1st official haircut and new shoes

Before...

During...

watch out...1st time driver!

The lady kept on getting in his way and he was watching Baby Einstein--but he sat pretty still!

After...And he got new (real) shoes. He is a 4 1/2 wide and let's just say I don't buy shoes that cost that much! Baby/toddler shoe shopping is very complicated. While running errands, I realized it is definitely time to turn his car seat around. He's poor little legs can't stretch out. Hopefully we will get to that soon and probably do it before his 1st b-day. It will be a magical day but we have done and eaten a few things before his 1st b-day and they say...oh wait, until he turns 1. Oh well. I guess he will be a rule breaker!

Day dreaming about the weekend

Head, shoulders, knees and toes

Thanks to Baby Einstein, this is Isaac's new favorite song. He is watching it in his new chair.

It really comes in handy when he doesn't want to lay still to have his diaper changed. Here are some recent pictures. I can't believe he will be 1 next week!

Head shot after he tackled dad!

He loves to get into dresser drawers now. And he tries to dress himself.

Future running back legs!

Size 5 shoes!

Ready to work out

Our goal is to start working out, especially since we have to get in a bathing suit for our trip to NC in 6 months! Isaac is ready for his workout, headband and all!

Reflections from the past year from dad

I didn’t know how much free time I USED to have * Being a dad is the best job I’ll ever have * Playing with Isaac is more fun than all my hobbies combined, which is good because I hardly have time for hobbies any more anyway * Amanda is the best mom I’ve ever known…seriously * I still check on him in his crib at night to make sure he’s okay, which I may do until he moves out * I also can’t wait until he starts playing sports * I look forward to sharing hobbies with Isaac when he gets older * I can’t wait to start our own family traditions around the holidays * I can’t wait for Isaac to start going to the movies with my dad & I * I think he’s laid back like I am *

He looks exactly like me when I was his age, so obviously he’ll lose his cuteness * Being the home owner, husband & father all at once was a BIG adjustment * It’s hard to not be competitive or compare with other parents/kids * Being a dad makes me want to be a better person * I love watching him try to figure things out for himself * Hearing him laugh brightens my day * Making him laugh brightens my week * Being with my family makes me realize how important families are * Isaac has my appetite for food * I had the honor of witnessing his first step this past weekend * Daycare IS good for Isaac, but they trade colds like baseball cards * It kills me to see him sick * I’d do anything to protect him *

Reflections of the past year from mom

Isaac will be turning one in a few weeks and I've been thinking about the past year and how I've felt, how I've changed, how Isaac has grown, and what I've learned.

I can function on little sleep * sleep is overrated-least that is what a friend told me * the first 3 months were the most stressful * other people can take care of him as good as I can * he is a mouth breather like me * he hates it when you build the blocks high * my heart melts when he puts his head on my shoulder * my life changed forever * I need my alone time * twins would be stressful * being a single mother would be even more stressful * Nick is a great dad * daycare is good for him * but I would like to be a stay at home mom * I can get Isaac a snack, feed the dogs, and start dinner (when planned) in 10 minutes * my multi-tasking skills have improved * we've bonded even though he is a bottle feed baby * every baby is different * I need to stop comparing myself to other moms * can't wait for him to start sports * I need to enjoy every moment * our house is not big enough * he likes to crawl with a ball in his hand * he loves toy balls * he likes to dance * I don't want to live far from family * you have to smile when he wakes up grinning-even if it's 5am! * putting him to bed awake was the best thing I did * it always seems to be just a cold * hand me down clothes are ok * he has tons of toys to play with but he wants to open the media stand or play in the dog bowl * Grandma Ruth is a good babysitter * he'll eat anything * he loves water * 2 minutes feels like eternity when he's crying * teething is a pain * he loves his pacifier * he goes to bed at 7:30pm, I want to go to bed at 8pm * sleeping in is 7am * everything goes into his mouth * he loves the little guy in the mirror * the house doesn't always have to be clean * I can change a diaper in the dark *

Favorite sayings...

Happy New Year!
Isaac has learned some new words lately. Besides mama, dad and dada, it seems that "yeah" is his favorite word. And it seems he actually knows when to use it! I asked him the other morning if he wanted daddy to take him to daycare and he said "yeah." :)

We have taught him to say his name but you have to say it slow. Is-aac, Is-aac and he repeats it! He's a genious at 11 months!