The Old House Made New

Jokes of the day

2011-03-15T08:09:00.002-05:00

Isabelle: Knock, knock
Me: Whose there?
Isabelle: There were two muffins in the oven. One muffin said "Holy Cow it's getting hot in here." The other muffin said, "Holy Cow a talking muffin!"

Isabelle: Knock, knock
Me: Whose there?
Isabelle: Two potatoes were in the oven, no wait, two potatoes were in a mixing bowl. One said "I want to get out of here." The other potato said "Me too!"

Like Mother, Like Daughter

2011-03-04T08:21:00.003-06:00

Isabelle is sitting next to me as I do a few things online this morning with a knitting book on her lap and pretending to knit with her "knit" (as seen above). Is that a sign I'm knitting to much??

The knitting took over.

2011-03-01T09:39:00.004-06:00

That is my only excuse for abandoning the blog for so long. Ok not only the knitting, but mostly the knitting. Todd is pretty sure the needles are glued to my hands at home. But this resulted in many loverly Birthday and christmas gifts for many.

The have been many wonderful Isabelle moments in the past few months as well. One of my recent favorite was at the dinner table. My Grandma Mae is now settled into Hudson and we see her weekly, which has been wonderful. Isabelle has forged quite the relationship with her. At dinner Isabelle asked, "Where is grandpa Fred?"(Grandma Mae's Husband). I told her Grandpa Fred was in heaven with God. Isabelle then asked if Grandpa Fred was coming back. I told her sadly no. She then said, "We will have to find Grandma Mae a new husband." I told her I think that Grandma is perfectly happy without one and that Grandpa Fred would be her husband forever. She disagreed and is on the hunt for a hook up for Grandma.

I swear the adventures never end with Iz. She also put a dired blueberry up her nose on Friday. It resulted in an urgent care visit, a successful extraction and an affectionate nickname of Schnozberry.

If I'd only known

2010-09-07T21:29:00.002-05:00

Isabelle: Mom if we were married we could have princesses!

Me: but I'm married to Dad.

Isabelle: But if we were married we could have princesses! (repeated with extra emphasis on the princesses accompanied by the big surprise eyes!)

The rellies are coming, the rellies are coming

2010-08-29T23:09:00.004-05:00

Also know as - my house is a disaster from construction, we have had a slam packed weekend of fun, I have too much to do and I keep sitting down to knit, check blogs, e-mail,Facebook and any one thing to keep me from actually starting on cleaning my house.

This is partly because on Tuesday we will be getting a 3rd patio door put in the house. So I know it is only going to get worse before it gets better.

Today all of the hard work has paid off however, I was visiting with one of our dear neighbors at our church fall festival and she shared that she always thought it was so unfortunate that our house looked so sad from the outside. She also said she had to keep reminding herself that Todd and I are a young couple, and she was once there as well. Now she drives by and smiles. She was not the only one with complements, its amazing living in a small community how everyone keeps tabs on each other. I love it!

We will all soon be keeping closer tabs on another loved one. After a long haul, my grandmother is moving from more than 4 hours away to the town where my parents live, just 30 minutes away from us. She has maculardegeneration and has lived with in 10 miles of where she was born 83 years ago. This transition has taken it's toll on everyone.

It's amazing that even when a family does not bicker or fight how emotionally draining it is to begin caring for your parents as they once cared for you. So knowing that an incredibly challenging time in our summer is soon coming to an end, I need to pull up my big girl knickers, get some sleep and begin the cleansing of home, heart and mind, to stop avoiding and get things done.

Maybe the guests will just look out all of our new windows and enjoy the view instead of looking at my dirty house!

On a side note I was listening to Beyonce "if you like it, then you should have put a ring on it" when Isabelle was done with her bath and doing her usual run around naked time. She stopped, put her hands on her hips and popped one hip out, then started shaking her little butt. It was adorable. Turns out all the girl needs is a beat to start bustin' a move. I'm pretty sure that I was much more of a trouble maker than I remember to deserve a child so spirited as her, not that i would change it even if I could.

Reveal day

2010-08-25T14:40:00.002-05:00

We have alot of clean up to do on the inside and 1 more patio door to put in this fall as well as finish off trim and some new siding on the back but we are getting there.

Construction Zone

2010-08-23T15:27:00.006-05:00

I apologize for being away for so long... but I promise it will be worth the wait when you see the pictures of the many changes that have happened in the last 2 weeks. Here is a quick photo from exactly 10 days ago... It's really more of a tease.

By the end of this current project we will have put in 2 patio doors, 15 new windows, 5 light fixtures, some new siding, 12 gallons of paint, mucho trim and lots of sweat. We have not done it alone however. Thank you to EVERYONE who came to help us make such quick work of this HUGE transformation... now to try and convince the tax man that it was only minor changes...

Come on in....

2010-08-08T21:20:00.003-05:00

This weekend was full of surprises, some good and some bad. Friday Isabelle and I saw the Nina and the Pinta in Hudson and spend the afternoon at the beach with friends only to come home for family front yard camp out.
The family camp out was great. Todd left early on Saturday morning to go into work for a short day and Isabelle and I headed in the house for a normal morning routine about 7 am. It was a short hour later when I looked at the weather and thought I should empty out the tent to avoid soggy sleeping bags from some anticipated rain. While I was loading out the tent Isabelle came out on the step and said, "Mama, there is a bird in the house." She was watching cartoons so I did a little more probing to rule her imagination out. She told me the bird was "flapping its wings" while flapping her little arms. It was at this point, still in my pajama's mind you, that I realized there was potentially a BAT in my house. Isabelle and I ventured in and rounded the corner from laundry area to kitchen when the BAT flew directly at us from the living room.
I grabbed my daughter, ran out of the house, hopped in our car and drove to my brother and sister-in-laws house just 30 seconds away.
We knocked and went in, explained the severity of the situation at my house. YES AT BAT IS SEVER SITUATION-let me clarify I have nothing against bats in the wild and out of doors, as I said we camped the night before. HOWEVER when the WILD ANIMAL enters my house all bets are off. SO my brother in law grabs a tennis racket and goes to our house. After a complete 30 minute search he came back empty handed. I reluctantly took Isabelle home with me after Tim convinced me that the bat had to be in the floor joyces in the bathroom where the false ceiling has not been put up yet. Before leaving Tim hands the tennis racket to 2 year old Isabelle and say, "Izzy, if you see the bat hit it with this." Isabelle takes this instruction like the karate kid listened to Mr. Miyagi.
We went home and tip toed into the house. Isabelle said, "shhh mom, we're hunting bats" (no joke seriously I could not make this us". Once I have stopped laughing and decided things are "safe" Isabelle begins to roam the house with the racket in hand while I remain near the entrance of the house in the laundry room doing some much needed laundry, thank goodness I could look useful while really just staying near the entrance of the house. I call Todd and tell him what is going on and urge him to leave work knowing full well I will have to wait at least 35 minutes until he is home to fix the situation.
While I'm dialing the phone to call my mom and notify her of the red alert at my house Isabelle comes over with the racket and stands next to me and says, "Come here batty, batty. I've got something for you."
I asked while the phone was ringing, "What do you have for the bat?"
"This." she simply replies with a grin while raising the tennis racket.
I almost couldn't speak I was laughing so hard when my dad answered the phone. Seriously who is this kid!
After finished being laughed at by my parents, clearly my natural fear of bats came from them, I moved to the couch in the living room with Isabelle, my knitting, the tennis racket on one side and a blanket covering my lap. Like if I saw the bat I could cover Isabelle and myself and then just stick the racket out and let the bat fly into it. This is how Todd found us when he got home.
Todd found the bat 1.5 hours later. Nuff said about that.

The Bat was not the only new thing in the house this weekend, we have 4 new windows! YEAH! While Todd and his brother installed new windows upstairs Isabelle and I played and continued life as usual on the main level of the house but every time Isabelle hears banging upstairs she would say," Come on in..." I couldn't help but laugh at the irony of that.

Setting a good example... sailor mouth

2010-08-04T12:04:00.003-05:00

As of late I have realized how much I sound like a sailor, in other words, I have a potty mouth. Which hasn't been a big deal until now hen Isabelle repeats every little thing. I have been working on cleaning up my act.

One of the other things I like to do frequently is make my bed. Even if I don't make it in the morning I like to make the bed before I get into bed at night. Weird, I know, but there is something about straight sheets. In fact my favorite thing is crawling into bed with fresh line dried sheets,but I digress.

This morning, while ironed my shirt for work, I said "Izzy what are you doing?" because I couldn't' see or hear her.
"I'm making my bed!" she replied. My heart swelled with love! She needed a little help but did most of it by herself. I think it's the best made bed I've ever seen. She also removed the pillow case from her pillow last night, not sure what that is about, but her bed is made!

Moral of this tale: My sailor mouth and my cleaning neuroses cancel each other out.

Dried Tomato Red

2010-06-30T13:08:00.008-05:00

Dried tomato red is the color we will be painting out house in just a week and a half. I can't contain my excitement. We have so many things to do to get ready for this, not to mention clean the house and keep up on all the other things in life. Regardless we are painting and I believe this project with come with 2 new windows in the house as well! Again much excitement. I'll take pictures to share along the way.

What are you excited about this week?

3 am Leg Warmers

2010-06-29T13:41:00.004-05:00

Isabelle got knit leg warmers from a friend of mine late last fall and has played with them off and on for months. They are back “on” this week. She has been sleeping with them along with the green hat I knit for her. Last night she went to bed in her pj’s holding her baby, the leg warmers and the green hat. When she woke me up at 3 am to find the baby she had lost in her sleep she was wearing the leg warmers and the green hat.

Also this weekend I finished a pumpkin hat for Isabelle. (see pictures) I finished the hat while she was napping. When she got up we had to head out to a going away party. She insisted on wearing the pumpkin stocking cap to the party on an 85 degree day.

I told these stories to a friend at work. They said she has found her inner freak.

YEAH SUMMER!

2010-06-21T20:53:00.003-05:00

Summer is here as is the treat of ICE CREAM!

Back in the good graces with my librarian

2010-06-09T12:42:00.005-05:00

Disclaimer: I was never on "bad terms" with any of our local librarians- they are all very nice people that are always smiling, which I appreciate.

I have been a little busy this past month and forgot to return books that were due on May 11th. (today is June 9th) After checking due dates and overdue fines last night on the computer I collected all of the library books in our house, except 1. It's missing and I can't find it. After digging under the beds, looking in bags and car I figured if I returned all of the book that I have found and came clean with the librarians they might give me a break.

After paying $12.70 in over due fines for 7 books, I explained that I currently am unable to find the 8th book. The librarian kindly gave me a break, with a smile and renewed the missing book. While the search continues at home I breath a sign of relief knowing I will have 2 weeks before the fines begin again.

The missing book is a Nora Roberts book I have yet to read.

Song in my head today

2010-06-02T20:36:00.001-05:00

This is the song in my head. LOVE IT! Seriously anyone who had children should be watching this!

Odd things in my purse #2

2010-06-02T20:30:00.002-05:00

Why do odd things in my purse revolve around going to my fabulous hairstylist? Today I came to work with a sippy cup half full of juice in it... Seriously.

Knitting notebook & model

2010-05-28T10:57:00.002-05:00

I finished my first hat last night. Todd so graciously modeled it for me. It came together very nicely and much easier than I thought. The knitting count stands at 4 scarves, 2 dish clothes, and 1 hat. I also started a knitting notebook last night where I can keep track o my projects, the yarn and patterns I use. Notes to self- be more conscious of the yarn type and colors for the project. This is a little loose and doesn't have much elasticity plus the color is an odd limey green. Don't fall for the soft and cute any more!

Goaty Goaty

2010-05-27T08:11:00.006-05:00

We have loads of new baby animals on the farm here are pictures of Isabelle and 1 of our mama goats and her 2 kids, Oreo and Midnight June. We also have baby lambs, baby chickens, baby ducks, a baby goose and ofcours cows and to pigs. If my grandpa Staudt could see me now he would just laugh!

At Neumann Farms we also planted our 5 acres of pumpkins this weekend. It went amazingly well and we got done just in time for the rain. We took Isabelle last night to check things out in the garden. no pumpkins or squash had sprouted yet but but lettuce is ready. I cannot wait for a BLT from the garden.

Kitting Update, 4 scarves and 3/4 of a hat. We will see how it turns out!

My daughter the commedian

2010-04-28T13:19:00.004-05:00

A conversation had while swinging last night.

Iz: I gotta joke.
Me: Ok, lets hear it.
Iz: Knock, Knock. Who's there?
Me: I don't know who's there?
Iz:Izzy's chocolate milk.
Me: Izzy's chocolate milk who?
Iz: Izzy's chocolate milk cookie.

Then we both fell apart into giggles. Later she told it as Addy and Mama's chocolate milk cookie. I believe the name is interchangeable so feel free to wow your friends and coworkers with that one.

Good Gollie Miss Molly

2010-04-21T13:40:00.002-05:00

On Facebook I have a friend that said she didn't know who Little Richard is.

This one's for you Erin.

Odd things in my purse

2010-04-14T09:59:00.003-05:00

Since I have become a mom I've carried all sorts of things in my purse that have struck me as odd. Sippy cups, diapers, general necessities for a child but then when I go out to drinks with girlfriends and go to pay it's odd reaching past the matchbox cars and diaper cream. Another reason I'm so glad Isabelle is potty trained, I am free of a diaper bag. However this does not alleviate the odd things in my purse.

All this week every time I go in my purse I find 2 dirty little girls socks. I took them off her feet sometime this weekend when we were out and about and in my purse they went. I generally don't need my purse at home so I always forget to take them out when I get home. I'm hoping blogging about it will help me remember!

I have a question for you...

2010-04-12T07:54:00.002-05:00

While pushing Isabelle on the swing this weekend she said, " Mom, I have a question for you. Did you eat the monkeys banana?" I said "Nooo. Did you?" She said "No way Mama!" and we fell apart in to a pile of giggles.

So did you eat the monkey's banana?

P.S.

2010-04-09T11:04:00.001-05:00

I didn't get to the scrap booking until February....

Spring

2010-04-09T10:46:00.004-05:00

I have not forgotten you! We are just extremely busy. The holidays caught us off guard and the spring came barrelling in faster than anyone could have anticipated.
I'm not going to try and catch you up because it would take hours and days, just too much. I'll try for just a few highlights.
News-
*We are moving into making Lip Balm and lotions and all sorts of new products for Neumann Farms.
* I have taken up knitting that has resulted in 3 scarves, 1.5 homemade wash clothes.
Milestones-
*Isabelle turned 2 and sleeps in a big girl bed and is potty trained. The next feat will be drinking out of a big girl cup. Testing thus far has resulted in a soaking wet daughter.

To real scrap book or Fake it

2009-11-02T19:31:00.003-06:00

Last year at Christmas I make scrapbooks for my grandparent of Isabelle's 9 months. I am still in the process of the one for Todd's grandpa. I just ordered $50 worth of scrap booking stuff, because I have grand aspirations.
I am now realizing that I will have to scrap book every night from now until Christmas if I want this grand dream of scrap booking the last year of Isabelle's life to happen (3 times over).
I was on snap fish tonight and I was looking at the photos books. I could create 1, print it 3 times over and then be done!
So do I make it or fake it?
I was thinking fake it, but now I'm thinking the grandparents that received the real ones last year will know I faked it.... I think this deserved more thought.

Where or where have I been

2009-10-30T18:40:00.005-05:00

This past month has gone by way too fast. Below is a photos list of what we have been up to.

Isabelle and Mommy at Uncle Terry and Aunt Andreas wedding.
Isabelle and Todd at the wedding. Terry and Andrea had their wedding in a tent and pole shed at my in laws house. it was beautiful!

The flower girls.

The girls and Stanley- The free donkey we are trying to convince my father in law to let us have. We will love him and kiss him and ride him and feed him and love him and make him our own.

The two newest additions to the far, Pygmy goats. I affectionately call them Bert and Ernie. Isabelle loves them!

The pumpkin patch with Isabelle, Joe and Collin. This was obviously from earlier this month when it was WARM!

I would also like to point out the only reason I have time to write this now is because I have a fever and am ill, and thankfully my mom has taken Isabelle for the night so she won't get sick. (crossing my fingers). I now need to go and wipe down the computer so Todd doesn't get this as well. I hope this finds you all healthy and remember to wash your hands!!

I HAVE A SINK!

2009-10-03T08:55:00.002-05:00

Approximately 1 year, 1 month and 20 days after beginning this blog I have a fully functioning bathroom! The sink is done! We can now was our hands in the bathroom! YEAH!
We are still working with no trim, no outlet and temporary lighting situation but I have a fully functioning shower, bath, toilet and sink! There are not words for how exciting this has been!

In other exciting news I found curtains to match Isabelle's room. They need a little sewing so as soon as I find the camera battery charger, and get the sewing done I will post photos of the sink, the curtains and our pumpkin patch!

A conversation over heard

2009-09-14T20:08:00.002-05:00

After a clatter on the stairs this is what I heard...

Todd: No Izzy, we don't throw babies down the stairs.

Izzy: Poor Baby, Poor Baby.

Dirty Dancing Night

2009-09-14T20:05:00.002-05:00

Thank you Patrick for making me a hopeless romantic!

mobile blogging

2009-09-11T14:45:00.004-05:00

I wrote a wonderful blog last Saturday about my love for all movies Jane Austen. it expounded on my passion for even sense and sensibility with Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. There may have even been a little affection for Collin Firth in there (ok alot but who doesn't love him?). However because I was taking time on the couch and I was too lazy to get up to get the computer I was blogging on my phone. Then I hit submit and it didn't, so I hit save, and it didn't. So this is what you get.... I love jane austen movies.

Going too fast only leads to fallen cake... and dessert.

2009-09-02T06:58:00.005-05:00

This weekend was our Church dinner. There are lots of festivities and as members we are asked to bring a few things and to help out . One of the items we are asked to bring are cakes for the cake walk. I took a leap and baked a layer carrot cake. It was from a box so don't be too impressed. But as a non baker I was excited and challenged by the idea. I put the ingredients together. baked the two layers, let them cool, cut the top off of the bottom layer so that the top layer would sit more level, and frosted it. It was by no means a master piece. But I was proud. And as Todd said I now gave myself away and he will be requesting layer cakes for every occasion.... Until Sunday morning.

We were in a rush to get out the door, Isabelle didn't sleep through the night so we were both very tired and trying to round everything up to go. In packing the car I brought out the cake in it's carriers and the cupcakes I had made as well. To open the car door I had to put one item down. I put the carrot layer cake on the hood of the car, open the door and put the cup cakes in. Just as I was going to close the door the carrot cake slides off the hood of the car and on to the ground. The cake carrier had a lid that locked on so all of the damage was contained. I picked it up and brought it inside. Todd just held his breath waiting for me to blow my top but instead we fell into a bucket of giggles. It was Sunday morning, what are you going to do? Upon Further inspection the cake and its layers had only shed the outer frosting on to the inside of the protective dome.

I left the cake at home and we went on our marry way to enjoy a beautiful day. That night we ended up having some close friends over. I told them the story, scrapped the frosting out of the cake lid, put i back on the cake and served the whole thing. They laughed, and loved it.

I smelled trouble.

2009-08-26T21:10:00.003-05:00

I will answer all of your *burning* questions right now:
1) yes that is a bag of pee inside a sterile cup, inside a bag.
2) yes I took the picture while driving.
3) It's Isabelle's pee, not mine, that makes this picture ok to post (unless you are Isabelle at 14 reading this with a girlfriend. Sorry honey- it had to be done. Just be glad i didn't take a picture of the bag while you were wearing it! )
4) Isabelle has a urinary track infection (UTI).

Isabelle's pee has smelled like asparagus pee for about 3 days and my very wise mother said, "This is a symptom of a UTI." I was like really CRAP! Isabelle and I went to urgent care the next morning, however on the way Isabelle peed in her diaper. DOUBLE CRAP! Apparently the only way to test of a UTI is to pee in a cup. We tried to pee like a big girl in the cup but it wasn't happening. So 1 sterile baggie, 2 taped together butt cheeks and 3 other pieces of tape later the little miss was wearing a baggie to catch the pee. After an hour of sitting in the urgent care room the doctor sent us home with a prescription and a sterile cup, with strict instructions not to remove the baggie until she peed in it, then return it for testing. 1 crying mom and a 10 minute car ride home brought us to grandmas house. Where we had Popsicles and relaxed until Isabelle peed. Then the photo above was taken. Isabelle stayed with grandma, I dropped of the sample and went on my way. We received a call later in the day, positive, fill the prescription.

Pefect Sunday night

2009-08-03T21:30:00.003-05:00

After a great day seeing my mom and dad and spending the afternoon at the lake the entire family spent about an hour in the garden. It was great! The girls were mud from head to toe and loved every minute of it. Our spoils include a cabbage, potatoes, flowers, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers (for pickling) carrots and onions. It's amazing to know that most of our meals this week and for several to come will come from our own back yard.

In other news Todd's brother came home this weekend because he bought the equipment to make biodiesel fuel. This essentially means that we are 1 step closer to being completely self sufficient. This also means that any vehicle we have from here out will be a diesel... thank goodness VW makes a great diesel car!

Who knows what will be next on Neumann Farms.

To sew or not to sew

2009-08-03T21:30:00.002-05:00

Is it better to sew ones own curtains or to buy them? I have been in constant search for curtains for Isabelle's room for quite some time. I would love to get these ones from pottery barn kids but they are a little out of the budget but they are everything I want! Or do I wait until I have time to go to jo ann fabrics to get some fabric i like and then buy the black out material and make them myself? hmmmm, I think I'll wait until my resolution has weakened in October and buy them then...

19 months ago to day

2009-08-03T20:15:00.005-05:00

19 months ago today we welcomed her into the world. Today we all did the pee pee dance to celebrate going Pee in the Potty 5 times today! Oh how our lives changed such a short time ago. We would not be complete with out you Isabelle, our Turkey Burger.

Library lady

2009-07-26T20:23:00.003-05:00

With my odd new found time before bed each night I'm able to read more books, which is so refreshing. I have also discovered ordering books online to pick up at the library. I know I'm late to the game but I now have at least 4 things coming a week from the library. 1 book for me and a couple of books or DVD's for Isabelle. After doing this for a couple weeks I now have a designated canvas library bag that contains the items that are ready to be returned and items that have yet to be discovered.

workout lazy.. good intentions

2009-07-23T13:54:00.004-05:00

I was motivated this morning. I resisted the urge to remain in bed and cuddle with Todd and I got my work out clothes on and went downstairs. I was all geared up to have a morning date with Billy Blanks the Tae Bo guy. Turns out the Tae Bo work out video was up stairs so instead of walking all the way upstairs (26 steps total) I just did an easier video that was on the main floor of the house. That little story if the exact problem I have with working out. I'm lazy.

The first swear word

2009-07-16T15:41:00.002-05:00

For the record: Isabelle Anne uttered her first swear word on July 12th at 6:30 PM. It was B*&% S#$%. and she copied it from her father. Truth be told he was telling a story about my father and quoting my father when he said it. I was holding my innocent little Isabelle in my arms and she just parroted back the words that he said with enthusiasm. It was really hard not to laugh, but i stopped looked at Todd, smiled and then told Iz that that was a naughty words and that dad was being naughty. She said "Naughty daddy". And that was the end of it and we haven't heard it again.
I'm not too worried she didn't really know what she was saying. he could have said Bright Ships and she would has repeated it. However with my sailor like mouth I'm glad that it was Todd that she parroted and not me! Phew!

HAHAHAHAHAHA 28 HAHAHAHAHA

2009-07-15T13:56:00.005-05:00

These fashionable glasses were given to Todd and I by my brother and sister in law. They got them on Beale Street in Memphis. I can't help but wonder if my crazy aunt had anything to do with it...? Just in case you can't make out what the glasses are - Todd's are Beer Goggles and mine are wine glasses... Oh the hilarity. This might be a clue as to how I rang in 28.

2 days into my 28th year of life I've learned a few things that I thought I should share:

1) DQ Tagalong blizzard is RIDICULOUSLY good! Go have one now!

2) There is nothing better than a little girl saying "Happy Birthday Dear Ma Ma".

3) I am so glad that in Isabelle's baby book I can say that he father taught her, her first swear word. More to come on that but those are just the Highlights so far!

tooth brushing

2009-07-09T20:37:00.002-05:00

Isabelle LOVES brushing her teeth. There was a time when taking her up stairs for bed was not so pleasant, however now all we have to say is, "Do you want to go and brush your teeth?" and she runs to the steps and start to go up all the while saying ,"Come here mama, Come here dada."
I pray that this never changes! Never Ever!

Love it!

2009-07-09T20:19:00.003-05:00

I thought this was cute and made me smile. they used real baby faces and then did everything else digitally. It must have been a hugely expensive campaign, but i definitely enjoy it!

As a side note this song is one that brings me back to high school and riding in my friends Olds Trofeo. The car was a classic and had a touch screen that controlled the heat and the radio. We were so cool. "I'll take a dip in the pool which is really on the wall."

Fun, Fun, Fun all the live long day!

2009-07-09T13:05:00.002-05:00

Many new and exciting things have happened at our household in the past 9 days. We got a sand box, Isabelle can sing: Twinkle Twinkle little star- however it sounds like tinkle tinkle (which works well for potty training) and rock a bye baby, Isabelle went potty like a big girl again 2 nights ago, I've successfully avoided massive amounts of house work and yet my home looks presentable, Isabelle has taken to carrying around some sort of stuffed animal or baby doll at all times, Isabelle had her first skinned knee, we enjoyed the crap our of our 4th of July weekend and I'm staring at my 28th birthday and have resigned to enjoy it and let it pass with a shrug. Eh, 28, big whop. I realized that in no language is what I just wrote a sentence, but eh, 28, big whop.

Peeling

2009-07-01T15:50:00.003-05:00

This is what my back looks like- OK not really but close. Last Friday we had an amazing day at the beach EXCEPT- I didn't put sun block on and burned the crap out of my back and shoulders. Seriously ridiculous. I'm almost 28, haven't I learned my lesson?
When will I learn my lesson? Just put on the sun block. A tan is nice but suffering for it? I'm over that- WAY OVER THAT! So from now on I will be wearing "liquid t-shirt" as Todd calls it.
For now my peely back itches alot! I need a loofah, lotion and a back scratcher.

Duckie

2009-06-30T13:49:00.002-05:00

Isabelle has so many words now I am amazed almost everyday. Yesterday in the car we were listening to a Sesame Street CD (as usual) and Isabelle has taken to naming the character that sings the song so that I switch to the song that she wants. However there are like 10 Elmo and 10 Ernie songs. (Her two favorite characters) so I have to switch between all of these songs when she says the first name until I get to the correct song. I know which song she wants by her high pitched giggle and laugh when we get to the right song however yesterday I was having trouble with which Ernie song she wanted and this is how the conversation went.

"Is this the right song Isabelle?"

"No, Ernie ducky"

"OH, you want Rubber Ducky?"

"YEAH!"

When did my child get so smart, and so many words so fast?

Also we had sloppy joes for dinner last night (Thank you mother-in law for wonderful leftovers!) and the way she says "loopy jo" cracks me up.

Twilight

2009-06-25T13:16:00.002-05:00

DONE!

Loved it!

(hated some parts but as a whole Loved it!)

Now back to real life!

Isabelle put her shoes on all by her self this morning. I cried, she is so grown up! She's not even 18 months yet but she can put her shoes on and is ready to take on the world.

HOT, HOT, HOT

2009-06-22T21:32:00.003-05:00

Outside: 83.3
Inside: 84.5

We put a fan in the window to cool down the inside. AHHH it's gonna be a long hot summer in this old farm house.

Beach Day

2009-06-20T08:20:00.004-05:00

One of my best friends grew up in a house on a river. We spent COUNTLESS days at the beach just relaxing, swimming (clothed and skinny dipping), playing, growing up and solving all the worlds problems. We even claimed our own constellation, only to later realize that it was the handle of the big dipper. Yesterday I had the pleasure of bringing my daughter there.
When we first got there she asked me, "Isn't is like going on a vacation when you come here?"
I said , "It feels like coming home."
Isabelle was enchanted! Isabelle had no problem walking around in the water or on the sand by her self. She loved the clams and rocks. She also enjoyed knocking over our sand castles. We plan to go back very soon.
It felt like every grain of sand on that beach holds a memory and I was happy to add a hand full more yesterday!

I feel sick and naked.

2009-06-16T22:20:00.004-05:00

Tonight I was folding laundry- which I hate almost as much as washing silverware by hand. so it was taking me a while and just as I got to the end saw something on the bed. I picked it up and was SHOCKED. SHOCKED I tell you to find the DIAMOND from my wedding band to be disconnected from the ring on my left hand. SERIOUSLY- HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM!
I felt sick in the pit of my stomach and still do. I find myself checking my left hand every 5 minutes and finding nothing. my poor left ring finder is naked. It might not be a big deal for those of us that take our wedding band off at night (my husband) however I NEVER take off my ring NEVER. so my poor little ring finger has a pale place where my wedding ring should be.
I know it is not a big deal. I will be going to see Marlin the man who created my ring on Friday morning and before I know it I'll have my ring back.

I however still feel sick and naked.

The Clean House Dream come True

2009-06-11T14:13:00.007-05:00

The above items currently reside in my house just waiting for me to get home and clean. I CANNOT WAIT! I may sound crazy but having the right tools to do a job make it so much easier. It's sick I know but I do love my Dyson vac and cannot wait to use the hand vac! Also I must say that I borrowed my mothers shark steam cleaner last week and nothing has ever done a better job on my floors! LOVE IT! Watch out dust and grime here I come! As a side note all items were purchased at Target but you can find both on my other favorite amazon.com.

Todds Version of Twilight

2009-06-11T14:10:00.004-05:00

Chapter 1-
Oh Edward... Oh Bella... kiss, kiss, kiss, hug, kiss

Chapter 2-
Oh Bella... Oh Edward..., kiss, kiss, smooch ,hug, kiss

Chapter 3-

kiss, kiss, grope, kiss, lick, kiss

Too bad someone got to Twilight first, we could have been millionaires.

PS I'm 100 pgs into book 3- I'm hoping to be though the series by the end of next week.

The Moral of the Story

2009-06-08T14:17:00.006-05:00

On Friday night while playing in the living room Isabelle looked at Todd and I and said, "Pee Pee?" I said "Do you have to go pee pee?" Enthusiastically she said "YEAH". So I picked her up and we ran to the bathroom while ripping off the pants and diaper. Then the little one went pee in the potty! I couldn't believe it! I was so excited! We did the Pee Pee in the potty dance and then we cleaned everything up. However we did not put the diaper back on because that is what helped my niece get potty trained. So I went to call every grandparent and tell them what had happened.

I had just exclaimed the good news to my mom when Todd called for me to go back to the bathroom with a, "Jess we have a problem" tone. So I promised to call back and hung up as I walked in the bathroom to see a turd on the floor and Todd holding Isabelle with her one foot extended... She has stepped in it as well as left it for us. SO I clean that up call my mom back and tell her the new addition to the pee pee story , mean while Isabelle and Todd were in the living room or so I thought. After about 3 minutes of talking to my mom I got another "Jess come here" from Todd in the bathroom.

I hung up the phone with mom and this time there was 3 cups of water on the bathroom floor. We had no idea where it came from until Todd saw the potty dismantled. We believe that she was dipping the bowl from the potty into the toilet because she saw me empty the potty in there.

The moral of the story is when you child goes potty for the first time, put the diaper back on, remove them from the bathroom and close the door behind you before you proclaim to the world that you have the smartest 17 month old ever!

Since Friday night we have made it to the potty 2 more times. We are starting slowly but at least we are starting!!

So I'm "That blogger"

2009-06-02T21:19:00.007-05:00

I'm the one that doesn't write for weeks on end... I'm sorry! I hope the cute pictures of our child convince you to keep reading.

Memorial Day weekend was filled with pumpkin planting and time at the cabin. We didn't however have this handy dandy little backpack. So we alternated carrying her on our shoulders and hip and letting her sit in the dirt and pour it over herself. Wait maybe I should explain that when I say we "planted pumpkins" I don't mean like a tiny garden, or even a medium sized garden. I mean we helped Todd's family plant 5 acres of pumpkins. We sell them in the fall and plant then in the spring as a family. Immediately following that weekend we bought a backpack off of Craig's list. Even thought Isabelle doesn't look happy here she LOVE IT! She cried when we took her out that night.

This picture and the one following are from the cabin and courtesy of Auntie Andrea. She is a wonderful photographer! Here is the girlie reading.

This picture is too cute for words! Seriously I hope you all can see the trouble that these two will cause in the future. I look at this and I'm excited but also frightened because I know the trouble I got into as a child!

This past weekend Todd and I went to Milwaukee to see the Brewers play a game, it was great fun! What more can you ask for, out door baseball, beer and peanuts! Love it!

I also have been caught up in twilight... I get the next 3 books on Friday... I might be missing for another short while but I promise I will try and check in, even if it is just to gush about vampires. And for those of you who have not ready Twilight you can sign up in the comments to borrow my books. SERIOUSLY...Ridiculous! Oh well...

Before I go I have one fantastic Isabelle story. She has been waking up at night, we are not sure why. I'm pretty sure it has something to do with her teething. So Monday morning she woke up at 4 am with a wet diaper. I changed and rocked her and she was back down in 10 minutes. (mean while I was debating sleep or read twilight...i chose sleep... I know I couldn't believe it either) So she then wakes up at 5 am. I told Todd we should just see what she does because we don't' want to keep getting up with her at 5 am. So she was chatting to herself and when she realized that we were not getting up she started to whine and cry. I'm pretty sure it was a fake cry because it was very off and on. After about 20 minutes of this we hear her say "I crying". Meaning "I'm in here wake, where the heck are you people? Hello I'm crying, that is your signal to come... here I'll try it again. Remember 'I cry, you come' WHAAAAA." She shortly fell back asleep until 7:30 AM. Todd and I just laughed at her. The next day she slept until 6:30. YEAH!

Book Of Love

2009-05-21T16:43:00.003-05:00

This is the song I have in my head today, Book of Love by Peter Gabriel. I saw it on the season finally of Scrubs.

Background on the Video- JD is leaving Scared Heart the hospital he works in. This was the end of the season and here he sees "fantasizes" about what his future will be when he leaves. I just love the song and having been a long time fan of the show thought it was the perfect ending! Not only for a show but for a work week!

Where have we been?

2009-05-20T16:59:00.003-05:00

I swear we have been swinging nonstop since Grandma found this in her garage last weekend!
OK not nonstop but really for about 45 minutes every evening.
That face makes every minute worth it.

Other happenings- the Ducks are HUGE! seriously who know ducks could grow so fast! (photos coming soon). We will be planting pumpkins this weekend and the wind is sucking the life out of me. For the past week it seems like we have has constant 45 mph winds. It's warm but the wind just makes me feel frazzled. Oh well. It doesn't keep us from swinging so that is something to be happy about. I promise to get back in the swing of things soon (no pun intended!).
What have y'all been up to?

Swinging

2009-05-12T20:53:00.005-05:00

A baseball field close to our house that has a set of swings. Last night I was transported back to 4th grade. As I pumped my legs to go higher and higher I was sent thought a time warp and suddenly I was in 4th grade again. I spent countless hours are recess over the years on the swings. Being "Married" to friends as we would swing in perfect unison. Of course the dissolution of theses "relationships"would always come at 2:03 with the ring of a bell.

It's amazing how freeing it can be just to swing for 10 minutes. I have committed to go and do that once a week all summer if not every night!

Luv you

2009-05-10T21:45:00.004-05:00

This little girl said "luv you" today. She made my mothers day complete! Not only was she PERFECT in church but she also said "luv you". There is nothing else that will melt your heart like your child saying "luv you".

This week has been wonderfully hectic with the start of a brand new schedule with my new job. We leave the house a little earlier in the morning but not much, which is great! We are home at the same time and I am loving the new job. Now I just have to fit in a work out and cleaning the house into the schedule. However it's so hard when you have a little pumpkin walking around.

I got the pumpkin costume at a garage sale on Friday. I was going to pack it away but apparently miss Isabelle has other plans. She put it on with her new sunglasses and we just about died laughing at her. This week has also come with a myriad of new words not only "luv you" but e-mail, red, ball and bowl. All her words are becoming more clear and succinct. She also said her first sentence on Saturday morning. She found her baby doll under and blanket and said "It's a baby." I again was in shock. How can this little child be speaking in sentences already.

Obviously I'm a little sentimental today being mothers day and all but there is no feeling like watching your child grow.

Cap't Ron Had a Farm

2009-04-28T22:05:00.009-05:00

E I E I Yo (as Isabelle says)

With a Baa Baa here

And a Quack Quack there

And a Cheap Cheap here

Here a Moo

There an Oink

Cap't Ron had a farm E I E I Yo!

We have never had so many animals on the farm since Todd and I have been together (and I forgot a BUZZ BUZZ there- the remaining hive of bees is doing well and we will get 3 more on mothers day!) Anyone and everyone is welcome to come and see all of the fun we are having here on Neumanns Farm!

It's HERE!

2009-04-28T22:02:00.003-05:00

The Vanity is here and it's GORGEOUS!

8.5 or 8 on a good day!

2009-04-27T10:37:00.004-05:00

I went shoe shopping this weekend and I have a sad announcement my cute little 7 or 7 and a half feet are not an 8 or 8 and a half depending on the day. I was blessed when pregnant with Isabelle never to get swollen feet or anything but my revenge came this weekend in the form of a size 8 black heel... pay back sucks. Mostly now because I have to go through all my shoes and get rid of the ones that will no longer fit! So be aware lucky friends their might be some very cute 7 shoes coming your way!

Easter Balls

2009-04-17T22:26:00.004-05:00

Last saturday before Easter I needed to get the easter eggs done. So Isabelle and I went off to grandmas to sew. While I was sewing Isabelle and grandman played and went for the first walk of the year.

Here is where I spent Saturday. It was lovely to be sewing and in such a wonderful setting. Sunny, bright and relaxing.

So the "eggs" turned out looking more like balls. but they worked for this year.

I used 6 different fabrics. The one on the far left is my favorite. Not sure if we will use them agian next year but they were a great concept and I got to sew for a whole day! LOVE IT!

DMB

2009-04-16T15:20:00.003-05:00

My husband is not a fan of Dave Matthews Band but I SO AM! And I cannot wait for their new album. I found this video on Billboard.com. I thought it was great. Also if you go to the Dave Matthews Band Website you can download their new single for free - just another reason to love them! Enjoy!

Outside girl

2009-04-16T14:23:00.002-05:00

This is my girl outside 2 weekends ago. She is going to be our little dirt ball because she loves to be outside so much. It's amazing how much better she is a walking on grass this week from last!In the mornings now I let her walk out the door, hold her hand down the 3 steps (because we are WAY TOO BIG to crawl down the steps, that's for babies!) and then she is off! She turned around and give me this smile this morning while kicking up dirt in the driveway! Little stinks pot! I cannot wait to spend every Friday with her!

SPRING!

2009-04-15T09:02:00.005-05:00

The photos above remind me of ladies who lunch and starting this Friday I will be a lady who lunches! Only on Fridays, but still! I have taken a new job that is 16 hours a week and my current job was so wonderful to allow me to work another 16 hours a week. SO I now only work 4 days a week and I cannot tell you how excited I am for this! I'm hoping that now I will have time to take Isabelle to the zoo and to meet my friends who are stay at home moms and do all sorts of fun things! Maybe even craft!! (Speaking of crafting I will update you on the "eggs" tomorrow.)

The photos above are from the LIFE collection of photos on Google images. They were taken by Joel Yale in 1962.

Someday...

2009-04-10T11:13:00.004-05:00

Someday I will have time to do this....

This beautiful piece of art work was done by Crazy Mom Quilts and someday I will have the time and wherewithall to create something so beautiful. For now I will marvel at her works!

ABCDEFG lskdjjsldkjfslkjdf LMNOP

2009-04-08T13:47:00.003-05:00

My little girl can say her ABC's! ok some of them, not all the letters but a good portion are distinguishable. We were in the car last night and while Todd and I talked up front Isabelle was in the back babbling. When our conversation paused Todd and I heard "ABCDEFG garbblegarbble LMNOP garbblegarbble". I was so excited that I almost pulled the car over to kiss her!

Birthday Week

2009-04-08T09:45:00.002-05:00

It is my husbands Birthday week. Thanks to a loverly friend we have a whole week to celebrate our birthdays. Some of the rules are 1) Birthday Week any 7 days including your birthday. So it could be the 7 days before, the 7 days after, 3 days on each side of your birthday and so on and so forth. 2) You can tell people to do what ever you want and they have to do it. Generally it just means that you have to be extra nice to the birthday person. Number 3 was just added last year in our household 3) You don't have to change a single diaper during Birthday week.

Todd began his birthday week Monday and his birthday was actually yesterday. He is also laid off again this week. Coincidence...? Anyway this week he has enjoyed breakfast in bed every day and as far as I know if I was in the room he hasn't changed a single diaper. We had dinner with my in laws last night and played with Isabelle, Addy and Teddy. It's so much fun to watch Addy and Isabelle together. They get along so well and share very well for a 1 and 2 year old.

As for the rest of our lives. I've officially moved into the downstairs shower. We don't have the vanity yet but after taking one shower in the spaciousness of it all I can't and won't go back to the stand up shower upstairs. I've also got 20 eggs cut out and ready to be sewn. Hopefully I will have time to get them done before Sunday. The next question it what to put in them... we will have to see what we can find.

We are also having my family up to our house for Easter and it is a disaster area so I'm hoping to clean things up starting tonight... we will see how that goes. Isabelle may have other plans and she usually wins!

What Easter Plans do you have?

Verizon Hub AKA The Secret to being Super Mom!

2009-03-31T09:05:00.004-05:00

I saw the commercial for the new Verizon Hub last night. It's a new gizmo that integrates a whole bunch of fun technologies into one. I can't find the commercial online yet but the gist is that you can watch a cooking show on this phone and then send a video to your family about what you will be having for dinner. Then the son sends a video message back to you from his cell phone saying he will not eat what you are making and then you use the directory to find a pizza place to order out for dinner.
I told Todd that I wanted this immediately! We are not even with Verizon and I can guarantee that it will not be available in our area for quite some time, probably not until the next decade. However I was amazed at the ad. They metaphorically put a "SM" emblem on this mothers chest and a blazing red cape around her neck and made her "SUPER MOM" in 30 seconds or less. It was amazing and I now want one. Not that we would ever use it, not that Isabelle will ever have a cell phone, not that I have ever attempted to make Spanish rice, and not that I would ever let Isabelle dictate what we are eating for dinner. You eat what you are given and like it. The images that is conjured in my head of how it would make life so much easier. It made it look as if it folded the laundry, made the beds, cleaned the bathrooms and then showed you how to make dinner.
Like I said I want one. SO have you seen the commercial? What did you think?
As soon as I find it on the web I'll post it!

B-A-T-H

2009-03-30T21:51:00.002-05:00

We will no longer say "Bath" at our house, it will only be spelled out. If you say "bath" in our house you will have to immediately be forced to give one little princess a bath. Tonight at 7:15 I said "Isabelle do you want a bath tonight" she started a 50 yard dash to the bathroom. She looks over the edge, gets the bottle of Johnson's baby wash and throws the whole bottle in the tub and says, "Bath? Bath!" So be warned, if you say "Wow what a nice Bath tub" you will be rolling up your sleeves and giving Isabelle a B-A-T-H.

Happy Friday

2009-03-27T10:41:00.002-05:00

This is what I'm listening to today- Enjoy!

Easter Already??

2009-03-25T14:00:00.005-05:00

I cannot believe that Easter is almost here. It snowed this morning Easter cannot be just over two weeks away. However I'm so very glad that it's just that far away because I think I'm going to be crafty about Easter this year. While fluttering in the crafty blog world I came across these. They are from Sew, Mama, Sew. A delightful blog that gives away fabric on Fridays (This alone gives it a high rating in my book!) So I think I will try my hand at making some of these and I will let you know how they turn out. I thought they would be something that we could have for years to come and lord knows I have enough fabric and stuffing to make them the only thing I would need to buy is little fun toys for Isabelle and Addy to put inside the little pocket. Because Isabelle is still putting everything in her mouth I will have to find bigger items like jewelry an other things for her to play with... any ideas as to what to give a 1 year old? I might have to make a trip to the dollar store. We shall see.

Do you have any Easter traditions that you remember from being a child?

Too Much for one day?

2009-03-24T10:19:00.004-05:00

Here it is, the almost finished product of out labors!
I can't believe how well it turned out considering it's was Todd's first time tiling. Little does he know how many plans other family members have for him now that he can tile!

Here you can see the bathroom color and the tile together.

This is looking from the bedroom to the hallway.

This is the color on 3 walls of the bedroom.

And here is where the two paint colors meet. Now we are just waiting on the vanity, refinishing the original wood flooring and then we can put up the trim. It's all very exciting, but it was really worn us out. For the past week and a few days we have just relaxing and worked on getting more important things, like laundry, done.

Cousin Time

2009-03-24T10:15:00.002-05:00

Addy, our niece came to visit on Sunday afternoon to give her mom and dad a break because they just had a brand new baby boy on Tuesday march 17th! Isabelle and Addy had a great time and they are getting much better at sharing and playing together. I'm excited to watch them as they grow!

Here he is! Theodore Mark. He was 8 pounds 2 ounces and just beautiful!

Could this be why she doesn't sleep?

2009-03-24T10:10:00.007-05:00

For the record Isabelle is not really drinking a sun drop here. But it was hilarious how she carried it around and pretended to drink from it for about a half and hour.

100

2009-03-19T15:44:00.003-05:00

This is the 100th post- YEAH! Thank you to all who read. Thank you to blogger for giving me a place to write!
And now on to more important things. The Blog. I'm sorry I have been neglecting you, however in the past week so much and so little have happened all at the same time. I know haven't taken photos yet however you will have happy to know that I have enjoyed my first bath. We did run out of hot water while filling the tub so that is going to take some figuring out. The first bath was not a zen as I wanted it to be however it was definitely relaxing. And that is what I needed in my life. So YEAH TUB!
Isabelle is feeling much better but still not sleeping all that well. We are getting about every other night. Which is good for us and At least it's not every hour or so of her getting up like when we first brought her home so I will live with a whole night of sleep every other night.
This week Todd and I have relaxed because we made such a big push after we arrived home from Phoenix. It's been nice just to come home and have dinner and run around with little miss Isabelle.
In other news we have a new Nephew! Theodore Mark was born on Tuesday morning. He is adorable and perfect in every way. Isabelle did quite well with me holding him other than the fact she wanted to be right in my lap with us. She was very gentle however and I think that when God decides we as a family are ready for another one she will be a great big sister.
For now we are good just hanging out. Fixing up the house and enjoying the spring weather! I LOVE SPRING! YEAH!

Our Many adventures!

2009-03-09T16:48:00.010-05:00

We are back home safe and sound. We got home on Friday night after a flight which convinced Todd and I both that we didn't need to fly anywhere again with Isabelle any time soon! She fussed and fussed the whole way home. She's been sick and didn't sleep well on the trip and didn't nap much and is getting teeth and a million other things that were bothering her all came to a head. But I say THANK YOU to everyone on the plan for not giving us dirty looks! Also One little girl on the plane, while waiting in line for the bathroom, looked at me and said "I can hear your baby all the way up in my seat!" I said I know she isn't very happy right now. However for some reason Isabelle found the fact that there was another child on board the plane fascinating a was quite for 5 minutes while looking at the little girl. (Is it bad that I wanted to ask her mom if she could sit with us the rest of the way home??) And now we're home. The picture above is Isabelle playing in the pool. We were at the pool for at least an hour every day! She loved it, and so did I! Also when we got home we found out that Isabelle has a mild case of pneumonia. They have given us a nebulizer and antibiotics and she is doing much better. Not sleeping though the night yet but we will get there!

Upon returning home we immediately began working on the bedroom and bathroom again. I will put pictures up tomorrow. But we made a million times the progress that I couldn't believe! Todd got the tub surround tiled and grouted. We got the bathroom, hallway and bedroom painted. We have picked out trim, we laid the flooring in the bathroom. Today Todd will install the toilet and hopefully begin removing a hundred years of paint, varnish and wax that is on the wood floors in the bedroom. Also last night we pained our stairwell and stairs. We got all of this done with the help of my brother and sister in law.

Here is our little darling climbing down stairs for the first time. She has always gone up the stairs by her self but now for the first time she attempted going down and did quite well!

Who are those strange sausages with your child you ask? Well This was a surprise on our trip. For those of you not from the great state of Wisconsin (that only rivals Germany in it's appreciation for sausage and beer) there is a little tradition at the Milwaukee Brewers baseball games. Halfway through the 6th inning there is a sausage race. Since Andrea, my soon to be sister in law, has been working for the Brewers it has been her dream to be in a sausage race. They surprised us in the 5th inning and told us we were all going to be sausages. I told her she was dead to me, but loved every minute. Seriously how often does one person get to be a Hot Dog and sign autographs as such. So here we are the four of us after the race, of course Isabelle slept thought it. I'm #4 Hot Dog, Andrea is #2 Polish, Todd is #5 Churizo and Terry is #1 Bratwurst. We all lost to the Italian who one of Andrea's co workers. He however had a few races under his belt so he had a clear advantage. I lost big time! But it was a BLAST!
And finally some other pictures from the trip:

I found this sign amusing.

Just hanging out!

Here I am with the Hot Dog. You can see the hole above the #4 is where you face is so it's quite tall and cumbersome, ridiculous to run in. Especially with stumps for legs like mine!

This is us having Gelato at a place called the "Gelato Spot". It was where Nirvana is found. I'm not lying. If there is one near you at any time stop for me and have just a sample of the mango, and the cheese cake and the chocolate, and the vanilla and the bubble gum. OK it's free to sample so taste everyone! Then get a double scoop of mango and vanilla.

Here is a the best picture of us as a family since Isabelle has been born!

This is also one of my favorite pictures from the week. As you can tell we had no fun at all. I'll post pictures of the renovations soon!

Traveling and Ball Game

2009-03-04T08:36:00.005-06:00

We left early yesterday morning and arrived at the airport in perfect time to just walk right on the plane. It was a great 3 hour flight however Isabelle only took a half an hour nap. It wasn't long enough for Todd or myself but she was a great little flyer otherwise. Once we got here we got settled and headed over to the Maryville Ball park where the Brewers do their spring training. PS did I mention that it was 80 degrees, partly cloudy with a light breeze? We couldn't have asked for better weather. Below you can see our view from our seats in the 2nd row behind home plate and a view of the whole field. It is a beautiful park! We can't wait to go back on Thursday for the exhibition game against Australia.

Also you will see the infamous Sausage race has made its way from Milwaukee to Arizona. Churizo won that race and the Brewers beat the CO Rockies 8 to 6.

Today we plan on hanging out by the pool and then tomorrow another baseball game against the Aussies.

Surprise

2009-03-04T08:21:00.002-06:00

I know I said I wouldn't be posting this week but I just have so much to tell you that if I waited until next week it would be typing for hours! So here goes...

Isabelle took her first bath at home in the new bath tub. It was hilarious. It was like a swimming pool for her and she loved it!

After Isabelle went to bed on Monday night Todd and I scrapped down the pop corn texture on the ceiling in the main level bedroom so that the contractor who is going to mud and tape the walls while we are gone can also put an orange peel texture on the ceiling and walls. Hopefully too if he has time everything will be primed when we get home!! fingers crossed. So above is the before and below is the after scrapping.

It only took an hour and a half which isn't too bad. What else would we be doing 7 hours before we leave for phoenix??

Here is Todd scrapping. We got it done and now we make plans for what we want to get done when we get home. As soon as I'm unpacked I believe a paint brush will be stuck in my hand. It's amazing how much progress Todd has made in the past 3 weeks!

So Long..

2009-03-02T16:48:00.003-06:00

Farewell dear friends, don't worry it's just for a week and I promise to come back this lots of pictures and stories. We leave tomorrow for a 4 day trip to Phoenix. We are very excited and trying to get things done as home as fast as possible.
Now you might ask, how is the renovation going to get done while we are away. Well fear not! the drywall is all up and we have a contractor coming to mud and tape all the joints and put an orange peel texture on the walls and ceiling. So when we come back it will be ready for primer and paint! YEAH! I hope you all have a wonderful week and Promise to bring warm weather home with me, it's supposed to be in the 80's while we are down there. My bones are ready to be thawed out.
I hope that you all have a great week!

Are you serious?

2009-02-26T14:26:00.004-06:00

So this is our weather today. Yesterday it was 37 degrees, BEAUTIFUL. Today, not so much. The worst part is I just shoveled the sidewalk and cleared and sandwich board 10 minutes ago!

Toilet Paper Savings

2009-02-25T09:15:00.004-06:00

The quote below is a solicitation comment that I got on one of my recent posts:
" David said...
The ultimate bathroom retreat is not complete without a bidet or better yet.......a portable bathroom bidet sprayer. The hand sprayer gives you superior control and water volume and if the bathroom was not designed to allow for a bidet it offers the convenience of installation on the existing toilet AND you don't have to get up and move every time! You will pay for it many times over in toilet paper savings. "

I was laughing so hard at the part that I will pay for the toilet many times over in toilet paper savings! OK you are talking to a girl who has trouble peeing outside if there isn't an available toilet. If I can't keep my own pee off my pants how am I going to do with a sprayer in my own bathroom. I just picture myself walking out of the bathroom with dripping hair and a sad look on my face and Todd saying, "Sprayer got you again, huh?" and I would say, "Yep" and the thought of all the money we would be saving on not using toilet paper would not be consoling in the least!

So David thank you for the thought, and although this blog is open to any suggestions on our remodeling however I can tell we will not be getting a bidet or a sprayer on our toilet.

There are pink horns under that hat and a boogie man in our house.

2009-02-24T11:05:00.004-06:00

This is the face of a child that cried for 3 hours the previous night. She just wanted to be held. I was trying to be Super Mom and let her cry it out. It was painful. She was dry, she wasn't hungry, she didn't have a fever. I went down the check list and finally Todd said that turning the lamp on in her room helped her sleep.

This is little miss after her Oreo cookie for dessert last night... does that have something to do with the boogie man? Who knows??

Painted Turtle

2009-02-24T10:57:00.002-06:00

This is the tile for the Bathroom and the paint color for the bathroom.

Tile and paint again.

Here are the three paint colors for the bathroom, hallway and bedroom. I'm nervous now that everything that we have bought will come together and look terrible and cheap. I also started looking for a shower curtain. I haven't found one yet but still looking. Where do you shop for bath accessories??

Also note the difference in the brown color in these photos. They are all the same paint chip but they look totally different.

Progress and Vocabulary

2009-02-23T09:20:00.002-06:00

So I don't have any pictures today of our remodel but I can tell you we have made a lot of progress in the last week. The cement board is up around the tub, there is a brand new window in the bathroom and in the bedroom. We have a vanity and top along with all the fixtures we need including a toilet. We picked out paint and now I just wait patiently as Todd ticks things off of the to do list. He officially entered week 3 of the lay off. Which if we all do our math correctly leaves him 2 weeks to finish the bathroom. However we leave next Tuesday for Phoenix for 4 days, 3 nights quick trip to support everyone's favorite baseball team!
We have a family member who works for the Milwaukee Brewers and will be in Phoenix for their spring training. So we are making a trip down to see her and the team play. We are all excited. It will be Isabelle's first trip on an air plane. Don't worry there will be copious pictures from the trip.
In other Isabelle news she has starts to say so many new words this past week it's incredible. She can say animal, apple, and her first sentence "Hi Baby!" and this morning she said "Hi Dad." Todd was frying up some bacon when she said this and he turned to look at me with bewildered amazement and then a knowing look that we are now all in trouble. It's like a switch has been flicked on. I can't wait to see what she comes up with this week.
I will post more photos tomorrow however Todd wanted to clean up the construction zone before I put pictures up.

Tuesday Morning

2009-02-17T09:38:00.004-06:00

Good Morning Everyone! Happy Tuesday!

This is a block model of our daughter. I think that dad is having more fun with the new blocks than Isabelle!

Oh sweet bath tub, how I love thee

2009-02-16T10:09:00.003-06:00

This was last Friday morning. The sub floor was down.
And a wall was put up

And this morning we got to sit in the bath tub for the first time!

Words cannot describe how large the bath tub is. I LOVE IT even more today! Literally Todd and I can sit almost side by side. the foreshortening on the photo above doesn't let you see how long the tub actually is.

Yesterday Todd and I spent the afternoon at Home Depot and Menards picking out tile, fixtures and vanities. You will see a lot of progress this week! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Baaa, Baaa

2009-02-16T10:05:00.005-06:00

Here are the latest additions to the Neumann Farm.

There are 12 Ewe's and all but 4 have come in with lambs.

Bath House

2009-02-11T10:06:00.003-06:00

This is what I came home to on Tuesday night! It's out of the box!

Here it is! Can you believe it! I can't!

Todd wouldn't let me sit in it because he needs to put a grout base below it. It was really hard to not get in and just sit there!

Seriously there is room for the whole family in the bath tub. I'm not even joking.

Oh sweet bathtub we have been waiting for you for so long!

So today on day 3 of the layoff. Todd will be pouring the grout foundation below the tub. The lay the Luann wood that will go beneath the laminate wood flooring.

On Sunday Todd and I will be going to Home Depot to pick out tiles for the shower and a vanity.

Seriously it took every fiber in my body to no go get a glass of wine and just go and sit in the tub.

Isabelle should be able to have her first bath in the tub next week! YEAH!

Tuesday Morning

2009-02-11T10:01:00.002-06:00

This was the bathroom on Tuesday Morning.

That in the big box with the motor is my(our) bathtub.

Do you see how big it looks in the box! I can't wait to unwrap it!

Also lets note the beautiful french door! It brings so much light into the bedroom area.

Library of my Dreams part Duex

2009-02-09T13:28:00.002-06:00

So last week I discovered that you could listen to books on tape on your computer from the library! I'm loving it! I love books. I love to read. I'm not a fast reader and since my little Isabelle has come I haven't made much time for reading. This year I have physically read 1 book and finished two others that I started at various times last year.

But now in the course of 1 week I've listened to 1 book and I expect to finish the 2nd today. I love it! I'm listening to Comfort Food right now by Kate Jacobs and it's brilliant. I highly recommend this book. Just wanted to share my joy of listening to books with all of you out there.

Getting out of bed.

2009-02-09T13:17:00.002-06:00

When my lovely husband was working he would have to get out of bed at 5:30 ish. Which meant when 6:00 AM rolled around I didn't have a whole lot of trouble getting out of bed because the only thing stopping me was my own lack of gumption. In the past few weeks I have been getting out of bed and doing the Jillian Michael's 30 day Shred. I like it, it's good, its hard and it's only 27 minutes from warm up to cool down.
However this being Todd's first day of being laid off he didn't have to get out of bed at the crack of dawn. Which means my 6:15 to 6:45 work out got moved to 7:00 to 7:30. This isn't horrible by any means but its really hard to get out of bed when there is another warm body there.
That's all I'm saying. I also would like to thank Todd for getting up at 5:30 am 4 days a week for 52 weeks a year. It helps my gumption.

The State of Our Union

2009-02-06T14:50:00.003-06:00

As of today I am the bread winner in the family. This is not a surprise or a bad thing by any means. Todd has taken a 5 week voluntary layoff from his job. During which time he is going to FINISH THE BATHROOMS! Did anyone notice the S on the end of bathrooms. That's right PLURAL. God willing my ever so handy husband is going to finish the main level bathroom for which this blog was originally started and to make over our upper level bathroom as well. (I just about crapped my pants when he mentioned that because we have not been able to use the shower in the main level for well over a year. AND since August we have only had 1 room that even resembled a bathroom.) So cross your fingers, toes, legs and arms that a miracle will happen in our home in the next month.

The other part of Todd's being home that I am really going to enjoy is not having to rush around in the morning to get Isabelle and I ready to head off to work and daycare. Isabelle will still be going to daycare but Todd can get her dressed and fed all while I get ready for work. That and we can spend a little time together every morning as a family. Secretly I'm more excited for this than my bathrooms, which I have learned to live with.

Close Up

2009-02-04T15:33:00.005-06:00

The only way Isabelle will let me take her Picture now is close up.

This one cracks me up.

If I say just wait there while I take your photo I get this face. Pure frustration.

Here is my favorite outfit to put her in right now.

I used to have a lamb named Wonk. I called him Wonk because he had one ear that would perk up and the other one was "wonk". Wonk was taken to slaughter one fall afternoon and I never got to say goodbye. Isabelle's pig tails on Friday reminded me of Wonk.

1st Birthday Party

2009-02-04T15:30:00.004-06:00

The party was a while ago but here are some photos. Erica my friend took the top two. I LOVE THEM! In the last one Isabelle is trying to put on her new shirt.

The library of my dreams

2009-02-03T15:54:00.005-06:00

I love books. If I had the money to own a thousand I would. On the other hand I'm not a fast reader, and I don't have a lot of time to read. Therefore I sometimes will opt for books on tape. Today I was at my local library's website to check hours and what titles I could get on CD and I found out I can download library books to my computer. SWEET GOODNESS! I will be able to listen to books on tape all the time now. I can even burn some of them to a CD during the time I have them "Checked out". It does need some free software but I am so excited! I can't believe it. I can go the library with out even having to leave my comfy couch. "Ahhh" I say with a contented sigh. I don't even have to leave my living room to go to the library! YEAH!

13 months Old Today!

2009-02-03T11:39:00.013-06:00

Happy 13 month birthday Isabelle!

Here are some new things that you have done in the past month. - You have all sorts of new sounds for animals including a cow, dog, cat, sheep, pig, horse, duck, chicken, and every ones favorite the tiger. You are picking up new words every day including Truck, PJ's, grandma and many more. Your favorite song is "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and you are working hard on the motions. You have a new mad or frustrated face everyday that brings your father and I to tears we laugh so hard. ( I swear we are laughing with you). You suddenly love to be surprised, startled and chased. Your grandpa Neumann spent a good 20 minutes making you jump and chasing you on Sunday. I've never heard you laugh so much in your life. Also This past week you learned how to stand up for yourself and fight back.

On Thursday you were at Grandma Neumann's with Addy. Grandma went to the bathroom and suddenly heard crying. As she started to leave the bathroom you and Addy were headed right for her. You were fine but Addy was in tears. She told Grandma that you had taken her crayons away. Grandma looked in your hands and there were no crayons. Then she looked in your mouth and you had all 4 crayons in your mouth. Way to go girl!

Thank you for all the joy that you have brought to our lives. We love every second of watching you grow even if it's in the middle of the night and you say "HI" in the most chipper voice!

Love you- Ma

Some fun pictures

2009-02-03T11:19:00.007-06:00

I'll admit it, I need to get my but in gear and up load photos to my computer from my camera, however I'm not exactly sure where out connection cord is. I'm pretty sure it's right next to Isabelle's juice glass that she mysteriously lost on Sunday. We are not sure where in our house the purple juice glass has gone. Todd thinks that she is trying to make jail house hooch. We'll find out soon enough, hopefully.

Luckily for you and me we have a few pictures to share from the camera on my phone.

Here is the smartest baby in the world putting on her mamas mittens that we in her diaper bag.

Someones got her new shoes on!

Here little miss is opening up a birthday gift that came to her via mail. She was pretty excited and it included lots of ooohh's and pointing.

And here is our trial run of the BACON EXPLOSION! It was wonderful, need the Neumann tweaking but over all WONDERFUL! You all can expect it to be seen at many a social function.

Other wise things are pretty calm around here. We are all anxiously awaiting Friday because Todd is taking a 5 week voluntary layoff from work. During that time he will be working on the bathroom and hopefully completing that before we leave for Phoenix in early March.

There are no words

2009-01-29T14:46:00.003-06:00

This is the Bacon Explosion. WOW and WOW.

25 Random Fact about me

2009-01-28T16:49:00.004-06:00

I was tagged on Facebook to write down 25 random facts about myself so here we go:

1) I love the color red!

2) When I was little I wanted to be an architect and a teacher.

3) I just started Jillian Michael's 30 Shred... we will see how well it works.

4) I have NO WILL POWER.

5) I drive a red Pontiac grand am.

6) If I could live in any TV show it would be Stars Hallow from Gilmore Girls.

7) I have a new found appreciation for colored socks.

8) I change my mind ALOT!

9) I want more time to craft.

10) Yesterday I took 12,239 steps while wearing my pedometer.

11) I like to solve problems.

12) I have stopped blaming my mom for my bad/bowl/boy hair cut in elementary school and accepted it as a scar from childhood that will make anyone I meet laugh. Which I'm good with.

13) I have met Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels.

14) I like to make lists. (Ask my husband)

15) I believe in miracles and angels.

16) I still have my stinky chacos in our shoe closet from 5 years ago because I can't give up shoes.

17) I don't like wall paper, however I do like vinyl stickers for your walls as long as they don't damage the paint.

18) I think I'm equal parts of my mom and dad in everything from looks to attitude.

19) I would like to go to Alaska some day.

20) I'm still inspired by my youth pastor from the church I grew up in.

21) The first CD I ever owned was Stone Temple Pilots.

22) I think that Thomas Kincade is a sell out, a marketing genius and a master of light.

23) I got my dates messed up and showed up for drinks with friends last night and no one was there, turns out a black berry doesn't do everything for you!

24) Met my husband 7 years ago today and if you asked me then if I would be married to him now the answer would have been a resounding no! But I'm so glad I am!

25) I am a happy, grateful person for my life, my family, my friends, my job and so much more.

I'm not tagging anyone specific but consider this an open TAG. If you do post 25 random facts about yourself put it in the comments here, I would love to read what you came up with. Or just leave a random fact or two in the comments area.

13)

IT'S HERE!

2009-01-21T09:44:00.003-06:00

The tub is here. We received a notification in the mail that the tub has arrived and we can pick it up when ever we want. Todd will be picking it up tomorrow on his day off! YEAH! It's here!
And now I'm suddenly weighed down but all the new choices that have to be made. Oh goodness.
I have the tub and the flooring picked out, however now we need a toilet, a vanity, shower head, faucet,sink faucet, tile for the surround. CRAP CRAP CRAP so much to do! But none the less the tub is here and we are excited!

Oh What a Big Day!

2009-01-21T09:35:00.004-06:00

This last week has been so much fun. Isabelle is learning new things every day! Last night I asked her to go get a diaper form daddy and bring it back to me and I'd change her. And she did it! She also said "diaper". She is adding new words to her vocabulary every day. The newest one on a consistent basis is "Addy". That is her 2 year old cousin that lives next door. They spend a lot of time together and it's so much fun to watch them grow and learn to play together.
Yesterday Isabelle got her first set of squeaker shoes. What are Squeaker shoes you ask? They are exactly what they sound like. Every time that Isabelle takes a step they squeak. It's really funny when she starts to walk fast, almost run, it's just one long squeak instead of separate steps. They sound like they would get old fast however they were really born out of necessity. With the squeaker shoes we can tell where she is at all times.
Now when there is no squeaking and no talking then we know she is doing something she isn't supposed to.
Also this week I have realized how grown up my little girl is. She know what she wants all the time and can get her point across quite well. It's amazing how much has changed in a year. Last year at this time we were just beginning to understand each other and now it's almost like having a conversation. Oh how the time flies!

The sweetest words

2009-01-14T13:26:00.004-06:00

This morning, after finding the grape jolly rancher I was singing Old Mc Donlad to Isabelle here is how it went.

Me: Old Mc Donlad had a farm
Iz: EI, EI, YO
Me: and on that farm he had a cow, EI, EI, O with a
Iz: Moo moo
Me: here and a
Iz: ...... dat? (she had lost interest in the song and was watching me put on mittens)

It was so cute!