BIG NEWS!

We just found out this last weekend that we are expecting our second baby!!!!!!!!! It was totally unexpected news, but we are thrilled and can't wait to share our lives with this new little one. It looks like we are about 6 weeks along, so from what we can calculate the due date would be approximately the end of March or beginning of April. So, Isaac and his little brother or sister will be about 1 1/2 years apart. Not bad!

We'll be sure to update you as things go along and there will be lots more pics and updates on Isaac and our whole little family! Guess we'll have to rename our blog, too!

Summertime Fun!

Summer is in full swing here in the Flathead Valley and we're enjoying it as much as possible. The most popular thing to do here is to go to the lake, go camping and grill lots. We've done two out of the three so far this year.

We took Isaac to the lake (Flathead Lake) for the first time about 2 weeks ago for a nice evening grilling and swimming with friends. We took him in the fairly cold water and little by little let him further into the water. He went nuts!! He absolutely loved it! He started kicking his legs and splashing with Ben and laughing at the whole thing. It was great - such a little water baby!

We haven't been camping yet with Isaac, but we intend to soon. The weather here has been really hot by Montana standards - over 100 degrees several times last week. But it's fine as long as you can get to the lake and cool off.

We also had a chance to take Isaac to his first circus. He was thoroughly unimpressed as he played with his shoes and random other things out of his diaper bag for the entire time. But we still had fun!

Be sure to check out lots more recent pics of Isaac here.

Catching up...

Again it has been way too long since our last post. I'd wanted to share Passover pics and lots of other recent fun stuff, so... even though it's late at least it's not never!

We did have a really nice Passover. It was very large as usual, what with the entire MT Sandler clan represented. I am fine tuning making all the holiday dishes and I felt the most confident this year making everything than I have since we got married! It's like Mom Sandler's recipes are finally becoming my own! Thank you Mom! Also, Ben is getting better and better at making the seder streamlined so that includes all the important parts but also does a good job at making it fun and applicable for the kids. This year he did a fun "Deal or No Deal" version of bartering for the afikomen. The kids loved it and Jerry (one of our nephews) made $10!

This was Isaac's first Passover, which of course he won't remember, but it was really fun for us. We actually gave him a piece of matza to play with and suck on and he loved it. He got it all over his face!

Since then spring and even the beginning of summer have really fallen upon us and it's been wonderful to get outside with Isaac. Ben and I have taken him for walks, along with puppy Avi, which, mind you is a handful! Isaac loves hanging over the front of his stroller and watching as the pavement goes by. We let Isaac sit and explore in the grass the other day and he loved trying to eat grass, dandilions and he even had a little rock in his hand - ready to stick it in his mouth!! He is reaching for everything these days! The whole world is his adventure!

Isaac is growing up so fast - already he has taken a few "very assisted" walking steps. Although he doesn't really like the crawling position much yet, he is so very ready to walk and stand. Also, on his 8-month-day (not sure what else to call that), May 10th, he popped his first tooth through! Yeah!!!! (even if there was a little fussiness that ensued!)

We are just loving this adventure and can't wait for what's coming next. For lots more pics of Isaac click here.

And now for a little segment we like to call...

HATS!!!

Isaac and I were just having fun the other day and since every now and then I have to go through his wardrobe and try things on to see what fits and what's out - we tried it with his HATS!! And now some shots with props!

We've been having so much fun, though! Isaac is now 51/2 months old and he is so happy and strong. It seems he has skipped right over the rolling over thing and gone straight to sitting up all by himself. About two weeks ago, I tried just sitting him up and letting him hold himself up and sure enough, he stayed upright for about 5-10 minutes!!

He "talks" all the time now and laughs when we play peek-a-boo and when Avi tries to lick him. He loves watching things; he's a very observant little guy. He smiles easily at anyone that talks or smiles at him and generally, just is in a great mood all the time.

Isaac and I have been going to a play group of about 5 moms and babies his age a couple times a month. This has been really fun, since the babies get to "play" with each other and each other's toys and it gives us moms a little time out to have some "adult conversation". Several of the gals in the group were old friends or people I'd worked with so it has made for an easy group of friends. Be sure to check out more of Isaac's latest pics!

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!!