Isaac Walks!!

After many weeks of cruising and taking one or two steps, Isaac seems more comfortable with walking now. He still prefers crawling, but everyday he does more and more walking and seems to be really proud of himself. Special thanks to Mom for playing the red-ball game (also known as fetch!) with Isaac on Saturday. He loves it!

Isaac enjoying the summer

This weekend we bought a child bike seat and installed it on my (AOM) bike. This morning we tested it out and went on a family bike ride into Cambridge to visit friends. Isaac enjoys the ride, but dislikes wearing is helmet. Hopefully, he won't mind it so much as the summer goes on.

Another exciting thing is that Isaac LOVES being in water. He squeals when we swim in our condo pool and gets really happy when he's wading in the water at Walden. He crawls around in the water and splashes. It's very cute.

Check out these pictures of our summer so far. The first batch are of our trip to the Cambridge River Festival and the bus ride home. After that, I grabbed some shots of Isaac enjoying a homemade popsicle--simply pureed peaches and pineapple.

California Trip 2011

Please check out the three albums below of our California trip. We had a great time! The plane trip was fine--Isaac got a little antsy, but didn't really cry. We hiked a lot (see the pics) and Emily and Andres's wedding was beautiful. We can't wait to see their professional pics because we didn't take our camera during the wedding. For those who didn't know, my dad was their celebrant and did a great job. Enjoy the pics!

13.1, stairs, Gaga, and Cali

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!

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

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!

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: