Sleep Away

Isaac and I headed to Lincoln on Friday to visit a few friends. We'd originally intended to drive first to Nebraska City to see some friends there, but by the time we'd gone a distance that should have taken a little over an hour, we'd had to stop four times for Isaac to get out of his car seat and calm down. The kid was just not having a car trip. So we scrapped the Nebraska City plan and finally made it as far as Lincoln where we went to Target and then hung out at Barnes & Noble until it was time to go meet Keller. Keller, who has just turned two, has all sorts of interesting things to talk about, not to mention some serious dance moves. Keller's mom and dad, Katie and Butch are also awesome. After some really good take-out from The Oven, my favorite restaurant in Lincoln, and some quality time with Keller and company, Isaac and I headed out again for a sleep over with his cousins. My cousin and his wife were at the Nebraska football game in Seattle, but their boys, Caden and Ian, were home and Aunt Judy was babysitting for the weekend. Caden was there to greet us and to meet Isaac, but Ian (who'd already met Isaac during our August family reunion), although he tried so hard to stay awake for us, was sacked out on the couch when we arrived. We apologize for being so late, but, like Ian, Isaac was fast asleep as well. The next morning, when everyone was up and energized, Isaac had a busy time letting Caden, Ian, and Aunt Judy entertain him.

Keller

Keller, Katie, and Baby Ike

Playing ball for the first time.

Caden hanging out under the coffee table

and looking strikingly like his dad Phillip.

Ian reading Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes to Isaac

Cuddling.

Cereal

About two weeks ago, Isaac has his first taste of rice cereal. The baby books as well as my mom prepared me for rejection--he won't like it at first, he'll spit it out, there will be more cereal on him than in him. Isaac likes to do most things in front of an audience here in Nebraska, and cereal was no exception. Gathered around the high chair were my mom, dad, grandma, and aunt. Isaac surprised us all when he took to it right away, leaning toward the spoon, swallowing the entire first bite, and eventually grabbing onto my arm to make sure I was going to put each subsequent spoonful in his mouth. He ate the entire bowl and definitely made a very distinctive "Mmmmm," at one point. Really. The first bowl was pretty runny, but I've been gradually thickening it. He's been less interested in the last couple days, so I haven't decided yet if I'm making it too thick now or if he's just bored of rice and would like something newer and more exciting. Next on the menu is oatmeal--a food Ricci loves but about which I am less than enthusiastic. We'll be interested to see where Isaac stands on the issue. Vegetables, I've decided, will wait till we get back to Idaho so Ricci can be there for that first.

"What's this Mom?"

"Interesting..."

"More please..."

"Woah. I totally love this stuff."

Uncle Gabe and Uncle Felix

Last weekend, as part of his Nebraska adventures, Isaac traveled to Hershey, Nebraska to meet Ricci's uncles, Gabe and Felix. When we drove into town, we were greeted by a parade down main street. Apparently the parade had nothing to do with us, but it did make navigating the small town of Hershey surprisingly tricky. Both Gabe and Felix had Isaac laughing and smiling during our entire visit. Isaac had a great time with his uncles, and we hope to see them again on his next trip to Nebraska.

Isaac and Uncle Gabe

Isaac and Uncle Felix