2-month Checkup

Isaac had his 2-month check up on Monday. Brad came along, too, which was good -- I had really wanted him there for some emotional support because Isaac was scheduled to get five immunizations. I prefer it when Brad is the one to hold Isaac down while he gets them because it's so incredibly sad to see Isaac get hurt. It's pretty tough for Brad, too, so he's kind to come and help out! We had to prepare December for Isaac's shots, too, because she can't handle it when Isaac gets hurt. She dissolves into tears if she hears him crying in pain. So we talked about it alot that morning and again while we were driving to the doctor. She did well -- only a few tears rolled down her face while Isaac was crying.

It was nice, though, because the doctor told us our insurance covered combination shots, which meant Isaac only had to get 3 shots, plus an oral one (which he didn't think tasted very good). I was super relieved -- and thankful -- that he had to get pricked two less times than what we thought! Anyways, here's his current specs: Head Circumference - 40cm (50th percentile), Weight - 12lbs. 10oz. (75th percentile), and Height - 24.25in. (90th percentile). So he's a tall guy! It makes sense, though, because I get lots of comments from people, and they say, "Oh, is he about three months old?" They've been asking that since he was about six or seven weeks old. I wasn't sure if it was just because those people weren't around babies very much and didn't know the difference between what a 6-week-old looks like and what a 3-month-old looks like, but I guess since Isaac is pretty tall, it makes him look older?!

Making It Look Pretty

My grandparents gave us a gift card to Home Depot for Christmas, and I was SUPER excited about it! It gave me the chance to finally get the flowers I wanted from their greenhouse -- I'd been having my eye on flowers from there for about a year now, and finally my wish came true!

I got some new flower pots, some soil, and flowers! This is an Impatiens plant.

Brad likes the leafy, more tropical-looking plants, so I thought this lily looked tropical-y enough for him.

The flower is finally blooming, and another one is on its way!

Brad, trying out a new look with a goatee. We both think that when he has a goatee, he looks like a youth pastor. If you're a youth pastor, I think it's almost a requirement that you grow a goatee...

Yay for Christmas money! My bathroom has changed from a ducky bathroom to a Monopoly bathroom! It was tough to put away my beloved ducky things, but one day I will have two bathrooms so that everything can be put up. But I've been in love with Monopoly bathrooms for a while now, so I was SUPER excited to get these! Here's the shower curtain, the towels, and the soap dish wheelbarrow on the back of the toilet.

The bathmat...

A closer look at the towels. They've turned the game pieces into soap dishes, a soap pump, the thimble as a cup, and the Scottie dog as a cottonball holder (though ours holds December's potty rewards)

A close-up of these pieces. The bathroom's not finished yet, though. I still want to get an actual Monopoly game and turn the game board into a clock and do more decorating with the game pieces. Fun stuff!

The shower curtain hooks are all the pieces from the game, too!

Happy Time

December playing with Isaac, bouncing him in his bouncy seat. I'm happy at how well December does with Isaac -- though yesterday I was thinking that this is probably the most peaceful the relationship between these two will ever get. As soon as Isaac grows big enough to reach for December's toys, these mellow days will be over! Selflessly sharing toys is really not a toddler's strong suit...so I will enjoy this stage while I can!

Isaac smiling, happy after waking up from a nap.

Me with the kids. Isaac is wearing one of my favorite shirts on him -- I like it because the color looks good on him and it's got adorable monkeys all over it and it's from my good friend Justyne!

Isaac all bundled up. It was a bit cooler here earlier in the week, so we were all wearing warmer clothes (I know...we're pansies and can't take cool weather anymore!)

Isaac with his friend Clara (Della's baby girl), who was born three days after him.

We're all doing well here...today Brad is working in the library, and he kindly let me keep the computer here so I can do some more updating on the blog! He just finished his second January class (it was just a week-long class), and he's got all of both classes' reading due and exams to take next week. After that starts his regular spring semester and all of the busyness that comes with it! I've really enjoyed having him home more during January! But, alas, seminary will come and claim his time again all too soon. But it's been fun while it's lasted!

Mom and Dad Come to Visit!

From January 12-19, Mom and Dad came out to visit! Dad likes to come to the seminary's annual conference in January, so he and Mom came out last year and this year. And we are more than happy to have them come! When they arrived at the airport, the first thing we did was tour the USS Midway, an aircraft carrier that has been retired. This picture of it was taken at night, after we had finished touring it.

We were able to go all through the enormous ship, seeing where the crewmen slept, ate, held church services, and even their medical facility on board. It was absolutely fascinating! Here Brad, Mom, and December are looking at the planes on the top deck.

Here we are, taking a break from walking -- this aircraft carrier is HUGE! You can see some of San Diego's skyline in the background. It's a beautiful location.

Dad, Brad, December (in the stroller), and I (with Isaac in the carrier) are looking up at a section of the boat where I wasn't allowed to go. They don't allow small children and people carrying babies to go up there, because manuvering around up there brings you into narrow places with steep steps. But Brad and Mom went up, and it sounded neat!

Mom checking out the cockpit of one of the planes

Dad and December looking at the engine of an airplane. You can see Dad has earphones on -- what they do is give you a little device with earphones attached, and it becomes a self-guided tour. You punch in the number of the item or room you are looking at, and the tour guide will tell you all about it. Pretty neato!

December up on the top deck again, looking at all of the military airplanes.

The view from the deck -- I really liked the huge statue there. After we finished touring the USS Midway, we walked around some of the parks and got yummy Mexican food at one of the little restaurants down there. It was such a fun day!

Brad was in class while Mom and Dad were here (he just had one class every day, for the January term), so one morning we all walked him to school.

On another one of the days, we went sightseeing. Here we are at Palomar Observatory, which is a super high-powered telescope. That white structure holds the telescope, which takes up most of the structure's room. Part of the white dome retracts at night for the telescope to get a clear view of the sky. It's up high on a mountain, and so as we drove up, we saw snow!

Inside the observatory, there was a strange little December-sized door...I've got no idea where it led to, but it was perfect for December!

Do you see the enormous, perfect Christmas tree in the background? Well, Dad really thought this tree was cool...

...and it is cool! Isn't it just the most perfectly shaped tree you've seen? And it's HUGE! There's Mom and December in front of it, to give you an idea of its size.

A close-up of Mom and December, standing right under it. December's wrapped up in her blanket, because it was pretty chilly up on the mountain!

A view looking up, from where Mom and December were standing. Pretty cool, eh?

As we drove back down the moutain, Dad got out to take a picture of the view. Very pretty. The mountain roads were winding and steep, and December got pretty car sick and ended up losing her lunch as we drove. Not fun!!

After the observatory, we went to Bates Nut Farm (where I had taken the pumpkin pictures in October). Grandpa let December chose some candy from the candy barrels in the store, and December was really excited!

Dad and I helping December pick out the candy.

December is excited about her pink sucker.

Us looking at the turkeys and other birds and farm animals at the Farm. I enjoyed Dad gobbling at the turkeys and making them gobble back. It was pretty funny!

On another one of the days, we all went to the Wild Animal Park. It never gets old for me -- I just love going there!

We went to a couple of the shows there -- this one was all about birds, and it was a great show!

Dad showing Isaac around the Wild Animal Park.

We loved having Mom and Dad here, and they were so wonderful with December and Isaac. We all missed them terribly after they left!