At the Cooper-Hall Lake house, Hillsborough, NH

Pictured (from left to right, babies in all caps): ISAAC, Anique, Jose, Bill, COOPER, Emily B-W, MAYA, Josh, NOAH, Emily W, Rebecca

The official end of babyhood

Isaac is close to 18 months old. This past Saturday, after bath, PJs, and books, I nursed Isaac for the last time. I didn't know it would be the last time while it was happening, but it was. He was already down to just two times a day and while he probably could have gone on nursing for another year, I was ready. I've been looking for an out and on Sunday morning, on mistake, he gave it to me.

Normally, it was the first part of his day. On Sunday, we went downstairs and I started making coffee. At this point, he usually asks to nurse (a combination of sign, words and facial expressions). On Sunday, he didn't. He pointed at sippy cups drying by the sink and said "ba-tl." I said, "Bottle?" and then he said, "Elk!" He wanted milk and asked for it! I grabbed the milk from the fridge and filled up a sippy. I then watched in amazement as he downed it in under a minute or two. As the day went on, he didn't ask to nurse, but just to be safe, I had Josh put him down for a nap. At bedtime, he didn't ask and so I put him in his crib. As I shut the door, he cried out. As I walked down the stairs to ask Josh his opinion on what I should do, Isaac stopped crying.

Since Sunday, Isaac has asked a few times. Today while I was home for the Jewish New Year celebration, Isaac was really tired and really could have benefited from the wonderful cure-all that is breastmilk. But I held firm even when he spoke "nurse!" and pointed at the couch (our regular spot).

While I won't miss the presence of all those horrifying teeth or the sometime demanding nature of his requests, already I miss how calm my big walking, talking boy would get when we would nurse. Like an adult after meditation or a big work-out, Isaac slowed down when he was in my arms and relaxed completely. He'd look up at me when I'd tickle his feet and smile with his eyes. Afterward, he was happy and ready to play again (or fall asleep).

Many people choose not to breastfeed a big baby. They think it's disgusting somehow that a child can ask to nurse. I always remind those people that babies "ask" to nurse way before they can actually speak the words. But once they can ask, as Isaac could, why is that so bad? I know Isaac didn't need my breastmilk in the same way that he needed it right after he was born, but I know he liked it and I liked it too. Not in a weird sexual way, but in a, I'm his parent and I love him way. Some babies choose to end nursing on their own. A couple of my nephews were like that. You see, my sisters have always talked about nursing as a mutual relationship: it's wonderful until it's not for one of you. That's when it comes to an end--when it's not working anymore for both mom and baby. Like any break-up, there is one person who is a little happier than the other about that outcome. I guess in this instance, that was me.

So after almost 18 months of breastfeeding, Isaac's babyhood is over. I know he'll still be a "baby" to Josh and me, but now that Isaac walks, talks, eats with a fork, has his own wants and desires, I see that we've entered into a whole new phase of his development.

Uncle Paul!

Tuesday night, we left Isaac in JP with his Uncle Paul and cousin Maya so that we could go to the Red Sox game (tickets from Josh's colleague at the Journal). Paul had his game face on and seemed ready for anything--tantrum, tears, hitting... We left him and wished him well. A few innings into the game, we called to check in. Things were...perfect! The kids did great together and Isaac didn't fuss at all during bedtime. Great job Uncle Paul!

End of 2011 Summer

Although the weather today was humid and warm, we know the days are getting colder and we aren't looking forward to the day when the temperature is so cold that Isaac doesn't like "out-siah" anymore. So we are scrambling to enjoy these final warm days while we have them. Here are pictures of us at Walden Pond with cousin Maya, the apple orchard and visiting with friends in NH (Emily, Maya, Emily, Bill, Cooper, Bec, Jose and Noah--the group has grown!). As many of you know, I love using the self-timer on my camera and was busy setting up the final group shot at the lake house when my camera's battery died! Ugh. That's why all we have is my "test" shot with half the people missing. Below is an embedded slide show. If you don't see the pictures, or they seem weirdly formatted, click on the area below this text and it should send you to the Picassa page where the pictures reside. Enjoy!

He speaks!

Here is an up-to-date list of Isaac's words, in no particular order, with philological context where appropriate:

Bubble
Tree: a particular favorite, Isaac began saying this word after an overnight stay in Barrington with Gaga and Pepere. Unlike Pepere, for now Isaac sees only the good in trees and not their house-wrecking potential.
Tiger
Puppy ("Pu-pey")
Outside: his number one favorite, almost always expressed as an exclamation of glee, as in "Outside! ... isn't it great?" or as a one-word imperative sentence: "Outside!" punctuated by wild gesticulations, and a hurried walk to the front or back door. Also often accompanied by whining.
Read ("eee-d"): also used primarily in the imperative.
Banana or "a-nana." Isaac tends to say "banana" when he sees one. This should not be understood as a sign of gastronomic interest. Rather, it should be understood as Isaac informing us that "yes, those yellow things on the kitchen counter are, in fact, bananas." Many a good banana has ended up on the floor because of our failure to perceive this nuance.
Ball: this word is used for any spherical object, including, but not limited to actual balls, peaches, nectarines, and apples.
Oats: a new word this week, said while contemplating bowl of oatmeal
Mama and Dada: sometimes used to identify said parents and sometimes used as expressions of intense feeling, happy and sad. Dada also said in response to picture of the Quaker Oats man. Unclear why ...
Josh ("o-sshhh"): already preparing for that time, a decade or so in the future, when Isaac the mouthy teenager will refer to his parents by their first names.
Chair
and, finally,
Aye Aye Aye: Originally sung as an echo to the chorus of Toots & the Maytalls' classic tune, "Monkey Man"; more recently spoken in mock-old-Jewish-woman exasperation (think: "Oy Vey!")

Our Anniversary

Just a couple days ago, Josh and I celebrated our 7 year wedding anniversary. We had an amazing time. We dropped off Isaac at my parents' house Saturday afternoon where "out-siah" (outside) became officially his favorite word. He loved wandering around on the grass, touching the trees, being on the "tam-een" (trampoline). Josh and I drove to Portsmouth, NH and checked into the fancy Hilton in the downtown. We wandered around the town, holding hands, checking out cute shops. Eventually we wandered over to the public garden area and bumped into high school friends. After that surprise meeting, we slowly went back to our room and prepared for our date night. We went to dinner at the Wellington Room (thanks Masons!). It's a small and very intimate chef-owned place that came up first when I Googled "romantic Portsmouth restaurant." After dinner, we wandered over to the public outdoor theater where they were showing Indiana Jones. The whole time, we called my parents only twice or three times. Isaac was doing great. He was happy and excited to be there.

The next morning, we went to breakfast at an outdoor cafe and eventually struck up a conversation with a nice couple with a toddler. It turns out they live in Arlington, MA and are new to the area.

Meanwhile, Isaac slept way late (6:50am), went to church and flirted with the people there. He ran up and down along the pews and waved at everyone.

Those were invigorating 24 hours.