Awesome!

The other day, when Isaac put his sunglasses on (upside-down, as usual) I gave him two thumbs up and told him he looked awesome.

Now, when he puts his sunglasses on, he gives you two "thumbs" up!

Awesome!

Now YOU can try on the glasses and attempt some "awesome" of your own!

So Far, So Good

So Isaac survived his first 2 days at daycare. Yesterday they said he had a "great first day," whatever that means. (I mean, great as in actually great or only great in the realm of first days?) Today they said he had a rough morning, but was fine this afternoon. They texted me 3 pictures this afternoon, and it looked like he was having a good time. Looks like they played outside for a while, and I'm certain he loved that part, anyway!

Ok, ok, I admit it: I'm happy to be back working again. As much as I am thankful to have had that time to be with Isaac, I did miss my job, and I love what I do (and I went to school a long time for this!) Plus I am terrible at not being busy. (Guess I need more babies to keep me busier!) I missed the people that I work with. And believe it or not, even the patients. (Some more than others.)

I'll be honest. I'm really tempted to go back to full time. But I want to not make the decision while I am still recovering from my 12-week stint of near-complete social isolation. I'll give it a few months and then decide. I think they'd give me hours back, tho, at least at this point. But it depends on how it goes in the coming weeks, and how Isaac adjusts to daycare. (Currently, he's sort of a mess when I leave.) In a way I feel guilty even thinking about it, because I do feel like Isaac is my primary objective, and if I work full time, I'll be leaving most of the raising to the daycare ladies, at least for 5 days a week. So... we'll see. We all know I'm terrific at making decisions.

Not much else going on here. I don't work tomorrow, so I'll see if I remember how to be at home again.

And here's a picture from the weekend:

Trying out Grandpa's hat.

Baptism

Isaac was baptized today!

"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:38-39

End of an Era

So this was my last official day of Maternity Leave. So, it's back to the real world with me. I feel that my brain has shrunk significantly during these last weeks, although I had been warned of this possibility with the introduction of miniature humans into one's life. Personally, I like to blame all the nonsense and partial words, and looking at books with disproportionate amounts of pictures in relation to words, and excessive repetition of same. It creates some sort of short circuit amongst the formerly functioning neurons in which the brain forgets how to think properly. Especially if said books rhyme. It is a very unfortunate truth, in my opinion.

Alas, this shall soon be remedied when I am forced to meander back into the halls of Family Medicine amidst my thronging fans (or, sick patients) and try not to mortally wound them with my pen and paper. Yes. This shall be fun. {Unless you are the sick patient.}

Also, in an effort to clear my conscience, I would like to confess my current infatuation with Strawberry Fruit Snacks from Target. They are "Ummy!" (See, I told you my brain cells were firing inappropriately.) And also I drink far too much chocolate milk. Yes, now I even eat like a toddler. Except that my toddler doesn't actually drink chocolate milk, or anything but water. Hmmm...

Well, anyway. Enough about my dietary habits and such. Please note that I think my babe is worth a few brain cells. In fact, I don't really remember my life before him. But then... maybe that's the brain damage again.

Drat.

Nothing new to add today.

Since several of you have asked, Yes, Isaac did well at the trial run of "school." He wasn't thrilled when I left, but I wasn't very stealthy about it. It didn't take him long to settle down, and they said he did fine. He played in the gym, and ate a snack, and they were singing songs when I came back. He was excited to see me, tho! (And what mother doesn't love that?!)

I did not take pictures of anything today, but blog posts are never complete without a picture. So I'll go with an oldie.

Horsey Ride!

Breakfast of Champions: Corn on the Cob

Isaac was clearly very excited this morning about his breakfast appetizer...

Corn on the Cob?
Hmmm... In March no less...


Or not.

Apparently in Ethiopia the preferred manner of ingesting one's banana is to implement a horizontal patterning of bites.

Tricky.

Well, now we know.

Higher Education

Monday Isaac starts school!

Ok, not really school. It's actually Day Care. But it's AT a school, and there will allegedly be some degree of schoolishness involved. So, apparently somewhere in-between naptime and snacktime and running around in the gym they teach them some Spanish and Sign Language. I'm not that excited about it, to be honest. English might be a more reasonable first step, I feel. Or how about some Amharic?

Anyway, he had a whole list of things that we were supposed to bring for his class (you know, kleenex, watercolor paints, wipes, crayons, glue stick... the usj for school supplies, and daycare supplies as well I learned.) And he has a backpack-- to carry his blanket for naptime! :) He does love the backpack. At least in the "put it on, take it off, put it on game" sort of way.

So, we are taking a practice run, spending a couple hours there tomorrow. Then he starts for real on Monday, going 3 days a week. (That means I start back to work on Monday! Eek!)

Sportin' the pack.

{Love this boy}

First Haircut

Isaac got his first haircut today!
(He pretty much looks the same. Just a little less out of control.)


Checkin out the cool chair!


And the spray bottle.


Maybe some tv. (Which you cant see...)

'
Lookin' good!


Ok, enough.

I wasn't sure he would sit very still, but overall, he did really well!

Adventures a la Dentista

Isaac got a good report at the dentist!
(and so did I! I know you'll all be proud.)
Ok, so they really didn't do anything. Just looked in his mouth as best they could without causing trauma, and said he had all his teeth for his age and they looked fine as far as they could tell but let us know if he seems to be having any problems and moved us up and down in the chair and gave him a new toothbrush. And no, they didn't charge us for this, which I thought was nice. I guess the point is to get them used to being there and not to be scared. So I'm supposed to bring him again when I go back next time, which will be in 6 mos for my next regular cleaning.

Sing with me now: (to the tune of Row, Row, Row your Boat)

Brush, brush, brush your teeth.
At least two times a day.
Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning, cleaning,
Fighting tooth decay.
Floss, floss,floss your teeth.
Every single day.
Gently, gently, gently,gently,
Whisking Plaque away.

Inspiring, isn't it?

Too Cool.

It's all about the shades.

Swingin Good Time

"Abo" is here to visit!
And it was a nice afternoon (and light later!) and we went out to test out the swings.






I think he liked them alright.

Little Fishie

This weekend we were out of town and stayed a hotel with a pool.
Isaac loved swimming!


He was hesitant at first.


But it didn't take long!






When it was time to go, he was shivering like an eskimo,
but he didn't want to get out!

Ode to a Long-Lost BFF

Last week we got to go play with Eric and Jana's Dreamchildren again, since they were chillin' in town for a spell.

So Isaac checks out the car drop thing.
(Yeah, it's a technical term.)

This is Evan.
I think he was not sure why I was taking his picture.

Sharing a snack.
(Ok, let's be honest. Isaac was just stealing Evan's food.)

Trent and Kate riding the Big Singing Horse.
Yes, it is as cool as it sounds.
Maybe even cooler, if that's possible.

Unfortunately, I squandered this whole week, and now they are leaving town again.
But... it was fun while it lasted.

64 Degrees

That was yesterday's weather. So, we took full advantage and went out in the yard when Ababa got home, and played with the ball!

We've recently learned that Isaac LOVES being outside. We went for a walk in the stroller last week, and he was very distraught when the walk ended. He didn't want to come back in. Could be because he got to wear his coat, but I'm not sure. He usually leaves it on in the house anyway. (Like right now, for instance.)

Anyway. So we played in the yard.
(Without a coat!)
It was fun.
The end.
Commence the Visual Aids.







Court's Ruling: Cutest Kid Ever.

My Favorite Book Ever.

Ok, not MY favorite book.

John and I have actually come to hate this book dearly.
Also, we have it memorized.

Now, Isaac does not have a terribly extensive command of the English language.
For instance, I would love it if he called me Mama once in a while without prompting.

But, as of today...he knows this book by name.
(Clarification: A name, not the name.)

I guess it even tastes good.
I see how I rate.

Anyway, so the book starts Left Foot, Left Foot, Right Foot, Right.
So, naturally, he calls this book
"Left Foot."
aka "weh-fu"

So here he is demanding that I read it to him.


And resorting to begging.



But in the end, thou shalt be rendered defenseless against his cuteness.

And you MUST give in.
Even tho you hate that book.
He'll be so excited he won't be able to hold still.
As evidenced here.

At Least Someone Thinks I'm Funny

And He Is...

ጣሚራት

Tamirat



Amazing

Photography Lesson #1: Up Close and Personal

Photography Lesson #1:
The best way to get a lovely portrait is to have the subject press their nose in the end of the lens.

Pants on the Ground

And in case you have no idea what I'm talking about, check out this American Idol audition:

Happy 2 Months of Forever-versary!

Dear Isaac-
You are my hero.
Love, Your Mom.

New Verbage

Thanks to our dearly beloved Auntie Amber,
Isaac has a new repertoire of words.
These include:

Eew
Yucky (ucky)
and
Gross (gussss)

And Daniel was teaching him Nasty,
but I can't recall his pronunciation of this word right now.

All perfect for diaper changing time,
and other various and sundry events
wherein one might encounter filth
in one form or another.

In other news, he regularly uses the word "ball" (ba or baw) in the proper context.
He also says "down" (sounds more like dum or do) and points to the floor.
Cookie (cookoo)
Baby (Sounds remarkably like BeepBeep, which is car,
so you have to know what he's playing with)
Amen
Shoe (Sometimes pronounced Shooey; also used for socks)
Buh-Bye
Hi
Hello
Please (bwiss)
Thank you (teetoo) which lately he says like everything you give him is The. Greatest. Ever. "TEEEtoo!" So cute.
No-No (wonder where he picked that one up...)

And he mimics everything you say! This is great fun.
And slightly dangerous.

(If I think of more, I'll add them to the list, because I know you are all so on edge wondering what my kid is doing.)


Can you tell she is trying to warp his mind?
Gotta keep your eye on that one.

Ode to the MotherLand: A Weekend Review

We had a great time at the Homefront!

Isaac met Grandpa!

We even visited him at work, and met his friends.

And Great-Grandma!


And Great-Aunt Donna!


Who gave him a fancy fire truck that sings a song

(a song we've heard now approximately 33 billion times,
but just never loses its charm)

And some books!


He met Uncle Daniel, too!


And fed Daniel's bottle lamb...

With some help from Amber.

He helped Daniel play the guitar.


And saw lots of snow...


We can't wait to go back!