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.

OM Road trip to Wellsboro, Lewisberg and Larchmont

We took off last Thursday afternoon for a three-night trip. Josh had packed among the bags, our favorite homemade dinner of quinoa-chicken and then picked up Isaac from daycare and then me from Brandeis. We drove for about 100 miles and then took a rest stop to eat dinner. Isaac was the mayor of the travel plaza: he approached every stranger, looked them in the eye, and then waved and smiled. He had a parade of fans. A Mcdonald's employee gave us a toy just because she thought Isaac was so cute. Unfortunately, when Isaac is in mayor mode, he doesn't want to eat. We eventually gave up on dinner, put him in his pjs and went back to the car. We drove until around midnight. We landed in Wellsboro, PA. What a sweet town! Josh's boss/professor lent us his home. It's a loft-style place and was very clean and comfortable. The next morning, we explored the Main Street area and admired the old-time feel of the place. It's all mom-and-pop stores. They even have one of the oldest diners in America. Of course we had to check that out! Then we went to the Rails and Trails path down the road--a railroad that was converted into a bike path. It was very lush in the "Pennsylvania Grand Canyon" as its called there.

In a very lazy way (very different for us!) we made it back to our little house to shower for the wedding that night (friends Jared and Laurie from Boston). The wedding was at Laurie's family farm in Lewisberg, PA (about 1.5 hrs from Wellsboro). Absolutely beautiful working farm! There was crazy thunder and lightening, but it all ended just in time for the ceremony. Isaac is always chatty, but was particularly vocal during the "moments of silence." Uh oh. Jared later said he loved it (phew). Instead of camping at the farm as we had planned, we piled back into our car and drove all the way back to Wellsboro with the idea that everyone would sleep better. I was really tired so Josh powered through and drove us.

The next day we packed up and got on the road to drove to NY. We hit terrible traffic and ended up 2 hrs late to visit my elderly aunt and uncle. Thankfully, they were very understanding and were just happy to see us. It was a fun visit and Isaac really enjoyed Aunt Sylvia's special Italian cookies and drinking out of a bought water bottle (another unusual thing for us).

That evening we stayed with Falmouth Road Race-pregnant goddess, Ali, and of course Jason too. We just hung out together that night. Having Isaac explore their fashionable glass coffee table and wine glass display cinched it for Jason that they need to change up their furniture for post-baby life.

On Sunday morning, after a quick walk to my all-time favorite bakery, Bradley's, we had a full breakfast at our other great friends', the Reists. The food was very good, but a highlight was sitting in the living room listening to Josh and Adam jam. Isaac squealed with delight when they played "Monkey Man"--a song Isaac loves to sing along to.

Late morning, we hit the road and felt so good from all the love and good times we'd had with our dear friends. Below are a few pictures (stupidly, we didn't do a good job remembering our camera this visit). There is also a short video of Isaac saying "Josh." Enjoy!