Holidays, Dedication and the day to day...

[Just a little disclaimer: I thought I had posted this about a month ago and it turns out I never finished it - ughhhh! So, if this seems really late, well, that's because it is! :o)]

Well, things have been busy and I've been amiss in updating Isaac's blog! Starting in mid-December and through the New Year, Ben's side of the family from out East came to visit for the holidays. We'd been so excited about this big family gathering since many of us hadn't seen each other for at least a few years. We had planned some great family time as well as a big family photo (19 people in all)! Try gettin' all those people to smile at the same time!

Here's about the best we did!

Then on December 31st, 2006 Ben and I dedicated Isaac to God. It was such an amazing and wonderful morning, as the whole congregation shared in blessing him and speaking encouragement to us and to Isaac. Isaac's Zeyda(Grandpa), Abraham Sandler led the dedication and we prayed some special prayers over Isaac, both from Jewish tradition and those that came from our hearts.

In other news, the Eagles didn't make it to the SuperBowl :o( , but we had our littlest Eagle fan all decked out anyway. We've had a great holiday season and we hope you all did too!

"GOOOOO EAGLES!!!"

Firsts!

It's been a little while since we posted and we want to keep you all up to date on our little guy! Isaac is doing so well. He is a big guy already weighing in at around 14 lbs. now at 3 months (on Dec. 10th) and 24 1/2 inches long. He is in the 95th percentile for size and growth at his age. We've got a strong healthy boy!

Grabbing Gradma's nose!

Isaac got to spend his first Thanksgiving holiday with Mommy's side of the family - The Webb's in Helena. He got to see Grandma and Grandpa Webb and Uncle Daniel, Aunt Rebekah and Uncle Stephen. We had a fun time as this was also Isaac's first roadtrip in the car with Mommy, Daddy, and puppy Avi. We had a car full and we only went for 3 days!

Another first for Isaac was his first snowfall. He got to sport his new snowsuits and go out in the glistening white world for his first look. He seems to love going outside - he absolutely loves to "explore" visually. He gets little surges of excitement when he sees something new or fascinating. And he is becoming more and more verbal. He "talked" to us for a full 5 minutes last night!

Pooh-bear boy!

You might notice our blog's new look too. I decided to try something a little more fun and colorful and in beta (for those of you that know what that means!). Hope you enjoy and be sure to check out lots more of Isaac's latest photos.

One Month Old Already!

One month old today!!

It's hard to believe that a month has already gone by since Isaac joined our little family. It has been wonderful watching him change even in that short period of time. He is already holding his head up (when laid on his tummy) and he loves bath time.

Happy Boy! (3 1/2 weeks)

Isaac and I have been going for walks with friends and getting out as much as possible. Ben loves coming home and laying on the couch and singing to Isaac. Grandma and Grandpa Webb will be visiting soon and this is Grandpa Webb's first chance to meet our little guy.



Smiling at Daddy...(3 weeks)

Check out Isaac's photo gallery for lots more photos!!

Our Little Miracle has finally arrived!!!!

For all of you who have been waiting as impatiently as we have - Isaac is finally here!!

Isaac Ellis Sandler was born on Sunday, Sept. 10th at 1:21am after 15 hrs. of labor and 3 hrs. of pushing (mind you!). He weighed 8lbs. 6 oz. and was 21 in. long. He is doing wonderfully now, as is mom, although, it was a bit of a rough beginning for both of us.

For those of you who might wonder - Isaac means "Laughter" and Ellis means "God is my Salvation" with the connotation "God is Faithful". Ellis is also Ben's grandfather's name. So, truly our joy is complete in this little one as God gave him to us and he is and will bring us such joy!

Here is a link to see lots more photos of Isaac!!

We are sooooo happy just to hold him in our arms and watch the little faces he makes. This is truly the most amazing thing in the world!

Just a few more details, since it is a bit of a saga... due to our long ordeal, Isaac ended up with a bit of jaundice and had to be kept under the "blue light" to help get rid of it. I had a very rough go with the entire labor and ended up having a retained placenta and therefore, lost a lot of blood. So the two of us were in a little rough shape at the beginning and we had to suplement my nursing with formula for a few days. We are now all good and Isaac has already gained back to his birth weight and then some!

Much more to come...

Only Six Weeks to Go!!

It's been a little while since our last post. Not much to report except that Isaac is just growing and growing. I really don't know how I can get any bigger and I certainly look like I'm about to pop!



Anyhow, we are coming down the home stretch and we are getting so excited. We've started birthing classes and the reality of everything is really setting in. I am looking forward to my three weeks of time after I quit work and before the due date. It will just be nice to set up house completely and get settled for the big day - that's if Isaac doesn't come early!



Here's my latest/biggest photo to date...

Can't for our little bundle to arrive!

Reasons to Celebrate!

May 24th marked our Third Anniversary! We decided to take a little trip to Spokane, WA to just get away and enjoy each other for our last anniversary as "just a couple". It was very low-key and nice. We were so glad we did it. Here's a few photos - not the best quality since I forgot our camera and had to take them with my phone.








On Mother's Day, I got to experience for the first time as a Mommy-to-Be! It was a special day for me.



One damper on all these festivities was that Ben had appendicitis and had to undergo surgery on May 6th. This was a rough time as he was in the hospital a whole week. He is still on the mend, but is doing better and better every day. He will be out of work at least 4 weeks and possbily 6, so we would covet any of your prayers for God's provision.



Here are some photos of me at 26 weeks - still growing and loving being pregnant. I am constantly amazed that this all just goes on without any direct help from me. All I have to do is just be and eat well and get lots of sleep! It's amazing! Isaac is truly a miracle in every way.

Our Son of Promise

Drumroll please... Our little Bun is a Boy!! Surprise, surprise - for those of you who know the Sandler lineage :o)!

This has been a big last two weeks. First, about a week and a half ago, I really, truly felt our little boy moving around! At first I really didn't know what I was feeling, but then I was certain. Sometimes, I think he is bouncing off my bladder or running his little feet back and forth. It's so amazing! It was all that more real two days ago when we got to see him moving around. He was very cute as we watched him on the sonogram. He kept raising his hand up to his face and wiggling his feet. The tech said that he is absolutely perfect as far as the numbers go. And according to the ultrasound the due date is only two days different than what we had been told - so we're splitting the difference and saying August 27th! Of course, we're hoping he's a little late so he'll be a Sandler September baby... in keeping with Tradition!

I think it's time to share the story of our Promise. We have known from the beginning that our little one would be a boy, because that is what God promised us. It was an amazing experience leading up to this new phase in our lives. God told Ben that we would be pregnant by the end of 2005... and guess what?! We were! Then He told Ben that we were to name him Isaac - so we have known all along - and now, we have proof! Our little "Promised One" will be named Isaac! We are so amazed at God's goodness!


Well, without any further delay... Isaac's first picture!



Baby Isaac weighs approximately 9 oz. and is 8 in. long from head to toe.



I am also growing nicely. This is me at 20 weeks, but the good news is I haven't gained a single pound (boy, it doesn't look like it!) Anyway, my stats are great as well.