Isaac, 7 1/2 months

"Pumpkin rocks!" -Isaac

And here is a glimpse of his newest skill 

Happy Birthday, Brian

We went to The Rookery for Brian's birthday dinner tonight.  We ate off the menu and Isaac ate avocado.  He is obsessed with avocado and I could show you some gross diaper pictures to prove it, but I'll spare you this time.  Instead, here are a couple cuter non-diaper pics:

In Brian's words, "Man, he eats avocado like a Yost!"  (meaning in large quantities and with vigor) 

Later, also in Brian's words:  "I can eat dessert like a Yost."

After dinner, Brian has taken to touring Isaac around the restaurant to say hi to folks.  This table happens to be some friends from church, but Isaac gets to meet plenty of new faces this way too.

 

Prior to dinner, Isaac and I surprised Brian with a couple new photos and some flowers to spruce up his office a bit.  With no window and the dark of winter, a little fresh faces and color was a welcome gift.

Happy 36th, Brian!

Hello Mobility

This little man is now officially a crawler.  Look out!

Foooooood.

Isaac would love to eat anything we eat.  I tell him, "Sorry kid, someday you can have a ham sandwich.  Today, though, you get pureed broccoli."  

He rolls with it and takes what he can get.

He thinks strawberries are quite nice!

 I'm calling this the "Isaac Gaze."

Happy 7 Months, Isaac

Isaac is now 7, count 'em SEVEN months old!  

He is a snuggly boy, with an intense gaze.  He studies and observes all new people and settings, taking it all in before he decides how to respond.  

He is a hearty eater and a great sleeper.  His favorite solid foods so far are avocado, broccoli, and strawberries.  He likes to be the one to bring the spoon to his mouth.  He is now a log roller, and has learned to sleep on his belly or his back.    

He is very expressive with his face and communicates his feelings very clearly.  People comment on this wherever we go.  His voice is strong and he feels passionately, and he is quick to soothe.  

He loves massage and reading books.  

He has opinions now about the books we read!  We set three in front of him and let him choose.  He intensely looks at all three of the covers and after about 45 seconds, he reaches out to the one he prefers.  

He loves his daddy, lighting up whenever he enters the room and making the saddest face when he leaves.  

In spite of his immobility, the boy loves to move.  He rarely sits, always wanting to arch up and get his feet under him to bounce or sway side to side.   When he is on all fours, he rocks back and forth, does planks and downward dogs, and scoots himself backward underneath the furniture.  We have ordered a baby gate to go in front of the pellet stove…

More glimpses of Isaac

At over 20 pounds, Isaac is starting to give us some serious arm workouts….and smiling all the while.  

Whadya think Uncle Tom - does he look ready to take the mound?  :)

We drove out the road today for Brian to help out at the arboretum while the owners are out of town.  The snow level was up over the top of his Xtra Tuffs, so we were sure to bundle Isaac up to look like the only bear in Juneau not currently hibernating.  Thanks Grandma Val!

Isaac's First Christmas

 We enjoyed a quiet Christmas this year.  On Christmas Eve, we walked three minutes to our church's candlelight service and stopped along the way in front of the "Christmas House" for a family photo.  Yet another example of fun quirkiness happening in our 'hood.  Our friend, Becca, joined us for church, admitting she hadn't been to a Christmas Eve service since the '90's.  This year she had a hankering and asked if she could join us.  :)

Brian and Isaac went up for children's time together, as has been the case every Sunday we've gone to church together.  It's their thing.  :)

Isaac had already fallen asleep for the night, and we woke him up for the service.  He did great and was calm and content until the very end, when he made it clear he had had enough.  We brought him home, he nursed, and went back to sleep for a solid 10 hours.  Merry Christmas to us!

Brian made his trademark sourdough pancakes for breakfast Christmas morning.

Isaac is thrilled!

Maude is hopeful to get some syrupy plates to lick.

Brian and Isaac do their morning "push-ups" to help breakfast settle.

These two are very interested in each other.

Merry Christmas from Isaac, with a little avocado on the side...

We spent most of Christmas Day just hanging out and simultaneously preparing to host dinner with some new friends from church.  We cleaned and cooked and had a nice dinner with Jeff & Tonda, who  both hail from the Midwest and are new to Juneau.  We had a good visit with them, and ate Amish Peanut Butter over ice cream for dessert.  (Merry Christmas to Mama!)  :)