Isaiah @ 7 Years!

Stats

53 lbs, 8 oz (65%)

47.5" (40%)

Most birthdays seem to sneak up on me. Not that I don't realize they're coming but, once they get here, I'm always taken aback by the fact that my kids are growing up (You're how old today?!?) Isaiah especially, probably due to the fact that he's the oldest. This year, though...I was ready. I've been saying he's 7 for a couple months now (which started out with an honest confusion of how old he was...because last year lasted forrreverrrrrrrrrr). So, I was ready to start saying he's 7.

But....he's SEVEN.

He's gone from this tiny, helpless baby that I had no idea how I was going to take care of to a walking, (back) talking, loud, silly, sweet, little person. He is SO stinking smart. He loves to read (which I am only too happy to indulge!) He loves his friends. He loves his siblings.

Isaiah is able to do so much on his own now. He mostly made the brownies he brought to school today! He's made everyone sandwiches for lunch when I've had a fussy baby finally asleep in my lap. He showers, washes his own hair, brushes his own teeth, can (mostly) match his clothes. He folds and puts away his laundry! He was making his own bed, too...but I think with bunk beds that's probably going to come back to me.

He's in first grade. He started scouts this year. We went on our first camping trip! He has a little girl that I think he kind of likes. She's super sweet, and I saw her walk right up to him and say "I have a crush on you"!

It's bittersweet looking back through the past year in pictures. We've done so much and had so many changes but he...doesn't look different. I guess we've hit the age where he isn't undergoing dramatic changes from one birthday to the next. I can't tell he's getting older anymore! So, even though we've done so much you can't tell from looking at the pictures anymore. I don't know...I don't think I can put this part in to words right now.

But Isaiah's still my sweet, snuggly little boy. I actually gave him birthday kisses (instead of spankings) this morning and he was so totally and completely thrilled with that. He's the one that's always up for hugs and snuggles. It makes his day when we're able to curl up on the couch and I can listen to him read (those times are all too rare and usually involve a baby in my lap). I'm going to be crushed the day he decides he's "too old" for Mom's kisses.

I didn't know I could ever be some completely frustrated and in love with someone at the same time. Yes, I'm way too hard on him sometimes. Or maybe I'm being too hard on myself. Probably some of both.

If I'm being completely honest, though....I'm a little leery of the time around Isaiah's birthday. We've had spectacularly bad days the past two years. One of those times involved a call to the police. Hopefully things have settled enough that this year we can all get through unscathed.

But nothing can change how amazing he is and how much I love him!

Isaiah @ 6 Years!

Stats
47 lbs, 6 oz (55%)
44 3/4" (30%)

Another year has come and gone and I can hardly believe it! My big big guy is SIX!

Obviously the biggest thing this year has been starting kindergarten. I guess it doesn't seem so big when he's gone to daycare and preschool but this is the real deal now. I started him late (it ended up being October) because I wanted to try homeschooling first. It didn't work, unfortunately. Too much else going on and I completely ignored the social aspect which is a big deal to Isaiah. I assumed we could start that up after Esther was born, but Isaiah started talking about missing his friends and wanting to go to school long before that. So, I enrolled him in the nearby Catholic school. He LOVES it! His teacher always tells me how great he is and she loves having him in class. So I guess waiting didn't hurt anything. And, he hasn't had any trouble despite baby, divorce, police visits, etc!

He is SO smart! I've always known he was smart but its so great to see him doing so well. He's reading I don't even know how far above grade level (the first grade books that come home are easier than the ones he reads to me). His awesome teacher has him doing enrichment work to challenge him....he's even done some 3 digit addition work. They also have him going to an enrichment class once a week where another teacher works with things that challenge him a bit more.

For his birthday this year Isaiah decided he didn't want a Build A Bear, which we've done the past 3 or 4 years. I was sad that he had outgrown that tradition already, but he really doesn't need more stuffed animals. Instead, we went to the Lego store and he picked a new set to build. But he wanted to go to Fritz's for dinner again!

I can tell he's getting so much more independent. He basically taught himself to ride his bike without training wheels (because a pregnant mommy couldn't run with him very well). He can get his own breakfast, entertain himself during nap time, is figuring out the phone on his own (a bit more complicated than when I was little). And doing a million other things I can't think of now.

And Isaiah is the BEST big brother. He loves his siblings so much, you can tell by the way he treats them. He can wrestle with Micah and snuggle Esther. He is full of gentle kisses and sweet hugs and truly gets upset when he accidentally hurts either sibling. And he is a huge help to me. More than I can ever give him credit for!

He is also still my snuggler. I feel so awful that I don't give him as much affection as he seems to want but, with 2 smaller siblings needing help I just get touched-out sometimes!

At his checkup, he was down to the 30th percentile for height! After always being so high on the curves, I guess he's slowing down. His pediatrician also heard that heart murmur again. Its been heard on and off since birth and always makes me nervous when it's brought up. Since he already had an ultrasound on his heart 2 years ago, the doctor is going to take another listen in a couple months and we will go from there. If she hears it again we will have another visit with the cardiologist. If its gone, no worries (until it crops up again).

So, that's the big stuff on my big boy for now.

I love you, Isaiah!

Isaiah @ 5 Years

Stats

45 lbs (65%)

42 1/2" (50%)

Isaiah @ 4 Years

Stats

37 lbs, 6 oz (65%)

39 3/8" (40%)

Isaiah had a great birthday, minus an hour or so where we were trying to get him to NAP and he wouldn't. He was naturally spoiled rotten by family. I LOVE the fact that his favorite toy was the Bumblebee transformer "from" Micah. We made sure he knew that too! I think he also enjoyed having time with just Jeremy and me....we let him pick and he wanted us to leave Micah at daycare when we went to Build-A-Bear and the Lego store. He picked a camo bear he named Stuff-Stuff and decided he wanted to get "Lego guys" instead of a fish (because he has to feed the fish EVERY NIGHT!) So we did that and had lunch at Panera and went home. Then, after the failed naptime, we had his doctor's checkup. And family came over for presents/dinner/cake. It doesn't sound like a lot, but we were BUSY! 

We ordered pizza and cake and I think everyone got enough to eat. The cake turned out GREAT! Ohmygosh it was DELICIOUS and looked fantastic. She did a great job making it look like Captain America's shield! I'm totally going to have to post pictures. Everyone kind of made fun of me when I cut small pieces but we didn't buy a huge cake and I wanted to make sure everyone got some first. We had ONE person want a second piece! The cake was so rich but not in the so-sweet-it-burns way. Just...mmmmmmm! AND it was only $20 with half of it still left over! Even though it was about a 30 minute drive to pick the darn thing up, we are totally planning on getting Micah's cake from them!

I have no idea what to say about development. I still think he's advanced in his communication, even now when I have a better idea about what his peers are like. He's definitely "pre-reading"...recognizing words and symbols. Okay, he's had McDonald's down for awhile. Now he knows Target and Imaginext (a toy brand) and right away knew the book we got him was "The Giving Tree". My sister said she was half convinced he can read now. I know he can do other things, but can't think of what. 

He's started spelling. I guess they are learning songs to spell color words. I think he's done red and blue so far. I get SO excited when I hear him spelling or reading and he is SO proud of himself! There are a few books he's memorized and he will read them to Micah which I think is one of the most adorable things EVER. 

I thought it was funny that they were asking about potty training at the doctor's office. The nurse was really surprised when I said he's been completely done for about a year and a half or so. I can't imagine what it would be like to have TWO in diapers, so I'm really happy he got that down early.

Oh, and they asked about the chest squeezing. He hasn't mentioned it ONCE since we moved. How weird is that?!? I wonder if there was just something in the old place that gave him some tightness in his chest. Mold or something. With the foundation most likely messed up in some way, it's possible water was getting somewhere and there's grossness in that house. Certainly makes me happy we're out of there!

Basically, he's an amazing, happy, fantastic little boy. He's smart as a whip and can be SO funny! I love him so much, though I'm not real sure where the past four years have gone. Now...on to FIVE (and then *ACK* SCHOOL!)

Isaiah @ 3 Years

Stats

35 lbs (75%)

37 1/8" (50%)

Isaiah's birthday weekend went well. He loved the toy we got him and going to Build a Bear, but I really think the highlight was when his cousins came up on Sunday for cake and presents. They played really well in his room for a couple hours (minus a horrific nosebleed - ohmygosh it was the worst one Isaiah's had!) and then we went to IHOP for dinner. Then this morning Isaiah was bouncing on the couch saying "Oh yeah! That was the best party ever!!".

Isaiah @ 15 months

Stats

26 lbs, 8 oz (93%)

31" (41%)

Isaiah @ 1 Year

Stats

25 lbs, 5 oz (95%)

31 1/2" (95%)

One year ago today I gave birth to my beautiful, sweet, adorable baby boy.

I can't imagine anything coming close to this...unless I'm lucky enough to have another one some day. (Which I really hope happens...I'd like Isaiah to have a sibling.)

I know I've been down in the dumps lately...I'm guessing it has a lot to do with how gray it's been lately. Very little sun, the snow's melted so that gray film is on everything. It's depressing.

I may get overwhelmed with everything some days, but today is not about what's going wrong, or stressing me, or giving me problems. 

Today is about my precious boy.

I still check to make sure he's breathing every time I wake up at night. He's still nursing (though only 3 times with any regularity)...and I'm hoping will keep it up for at least 3 more months. He's down to only waking up twice a night...the first time Jeremy usually gets him and the second I bring him in bed with me.

I honestly never though I'd be lucky enough to have children....more because it was something I wanted so badly and I didn't think I would be able to have something I longed for so much.

Granted, things could have been a LOT different....and if they had they'd possibly/probably be much easier for me.

I just have to remember I've come SO FAR in just one short year.

I have a car now.

We have a place to live that is safe, and comfortable, and (rented but) our own...no more living with whoever is willing to live with a baby.

Jeremy fell head over heals for his son.

But, MOST importantly....Isaiah is happy, healthy, and growing. Getting in to everything, jabbering in his own language, and learning to walk. He likes to throw balls (or have them bounced off his head) and has this one stuffed kitty we found that he REALLY likes. He's started to snuggle with stuffed animals (it's soooo cute!) and loves to feed himself. He will gobble up green beans, and cheese, and spaghetti (which makes a phenomenal mess!) and bananas. He dances when there's bouncy music playing (like right now with Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious).

Isaiah @ 6 Months

Stats

20 lbs, 10 oz (90%)

28" (95%)

Isaiah is SIX MONTHS OLD!!! I can't believe it...he's such a wonderful little guy!! I call him my monster, but that's only because he's such a big boy....20lbs 10oz at the doctor yesterday. Poor little guy got shots :( It amazes me that I'm okay with them now...I originally wanted to space them out because it just seemed like so much for a baby but he's such a big boy and takes it all like a trooper. Really, since the first set (which caused a meltdown later that evening) we've only had to deal with a little more fussiness and a sleepier baby. Not too bad, I'd say.

He's been eating solids for a little bit now....he's up to 2 jars a day (which means I have TONS of baby food jars and I don't know where to recycle them!!) I'm still mostly breastfeeding, but Isaiah really seems to enjoy getting something different, a lot of times he gets excited when he sees me holding the jar! It's really no wonder he's such a chunky monkey with as much as he eats!

I HATE MY JOB WITH A PASSION!!!! They keep trying to give me lunches an hour after my first break when for FOUR MONTHS I've been saying "I need more time between breaks so I can pump" apparently it doesn't stick. This happens AT LEAST once a week. This Sunday and next Sunday they scheduled me to close (which means leaving there at 8:00 or 8:30 and THEN making the 30-45 minute drive home. When I tried to explain that this was not going to happen because I had to be home BY 7:00 in order to put my son to bed I was told "going to bed late once wasn't going to hurt him." When I pointed out two hours was waayyy too much for a 6 month old, especially when I have to work at 8:00 the next morning, my manager told me I had to deal with it or give notice and find another job. Anyone know of anything?!?

I'm really starting to feel isolated. With the fact that I basically work or spend time with Isaiah I don't get to see any of my friends or go out and do anything on my own. I DO NOT want to leave my son behind to do anything...I feel guilty and like a part of me is missing when I'm not with him. It's hard to put my feelings in to words in a way that makes any sense. I want the opportunity to spend time with people (other moms would be GREAT) that I have things in common with AND be able to bring Isaiah with me. That way I can socialize with people, can spend time with my son AND I won't feel like I'm stuck in some black hole somewhere....like I don't really belong in the regular world. Ugh, I'm getting REALLLLY tired and can't even explain anymore.

Isaiah @ 4 Months

Stats

18lbs, 3 oz (100%)

26 1/2" (88%)

Isaiah had is 4-month checkup last week. He's now 18lbs and 26 1/2 inches long....maybe that's why he was mistaken for a 6 month old in church the other night!

I am absolutely in love with the doctor we saw!!! Pretty much since he was born, Isaiah had a weepy, then goopy eye. It's been going on sooo long and his first doctor never really mentioned it. I went to another doctor specifically for that and he rushed through, barely looked at Isaiah and prescribed eye drops and said to massage the inner corner of the eye a couple times a day. THIS doctor took his time to look at Isaiah (also part of the 4-month checkup, but I still didn't feel rushed) and told us to leave a warm washcloth on his eye for 30-seconds and then rub down the outside of his nose and do that every time he ate. I didn't know how to do it when he was eating so instead I did it every time he woke up from a nap and within ONE day his eye is 100% better. Absolutely no more goop!! I eased off how often I was doing the washcloth & rubbing thing and the past couple days I haven't done it at ALL and his eye is COMPLETELY fine!! I told Jeremy we will be going to this doctor as long as possible now...I'm soooo happy!

Isaiah's also started eating baby food. I've done rice cereal in his bottle a few times. Yes, they say not to do that because it can lead to childhood obesiety, but I don't believe that because my mom did it with us (starting MUCH younger). Anyway, that's beside the point. He seemed hungry SO often so I tried cereal-in-the-bottle before bed to see if he would sleep better. It didn't help so I stopped doing that. Maybe a week ago I got a few jars of baby food to just to see what he thought of it. We started with banana's and it was a resounding failure. He tried about 2 bites and didn't want anything more to do with the stuff. Tried a couple nights later and had the same result. Then we tried green beans and he loooooooved them! I'm talking ate half a (small) jar with no trouble whatsoever! I actually stopped him because I was afraid he would have some sort of trouble with it or eating too much of something new would upset his stomach. The next night he finished up the jar AND ate some cereal! Last night he at a WHOLE jar of applesauce mixed with rice! He even still nursed before he went to bed...no wonder he's such a chunky guy!

Today my mom found some of the cookie/cracker thingies she would give us when we were little and Isaiah gummed on that for a while before dropping it on the floor for the dogs. He always makes faces when he first tries something new, but then he really seems to enjoy it. The only thing he didn't like was the bananas and I'm going to try it again some time to see if maybe it was just because it was his first baby food experience.

I can't believe my little guy is eating real food now! Now if I can just get him to stop blowing his tongue when I'm feeding him that will be helpful. He blew food ALL over his face (even in to his hair) last night! Now I really need a highchair because we've been feeding him in his swing and that is NOT made for easy cleanup!

Isaiah @ 2 Months

Stats

14 lbs, 14 oz (78%)

23 3/4" (69%)

Isaiah @ 1 Month

Stats

11 lbs, 2 oz (76%)

22" (65%)