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Sparkling Snowflakes Christmas

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I've started back for another school year-- I can not believe I've been teaching 6th grade for 5 years. Where has the time gone?

Anyway, I went back to work which means, of course, that I've been slacking a bit around the house. You want to know how much I've been slacking?

I got home from work the other day and Isaac pointed to the closet. I opened the closet and he pointed to the vacuum. He then proceeded to instruct me to vacuum the hearth room rug. And the kitchen floor. And the family room rug. He even picked up his toys and then told me to vacuum underneath where they were.

Yup, my house was indeed dirty!

He also spent last night sweeping up the bird food around the house. He cracks me up! It just killed me to see my little baby walking around, with a broom, sweeping. That means he's really growing up!

Words

I've always said that I can't wait to hear what little toddlers are thinking and trying to say. When children start to talk, it's not just the words that come out but their whole personality. It's such an exciting thing for me to experience.

Isaac has started "talking" a lot more in the past month. He babbles and looks at you like you're supposed to know what he's just said. I can't wait to understand all the thoughts running through his little mind.

Right now, the words/phrases he can say (that we understand) are:

Dada- his first word (2/26/11 right after he had his tubes put in)
Doh which really means dog (first said March 2011)
What's that? (first said May 2011)
Mama (he didn't say this one until his first birthday!)
Lady (7/8/11)
Hi Dad and Hi Mom have recently become his choice of expression first thing in the morning. I love it!
Also, he seems to call us Mom & Dad as opposed to the traditional mama or mommy. Hey, whatever works.

It feels like he learns something new every day. Yesterday he went to the cabinet, pulled out a trash bag and walked over & put it in the trash can. He amazes me! It is a true joy watching my little boy grow.

12 months

On June 14, 2010 @ 11:06pm, my life changed forever. Isaac Edward Martin was born weighing in at 7 lb 15oz. I could not believe that this thing that was in my tummy for 9 months came out to be a little human being. It was truly the most surreal moment of my life. He came out as perfect as can be-- no crying (which scared mama-- though later we became thankful at how laid back he is!), pink, plump and alert.

Even though we experienced some difficult times (on many levels!) right after his birth, I look at these pictures and remember how amazing that time was. Giving birth, having my new baby & my husband all in one tiny room. I loved it! And I also swear Ike looked like a fake cabbage patch doll all swaddled up!

By the time we got home three days later, Isaac was already growing up. He didn't look like a newborn long. (The picture below was taken 6/18/10 & I think he looks like he's already lost a lot of that newborn-ness.)

And now? Now I have this big boy!

Who smiles for the camera, watches tv...

and chills out like it's nobody's business.

I know I've said this before, but where has the year gone!?

We were in San Diego on Isaac's actual birthday so we had his party a few days later. We flew home from San Diego at midnight on a Friday & had his party at noon on Saturday. (Mental note: NEVER do that again!)

I thought Ike would like the cake but he really wasn't into it. He mostly wanted it off his hands.

Normally he wants to touch and squeeze everything and anything he can get his hands on. I was surprised at how much I had to coax him to touch his cake.

I even had to get him started.

I think our "Little Man" party was a success (especially all things considered!). I wore a men's dress shirt dress, Richie wore a funky tie & Isaac's shirt had a tie embroidered on it.

The day would not have happened without Mimi & Grampy's help, that's for sure! As always, they were my lifesavers.

I was also so glad that Granny was able to stop in. We got a picture with Isaac & Michael Patrick (who was turning 1 the very next day!) & Granny.

After looking online for the decorations for our "Little Man" themed birthday party, I decided not to spend a gazzilion dollars & made everything myself. This is the happy birthday banner I made out of ribbon & card stock cut into ties. On the mantle are the goodie bag boxes I made. Inside are homemade bow-tie butter cookies and fake mustaches.This is a close-up of the goodie bag boxes. These took the longest to make. I printed Ike's picture (of him holding up his finger to show he's 1) on sticker paper with the saying "We love our little guy in a tie!" on top and the thanks for coming on the bottom, cut those and put them on the boxes. Then I cut little ties out of glittery paper and glued those on the pictures. To finish it off, I put a cupcake 3-D sticker on the front and a Happy Birthday sticker and mustache sticker on the back.

Mimi made Isaac's tie birthday cake-- it was cute and yummy! Best combination in my book.

We served root-beer floats out of these mason jars. I tied double windsor knot ties using ribbon on each jar. (Yes, this took a good bit of time but I think they turned out so cute!) Oh, and I didn't realize that mason jars are the trend for children's parties right now. I guess I'm just ahead of the curve. Ha! This is the outfit Isaac wore. He looks so grown up!

For Isaac's actual birthday in San Diego, Isaac, John, Kathy & I went to Sea World. It was so much fun!

Mama and Ike on his 1st birthday

Daddy & Ike on his birthday

At Sea World they were doing a dolphin show where the crowd shouted out "Touch Down!" Ike knew what to do!

The famous Shamu show. We sat pretty far up and the show had a lot of talking and music and videos so Isaac didn't stay too interested. Maybe when he's older he'll enjoy it more.

Grammy, PawPaw & Ike at Sea World on his 1st birthday

While in California we spent two days at Richie's parent's house. One day we went to visit John's courtroom. Isaac even got his own gavel!

Isaac & PawPaw dressed alike-- it was too cute!We stayed at a fabulous hotel in San Diego. Outside of our room was a garden and fountain. Ike and I played out there every afternoon.

The hotel was so full service that they offered to put on my sunscreen when I took Ike to the pool. Isaac thoroughly enjoyed running around outside in the garden area.

This is the fountain right outside of our room.

Our hotel room was very spacious and comfortable. It was nice to be away from the daily grind of housework and chores. Richie ate at his work conference so Isaac and I enjoyed all of our meals via room service. They wheeled in a table and set everything up. It worked out really well and the food was surprisingly delicious and affordable.

We eventually had to return home to reality, though. And that reality was selling our beloved house and moving into a new house. Ike didn't seem to mind too much so long as his favorite toys were around.

He was even a pro at helping me pack our kitchen.

In the new house we put a little activity pool out back. Isaac enjoys it very much! It really helps beat this heat-- it's been over 100 degrees for two or three weeks now.
This 4th of July Isaac was much more alert than last year. Last year I had to prop him up on a stuffed bear to take his picture. This year I had to chase him around and take 100 pictures just to get a few good shots.

While packing up the old house, I took out my doll from when I was little- KeyBee Elaina. Isaac loves playing with this "baby." He'll carry her around and bring her to me so that I will rock, hug and kiss her. Then he wants her back to do the same thing. It is too cute!

He's also discovered some other new toys-- empty drink containers. Hey, whatever keeps him happy!

Isaac got tired of me taking so many pictures this month. This is his "Mooommm I'm done" look.

And when I kept taking pictures, he let me know that that was the only nice warning I was going to get.

Happy 1st birthday Ikey Tikey! He now weighs in at 25lb 13oz (81%) and is 31in tall (76%). Still growing like a weed in 24 month/2T clothes.

11 months

My little boy is almost one year old. He's 11 months now & practicing showing that he's one. Seriously, where has the time gone!? He's still full of smiles. I love this boy!

And he's still working on math-- he's practicing counting his fingers.

Yup, I have five fingers.

Look, Mom! I can count!

We were outside taking pictures and Isaac walked up to this soccer ball and starting running & kicking it (yes, he's running now!). I flipped out like, "My son is a genius! He naturally knew what to do with a soccer ball!"

Until my dad burst my bubble & informed me he'd been teaching Ike. Oh, well. He still has plenty of other talents!

Isaac now eats all sorts of food-- avocado, peaches, pears and meatballs rank up there with his favorites. He also likes frozen blueberries and frozen mango because they feel good on his teething gums.

My favorite part this month was taking Isaac to the pool for the first time! My two handsome boys. My heart aches at the cuteness!

We put Isaac in this floaty thing but he couldn't keep his balance. He kept falling over, poor kid. I assured him he'd be so thankful once we put him in the water.

Yeah, not so much!

All he really wanted to do was run around the pool, looking at the water.

Finally he warmed up to the water and now swimming is his favorite activity. I wish we could go to the pool every day! Next hurdle is getting him to wear his hat while swimming...

Most of the month involved me planning his big first birthday party. I really don't know where the past year has gone. I look at my little baby and realize he's now a little-turning-big boy.