Merry Christmas to All!

Christmas is hands down my most favorite time of the year.  I probably began listening to Christmas carols a bit prematurely and I will be the first to admit I began putting up my decorations the weekend before Thanksgiving.  It is a fun and busy time of the year for our family.  Isaac's big brother, Gabe turned 4 years old a week before Christmas, we traveled across the state visiting family, watched about every kids Christmas movie out there and we ate way more cookies and treats than one needs to in a month.  It was all well worth it though.  We have great memories and I know the boys had fun.  

Isaac sort of reminded me of an elf this year.  I will also shamelessly admit that I allowed his diet include elf-like indulgences of chocolate milk, fudge, cookies and rice krispy treats. 

We kicked off holiday season with a trip to our Zoo-Lights!  They were awesome!

Isaac helped decorate (er... undecorate) our tree.

Gabe supervised and taste-tested all cookies.

Isaac and Gabe both got really good at wheeling.....

And I enjoyed every snuggle moment I could with these two little monkeys.  

As I sat at Christmas Eve church service at my childhood church, I couldn't help but reflect on this year and all of the blessings that I have been given.  This church, the one that Dan and I were married in, though aren't members as we do not live nearby, have been praying for Isaac ever since they heard of Isaac's surgeries and struggles.  He is continued to be prayed for by this loving community and many other communities.  I was so grateful that he was able to be at this church this Christmas Eve and be a part of the service.  (He and Gabe carried up the horses to the manger scene!).  

The Hymn of the carols reminded me of Christ's love for us all and the light from our candles gave me hope for the future.  I hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas full of love, peace and joy.  

Zippy in the ZipZac

Watch out world.... Isaac can move and groove!

It doesn't matter how kids get around; when they do.... your life changes.  You must babyproof!  And life will never be the same....

I remember when Gabe, my first born was a wobbly toddler on his feet.  Toddling, falling, and crawling all over to get to what he wanted.  It was his job to explore his world and it was my job to keep him safe.

Here I am nearly 3 years after the above picture, back at the point of baby proofing my house and finding the best ways to keep my little mover out of trouble.

It is not quite the same as a walker, but the premise is similar   When they are ready and determined they will get where they want one way or another.  I don't have to worry about gating the upstairs steps, but we have to keep the basement door shut.  Falling down the stairs is scary enough, but falling while strapped in a chair could be really bad.  The bathroom door needs to stay shut as I found him with his hands all over the toilet seat the other day and he opens all the kitchen drawers that he can reach.  As you can see from the picture, he loves taking ornaments off the tree too.

Despite the challenges of the active toddler, I really am so thankful that not only is there the perfect chair that fits him to get around in, but that he has the strength in his arms to use that chair.  It might not be the way I once envisioned his first "steps" but I couldn't be more proud of the way he has accomplished his own milestone of moving.

Isaac is zippy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oZE1hvkRMM&feature=plcp