Isaac ~ 14 Months

Isaac is 14 months old today, though most of these pictures were taken yesterday.  It has turned into summer overnight here and its been wonderful to be OUTSIDE and playing so much!  Isaac got new shoes yesterday as he is a WALKER- you can't hold this kid back!  He has no fear!  At the playground he climbs and bounces all around.  He loves the seesaw and slides and swing. At a friend's house on Monday their slide had a tube shape to it and he managed to climb up it multiple times! 

About a week before Easter we officially weaned him- a short and much needed break for me from nursing!  He cried a bit the first night but has taken to a bottle extremely well since then.  He loves to eat!  Especially eggs for breakfast and any kind of meat or noodles.  We are signed up for a farmshare this summer and I am excited to offer him many veggies!

He LOVES his big sister Olivia- following her around, wanting to do what she is and playing with her.  He also loves hair.  He likes to eat my hair (cue my need for a haircut!) and pull his sisters.  We are definitely in the throes of sibling rivalry- just the beginning I suppose.  Any good sibling book recommendations out there?

He definitely has a loud and strong voice, but it is questionable as to whether he has any regular words yet.  He can make all the sounds. He says "dat" a lot- especially when pointing at light/fan ceiling combos.  He will sign more please- especially for a bottle of milk, or more food.  

In some moments, when he as a bottle or is sleepy, he is still my little baby but in others he is very much a little man growing up before our eyes!  I love him!!!

ME to PA in a week

A week ago we had the chance to accompany Nate to ME for his NELT meetings with the Navs.  The kids and I got to spend much time by the ocean and with our friends from VT and NY.  On the first afternoon we got to play in the sand, but then got caught in a major rain storm.  I wish I had pics of me carrying Isaac back on my shoulders in the rain while Olivia rode in the stroller...

On Thursday we headed through 6 states- Olivia kept track for us- to visit our friends at PSU.  Over the weekend we spent time with much loved and missed friends.  Thanks for seeing us!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Olivia!

Yesterday we celebrated Olivia's 3rd Birthday.  We kicked off celebrations Friday night at our Navs dinner at our house.  Saturday morning we had a change of plans :)  Originally we had planned to head to Bolton to spend some much needed time with Nana and Papa, but they called early in the day to say they were heading to Boston...more on that in a minute.  So we had breakfast at Atkins, Olivia enjoyed some apple juice and a chocolate chip scone, while we visited with Mary, our edger, and her parents who were down visiting from Maine.  Then our other Edger, Becca, offered to watch Isaac so Nate and I could take Olivia out for a special lunch, juts with Mommy and Daddy.  We headed to Friendly's where Olivia enjoyed some chicken fingers and fries with lots of ketchup, followed by a sundae!!!  The staff even sang to her and she blew out her second candle.  When we got home she opened her presents and played with them the rest of the day.  Later in the afternoon, we found out her very first cousin (my first nephew!) had been born!!!!  What a present!!!  Next Saturday we will have a party to celebrate both Olivia and Isaac!  

Olivia is one amazing little girl- independent, extroverted, expressive, fun, caring- she loves to help cook in the kitchen, or make her little brother laugh.  Recently we noticed she can color within the lines, really well, and is often drawing pictures of everything.  She went through a Cinderella movie phase, but currently likes to watch the veggie tales JONAH everyday.  She also likes Sesame Street, Word World, Daniel Tigers Neighborhood, and Sid the Science Kid.

This last year she had many changes and she really handled them well for such a young girl.  She welcomed her baby brother with open and gentle arms.  She moved to a toddler bed.  She said goodbye to PA and friends there and moved to MA with us.  She visited a new church every week this summer- doing amazing in each churches' Sunday school while we visited grown-up church.  She shares a room with her brother and sleeps in a twin bed.  She is fully potty trained, day and night, having completed potty training boot camp.  And really that was all before October!  

I am so thankful for Olivia- Happy Birthday!!!

First Birthday Cake on Friday Night with Navs Students

SO excited face about her birthday presents!

Learning to stamp with Mommy

Isaac 11 Months

The boy can walk!!!  He has been cruising around for awhile now and would even take a few steps between Nate and I but it was often with a leaning launch towards Mom and Dad after a step.  But just in the last week, and especially today, he is walking!  This morning Olivia was pushing her rocking chair around their room and said Isaac was walking. I assumed he was using it as a walker, but when I looked he was not holding on, just walking!  So that is definitely the big news for the month.  He has a full four teeth top and bottom, prefers nursing, especially at night and continues to just be a happy kid.  Here are the photos:

To Remember...

One of many highlights at PSU was meeting Carina and Rachel as freshmen women and walking life with them the next three years.  I hope I still walk with them through their lives.  I was so touched when Carina posted this on facebook the day we left:

"When I arrived at Penn State freshman year one of the first people I met was a barely pregnant Caroline. Three years, two kids, and many meetings at Panera and Starbucks later, I could not have asked for a better mentor and friend. Thanks for putting up with me for so long! State College is losing an awesome family and Amherst is gaining one. I love you guys! — with Nate Daman and Caroline Peirce Daman."

I am sure it will forever be on facebook, but I am not sure how I will find it so I wanted to document it here as well.  Thanks Carina!!!

Isaac 10 Months

Yes!  He is really ten months and though he does not officially walk- he is oh so close!  At his 9 month check up he was 29 inches long and 21 pounds, 7 ounces.  12 month clothes are a little small, but 18 months are a little big.  He has a voice and he is not afraid to use it- sometimes it sounds like he is really saying "mama" or "dada."  He loves his big sister.  He has 7 teeth and counting, 4 on top, 3 on bottom.  Wants to eat whatever he can get, and lately he really wants to feed himself- i.e. nothing from a spoon, only what he can pick up.  So eating can be a messy time for us these days.  Still not sleeping great.  Likes nursing, but is easily distracted.  And anytime I leave him somewhere, people comment on what a happy kid he is.  I agree!!!!

Riding his new motorcycle on Christmas Day from Aunt Liz

And these are from today- 10 months old!

Jesus' Birthday

Today is the first day back to school for some children, though college students are still on break.  So Olivia, Isaac and I headed to the Amherst Family Center for some fun this morning.  We went often earlier this fall and then life seemed to get busy and so we had not been in over a month.  A wonderful woman named Erica runs the center and remembered us- I don't know how she remembers so many children!  The family center is in the basement of a local church but is run by UMASS and other grants I believe.   Its an open playroom center with a snack and story time and lots of toys.  Basically a good place to connect with other parents- especially when its too cold to be outside much.

So as we were eating snack and chatting- Olivia asked Erica "Did you celebrate Jesus Birthday?"

Inside for a split second I wondered what I should say to explain or smooth things over.  But without missing a beat, Erica said, "Yes I did."  Followed by, "That was the first time a two year old has ever asked me that."

My heart soars a little bit that Olivia can and will share so openly and honestly   We talked over Christmas about how we were celebrating Jesus' Birthday.  (We also visited Santa at the mall:) And this reminds me about the time Olivia requested "Amazing Grace" during story time at the library and we sang it!

But this was quickly challenged by the reality of the culture we live in when Erica told Olivia that she also celebrates Winter Solstice.  We asked her more about what it is and how its celebrated- a big bonfire at the Audubon center telling native american stories.

It is great to learn about new things, but also a good reminder to figure out how to help Olivia and Isaac know and love God as well as navigate other beliefs as well.  I pray they will be shining lights to others for Jesus!