Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Farewell, February!


How is it almost March? There have been multiple attempts at updating the blog over the past few weeks, but thanks to some annoying technical difficulties, the attempts were lost. Fingers crossed this time sticks!

February was full of firsts and fun adventures!

Earlier in the month, Isaac had his first dental visit! The morning of the appointment was a complete emotional roller coaster. Isaac went back and forth between being indifferent to being completely panicked over the idea. We watched the Peppa Pig dentist episode, which Mommy had saved on DVR for weeks just for the occasion. For a moment that seemed to help, but then quickly wore off. Mommy tried to explain the gist of the visit, assuring him nothing would hurt. No dice. Finally, Mommy showed Isaac pictures of the dental office (she did a lot of research on "the best" pediatric dentist), which seemed to help. We intentionally arrived early to give Isaac time to have fun in the awesome waiting room where he played a Pac Man arcade game and played with some of the other fun toys. When it was time to go back, he did need to be dragged along, but he did not scream, which Mommy considered a win. He cooperated wonderfully for the exam, even opening his mouth nice and wide before he was even asked. Dr. Clemens said everything looked great and told us to start flossing every night (piece of cake!*). He was really excited to choose toys from the treasure chest and pick out a new toothbrush. Isaac liked it there so much we wound up staying another 30 minutes after the appointment to play some more in the waiting room!


*sarcasm
  






Another fun first this month was Family Service Day at Mommy's old school. Isaac helped Mommy pack care packages to share with people experiencing homelessness by helping her count 8 things to add to the bag, and decorating a card. Isaac enjoyed playing with his buddy, Jarrett, and choosing a special balloon from Ms. Sabina. 






We had a movie night with Mommom & CharliePop to watch Finding Dory. We learned from the last movie night that we couldn't just share one big bowl of popcorn because Isaac is apparently a major popcorn hog, so he got his own reasonably sized bowl. Before the movie started, he arranged our snack bowls in size order. 

snuggling on Mommon

 

















February was full of unseasonably mild weather allowing for lots of outdoor fun. We took a few trips to Lake Waterford. One day we took Isaac's "bike" (tricycle), by request, and Isaac tracked quite a good bit of distance pedaling all on his own! Where did this big boy come from? That same day we went out on a family bike ride so Daddy could try out the new bike he got for his birthday, followed by some time at the Linthicum Elementary playground. 


Before we left, Mommy ran upstairs to get her shoes. When she came back downstiars, Isaac was not in the kitchen where she left him. Mommy called out asking where he was and Isaac responded in his sweet loud voice, "I'm in here, Mommy, sitting on the doggy, having a snack!"



That way!
 



  





Valentine's Day happened to be Mommy's last day home with Isaac before starting her new full time position at Calvert School, so she wanted to make the day extra special. The day started with a special heart-shaped breakfast, which Isaac was really pleased with. But funnily enough, it was not the heart-shaped sausage and toast that seemed to get Isaac's attention, it was the round egg that made him exclaim, "Wow, Mommy! Is that a egg in a circle? I like it!"





After breakfast we headed to...you guessed it! The Science Center! We hit some different areas than usual, and we had the place essentially all to ourselves. Isaac spent the most time with what he called the "gumball game", cranking the big marbles through the arrangement of ramps, tracks and other destinations. 

Which way is the Science Center? "That way!"


   









The "gumball game":


Mommy & Isaac enjoying their respective treats

After going to 3 Bean, we headed home for presents that we opened in front of the "Valentine's tree" (tried to find an excuse to keep the tree up as long as possible!). 
What is it?

Mommom stopped by in the afternoon with more goodies, including Isaac's first Pez dispenser!


The next day, Mommy's first day at her new job, Isaac got some quality time in the afternoon with CharliePop after spending the day with Aunt Margie. When Mommy arrived to pick him up, she walked in on this co-napping situation. 

having fun with the cool poster/sticker card he got in the mail from Mommom & CharliePop

Isaac's teachers gave him this book for Valentine's Day. When Mommy told him who it was from he said, "Oh! This is so special! I will go say the words of the book." And he proceeded to flop on the couch, and "read" a made up story from the book. 

On Mommy's days off we had a few visits to the awesome tire park at Patapsco followed by what has become the traditional sweet treat at SweetFrog. 




Isaac very patiently waited a very long time for a turn on the tire swing. It was his idea to stand against this tree. 






He really like running back and forth across this shaky bridge, but he was very aware of waiting until other kids were off the bridge first. 

With all of this beautiful weather Mommy thought it would be fun to see what it was like to let the chickens free range in the yard a few times. Of course they loved it, but what surprised me the most was how well the chickens and dogs co-existed, neither paying much mind to the other. 




Isaac saw Mommy carrying the chickens back to their coop and asked if he could hold one, so with Mommy's assistance, Isaac very proudly held his first chicken. This happy smile was caught in between Isaac glaring at Mommy and demanding she let go, saying, "I want to hold Penny all by myself, Mommy!!"




While out in the yard, Mommy discovered some bounty in the fall garden she had long ago given up on!


Our final big special celebration of the month was a party at "Declan's house" to celebrate Aunt Margie's 70th birthday! The party was a "Go All In" card game theme, complete with cute little top hats, which Isaac wore quite proudly. The grownups had a great time playing poker, while Isaac and Declan "helped", and Mommy somehow wound up winning! Isaac and Declan had so much fun together, and kept each other entertained all night. 
top hat selfie!



Tim, our very patient and entertaining dealer, teaching us how to play!

The night was full of lots of laughs!

 

I'm not sure exactly what Declan was doing here, but Isaac thought it was absolutely hilarious!



Finally, some other random shots from the month:

Enjoying some ice cream on Superbowl Sunday
February also brought its fair share of sickness for Isaac. Here he is having a sick PJ day, sprawling out for some R&R. 
Just raiding the fridge like the three-nager he is

Daddy took Isaac to the playground one day after work and Isaac insisted on swinging like a big boy, promising Daddy, "I be very careful, Daddy!"


Sunny Sunday at the playground...


 Waiting at Founders to meet Daddy and Grandma Jean for lunch. 



Like mother, like son. Trying some fresh kale (his choice) from our Hungry Harvest box. I asked if he liked it and he said, "of course!"


And, another trip to the tire park: