A Little Reader

I guess I must lie on the couch and read a lot.  I had set a book down on the back of the couch and got up to get a drink or something.  I returned to my spot to find this:



Maybe he is a reader in the making.

Funny thing is, I actually don't lie around and read all that much because every time I try to pick up a book or magazine I am interrupted by this kid.  I even try and wait until he's thoroughly engaged in his toys or some activity but it's like he senses when I am trying to read.  He'll stop whatever he's doing and come over to say "up" and read with me.  So we look at a lot of pictures in the Ensign and books.  And mostly I love it.

Though, it would be nice to finish an Ensign article in peace someday.

Water Fun

The other day Isaac and I were hanging out in our front yard.  I had my water bottle and his water cup out with us to keep us fully hydrated while enjoying the warm day.  After my water was gone Isaac decided to play with my water bottle.  He was quickly disappointed by the lack of water remaining.  So he handed me my empty bottle and then his full cup.  He tried unscrewing the lid off his cup while I held it but couldn't do it.  So I unscrewed it for him and he proceeded to dump the water from his cup into my water bottle.  He was pretty successful even.  Then he began drinking the water.  He loves drinking from a regular cup these days.  Unfortunately he hasn't quite mastered the task and certainly not from a bottle with a lip.  So, much of the water made it's way to his shirt.  He kept pointing at it and saying "wet, wet."  I think he was concerned about it.  Before long the water was gone.  I told him we'd go inside and I'd refill it.  But then I decided if he was getting wet we may as well go all out.  It was warm after all.

So I busted out the swim clothes and the hose in the back yard.


Then I traded the sprayer for the sprinkler head and things got really interesting.

 

 

 

 

He loved it.  But he was also really funny.  The water was really cold and he'd get his head wet and then kind of gasp and then laugh.  

I did finally pull him away because I could see him shivering.  I probably should have put the sprinkler in the full sun instead of the shade.  He gave me a cheesey grin and then had the following reaction when I asked him if we should turn the water off.

He was in the middle of saying "no, no, no."   But I do think he appreciated wrapping up in a warm towel.

Exciting News

A few weeks ago Jacob called me from work with a conversation that proceeded a little like this:
J: I have some news that is going to make your day.
S: Okay. What?
(I was expecting something like "I'm coming home early to take care of Isaac while you take a day off.")
J: Cafe Rio is coming to Fort Collins
S:  Are you serious?!  Really?!  When?
(I might have been a little more excited about the actual news than what I was expecting to hear.)

My love for Cafe Rio runs deep.  I could eat it probably every day.  That salad is so addicting.  And I'd probably drink the creamy tomatillo dressing if it were more socially (and nutritionally) acceptable.  Yum!

Needless to say, I began planning our big lunch out on the grand opening day.  Today was that glorious day.   We went for lunch with Jacob's sister and her family and our friends Lori and Heather.  We were really treated to a surprise when we walked through the door and were handed coupons for free meals.  Cafe Rio and for free!  Yeah, I was a supremely happy girl.  I devoured my salad.  (Well, most of it.  The left overs were enjoyed for an afternoon snack.)



I think it was a good day for all of us.  I mean look at that smile on Isaac.  I think he is becoming a Cafe Rio fan early on.  And he only had a quesadilla.  :)

Also, please know that I normally have pants on my son.  He just wet through his diaper by the end of the lunch...so they got left in the car after the emergency diaper change.  And Sarah's baby was there.  She was in the car seat behind the high chair.

Welcome Cafe Rio!  You will be visited often by this crew.

18 Months and Counting

Isaac recently turned 18 months.  This is a big milestone in this house primarily because we have been counting down the days until he was able to go to nursery.  I forgot how nice it is to pay attention in Relief Society and Sunday school.  His been to nursery a couple of times now and does really well.  Jacob and I were pretty certain he'd do just fine but I guess you never really know.  The nursery leaders said Isaac is a talker and they were surprised at how well they can understand him.  I'm not.  I know he's a talker.  But, I was pleased to hear they could understand him.  I know I can but I didn't know if that's just because I'm his mom.  And I also know there are still some words neither Jacob or I understand.

But his talking is one of my most favorite things at this stage!  Here are a few of my favorites.

Vacuum (mum mum).  The kid is obsessed with vacuums.  Really.  It's strange.
Peak a boo (pee kee kee).
Shower: it's new and cute and he says it mostly perfectly with the sh really drawn out.
Isaac (Izat).
Dinosaur: (sa-saurs).
Sauce (shaush) he loves to dip things in sauce.  I can get him to eat more things if I put a little ketchup or ranch on his plate.
Shovel.  I bought him some plastic yard tools at the dollar store in the hopes he'd leave the real tools alone when we go out to work in the yard.  Yeah, not so much.  He does love the tools when he's inside though.
Another one (ayewon).  It also sounds really close to his "organ" or "Oregon."  There are subtle differences but if you don't have them all in context it's difficult.  Meaning, if he's not pointing at the organ or pointing at his Oregon book it can be tricky.
He also learned to say Utah on our most recent trip out.  It's adorable - Uhtuh.
Hallway and bubbles.  Both pretty understandable and totally adorable.
Bunny= mummy.  He used to call rabbits Mama which was really cute.  He has a curious george book with a "mother bunny" so he'd call all bunnies Mama.

He is also super funny!  His laugh is killer.  He doesn't really, sincerely laugh all that often but when he does he busts up.  It's to die for.  He does social laugh quite a bit.  Which is also pretty cute.

Some of my less favorite things:

He is a little bit of a tantrum thrower already.  He can fake cry to try and get what he wants.  It's ridiculous.  And I must admit I laugh some of the time and get really annoyed the other times.

He has taken up crying again before going to bed.  Again, I think it's because he's smart and wants to avoid going to sleep.  I think he thinks I'll pick him up and rock him because I did that once several weeks ago.  That will teach me!

He had his well child check up last week and he is a healthy 26 pounds and 33 inches long.  Pretty much 50th percentile as he always has been.

I sure do love him!  He keeps Jacob and I laughing every day and he certainly keeps me on my toes.  He is a good, kind little boy and I am grateful to be his mom.

And now here are some pictures of the big day.  He was lucky to get a capri sun as a rare treat and we spent some time at the park.  He loves the park and I love getting out of the house.  

 

 

 

He likes to pretend he's hitting you as you push him.  Makes him laugh every time.

 

Turning the Soil

Isaac could not get enough of helping in the garden.  We were turning the soil a couple Saturdays ago and I had to bust out the camera because he was so excited.  I also love that he has started rejecting his shoes while outside.  I know my whole childhood was spent shoeless.  I still really don't love shoes.  But Isaac will take his sandals off anytime he is in dirt or sand because he hates when the dirt gets in his sandals.  It was all fine and good until he stepped under the pine trees on all the dry pine needles.  That was less fun for him.

Also, if you are wondering about his awesome outfit, it was warm but I was lazy and didn't want to put sunscreen on so he had his jacket and hood on.  I'm worried about his head burning with his super short hair!  Eventually he rejected the jacket so I had to bust out the sunscreen and sun hat anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jacob also showed Isaac a worm.  He was tentative at first and then touched it and picked it up on his own. He played with it for a little while.  I'm just surprised he didn't try and eat it.  Gross.

 

 

 

 

So now we just need to get the plants in.  We've had such a mild spring that I think we might risk planting a little early this season.  I hope Isaac can refrain from pulling up the plants.  He was helping me weed out front today and kept pulling up plants.  Not sure how to teach an 18 month old what is weed and what is not. 

Random Cuteness

One morning while I was at a Relief Society day of service, Jacob and Isaac went to Dr. Suess story time at Target.  And Isaac came home with a bag full of goodies including this Lorax mustache.  It is awesome.


Isaac has loved to read to us lately.  And he really likes looking at the Ensign, nursery manual, or our gospel photos book.  He knows that this is the Prophet.  And he says it really cute.  He also says church and temple though he often calls the temple a church.  It is confusing after all.

And we recently gave Isaac a hair cut.  It's short and cute and makes him look so much older.  It's probably actually shorter than I would have liked it but what can you do.  I guess he's ready for summer.

He still spends a good chunk of his day gazing out windows at birds and squirrels

 

 

Easter

This was our Easter morning.

Isaac found his Easter basket hanging out in the upstairs hallway.


He got scissors and for the next several days would not put them down.  That is until he lost them all.  I don't know where all three pair of scissors are.  That is ridiculous.  And it drives me nuts.  I'm kinda anal about keeping track of Isaac's stuff.  It's weird, but it's who I am.

He also got some new bubbles and has been playing with them quite regularly too.  Though most of the time we use them outside.

Then, Isaac was so pleased to find that he could take his now emptied basket to hunt for Easter eggs.  He had been playing with the empty eggs for weeks so when he picked one up and shook it he was thrilled to find something was hidden inside.  Mostly goldfish crackers and dried cranberries, but he did get some jelly beans and chocolate eggs too.  Man does he love the jelly beans!  Though he might have been just as excited by the cranberries.  Maybe he is my son after all.

 

The rest of our Easter was spent enjoying church and family.  We had Sarah, Kevin, Maxwell and baby Riley over for dinner.  Dinner was okay.  The chicken got cooked too long in my crockpot.  That was a bummer because I'm certain it would have been really good if it was done right.