The Mickey Mouse Club

I learned to spell my last name, Mitzel (well I guess its my "maiden name" now) to the tune of the Mickey Mouse Club themesong. Come on, you know it, "M-I-C", "see ya real soon," "K-E-Y," "why, because we like you," "M-O-U-S-E." We put "Mitzel" where "Mickey" was, but you get the idea. Anyhow, Isla got an early birthday gift from Grammie VanderLann. A set of 12 little Mickey Mouse books. Its kind of nostalgic to think that Isla will enjoy the same mouse I grew up to know and love.

Mickey Mouse is the ONLY mouse that I like (other than Minnie of course). Today, Kate and Elijah came over to play for a bit before they had to pick Art up from the airport. While we were downstairs, Elijah was playing with Isla's Mickey books. As I walked over to the counter, all of the sudden I saw a mouse on the counter...and it was not Mickey (or Minnie). So I did what any rational person would do. I screamed bloody murder, told Kate to grab Elijah, and began running for my life. Our cleaners were upstairs and they rushed down to the main floor to ensure that in fact no one had been murdered. I called Greg and asked who I should call, I was thinking 911. I then tried calling Eradico, but there was no answer. In the midst of my calling frenzy, Kate said, "Nin, do you want me to go down there and catch it?" What? Are you freaking kidding me? Yes, of course, but seriously? I asked her if she needed a baseball bat or a gun or something. She said the only thing she needed was a garbage can and bag. Tammy went down with Kate and together, they captured the furry invader. While Kate intended to kill the rodent (which was my preference), Tammy decided to go the humanitarian route and release him back into the wild (the other side of the wetlands of West Bloomfield). Many, many thanks to Kate and Tammy. You are my heros.

Several hours later, I was still shaking at the thought of having seen a mouse in our tidy little house. Even though he's gone, I'm still quite traumatized. Nevertheless, I'm still a Mousekateer at heart. But, I prefer all mice in animated format.

Here Comes Trouble

Our baby girl is getting to be a big girl. Less than 2 months away from her first birthday, she is getting bigger everyday. We moved her out of the infant carrier and into a big girl car seat. I've been having some terrible headaches lately which the doctor thinks may be caused by tension in my neck. Carrying around the "infant carrier" with a baby that is almost 19 pounds certainly wasn't helping, so we were all thrilled for the transition.

We have been dog-sitting my cousin's dog, Rembrandt, for the past week. We love him and so does Isla. Its great to have a dog around again. Timmy came over on Thursday night. Unlce Dave, Uncle Greg and Uncle Peter watched both kids. Apparently, they all ate puffs off the floor.

Isla thought the performance was deserving of applause.

The Betancourts came over on Saturday. Grandma Jan loves holding both her grandbabies, but they are about 22 pounds heavier than they were last May. Good thing she works out :)

Still Here

I promise that we have not fallen off the face of the earth, we have just been incredibly busy! Last weekend we had a great time in Grand Rapids. We started out on Friday night at the Riebel's house. Isla got to take a bath with her friend Johnny. Even though he is only 4 weeks older than she is, he probably has about 10 lbs. on her. But who doesn't like a big strapping dude, just more to love. Once all the kids were in bed, the big kids ate Outback carryout and passed out.

After breakfast the next morning, we headed out to Byron Center to hang with the VanderLaan family. In order to honor tradition, Dana and I went to Meijer while Dave watched all three girls. The Riebels came back to have a pizza party and play with the girls. We had six kids playing together, 3 under the age of 1, and no bumps or bruises to speak of. I would say it was a success. Isla and Brooke had their bath together and then got to stay up a little later to hang with Grammie and Bumpa VanderLaan. All the girls slept great and were rewarded with Uncle Matt's Mickey Mouse pancakes the next morning for breakfast. Isla was in her glory.

Jenna didn't get any pancakes. She was too busy being cute.

We then headed to the big event of the weekend, cousin Elijah's first birthday party! It was the cutest kids birthday party I have ever seen...an indoor February pool party. Kate and Art set up a blow up pool in the basement. Elijah, Isla and Lydia got their suits on and had a blast. Art was the lifeguard on duty, but thankfully did not have to conduct any heroic rescues. Isla flaunted her new bikini that Uncle Jeff and Aunt Elaine got her for her dedication. Elijah got some great presents and enjoyed his first cupcake. Happy Birthday sweet boy, we love you.

This past week has been somewhat of a whirlwind. More details later, but we put an offer in on a house in White Lake and it was accepted! We still have to go through final inspections, financing, closing, etc., so prayers are appreciated. If all goes well, we should be moving into our new house by the end of March. Keep your fingers crossed.

Up, Hi

Isla thinks it is the most fun thing in the world to go up the stairs. She knows (or at least we think she knows) that she's not supposed to go up the stairs by herself. She hasn't really mastered coming down the stairs, so we worry that she might fall. And with the cute nose that she was fortunately born with, we don't want to take any chances with plastic surgery in the event of an accident. Once we "catch" her, she starts laughing hysterically and tries to go up the stairs even faster. She might even say "hi," but will keep going until she reaches the top. Thank goodness she's cute.

To experience love...

I sometimes ponder why God made us and why he put us here. I know others may have their own opinions, but I personally have come to the conclusion that God has put us here to experience love in one way or another.

This past Sunday, we dedicated Isla to the Lord. We had her dedicated publicly at our church, and then had an intimate dedication at home. We are committing to raise her to know the Lord, to honor the Lord, to love the Lord and to love others. Not that I didn't experience love before Isla was born, but since she has come into our lives, we have experienced love on a whole new level. We have experienced God's love for us more than ever, and we hope that we show God's love to Isla in the way that we love her and love others.

I though it would be cute to photograph her with a Bible.

She ended up tearing a page or two, so I guess

we will have to fill in the blanks when she gets to that part.

What a precious gift the Lord has given us.

We are so grateful for the gift of Love.

On the outside

Isla has officially now lived as long outside of the womb as she did inside. Believe it or not, she turned 9 months old last Thursday. We celebrated by going to the doctor's office because she also had a cold and ear infection. She also produces enough drool to water a flower garden which apparently is a sign of teething. She has 4 teeth currently. I'm cool with her just keeping those (or maybe even losing those) and not getting any new teeth until she's done nursing...TMI, I know.

I originally had this made for her to wear as a dress in September thinking we were going to have her dedicated back in the fall. Now, 5 months later, she wears it as a shirt, and I had a new dress made for her upcoming dedication this month.

But the shoes still fit and man does she look cute.

I know her eyes are closed, but she just looks so sweet.

I would kill for her eyelashes.

She weighs 17.7 pounds, is 27 1/2 in. tall and has a 17 1/2 head circumference. The whole head circumference thing really throws me. For instance, Isla's head circumference is in the 45th percentile. Her cousin, Brooke, has a head circumference which surpasses the 100th percentile. So, I know that means Brooke has a big head, but who cares? Whenever I go to the doctor they only weigh me (which I could also do without), and maybe ask me my height (which I claim to be 5' 3"), but they never measure my head. Maybe I'll ask for a measurement next time I'm in.

She's already a better athlete than I ever was.

Dave made that onesie for her. It says "Child Please."

Apparently a famous quote from "her" favorite football player, Chad Ocho Cinco.

She continues to say "Dada" ALL THE TIME. In fact, the other day Greg and I were trying to coerce her to say "Uncle" and "Mama", respectively, to which she replied, "Dada." We get it, he's your favorite. Fine. She also says "hi" in this adorable sweet little voice, which is much different than the high pitched scream she does sometimes which is not nearly as adorable. She stands up and climbs up the stairs like a champ. We're working on her technique of coming down the stairs because right now its more like a nose dive. I still just look at her sometimes and can't believe how beautiful she is. I told her that Jesus did a really good job when he made her. I'm so glad He chose us to be her parents.

A Slumber Party

We love sleepovers at THE Dorm. Seriously, we have numerous people who leave toothbrushes here because they sleepover so often. Last weekend we had a sleepover with our kickball crew. We didn't play kickball, but we did play SmartA**, Rockband, Singstar and Taboo. We went to bed around 3:00 a.m. The next morning we had traditional Saturday morning breakfast (with Mimosas too!). It was awesome!

Party hats

(The Costco crown is more handy than you may think)

Board Games and Snacks

Party foul

Clean up of the party foul

(wearing Greg's boots with the fur)

Yep, that's still the Christmas tree in the background.

Sadly, we took it down the following day.

Rockin out

Mmmm...Saturday morning breakfast.

Bacon, Sausage, Fruit, Waffles to Order and Dave's homemade donuts

And Isla has a new boyfriend, Superman.

He has really big muscles and he's about her size.

But she really likes Peter too.