17 months

Isabelle Olivia was 17 months yesterday! Our little girl is growing so fast.
I forgot to mention that her dramatics are coming out more and more. I wonder where she gets that from? Hmmm ;-P
Little miss drama queen, and I love it! Well, she keeps me on my toes that's for sure.

Enjoy...

On the border

Hey Ya'll, another week has passed. And in that passing, Isabelle is 17 months old! Where does the time ago? This week we were at the pool (what else is new), however we have officially met normal Army families!
Hallelujah, let the coir join in!!!
There is Tia and her hubs, and their gorgeous daughter Ava. Now, I have to share how freakishly odd it is to meet another Military wife that I have a LOT in common with.
We will both be turning the grand age of 24 next month. Myself being just 12 days older than she. Our daughters coincidentally are a year and 15 days apart; Ava being the elder. Wait, it doesn't stop there-Tia hails from Wisconsin, but was raised in northern Illinois. We both grew up just 2 hours from each other...go figure. Is this world small or what?
Then there is sweet Aimee; she is like a big sister to me since being down here, and a mother of five. Yes, five! Not only are her children well mannered but talk about FUN when the kids play. Jake and I dive right in the water and love splashing and playing with the kids. Really it's just our excuse to act like children and still have fun :)
Not to mention how much Isabelle likes the girls company. Oh and let me add in that Aimee also is from northern Illinois, us Midwestern's are taking this Texas pool by storm!
Oh snap, reil myself back to reality please...I just reread my last sentence; 'taking the pool by storm?' Yep...definitely a stay at home mom. No hiding it there.
.............
I am very excited about cooking up some friend chicken, recipe from Rachel Ray. Greek yogurt and buttermilk (of equal proportions).
Then in a brown paper bag-2 c flour, fresh chives and dill, garlic salt, salt and pepper. Gupe the boneless chicken breasts/thighs (halved), dip in flour mixture and fry! YUM-top with some fresh squeezed lemon. I think I will serve it with cheesy potatoes and fresh romaine salad...my mouth is watering!


One more thing, we went to the Zoo yesterday...very short-but nice as well. Let me add that we were a road away from entering Jaurez! Freak out, spaz attack, gasp, GASP, breath, unclench fists.....Jake made the right turn into the Zoo. THANK GOD! I can't tell you how nervous I get being that close to DANGER, DANGER, DANGERRR.
All I can think about is my innocent daughter in the back seat and the rape tree with panties hanging in it-is it that bad?

P.S. Enjoy the pictures

Fired

So, last week Sunday when the fam woke up, Isabelle and I so kindly handed daddy his father's day cards...and proceeded to shower him with kisses.
After a couple of text's to our fathers with the all so classic 'Happy Father's Day.' We realized we had the WRONG Sunday. (Yes, of course I would call my dad and not just text him, but he was at church.)FIRED...absolutley fired. How silly. Still had a big breakfast and did some shopping. :) So this Sunday we just relaxed...enjoyed a nice breakfast and Jake went on a ride, FINALLY, with a fellow Hog rider. Was that a bad father's day? Not for Jake, he was content to be home, in the U.S. and not some way far off in an unknown territory. What a dad! I heart him to the fullest. :)

Oh and of course Isabelle, was helping with laundry and demanding my socks on. Then when paparazzi came out she was ready: 'cheese' she says. On cue! Oh how I love thee :)

Is it bedtime yet?

Woke up and made banana pancakes today with Isabelle. She dumped the powder and cinnamon in all by herself. :) Let me add that my blue eyed alarm clock didn't wake up until 7:11 am, which is the latest I have been allowed to sleep since Sunday.
After breakfast we made our way to the little park by our home. Isabelle has learned the color 'pu-pol' So when we arrived back to our apartment complex she ran up to the flowers and began yelling 'pu-pol!' 'pu-pol!' Sure enough she found all the purple flowers :)
So a lovely mother of five I have met at the pool, invited us along to reading time at the library...NOT reading time. 'Willie' the water drop, from El Paso Water Utility was there...lets just say the demonstration they put on was not 1 year old friendly. BUT we made it through. Isabelle meanwhile, was kind enough to sit on the kid's laps. Yep, all 4 of them; the youngest of the bunch being 4 months clearly couldn't take part in Isabelle's ini mini mini mo game. :)
During Isabelle's nap Jake home early for the day...so off to get my tan on...it was HOT today. Lucky me for my dollar store spray bottle that I keep cool in the fridge. FYI my tushie is as white as snow. I officially glow in all my clothes. You know when you get that dark? I feel like a fire fly.
Okay, so the day's not over. Harley was on our next list of things to do today, so off the Gehl's went. WOW, talk about some cool bikes. (Jake is getting louder pipes for his Harley.)Isabelle and I had fun sitting on all the Grandpa bikes with 3 wheels. Our day was finished with a walk to the mail box, of course bringing her baby and stroller. Where she talked her gibberish gab all the way there and back. I sit here now debating if I should go to the gym or just veg.
La tee da...I think I'll go for a jog.
Then it will bedtime :)

Sun and Sales, Score!

So Isabelle and I have been enjoying our pool to the fullest! We are both getting quite the tan, and talk about looooong naps for the munchkin. Just a couple of hours at the pool and she is exhausted. I am talking 2, 2 hours naps!
During nap time I hit the gym (that's 20 feet from my front door),or tan at the pool, and craft...yes I am back to my crafts :) I absolutely love making new items for our home. Well technically apartment, but home is where the heart is, right?
Back to crafting...I found this wonderful idea from other ladies here and there:
Large wooden letters from Hobby Lobby (1.50 each)
4 sheets of scrap book
Modgepodge= 10 dollars and some change (SALE!);add some left over ribbon and Ta Da!

So Target has an awesome deal on MUN-GO beach towels!!! I bought 2, for the fam. Pulled Isabelle around on the floor with one of them tonight while she laughed histaricly! These towels are 6ft by 6 ft...score. To top it all off got our hunny girl her baby stroller, 10 bucks. Little tiny stroller wheels are grooved into the carpet as I type. Oh the trails she leaves :)

Well, it's off to bed for this chica. Isabelle has been up this whole week at 6 am and it sucks! I am a zombie unless I have my 2 cups o' joe.

Ok, so here it goes...welcome to my blog!
Here is my grand introduction of the 'Gehl' family:

Me? Stay at home mommy to a beautiful and healthy 16 month old; Isabelle Olivia. Her big blue eyes and miss America wave melt my heart every day.
I have a very handsome and sweet husband, Jacob, who is a Sgt in the Army. We have been ordered to the ever so sunny El Paso, Texas. Ft. Bliss/El Paso is currently our new home for the next two years!


That's it in a nut shell...now its off to the gym where I am going to De-stress!