Dinner Compliment

My timetable for dinner this evening was based around a good commute for Tim. The fact that his commute was twice as long as I anticipated led to Issac and I eating before he got home.

So, Issac is devouring my famous Campbell's Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole, [keep in mind that for lunch, Isaac was not fond of my meatloaf leftovers and pretty much only had mashed potatoes], when out of nowhere he stops eating, looks at me and says "Good job, Momma". I got a good giggle and feel good moment to remember. He wouldn't touch my meatloaf that required basil, pinenuts, and a host of other gourmet ingredients (as gourmet as meatloaf can get), but I got a "thumbs up" on the 5 minute-throw together meal.

Don't you think Campell's needs to buy my story for a good commercial? Note to Campbell's: this story is copyrighted!

Jingle Bells

If you were wondering, we went this afternoon to get a fresh haircut!

Day 2: Animal Kingdom

Well, day two started early with Issac waking up at 6am after sleeping a full night in a king-sized bed all to himself. We arrived at the Animal Kingdom first thing and headed straight to the Safari in the back of the park. We were able to ride this twice during the day due to the small lines. The animals were on their best behavior and we saw everything!

The Lion King Show was excellent and the Finding Nemo Musical came at Isaac's nap time, so he fell asleep for a good hour or so.

Spending the day with our families was also very special. We were glad to have Unlce Todd, Nana, Aunt Sarah, and Grandma on board. The day was a super sucess!

Mission Disney Accomplished

Well, we did it! We brought our firstborn to the Walt Disney World Resort Magic Kingdom. We could not have been more pleased with how the day went and how much Isaac enjoyed himself.
We arrived first thing in the morning when it was surprisingly cold outside. Probably in the 40's. We took the steam boat over to the gate and got inside as soon as we could. Main Street USA provided some much needed refuge from the wind and while some people in our party used the potty, Isaac and I enjoyed the first show in the park. The performers rode in on a horse-drawn carriage.
I am so glad I snatched a blanket out of the car before we took the tram ride to the ticket counter. Isaac would've been way too cold had I not. As it was, his lips started turning blue on the boat ride.

The park had the perfect amount of people in it. Enough to confirm you were at Disney World, but not make the lines longer that 5-10 minutes to wait for each ride. Grandpa was very happy about this AND the weather.

We caught all the age appropriate rides at perfect times (not in order): Country Bear Jamboree, Small World, Jungle Cruise (a little scary for the little guy), the Tiki Room, Peter Pan's Flight, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, the people mover (Tomorrowland Transit Authority ), and Cindarella's Golden Carrousel. Isaac's favorite item on the agenda was playing in Pooh's Playful Spot...a perfect place for little ones to run off a little steam. Isaac and Tim rode the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway and Isaac got his Official Speedway License. We took a siesta in the middle of the day to check in to our hotel. Isaac was asleep before we even got to the hotel (10 minute drive) and took a solid nap before we were back to the fun.

Grandma and Grandpa were convinced that we had to stay for an additional ticketed event after the park closed: "The Very Merry Christmas Party 2008". This was quite the spectacle of magic where the Castle was totally covered in lights, cookies and hot chocolate for everyone, and a Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade where it snowed on Main Street USA. The fireworks were SPECTACULAR if you are into that sort of thing, Isaac had a different idea of fun, so he got upset during the fireworks. Off to bed after a monorail and tram ride back to the car. If you can imagine, Isaac was in a trance of stimulation after such a day.

Tomorrow: The Animal Kingdom.

All Dressed Up

We are traveling to Florida for various celebrations that require Isaac to have some new threads. Check them out!

Pictures from Fall 2008

Please enjoy the following pictures from this years various Fall events.

Isaac Will Not Be Shaken

It turns out Isaac has a knack for remembering words in songs.

Major Milestone

Isaac has spent the past two nights sleeping in his big boy bed. It is so nice that he can get out of his own bed. That means Tim doesn't have to get up in the morning to go get him when he wakes up. He just walks into our room and cuddles with us in our bed. So far, he has slept all the way through the night! Go Isaac!!

Hot Off The Presses

Isaac is growing up so quick.

Everyone Loves Halloween Leftover Sweets

More halloween video fun thanks to the Flip.

Halloween... A holiday only a dentist could love. Well... maybe parents of an almost 2 year old could love it too.

Hope you enjoy... We did.

Christian the Lion

It may be the hormones, but this video gave me the quickest tears of my life!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVNTdWbVBgc

Apple Picking and a New Toy for recording

Today we went on our annual excursion to Carter Mountain Orchard outside Charlottesville. We got to pick apples and use our new Flip video camera (Thanks Grandma and Grandpa). Well apple picking was fun and the Flip can make cool videos like this using the software that comes with it.

BTW... Driving to Charlottesville took longer than I remember, but Hwy 20 is a beautiful road.

a few things

Isaac is comprehending more than I am on most days. He is speaking in small sentences and has every boldness to try and pronounce longer words that he can quite spit out (i.e. hippopotamus).
We have just returned from a week in Massanutten with Nana, and Isaac had a host of new experiences. He gathered up the courage to pet a horse and go swimming in a foot deep kiddie pool. He loved it after he got used to it. He also pet a cat at a local pottery we visited. Well, here are a few pictures.

How long will it last?

Okay...so Isaac and I were out and about one afternoon a week or so ago. When we got home at 3:19pm , we drove up into the driveway on one of the first beautiful Fall days so far this year. It just so happened that the trees were protecting the specific spot we parked our car and we had an umbrella of nature's shade. The windows were down and the rate of the breeze was so perfect, I would've paid for it...if I had any disposable income:) or if God took Mastercard:)

With these narcotic conditions, a sudden sleep fell over me. I literally could not get out of the car. I looked back at Isaac in his carseat wide awake and thought "maybe he would read a book while I just rest here a while". So, I gave it a try. I opened up his Look and Find book given to us by my friend Jenn from the KC, handed it to Isaac, and reclined my seat.

Sometime in the fog, I remember switching books, but the next time I looked at the clock, it was 4:09!! I could hardly believe it actually worked. It was a sweet nap and I once again fell in love with my little boy. I was so thankful for him and what a great addition to our family he is.

"Shina"

The story that I heard is that Isaac fell into the shoe rack at Chik-fil-a's playground. That's all I know.

Isaac's Future

Being a first time parent, I think it is only natural that we spend time thinking of what our child will be when he or she grows up. Based on his affinities and aptitudes we dream of the great and perhaps world-changing things he will do as an adult. Tim and I do this for Isaac. I can assure you, the list is long, but we have come across one thing that we can be fairly certain is not in Isaac's future.

As we sit at the dinner table on any given evening we eat chicken, Isaac lovingly says "bock-bock" as though he knows exactly what it is he's eating. So, with some certainty, we know that Isaac will not be an animal rights activist as an adult.

To find an answer to the question of something he WILL be when he grows up, watch this video:

A couple of things...

I don't know if I am doing this too early, but Isaac has communicated some awareness of his body eliminations. So we got him his first potty seat. We are just letting him get used to sitting on for now. When he gets up in the morning and before baths, he sits there for a little while. He goes right to the toilet when we ask him "Isaac, do you want to sit on the potty?". I am glad for his enthusiasm at this point. If you can't tell what he's reading, it's a book about babies and he's on a page where there is a baby wearing a diaper. Priceless!

Isaac went to a new pediatrics office today. He was very brave when getting his shots and I am very glad that the nurse was quick about it. He really liked the NP who checked him out. They got along great. Isaac is developing just swimmingly and his percentages are just fine. We are thankful for a healthy little boy.

Very Rainy Day

Saturday was probably the wettest day we have had in Virginia to date. We had some puddles close to the house that we caught notice of early on in the morning, so Tim dug some trenches! Isaac also had loads of fun running in and out of the rain.

For JaJa

Remind you of anything?

In the car

As we were driving the other day, I turned around and could not resist taking this photo of Isaac...content as can be reading a book while in his car seat.

Isaac got a hold of a Sharpie

AMEN

About a month ago, we started praying with Isaac before he goes to bed. We tell God the things we are thankful for and ask Him to help us with the things we are having trouble with. About a week or so ago, he really has understood that "AMEN" means it's the end of the prayer. So, he waits with his head on Dada's shoulder and when we say amen at the end, Isaac says "AMEN"! Then crawls into bed and goes peacefully to sleep. It's really cute.

A day with friends, a night with friends

Friday was a great day. I worked a bit, ate some good lunch with my family (Tim works from home on Fridays), rested a bit, THEN had some girlfriends come over with their kids and went to the beach. THEN the Toole's came over and we watch the opening ceremony to the Olympics while eating pizza and brownies.

Isaac has really enjoyed being with all of his friends whose names he can say: Jonathan, Caleb, Austin, Keegan, and Evan.

Beach Umbrella?

Well, Nana left for home this evening and we have determined that there are no beach umbrella's for sale in Northern Virginia. We looked in several renown stores hoping to find one we can just stick in the sand, and poof...there is shade. No luck. If anyone has more information, or can lead us to this invaluable item, please comment.

A day at the beach

If I threw in some water into our backyard sandbox, I think Isaac would be just as pleased as going to the beach.

A Day at the Zoo

Blogger is giving me difficulty with the photos, but yesterday was a great day in D.C. The Zoo is quickly (if not already) becoming Isaac's favorite hangout spot. The elephants, pelicans, pandas and gorillas had Isaac's affection the most.

We also got this really great hat before we left on the metro at an adventure store in Pentagon City. The brand is Buzz-Off. It repels insects AND has SPF 30. I would highly recommend all parents, everywhere looking into such products for the well-being of their children.

To view the video of the end of the day at the zoo, turn the speaker volume up.

Intimidation is effective

Dear Jason Pelt,
I resent the idea that you would even CONSIDER putting us on probation. Has our loyalty for one another been lost? Where did it go? While I nuture, in my heart, the very idea of the Pelt Family and what they represent, could this really be happening?
Puzzled,
Amanda

Grandma?

Did Isaac say Grandma? You decide.

Trapped in Stool

Isaac's first car

We found this car at a garage sale this weekend for $2! It is Isaac's favorite toy. I appreciate it because it is a woody wagon.

A Real Kiss

We have ritual kisses. Isaac, he is stingy on the kisses. I really only get one a day at nighttime when Tim tells him "Okay, Isaac, it's bedtime, give momma a kiss goodnight". Then, he just knows that the kiss will seal the day. I like the ritual kiss. I believe that it has real value.
But today, ah today, I got a REAL KISS from my son. Un-instigated, not requested, but a real reaction of his love for me.
You may think it was when I saved him from rolling down the driveway on his trike unable to stop on his own...or maybe when I finally got his shoes on so he could explore the outdoors: his favorite place to be. But no, it was none of those things. It happened after dinner when we were sharing a bowl of ice cream together. One spoonful for him, the next for me...back and forth. Then pop came the kiss. I love Isaac.

loopy

Isaac in the car after bedtime:

Isaac's first haircut

Isaac's first haircut was about a week ago. It was very informal and done in the comfort of our own kitchen. We just cleaned up his ears a bit and curtailed his foreshadowed mullet.

Isaac's cousins in South Carolina

These are Isaac's two cousins: Stas (left) and Bohdan (right). How cute are they?

Catsup or Ketchup

What just happened?

Isaac has had an intense growth spurt the past few weeks. Today I am not speaking of his physical growth, although that may also be the case, but of his cognitive, comprehensive, and communicative growth. Conversations and full thoughts are being had in the Long house and not they are not just one sided. It really is like having a different child. The wonders are new!

Isaac asleep on the sofa

So many words, it's hard to keep up

My favorites of the past two days are as follows: "Bubble", "Up,Down", and "I love you"!
Runners up: "Duck" and "Shoe"

Isaac on the phone with Dada

More words.

hi dada, help, elbow, dog, hi dada, and some more hi dada.
Grandma and Grandpa are coming this weekend to visit. We'll see what they have him saying.

Hi Dada

This morning, Isaac put his first (maybe second) two words together: "Hi Dada". Clear as day, no question. It was perfect. It helped remind me that I need to keep track of how many words he is saying for his baby book: mama, dada, uh-oh, hi, nana, hot, teeth, thank you (iffy, but recognizable), go...can't think of any more at the moment.

He does, however, bark when he sees dogs, or sometimes when you say "dog". He sometimes also hums when he eats a good bit of food.

Visit from the Grandparents

Issac had a splendid weekend as he was joined with Grandma and Grandpa Long. They had lots of fun playing on the playground and all through the yard.

Why is it...

that whenever Isaac comes to sleep with Mama in the morning after Dada goes to work, Mama always ends up at the edge of the bed? It doesn't matter if I start in the middle of the bed, or at the opposite side of the bed, Isaac seems to find me...and I am at the edge. Dear Isaac, it is a KING-SIZED BED! I promise there is room for the two of us. It is okay if we don't breath each others exhales, we are close enough.

It reminds me of when Isaac was just a couple of weeks old. He would sleep next to me and would not be satisfied unless we were nose-to-nose. The child would be swaddled and not able to move his arms or legs independently, but he would somehow worm his way over to me so that when I opened my eyes, I would be started by his (then) big blue eyes. Oh, I decided that I love it!

The idea of getting the king bed before we had children was so that IF the child were to be sleeping with us at any point in time, we would each have our own, ample space. Despite my careful and purposeful planning, reality is proving to take me in a different direction. Hallelujah! I love you, Isaac, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

That the world may know

Timothy Edward Long started and completed 5 loads of laundry today.

What has Isaac been up to?

Hanging out with cousins and other family and pondering why everyone else is wearing clothes.

Making friends with strangers on airplanes.

Learning to drive.

He is a busy little boy.