Thanksgiving Visit

There was talk that Jake, Isaac and I would be in Florida for Thanksgiving since he had training down there. However, with the stress of traveling and the attention that training would require of Jake, Isaac and I stayed back. With this new development, Isaac and I were able to drive to San Luis Obispo to spend the holiday with my parents. Thankfully, Jake was able to take an early flight on Thursday and made it to SLO by noon! Pretty lucky. Then on Friday my parents watched Ike so Jake and I could get some time alone. We went to Nautical Bean (a favorite coffee shop) and then drove out to Port San Luis to watch the sunset over the ocean. Such a beautiful and peaceful place.

My parents had a fabulous time playing with Ike and naturally he enjoyed himself too. He made circles on their floor, played with the popper and rang my mom's bell (a trophy bell she got for running a 5k back in the day). That bell is definitely the most multifunctional trophy. I remember enjoying playing with it when I was a kid.

Anyway, as always, the weather did not disappoint and even though our Thanksgiving meal was low key, it was nice to have it with family.

I didn't get any pictures, but I also got to see my sister and her family as they passed through on their way to San Diego for Thanksgiving. Jake and I also visited with Travis and Kate and played Spontuneous with the girls. :) 

Lovely time and the drive back wasn't too bad either. Here's a little video of our time with the Hasson Grandparents. :) wonderful memories made.

Isaac Weekly Update: Week 50

So maybe I was a little optimistic about Isaac’s switch to ending daylight savings… It’s a gamble these days if he will wake up around 7 or around 8 and I praise the Lord when it’s closer to 8. Of course, with his waking times varying, his nap times vary. I want to start attending a Music Together class with him on Friday’s at 12:15, but I am nervous about his morning nap. I think I may just have to go for it and wake him if needed.

Time in his crib is a funny thing to watch from our baby monitor. Many times we’ll put him in his crib to nap and we notice that he’s taken his pants off within minutes of being in there before he goes to sleep. Now he has begun to take every blanket he can get a hold of and his monkey and drops them over the edge.

He has also begun sorting his food and toys. At the table, he will organize his food (like pieces of chicken) into a pile either in one area of his tray or on the table. In his play area, he collects items and places them in either his toy suitcase or Annabel’s basket. In and out, in and out- this is the stage we are at now!

We got a lot of cute hand-me-down clothes from my sister-in-law, Kate Hasson, a few weeks ago and we’ve enjoyed dressing little Ike up. This colorful sweater is one of our favorites (the colorful rope chew toy is one of Ike's favorites...).

Point Reyes

Yesterday, Jake, Isaac and I took a day trip to Point Reyes. Jake has wanted to visit this spot ever since he use to fly over it while working for SkyWest Airlines. I simply love to travel to scenic areas and since Jake and I won't be traveling together to Michigan or Florida for Thanksgiving, this was our time to get away, even if just for a day.

This part of Point Reyes is at the "point," just a walk from the Lighthouse. It was very beautiful...

and WINDY!

Then we went to the visitor center and walked along a beautiful and manicured path- 4 miles to the ocean. When we got to the marker that said we had one more mile to go, it was already getting dark and Isaac was beginning to get cranky, so we turned around. It was still a marvelous walk/jog and being a person of completing goals, I am anxious to get back and make it to the ocean!

We don't have any hats for Isaac, but I found this bomber hat that I bought him awhile back. I got it because it was cute, but it thankfully keeps his head and ears warm too! win win.

Isaac Weekly Update: Week 49

Welcome to week 49. Whew, almost a full year, just three weeks to go! This week Isaac decided to finally join much of the world in accepting the end daylight savings. The end of daylight savings has always been a favorite morning of mine, as I cherish sleeping in. This year, it has been a struggle and a forced waking up early until a couple days ago when Isaac's body finally made the switch. YAY!

Isaac is taking a few more steps and becoming more eager to stand on his feet. 

He also has begun throwing balls. I have two balls that I use for my back- a lacrosse ball and a Pinky ball and he can hold them and throw them well.

And here are some pictures of Ike and his Dad...

Stroller Strides

Yesterday I attended my first Stroller Strides group. Stroller Strides is a part of a larger organization called "FIT4MOM." They have four main programs: Fit4Baby (pregnant moms), Stroller Strides, Stroller Barre and Body Back and they are nationwide! Pretty cool.

These pictures are from the internet, but this is pretty much what it looks like: a bunch of moms with their strollers, either in a line or circle, walking, running or doing lunges. At one point, while we were working on our triceps, the instructor read a short book to our kiddos. Then later, we did a couple burpees and ran around a skate park while the instructor blew bubbles around the kids. So much fun! It was really fun to exercise and be with other moms. Plus, I feel a good sore today, which is awesome. The only downside is that my back has been bothering me (again) and some of the sharp squat jumps hurt it more. :( I am excited to become part of the Stroller Strides group, but for the next couple weeks I will be focusing on yoga since that's what helped my back out last time it got bad.

It's exciting to find groups that I can do with Isaac and I love exercising so it's a win win. And even though the yoga is not with Ike, it is still something I really enjoy since it ends up being me time and many times meditative (very good for my overall health). Overall, success! Wish me luck!

Isaac Weekly Update: Week 48

I will begin this post with how we get Isaac when he wakes up from his nap...

It's always fun to be with a baby who is all smiles.

In the beginning of the week, during dinner, I was talking to Jake about something and ended up putting my head in my hands and saying, "It drives me crazy." Isaac thought it was hysterical, so naturally I had to do it over and over again and get it on video.

This week Isaac turned 11 months old! Only one more month and I'll have a 1 year old!! crazy... Here's some of the pictures I took of him to commemorate the occasion.

Love this face.

SLO Visit

I needed an easy going visit, so this blog post is appropriately titled. I needed some time to just relax and not have to cook and not have to clean. Thank you, Mom. It was also fun and a nice break to have my parents entertain their grandson while I ate breakfast or got ready for the day.

Isaac's favorite toy at their home was the infamous popper. This toy has made its way around the family! A classic, forever favorite.

Ike also enjoyed chasing and shaking this little wind up toy...

The primary purpose of my visit was to meet my niece, Beatrice (as I mentioned in this post) and it was wonderful. As much as I enjoy babies and how amazing they are in all their newness, I have to admit that I am an older kid kind of gal, so I LOVED seeing my other nieces and nephews as well as their adorable little sister. Suzannah, Charlotte, Elizabeth, Atticus, Henry and now Beatrice, all hold a very special place in my heart and it was fantastic to see them all. I had dinner at Travis and Kate's on the 5th and I truly could have stayed there all night and played with the kids if sleeping wasn't required by all. Isaac also had a good time exploring their toys and interacting with Atticus.

As wild as Mr. Atticus can be, he has a very soft side to him. Not only was he great with Isaac, but he also welcomed my many hugs and laid on me while I read a book to him and the girls. Physical touch is my heaven!

One morning at my parents when Isaac woke up, I asked him to say "hi" to his Dad (I often send good morning videos to Jake when he's working). And to my surprise, Isaac spoke! ;) or at least he sounds pretty dang close!

It was sad to leave my vacation, but at least I had a good book on "tape" for the drive home. I am still working on it, Unbroken, but it is a fun working. I'll have to travel back down to San Luis or over to San Jose soon so I can continue the story!

...love my family...

Beamer

FINALLY! Finally, finally I made it down to SLO to see my newest niece- the beautiful Beatrice Mercy Hasson born on September 22nd. Since she was born I have wanted to visit and I finally got the chance to.

What made the visit even sweeter was that I got to have a lunch date with my sister-in-law, Kate. Just us (well, and Miss B, but that was more than ok :) ). We ate at High St. Deli and enjoyed precious sister time. 

As for the title of this post-my creative father came up with the nickname, Beamer: Bea (Beatrice) and mer (Mercy). Pretty fun! so I may adopt it for her as well.

So wonderful to meet you, Beatrice! I can't wait to see the lady you will grow to be!!

Happy Birthday Ashlie!

Today was my sister's 34th birthday. She is a fantastic woman through and through.

Even though I was not with her on her actual birthday, I was able to drive to San Jose on the 4th to make a birthday eve dinner and dessert. Isaac did great hanging out and playing with all of the Feffer's toys and I enjoyed cooking, visiting with my sister and playing with her girls. I also got to see my brother-in-law, Adam, which was a treat since the last couple times I've been with Ashlie, he has been working.

So dinner was Ina Garten's Spring Green Risotto with rosemary parmesan rolls from Trader Joe's (those rolls pair with everything!) and for dessert I made a Tiramisu Chocolate Mousse and got a double chocolate bundt cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes. Deliciousness!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASHLIE! 

I am SO thankful that God blessed me with you as my big sister!

Isaac Weekly Update: Week 47

Isaac has begun waving more often and it's adorable. He also took his first step by himself on Sunday (the 1st). I tried to get him to do it again so I could record it, but he wasn't as motivated. I've found that he's much more likely to walk when he has toys in both hands and then wants something that is at eye level.

Here's the attempt at walking video that I took for Jake...

still cute, but clearly the skill is not perfected. When Jake got home we tried to get Isaac to walk, but his feet seemed stuck, although you can see from the video how well he stands independently!

This child continues to love the outdoors. Whenever we go for a walk or just hang out outside he is captivated by the trees and wants to touch all the leaves.

one of my favorite pictures

One of Isaac's favorite things to do is crawl around with Annabel's food bowl. Truth be told, Isaac loves everything that belongs to Annabel- her water dish, food dish, toys, etc. Thankfully, she doesn't necessarily mind, she just gets out of the way!

And one more pic of this adorable boy standing with one of his favorite toys in hand.