The Holidays Are Coming!!!

Because of the circumstances, Christmas decorations were at a minimum last year, so I'm making up for it this year! We had a snowday on Tuesday November 18th, so I took the day to begin to put up the Christmas tree! I achieved my goal over a couple days. Brian is on vacation this week and I know how much he loves the tree and decorations, so we just did it! Isaac was a little leary about the tree when it wasn't decorated and one of us had to go behind it in order to move it into position. He would cry because I think that he thought it was walking. I had to keep popping my head out from behind it to show that it was Momma and Daddy that were moving it. I got out the decorations and he helped me spread them out on the floor. He also helped by carrying around a hammer, a pot, and his monitor : ). He is obsessed to try and carry everything in one hand at the same time. He was very cute. Ignore the dates on the pictures - my camera needs reset...sorry.

Isaac and I have been down with a cold these last few days. No fevers or horrible sore throats, but nonetheless a cold. There were a few days that Isaac would be playing and energetic and suddenly he would pick up his bottle and blankie, say "Night, night." and begin walking to the steps. I would take him to his crib and he would zonk out for a few hours. It was really cute. I've been teaching him some signs and it is so helpful to have a way for him to communicate what he wants. Here is a video. He can tell me "All done" and "please." So cute.

Daddy usually makes it home when Isaac and I leave in the mornings and sometimes he's able to lie down in the bed to listen for Isaac while I get a shower. When I go in to get Isaac, we go say bye-bye to Daddy in our bedroom and blow him kisses we do this every night too. Well, last night, Daddy went out with friends and wasn't there to say good night to, but Isaac thought Daddy was in the bedroom. So when I took him up to his bedroom, he pointed into our bedroom and signed "please." I didn't know what he wanted, so I walked into our bedroom and he waved at the bed, said "night night," and blew kisses. How sweet is that?! That little monkey is such a love bug. He's had some real Daddy-son time and as you can see, he loves it! The holidays are going to be so special this year!

Taking The Monkey to the Zoo

On November 6, Mamma, Daddy, and the little monkey went to the Pittsburgh Zoo! We had a wonderful time even though Daddy was a little grumpy to have to wake up so early. We went with my preschool class, but got separated from them. So, we just enjoyed being there as a family. Isaac slept the whole way up, so he was in a good mood while we were there.

Our first stop was the tiger, but Isaac had a hard time seeing him among the plants. The tiger wasn't moving so, Isaac was a little confused about what we kept pointing at.

Then we went to the kangaroos, which were in a pen that we could walk through. Daddy was ready to pounce one if it got close to his little monkey. We didn't hang out in the pen for long because Daddy wasn't too comfortable with that, but we went to the gate and looked for a while. Isaac wasn't sure about them. Daddy was sure that the zoo keepers had drugged the animals because they were all acting sleepy.

Then, we went to the sea lions, which Isaac LOVED! He stood at the glass and giggled every time the sea lions swam toward him.

Then, we saw a rhinocerous, which Isaac just stared at.

Next were the zebras - Isaac wasn't interested.

The ostrich was cool because it was running and moving a lot. Isaac watched intently, but didn't get too excited.

Isaac LOVED the elephants! He giggled and bounced and pointed while he jabbered about them. They were walking around, making noise, and flapping their ears and trunks. He liked them a lot.

The giraffes were near the elephants, so Isaac just kept pointing at the elephants and ignored the giraffes.

When we went to the monkeys, we were surprised to find that our little monkey was not thrilled with them. He definitely didn't want to be put down and even though he didn't cry, he didn't smile either.

We had a lunch of french fries, chicken tenders, onion rings, and juice. Isaac was really thirsty and pretty hungry because he had just gotten over the stomach flu.

The bears were sleepy too. Daddy insisted they were drugged up, I think they were just sleepy.

Of course Daddy had to get our little monkey a stuffed monkey of his own. He wasn't sure of the real monkeys, but boy does he love his monkey from Daddy!

We had a wonderful day!