotel) to feast, get caught up with everyone and most of all...listen to Michael tell the story "Twas the Night Before Christmas". This is a Christmas Eve tradition that started 9 years ago and whether Michael is at home in Cali or home in Michigan, he reads this book every Christmas Eve.


Christmas Day came all to quickly, hence the reason we arrived at Grandma and Grandpa O's house at 11 instead of 10 (we apologize again Dickie and Marebare. And although she didn't get the whole "present thing", once you started to tear the paper, in she came to tear it of and of course, trying to eat it. I have to tell you though, there was one gift that as soon as it was opened she started "talking" to it and I swear, I couldn't get it out of the packaging fast enough! Her Aunt Ashley bought her a baby doll and Isabelle LOVED it!! There was more family visiting throughout the day and her naps were sparse but, she was a trooper. She stayed awake and in great spirits, smiling at everyone and grabbing any one's hands/fingers that would let her walk with them as she blows raspberries (her newest thing) until their back hurt...thanks Uncle Ed :) After the family festivities, we went over to our friend Kremer's (who lives in Tahoe and got married earlier this year-under "She's Here blog entry)) Dad's house. She got to meet Michael's completely out to the world, nothing is going to wake her not even Isabelle, goddaughter, Trinity.

On the 26th, we took our time getting around in the morning, as Tara, Mom and Dad caught their flights home. We had to drop off 2 boxes of gifts at the UPS store after buying an extra piece of luggage and everything still not fitting! That night, we went over to our friends Jay and Felicia's house (who happen to be Trinity's parents) for some pizza, wine and a few games on Nintendo Wii. For those of you who have not tried playing it, we HIGHLY recommend it. The boxing game that comes with it, kicked my butt. I felt like I was at my kickboxing class working out my upper body! It sounds crazy but you really do get a work out from this thing! And you all know how Michael loathes video games and said there will never be one in his house...well, his house will be getting one and he is going to be the first to play it!

There is the long and not so short of our Christmas vacation. We hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!