Somewhere in the last few months I've completely lost track of time...I have a TWO year old! Isaac turned 2 on June 19th and he has been living up to the task ever since. I'm sure things could be much worse...I know I have heard many horror stories about the terrible two's. It is just a real challenge when you see your sweet little baby starting to become somewhat of a monster! The most maddening thing that he does (and has been doing for a while now) is he will ask for something (quite insistantly) and then when I give it to him, have a complete break down about it...like he never asked for it and how dare I give it to him! So I take it back...and he has another breakdown...like that was his and how dare I take it away from him!
For example...a conversation we have quite often...
Isaac: "milk mommy!! milk, milk, milk".
Me: "How do you ask mommy, Isaac?"
Isaac: "Milk please, mommy?"
Me: "Okay, would you like some milk?" (double checking because I am anticipating the breakdown that will happen when I actually give him the milk).
Isaac: "Okay, mommy..."
Me: "Here's your milk Isaac."
Isaac: "NO!!! NO MILK!!!" (While sometimes crying and often throwing himself to the floor)
Me: "Okay, I will put it away for later" (then taking the milk that he obviously didn't want)
Isaac: "MILK!!! MILK mommy!!! (again falling to the floor, even more dramatically...often accompanied by kicking and screaming).
This could go on for several minutes...I am sure it is really just a lack of being able to communicate exactly what he wants...but it is maddening none the less. Another difficult development is his newly found sense of selective hearing. He used to be pretty good about listening to what I would say, but now it is as if I am not even talking sometimes!! He has discovered that he does indeed have a choice in these matters...and he often chooses to exercise his own will. Current struggles also include hitting, not sharing, and just plain whining and crying for no reason.
So we have been trying the "time out" method for the past few months... I would say it is working okay...I probably still have some things to learn myself about using time outs to their maximum benefit, but at the very least it does redirect him during a tantrum and gives us a chance to "try again".
On to some good things...Isaac is such a smart little guy. He is talking so well and starting to speak in sentances and complete thoughts. He has the most amazing memory...this kid remembers so much of what he sees and hears. He is learning all kinds of songs and he loves to sing. He knows almost every song on the latest Tenth Avenue North album "Over and Underneath". There are a few of his books that he can "read" himself (not because he is actually reading the words...but he remembers what we have read to him). He is starting to be more creative, using his blocks to "build things" and showing some imagination in how he uses his toys. When he is sweet...he is SO sweet. He will often tell us how beautiful something is, or say that something is so sweet, and he is really good about saying "i love you". When we pray together at night, Mike or I will start and begin by thanking Jesus for all of our blessings...and he will immediately begin listing all the things he is thankful for...often things that he really experienced during that day...at this point we think it could be more of a stalling tactic so he doesn't have to go to bed (evident when he started thanking Jesus for the door, and the carpet etc...) None the less, it is still really sweet to hear him thank Jesus for just about EVERYTHING!
Despite the challenges, it is really exciting to see the beginnings of the person Isaac is going to become. I pray every day that above all, he will have a deep love for Jesus and for other people. I pray that we will be good examples of this, and raise him the way God has intended for him. We just love him to pieces!!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Some stats
I just realized that I forgot to post the details from Isaac's last appointment (18mo) on here! Which was now 3 months ago....oh well...here it is anyway.
Isaac weighed 27 pounds (50th percentile), was 34 inches (75th percentile), and his head was 19.5 inches (75th percentile). The doctor was pleased with his overall health and development.
She asked me how many words he knew...this seems impossible to put a number on. He is talking up a storm!! He repeats everything we say now, it just seems like over the last few months (19 - 22 months) he has expanded his vocabulary exponentially!
He says "excuse you daddy (or mommy or Isaac)" and "bless you mommy (or daddy or Isaac)". He says "please" and "thank you" (with a little prompting) and "you're welcome". He says "see you later", "love you", "here we go" and "okay" (which usually follows his asking for something he really wants...regardless if we have actually said okay or not). He says so much more, but these are just some of the ones I can remember right now.
The other day Mike went upstairs to get ready to go somewhere and Isaac ran to the bottom of the stairs and said..."come back daddy". I had no clue he knew how to say that or even what it meant. He surprises us with something new every day!
Isaac weighed 27 pounds (50th percentile), was 34 inches (75th percentile), and his head was 19.5 inches (75th percentile). The doctor was pleased with his overall health and development.
She asked me how many words he knew...this seems impossible to put a number on. He is talking up a storm!! He repeats everything we say now, it just seems like over the last few months (19 - 22 months) he has expanded his vocabulary exponentially!
He says "excuse you daddy (or mommy or Isaac)" and "bless you mommy (or daddy or Isaac)". He says "please" and "thank you" (with a little prompting) and "you're welcome". He says "see you later", "love you", "here we go" and "okay" (which usually follows his asking for something he really wants...regardless if we have actually said okay or not). He says so much more, but these are just some of the ones I can remember right now.
The other day Mike went upstairs to get ready to go somewhere and Isaac ran to the bottom of the stairs and said..."come back daddy". I had no clue he knew how to say that or even what it meant. He surprises us with something new every day!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Blessings
Isaac just started saying his own name differently. He used to say "sa-sai" and now he's started saying "i - eh". Haha...it's so cute (although I kinda miss "sa -sai").
We found one of Mike's old phones that he lost a while ago. We charged it up and gave it to Isaac because he is obsessed with phones. He loves it!!
He knows all his letters now. He doesn't go through his ABC's in order yet...but he can identify all the letters. He will randomly sing part of the song in order...but has yet to do it from A to Z.
He now counts from 1 - 20! He can do 1 - 12 all on his own, and he will randomly do 15 - 20 but he usually needs a little prompting to get him all the way through. He can also count from 10 - 1 backwards. What a little smarty pants.
After my recent miscarriage I have been thinking a lot about what a blessing Isaac is. I always knew he was, but it is easy to take it for granted sometimes. I had all but forgotten the many struggles we went through trying to conceive a child. Before we had conceived him, I had come to terms with the fact that we may not ever have children of our own. I really was at peace with that...I had decided that God may not give us children of our own, but that He would take care of us and we would be okay if that were the case. But he did choose to give us a child, and I am just so thankful for him. But God would've been the same God...just as good...if He had chosen not to.
It is a little difficult being taken back to those thoughts and feelings again. I have to admit that after we were blessed with Isaac, I guess I thought that battle was over...I got this false sense that we would no longer have any problems having children. Getting pregnant so quickly kinda confirmed that in my mind...but now I'm remembering back...the difficult time we had...could be ahead of us again...and i am determined not to be consumed like I was before...to make sure that my faith in Him grows even stronger than it did the last time. I know He is in control and will do what is best for us...not because He chose to give us a child the first time around...but simply because He is God. I'm really trying not to let my worries and fears sneak up on me...I just keep giving them right back to Him and reminding myself of who He is and His promises. To give us life to the full. To do what is best for us. To fight our battles and be victorious. To give us joy, and peace that passes all understanding.
We found one of Mike's old phones that he lost a while ago. We charged it up and gave it to Isaac because he is obsessed with phones. He loves it!!
He knows all his letters now. He doesn't go through his ABC's in order yet...but he can identify all the letters. He will randomly sing part of the song in order...but has yet to do it from A to Z.
He now counts from 1 - 20! He can do 1 - 12 all on his own, and he will randomly do 15 - 20 but he usually needs a little prompting to get him all the way through. He can also count from 10 - 1 backwards. What a little smarty pants.
After my recent miscarriage I have been thinking a lot about what a blessing Isaac is. I always knew he was, but it is easy to take it for granted sometimes. I had all but forgotten the many struggles we went through trying to conceive a child. Before we had conceived him, I had come to terms with the fact that we may not ever have children of our own. I really was at peace with that...I had decided that God may not give us children of our own, but that He would take care of us and we would be okay if that were the case. But he did choose to give us a child, and I am just so thankful for him. But God would've been the same God...just as good...if He had chosen not to.
It is a little difficult being taken back to those thoughts and feelings again. I have to admit that after we were blessed with Isaac, I guess I thought that battle was over...I got this false sense that we would no longer have any problems having children. Getting pregnant so quickly kinda confirmed that in my mind...but now I'm remembering back...the difficult time we had...could be ahead of us again...and i am determined not to be consumed like I was before...to make sure that my faith in Him grows even stronger than it did the last time. I know He is in control and will do what is best for us...not because He chose to give us a child the first time around...but simply because He is God. I'm really trying not to let my worries and fears sneak up on me...I just keep giving them right back to Him and reminding myself of who He is and His promises. To give us life to the full. To do what is best for us. To fight our battles and be victorious. To give us joy, and peace that passes all understanding.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
19 Months
Isaac is up to so many new things...it is hard to keep up with them all. He is repeating so many more words and actual phrases. We will say something to him that we've probably said a billion times before, but all of the sudden it comes back out of his mouth! It is so cute. Today I told him after lunch "you are such a mess"...and I hear "su a mes". haha.
He is identifying a lot more things as well. He asks for many of his books by name now...He actually knows enough about what is going on in the book to ask for it! He asks for moon (good night moon), gowiwa (good night gorilla) and Jesus Loves Me (I can't even write how he says that one...but it is SO cute!!). I'm not sure why this amazes me...I guess every little new thing is amazing. :)
I was a little late scheduling his 18 month appointment, so we have to wait until Feb 10th for any statistics (weight, height etc...). He is doing so well though. I just can't get enough of him. :)
He is identifying a lot more things as well. He asks for many of his books by name now...He actually knows enough about what is going on in the book to ask for it! He asks for moon (good night moon), gowiwa (good night gorilla) and Jesus Loves Me (I can't even write how he says that one...but it is SO cute!!). I'm not sure why this amazes me...I guess every little new thing is amazing. :)
I was a little late scheduling his 18 month appointment, so we have to wait until Feb 10th for any statistics (weight, height etc...). He is doing so well though. I just can't get enough of him. :)
Sunday, January 11, 2009
18 months
My boy is 18 months now! So hard to believe. He is talking better everyday...he knows and says all the names of the characters on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and My Friends Tigger and Pooh. He knows his numbers and counts pretty well on his own. He's just started identifying and saying some of his letters. We will be driving down the road and he will see a letter on a sign or something and say "B". It's really cute.
He's started napping better again, still not as good as he was before, but I'll take it! He has started wanting to do things on his own...including (but not limited to) feeding himself. He pretty much refuses to eat any food that I am feeding him...doesn't matter if he loves it or not. He has to do it. I have been trying to give him foods that he is most successful with...ideally finger foods, but he is really wanting to us his fork and spoon (which he has definitely not mastered yet)...so I have to give in sometimes. Foods like applesauce, yogurt, cereal etc...he ends up wearing more than he's eaten...but oh well...he will get it soon enough.
He loves for us to read to him, and he just got a magnadoodle for Christmas that he draws at for hours! He loves to color and play with his alphabet toy. I would be lying if I said he didn't love to watch TV...what kid doesn't...we try to limit his TV time, but he loves Mickey & Tigger! He also likes Handy Manny, Veggie Tales and Little Einstiens. He really likes the praise baby videos too. He doesn't sing too much yet, but he absolutlely loves music.
I will be scheduling his 18 month check up soon...I think he weighs about 26 pounds...but I'll know for sure after his appointment. He has cut about 6 more teeth, so he has a total of 11. 3 top middle, 4 bottom middle, and all 4 molars. He's still really good natured...I mean he has his moments like they all do...but over all he's really a good boy and we just adore him!
He's started napping better again, still not as good as he was before, but I'll take it! He has started wanting to do things on his own...including (but not limited to) feeding himself. He pretty much refuses to eat any food that I am feeding him...doesn't matter if he loves it or not. He has to do it. I have been trying to give him foods that he is most successful with...ideally finger foods, but he is really wanting to us his fork and spoon (which he has definitely not mastered yet)...so I have to give in sometimes. Foods like applesauce, yogurt, cereal etc...he ends up wearing more than he's eaten...but oh well...he will get it soon enough.
He loves for us to read to him, and he just got a magnadoodle for Christmas that he draws at for hours! He loves to color and play with his alphabet toy. I would be lying if I said he didn't love to watch TV...what kid doesn't...we try to limit his TV time, but he loves Mickey & Tigger! He also likes Handy Manny, Veggie Tales and Little Einstiens. He really likes the praise baby videos too. He doesn't sing too much yet, but he absolutlely loves music.
I will be scheduling his 18 month check up soon...I think he weighs about 26 pounds...but I'll know for sure after his appointment. He has cut about 6 more teeth, so he has a total of 11. 3 top middle, 4 bottom middle, and all 4 molars. He's still really good natured...I mean he has his moments like they all do...but over all he's really a good boy and we just adore him!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Christmastime activities.
We had a great Christmas with our family and friends. Isaac seemed to enjoy the festivities for the most part. Late nights combined with poor naps made things a little "interesting" at times, but overall I would say he did quite well. He was still a little uninterested in the actual opening of the gifts...but he did enjoy all the new toys and books that he became the proud new owner of.
After the first big snow fall a week or so ago, we decided to go sledding with some friends. I thought it would be a fun new family thing to experience. As we arrived we bundled up appropriately and prepared for Isaac's first trip (with dad) down the hill. I watched them as they set off and waited to see them expecting to hear great tales of joy and laughter. As they approached, I realized that was not at all what I was about to hear. Aparently as they took off they started picking up more speed than Mike had expected. As he put his feet down in an attempt to slow them down, he showered both of them with cold, wet snow. Isaac burst into tears and immediately started screaming for "Mama"! When Mike brought him to me he reached toward the car and started saying "bye bye...bye bye!". Needless to say, he was finished. Mike and I took a few more trips down the hill and then we packed up and put Isaac out of his cold misery.
The very next day we bundled up again and headed out into the bitter cold to see the wonders of Christmas history at Greenfield village with Mike's family. It was the coldest day of the year, but we had already put our money into it...so we headed out regardless. We did get some yummy cider and hot chocolate...and Isaac got to see Santa up on the rooftop. When we ask Isaac what Santa says he replies "ho, ho, ho". It is so cute. There were several moments that I lost all feeling in my legs, and I was sure I had frostbite, but once we made it to the car all was well and we all survived.
Just before Christmas, we had our friends Jess and Justin over to take some Christmas pictures for us. It was really fun to sit back and watch the process as Justin followed Isaac around with the camera. If you have ever tried to photograph a toddler, you know how the scene is. I felt like the scene was total chaos...chasing Isaac around, rearranging his position, straightening his clothes, combing down his hair, trying to rescue innocent glass ornaments from impending doom, making silly faces and sounds, trying to find anything to occupy him in one location for more than 30 seconds...as I was taking it all in, I had to wonder how on earth we were ever going to get any decent pictures out of this. but when I saw what Justin was able to capture, I was in awe. I think one of the things I liked best about them was the chaos! Haha! These photos truly capture Isaac...this is him...messy hair, chubby cheeks, mischevious grin, tooth filled giggles...and all. I will cherish these memories for the rest of my life.
After the first big snow fall a week or so ago, we decided to go sledding with some friends. I thought it would be a fun new family thing to experience. As we arrived we bundled up appropriately and prepared for Isaac's first trip (with dad) down the hill. I watched them as they set off and waited to see them expecting to hear great tales of joy and laughter. As they approached, I realized that was not at all what I was about to hear. Aparently as they took off they started picking up more speed than Mike had expected. As he put his feet down in an attempt to slow them down, he showered both of them with cold, wet snow. Isaac burst into tears and immediately started screaming for "Mama"! When Mike brought him to me he reached toward the car and started saying "bye bye...bye bye!". Needless to say, he was finished. Mike and I took a few more trips down the hill and then we packed up and put Isaac out of his cold misery.
The very next day we bundled up again and headed out into the bitter cold to see the wonders of Christmas history at Greenfield village with Mike's family. It was the coldest day of the year, but we had already put our money into it...so we headed out regardless. We did get some yummy cider and hot chocolate...and Isaac got to see Santa up on the rooftop. When we ask Isaac what Santa says he replies "ho, ho, ho". It is so cute. There were several moments that I lost all feeling in my legs, and I was sure I had frostbite, but once we made it to the car all was well and we all survived.
Just before Christmas, we had our friends Jess and Justin over to take some Christmas pictures for us. It was really fun to sit back and watch the process as Justin followed Isaac around with the camera. If you have ever tried to photograph a toddler, you know how the scene is. I felt like the scene was total chaos...chasing Isaac around, rearranging his position, straightening his clothes, combing down his hair, trying to rescue innocent glass ornaments from impending doom, making silly faces and sounds, trying to find anything to occupy him in one location for more than 30 seconds...as I was taking it all in, I had to wonder how on earth we were ever going to get any decent pictures out of this. but when I saw what Justin was able to capture, I was in awe. I think one of the things I liked best about them was the chaos! Haha! These photos truly capture Isaac...this is him...messy hair, chubby cheeks, mischevious grin, tooth filled giggles...and all. I will cherish these memories for the rest of my life.
You can see the others at:
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| Isaac 18 mo |
Friday, December 12, 2008
Numbers and Naps
At 17 months, Isaac has started identifying numbers. It started one day when I took a diaper out the box and he saw the number on it and said "five". I thought it was a fluke, so I waited a few minutes and after he was distracted for a bit, I took out his number book and asked him where the five was. He pointed right to it. It was such a surprise to me! It just seemed a little early to me for him to be identifying numbers...but we went with it and started reading through his number book every day. In a matter of days he was identifying several numbers, and now he can identify numbers 1 - 10, he can say numbers 1 - 13, and he is starting to count in order! What a little smarty pants. :) I thought I should get him started on letters, but he doesn't seem terribly interested yet. When I mix letters in with his numbers, he tosses them aside and continues with the numbers...lol.
He has also started to sing a little bit. Since I love to sing, I think this is especially precious! He just sings a few lines from the songs he hears on Playhouse Disney. He is so cute.
On the not so good side, for some reason Isaac has not been napping well lately. Until recently, he would go down around 1pm and sleep until at least 4pm...sometimes 5pm! Lately though, when I put him down he chatters away in his crib...sometimes for HOURS! He didn't fall asleep until after 4pm two days in a row, and the other days it was 2:30 or 3pm. I'm not really sure what to do...I feel like he is way to young to be completely giving up his naps...plus, I am not ready to give them up! Haha! I like the little break in the day to get some things done. Do I continue to lay him down at 1pm and let him work it out...or do I move his nap later? He's not crying or upset...he's just not sleeping. Argh...any advice would be welcomed and appreciated.
Thanks!
He has also started to sing a little bit. Since I love to sing, I think this is especially precious! He just sings a few lines from the songs he hears on Playhouse Disney. He is so cute.
On the not so good side, for some reason Isaac has not been napping well lately. Until recently, he would go down around 1pm and sleep until at least 4pm...sometimes 5pm! Lately though, when I put him down he chatters away in his crib...sometimes for HOURS! He didn't fall asleep until after 4pm two days in a row, and the other days it was 2:30 or 3pm. I'm not really sure what to do...I feel like he is way to young to be completely giving up his naps...plus, I am not ready to give them up! Haha! I like the little break in the day to get some things done. Do I continue to lay him down at 1pm and let him work it out...or do I move his nap later? He's not crying or upset...he's just not sleeping. Argh...any advice would be welcomed and appreciated.
Thanks!
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