Isabella has started the "M" sound

Today Aimee, Isabella, and I were at Costco buying food for tomorrow's party when we I finally heard Isabella say "mama". Granted we still don't quite know what it means or who it should be directed toward, but we're almost there. Tim is a little upset, because she has stopped saying "dada". Her little voice is the sweetest sound to my ears. It's funny how with age the end to your birthday song sounds so different. Next year it will be "Happy Birthday dear Angela, Angie, Mommy". I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!! Isabella's birthweek had me thinking about that. We've been singing Happy Birthday to her so that she dances to it at her party. It's hit or miss so far. Until next time......

Isabella's One Year Birthday

Tim was up late last night working, and came to bed just around the same time (12:45 am) Isabella entered the world just one year ago. It seems only yesterday Tim and I were staring at Isabella wondering how we were entrusted to care and watch over such a beautiful gift from God. We've had fun watching her grow into her own, and can't wait to celebrate many more to come. This morning I greeted Isabella with a Birthday hat and camera. As you can imagine, she was not a big fan of the hat. Despite her desire to yank the hat off, I was able to sneak a few pictures for her album.

We dressed her in a pink dress that says "birthday girl", and headed out for breakfast to the OK Cafe. Birthday breakfast will be our tradition going forward. Mommy was frustrated because we left the camera at home, and Isabella was equally fussy for one reason or another. She was climbing out of her high chair......wanting to grab everything she shouldn't.....and screaming a bit louder than we like. She actually had us wondering if we should ever go out to eat again. Once we got our food and handed Isabella some eggs & toast, things calmed down a bit. Mental note "Bring finger food!!!!".

After a long nap we went to the park and the two of us had a grand time. Once Tim got home, Aimee, Isabella, Tim, and I went to Bone Garden for dinner. Isabella ate a ton of rice and beans, proof that's she's part Mexican. We came home and had cupcakes true birthday style (see video). After her cake, we went straight to the shower. We have so much to be thankful for. Here is to another great year! Now it's party time!!!!!!

Isabella plays with Uncle Randy in IKEA

As some of you know Tim, Isabella, and I have our own little tradition of going to Ikea for breakfast after church on Sunday. One might ask, "Why Ikea?", we'll as Bob Barker would say, "The Price is Right". For 99 cents you get a scoop of eggs, one turkey sausage patty, and potatoes. We splurge for the 99 cent cinnabun, and if we get there before 10am coffee is free. You can't even make breakfast that cheap.

Anyway, we meet the Shipman family there and it was nice catching up. Grace is growing like a weed and oh so cute. It's hard to believe that only 10 months ago Isabella was about that size. During brunch Randy began planing with Isabella the video says it all. She also found it entertaining to flirt and talk with random strangers. They all ate it up especially her new wave. Something tells me that she might be an extrovert just like her mommy.

Visiting Grandpa and Grandma in Akin, SC

This weekend we visited Akin, SC. We left on Friday afternoon right in the heat of Atlanta traffic and were so glad to get out of the car around 7pm. Isabella had been screaming the last half hour. We should have gotten out, but we were so close. Yvonne, Isabella's Granny, had lasagna waiting for us. After a few rounds of Gin, which I won, we retired to bed.

The next morning Tim and I went for a run around their neighborhood. We came across two garage sales where I scored a few books for Isabella, a deviled egg plate, and a bread machine all under 15 dollars. The bread machine has already paid it's self off in gold.

The majority of the day the men spent cutting wood for our entertainment center, and the women contemplated various sewing projects. Yvonne made an adorable dress for Isabella (see picture) that she wore to church on Sunday. Tim would have me note that we played several games of Rumicube, which he won ALL of.
On Sunday we visited Harold and Yvonne's church. As the pastor for the day, Grandpa took the liberty to show his granddaughter off to the congregation. She loved the attention. After a fantastic Sunday dinner we returned to Atlanta.

We are so lucky to have such loving influences in our lives. It's always a joy to see our family lovingly interact with Isabella.

Walker Family May 2009

Isabella's March and April Pictures

Isabella's December & January Pictures