Thursday, September 16, 2010

Other side of the table

This morning I dropped off Bella at Sunnyside ( the new amazing daycare that we LOVE up at KU) and I was stopped by the morning lead teacher. We had a great conversation about how my little angle might be a bit more aggressive then your average toddler. It was kind of a surreal moment for me as a teacher since I have so often been on that side of the table, finding delicate ways to tell a parent that their kid is not doing exactly what is expected. The teacher did it beautifully, he started with a compliment about how well drop offs are going, he talked about it as the behavior of aggression never about Bella as the child. I found myself a little disappointed that she is still biting, and hitting although my mother would look at me, smile and say "Karma baby." It's something Eric and I already know about and do our best to change the negative behaviors at home with positive reinforcement, redirection and time outs. I told him to let me know what they use there so we can be consistent at home finding that I wanted so much to be the "good parent" the one that supports the teacher, and school and the child at home. I think having a child has truly made me a better teacher at least in my communication with parents. They are no longer the opposition, I can see their point of view because their child is their jewel as Bella is mine. It's a pretty surreal feeling to be on this side, I think my daughter is the most amazing child I've ever met but nobody is perfect. Maybe one of these days we'll find her in her room with her stuffed animals lined up telling them "no hitting, not biting, no pinching, no scratching, no punching" Exactly like I did at age 4. Ahhh Karma.
~Trish

Monday, September 13, 2010

Monday, September 6, 2010

Friday, September 3, 2010

Have a good weekend, everyeone...

In honor of Labor day weekend, here's a photo of Bella going through the family tree, as Mimi and Poppa Boom are coming to town. Take care everyone, be safe, and enjoy some Bob's 47...

[Editor's Note: Bella nailed this the first time. This was the second take, and though she finished strong, I didn't get the camera out for the first take. Apologies.]


Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Falling Behind

I know it, you know it, do we really have to talk about it??

We have had many adventures to blog about lately, including our trip to Mexico. However, since school started I've been swamped. I started teaching a new class this year, English 9. I love it but since it's my first year teaching English so it takes some adjusting to the extra grading and the extra planning that goes into a new class. The point is, don't despair and don't go away! I will have Memorable Mondays for you each week and we'll get back to our regular posts shortly.

~Trish

Friday, July 23, 2010

18 month photo shoot

As you saw from our memorable Monday post, We had the great fortune to have one of Lawrence's best photographers, Trina Baker, take pictures of Bella on Monday. The only bummer to the shoot was that Eric wasn't able to be there for a family portrait (although, I don't think he minded missing a photo shoot too much) We're going to make him sit down and do a family picture when Bella turns two. We took the photos in my mother's incredible yard and even got her to dress up for a couple of 3 generation shots. It was a beautiful day and a blast. Trina is going to set up a spot on her gallery page (see blog links for Gallery 32) so if you would like to buy a print or two go for it! But for now here are some highlights from our shoot.























Saturday, July 3, 2010

Congrats Mark and Brandi!!!

On June 26th my cousin Mark got hitched. He married a fabulous woman named Brandi that he's been with for many years. She already feels like one of the family so we were all thrilled to head for their Wedding in Manhattan (as thrilled as two die hard Jayhawks can be). I was also truly honored that they asked me to sing in the ceremony. I have never sung in a wedding by myself before and I was thrilled to do so for theirs. So on Friday June 25th Eric and I headed to the little apple. We checked into the Hotel and lounged around for a while before heading to the rehearsal, which went beautifully, the rehearsal dinner was also a blast with Mark's restaurant catering Fajitas in a beautiful park. Bella loved seeing the ducks and geese and playing with her cousins. It was great to have so much family in town. Uncle Tim, Aunt Lauren, Jen, Kerry and the kids as well as Tom, Alex and Jeff all came up to Manhattan from Boston and Topeka. Not to mention the Rosen clan who were the main participants in the Wedding. It was great family time and really fun to meet Brandi's family as well. My dad was in New York and Mom in a show up at KU so Eric and I represented the Averill Lawrence division with pride.
One of the best things about a wedding that's not yours is that you have time beforehand to enjoy the hotel, area, and events. Saturday morning we lounged around the room for a bit. Bella found her comfy char and proceeded to spend some time reading.




















































We then headed to the pool where even I braved the freezing water ( the heater was broken) then was rewarded with some time in the hot tub hanging with the Moffits and Rojacks. After a leisurely morning Bella slept a fully two hours while Eric and I napped and got ready. We headed for pictures around 2pm and to enjoy a 3pm wedding. Here Bella and I are all dressed up.


















Bella picking up Lili's rose petals. Lili is now a professional flower girl. You may remember her from our Wedding but Mark's wedding is her third. She is for hire, just let me know.


















After a short and beautiful ceremony we headed to the Kathouse for the reception. Uncle Tom welcomed everyone with a bagpipe serenade that Wilbur truly enjoyed.


















Wilbur and Bella were great friends. However, Bella is refusing to let Wilbur dethrone her on her booth.


















Mark's resturant catered the Reception as well with BBQ that was delicious. We were very impressed with the variety of excellent food they serve. It may even force us to go back to Manhattan to enjoy. Here Eric and Bella eat dinner with the same determination I think the phrase Mmmmmm... Food is what's going on in both their minds.



































We've discovered that when we have a toddler wetend to leave a wedding reception around the same time as the old people. So once we enjoyed the food Bella hit her limit and we headed back to the Hotel. It was a pretty hot afternoon so we were all ready to enjoy the freezing pool and explore the hotel. Here we find Mama Monster in the trees.


















And Bella discovered drinking fountains.


















In addition she got into EVERYTHING on our adventure, the fountain.


















The dining area


















Then we met up with cousin Mira who is just shy of 1 year old.


















The next morning we waited to join the family for brunch. We hung out in the Moffitt room with them and the Jackson-Rosen clan. It was a blast to spend time with my cousins and their little ones. It's so fun to have kids all around the same age. Here is Paulie with the always fabulous Lili.


















I finally got a picture of the bumper crop cousins. These three girls will all be in the same grade even though their mama's are different ages. Mira (Kari and Paul's) Bella (ours) and Mahala (Jen and Kerry's)


















Here they are with siblings, Lili is Mira's sister, and Wilbur is Mahala's brother, Bella will have a sibling at some point, don't you fret.


















We had a fantastic brunch and then headed back to L-town. We even almost left without forgetting something. Sadly, Kitty was left behind. Luckily the hotel was kind enough to send her back and she arrived today. So Bella is now happily asleep with her stuffed Kitty in her arms!

It was a beautiful Wedding. Congrats to Mark and Brandi and we wish you a lifetime of happiness. I sure have fun being married I wish them the same.

~Trish

Monday, June 21, 2010

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Father's Day!



















First a big cheers to all the great Father's out there. Sadly, not all father's are great so those of you who landed a good one, make sure to hug them and remind them of how special they are. I am one of the lucky ones who landed not only a Great father but, an OUTSTANDING father. My daddy is one of the kindest, most compassionate, talented, charming and funny people I know. Plus, like a fine wine ( which he always thought to be a very pretentious drink) He only grows better with age. Watching my father with my baby is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. So here are a couple memories I'd like to share of my amazing father, and Bella's outstanding Poppy.























Memory #1: My own childhood was beautiful, a loving home, great family and great friends. My father was a huge part of that. Even though he often traveled he remained a constant in my life. One of my favorite experiences with him is going to any theme park. We would always ride the rides together while Mom and Will stayed as far away from the roller coasters as they could get. The countless hours in line, minutes of pure excitement and just me and Dad time that we shared at all those theme parks is so special to me. It was my time with my Daddy and it was perfect!

Memory #2: Watching my father with Isabella is incredible. Of course, I don't ever remember him being that willing to fork over chocolate, or hop of his computer to play with me ( he did, but he literally Jumps away from what he's doing to be with her) But my favorite memory so far is spending the evening at my folks house and Bella's bedtime. Dad will often sit at the piano and play a well known tune or just improvise. As he plays I rock my sweet baby in my arms and listen to the incredible music he gently coaxes out of our old family piano. The first time we all shared this magical moment was last Christmas and I can't wait to share many more with him and with Bella.


















I can't even begin to talk about first hand watching the joys of fatherhood without a very special shout out to my incredible Husband. Having such a wonderful father really sets the bar high for that man you fall in love with and marry. I knew from day one that Eric would live up to that bar and as much as I love my own father, Eric is really taking it up to the next level. Maybe it's the joy I have in my own relationship with Eric or just the fact that I get to be a part of helping him grow as a father but He is truly incredible. From sleepless nights together helping each other get up to attend to the baby, to mall crawls, to Farmer's Market mornings, I love spending time together as a family. Watching Eric with Bella is truly magical, his patience, kindness and true adoration with her is hard to even describe however, I'll try. Here are some special memories of Eric as a father.

Memory 1: Watching him wrestle with Bella is hysterical. That girl already has her daddy wrapped around her finger. Hearing her laugh as they play is the most magical sound I can think of and the equally jovial laughter coming from Eric is music to me. His kindness with her is special and I can't wait to watch all the games, experiences and joys they will share together in our lifetime.

















Memory #2: Eric's selflessness when it comes to Isabella is incredible. He would do anything for her, jump over backwards and even lose sleep without complaint. No matter how tired, ill or feeling out of it Eric always does better and continuing to focus the same love, attention and patience on Bella. She is never a burden to him but always a blessing.



















More of what I feel about Eric as a father is based in emotion as we still have many more experiences to share. There are so many things I look forward to; hearing all about father/daughter trips to the ballpark, the store, the movies, games in the yard. I also can't wait to share the family experiences together of finding our next dream home with a couple more kids in mind, supporting each other through our lives and careers and of course being just the two of us again when the kids grow up and move out. Each experience will be an adventure and I'm so blessed to be on that adventure with the world's greatest dad, husband and best friend. I love you Eric!

A special shout out to some of the other influential Dad's in my life. My father in law J.P. My brother in law Chris, All my Uncles who have been there for there own children and for their nieces and nephews as well. My dear friends who are on this journey the at the same time Sean, Seth, Clint, and the Husbands of my Mommy Mafia group. And of course our dear grandfathers, two out of three have passed on but their legacies as great fathers and grandfather's remain.

So all you Daddy's out there, Enjoy this day, you deserve it!!!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

18 Month Well Baby Visit
























I think we can take out the baby part now. Isabella is truly no longer a baby, we now have a toddler on our hands and I beautifully perfect one at that. Above Bella is making her "Sad Face" and it's about the cutest thing I've ever seen.

Bella and I just got home from her 18 month check up and I'm so proud of our girl. Somehow she got the Tall and Skinny gene from somewhere and recently had a huge growth spurt jumping up in height. So big in fact that even the Dr. wasn't expecting it. Here are her 18month stats:

Height: 32 1/2"
Weight: 21 lbs 5 oz
Head: 47 cm.

And PERFECT. She's hit all her milestones and more. The only thing we have to keep working on is that blasted diaper rash. Doc. said the sooner we get her potty trained the sooner it will go away and she's certainly leaning towards the desire to potty train. She lets us know when she goes potty and even walks over to the bathroom door when needed. Eric even got her to go poop on the potty, it was just a little but a great triumph for mom and dad. I hope we can keep it up.
Not much else to report, the doctor recommended lots of swimming and beginning to teach her water safety. We are huge fans of swimming so that won't be a problem. Also, Bella's language development is out of this world. She has many two word phrases and tons of words, I can't even count anymore. Speaking of counting, she clearly counts up to three. Man that child is smart. (she gets it from her.....parents)

Exciting weekend ahead, The Neuteboom's are coming to town and we are planning a ton of fun events, a trip to the Zoo, golfing and dinners at home and out.

That's how we put the "Boom" in Neuteboom.