House?

Well, we may have some very good news soon. We made an offer on a house. The seller counter-offered and we accepted the new price. Now all we need to do is get an inspection and make sure our loan goes through... and pay some of the closing costs and the down-payment and sign our lives away. No problem.
Here are some pics:
This is the living room looking towards the bedrooms. The guy on the left is our awesome realtor (Ryan).

Out the front door.

Living room window feature.

From closet looking into one of the bedrooms.This is from the living room looking into the backyard.Kitchen looking out the front of the property.

Pics

Isabella's Torture

Or mine?
Today begins the arduous process of "helping" Isabella sleep longer by teaching her to put herself to sleep. This means lots of crying. Originally (this morning), I was planning to wean her from falling asleep at the boob (in other words, put her down in the crib while tired but still awake). However, after attempting this feat this morning and discovering she was more awake then ever (after a bout of crying), I decided to change tactics. First, I'll change her napping cycle (longer time between naps, so hopefully longer naps). This will obviously include changes in her eating cycle too (since she normally fell asleep nursing, if you get my meaning).
I'm hoping this will induce her to sleep longer during the night (since she'll be used to long bouts of sleeping, right?).
Once/If this works, it may be easier to reduce/cut midnight snacking and have her put herself back to sleep. Theoretically.
Why am I doing this? Was my previous method not working? Well, let's just say, last night she woke 5 times in two hours. 5 times. It was the worst it's been since we started putting her in the crib. Sometimes she sleeps 7 hours straight but lately it's only been 1 or 2 hours. I'm going insane.

Starting Fresh?

Not for Heather

Here are more pictures Heather took when she visited. I stole them off her website - so if you'd like to see more, click on her link.

Discovering Your Inner/Outer Child

Isabella revealed herself this week as a fairly tolerant, happy child. Teresa must have held her for half an hour and she didn't shed a tear! Her brother held her too without a breakdown. Maybe it's the Burdick (sp?) family blessing. Heather was rather jealous. But she got her reward when, by the end of the week (and her stay), Isabella was perfectly happy to roam with Heather instead of me.
Miracle of all miracles though - last night she spent three hours with Nana while John and I went on a date (a movie!) and didn't have a breakdown. In fact, she hardly cried at all AND took a nap. I don't know. I might die of shock. Is it wrong to be ecstatic that I can leave my child for hours at a time? Turns out she doesn't like bottles but is fine with sippy cups. My sanity is saved! (Even though I feel so guilty writing this.)
So now you all know. My little girl is growing up fast. 4 months and almost two weeks and she can drink from sippy cups and nearly walk (with a little support) and be babysat for 3 hours. If you haven't met her yet, you're missing out. She's a cutie with a mohawk.
By the way, Superbad was an awesome movie. Like Napoleon Dynamite but with more cursing and sex.

Japanese Gardens

Mike took this nice picture of Becky, Isabella, and I at the Japanese Gardens. So, here you go mom - complain and you shall receive.

If I get off my butt, I should have some pictures of Rob, Chris, Teresa, and Heather to post soon. I missed my opportunity to take a picture of John's coworker and now good friend, Tracey, last night. So sad. One of these days though, you'll all get to "meet" him.