Family Update

A lot has happened since our last blog entry. I (Sara) after working three years in the accounting department for Dierbergs Markets made the bold decision to switch career fields. After chairing Dierberg’s main fundraising campaign for the American Heart Association, I learned that I much more enjoyed fundraising and event’s management then I did my everyday accounting job. So in early November I took job as a Foundation Coordinator for a national optometric charity. Thus far, I think it was the right decision and I am truly enjoying the new challenge.
Also since our last blog, Isaac turned one and moved to the toddler room at daycare. It is official, we no longer have a baby! I swear he is growing daily and constantly learning new things. It has been wonderful watching him discover new objects and figuring out how things work. But this new inquisitive toddler is much more of a handful then he ever was before. He is BUSY, BUSY, BUSY getting into pantries, cupboards, drawers etc. Needless to say, Adam and I have some toddler proofing to do.

I'm Sorry!

Well, it has been quite some time since I updated the family blog… but up until recently I didn’t know we had so many habitual readers. It wasn’t until we were home for Christmas that several people expressed their desire for a new blog entry. So I must say to our loyal fans… I apologize for the lack of blogging and I vow to do a better job in 2009. To start this vow on the right foot, let me give you a preview of the entries to come…Family Update, Isaac’s First Birthday, Is this Turkey?, 10+ Hours and a Trip to the ER, and Happy New Year…2008 in Review.

Aunt Megan... We Love You!

Auntie Megan came to visit last weekend and we had such a wonderful time with her. Meg has only had the pleasure to see Isaac two other times since he was born. So needless to say, Meg was a little shocked to see that the baby she once knew was now a little man! But now that he is a little man, they were able to play together, laugh together and play dress up in her clothes.
Saturday afternoon the four of us went to the Magic House (a local children’s museum). It is a wonderful place, with so much to do and see! Even though the Magic House’s target age group is 0-12, I can’t say who had more fun, Adam or Isaac. We kept loosing Adam because he was getting distracted by all the cool exhibits. The greatest exhibit of all was the “electrostatic generator”. As you can see from Megan's picture above, you touch a electic ball and your hair stands straight up!!!

Not only did Isaac have a wonderful time with his Auntie, but I also had a fantastic time with my little sister. She is someone I don’t get to spend a lot of time with, but when we do have time together, I love every minute of it! (even if it meant trying Sushi!)

The Eleventh Month Montage

Stats:*
Age: 11 months
Weight: 24 lbs 13 oz
Length: 31 ½ inches
Health Report: Battling a cold of course, but overall Isaac is doing well.

Isaac is beginning too… develop his fine motor skills, play peek-a-boo, put objects into a container and understand “no” and simple instructions (now as to whether he follows these instructions is another story. )
Isaac has mastered… pulling himself up to standing, cruise along the couch and walk with assistance, eating with fingers, drinking from a sippy cup, picking things up with fingers, and STAIRS!!!
Isaac loves… testing his mom and dad with the dog food, going up the stairs, cruising along the couch.
Isaac currently dislikes… nothing. Right now he is pretty happy!
Names we call him… I-man, Little Dude and Big Guy.
Proud Parents: Again, this month was so much fun! Isaac learned so much this month. He is jabbering a lot but there hasn’t been anymore words besides mama, dada and uh-oh.
Also, he is always practicing his new skills from standing, cruising, clapping, “touchdown”, peek-a-boo and blowing kisses. Unfortunately, now that Isaac is mobile it is much harder to get a good picture but we were able to get a few videos of his recent achievements. As you will see, we are still working on peek-a-boo. It has been a real joy watching him grow up and learn new things each and every day.

Laughter is the best medicine!

I-man's New Do

Isaac had his first hair cut since the death of the baby toupee. He went from looking like a little baby to a little man. When did my baby grow up? Here are some pictures from the big event!

Fight Club

Isaac and I are having our first fight and I am not sure who is winning. Isaac has recently discovered the dog food and he will do anything in this power to get to that dang dog bowl. It is actually quite impressive that he remembers exactly where it is everyday of the week. I know this because anytime you put him on the floor he starts heading directly for it. He could be in his room (which is at least 30 feet away) and he knows where exactly to go. Not only does he know where to go but as soon as he rounds the kitchen island and the bowl is in sight… he speeds up!!! So… over and over we have to tell him “No-No” but thus far this tactic does not seem to be working. Instead of listening, he does this whiney cry of disgust because his mean parents won’t let him eat the dog food. (of course, Oscar could care less!). Everyday we have this fight and started to think “Oh no… what are we going to do?” Luckily, I recently read an article that said the following:
“Your baby now understands simple instructions, though she may purposely choose to ignore you when you say "no." (To help the word carry a little more weight, use it sparingly, for setting important limits.) Even though your baby may not always remember tomorrow what you've said today, it's not too soon to set certain boundaries and start teaching her some important distinctions, like right from wrong and safe from unsafe. Her desire to explore is stronger than her desire to listen to your warnings, so it's up to you to protect and teach her. What seems to be defiance is just her natural curiosity to see how the world works.”
This article is what is keeping us going. Hopefully one day (soon) he will realize that we are not mean parents because we don’t want him to eat dog food and our first fight will be over!