We are going to DISNEY LAND! We will be going this spring. We haven't told the kids yet. I'm trying to come up with a really creative way to tell them and record it. Since we have boys, it probably won't be as dramatic as the videos with girls.
I think the ones where they don't tell the kids until that morning or even while they are at the airport are really cute. I don't know if I can wait that long though!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Almost Christmas!
We spent yesterday baking for Santa! It was so much fun...
Tonight we will go to Midnight Mass....hopefully the boys will sleep in tomorrow!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Luke's Dancing Feet!
This is a video I took of Luke and his cousin dancing at their cousin's wedding.
Monday, December 12, 2011
New Interests
Isaac has a new interest....the Christmas Tree! He loves all the lights. I was trying to take his picture last night after a bath and he would not look towards the camera for anything. He was way too interested in the blinking green light at eye level. Dominic said I should get a string of lights to put around me...maybe then he would look!
After this picture was taken, Luke was standing Isaac up by the tree to let him "look". I had to come get them when there were 5 ornaments on the floor and a string of lights in Isaac's mouth! Isaac threw his first official red-headed tantrum.....we are in serious trouble!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Swimming!
Isaac loved the pool! Poor thing was nearly purple and shivering but didn't want out! I got him out after 30mins, he and I changed, then watched the big boys play for over an hour.
Christmas Cards
We received our Christmas cards yesterday. I'm slightly disappointed in them. It's not the company's fault. I chose to go with card stock instead of glossy photo paper. The colors didn't turn out right....but they are what they are this year. I don't believe I will order from this company again.
We are heading to the pool in about 30 minutes! The boys are very excited since we haven't been to the pool in several months. After swimming today, we are going to try making homemade carmels again this year. We have tried this in the past and they didn't turn out exactly right (or at least not like my mom's neighbor!).
We are heading to the pool in about 30 minutes! The boys are very excited since we haven't been to the pool in several months. After swimming today, we are going to try making homemade carmels again this year. We have tried this in the past and they didn't turn out exactly right (or at least not like my mom's neighbor!).
Friday, December 9, 2011
Random Updates
Where has December gone already?!?!
Just wanted to give a few random updates. Dominic and Luke have now finished their first week of wrestling practice. Luke thinks it awesome - of course - and Dominic says its just ok. I did tell him that he will have to continue with wrestling until he outgrows the shoes he just "had to have"! So that is at least one more year. I have told Dominic that wrestling is as much a mental sport as physical. He will be a good wrestler because he can use mental strategy against his opponents where Luke is all about brute strength and aggression. Dominic is so funny - always the thinker - and has already asked if Isaac will "have to" wrestle when he is older! I laugh sometimes to myself.....kids always making sure things stay fair!
Isaac is just days away from being 5 months old! And in about a week a year ago, we got the phone call that changed our lives once again! Hard to believe that it has already been a year since that call. Isaac still remains one of the happiest babies I have ever been around. He gets fussy for 2 reasons only - hungry....and don't you dare stand in that boy's way for a meal....and tired. But when he is tired he yawns great big, rubs his eyes, and fusses for just a second. We just lay him down in his bed...that's it.....he is out like a light either for a nap or night time. Sooooo easy! Which is very nice considering Luke still isn't that easy - Luke is our "terrible" sleeper for sure.
Isaac is full of "stories" these days. He also likes to mimic faces. Dominic likes to stick out his tongue so Isaac will do it too. Luke's new thing is to come up behind him and make a pig snort noise. Isaac jumps and then giggles so hard. Isaac is also discovering faces. He likes to touch faces - be careful or he will pinch! Isaac likes to hold his own bottle now too. This is a new experience for us because neither Dominic or Luke had any interest in holding their bottle.
Isaac is also becoming a champion roller. While he can roll from his tummy to back without any problem, we don't know why he does it. He really doesn't like to be on his back and I'm glad he is slowly mastering rolling onto his tummy! We have been practicing sitting up in a tri-pod. The boys like to say that Isaac is practicing his "weeble-wobble" time.
Everyone keeps asking when Isaac will start solids. To be honest, I'm in absolutely no hurry. He is perfectly content with his liquid diet at the moment. I told Mark that we will probably start once he can sit unsupported in the high chair - which we are no where close to at this time. So my guess is sometime after 6 months old. Isaac is still working on those bottom teeth. Mark has said that if I say that everyday, then someday it will be true. But it is true - his gums are red, he drools all the time, and he chews on everything!
To Isaac's birth parents, H & F, you will be overjoyed to know that Isaac wants nothing to do with a pacifier! Obviously this has been his choice because we have offered one since his birth. He does love his wubbanubs though - only to chew on the animal nose or tail. Isaac could care less about the pacifier part. I quit even offering a pacifier to him about 6 weeks ago - Mark still does out of habit since Dominic and Luke were paci addicts! I'm about to cut the paci off the wubbanubs and just let him have the animals. I guess this is one less habit to break later....just glad he can self sooth. He still loves his fingers but only when awake. Dominic would tell you that Isaac likes EVERYONE'S fingers....which is true.
While Isaac is no where near outgrowing his infant car seat, I can't wait for warmer weather. Isaac + Car Seat = Extremely Heavy. I would wear Isaac more if I didn't have to get him out in the cold to do it. Instead my biceps are getting a very big workout lugging him around. Once it's warm, I will definitely use his infant seat like a convertible and just take him in and out.
We actually have a free Saturday this weekend. I think we might surprise the boys with a family trip to the pool. It will be Isaac's first time in the water! He loves his bath time so as long as the water is fairly warm, then I think he will do great.
Just wanted to give a few random updates. Dominic and Luke have now finished their first week of wrestling practice. Luke thinks it awesome - of course - and Dominic says its just ok. I did tell him that he will have to continue with wrestling until he outgrows the shoes he just "had to have"! So that is at least one more year. I have told Dominic that wrestling is as much a mental sport as physical. He will be a good wrestler because he can use mental strategy against his opponents where Luke is all about brute strength and aggression. Dominic is so funny - always the thinker - and has already asked if Isaac will "have to" wrestle when he is older! I laugh sometimes to myself.....kids always making sure things stay fair!
Isaac is just days away from being 5 months old! And in about a week a year ago, we got the phone call that changed our lives once again! Hard to believe that it has already been a year since that call. Isaac still remains one of the happiest babies I have ever been around. He gets fussy for 2 reasons only - hungry....and don't you dare stand in that boy's way for a meal....and tired. But when he is tired he yawns great big, rubs his eyes, and fusses for just a second. We just lay him down in his bed...that's it.....he is out like a light either for a nap or night time. Sooooo easy! Which is very nice considering Luke still isn't that easy - Luke is our "terrible" sleeper for sure.
Isaac is full of "stories" these days. He also likes to mimic faces. Dominic likes to stick out his tongue so Isaac will do it too. Luke's new thing is to come up behind him and make a pig snort noise. Isaac jumps and then giggles so hard. Isaac is also discovering faces. He likes to touch faces - be careful or he will pinch! Isaac likes to hold his own bottle now too. This is a new experience for us because neither Dominic or Luke had any interest in holding their bottle.
Isaac is also becoming a champion roller. While he can roll from his tummy to back without any problem, we don't know why he does it. He really doesn't like to be on his back and I'm glad he is slowly mastering rolling onto his tummy! We have been practicing sitting up in a tri-pod. The boys like to say that Isaac is practicing his "weeble-wobble" time.
Everyone keeps asking when Isaac will start solids. To be honest, I'm in absolutely no hurry. He is perfectly content with his liquid diet at the moment. I told Mark that we will probably start once he can sit unsupported in the high chair - which we are no where close to at this time. So my guess is sometime after 6 months old. Isaac is still working on those bottom teeth. Mark has said that if I say that everyday, then someday it will be true. But it is true - his gums are red, he drools all the time, and he chews on everything!
To Isaac's birth parents, H & F, you will be overjoyed to know that Isaac wants nothing to do with a pacifier! Obviously this has been his choice because we have offered one since his birth. He does love his wubbanubs though - only to chew on the animal nose or tail. Isaac could care less about the pacifier part. I quit even offering a pacifier to him about 6 weeks ago - Mark still does out of habit since Dominic and Luke were paci addicts! I'm about to cut the paci off the wubbanubs and just let him have the animals. I guess this is one less habit to break later....just glad he can self sooth. He still loves his fingers but only when awake. Dominic would tell you that Isaac likes EVERYONE'S fingers....which is true.
While Isaac is no where near outgrowing his infant car seat, I can't wait for warmer weather. Isaac + Car Seat = Extremely Heavy. I would wear Isaac more if I didn't have to get him out in the cold to do it. Instead my biceps are getting a very big workout lugging him around. Once it's warm, I will definitely use his infant seat like a convertible and just take him in and out.
We actually have a free Saturday this weekend. I think we might surprise the boys with a family trip to the pool. It will be Isaac's first time in the water! He loves his bath time so as long as the water is fairly warm, then I think he will do great.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Getting Ready for Christmas!
We are in the middle of the Christmas season at the Cahalan house. We have worked on pictures, decorated the house, made sugar cookie (never made it to actual cookies - the dough was eaten too fast!), and we saw Santa!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
Today is Isaac's first Thanksgiving! I'm ever so thankful for being his Mommy!
However, I'm at work....bummer. But I would rather be here today than miss out on Christmas morning so that is trade off. Also, it has given me a chance to plan my attack for shopping tomorrow. My day is going to start very early......trying to make it to our local Sears by 4am to get the new smart TV that we (ok, me) has our eyes on. I have also had time to take advantage of some on-line sales today.
I did get to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family last weekend at Grammy's house. Can't have a holiday though without someone being sick....just glad it wasn't any of my kids this time!
However, I'm at work....bummer. But I would rather be here today than miss out on Christmas morning so that is trade off. Also, it has given me a chance to plan my attack for shopping tomorrow. My day is going to start very early......trying to make it to our local Sears by 4am to get the new smart TV that we (ok, me) has our eyes on. I have also had time to take advantage of some on-line sales today.
I did get to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family last weekend at Grammy's house. Can't have a holiday though without someone being sick....just glad it wasn't any of my kids this time!
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Cloth Diapers...for 3.5 months!
This is a One-Sized Fuzzibunz Pocket diaper. The microfiber insert is "stuffed" into the pocket in the diaper. When soiled, the entire diaper must be changed.
Isaac with the prefold on with a snappie.
Isaac with a cover over the prefold.
Halloween 2011
He wasn't afraid of Daddy or Grammy!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Gratitude
One of my best friends is an adoptive mommy too. A friend of hers posed a question about (I'm paraphrasing) what good or to what end or benefits come from having an open adoption. This was a conversation we had a couple of months ago and since then I have been trying to reflect on that conversation. Simply put......it's profound gratitude.
Ironically, every adoption journey begins with pain. Pain from the potential adoptive parents because most are sub-ferts - those battling infertility in some form. Pain from the birthfamily for having to make the most heart wrenching decision not to parent their child. Unless you have experienced either situation, then open adoption seems like a foreign language.....almost a "why bother".
We were able to experience something almost magical with Isaac's birthfamily because of the trust we have allowed between us. We all walked out of the hospital together. We were able to witness the pain and the love Isaac's birthfamily (all of them) has for him as we walked towards our vehicle with our 2 day old son and they walked away from theirs. This is one moment of Isaac's adoption that we will never forget. Because of this moment, we will never tolerate other's judgement about the reason behind Isaac's adoption. It was out of profound love....and one day, Isaac will know and understand this too....that he was and is deeply loved by his birthfamily.
Enter Gratitude.....
In order for gratitude to exist, you must receive a gift. I haven't asked Isaac's birthfamily, but they may point out that they did not give us Isaac as a gift, rather, they gave Isaac the gift of a loving family. For us, the gift is two fold. First, Isaac's birthfamily gave us a most precious gift - Isaac. Secondly, and most importantly, Isaac has given us the gift of parenthood once again. Isaac is the gift.
We have profound gratitude for Isaac's birthfamily. There is no gratitude without first admitting your dependence on one another for the gift. This can be hard to express - admitting your reliance on another - being humble. Being grateful replaces being fearful. We do not fear the birthfamily's feelings and needs because we are open and honest about them as needed. We do not fear Isaac's knowledge of being adopted because of the gratitude we feel for him and his birthfamily.
Gratitude is not the same as indebtedness. Gifts are simply gifts. A gift doesn't owe anyone anything. A gift is never indebted. Gifts are given freely without judgement or obligation to return a gift. While we are profoundly grateful for Isaac and to his birthfamily, we will be careful not to place that same expectation onto Isaac as he grows. That is a place he will need to come to on his own. Hopefully knowing his birthfamily will allow him to give himself as a "renewed" gift back to us as an adult and he too will have profound gratitude for all those who have loved him. He will then truly understand where he belongs and will feel at home and at peace with his adoption.
Open adoption definitely takes courage - you may be fearful in the beginning, but you push through it. Courage is necessary to find the strength to overcome our personal comfort. Every open adoption is unique because of those involved.Our decision for an open adoption is not about us or the birthfamily. So "why bother" with an open adoption you ask?
Because we have profound gratitude for our son.
Ironically, every adoption journey begins with pain. Pain from the potential adoptive parents because most are sub-ferts - those battling infertility in some form. Pain from the birthfamily for having to make the most heart wrenching decision not to parent their child. Unless you have experienced either situation, then open adoption seems like a foreign language.....almost a "why bother".
We were able to experience something almost magical with Isaac's birthfamily because of the trust we have allowed between us. We all walked out of the hospital together. We were able to witness the pain and the love Isaac's birthfamily (all of them) has for him as we walked towards our vehicle with our 2 day old son and they walked away from theirs. This is one moment of Isaac's adoption that we will never forget. Because of this moment, we will never tolerate other's judgement about the reason behind Isaac's adoption. It was out of profound love....and one day, Isaac will know and understand this too....that he was and is deeply loved by his birthfamily.
Enter Gratitude.....
In order for gratitude to exist, you must receive a gift. I haven't asked Isaac's birthfamily, but they may point out that they did not give us Isaac as a gift, rather, they gave Isaac the gift of a loving family. For us, the gift is two fold. First, Isaac's birthfamily gave us a most precious gift - Isaac. Secondly, and most importantly, Isaac has given us the gift of parenthood once again. Isaac is the gift.
We have profound gratitude for Isaac's birthfamily. There is no gratitude without first admitting your dependence on one another for the gift. This can be hard to express - admitting your reliance on another - being humble. Being grateful replaces being fearful. We do not fear the birthfamily's feelings and needs because we are open and honest about them as needed. We do not fear Isaac's knowledge of being adopted because of the gratitude we feel for him and his birthfamily.
Gratitude is not the same as indebtedness. Gifts are simply gifts. A gift doesn't owe anyone anything. A gift is never indebted. Gifts are given freely without judgement or obligation to return a gift. While we are profoundly grateful for Isaac and to his birthfamily, we will be careful not to place that same expectation onto Isaac as he grows. That is a place he will need to come to on his own. Hopefully knowing his birthfamily will allow him to give himself as a "renewed" gift back to us as an adult and he too will have profound gratitude for all those who have loved him. He will then truly understand where he belongs and will feel at home and at peace with his adoption.
Open adoption definitely takes courage - you may be fearful in the beginning, but you push through it. Courage is necessary to find the strength to overcome our personal comfort. Every open adoption is unique because of those involved.Our decision for an open adoption is not about us or the birthfamily. So "why bother" with an open adoption you ask?
Because we have profound gratitude for our son.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Isaac's Many Faces
In an attempt to finally capture a BIG smile with the camera, I captured some of Isaac's many silly faces instead.
While this isn't a "face" I wanted to get a picture of Isaac with his babylegs on. His skinny legs don't like to hold them up very good!
We call this one his "I'm about to smile" look.
This one is my favorite silly face!
Getting really, really close to a smile......
Kissy Face!
And here it is!!!!! The picture turned out a bit blurry because I was taking these pictures in very low light without a flash...so the slightest movement from Isaac causes a blurr. But I wanted to post it anyway! We just love that toothless grin!
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