Isaac and the Dentist

It is true, the 2nd children don't get as many pictures and often sometimes "firsts" don't get written about very quickly. At the beginning of this month we took Isaac too his first dentist visit. (and Davis had his first true cleaning including flossing!) Our dentist recommends beginning to bring them in at about 1 1/2 years old just to start getting them used to the office, and have their first dentist experience. Isaac's teeth look great, kinda crowded and an overbite from sucking his thumb, but they are all coming in as planned!Lately, Isaac hasn't loved to be with strangers, but the way these ladies just made all the kids comfortable he had no problem!

I knew we'd have to arrive early to play on their rocket ship indoor playground. Slides, climbing, a big TV, and some gaming equipment for the older ones. The dentist is now definitely the place to be! It was next to impossible to get them out of there!

While there are TV's on the other side of the room, Isaac was more mesmerized by the snowmen on top of the hygienists cabinets! Not to mention, he was given one of his favorite things; a ball!

Let It Snow!

Last Saturday we received a special present when we woke up -- snow!! Last year, when it snowed we handled it differently because I was so determined to make a snow man. What else is the point of this little bit of snow?! We realized afterwards that we didn't really let Davis "enjoy" the snow since we were so intent on building the snowman. This year we actually played in it and didn't worry about scrounging up the tiny bit of snow that was on the ground to make a little snowman.

This sled is one of the sleds my Dad used to ride when he was a kid. Mom gave me them last year and I used them as decorations on our front porch. Well, this year when there was snow on the ground Davis and I thought we should put them to good use! So we gave it a try and the snow on the ground was just enough for us to glide through for a little while!

Scruffy. Party Animal.

Really, this is just another "watch our cute boys" video.

Christmas Begins!

I took the kids to Target today for some pictures. I think they turned out pretty well, though we had a hard time getting Isaac to smile. Davis was very well behaved and full of expression. (the bribery of getting a cookie afterward works wonders!) I only picked one to print, but had the rest emailed to me so that I could at least keep them in some way!

Precious Brothers.

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P.S. Thanks Grandma for the train sweaters and pants. We think they are really cool.

Love, Davis & Isaac

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And for tomorrow: Breakfast with Santa! (much overdue!)

Thanks Friends!

I'm thankful that I have friends who take pictures of my kiddos even when I don't! Here Davis and Isaac area dressed up! Enjoy!

Our little monkey

Our little orange tiger. :)

Peanut Butter and Applesauce

Isaac loves to feed himself. I don't remember Davis being so into it like Isaac is, but maybe it is a matter of survival for him! Honestly, he probably can get half of his food in his mouth using a spoon. We still make a huge mess, but isn't this what learning is all about?!Also, I should mention that Isaac doesn't like bibs anymore. They are ripped off usually within a few seconds and if he is eating something that probably won't stain, then I don't usually pick that battle...

Pumpkin Time!

A couple of Saturdays ago we carved our pumpkin for the season! Neither of the boys wanted anything to do with the goop in the middle of the pumpkin, so I was pretty much the creator of "Fred" (named by Davis)

Oh! And if anyone is interested in a book that brings a non Halloween twist to carving pumpkins, you may want to check out The Pumpkin Patch Parable by Liz Curtis Higgs. Davis especially enjoyed it and it relates carving a pumpkin to how God changes (cleans us out) to make us shine like light in the world.

We did dress up but unfortunately I don't have any pictures! Davis wanted to be an orange tiger so he was Tigger. I told him he had to bounce for people in order for them to give him candy, which was really cute. Isaac was a monkey, equally as adorable. :)

What Does Isaac Love The Most About Visiting Grandma and Gramps?

Of course we know the answer is undivided attention from Grandma and Gramps, BUT from the looks of these pictures, the answer seems to be Molly and Rosie! Mom recently gave me her camera with over 600 pictures, many of them I had never seen! Here are a few from when I was away on my girls getaway and Isaac stayed with Grandma and Gramps!

Who could every resist this adorable face?!!
He loved his time with my parents. When he left me, he was a little baby, when he returned he had become a little boy just blossoming with personality! It was so much fun to see how a few days away from the rest of us could benefit him! We'll definitely be doing more of these "split up the boys" times! Thanks so much Mom and Dad!

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Isaac's Got Wheels!

A couple of months ago, Isaac was at a friends house and just simply loved his little cozy coupe. In general Isaac can be occupied for a long time with any type of toy that has a steering wheel! Ever since, I have been on the lookout for one we could get for him from craigslist. Yesterday was the day! He received his set of wheels and is absolutely thrilled.

Isaac Walks!

Isaac took off in his walking ability while he was away at Grandma and Gramps's house! When I left him there, he was walking about 1/3 of the time, and now he is walking almost all of the time!! Here is a glimpse of his new talent. He still falls very often. (proof are the bruises on his head!) It is so much fun to have two big boys! We are so proud of you Isaac!! And out of curiosity I looked up Davis's new walking. So cute!

Can't Sleep

I am beside myself with anticipation for this weekend. For over a year, this reunion has been planned for my best friends from high school to go to the beach for 4 days. No kids. No husbands. AND those days begin tomorrow for me!! I can hardly believe it and I don't really know what to do. I have never been away since Davis has been born without kids or Dan, so this is a first in the last 33 months! Well, I can't sleep, so I am going to post a few cute pics of the boys from a couple of days ago!

Isaac's 2nd finger painting experience! This one he was able to "get into" a bit more then a couple weeks ago. (after he realized it wasn't food and it wasn't supposed to go in his mouth...) Ha!

Isaac holds his hands out like this whenever he wants to be picked up. It is one of my favorite and most adorable things that he does. As you can see he was covered from head to toe in paint, I think a bit even was captured in the roof of his mouth. :)When we went to the shoe store with Mom to buy Isaac's 1st shoes, Davis spotted Thomas boots, Thomas umbrellas, and this Thomas raincoat. (they know toddlers well!) Sweet Grandma ended up getting Davis this most adorable raincoat. I wished I had let him go out and really play in the rain. But after the fact had to be good enough this time!

And... what will my boys be up to this weekend? Well Dan and Davis will be having lots of manly adventures, and Isaac is headed to spend a special weekend with Grandma and Gramps! Both are going to have undivided attention! I'm excited for them!!

New Shoes!

Well, a much belated post here of Isaac in his new shoes!

Actually, I took a bunch of really cute pictures on our camera and... well... we have had an unfortunate mishap. I had been taking pictures outside and couldn't find the camera when we were coming in. I didn't think much of it, and just assumed I had brought it inside and set it somewhere.

Unfortunately, at dinner that night Dan was looking out the window and saw the camera sitting on the grill. Then the wonderful question comes: "Was our camera outside during the rain storm?" Whoops. I am going to claim Mommy brain in that it seems my mind is always going in 10 different directions.

The camera is drying out in hopes that it will still work. As for the SD card with my really great pictures, I just tried to open it on the computer and it said that there aren't any pictures on it. I don't think that is a good sign. For now, here are some pics I took instead on our old camera before naptime yesterday.

Davis and Isaac love to look out the window together. While I was reading Davis a story before nap time today Isaac was waving out the window, smiling, then banging on the window saying "hiiiii" Usually he is saying hi to a car, or a bird, or something else. When I peeked out the window, there was a happy van of ladies waving up at Isaac! How they spotted our little friendly guy, I don't know!! :)

On the move in his adorable shoes! It has taken us a couple weeks to be able to put them on without him curling his toes. Just now we are getting the hang of it! Oh! and at almost 14 months Isaac is now choosing to walk about 1/3 of the time. It is so much fun to see him up on his feet. Davis is the best at getting excited, I love to hear him say "Look Mommy! Isaac's walking!!!"

Thanks Grandma and Gramps! We can't wait for ya'll to be home!!

Rosie

We have a new dog in town. Actually, my parents are on vacation so Scruffy has the honor of having his Aunt? Cousin? Rosie come visit. It has been really fun for all of us and she is a really sweet girl. As we speak, her parents are cruising across the Atlantic from London to Boston after visiting my Uncle Tommy in Ireland. I can't wait to see their pictures, but for now I'll just show you a few of ours!

Rosie has become quite accustomed to our fenced in backyard. She loves to run around with or without us, dig, and just stare at our neighbors barking dogs. She really has been so polite with them because they just bark and bark and she just looks at them with the most innocent little face, as if asking... why?

Here is the current favorite area of play for our boys. Rosie's cage! Davis absolutely loves to dance and sing on top of it and Isaac cannot get enough of opening and closing the door. We may not give it back!! And, excuse the underwear pic of Davis... we were in the midst of special times at our house that I have promised not to post details about. But, I guess it would be alright to give you 5 words though.... dry the past three nights!!!!!!!!Rosie spends a lot of time here, locked at the top of the stairs. She just lays on the stairs when we are not with her downstairs. This has prevented her smelling where Scruffy has "made mistakes" before, in hopes that she won't have any at our house. She has been such a good girl. Isn't she cute. :)

Best Friends Forever.

Oh, and Rosie wanted to add a little message: "Woof, woof, lick, lick, I miss you Mommy and Daddy, but I'm having doing great and having so much fun with Scruffy!!!"

I'm Gonna Miss This

The other day at concert in the park, which has become a Thursday summer tradition for our family, I had a nostalgic moment that reoccurs in my thought life about the kids growing up.

For this particular example: The music was playing; I was dancing with Davis; Dan was playing with Isaac, and we were surrounded by many different people, many of them grandparent age and older. Those older folks usually smile at us. I imagine them thinking and reminiscing "remember when little jimmy was that age, wow he grew up so fast." It always plays in my mind like that instead of imagining them saying "remember when jimmy was that age, I'm so glad it is over!" Then I get teary imagining Dan and I being older and Davis and Isaac not being with us anymore. (Dan says we'll be out traveling the world, so I don't need to worry because life will be so exciting I won't have time to be sad.) :)

For me, our boys are growing up so fast and they are only 2 1/2 and 1. I often get teary thinking about them growing up and leaving us, or even just not needing and wanting the hugs every moment, or Davis not giving me his "machine gun" kisses before bed, or calling from his room in the middle of the night "mommy, I need my covers on." Sometimes I think I am being selfish, I mean, wishing my kids would never grow up?! Mourning them leaving the house when they are just toddlers now?! I must be a weirdo!!!

I know I have to be careful to enjoy each and every stage and moment. There are the hours and days when I want to pull my hair out because of not having time for me, a temper tantrum, or a really needy baby. But, even in those moments I am trying to just slow down, realize that this is only a moment, and that while I will enjoy the next season, there will be things that I will miss in this current season.... definitely even the needy baby who wants his mommy just about every moment.

I love our boys so much and it is a joy to watch them grow up. There hearts are so moldable and precious. It'll be awesome to see what God has in store for them when they do one day "leave our home." Had to move this pic to this post!

Backyard Fun!

Getting ideas from friends blogs could be a theme of our last couple of weeks. :) Last Sunday we decided it would be fun to put the slide from our playset into our little pool. (thanks Kami!) Isaac had an absolute blast, but Davis didn't get into it quite as much. He enjoyed the tire swing that Dan hung that day much more! Oh! And one piece of advice: the little plastic slide is not made for adults. :) After Dan and I slid down it, it needed a little repair!

Isaac's Cabinet

This used to be Davis's cabinet and now it is Isaac's. I am not a great housekeeper (as many of you know!!) so this cabinet does not bother me in the least. The method to clean it up is to pretty much toss all the plasticware back into the closet as quickly as possible after emptying the dishwasher or after Isaac has played in it.

Kiddie Carnival!

Over the next few days I am going to try to play catch up on life's activities! I really don't have any excuse other then blogging has not been a huge priority lately!! A couple weeks ago we headed to the Athens Kiddie carnival, to let Davis ride is first rides after reading my friend's blog. (thank you Kimberly!!!) It will definitely be a family tradition until the kids are at least 4. It was amazing that all of the rides were geared towards about 2 years until about 4 or 5! What a wonderful idea!!!

All Davis wanted to know before we arrived was whether they had a train or not. Well, here he is on the little kiddie train that he LOVED! For the first few times around the track Davis kept his hands over his ears, as you can see by the picture, he soon became used to it!

Rocket ships! Davis did hang on to the sides for most of this ride until he learned from some other kids what he was supposed to be doing with that item in front of him. :)


That is my "baby!" At the highest point on the ferris wheel he was probably about 30 feet in the air. Each time they would stop to reload the swings, they would shake so much! I think this mommy was more nervous then the kids!!

Next year Isaac! He was almost big enough for some of the rides, but other then riding the carousel he just enjoyed cheering his brother on.

Birthday celebrations!

Yesterday was filled with a happy birthday boy and a happy celebration! I really need to blog about our celebration with all of our family over 4th of July, but as we speak we are getting ready for David and Laura's wedding this weekend, so I am just going to tell you about our celebration on Isaac's "actual" birthday!

Isaac woke up happy as can be after waking up a couple times in the middle of the night. See those adorable big teeth?! Well, I think their neighbors to the right and left are trying to pop through for his birthday. :) (or maybe he was just so excited about his big day that he couldn't sleep!)

For birthday breakfast I served a couple of Isaac's favorites, eggs and watermelon. He can eat his weight in watermelon, and he LOVES it!

Before Dan left for work, we had Isaac open his card and a present.

Fast forward to dinner time, we had our good friends, Sharon and Oren over with their son, Aiden, to celebrate. Thankfully, they are very easy going as we served them burned hotdogs, burned corn, slightly overcooked sweet potato fries and less then frozen icecream. We had such a great time and Isaac loved it all! (well, except the icecream... not yet, but we did give him a cupcake which you can see he is devouring!!

Brotherly love. This is a small example of how it is hard to share as brothers. Isaac received a really fun toy from Aiden, but Davis was really the one who instantly wanted it after he helped him open it. Now that Isaac is mobile a whole new facet of this has come up as he can now "take" Davis's toys and "tear up" his things. (words in quotations are Davis's) I'll take any pointers ya'll want to give!! I know this is only the beginning!

Our wonderful friends (and thankfully, neighbors also!!) Thank you for coming for Isaac's special day!

A Moment We've all Been Waiting for!

Drum roll........ Isaac is CRAWLING!! Officially! The past few days he has been taking one little crawl and then falling, but today he started to really crawl, for real!! Thankfully, he isn't too quick yet, but I think even this morning he is enjoying his new found freedom of being able to reach a lot more things! I think I am about to become busier...

Great job Isaac! We love you!

What Joe Brooks Must've Looked Like as a Baby

File this one under "Disturbingly Cute".

Sister Time!

For the past couple months, Anne and I had been planning for some sister time, which happened this past weekend! Even living just a couple hours apart, it is hard to get together unless it is planned out far in advance. Life gets busy fast!

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Anne has taken up the hobby of sewing adorable little baby/toddler clothes! She made Davis's first birthday outfit and also a couple others for the boys. So, we decided we'd make the boys matching outfits as our project for the weekend.

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Friday we headed to Hobby Lobby to pick out fabric and get started. It was so much fun! I don't think I have the time right now to pick it up as a hobby, but maybe when the kiddos are a little bit older I'll follow in my sister's footsteps!

Davis and Isaac loved having Aunt Annie around, and they both helped out in their own ways. They were both fascinated by the sewing machine and watching the needle go up and down.
Here Isaac is in an outfit Anne made. Davis has a blue striped outfit just like it, so they are now ready for the 4th of July!

It is very hard to get these monkeys to sit still for pictures these days! Here are the finished products of their adorable outfits!
Thanks for coming to visit and for teaching me, Anne!

Isaac's Fun

Just had to share these pics of Isaac enjoying his time at Grandma and Gramps's house!

He absolutely loves dogs, especially Molly. She was really patient with his "petting," which in reality can be a little rough. "Gentle, gentle" are words you'll hear often around here when it comes to Isaac and doggies... but he just gets so excited!!

Isaac is trying to show you his brand new tooth! He began cutting it a couple weeks ago... hopefully I'll be able to get a picture soon of him with his no longer toothless grin!

Hangin' in the driveway with big brother and Grandma. He is the happiest baby around. We love him so much!

Isaac Rolls Over!

I've Got Personality!

Isaac's precious personality has been blossoming these days! Here are a few pics from this morning before Davis woke up. :)

Our little puppy

Davis loves to wear his shirts or pants on his head and pretend he is a puppy. We think he makes just about the cutest puppy ever.

Woof! Woof!After some hard work as a puppy, Davis relaxed with Isaac.

Isaac's Video

I finally wrapped up a short video of Isaac's first few days in this world. I hope you like it.

Isaac Week 2

So much has happened in the last week! Here is our week in pictures!

Grandma arrived to spend the week with us to help me adjust to being a mommy of 2 boys. It was so much fun to have her here, and I know she loved being with her grandsons!

Isaac's umbilical cord fell off, so he was able to have his first "full" bath! He wasn't too excited, but he'll soon learn it is fun!
Davis has loved Isaac's bathtub. He calls it his "pool." I think we'll be saving on water, since now Davis only wants to take baths in this little one rather then the big tub!
Dan's brother, Will and his family came to visit for the weekend. It was so much fun to have Uncle Will, Tita (aunt in Tagalog) Raf, Rob and Tom here! Davis really especially enjoyed the time playing with his aunt and uncle!
Proud Tita Raf!

After the full week, here is where you could find Isaac and Dan. :) What more comfy place then with your Daddy. Such special times!

A glimpse of our cutie with his eyes open! Hasn't been happening very often in the last 2 weeks!!

Isaac's video coming soon...

Over past few days, a few people have asked about when Isaac's birth video will be coming out. Some of you might remember a similar video that I did for Davis when he was born.

I've been up late tonight putting together a rough edit, and should have the polished* package done within the next few days. Oh, and a bit of a warning: since Isaac's story and Davis's story are very different, don't expect this video to be the same as the last one!



*As polished as you can get with Windows Movie Maker...

Isaac's Birth Story

The Plan:

• I go into labor, call my sister to head to the hospital so she can be there for the birth. Call my parents to drive up to take care of Davis and our neighbor would watch Davis till we get there. Check in at the hospital, labor for a few hours (short labor) and have a precious baby!

The REAL story of Isaac's delivery:

• Monday, July 14th, I woke up feeling different and having a lot of cramping. I decided that I should go into the doctor and be checked to see if my dilation was progressing. At my 9am visit the doctor finds me just the same as the Thursday before: 3cm and 70% effaced. "See you on Thursday for your regular check up" was the general thought. I went home, feeling a little bit silly, still cramping, but not feeling terrible. Throughout the day I continuously second guessed myself as I wondered, could these cramps possibly be the real contractions?
• As the day progressed, they started to hurt, but I just drank a lot of fluids wondering if they would eventually go away. By the time Dan got home, I was having to stop what I was doing when the "cramps" would come on... still second guessing myself. I wanted to continue with our plan to go to the Monday night concert in the park.
• 6:00pm: We arrived at the concert in the park and I had to stop and stand or sit still each time a contraction happened! By this time, I didn't have a huge question in my mind, but I was thinking that after our fun family outing we could go home, get our stuff together and head to the hospital. I thought we'd have plenty of time.
• 7:30pm: We leave the concert, and go home to put Davis to bed. On the way home I started crying because I was really starting to hurt, but I wanted Davis put down so that he could just wake up to his Grandma and Gramps if ended up really being in labor.
• 8:00pm: Dan puts Davis to bed. I call Mom and Dad and give them the heads up to come on up! Then I am doubled over on the bed in tons of pain. Dan throws everything in our semi-packed bags and our wonderful neighbor arrives to stay until my parents arrive.
• 8:30pm: The race is on as I have really intense contractions that seem to be coming almost immediately after one another. I'm crying and experiencing the worst pain that I have ever had. All I can think about is if I am only 5cm, they better be able to give me an epidural quick because I am in SO much pain!!! Dan and I pray for a quick delivery.
• 8:50pm: We arrive at the hospital and thankfully meet a nurse going off duty outside who was able to get me a wheel chair and take me up while Dan parked the car. I do my best to not push and to check in at the desk.
• 8:55pm: Thankfully, they just look at me and only make me sign 2 papers before rushing me back to the room where in between contractions (was there really an "in between" at that point??) I get dressed in a hospital gown and the nurse checks me and tells the other nurse that I am "full". I ask what that means, and she says that I am fully dilated, they can feel the Isaac's head, and once my water breaks the baby will come really fast.
• 9:00pm: They encourage me not to push because the doctor was just on the way from her house. Well, I couldn't help but push and my water breaks! 3 full pushes later Isaac is about to be born. In walks the doctor in just enough time (literally) to catch him!
• 9:11pm Welcome Isaac Daniel!! Needless to say, we don't have quite as many pictures for Isaac in this delivery story, as we did for Davis... he does have quite an exciting story though! Dan really did get his "TV show" delivery!
• 9:45pm: Anne arrives after driving up from Birmingham. :)

Nurse Sarah took great care of us!

Isaac Daniel, just a few minutes old!

Proud Daddy!

My wonderful sister, Anne! We really wish she could have been there for the delivery, but I am really glad I didn't have to enjoy that pain for even one more minute!! Thank you Annie for quickly coming to our sides!!!

In the next couple days we'll post some pictures of Isaac's first visitors and Davis first meeting his little brother!

He's here! Meet Isaac Daniel!

Well, our little guy has officially arrived. It started last night with a made-for-TV race to the hospital, and finished 21 minutes later with a doctor running into the room just in time to catch the little guy who couldn't wait to come out. We'll tell the story in another post, but for now, here's the stats and some pictures:

Isaac Daniel
born July 14 at 9:11 PM CST
6 lbs, 7 oz
18 inches long
official due date: Aug 12

First picture with Mom.


Hanging out in the nursery


With Mom and Dad