First Dentist visit

Izzy had her first visit to the Dentist yesterday.  We sat and watched Aiden get his teeth cleaned so she could get an idea of what to expect.  She was more interested in getting the Hygienist to sing for her.  She would sign "sing" and sure enough... she would sing her a song.  Sister is demanding!!

After Aiden, it was Izzy's turn.  She did great until the Hygienist tried to lower her chair.  Daddy ended up holding Izzy so she could get a good look at her teeth.  Everything looked good and she will have her first official cleaning in 6 months.  That should be fun!!

A "Little Holt's" update

We have been busy little bees lately.  I am trying to think back of a day/night where we actually stayed home.  I haven't been able to come up with one day yet.  But that is what summer is all about , right? 
Movie time...
Nope, we didn't actually see Turbo but the snail was at the theater so we had to take advantage of a photo op.  All the cousins were there except Owen (the tiny tornado).  He will have to wait a little while longer before he is ready to sit through a movie.  But we sure missed him!

Izzy is obviously more interested in the movie than me at the moment.  She actually began yelling "Ohhh" when she saw our neighbors with popcorn so we sent Daddy to the concession stand.

 After dinner at Cantino's (YUMMY), we played and visited with Allison/Mark while they were in town.  I sure wish we lived closer because we miss them in between visits.

Yes... this is normal (at least in our house) everyday playtime for the boys.

Do they look like they are having fun?!?

Mommy and Izzy... and yes, those are her brothers wrestling in the background.

Izzy and Lila hugging it out.  Lila said Izzy was her best friend- melts my heart!

Trying to cool down after running around all night.

You know that saying- when it rains it pours?  Well... it is pouring in the Holt household. 
Recently, I lost my bling...

Does anyone else have a gold crown??  I am very self conscious of my gold tooth.  Thankfully, it is the very back tooth but I do feel the need to explain "my bling" when I have to visit a doctor and they ask to check my throat.  Well... I got my crown fixed and then a day later, it fell out again.  My luck... a bad batch of glue.  Of course it was. 
My boys were secret agents at Children's church.  I think they are pretty cute but would you hire them?!?

Aiden has had to make a few trips to his allergist lately.  This weather is really messing him up!  The sad thing is, he thinks he is fine but his lungs are not looking too good right now.  It is hard trying to explain to him that even though he feels fine, he still has to do his breathing treatments everyday.  His first visit- his lungs were not good and then the follow up, they were even worse.  We can't pin point what has changed but we got to get him better!

Us trying to make the most of our wait time at the allergist.

His prize for being a great patient.  This was his second choice... his first was a roach that he so kindly placed on my shoulder as I was checking out.  The roach went flying and Mommy looked like a fool so he was grounded for the afternoon.  Just kidding- but I do really have a fear of roaches.  Not funny son!!

Izzy loves to make a mess help me clean...

Yes, those were all folded and in a nice, neat stack before Izzy got a hold of them.

Aiden was actually organizing the games and DVD's (without being asked- I think he secretly wanted something) but Ms. Izzy had other ideas in mind. 

Mommy is having to learn to take deep breaths and realize that I can't keep the house spotless with 3 kids and a husband.  Everyone is just going to have to forgive the mess.  This however, is not an overnight change I can make so there are still some Mommy temper tantrums over the house not being cleaned- but I am working on it.
You see this fort the boy's made using every blanket and sheet they could find in the hosue.  Which turned into Izzy and Milo's mission to try and destroy every chance they could. It took everything within me to let this stay put for days upon days.  My first initally reaction when I came home from work was to have them clean it up but instead it stayed up for about a week.  That is progress!

Izzy's newest most favorite thing to do- cover her babies or brothers or maybe even a dog.  Whatever is lying on the floor will more than likely get a blanket tossed over it.

But on a HUGE side note- look at Sister standing. 
By these pictures, one would think that Izzy enjoys sleeping.  Don't get me wrong, Sister loves to sleep but sometimes she attempts to forego her nap times on the weekends to party with the rest of us.  If someone was offering me a chance to take a nap, you better believe I would not pass that up.

This is Sister laying on me in the morning.  Sometimes, I just lay there when I really should get up for work.  It is hard walking away from these snuggles.

                      
And who doesn't love a little bed head and zombie look??  Can you guess what Izzy is thinking?  I think I can.

This is a night where Izzy was feeling a little under the weather.  After a little hiccup in her crib, the kids and I decided to camp out in the living room- just in case.  Her brothers didn't want to leave her side.  I love their bond!

Aiden is my silly boy.  Can you tell?!?  This is his latest selfie that I found on my phone.

And last but not least...
Izzy loves books these days.  The boys will take turns reading to her and then we will find her flipping through a book and babbling at the pages. 

 More updates to come.  As we all know... life never slows down so we just learn to go with the flow.

Hot Florida day

It has rained everyday for the past 3 weeks.  No lie and I am not exaggerating.  I am so tired of rain!  I promise not to complain about the heat if the rain would just let up.  Well... until I have another hot flash. 
In between rain on Sunday afternoon, we headed to the splash pad at Destin Commons.  It was a nice and cool plus free- bonus!

 Bad Mommy moment... I was too lazy to go back to the car and get Izzy's swim suit.  Sister didn't care.  She just enjoyed getting in the water.

getting a little help from brother

hugs

I got it now brother...

Folks... we have a stander

Walking with Nana

For the longest time, Izzy would not bare weight on her legs.  Anytime I would hold her up in a standing postion she would pull her legs up like a little frog.  Of course, I was worried.  I knew she would eventually do it but when??  In her own timing...
A few months ago, Izzy started pulling up and then cruising.  Then, just 2 weeks ago, we were so impressed with Izzy trying to stand on her own.  She would get about half way and then plop back down. Her first attempt was while we were waiting for her OT appointment.  I am sure we looked crazy because we were shouting and recording her in the waiting area.  She was so close so we knew it wouldn't be long.

This weekend, she started standing by herself in the middle of the room.  She no longer had to have something to pull up on.  We were in Chipley on Saturday evening and she began standing like a pro.  Even overnight we could see great progress in standing for longer periods of time and even trying to dance and clap while standing.  I am sure it didn't hurt that she had a captive audience with plenty of praise.

I was so worried when we got her last progress report and it said that her next goal to meet was to be standing in the middle of the room on her own by December 2013.  My heart sank... December!!  Sister had other plans.  Being a little selfish for a moment, I think Izzy knew that I needed this right now.  I know these goals are necessary for Early Steps but Izzy will do things when she is ready and I am beginnning to grasp that.  Whether she doesn't quite meet a goal- because she just isn't ready- or if she blows a goal out of the water... she will still do it in her own timing.
I am so proud of her and I can't wait to see what she will conquer next!

 

Beach day

It has rained for weeks now and we finally had a sunny Saturday.  The kids and I hit up Big Kahunas for much needed fun in the sun.  These beach pictures are from a few weeks ago before the rain started.

This chic is the only one in our family sporting a bikini this year. 

Nap time...

Izzy and Owen taking a snack break

My little beach babies

Waiting to catch a wave

Our friends were in town during the 4th of July week.  They definitely saw a lot of rain during the week but we did get to visit with them one night.  The kids loved spending time on the beach and Izzy was happy to see everyone.  It had been too long.

Izzy missed Jordan... can you tell??