We've recently been working on trying to get Isaac to talk more.  He understands plenty, but he doesn't say near as much as Leah did at this age.   His 3 favorite things to say are "Mama?", "Yes", and what sounds like "In HERE!" with a super strong Boston accent, but nobody really knows what that means.  I think he uses it as his filler phrase for when he doesn't think he can say what you are asking him to say.  Or for when he wants you to take note of something.  Or for pretty much anything at all.  For instance, the other day I was trying to teach him to say a simple grace before lunch (and yes, I am aware that many of you are most likely shaking your heads in my attempt to accomplish this task based on the fact that I just told you how little he can actually say.  But what can I say- we have [sometimes unreasonably] high expectations.).  It went a little something like this:

-Isaac, can you say "Thank you..."
-Da-doo
-"...for food..."
[Isaac gives blank stare]
-Can you say "for food"? Foooorrrrr ffffooooodddd
 ...[He pauses, and then in strong Boston accent-style]...In HERE!!
-Amen.
- Aaaaama.

You get the picture.  To say his pronunciation is a bit subpar would be an understatement. 

Every night when I put the kids to sleep, I tell them that I love them.  Tonight I started off by putting Isaac to bed downstairs and giving him the usual bedtime I love you.  Since he was still awake when I put Leah to sleep (and to be completely honest, I wanted to sleep in later than 6:15 tomorrow morning [he sleeps much later than Leah does when they are in separate rooms]), I moved him upstairs.  As I laid him down, he said,
-Mama?
-Yes, Isaac?
-Hoo-hooo. Hoo-hooo.
-You're a silly boy.  I love you, buddy.  Can you say, "I love you"?
-Mama!!! (smiling) Hoo-hoo! Hoo-hoo!

Ohhhhh, I get it, my sweet little owl.  I love you, too. 

We recently went on vacation with some of my family in Topsail Beach, North Carolina.  The week leading up to vacation was rather stressful considering there was a hurricane headed straight for the house we were to be staying in.  The "we're going, we're not going" pendulum was swinging back and forth every time the Storm Pulse website posted a new update (which is every 3 hours, for those who are wondering).  

So when the storm passed through and caused virtually no damage to the island, off we went.  After an 8+ hour car ride with two small children (one of whom didn't sleep for more than 30 minutes on the drive down), our feelings of relief and utter joy were practically palpable as we put our bare feet into the sand.  

Joy is taking a step away from your every day routine and getting a new perspective on how beautiful life really is.

 

Joy is spending time with Oma and Opa, whose pockets are never too full to carry your endless supply of super-special-we-must-take-all-of-them-home-with-us seashells.

Joy is taking a moment to catch a snapshot of our family in its current stage of life.

Joy is watching my three favorite people in all the world relax and enjoy themselves on the beach.

Joy is relishing the simple things in life-- like your first ever powdered donut.

Joy is having somebody other than your Mommy or Daddy (like Oma!) read you a bedtime story (A joy for  the kids, AND for Mommy and Daddy, AND for Oma.  Win, win, win!).

Joy is having nothing else to do other than spending time with my two little ones.  No cooking, no cleaning, no obligations.

Joy is trying to get a stupid website to upload a picture properly twenty different times and then finally giving in and just posting it as is (insert copious amounts of sarcasm) spending every day with your best friend.

It's funny how vacation can be so refreshing.  Perhaps we need to go a little more often.  :)

P-A-R-T-Y!

Leah loves singing Happy Birthday to people, but she looks a little nervous having everybody sing it to her.  (Sidenote:  Why did it take me this long to realize that the goose picture in the background is off-center?  What's up with that?)

 It's my birthday, and I'll eat as many pieces of cake as I want to.

 A sugar high will make anybody happy!

 Getting some birthday love from Kate.

We felt so blessed to have so many friends and family come celebrate Leah's birthday with us. My cup runneth over.  Seriously.

Leah

Last week, on August 11 at 12:48 pm, our little Leah turned 3 years old.  THREE YEARS OLD.   

Some days I wonder how it's possible that 3 years have already passed since she was born, and then other times I think back to things that happened before we had her and it seems like ages ago.  Lightyears. 

But then I look at her and realize that she is not a baby.  She is in fact, a little girl. 

A little girl who loves to paint.

(Has anyone seen that Friends episode where Rachel is the bridesmaid in Barry and Mindy's wedding? This picture reminded me of that.)

 And ride her new big-girl bike.

She is sweet.  She is gracious.  She hands out compliments daily.  She is the apple of my eye.  She never ceases to amaze me.  And we love her so.

Our summer has been fun.  Lots of tricycle riding, drawing with chalk in the driveway, swinging in the swings, wagon riding, popsicle eating and just generally having a good time.  See for yourself. 

Usually, Isaac will chase after Leah while she rides her tricycle.  Today, he even tried to help her go faster by pushing her.  But in this video, Leah shows off her sweet riding skillz all by herself.  She's pretty impressive, if you ask me.

The "booing" from Isaac was his way of singing Old Macdonald.  By the time I turned the camera on, he was done with his E-I-E-I-Os (which sound more like E-O, E-O).   The rope swing in the background was going to have a board put on it, but Leah enjoys swinging in it so much right now, that we may just leave it as is. 

Le-le loves taking her little brother for a ride.  Which is awesome.  But dang, hold on tight, Isaac!

This video (as most things I post are) is a few weeks old.  But he's got such a cute little voice, that I couldn't help but post it. 

A few weeks ago Isaac had some rockin' diaper rash. The doctor recommended some diaper-free time as

the best remedy for the rash, in conjunction with the fancy creme he gave us. Well, you can imagine what happens when you let a 16 month old walk around sans diaper... within 15 minutes we had 3 little puddles on the floor. Since we have yet to buy some "Big Boys" for him (I'm still traumatized from the never-ending year long process that is occuring with his big sister), we just threw on a pair of Leah's pink flower "Big Girls".

Looks pretty silly, doesn't he?  Naturally, he still got these wet, but at least they contained the wetness to a degree.  Now when Leah pulls out these flower underpants to wear, she pulls out an extra pair for Isaac, asking if they can match.

When I took this picture....

I couldn't help but remember this picture...

... and this one...

...which was taken just shy of 3 years ago!

I was in the kitchen one morning and noticed that it was awfully quiet in the toy room.  So I stuck my head in and saw the little ones sitting nicely and reading books.

Of course, once Isaac noticed me, he had to head over to the camera...

...but quickly got distracted by this sweet, pink cart.  And then gave me his tough guy face.

Every afternoon, Leah goes into her room for some quiet time.  She doesn't have to nap, but she has to stay in her room for a designated amount of time.  Some days she sleeps, some days... not so much.   I never know just what I'm going to find when I go in to get her.  For instance, a few weeks ago, I found her sleeping on the floor.  Under the crib.  Weird, no?

My Dad came up to visit unexpectedly over 4th of July weekend, so we got to sneak in some time with him.  It was great to see him, and as you can see, Leah and Isaac loved having a coloring partner.

"Here, Opa, use this crayon"

On some mornings I'll let Leah watch Super Why while I clean up the kitchen.  Isaac likes to back his little caboose up to her and plunk himself down as close as he possibly can.  This usually involves lots of shrieking, squealing, and giggling from their end.  And lots of smiles and heart melting from mine. 

Vacation on Videos

An unsuccessful  mission to climb over the log.

Leah's first fish!!