Isaac's First Birthday (Way back in April)

Isaac had his first birthday on April 17th and we threw a big bash for him, hawaiian/filipino style, a few days later. We had a great time and appreciate all the friends and family who came to celebrate with us. Isaac loved opening his presents and took time to play with each one for a minute before big brother Eli snatched it away. I gave him his own baseball shaped cake but he hardly touched it. Didn't even make a picture worthy mess of himself!

Life is Good

I’m not a blogger but since I’m in a reflective/ cathartic mood I thought would share a quick list of some of my favorite things. Here’s a top ten list in no particular order:

10. Coming home from work and hearing Eli say, “Daddy!” and Isaac tugging at my pant leg to be picked up and seeing Anne cook.

9. Waking up at 4:00am to go to work and finding that Eli somehow crawled into bed with us at some ungodly hour without me noticing.

8. Sitting on the couch after the kids have been tucked in for the night and talking to Anne about our sundry list of the day’s stresses.

7. Sleeping on the Sounder train to and from work knowing that I would otherwise be driving.

6. Saturdays when nothing is planned.

5. Although I’m a horrible friend and don’t keep up with high school friends, I love visiting MySpace and seeing people that have meant so much to me having grown to be happy parents and people finding their way in life.

4. Holding Isaac upside down by his feet and tickling his tummy (he has a deep guttural chuckle).

3. Getting older day by day with Anne and better understanding what life is truly about.

2. Eating dinner with my family at the table every night.

1. Those moments when I look at Anne and I see how different we are from when we first met and how similar we’ve become through the years. This happens more often than one would suspect…

Things won’t ever be perfect but there’s no doubt about it - life is good.

*The picture was taken our senior year of high school. We conned school the photographer into taking our picture free-of-charge for helping him with the junior and sophomore class pictures for the yearbook. Little did he know we were simply looking for a way out of class to spend some time together. I don’t think that I look any different now then in high school – maybe that’s why I still get carded at the movies…

Future Family of Five!

Dillon and I got quite the surprise about a week and a half ago. After feeling more tired than usual and having a persistent upset stomach and a revulsion for food, I decided to take a pregnancy test. It was positive! We think the due date will be sometime at the beginning of December or the end of November but we have no way of being sure. I need to go see a doctor but haven't found one I like yet. We have broken the news to most of our family now and done so a little early. Finding out you are pregnant when you have a baby that isn't even one year old yet is pretty stressful. Sharing the news with supportive friends and family has helped turn shock and worry into the joyful feelings that a new baby should always mean. Although I know it is going to be tough while my little ones are young, I feel blessed that the Lord is sending me children to raise. A big family has always been something Dillon and I hoped and planned for. Looks like we will be seeing our goals through a little more quickly than at first imagined but why should we complain. I can't wait to meet the little boy or girl that is waiting to join our family.

Eli at work

Dillon had to work this weekend and with Isaac and his chickenpox, the kids and I were pretty much home bound. So, Dillon decided to take Eli along with him to supervise the crane jump. (I am pretty sure that means they are making it taller.) I'll have to let Dillon fill in the details but I couldn't resist posting this picture. Hard hat, safety glasses, safety vest, not just props!

CHICKEN POX!

I know, I can't believe it. I always kind of assumed that chicken pox was a disease that moms of other generations told stories about and that my kids would never get it. Wrong! So far Isaac is doing well. He is a little trooper and hardly complains. Eli has had the vaccine and so he will be all right. It is so hard to see the little blisters all over and not be able to help him out. We'll just cross our fingers that it won't get any worse before the week is out!

Dillon's work site in Seattle

Can you see the space needle in the background? That is Dillon on top of the tower crane at his job site. He has been working incredibly long hours lately because part of his scope, the steel, is now going in. You can see that process in the last photo. Its a stressful job and has made Dillon stretch in a million ways but he does seem satisfied at the end of a work day.

The only snow we got this year

We were outside by 8:30 in the morning. Good thing too because the snow was gone by early afternoon.

Eli's favorite youtube video

Isaac tidbits

My little Isaac. The look he is giving in this picture reflects a part of his personality I love: a little reserved, patient, and always paying attention. A sweet little sideways glance. Honestly, most of the time he presents himself as a rough and tough little wiggle worm. This photo was taken when he was seven months old. He is now ten months old, crawling, clapping enthusiastically, and he even stood on his own for about four seconds. Thanks to Grandma Conway. The best thing, though, is that little "Howie" is now sleeping through the night. All parents know what a blessing that is.
He has always been good at falling to sleep on his own, he just liked to do most of his nursing at night which was hard on Mommy! But I finally had had enough and let him cry it out. The time was right and now I just need to retrain myself to sleep a solid eight hours without waking up to listen for baby. A few more cute details--when Isaac falls asleep, he plays with the hair on the top of his head, pulling it through his fingers. Also, Isaac hates to be fed from a spoon, especially if its baby food. He keeps me on my toes, constantly demanding carrot sticks and tortilla chips. Dangerous! He is a do-it-myself kid already. And none of that baby stuff if you please!

Family Photo '07

I love this picture of our little family. Aren't our boys a good mix of both me and Dillon?

I hate myspace

Ok, so I don't hate it, exactly. I just realize that it isn't set up for families. It is the way to go for single people but since I am not trying to advertise all of my good qualities, nor do I want to have any actual advertisements on my page, I am going to try the blogging thing. We'll see how it goes. Right now it is 4:00pm and my baby is crying in his crib because he is too tired to sleep, I have to make dinner and clean the house by 6 so that I can take Eli to his swim class at 6:15 and be back by 7:30 when the missionaries are coming over for dinner. Why am I creating a blog at this moment in time? Because I hate house work and I can't hardly function while listening to my baby cry. But hey, he just stopped! Off I go!