It's All in a Name

Picking a name for a baby is quite a challenge. We wanted to pick something unique, but not too crazy. Then, we wanted to pick a meaningful name given everything that our baby boy would be going through. So we stumbled upon Isaac, which means "he will laugh". How great is that?

Living up to his name, Isaac has started trying to giggle this week. It is mostly just a little chuckle -- followed by the hiccups -- but we'll take it!

Many people ask us how Perrie is doing with her new baby brother. She is doing great. I imagine that she may get more jealous once he is mobile and in her space, but for now she is just a proud big sister. Perrie has a very motherly instinct. She loves to sing him songs, help with baths and diaper changing, pick out his clothes.

Maybe too much motherly instinct! (Perrie "feeding" her baby)

She does still take a break from all of the mothering to do a little dancing . . .

AND then she crashes in her bed . . . (with Huggy, the bear)

Elmo's World

Yesterday we went to Jake & Allie's 2nd birthday party and guess who was the special guest . . . ELMO! Kids have some sort of magnetic attraction to Elmo. Though most were excited to see him from a distance, most also wanted him to stay away. Perrie though marched right up to give him a high five. (I would have been hiding behind my mom.)

Perrie's picture of Elmo

Perrie & Elmo

Now let's just focus in on Perrie in that picture . . . I said "go get a picture with Elmo" and this is the result. (1) I didn't tell her to sit down, but she drops into a spontaneous cheerleader pose? (2) Look at those Elmo-crazed eyes!

A Fabulous Surprise

During this process, we have been overwhelmed by the kindness of our friends and family -- but also of complete strangers. Last week, we had a great surprise from a perfect stranger. For those non-Seattle readers, Tom Douglas is a chef/restaurant owner in Seattle. It is safe to say that he is the most famous chef in Seattle as he now has 11 restaurants (www.tomdouglas.com). AND delicious restaurants they are -- I would strongly recommend any of them when you visit Seattle. Our friend Kevin, wanting to help out from Colorado, e-mailed Tom Douglas' company to ask if they had any way to deliver a meal to Children's hospital for us (knowing that these are our favorite restaurants). Once he heard back from them, they said that this is something that Tom would like to do himself if his schedule allows. Fortunately for us, his schedule allowed last week! He didn't stay long, but the chef himself delivered a delicious meal to our house -- what a great treat and good memory!

A cookbook for Isaac & a fruit pie

Our gourmet dinner: watermelon arugula salad, summer vegetable medley, cherry chicken, homemade pasta pockets, mashed potatoes & greens

Perrie enjoying her dinner

Unfortunately, Isaac didn't get to enjoy the dinner - but he watched us ...

I still have a hard time believing we have TWO kids, but there they are!