and then she was 2

so, our giant baby is 2. and she really is a giant in stature. she had her 2 year doctor appointment during her birthday week and checked in at a chart-topping (100% - the top!) 35 inches tall (her weight was a mere 25 pounds 10 ounces, only 25%). 

here are some photos starring isabel on her terrific 2 day. the partying did eventually go to the birds when the riding of the flamingos began (otherwise referred to as "mingos" or prior to that "kick-ens" - chickens - by the birthday girl).

3 weeks ago 'twas easter

the easter dress photo shoot was dominated by two sisters: one speed racing and one ever-so peaceful. 

oh baby

you've seen the seemingly random yet precisely staged baby arranging themed thread of photos. now the story behind them...

yesterday, sunday the 26th of april, the 1st sighting was made early in the morning. the babies were found just so on the coffee table. prior to naptime some baby dolls were found gently laid across isabel's pillow. then isabel was tucked in. 

the day proceeded without major event until bedtime approached. baby belle was put to rest in a cradle. then malcolm made it into isabel's bed. "boom-boom" (bed, bed, bed by tmbg) was played and "baby gooa" (baby beluga) was read. the blinds were drawn. then the stage was set elsewhere, namely mom and dad's bathroom as the arranging continued. a bottle appeared on the vanity top, accompanied by a flash of a hand, and isabel streaked away. then bottles were replace one by one with others. and then baby stella entered the scene as well as a a reunion with baby belle. finally isabel tired and succumbed to bed, her last word being "baby". 

it must be noted that the evening events were accomplished while isabel was completely in the nude.  

the shots

it's been a week, so this story can safely be recounted without eyes getting spicy or tears being shed...

at amalea's 5 year old doctor appointment the moment came upon us when the shots were to be given. the nurses were armed with 2 syringes each, poised and ready to jab away into amalea's tender little triceps. isabel was on a step-stool directly in front of amalea, facing her. mom stood behind isabel holding onto amalea's hands. 2 shots, amalea instantly wailing. isabel was looking up into amalea's face crying out, "ama, ama". isabel was terrified for her big sister. it was utterly miserable. helpless. mom started crying for the pain of her little girls. then 2 more shots and nothing could be done to help the horrid situation other than more weeping. the nurses left the still crying girls, but not before handing us a box of tissues. the 3 girls just held onto one another for comfort for a while.

contributing to why mom was even more so tortured was that before the doctor had left the room (lucky guy wasn't around for the stabbing) he had mentioned that the child you put into kindergarten is not the same child you get out.

the child you put into kindergarten is not the same child you get out. (so here come the spicy eyes as the thought re-sinks in.)

so we all survived. and here are some a few days after the ordeal photos to prove it. our beautiful little girls.

l"aaaaa"te spring snow and, yes, amalea is 5

(get it, b"aaaaa"...out like a big, puffy, white lamb, or something like that.) 

we had a super marvelous last day of spring break surprise today when we awoke to 6 inches or so of perfect packing snow. amalea and mom promptly headed outside to shovel out of the stuff and have a bunch of fun, namely chucking snow at one another. amalea created these snowsisters, her and isabel. "isabel is the big one," clarified amalea. 

amalea has been the big 5 for a short while now. on her birthday morn, she got the glorious mostly pink bouquet here. 

on the day after that, she celebrated with a sumptuous 6-layered chocolate delight with pink polka dots. she shared with her friends. we still have tons of cake in the freezer. do you want some?

class of 2022

UNBELIEVABLE! that is almost all there is to say. unbelievable.

amalea registered for kindergarten today. she is rapidly becoming rather old.

baldy beauty queen and bald eagles

isabel is lovingly referred to as the "baldy beauty queen" for rather obvious reasons. here she is after our rather futile effort to form something resembling pig-tails with what little wisps of hair she does have. most of her hair is situated there at the sides behind her ears and at the crown of her head and base of her neck.

amalea had flowing golden locks in comparison. here she is 3 years ago but at the same age of 20 months as isabel. a lot hairier.
yesterday, after the baldy photo shoot at home, we moved on to another baldy. we traveled to the mighty mississippi river in search of bald eagles. in fulton, il we located lock and dam #13 and were spellbound by the majestic flying beasts. there were hundreds of them hunting in the frothy water. this is the best shot you'll get of any flapping action, though, as our camera is not of the national geographic telephoto type.