Isaac’s birth announcements are currently the responsibility of the United States Postal Service. Here is a preview of what’s in the mail.
Special thanks to Jessica Hislop, a longtime friend of ours. She did all of the design work and is turning her passion for her hobby into a new endeavor.
Blogged with Flock
The weather right now in Minneapolis could be the best the city has to offer. Mid 60’s, mostly sunny with a few pretty clouds, light wind and NO BUGS. After dinner Isabel and I took advantage of these beautiful evenings again and tried something new. I loaded her up in the jogging stroller and strapped on my roller blades for some rare exercise. We headed for Lake Nokomis and had a blast tearing around the lake. She was mostly quiet, taking it all in, only chatting about a periodic dog or the water. (We’re still practicing “lake”, a brand new word.) I was surprised to see many more skaters than cyclists around the lake. I was also proud to try out a t-shirt of a temporal rock band my brother plays in - “The Swells” - it’s a high visibility bright red (and matches my physique 
) so I thought it was a good choice for us. We made really good time, so Isabel was able to try out a couple of the swings at the park on the way home - perfect.
Isaac is doing very well, we think he is extra hungry right now due to a growth spurt. We also think he has a lot more hair than Isabel did at this time, and his eyes might be a little more blue. It’s fun to observe him become more and more alert every day. He seems quite strong to me, he is continuously trying to hold his head up and steady when you place him up on your shoulder.
Sara is still on the recovery path and is anxious to be 100% again. After the kids were asleep tonight, we reviewed some graphic design work that one of Sara’s best friends is doing for us, it’s the official birth announcement. We had 7 drafts to choose from, Sara’s friend is talented and really enthusiastic about the project. I’ll post a picture of it as soon as they’re all in the mail, which we hope will be by the end of the weekend. It’s pretty cool what a person can do these days with common technology - digital cameras, photoshop, email and online photo print ordering.
I’m getting back into the groove of work after being gone for about 12 work days. It was nice getting fully decompressed, but now I am working to rebuild momentum. On top of that, GMAC RESCAP is going through monumental upheaval and change. Resignations, layoffs, off-shore outsourcing, and reorganizations - all do not make a normal work environment, particularly when occurring in parallel. I’m going to stay for the long haul if I can, it’s rare to have a better than decent job with good benefits only 5 miles away in the city. On top of that it’s across the street from Sara’s work and our day care center. The only draw back to the commute is that it’s too short on the Moto Guzzi (I’m working to get Isabel to identify every motorcycle as a “Guzzi” - she says it like a proper Italian as well, pronouncing the zz’s like pizza!). Most people who know my job would think I’m crazy, but I like the work, so it’s good.
There is another close person in my family that is writing online. My sister Mary is traveling and working in China for the US State Department Peace Corps. Her blog is called Letters from the PRC and she is an excellent writer. The link above takes you to a recent post that gives you a good idea of what she is up to, along with the post before and after it. Check it out, I highly recommend it!
Blogged with Flock
In what seems a previous life, I was in the Army Reserve in my early adulthood. That was a very busy experience, pushing mental and physical boundaries. Now in my early parenthood I find myself very busy again, having to keep up with the care of two children. Isabel is at such a go-go stage, continually expanding on her independence, that we find it very challenging to keep up with her! We’ve probably had a mild bit of guilt about our ability to continue to provide the interaction and diversity she craves - we’ve picked up some new activities in the past week for her. Play-doh, sidewalk chalk, board puzzles, building blocks and a kite should help when at home this spring. She always wants to go “outside” (a favorite refrain of hers, used in staccato).
Here’s a picture from this afternoons flying attempt. Not enough wind but we still had fun! See the rest here.
Sara and I took Isaac in for his 2 week appointment today and everything checked out on him. No shots today, that will begin at two months. He is growing and putting on weight at the 50 percentile mark and we are very happy about that. His weight was 8lbs 7oz - 7oz over his birth weight. So far, his temperament has been very easy going. The doctor said that at 2 months, about 50% of the infants he sees begin to sleep through the night, we’re hoping we’re on the right side of that coin! Here’s a cute photo of him sleeping.
Blogged with Flock
We finally got a chance to take some pictures of Isabel and Isaac together. I am still hoping to catch her in the act of giving him a hug while we are holding him, but this morning she requested to hold him herself. We asked her to get into her chair and we’d hand him to her, but when the reality of holding him settled in, she preferred just to sit next to him.
Blogged with Flock
We were able to come home on Sunday (4/1) because Sara and Isaac were doing well. Being here is much better than in the hospital, for obvious reasons.
This week has been going by very quickly so far. Both Isabel and Isaac keep us very busy, even with Isabel in school (day care) every day. She has had a few bumps with this transition but every day is easier. Mostly, I think that she misses her parents after being away from them last weekend and then having to go right into school. She is such a handful right now, fun but exhausting. Every evening is a mad dash from dinner at 5 to bed time at 8. She has been very curious and sweet with Isaac. She has a classmate of the same name and can say it pretty well for 17 months of age. She gives him little hugs by laying her head on his chest or against his head. She is also very good at bringing things to where they go and has found some of his tiny toys and brings them to him. They are going to be good friends in time.
Here’s a couple pictures of Isaac in the car seat last Sunday and wearing an outfit from his Grandma Kluender:
Sara and Isaac are both doing so well there is a very good chance that we’ll be going home later this afternoon. Sara is really looking forward to the comforts of our familiar space. All of the attention here is helpful but feels confining as well. If we do leave today, it will be between 3 and 5pm!
Isaac arrived today at 11:59am, 3/30/07! He is 8.0 pounds and 21 inches long!
So far, Sara and I agree that he seems to resemble his Dad quite a bit. But you never know, he may get lucky yet and grow into some of his mothers good looks - keep your fingers crossed!
Sara is doing well, she is resting and recovering quickly. We are both very happy about our new son! Thank you to everyone who has wished us well, we appreciate your thoughts and prayers!
(We are at Fairview Southdale Hospital)
Less than 24 hours until our son is scheduled to be born. Tomorrow morning I hope to stop by work with Isabel (most of my co-workers have yet to meet her) before dropping her off at day care. Mom will meet us there to move the car seat over so she can pick her up and run around all weekend. Then Sara and I will go to the hospital at 10am and should be in the OR around 12noon! Of course, I really like this “scheduled C” format, much less stress for dear old Dad! Sara is appropriately anxious but very excited. The house is clean, the cradle is ready, and all we have to do is finish packing our bags later tonight.
Sara always wonders what Jr will look like, my bet is something like his sister:
I originally created this space on the Internet a few days before Isabel arrived. At that time we were anxiously awaiting our first experience of childbirth, and I used it as a mild diversion. I forgot about it until this morning, and then almost stumbled into it while brainstorming about effective ways to communicate about our next child. All that was here were some odd, diary like entries about what those days were like. I’ve taken those out and hopefully I’ll get this all configured and ready for a mass email push and some pictures and details about my new little man.
