Zoo

Dear Mom,

The zoo does not impress me. Not even the porcupine. Nice try.

Love,
Isaac

Three Months

Isaac hit the three month mark on June 18th. We look at him every day and marvel aloud to each other over just how big he's gotten (15 lbs at our last short-notice pediatrician's visit). Recently, he's begun sleeping six to occasionally eight(!) hour stretches at night. He smiles often and now even frequently gives something very near a real laugh. His digestive system continues to be...boisterous (see a fore mentioned, last minute pediatrician visit), and Mom is now avoiding not only dairy but soy. She can assure that there is soy in almost everything. He also continues to love the fish on his mobile, laying in his crib talking and laughing at them for minutes on end. Other current hobbies include full time thumb/hand sucking, being held upright against Mom's chest so he can look over her shoulder, and, recently, kick boxing with the monkey that hangs above his play mat. We love, love, love him and even though three months have seemed to pass so quickly, we can hardly remember a time when he wasn't with us. Isaac rocks.

Travels with Isaac

Ike and Mommy took their first big trip the first week of June. We flew to Albuquerque so Mommy could work on the research for her dissertation and Isaac could meet some of Mom and Dad's Albuquerque friends.

Day 1: Baby in a Bag
Isaac proved to be a much better traveler than Mommy. Mommy missed the exit to Connie and Pete's house, putting them behind schedule from the start. Then, when Connie dropper them off at the airport, Mommy left two full bottles and her cell phone in the car. Luckily Connie spotted them and saved the day, and possibly the trip, by chasing after her with them.

At the airport.

Isaac loved the airport and loved seeing it all from the vantage point of his carrier sling (yes Leslie and Rekha, Casey bought a sling--the one baby carrying device she used to mock mercilessly. She finds it indespensible, if a little hard on her back). We ran into a little girl waiting to board the same flight and when her dad saw us, he said, "Look. A baby." To which the little girl replied, "A baby in a bag!" Sling, bag, whatever.

Isaac slept through take off and was a trooper during landing, cuddling up against Mom, sucking intently on his pacifier and looking around suspiciously--but no tears at all.

Day 2: Bubbas!

Bella and Ike

During our time in Albuquerque we stayed at Isabella's house along with her mom Cara, her dad Steve and their dog Vale. Bella is 11 months old and she loved Isaac. She was also kind enough to share some things she's grown out of, including her car seat, her pack n' play and her bouncy seat. Bella called Isaac "Bubbas" and loved to pat him and point and wave at him. She was a little disappointed the time she clearly wanted to hold him while he was in his bouncy seat but was thwarted by her mom.

Isaac was also thrilled to meet Stacey. Stacey likes to read this blog as if Isaac is writing it. Isaac likes that idea.

Day 3: My First Babysitter

Isaac loves Gia

Isaac had his first babysitter when mom left him in the capable hands of Cara and Gia. They went to Flying Star (Mom was jealous, but she did get some Satellite Coffee while she was out doing her research interview), and then Isaac showed Gia just what he's capable of in the diaper blowout department.

Sophia, Isaac, and Isabella

That evening Isaac met Sophia, who is nine months old and beautiful! This was Mommy's first meeting with Sophia as well and both found her completely awesome. Rocky and Renee, her mom and dad, are also very cool. Unfortunately a stomach virus knocked out several of Mommy's friend while they were in town, but Ike looks forward to meeting them the next time he's in Albuquerque.

Day 4: Bowser and Miss Kitty and the Flight Home.

Marta, Isaac, and Jeremy

On Saturday, Isaac met Jeremy and Marta and their kitties Bowser and Miss Kitty. Jeremy told Isaac all about the fishing trips they will take when Isaac gets a little bigger, and both seemed very excited at the prospect.

The trip ended with a surprise encounter at the airport with Miss Dorothy, one of Mommy's very favorite coworkers for her old job in Albuquerque. The flight home went just a smoothly as the flight out and Isaac and Mommy were greeted by a clean car thanks to Uncle Pete. We love Uncle Pete.

Heading home.

One well baby.

Isaac had his second Well Baby visit on May 27 and proved himself to be an all around healthy kid who just happens to have sensitive skin and a sensitive stomach. Ike now weighs in at 13lbs 2oz and measures 23 1/2 inches long. His head is 16 1/4 inches around which puts him in the 75th percentile for noggin size (in case you were wondering).

Two Months

Isaac is now ten weeks old, which seems almost impossible. He talks all the time, moves his arms and legs around like a crazy man, and notices so much about the world around him. He enjoys looking at light fixtures, talking to the baby in the mirror, laughing at his dad when he comes home from school, and teaching his mom to get a bottle warmed BEFORE he starts to cry.

Mommy and Isaac have made more trips out into the world in the last couple weeks. We went to our first birthday party last week, and out to eat for the first time yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, napping contentedly through most of each outing. Last week we also went to the laundromat while our washing machine was broken. We did not enjoy the laundromat and will not be repeating that experience.

Isaac has started to burrow when he wants to go to sleep (see photo). He wiggles, squirms and generally whines until he's being held in a vertical position then buries his head in the holder's armpit. Mornings are still his happiest time. He likes to be held in Mommy's lap facing outward to watch the world (also pictured). Mom can right his head as often as she likes, but he just throws it back to the side again. His Ayi Luann calls him a "happy, floppy-headed baby" and both Ricci and Case agree.

Hammer Time

You can't touch this.

Lobsterman

Last week I took Isaac for a walk. It was a little breezy, so I put a hat on him. When we got home and I took him out of his stroller, I realized I'd dressed him as a member of the crew on a Maine lobster boat.