POW!

Isaac is on a sucker punching rampage.  In case you aren't sure what a sucker punch is: it's "a sudden unexpected punch or blow."  Online's Urban Dictionary defines it as "Easily confused with a punch defined as a "bitch move" a true sucker punch is quite a bit more complex than a simple unanounced attack. It primarily involves a closed fist..."
However, Isaac's sucker punches never make contact with target. It's more of an air punch.   He has been sucker/air punching mainly females from books and TV, though some in person.  It's really, REALLY hard not to laugh.  REALLY HARD.  However, we are trying to teach him that everyone he sucker punches is nice, and that it's very bad manners to punch.  His response is always "don't like that girl.  not at all."  Like I said, we're trying.  It was hard not to praise him the other day when he sucker punched one of my least favorite people.  I will withhold name.  Inside, I was a proud mother.
Isaac's bad behavior has rubbed off on Dave and I.  We aren't going sucker punch wild, but when Isaac is not in our presence, we have sucker punched various people and items.  Some of these things include: Kobe Bryant (Dave) and the mounds of snow on April 30th (Becca.)
A few years ago we went to Canada with our good friends Jessi and Dalan.  It was a sucker punching festival.  Little did I know, we'd be sucker punching right and left again 4 years later.  Is it genetically linked?  This is a complex nature versus nurture question, I suppose.
I don't have any sucker punching pictures of Isaac (they are always unannounced, obviously,) but I DO have some sucker punching pictures from 4 years ago.  Here is our sucker punching fest - Canada 2007.  I noticed that Dalan did the most sucker punching on this trip.  We'll see if their daughter, Quinn, turns out to be a sucker puncher.  That will answer our question about genetic linkage.

Jessi, sucker punching pigeons.

Dave, sucker punching baby seals.

Me, sucker punching a Beluga Whale

Sucker Punch Extravaganza - 2007

Jessi and I - sucker punching the idea of a long, long ferry boat ride

Dalan, sucker punching a spider at the bug museum

Dalan, sucker punching a smashed pigeon

Panic/Sicky Pants/SOS

So on Easter, Isaac seemed a little bit off, and by the end of the day, we realized he had come down with a bad case of Croup.  By Monday morning, I could have sworn there was a baby seal sleeping in his crib.  He was barking up a storm, and his voice was hardly audible.  To top it off, the cold that preceded the croup (now I know that a cold can be the beginning signs of croup sometimes!) congested his ears, which caused an ear infection.  So, off to the doctor he went.  He's on the mend after several days, but still a little sick.

With that being said, I KNOW kids get sick, but Isaac has generally been in very good health with just 2 or 3 minor bouts of sickness since he was born.  We've been lucky, but I think part of the reason he has stayed so well is because he doesn't spend much time around big groups of kids.  He sees his second cousin on a weekly basis, and other kids sporadically, but other than that...he is only around adults, mostly those who care for him one on one at our house, or their own home.  No schools, no church kid groups (not that you should keep your kids away from these things, but we all know it's where the germs work their magic.) We have really been spoiled with the love Isaac has received in those caring for him (and I believe it has been a major contributor to his good health.)  With that being said, I know I can't keep him under lock and key, and away from all the germs that are out there forever. It's inevitable. I know that it's good for him to be around other kids, and I try to get him around other kids to develop good social habits.  We've taken him to plenty of public places without him getting sick, but I am CERTAIN that he got this nasty illness from being at one of the many places we took him over spring break (likely the kids' museum...) 

Now to the SOS/panic part.  This illness was a little heartbreaking.  He was so miserable and his breathing was so labored that he had to receive some steroid pills, which we were not psyched at all about having to give him, but needed to do something.  Next year, he is going to have to go to daycare because while our family/friends have been so wonderful these first couple of years, they aren't all able to commit to watching him next year.  I am soooo worried that going to daycare full time will mean he is going to get horrible illnesses constantly. He is too little to understand about handwashing, good hygiene, swapping spit, etc.  SOOOOOO not good.  Anyway, so my SOS is this:  does anyone know any trustworthy mothers who live within say a 10 mile radius of Holladay/Sugarhouse who already stay home with one or two kids, that might want to watch a 2nd or 3rd?  We can't pay what a nanny makes, because let's be honest, we are teachers.  We would only be able to pay what we could pay to a daycare (around $700 per month.)  Of course we would need to meet them, feel comfortable with them, etc.  If you have anybody in mind that you know is looking for a little extra money and want a playmate for their own kid(s), please email me (rebeccavala@msn.com)  I'm probably just panicking and will end up deleting this blog post-Isaac-sickness, but I may as well throw that out there, right?
I'm also freaking out a little about  the possibility of bringing another child into the world (no, NO, I'm not pregnant.)  We'll need to find childcare for a young baby if we decide to have one, and THAT scares me even more.  I know, I know...woah is me.

It was probably that ball, yeah, see the red one that girl is holding?  Yep, that was the croup culprit. ;-)  Dont' worry, we aren't going to bubble wrap him.  We'll continue to take him fun places.

Easter-ish

We had a wonderful 10 days off of work, and had a week full of fun with Isaac. Those activities included the zoo, a marathon (watching it anyway,) fotofly, bowling, Living Planet Aquarium, Discovery Gateway Museum, hiking, parks, an Easter egg hunt at Cactus and Tropicals, dying eggs, and of course, Easter itself.  Isaac woke up and found his Easter basket/eggs/toys, then we went to my parents for Easter lunch/dinner.  Isaac did come down with croup on Easter, but that's for the next post.  Here are some photos from our awesomely fabulous week, although, we didn't bring the camera to most events. 

Isaac's favorite thing to do at the museum?  "Dishes."

He was also slightly obsessed with this ball machine thing.

Checkin' out the Easter Morning Loot

Easter Egg hung in Nana and Pa's basement

 

Lucky Shirt

I don't really know for sure how Isaac picked up on the concept of something being "lucky," or even what lucky means.  My best guess, is a cartoon he watched a long time ago had a lucky teddy bear that was lost, then found.  Anyway, he announced to us a few weeks ago that this shirt (below) is his "lucky shirt."  Currently, it is the ONLY shirt we can put on him without a fight.  As you know, he would go naked anywhere, any time.  This shirt is getting too small, so I am hoping that I can enlist the help of my neighbor Amy (who helped me make this one) to make some bigger ones. 

No Talkin' About It!

Isaac hates when we talk on the phone, and angrily shouts out while wagging his finger at us "No talkin' about it!!!!"  Dave and I are not big phone talkers, either, so Isaac really has no room for wagging.  Ah well, the life of a 2 year old...
Here are pictures:

Before the phone...

While on the phone - finger wagging as pictured above.

After the phone call...

Just Photos

Our good friends took their adorable baby Quinn to get photographs at Fotofly a couple months back.  They turned out beautifully, and were SUCH a great price.  They charge a $79 sitting fee, and snap photos for about 30-45 minutes all over their studio.  Then, they burn you a CD with the photos from the session, giving you the copyright to the photos.  You CAN buy sheets of photos from them, but we didn't.  We'll just go print ours from Costco like we usually do.  Anyway, I'd highly recommend.  The photographer we had was soooooo energetic and skilled.  Here are some of the photos from the session...

Not At All Chilly

Well, the weather is finally cooperating.  For a minute.  I've been trying to get Isaac to wear his jacket all day, and his response has been pretty consistent -- "not at all chilly."  We've enjoyed this not at all chilly weather this weekend.  And we'll be sad when it leaves us overnight.  During our not chilly at all weekend, we went to our friend Hillary and Quinn's annual marathon party and drank Bloody Marys, while lazily watching and cheering on the marathoners.  Isaac was pretty entertained by the whole thing, too.  Today, we went to the zoo with the Carsellers and company.  It was perfect, and of course, it was not chilly at all.  Isaac's favorite part of the zoo was of course the area under construction because there were lots of excavators and other "diggers."  This part of the year always gives me mixed feelings.  I get seasonal allergies at the beginning to mid April EVERY year and my runny nose, watery eyes last for nearly a month!  Not severe enough to bother with taking anything for it, but enough to be irritating.  Plus, I am pretty sure Isaac has the same allergies, because both springs of his young life, he's developed the same long-lasting symptoms as me.  Ah well.
We have 7 more glorious days of spring break.  We have a "to do" list, of course.  We've wanted to try to go camping somewhere in S. Utah, but the weather there is even iffy, so we're just gonna see!  Once we get back from spring break, we're only a little over a month 'til school's out for the summer!
While I am blogging, I may as well update some of the cuteness that is Isaac:
"not at all" and "of course" are Isaac's answer to just about everything lately.
Every morning lately, Isaac wakes up and says "guess what?  guess what!?!?"  What Isaac? "Isaac's the best kid in the word!  Becca best mom ever!  Dave best dad ever!"  AAAAaawwww....
Isaac's also started to use pronouns pretty frequently, and is often saying I love you, mom.  I love you, dad.  It sure makes it hard to get after him, and he knows it.  Often if he does something bad mannered, he will know he's in trouble and quickly say "sorry about it!  I love you, mom!"  Damnit!
Isaac continues to deem anything that he, or other people find hilarious, a "leg slapper, " while simultaneously slapping his leg and laughing (maniacally at times.)

Isaac filled up his a chart and earned a big toy called "marbleous"  It's the best toy ever.  The pieces double as a telephone, as pictured.  I think Dave and I might even like it more than Isaac.  If you don't have this toy, or something similar to it, $30 at Lakeshore learning.  It's a great investment.  You'll want to play it with your child, then after they go to bed, too!  haha...okay, we haven't done that.  yet.

Halvesies

Today...
Isaac: "half mom and dad, half!"  While patting his right butt cheek.
Me:  "half what, Isaac?"
Isaac:  "half-a-bum-bum!" 
Me: "where's the rest?"
Isaac: "other half-a-bum-bum!" While patting his left butt cheek. "Two halfs!!!!"

I never imagined he would be teaching himself about halves, and learn his first fraction, via his "bum-bum."  Let's just hope he doesn't demonstrate a "whole" moon or a select one fifth of his fingers anytime soon.

The Stats...

I never realized why people posted their kids stats and talked so much about stats until I had a kid.  Not that it's a huge big deal, but it's just fun to know.  And who doesn't want to find out where their kid is compared with the rest of the population?
Isaac had his 2 year check up today.  The pediatrician was super psyched about his development (physical, cognitive, behavior...)  And I was pleased that all of the things he told us we should be doing at this age, we have been doing for some time!  Score one for the Valas!  Yes!
Weight: 23.75 lbs.  6th percentile

Height: 33 inches.  15th percentile

Although those numbers sound small, they have stayed consistent since he was about 9 months.  I don't know why he started out so long and hefty, but as the dr. said a year ago "I think genetics are just catching up!" ha...
The doc also said that at 2 you can pretty well predict their adult height from their 2 yr appointment with a high level of confidence.  I was expecting him to say 5 '4 or 5 '5.  I am 5'3 and Dave is 5'5.  Isaac is only 15th percent so???  But he said 5'8!  That's good.  I was just hoping he wouldn't inherit my vertically challenged height as an adult!  We'll see what ACTUALLY happens, either way, he's adorable enough to pull it off (tall or short!)

Our healthy boy.  That's a "green drink" mustache he's sporting there.

Delish!

TWO.

If you ask Isaac when his birthday is, he'll clearly, and adorably tell you "April 1st, two years old!"

Isaac turned 2 on Friday, April 1^st.  It was a beautiful couple of days, followed by a massive snow dump on Sunday.  Stupid snow.  We had Isaac’s little party on Saturday, and it was a lot of fun.  There were about 20 of us, and Isaac ate up the attention.  He did not, however, enjoy being sung to during the happy birthday song.  His face looked panic, and within a few seconds, he broke into tears.  When we cut the song short, everything was A-O-K.  Funny kid.

We’ve had this kiddo in our lives for 2 years now, and with that, he has brought us so much happiness. 

Some highlights of Isaac, now that he has lived two years and knows everything there is to know (seriously, this is already starting with him.)

-          Isaac loves to play with most toys, but his favorites include cars, trains, machines, tools, balloons, sandbox/shovel, stuffed animals, blocks, and clippo.

-          Isaac’s favorite books currently include “Just a Nap” Mercer Mayer, and “There’s a Wocket in my Pocket,” Dr. Seuss.  He loves to be read to, and pretend to read himself.  I adore the fact that he loves reading.

-          Isaac is enamored with all 4 of his grandparents, which is so cute.  My parents seem him weekly when he goes to their house while we work, and Dave’s parents come into town when they can and spend quality time with him.   Whenever we make pretend phone calls, it’s always to nana, pa, babsi or pop.  He loves all of his uncles, but he has a special relationship with Nate, who cares for him 2 days a week while Dave and I work.  He also has a great relationship with his “aunt” Julie who has fun with all day every Monday while we work.  I think he picks up a unique perspective from each of his caretakers, and he is constantly learning new things from all of is.  It’s so great.  He’s a sharp cookie!

-          Isaac has been full on speaking in sentence fragments since he was about 18 months, and now pretty much carries on any conversation you might want to have with him using full sentences!  My favorite phrase that he has been saying repeatedly lately is “Let’s take a look at….” (that car, this cup, outside, whatever it is he wants to see.”  He really amazes us with his speech, speech patterns (using past present and future tense correctly) and his use of words in the correct context.  I don’t have much to compare it to, since he is my first child, but MAN I LOVE listening to him speak more than anything.

-          Isaac can be summed up with the following adjectives: hilarious, mischievous, cute, stubborn, creative, smart, charming, sweet, cuddly, playful, rambunctious, entitled (but aren’t all 2 year olds?) fun, nonstop, fast, little (but healthy as they come!) and “best kid in the world” (another one of my favorite phrases that Isaac uses)

Thanks for helping us see the world through your eyes, Isaac!  We love you.

Here are are a few pics and a video from Isaac's b'day...thanks to those who were able to come celebrate with us!!!
This video shows the post-tears after we sang Happy Birthday.

Uncle Ben in the tent he gave Isaac for his b'day.  We've trained Isaac to say "grow up, Ben" whenever he sees Ben.  It's awesome...but really, Ben is great.  What a fantastic brother :)

My grandma and her three daughters were all able to make it.  yay!  Mary, Clare, Joanne, Margaret

Dave's parents flew across the country to celebrate Isaac's birthday with us!  Of course Miki (Babsi) and her assistant chef, Jiri (pop), made these delicious treats.  Penguins.  

Isaac's birthday cake made by his babsi.

Julie let Isaac pick out his own gift at the store and he chose this...silly boy.  He loves it.

We're excited about this balance/scoot bike we gave him.  He's still a tad too short, but I can't wait!  The idea is that kids learn to balance on a bike like this, then by the time they get a real two wheel bike, no training wheels are needed.  I've heard only good things.

Isaac and his four grandparents my mom and dad to the left, and Dave's parents to the right.  Goofball, center statge.

Just for comparison sake - here is Isaac 1 year ago, when he turned 1 year old.