New Tricks!

Warning: Potential Isaac Overload 

Mommy has been a blogging machine this morning! This is one of three entries published today, so if you need more Isaac fixes after reading this be sure to scroll down to read about our camping adventures in Shepherdstown and also Fun with Friends! 

In the past week Isaac has been learning all sorts of tricks.  Some we have been able to document excessively, and others we don't even have a single bit of photographic proof, but we'll brag about it all nonetheless. 

Isaac has been pretty determined to figure out how to use his fork for eating.  We had been working on spoon use, but he's been much more successful trying to use a fork. He's been leaving food on his tray that he ordinarily would gobble down before it even made contact with the tray. But as soon as we bring him a fork he happily "forks" the food he intentionally left behind. Avocado, blueberries, taco casserole...if it can be forked, he's been forking it. Or at least proudly trying to. 

Speaking of eating, Isaac also had his first "Popsicle"/pea pop.  We stole this idea from a fellow mom friend, and it was a huge hit.  Isaac ate every last bite (except for a lone pea that accidentally fell into dog territory).  And I guess Isaac has been eating so much corn on the cob lately that it's influenced his method of eating similarly shaped foods, such as this banana:

Isaac is also getting better with his shape sorter.  He's successfully gotten all six shapes in on multiple occasions. Sometimes matching the shape to the right hole on his own, other times needing a bit of assistance. But he's getting there and it's really fun watching his focus and progress.

Isaac has been enjoying putting things on his head, particularly hats, but also bowls from the cabinets he's been exploring with increasing curiosity.  If Isaac is thinking of becoming a Pastafarian he's selected the wrong apparatus...

Also just this week Isaac has been throwing a ball forward. This is progress from his previous ball "throwing" of holding the ball above his head and dropping it behind him.  Grandpa Larry and Daddy are particularly excited about this new trick.

He's climbing up and down more confidently and gracefully and has gotten very comfortable climbing up into the chair in his nursery to wait for story time.

And perhaps the most exciting trick of all, our stubborn speed crawler has finally taken enough consecutive steps for us to officially proclaim he is a "walker" (and is consistent enough that we were able to catch it on video on multiple occasions!).  He'd been so close for so long, taking 2-3 steps here and there, that when we caught him trotting across the room all on his own we were very excited! Go Isaac, go! Here's the VIDEO we posted on Facebook followed by two more clips. It's amazing he can even hold himself up on those skinny little legs!


Mommom is away this week and she told Isaac not to take his first steps while she was gone. Of course on the day she left he decided to take off walking!

Camping in Shepherdstown

On Thursday we headed up to Shepherdstown, WV to visit Aunt Karen and go camping in her backyard.  It's amazing how much gear we needed to take for just one night away! Our Outback was packed. We're wondering how we're going to fit everything for several nights at the beach when we leave in a few weeks.  In Shepherdstown we got to meet Tyler's four kids and Isaac's soon-to-be cousins, Tay, Nya, Jonah, and Isaiah. The kids were really great with Isaac and he became instantly enamored with them, seeming to prefer their company over Mommy's and Daddy's! 

reading his camping book, ready for an adventure

lots of trees to point at

He did a LOT of walking practice with Tay

We spent a few hours getting our tents set up and hanging out with Debbie, Liz, and Derek until heading on down to the river for canoeing, kayaking, and tubing.  This was Isaac's first river adventure and even though we were hours past his typical naptime, he did a great job hanging out in the tube in his life vest with Mommy.  He did have bouts of fussiness, but was quickly soothed by having his feet in the water, or waves and high fives from Nya, Tay, and Jonah. He also wound up eating his dinner on the water (which we're glad we thought to bring along!)  I think if it wasn't so sunny he would have fallen asleep at some point on the 90 minute float down the river.  Thanks to Aunt Karen pulling all of us along in her canoe, we didn't have too much actual work to do!

waving Hi to his friends

After tubing, Isaac continued to surprise us with his energy level and pleasant demeanor as his typical bedtime came and went and he just kept happily relaxing and interacting with everyone around him.  He had moments of looking sleepy when he cuddled a few moments with Debbie and Liz, but he stayed up with us until about 9pm when Mommy took him to the tent to nurse and then he happily went down in his pack and play and slept solidly through all of our laughing and campfire talks.  

Isaac "slept in" until 7:30, when he sprung up with a content and curious look on his face, looking all around his blue-tinted surroundings in the sunny tent.  We hung out in the tent for a bit before getting up for some breakfast and hanging out some more with Tyler's kids. Once everyone was up and packed, we headed out to breakfast at Mellow Moods before hitting the road.  

Snuggling with Derek before heading out to breakfast...

picking out some crystals from Arkanas

saying goodbye to his new friends

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE BLOG ENTRY BEFORE THIS: "FUN WITH FRIENDS"

Fun with Friends

Isaac has had a pretty full social calendar this past week!

On Friday we decided to check out Artscape.  We went during the day before it got too crowded and were also lucky to have really pleasant weather as well.  We just walked around and checked out all of the art vendors, running into some of Mommy's old work friends along the way.  Isaac did well keeping his noise cancelling headphones on when we were in stage areas, and he had a great time just checking things out and pointing all over the place.  

Then on Saturday we got to celebrate Jarrett's first birthday! Isaac had so much fun playing with all of the outdoor toys. It's hard to say what he enjoyed the most...the ball pit or the sandbox. 

Later in the week we went to a playdate at Abi's where we got to see her beautiful new home and play with Jarrett, Liv, Mira, Alice, and Carly.  Again, there were lots of new toys for Isaac to check out.  Mommy's favorite was the teepee, but Isaac seemed to really enjoy pushing the baby in the shopping cart and having band practice with his buddy Jarrett. 

Band practice!

We attempted to get a group shot. The picture on the left was the first attempt, and the picture on the right is just a few minutes later...

And even when we're home Isaac is having fun. Allie and Isaac are pretty funny to watch when Allie gives him kisses.  We try to stop her, but it's kind of hard when Allie is so persistent and Isaac seems to enjoy and encourage the behavior! Here are some pictures and a VIDEO. 

This week Isaac had his first ever non-family babysitter while Mommy and Daddy went to see Lucia perform at 49 West in Annapolis.  Corey's girlfriend, Kristen, did a great job.  Of course Isaac didn't sleep the whole time we were gone as we promised, but when we get home (an hour late because we got lost and wound up in Prince George's county!), Kristen was snuggled on the couch with a sleepy, smiling Isaac.  As soon as Mommy picked him up he immediately reached back out to go to Kristen! 

And of course Daddy is a lot of fun too! Here are a few pictures of bedtime snuggles and breakfast fun, and another VIDEO.

enjoying a Pigeon book before breakfast