Jordan-A LONG overdue entry

Upon our return from Jordan, this entry was started on February 18th with every intention to finish it that day but obviously, it has taken quite some time to complete. So go to the bathroom, get something to drink and perhaps snack on and enjoy our trip to Jordan (Februart 7-117, 2008)!

Traveling Times Advisory Board Meeting; an annual event put on by my Company that has taken me everywhere. It has also taken Isabelle to Alaska on her first flight and cruise and now the whole family to Jordan. Yes, the country in the middle east Jordan. So we start last Thursday and Friday as lets call them, our in flight days. This entry is full of not only Isabelle's adventures to Jordan but also her Mama and Papa's so we have ours recorded too :)


Day One: We left LAX on Thursday, Feb. 7th at 3:45pm and arrived in Amman, Jordan on Friday the 8th around 6pm. Almost 2 days of travel time. That morning, Michael stopped by Best Buy to On the way to LAX we stopped by a drug store to get some Triaminic to "knock Isabelle out" on the flight from Los Angeles to Paris (which we are so glad we did...you will see why when we get to Day 7. The flights were uneventful for the most part. We had a bassinet on the first leg to Paris. I didn't know those existed until Michael from our office told me about it. You sit in a bulkhead row, the row with a wall in front of you, and they come with a metal pipe and fabric bassinet that hangs on/from the wall in front of you. We got Isabelle to sleep and then put her in it, barely. She had her head right at the top and her toes right at the bottom but she since she didn't weigh more than 22 lbs, she fit. She slept for more than half the flight with not a peep out of her. We got to stretch our legs in for an hour and a half in Paris where Isabelle was walking around mostly unassisted but still having to be prompted :) The last leg to Amman was 5 hours and again, Isabelle slept most of the way. All I have to say is that I was really glad we got to sleep in on Saturday because when we got to the hotel and even after dinner and unpacking, this little one was ready to play.


Day Two: Grandmama and Poppy (Grandpa Ilich) arrived from Dubai around 10:30am and called to let us know that they were here, waking us up in the process. We got up and ready, tootled around the hotel, went down to the Dead Sea (the hotel's "beach") and watched people floating without rafts-really weird to see, then headed back upstairs for a nap to attempt to get on Jordan's timezone (9 hours ahead of the west coast). Said hi to a few of our Advisory Board members that came in early, went to dinner with the folks and went to bed.


Day Three: Up early for breakfast and to get ready for an exciting afternoon. We were invited by one of our Board Members and Grand Uncle of Isabelle, His Excellency, Senator Akel Biltaji, to re baptize Isabelle but at Bethany in the River Jordan..it also happened to be his birthday too.

We had a few close friends/advisory board members join us, along with a Lutheran pastor. The ceremony took place at the site they say John the Baptist baptized Jesus. They had a font of purified water from the River Jordan, which we opted to the "sprinkling on the head" vs. the "dunking" in the river itself.


We then went back to the hotel to get in more comfier clothes for a quick bus ride up to the Dead Sea museum which happens to have the most spectacular view of the Dead Sea and even more so, the view at sunset!

We had a small cocktail reception for our group at a look out point before heading back to the hotel for the first of the Travel Mart events.

After we returned to the hotel and Grandmama took Isabelle for the evening, H.E. Biltaji held a reception in honor of Isabelle's baptism and of course, we threw in his birthday celebration as well. We joined the Jordan Travel Mart participants for their first night's welcome event that was held at our hotel. Needless to say we couldn't wait to get to bed and luckily, Isabelle was asleep when we got in.

Day Four: Let the meetings begin. So I was at meetings pretty much all day while Michael and Izzy hung out at the hotel. They were down at the beach, chatting it up with a cat, flirting with all the guys and even took a dip in the pool with Grandmama. I ran into Papa and her on the elevator and she squealed with delight when she saw me...that made her Mama smile! That night was another TravelMart event at another hotel full of drinking, eating and socializing. I was ready to hit the hay early so we headed back to our hotel at 10 and after Grandmama left, the monster woke up! I got a second wind and was very excited to get to play with her, since I wasn't with her all day. So Papa went down for a nightcap with Uncle Steve, Aunt Vicki, Bill and a few others only to come back to the room where Isabelle and I were passed out together in bed.


Day Five: Michael and I were up at the crack of dawn, literally, since Isabelle woke up at 3:30am and didn't go back to sleep till 5:45am, about the time we were to get up to get ready and grab a quick bite to eat before heading off to tour Jerash; considered one of the most important and best preserved Roman cities in the Near East consisting of Hadrian's Arch, a circus/hippodrome, two immense temples (to Zeus and Artemis), an oval Forum surrounded by columns, roads, two theatres (the pic of Michael and I was taken in the Large South Theatre) and a bunch of small temples. In 746AD, a major earthquake destroyed much of Jerash and its surroundings. Grandmama stayed at the hotel to watch Isabelle...playing all day. It was an hour and a half drive in the pouring rain which actually stopped when we got there and started up once again when we left. What luck, huh?


After we got back, Grandmama got a break and Papa was back on Izzy duty while I continued with meetings. Papa and her took a nap and then headed out around the hotel once again but this time with he and Bill. Today they were were summonsed (sort of speak) to come sit out on a blanket on the patio with some sheiks and join them for Turkish coffee; that they were making right there on a little bunson burner type stove. Isabelle was memorized by them and the music they started playing. Unfortunately, neither Michael nor Bill had their cameras with them. Bummer, would have been a great photo op.

Plum exhausted, Michael and I headed out for another TravelMart event at the hotel next door, the Movenpick, which was to be the piece de la resistance (say it with a French accent-hehe), which was and would have been even more so if I could have had a nap. There was an elaborate spread of food and entertainment in the foyer of the ballroom and then when the doors opened up, there was a set up like you wouldn't believe. It was all Bedouin (gypsy) style with blankets on the ground, low tables to sit at on little (I mean little) wooden stools and wooden place settings! They started with the farewell speeches before dinner then went into a gladiator show, which is usually put on at the Hippodrome in Jerash, that we were very excited to see. However about half way through, I started nodding off...literally my head was bobbing up and down. I felt like I was in a lecture hall in college! So we left at a breaking point, said our good nights and headed back to our hotel to relieve Grandmama and all three of us passed out for the night.

Day Six: Up at the crack of dawn to say farewell to the Dead Sea and the Travel Mart and to head out to Petra, stopping at various places on the way. Isabelle was not her normal peppy self but we blamed it on jet lag and lack of a consistent sleep schedule like she has at home. However, she still continued to flirt with Keith, one of our Advisory Board Member's son, playing peek a boo and shy one with him which continued throughout the trip...by the end of the trip he was no longer Keith. He was Isabelle's boyfriend AKA: Keith :)

Our first stop was Mt. Nebo, 2680 feet above sea level and where they say Moses was given a view of the promised land and also where they say he died and was buried by God himself. The view was spectacular and it is said that on a clear day you can see Jerusalem. Unfortunately when we were there it was not one of those days however, it was still a beautiful site. Isabelle was in Grandmama's or my arms the entire time we were there with very little urge to get down and walk...so unlike her.


From Mt. Nebo we headed out on another hour bus ride to Madaba where on the way we stopped at a mosaic factory and the Mosaic School of Madaba to see just how these beautiful mosaics are made. To my Father's chagrin (he swears I talked him into it-hehe), they purchased a beautiful mosaic coffee table which is being made to their specifications, along with a round mosaic in the same design that will be inlaid into the tile at their front door. In the actual city of Madaba, we went to see St. George's "mosaic map" church; home to the famous 6th century Mosaic Map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. With two million pieces of vividly colored local stone, it depicts hills and valleys, villages and towns as far as the Nile Delta. It was very impressive considering the people who created this map actually walked the land and then returned to Madaba to add pieces to the mosaic approximating where they were, creating this map which is almost spot on as Jordan is seen today. We also stopped for lunch where we knew something was not right with Isabelle since she didn't want to try anything.


Then off for another shorter bus ride to Kerak, a crusader castle. Grandmama kept sleeping Isabelle on the bus with her while we went and "stormed the castle" :) Once again, Michael's new camera got some pretty cool shots...

The last stop for the day was a place called Petra Kitchen where you go to learn how to make traditional Jordanian dishes, make them, then enjoy your work. Now you all know me and my lack of knowing how to make even a traditional American dish so, imagine who the running joke was about? Michael felt right at home and was chopping at the bit to get started. I decided I would be in charge of watching Isabelle, drinking the wine and taking pictures. Let me tell you, that kept me out of the kitchen, sort of speak.

The lady who owns the place is from Texas (she is not the lady in the picture here holding Isabelle) and came to Petra for a visit and never left. With her passion for cooking, especially Jordanian cuisine, she decided to share her experience and lessons with other out of town guests of Jordan and created Petra Kitchen. Everyone enjoyed themselves immensely and besides getting to feast on everything we made, we got to take home recipes of everything as well! I am still waiting for Michael to make us a Jordanian meal (hint hint).
As for Isabelle, that night was a long one for her and she didn't want anything to do with food, not even her own jarred baby food that we brought with us from home. Her nose started running more and a little cough had started. We needed to get her back to the hotel for a hot bath, a dose of Tylenol and a good night sleep. Michael and I had to be up and ready to move at 7am the following morning while Grandmama planned on staying at the hotel with Isabelle. This go-go-go was finally getting to our little one and unfortunately, there was nothing we could do about it.
Day Seven: Although Michael's and my night's sleep was on either side of a restless little one, we were up and moving at 7am to get to Petra before the crowds did! And boy was that worth it! Out of all of the sites that Jordan has to offer, this was the place that we were looking forward to visiting the most. It was a short bus ride there and the excitment on the bus was overwhelming. Even the folks who have already been were excited to share it with all of the "Treasury Virgins". The weather was a bit hazy and a little cold but nothing that this group couldn't handle. We were there for about 4 1/2 hours and couldnt get enough of it! Everywhere you went, every corner you turned, there would be something new and amazing to see. I am just going to go ahead and attach some pictures with a caption for each one...

Little Petra

A Guard in the Siq (the passageway to The Treasury)

Your first glimpse of The Treasury

The Treasury, camels and us-taking a shameless picture to get in The Signal (our local newspaper)


The start to our 960 step journey up to The Monastery with Terry and Rich-forget the stairmaster!

The Monastery
Do you see the tip of the hiking boot below? That is Michael's as he is sitting on the edge of a cliff where just 2 months ago, the wind literally blew someone off the side to thier death. We found that little tidbit out after Michael got up. Boy can you see everything from this height!


Being on a tight schedule to get down south to Wadi Rum for our jeep rides (this is the desert where Laurence of Arabia was filmed), we headed back to the hotel to pick up Grandmama and Isabelle who is now looking like death warmed over and had not eaten a thing but did have a few bottles. The 2 hours bus ride was tolerable with a box lunch from the hotel and a few magazines left to read. Isabelle passed out as soon as the bus started moving.

We got to Wadi Rum and once again, Grandmama stayed with Isabelle as we did the desert jeep ride. Please remember as you read this that my Mom and Dad were just in Jordan 2 years ago and she did not mind one bit staying back. We did not have our cameras with us since it was raining and you really don't get good pics from the inside of a jeep. I am hoping that someone will send some along since the dinner that night was really something to see. When the jeep ride was finished, we pulled up to a three sided tent in the middle of the desert with a light that was run by a generator and were told that this is where we will be having dinner...a Bedouin dinner. Meanwhile, Isabelle, Grandmama and an advisory board member who wasn't feeling well and had stayed back with them at base camp, pulled up in a pick up truck to join us for dinner. Like I had mentioned, it was raining on and off and it was getting cold so Michael forfieted his dinner with us and took Isabelle back to "base camp" where Michael had some dinner and Isabelle had very little of her own but Michael got to witness her walking all around that place unassisted! She seemed to be fairing well but the next day is when it all came down like a ton of bricks for our little one. We moved onto our hotel in Aqaba this evening where we would be staying the next two nights.

Day Eight: It all started at 2am this morning. Isabelle woke up with her nose running and a dry, hacking, all in the chest cough that would make her cry each time she coughed. To make matters worse, the coughing made her throw up everything she ate earlier in the evening, which was not much to begin with, and she was running a fever of 101.9. So, we gave her some of the Triaminic we had bought at home along with some more Tylenol and cool compresses in hopes that it would help her sleep. I think Michael and I may have had 5 hours sleep, on and off, that night. She finally fell asleep and since this day was pretty much a day for everyone to rest and do thier own thing until later that afternoon, when we had the group meet with the Commisioner of Aqaba and Akel once again and enjoy a farewell dinner, we limited ourselves to our room letting Isabelle sleep as much as she could.

When Isabelle finally woke up she was crying and coughing away so I picked her up to soothe her and found that she was burning up! We took her temperature and it was at 104! That was it, no more messing around with Tylenol and cold compresses, we called the hotel doctor who showed up at our room 30 minutes later. He asked us what all has been going on, when did everything start, etc. and deemed that it was the onset of bronchitis. He then perscribed her some antibiotics that I will have to admit, we were very leary on giving her being that we have never heard of it before and that we are in Jordan getting it. However I do have to say, having Jordanian friends who to us are more like family that you can call upon anytime, really came in handy. I called our friend Malia, who was in charge of the TravelMart, and she happened to have one of her co-workers with her who's Father happens to be a doctor in Amman who spoke perfect English. So he called us at the hotel and we gave him the low down on Isabelle, the doctor's diagnosis as well as what he perscribed her and he gave his approval. Meanwhile, Akel and my Father were on thier way to a pharmacy to pick up her perscription. On the drive to the pharmacy Akel decided to make a call to the hotel doctor that saw Isabelle to see if he was ligit and come to find, he went to school with Akel's Father! SMALL WORLD!


Anywho, I stayed with Isabelle that night and insisted that Michael go with the group, and as Bill's date :), to the farewell dinner. The photos he came back with were amazing. After meeting with the Commisioner, they had dinner on a private yacht that cruised around the harbor of Aqaba. It sounded wonderful but I knew my little one needed her Mama. She and I laid around all afternoon and night, dozing off when we could and snuggling up with one another. I think I needed that as much as she did.

Day Nine: Once again, we were up at the crack of dawn but this time to catch a 9:00am flight back to Amman where our whole adventure began and today, where it will end. Isabelle hadn't eatten much but was in better spirits than the day before and her fever hadn't broke yet but it was down a few degrees. All in all, we were all happier campers. When we got down to the lobby everyone was so concerned about her and glad to see she was doing better. We said our goodbyes at the airport in Amman since some folks had to rush off as soon as we landed to catch thier connecting flights where as our flight was not taking off until 1:50AM, yes folks...1:50 in the morning, the following morning. Isabelle was fine on the flight, we were very concerned about her ears but since this was more like the flight from Burbank to Vegas, short and flying at a low altitude, she was fine. Once we were in Amman, Grandmama, Poppy, Michael, Isabelle and I headed over to the hotel that they were staying at overnight (before returning for another visit to Dubai) and where we got a day room at and pretty much did exactly what we did the day before...nothing! We let Isabelle rest up for the VERY LONG flights and layovers to get us back home.

She did not want to wake up for the flight at 1:50am and everyone in the airport knew that. She was so fussy, still had a slight and still not eating. From 1:50am on Sunday Jordan time to 11:00pm on Sunday west coast time, and do remember the 9 hour time difference, we finally made it home safe and sound and Isabelle made it through all of the flights without one single tear! Our little world traveler since then has seen her doctor and got a clean bill of health, we have all caught up on our sleep, talked about our trip and have shown pictures to people at least 100 times and most of all, I have finally finished this blog entry :)

Put her in my pocket...

This little clip was taken at our friend’s 40th Wedding Anniversary celebration in Las Vegas this past Saturday night. If you listen closely, you will hear one of the wait staff say that they want to put her in their pocket. That is where Matthew, the little boy in the clip that had Isabelle cracking up ALL night, got it from. She had so much fun chasing him around everywhere-literally.

Note: I can see the video in my preview of the posting, but right now it doesn't show up on the post. I'll see if I can fix it.



Congratulations once again Kathy and Leo!

You just have to laugh...

Music To Our Ears

The hardest thing to do as a parent, as Michael and I see it, is trusting someone to watch over your child, your baby, the little piece of you in this world, when you can't. Finding that certain someone who not only your child will feel comfortable being alone with but someone that you will feel comfortable leaving your child with... even though its only 12 hours a week.


Knowing that Michael needed a few extra hours a day, besides what was available to him the first 10 1/2 months of Isabelle's life, and in hopes that he could get home earlier in the evening a few times a week to spend more time with his wife would be a plus too, we decided to look for a daycare that could take Isabelle 3 half days a week; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 12:30-4:30. Phone calls were made to Kinder Care and La Petite Academy both which offered only full time infant care and, Michael was not going to give up his mornings with his daughter. So Grandmama Ilich spoke with our pastor's wife asking her if she still had a daycare out of her home and that is where we found Lisa...their daughter who has just been licensed with an infant, in home daycare called "Cute as a Button Infant Care". Excited but a little hesitant, Michael, Isabelle and I went over to visit with Lisa yesterday to test the waters and see how Isabelle would do with her. Although Isabelle wouldn't go to her when we first got there, Lisa's peppy spirit, energy and adorable "kid voice" won over our daughter's heart (as well as Mom and Dad's).

Today was her first day and the arrangements were for me to come home around 11:45 to make her presentable (sorry Papa) and take her to daycare because Michael had a lunch function to go to. So as I am turning the corner in our complex to get to our garage and there was Michael, standing there with Isabelle cradled in his arms, a bottle in her mouth and a huge towel on her head. I sprung out of the car asking what happened and Michael told me that she walked by herself from the living room and into the kitchen to see him, went to sit on the floor but instead sat on his shoe, lost her balance and fell forward knocking her forehead right smack in the middle, on a corner of the kitchen cabinets leaving a huge purple goose egg. How good is that going to look when taking her to a new daycare?


I dropped her off at 12:30 and knowing that I did not want to become a pain in the butt parent, I went in for hug, kiss and a quick good bye. I passed Isabelle to Lisa, who went to her willingly :), gave Lisa her bag with everything in it, told her she did not have a nap this morning and that there is a bottle and snacks for her for later and left. And get this...I did not cry! But, I did call once to tell Lisa about the bump on her head and, of course, to see how she was doing. Lisa assured me that she was fine. I got back to work and couldn't wait until 4 o'clock! When I came back to get Isabelle, Lisa gave me the low down on her day; she played/interacted with the two other girls (5 and 7 months) who were excited to see a new face, had her bottle, went down for a nap without any problems, ate half a banana and didn't cry once. I was soooo happy and relieved and couldn't wait to tell Michael.

And that my friends, was music to our ears :)

The New "Doo"...sort of

So before leaving on our trip to Jordan, it was decided that our little nappyheaded daughter needed to get a haircut...her first haircut. Nothing too drastic but a haircut none the less.


So we made an appointment for her at a children's salon (yes, a salon for kids) called Gumball Alley. There they have cars, jeeps and other vehicles that the children sit in while getting thier haircut, video games, baskets of toys to play with, a tv below the oounter tops at each station (which is a great and easy way to get a kid to "keep thier head down"-remember those days?) and they create a little keepsake, inluding a lock of hair, to note this special "first" in your child's life. Why is it that they only created a place like this now, beats the heck out of us!

We walked in at 2:30 yesterday for our appointment and met Lisa. Isabelle smiled at her when she greeted us and we walked over to her station to dicuss our thoughts for Izzy's new doo. Although very excited to be in this new found place, Isabelle actually sat pretty still in a Barbie jeep while Lisa got ready to start. We decided to give her some bangs, take a little off the top to get rid of the frizzies and leave the sides (Lisa's strong suggestion since they take forever to grow out). It started out with me holding Isabelle's head straight but then I thought I might be more in the way than helping out. Lisa did great and so did Isabelle.


With Papa, Mom and Grandmama by her side, the whole 15 minute experience gave us 32 camera pictures, 3 cell phone pictures and one cute little stinkerpie when all was said and done.

Hello? And other games we play

Grandmama Ilich and Isabelle spend at least one day a week and a few week nights together, just the two of them. The last time she was at Grandmama's she learned a new "trick", not fetch...although that would be a good one for those early weekend mornings. Hmmmmm? Anywho, back to her "tricks". Isabelle has a a "hello" game. Whatever toy, whether it is a phone, a stacking block or her hand, if you say "hello?" she will put whatever she has handy at that moment right up to her ear and say, "dah?". It scares us to think of the future. If she had a cell phone, she would run her Papa and I right into the poor house. I know, we will just pass her cell phone bills onto Grandmama and Poppy Ilich as a thank you for teaching her that so early.

Another game that Isabelle has quickly gotten the hang of is peek a boo. She loves to play it anytime and anywhere. Its actually pretty funny, she will be standing there in plain eyesight then she crouches down a little bit (getting ready for muscle class, Mere-go squats!) and all of a sudden pops up saying, "DAH!". She does that 3 or 4 times in a row smiling from ear to ear each time. She thinks she is sneaky but we've got her number :)

Along the same lines as peek a boo she also likes to play "Where's Isabelle?". We think that this one helps with name recognition skills; as if she doesn't answer to other names such as Izzy, Izzard, Stinkerbelle, Big Head or my favorite, Monkeybutt. Here is a little snip it cell phone video that we caught on January 21:

And we are off....

Since "walking" assisted is one of Isabelle's favorite past times, Michael and I decided to push the envelope a little last night. We were sitting on the floor playing with Isabelle and Michael decided to stand her up to see if we could coax her into walking to one another. Michael started letting go of her hand when she was mid way to me and she would fall forward into my arms. However after a few minutes of this she would actually stop, stand still, get her bearings and take 2-3 steps towards whomever she was heading for. It was all in a matter of seconds but oh, was it so cute! She was giggling the whole time too :) The best was when she was cruising up and down the couch, I called her name and told her to “come here” and excitedly she turned to me with one hand still on the couch, let go, got steady and walked two steps to me. After awhile and as soon as she would get close to someone, she would fall forward into their lap laughing. It was hilarious! We can't wait to show you all...that is if she cooperates for the video camera!

The Park Rules!

Today it was decided, shortly after our "weekend stay in bed time", that we would get up and take a walk to Starbucks. Getting the dog out with the three of us and Michael and I catching up on everything from the week before was wonderful. On our way home we walked through Summit Park and stopped to see what Isabelle would think of the swings. Come to find, she LOVES them. This might just become a weekend thing for the Owston family!



P.S. Her missing sock was in the stroller :)

Drama Queen, Take 2!

Following in her Father's footsteps? I think not. Ready for the theatre? perhaps. Being a Drama Queen at only 9 1/2 months? Oh, you betcha!


Isabelle now understands what "no" means and like any other child, does not like to be told it. Having said that, we had to share a quick story.

Michael was folding socks the other day on the couch and she kept coming over and grabbing them or knocking them off the couch. He kept telling her "no" and she went right along doing it over and over again. Now our friend Amy shared a great idea with us. She told us that a friend of hers used to take her daughter's hand when she was grabbing or touching something she shouldn't and as she is moving her hand away, she would gently squeeze it and at the same time, tell her "no". Remembering that, Michael decided to try it out and was not successful in the least (kind of hard to be stern when your child finds it funny). So he did the next best thing, he removed her from the couch area and put her in front of a new toy she got for Xmas; a sing along, musical toy that has a mirror she can "sing" or watch herself in. He watched her in the mirror as her expression changed; her bottom lip slowly pursed out as she sat there pouting, she then started making fake crying/whining sounds and then made herself fall backwards onto the carpet with both hands on her face. Life is so rough!


Look out Broadway...Isabelle Anessa is going to be a STAR!

Walking, good. Play dates, better!

As everyone knows, it can get pretty hard to shrink back down to your "normal size" after having a baby so a few of the other new mom's and I get together as often as we can for a walk and talk session. We have routes all over Santa Clarita which are all at least 3 miles each. These walks are not only great for us, getting caught up on everything, getting away from the hubbies but most of all, getting together a little for the kids.
(pic below is of Mackie)

Amy (Mackenzie's Mommy), Caryn (Mia's Mommy) and I went walking this past Saturday. It was the first time we had done this all of us with our strollers and me with a stroller and a dog. So after we got through the park, that had wide enough sidewalks for the three of us to walk side by side, it narrowed down to me in the lead on the sidewalk (Bear is an alpha dog, always leading the pack), Amy and Mackie behind us and Caryn pushing Mia on the street. Us talking to one another making sure we all could hear, adjust sun shades when needed on each others strollers...it was hilarious! The girls were looking at one another whenever they had a chance or babbling away.
(pic below is of Mia and Isabelle eating their favorite "puffs")

We got back to my house and let all of the girls eat before we headed out ourselves for some lunch. The conversation, as you can imagine, was non stop. All in all, we had a great time. And all I have to say is thank God for girlfriends. I know Isabelle will realize that one day too.
(pic below is of Izzy and Mackie)

9 Month STATS

We went in for Isabelle's 9 month check up yesterday and here is the low down:
28 1/2" tall (76th percentile)
head: 45.5 cm (80th percentile-she is an Owston!)
16 lbs. 9 oz (10th percentile)

She has reached, and in some cases has gone beyond, all of the "milestones: which makes her Papa and I very proud. However, the doctor is still not pleased with her weight. Now know, we do not starve our child in the least bit but she just doesn't seem to gain weight all that much. We changed her diet per the doctor's request at her 6 month appointment and added more rice cereal to her feedings, 6-8oz bottles at least 4 times a day and two full jars of baby food plus, whatever food we are eating that we can share with her (cheese, saltines, pears, peeled grapes, etc.) as well as her favorite "puffs". You would think that would be enough....apparently not. We told him that she is a very active baby and is barely ever still. With that he said we need to work on "fattening her up". So, here is the new feeding schedule:

Breakfast- 6-8 oz bottle, rice cereal, 4 oz bottle and then fruit if she is still hungry.
Mid-morning snack- 4-6 oz bottle
Lunch- 6 oz. bottle and fruit/veggies
Afternoon snack- 4-6 oz. bottle
Dinner- 6-8 oz bottle, rice cereal, 4 oz bottle and then veggies if she is still hungry
Before bed- 4 oz bottle

All we have to say it that is A LOT of bottles! We will see if this will "fatten her up" but I highly doubt it since she has a tendency to get full pretty quick and will definitely let you know when she is.


Also, we now officially have number 6 & 7...teeth in her mouth, that is! Yes, besides her three on the bottom and two front teeth, the neighbors to her front teeth have decided to be a pain, literally, and come out to play. Can you see them?

So long infant carrier and hello car seat!

It's official...we have made the switch to a car seat, still rear facing though. And although Isabelle's head droops down a bit or to the side when she sleeps (we will have to get a neck beanbag thing for her), all in all she really likes it. She can see everything and when I look back from the front seat, she is usually staring out one of the windows.
Our friend Olivia gave us some advice when shopping for a car seat; #1) make sure the "side wings" do not obstruct your child's view of the outside world. It can make a car ride pretty miserable if your child has blinders on the whole trip. #2) Get a convertible car seat that can grow with your child. Since you usually drop a couple hundred dollars on one, make it last. The one we purchased is a Safety 1st one that is for three stages, rear facing until 20 lbs, front facing, then it turns into a booster that can hold a child up to 100 lbs. And #3) Get one that has a cup holder for your child and is easy to clean. We got one with a cup holder that obviously is not being used yet and as for ease of cleaning part, we will let you know how that turns out. We will find out on Thursday at her 9 month check up (a little late due to us being gone over the holidays when she turned 9 months) approximately when she can be frontward facing. For some reason, I don't think she will be hitting 20 lbs. anytime soon. Isabelle is a petite thing like her friend Elise so it may just happen around the time she turns one.

This pic is from Sunday after a long car ride and we woke her from her nap. The one snag about not having the infant carrier and being able to just put her down in the carrier somewhere when we get her out of the car, especially when she is sleeping. Now she will more than likely always wake up when we get her out of her car seat. What to do, right? I am sure we will all get used to it pretty fast.

Happy New Year!

Who would have ever thought that 2007 would fill us with such joy?

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! Love to all!

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!

Big Jolly Fat Man...no not Michael

Here is Isabelle's first visit with Santa...not a tear or a hesitation. We shall see about next year :)

Baptized!

We have the dress, we have the shoes, we have the bonnet and we have special earrings that she is going to wear given to her by her Godparents. We are all ready for Isabelle's baptism.

Today Isabelle was baptized at my church, Christ Lutheran here in Valencia. We did it at the 11 o'clock, "contemporary service" which is casual with upbeat music and the sermons, I feel are more enjoyable.

Earlier this week Mom/Grandmama and I went down to San Fernando Valley (over the hill) to look at baptismal gowns. We were originally going to have her in a Christmas dress but since we will be having another baptism for her in Jordan this February, we decided she needs a traditional white one that can be worn both times and hopefully passed down to her daugher. Grandmama and Grandpa Ilich were looking for one in Equador however, thier dresses were at a maximum of 18" long and Isabelle was 21'5" long when she was born and is now over 27" so, that didnt quite work out.

Michael and I had to attend a mandatory Baptism Class yesterday that lasted 20-30 minutes and spent this morning getting the house ready for the small lunch reception to follow the service.

The service was short and sweet and Isabelle was a little superstar. She didnt cry and had everyone laughing when Pastor Joe put his hand on her head to bless her and she kept grabbing his hand and pushing it away from her. I have to see if I can upload that clip from the video that Uncle Mikee took for us. April and JP, her Godparents, stood up with us along with Grandmama and Grandpa Ilich. I couldnt help but tear up when Pastor Joe took her from Michael and "introduced her" to the church. He walked around with her in his arms as the congregation applauded her. She took it so well, actually a little too well, that we had the "little actress" comments flying around afterwards. But her Papa set that straight and let everyone know that she will never act but can direct, do lighting or stage manage all she wants...that is where the money is, not acting. All I say is, we shall see about that :)