Hanging Out with my Birthfamily

These next pictures are from when my birthfamily came over to visit me a couple weeks ago.  I was very excited to show them how much I've grown.  At my last check-up the doctor described me as "healthy, happy, and robust."  When I was born I was in the 10th percentile for weight, and now at 4 and 1/2 months I am in the 90th percentile!  Thank you Similac Sensitive Stomach, man that stuff rocks.  It was great to see them again, we always have a blast.

Grandma Angie holding me up high.  

This is my first handshake. It took a lot of concentration, but I followed Gabe's lead and everything just seemed to come together.

Grandpa John giving me some love.  

Showing Grandma, Grandpa, and Kelli how well I can stand. Oh man, I don't believe it! My diaper is showing again - I don't know how many times I've discussed this with mom and dad. I make a tremendous effort to stay fashionable, but they know there is only so much I can do!

Having fun in the living room. Skye, one of the furry members of the animal kingdom that resides in our house,  is acting calm at the moment, but even I know that is a facade.

I had a great time hanging out with my birthmom, Tawnie. Needless to say, there was a lot of smiling involved.

So, notice any similar features we both share? Skin tone, hair color, eye color... I guess we do look pretty alike!  

The Sugar Baby Red Carpet Event

Towards the end of January we headed to western Washington to see some good friends from college, the Kooles and the Burkinshaws.  Less than a year ago none of us had children, and then within 5 months of each other, we were all parents!  We had really been looking forward to the Sugar Baby Red Carpet Event, we were so excited to introduce Isaiah to our friends, and meet their new family members as well.  Our activities obviously changed from the usual hiking, frisbee golf, and spelunking that used to characterize our get togethers.  Instead, frequent feedings, diaper changes, and energetic, sometimes futile attempts at getting baby to sleep were the order of the day.  Alright, alright, we were able to do a bunch of other stuff too.  

So why the "Sugar Baby Red Carpet Event," you ask?  There are many maple trees where we all met up, and over the several days we were together we made maple syrup from the sap of several of those trees.  On the last day we had pancakes with our homemade maple syrup, thus: "Sugar."  I think the "Baby" portion of the title is self explanatory.  And as for "Red Carpet," the sheer number of camera flashes witnessed during our get together was reminiscent of a hollywood red carpet event, except that it lasted for days.  Enjoy the pictures!

So, you all probably know by now that Isaiah has a lot of hair. Lately, however, it has been getting a little out of control. Before we knew it, bam! Stylish mustache. We're not quite sure what to do about it, we've been looking in book after book and no one seems to address a mustache on a 4 month old.  Maybe being around Andrew's beard has something to do with it...

Lindsey with Isaiah and Andrew with one of the beans (Andrew and Colleen have twin girls) when we went for a walk. It was pretty cold outside so, as you can see, the babies were bundled up. Lindsey and Andrew, however, make it look like it is summertime. Baby wearing is a very warm business.

Andrew with, oh, I'm thinking Elise (Andrew and Colleen: forgive me if this is Maya!). I could have put up a picture of this same scene with Andrew smiling, but this is so much better.   

After the Sugar Baby Red Carpet Event, the Burkinshaws stopped by Grandma and Grandpa Reiswig's for a day. We really aren't holding dolls, they are the real deal.

Colleen and... Maya (refer to the previous conditional apology). Maya and Elise take the term "limp" to a whole new level when they sleep. We witnessed them sound asleep in positions where we would have thought sleep to be impossible.

On a walk with Isaiah cute and bundled up. He really seems to enjoy being outside, which we are very excited about. We're starting him out on walks for now, but hiking will be in his future.

Heidi with Racquel. Racquel is the oldest of the group, and has just started sitting up on her own. She is VERY cute and entertaining. She often would lean forward and arch her back (much like in this picture) and growl at you with this huge grin on her face. And if you growled back at her, it was on - let the growling war begin!

Isaiah sound asleep with Elise and Maya. In a house with 4 babies, this was a wonderful scene. 

Lindsey with, okay, I'm just going to say a little Burkinshaw.  

Grandma Reiswig with another little Burkinshaw.

Reuben entertaining his daughter, Racquel.

So, as you've probably figured out, Isaiah was surrounded by girls (or, depending on your perspective, potential wives) on this trip. There did seem to be a noticeable spark between Isaiah and Elise. They often "happened" to be next to each other during nap time, there was much smiling and cooing, and as you can see here they are gently leaning into each other. Now, if we are interpreting baby body language correctly, it appears Racquel is laying a firm claim on Isaiah while sending Elise a clear signal at the same time. Relationships are so complicated, even at this early age.

Isaiah and Racquel chillin' on the floor. This is one of the few moments where Racquel was not smiling or growling. 

This is a group shot of all of us. A year ago we all would have been holding backpacks and headlamps. With any luck, in a year these kids will be holding backpacks and headlamps.

Life Since Christmas

Waking up after a refreshing nap. I am quite sanguine after a nap, that is, until I realize that I am hungry. 

Yeah, that's right. I'm in the big kids bouncy chair. "But wait, he's not even 4 months old," you say? The secret is in the blankie-just stuff that thing behind your back. This chair is amazing: usually when I kick my legs around nothing happens, but when I am in this thing - whoa, look out! Things get a little crazy. I've even been known to do full 360s, eventually.

Sleeping soundly with Great Grandma. This was a particularly good nap, and I know good naps. The rate of rocking was good, calm discussions filled the background, blanket location was superb, a slight positive inclination of the body, ahhhh... everything a baby could want.

Visiting with Grandma Stewart and Great Grandpa. I love to talk with people now. I think I must be quite the conversationalist, because inevitably those I talk with start to sound more like me! I appreciate those who attempt to speak my language, but it can be humorous at times. There are many common errors one can make when speaking 4 month old baby talk, but that's okay. It is a complex, nuanced language that is constantly changing.

More bouncy chair time. This is quite the workout, but I'm pretty excited about it. My quads are already the size of a baby carrot! 

Some play time with Grandpa Reiswig. I have finally found a use for these two long appendages attached to my upper torso: anatomical pacifiers. Depending on my mood, I might suck on a thumb or just dive in for the whole fist. If I'm feeling really crazy, I'll double fist it and try to get both hands in my mouth at the same time, like I'm doing here. It's really a lot of fun, you should try it.

Happy in Grandma Reiswig's arms, and she looks happy too. 

Another good nap, and yes, I do feel as comfortable as a look.

Naps are one of my favorite things to do, and why not do what you love with others? Grandpa Stewart and I are having a blast together here. Good times had by all.

So, this picture is quite the close up. Babies have bubbles too, but that's okay, I try to be cooperative. This was taken just after a bath. I no longer cry during baths, but I'm not smiling yet either. I think I've established that this bath business is a harmless procedure, but I still find it to be a bit odd.

More blissful slumber. 

Man, and I thought they took a lot of pictures of me while I was awake! Do I really sleep this much? And why are my arms sticking straight up into the air? Some people need to give their camera a rest.

Hangin' out with daddy. 

Here I am having a riveting conversation with Grandpa Reiswig in 4 month old baby talk. He has really come a long way in his cooing, but is a little behind in the gurgling, which is now an essential element of 4 month old baby talk.