It seems like we've had a bunch of big events lately for everyone in the family. For example, yesterday Josh rather unceremoniously ran a half marathon! He finished in under two hours and felt great. Later that day we had most of my family over our house for my mom-"Gaga"-'s 70th birthday party. It was a good party. Josh and I (mostly Josh) wrote a song for the occasion that made my mom cry. It was very special.
Meanwhile, Isaac has been crawling for months now, but only relatively recently did he discover that he even liked it and that it could take him places that are fun. I think it takes about 10 seconds for him to go from playing quietly on the carpet to dangerously climbing the stairs. Tonight he didn't even want to eat dinner because he wanted to play. That is a first! He loves food. He made his "more" sign and then pointed to the play area. So I took him out of his seat and let him play. He just seems so determined to climb the stairs and stand as much as he possibly can. I don't know when walking will happen, but non-walking feels enough right now. With sign language, Isaac has discovered how effectively he can communicate his needs to us. Sometimes when he's tired he'll make the "more" sign and I'll say, "more of what, Isaac?" Then I'll give him the options as I see it by speaking and pointing. He decides and then suddenly seems happier.
The last thing that is pretty big is that the three of us are going to LA for nine days. We leave this Saturday. I'm the matron of honor for Emily Hibbet's wedding and so we decided to make a trip out of the occasion. We plan on seeing some of our LA family and then doing a lot of hiking around Topanga and Malibu. If you have any suggestions as to what to do or where to eat, please email us so we can check it out. We're a little nervous about the long flight and about all of our bags. If you have tips for traveling with a 13 month old, please send ideas along!
Wish us luck on this big adventure. I'm sure it will be eventful, but I am really looking forward to spending that much time with Isaac and Josh. Even if we sit around all day!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Celebrating Mother's Day with Music
For Mother's Day, Isaac and I worked on a song for Anique. We hope you like it. The words appear at the bottom of this post--though particular to Anique and Isaac, I think there's something in here for all mothers :)
Note: The video is from January, hence Isaac's size and short hair. Listen to the recording for Anique's backing vocals and for Isaac, who, caring little for the sanctity of the recording studio, decided to play with balls from his wack-a-mole toy.
In the next one is a short video of Isaac from today taking a major developmental step. You'll see what we mean. Enjoy and Happy Mother's Day!
lyrics to MAMA
Mama
Thanks for helping put on my pajamas
And even though I often cry when you pull my two arms through
That doesn't mean I don't love you
Mama
After lunch you always wash my palm-as
Making sure I'm nice and clean when mealtime is through
And for that I love you
For all the things you do for me
Like nursing, kissing, tickling
On Mother's Day it's right to sing
A thank you song
Mama
When I'm older you and I will samba
I laugh and scream when you dance with me
After bath time is through
That's how I show you I love you
Mama
Someday you'll show me how to use a comma
And teach me how to ride a bike and how to tie my shoes
For all the things you'll teach me I love you
(Political verse)
Mama
I'm so glad you voted for Barak Obama
If he'd only do more for undocumented workers and push single-payer through
Then I might even love him like I love you
For all the things you do for me
Like nursing, kissing, tickling
On Mother's Day it's right to sing
A thank you song
Mama
One day soon I'll learn how to say "Mama"
Until then I hope that when you hear this song for you
You will know just how much I love you
These are the ways that I love you
Note: The video is from January, hence Isaac's size and short hair. Listen to the recording for Anique's backing vocals and for Isaac, who, caring little for the sanctity of the recording studio, decided to play with balls from his wack-a-mole toy.
In the next one is a short video of Isaac from today taking a major developmental step. You'll see what we mean. Enjoy and Happy Mother's Day!
lyrics to MAMA
Mama
Thanks for helping put on my pajamas
And even though I often cry when you pull my two arms through
That doesn't mean I don't love you
Mama
After lunch you always wash my palm-as
Making sure I'm nice and clean when mealtime is through
And for that I love you
For all the things you do for me
Like nursing, kissing, tickling
On Mother's Day it's right to sing
A thank you song
Mama
When I'm older you and I will samba
I laugh and scream when you dance with me
After bath time is through
That's how I show you I love you
Mama
Someday you'll show me how to use a comma
And teach me how to ride a bike and how to tie my shoes
For all the things you'll teach me I love you
(Political verse)
Mama
I'm so glad you voted for Barak Obama
If he'd only do more for undocumented workers and push single-payer through
Then I might even love him like I love you
For all the things you do for me
Like nursing, kissing, tickling
On Mother's Day it's right to sing
A thank you song
Mama
One day soon I'll learn how to say "Mama"
Until then I hope that when you hear this song for you
You will know just how much I love you
These are the ways that I love you
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Singing at Barrington Elementary School
Last month, Isaac, my friend Jared, and I traveled up to Barrington Elementary School to play songs for several of Jane's elementary school classes. We came away very impressed. As you'll see from this video, Jane has taught those kids well (I think these students are all third graders). They love to sing. For fans of Isaac, watch as our boy falls asleep on my back. Despite the rather uncomfortable way that his head lolls back and forth, trust me, he's fine.
Quick Note: Despite the title of the movie, I'm not in fact Josh Olivier-Meehan :) But, kudos to the videographer for trying to get it right. That's what we get for hyphenating, right Anique, Nicole, Danielle and Zev?
Enjoy!
Quick Note: Despite the title of the movie, I'm not in fact Josh Olivier-Meehan :) But, kudos to the videographer for trying to get it right. That's what we get for hyphenating, right Anique, Nicole, Danielle and Zev?
Enjoy!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Easter 2011
Mid-way through Passover, we went to my parents' house for Easter. It was really great being home. Jenn, Paul, Maya and Tavi were there too. Poor Josh, while there were hot-cross buns and other delicious-bready items, but he ate his sad Matzah. He has made a very clever quiche using matzah-crumbs.
Here are some pictures of our weekend:
Here are some pictures of our weekend:
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
ONE!
Pictures of Isaac's party taken by me/Josh
More pictures taken by Becca/Jose
More pictures taken by Emily/Mike
On Saturday, we celebrated Isaac's first birthday at my parents' house. It was a wonderful party with mostly family and some friends there--you know, just our family alone is a big group! We planned on Josh's folks, Tirzah and Bob, joining us from PA for the occasion, but didn't expect our Oberlin friends from western NH and Brooklyn to come. We invited our NH friends, Emily B-W and Emily H W, thinking it was possible that they might come-- even though it's a couple hour drive to Barrington. Becca in NY wasn't even on our radar because she has a 10 week-old at home. She emailed us a few weeks ago and asked if we were having a party for Isaac and wanted to come! So all the friends +husbands +children came to the party and stayed overnight so that we could see each other in the morning.
My parents cleaned the house on Friday and got everything all set. I made the cake on Friday night and had gone to BJs earlier in the week. On Saturday morning, we piled all five of us into our Honda Civic and loaded in the food and bags too. It was a full car! Once in NH, my mom took charge with directing the rest of the cooking while the rest of us either entertained the babies or did other preparations. One important job was setting up the giant trampoline. With Jenn and Paul there too, we got a lot done and weren't too stressed. Jenn and I even did a little yoga a couple hours before people arrived.
At around 3 the party started and we ate the yummy lasagnas and turkey my parents cooked up just "in case." Kids and adults were on the trampoline and all around the house. At one point there was a game of volleyball being played and a group of people played some good music.
Isaac was in a happy mood and seemed to really enjoy himself. Josh and I felt so lucky to have such good friends and family and had a great day. I can't believe that our little guy is one year old!
Thank you so much to our friends and family who have really supported us over the last 9+12 months. There have been some low moments, but thankfully, not many. I'm so happy Isaac is with us and am thankful for all of your love and support.
More pictures taken by Becca/Jose
More pictures taken by Emily/Mike
On Saturday, we celebrated Isaac's first birthday at my parents' house. It was a wonderful party with mostly family and some friends there--you know, just our family alone is a big group! We planned on Josh's folks, Tirzah and Bob, joining us from PA for the occasion, but didn't expect our Oberlin friends from western NH and Brooklyn to come. We invited our NH friends, Emily B-W and Emily H W, thinking it was possible that they might come-- even though it's a couple hour drive to Barrington. Becca in NY wasn't even on our radar because she has a 10 week-old at home. She emailed us a few weeks ago and asked if we were having a party for Isaac and wanted to come! So all the friends +husbands +children came to the party and stayed overnight so that we could see each other in the morning.
My parents cleaned the house on Friday and got everything all set. I made the cake on Friday night and had gone to BJs earlier in the week. On Saturday morning, we piled all five of us into our Honda Civic and loaded in the food and bags too. It was a full car! Once in NH, my mom took charge with directing the rest of the cooking while the rest of us either entertained the babies or did other preparations. One important job was setting up the giant trampoline. With Jenn and Paul there too, we got a lot done and weren't too stressed. Jenn and I even did a little yoga a couple hours before people arrived.
At around 3 the party started and we ate the yummy lasagnas and turkey my parents cooked up just "in case." Kids and adults were on the trampoline and all around the house. At one point there was a game of volleyball being played and a group of people played some good music.
Isaac was in a happy mood and seemed to really enjoy himself. Josh and I felt so lucky to have such good friends and family and had a great day. I can't believe that our little guy is one year old!
Thank you so much to our friends and family who have really supported us over the last 9+12 months. There have been some low moments, but thankfully, not many. I'm so happy Isaac is with us and am thankful for all of your love and support.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Almost One
Here are a couple of videos that capture where Isaac is as that first birthday approaches. Check out the way he crawls toward Anique as she reads to him from his favorite book, Baby Boo!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Patience
I called my sister Nicole last week to ask for her professional opinion on something that had been nagging me. Isaac scoots, rolls over, says "hi" and waves, claps his hands and I swear says something that sounds like Isaac "Eye-ek". The thing is that he doesn't crawl. At first, I shrugged off that fact by normalizing his development and saying to myself--he seems so normal in everything else. But as the days have passed without any more progress toward crawling, Isaac's non-crawl has gotten to me. When I drop Isaac off a daycare, it's hard not to notice the children his own age and younger who are crawling all around him.
So I called Nicole, who is an occupational therapist and has worked with children with delays to get them to crawl, or do other normal baby things. She said Isaac was fine and that I shouldn't worry. There were a few exercises that I could do, but basically I just needed to wait for the inevitable thing to happen.
Since that conversation, I have put Isaac through "his paces" as Josh says. I put him on his belly with a toy in front of him and I lift his hips and pull his knees in. He hates this. Sometimes he tolerates it okay, but most of the time he cries and puts his head on the floor (like, "why are you making me do something that is so hard?"). It literally breaks my heart when we're doing this. I'm trying to do the right thing, but I don't want to push him too hard either.
I recognize that the way I feel right now--fear and anxiety about Isaac being normal--will not go away. When I imagine myself years from now (when Isaac can walk away from me whenever he wants), I predict I'll be fretting about something... his socialization or test scores or why he can't shoot a basketball like someone else. I know it won't end with crawling or walking.
I searched on Google "late crawler" and almost had a heart attack. (By the way, do NOT use Google about any questions on pregnancy or babies! People write some scary stuff). I did somehow find my way to the Berkeley Parents Network and read some really encouraging notes there. Some parents wrote about their babies starting to crawl at 12 months and being totally normal older kids. Some parents said their child was late to crawl, but was an early talker (that's Isaac). Others said that their baby seemed unmotivated and even lazy, but eventually got the hang of it and now is totally active and normal. Also, my sister Jenn told me that her daughter didn't crawl until she was 11 months and then waited a few months to walk.
The best piece of advice was in the form of a question: how many 5-year-olds do you know who can't walk or crawl?
I've never been good at waiting. I over-think everything. I believe that results eventually come with hard work. But Isaac isn't a project in the lab or a chore I have to tackle. He's my wonderful, happy, loving, little boy. He'll eventually crawl--this I know. In the meantime, I need to stop using Google and listen to my doctor who said just last week (during Isaac's sickness) that we shouldn't be worried and get a little patience.
PS--I almost simply put in a Guns'n'Roses reference here until Josh admitted he didn't know the song, "Patience" and I found that fact more interesting than the reference. He said he wasn't allowed to buy GNR albums and that I was cooler than him. How can this be? Josh is my pop-culture maven. Is this song a girls' song or was Josh hiding under a rock in 1989?
So I called Nicole, who is an occupational therapist and has worked with children with delays to get them to crawl, or do other normal baby things. She said Isaac was fine and that I shouldn't worry. There were a few exercises that I could do, but basically I just needed to wait for the inevitable thing to happen.
Since that conversation, I have put Isaac through "his paces" as Josh says. I put him on his belly with a toy in front of him and I lift his hips and pull his knees in. He hates this. Sometimes he tolerates it okay, but most of the time he cries and puts his head on the floor (like, "why are you making me do something that is so hard?"). It literally breaks my heart when we're doing this. I'm trying to do the right thing, but I don't want to push him too hard either.
I recognize that the way I feel right now--fear and anxiety about Isaac being normal--will not go away. When I imagine myself years from now (when Isaac can walk away from me whenever he wants), I predict I'll be fretting about something... his socialization or test scores or why he can't shoot a basketball like someone else. I know it won't end with crawling or walking.
I searched on Google "late crawler" and almost had a heart attack. (By the way, do NOT use Google about any questions on pregnancy or babies! People write some scary stuff). I did somehow find my way to the Berkeley Parents Network and read some really encouraging notes there. Some parents wrote about their babies starting to crawl at 12 months and being totally normal older kids. Some parents said their child was late to crawl, but was an early talker (that's Isaac). Others said that their baby seemed unmotivated and even lazy, but eventually got the hang of it and now is totally active and normal. Also, my sister Jenn told me that her daughter didn't crawl until she was 11 months and then waited a few months to walk.
The best piece of advice was in the form of a question: how many 5-year-olds do you know who can't walk or crawl?
I've never been good at waiting. I over-think everything. I believe that results eventually come with hard work. But Isaac isn't a project in the lab or a chore I have to tackle. He's my wonderful, happy, loving, little boy. He'll eventually crawl--this I know. In the meantime, I need to stop using Google and listen to my doctor who said just last week (during Isaac's sickness) that we shouldn't be worried and get a little patience.
PS--I almost simply put in a Guns'n'Roses reference here until Josh admitted he didn't know the song, "Patience" and I found that fact more interesting than the reference. He said he wasn't allowed to buy GNR albums and that I was cooler than him. How can this be? Josh is my pop-culture maven. Is this song a girls' song or was Josh hiding under a rock in 1989?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)