Thanksgiving...A Lot to Be Thankful For!

Thanksgiving was wonderful this year! My husband was home for Wednesday through Sunday and I was off all week from school. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday morning Isaac and I spent up at Granny's and Grandad's farm with his aunts, uncles, cousins, and Grandad. Granny was in China this year over Thanksgiving we really missed her, but we were all very excited for her. On Thanksgiving day, we went to Aunt Chrissy's for my husband's side of the family lunch - yummy! Aunt Chrissy had the spread so beautifully arranged and we all ate until we thought we'd bust! Then Mommy, Daddy, and baby left for my side of the family dinner at Aunt Lizzie and Uncle Andy's house. Again - yummy! By the end of the day, Mommy, Daddy, and Isaac all had had too much turkey and were really ready for bed (Isaac had turkey indirectly, of course)! All in all, a wonderful Thanksgiving was had by all. Life is just so full of blessings and we are so very thankful!!


These are the boys' fall pictures - such handsome little devils! During dinner, everyone was predicting what kinds of trouble they would be getting into next year at this time. Mommy, Daddy, Aunt Lizzie and Uncle Andy better not eat any turkey! We'll need all the energy we can get!

What a morning...what a wonderful baby!

This morning I heard the alarm go off at the usual 5:00 am. In my sleep-deprived mind, I was sure it was only 4:00 am, so I pushed snooze - for an HOUR! I usually need the full 2 hours to complete my routine of getting the baby, the dog, and myself ready and out the door (minus the dog, she stays home :). Well, I took a shower (I have to wash my hair unless I want to scare people), did my hair and makeup, and got dressed. I rushed downstairs sure that a half an hour had elapsed. I was feeding the baby while running around like a mad woman. All the while, Isaac and Izabel were looking at me perplexed. When I checked the time, it was only 6:00 am - I had gotten ready in 10 MINUTES! I took a deep breath and sat down to feed Isaac, took Izabel out, and had time to fix my coffee. I even had time to take out the trash and I wasn't late for work! Maybe I should do this more often - I got 7 full hours of sleep!! Isaac is sleeping more at night and is more awake during the day. He eats at around 10:00 pm and sleeps until around 1:00 or 2:00 am and sleeps until 5:00 or 6:00 am. He's such a good baby - it's too bad his mother is a looney toon!

Witnessing a Little Miracle

Since I learned how to post videos, I went home last night to take some video of Isaac during his most awake time of day (7:00 pm to around 9:30 pm). As I taped him looking around, he got really relaxed and settled in for a very short rest. He was so beautiful that I decided to capture some video of him falling asleep. As he drifted off, he gave me the biggest smile! Watch the video and around the 2 minute mark, he smiles so big that you can see his dimples. His smiles are so fleeting that when you catch one, you feel as if you've witnessed a little miracle. I can't wait until he is smiling as part of interaction. I know at this point his smiles are a result of gas, but I say it is because he loves his mommy and daddy (mommies and daddies are allowed to lie to themselves about these sorts of things, right?).

I have tried to upload this video all day with no luck! It is a large file, so maybe it won't work - I hope it will, but I'll have to try it another day. Take my word for it, his smile makes your heart melt and it makes you giggle because it is such a happy smile. If this video doesn't work, don't worry. There will be a million more smiles to come!

Video!

This video was taken about 4 weeks ago, but I just figured out how to post it. He's so cute! Now that I know how to do this, there will be more video to come, so keep checking!



I know the video isn't the most exciting, but at the time it was taken, it was just exciting that he was awake. The next video will be a current one.

Isaac and Mommy Played Dress-up!

Last night, Issac and I played dress-up! Isaac was so patient as I changed his outfits, positioned him, and put his hands where I wanted them. I kept getting ideas and when I finally went to bed at 11:00 pm, I realized that I had taken over 200 pictures in one night! That's how you get the good ones! I have a very patient little boy - and very photogenic, if I do say so myself.

Mrs. Davisson, a secretary at Preston, made an adorable sweater for him!





Aunt Yvonne made Isaac a beautiful (and comfy) blanket.

Sherry, a teacher at Preston, bought him this sports sleeper and then Aunt Pat and Uncle Bob got him this plush sports blanket. Isaac is holding a ball from Landon's Library.

Aunt Chrissy and Uncle Scott got him a jungle blanket and Domonick gave him the giraffe he is holding. The camo outfit was a gift from Aunt Lisa and Uncle Roger. The other animals were gifts from our church family from the baby shower (that Isaac got to attend)!

Can you tell that Daddy's away and I have to find ways to amuse myself?

Day-By-Day, Oh Dear Lord...Help Me!

As Thanksgiving and Christmas get closer, our family gets more excited for what is just around the corner. This Christmas brings lots of blessings for us. My husband will be finished with the academy in December - thank the Lord! At the end of the fall semester, I will have my graduate studies certification in deaf and hard of hearing education pre-k through adult! And of course, we will be able to enjoy our little one together as a family at home! It's hard not to get impatient for all of the "lights at the end of the tunnel," but allowing ourselves to think about them too much makes the days drag on and on. Living in the present makes the days much more bearable, but it is truly a challenge. The lesson learned if we can live in the present, though, will build our character (that's what I'm telling myself to stay focused on today - it's really stinkin' hard!).

Daddy had Veteran's Day home from the academy, so we had a nice three-day family weekend - refreshing! We had to take Isaac to the doctor for a check-up and you'll never believe the update! Our little boy is now 19 1/2 inches long (that's 2 1/2 inches since he was born) and 7 1/2 lbs (that's 2 lbs 10 oz since he was born!)! His cheeks are getting chunkier and he is outgrowing most of his preemie clothes and is definitely in newborn diapers!

My husband is in his 11th week at the academy! 5 to go! He has a short week this week because of Veteran's Day and he is home Thrusday, Friday, Saturday, and returns Sunday next week for Thanksgiving! After that, only three weeks left! We can do this! Keep praying that the weeks go quickly for all of us! Isaac and I are so excited to go to Daddy's graduation and we will post pictures immediately following the event.

Until then, I am concentrating on living in the present - "I think I can, I think I can...)

Family Fun!

A couple of weeks ago, Isaac and I spent the day with Aunt Chrissy and Grandma and got crafty. I thought it would be nice if all the aunts, uncles and grandparents had a picture and a set of baby Isaac footprints to have. So, Aunt Chrissy, Grandma, and Mommy took advantage of naptime in order to get the footprints. Grandma watched and felt sorry for baby Isaac while Mommy and Aunt Chrissy had perhaps a little too much fun painting his little feet with black paint and pressing them onto paper. Poor Isaac has no idea what he's in for - welcome to the family little boy.

After Grandma cleaned Isaac's feet, he rested on Grandma comfy as can be. Grandmas are always a comfy place to sleep.