Communication

So, Isaac is a little slow on the talking. So far, the only real words he says are "no," "uh-oh," and "whee". And yes, I realize I'm being a little liberal in my interpretation of word when it comes to those last two.

But still, Isaac has found many ways to communicate. He does know a few signs, and uses them mostly appropriately. His best one is "please," which he uses enthusiastically when chocolate is involved. He also knows "more," "drink," "milk," "sleep," and "all done," though I think he thinks "all done" means "pick me up." It accomplishes the same thing, so I'm all right with that.

The most interesting way Isaac has come up with to communicate, though, is what I like to call steering. He gets me to pick him up then he emphatically points in the direction of his heart's desire. So, if he wants to take a bath he aims me towards the stairs, then down the hall, then to the bathroom. If he wants to go to sleep (and yes, he frequently volunteers to go to sleep- probably because he knows he will get to nurse), he points me towards the bedroom. If he wants to watch a show (and yes, I let my child watch television. I am properly ashamed.), he points me toward the family room, then points up at the projector, then scrambles out of my arm and settles himself comfortably on the couch and stares at the wall while waiting for the projector to come on. It's cute. I tell you what.

It just amazes me how much he can understand and participate in what we are doing, and how well he is able to communicate his needs and desires using no words. Of course, I'd love it if he started chattering, but I'm sure that will come soon enough. :)

Spot the Blessings

Sometimes I like to play a game with myself when I am in an ordinary setting. I named that game tonight - I've decided to call it "spot the blessings." It's a really fun game; I'll tell you how to play.

You just sit wherever you are and think of all the blessings that are evident in what you can see/experience around you.

Here's an example: Tonight I was at our institute class at the church. Within the first five minutes I came up with these blessings, in no particular order:

1. The freedom to discuss religion in the open
2. Shoes
3. A nice big building dedicated to the purposes of worship and fellowship
4. A teacher who volunteers his time to lead a thoughtful discussion on the Book of Mormon every week
5. My husband, who went with me to Institute tonight even though he is feeling sick, because I didn't want to go without him
6. Warm jackets
7. The slightly warmish weather we've been having
8. Snacks
9. The prophets who sacrificed so incredibly much to write and preserve the words in the Book of Mormon
10. General health, horrible sinus pressure and leaky nose notwithstanding
11. Heat in the building
12. My new Android phone, which I could use to read the scriptures and then slip into my pocket at the end of class, not having to lug around heavy scriptures (there is something to be said for the written word in physical, markable format, but I was grateful tonight that the holy scriptures were so dang handy)
13. My friend Brad, who generously gifted me his in-perfect-condition Android phone
14. Pianos and people who play them
15. Wonderful, willing cousins at home watching Isaac (ooh, that was downright alliterative)

... And I could have thought up a bunch more, but I was getting interested in the discussion, so I had to stop thinking about blessings. But have you noticed how many of these relate to heat? I'll tell you, I'll be able to spot many more blessings once spring arrives.

But, really, it's enough to make you feel darn spoiled. Just sit and look around and realize how good you have it. And it's fun. And you can do it anywhere.

What about you? Any blessings you can spot from where you are right now?

A Snippet

A little glimpse at life at the Wests:

James: So, can I tell you my woes in life?

Charity: Sure, honey, just let me finish this text first...

Isaac and Daddy

James came home today and for kicks he put his coat on Isaac. Isaac loved it, and he refused to take it off. He was walking all over the living room in it, falling all over the place since, um, it doesn't actually fit him. :) He was so cute we had to take a few pictures:

And here he is one Sunday after church in Daddy's suit jacket. The way the shadows fell, he looks a bit like Dracula. A very cute Dracula. Please ignore the mess on the floor.

A Day at the Park

We took Isaac for a little jaunt in the park today. He had a blast playing on the slides and climbing up and down. But even with all the fun things there were to do on the playground, what he wanted to do was sit on the bench next to this woman and her 3-month-old baby. He just climbed up there and sat next to her, wiggling his little feet. It was hilarious. I have a funny child.

Pictures of the outing can be found here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=555027&id=551240506&l=d2a3084638

 

When He's Helping He's Happy

Seriously, this kid just wants to be helpful. Today he helped Daddy take in the trash. Oh my boy. I hope you retain this desire to participate in family chores your whole life.

Isaac Helping Around the House

Isaac is a good little helper. Only 14 months old and already wanting to get in on the chore action. His favorites are scrubbing the tub and washing the dishes

 He's no shirker when it comes to yard work, either. He gets right in there and toils away.

 

He really loves that lawnmower.

 

 In fact, he may love the lawnmower a bit too much.

 

So nice of the neighbors to let him borrow one his own size. :)

What a sweet and helpful little boy we've got. :)

A Wilde Halloween

So, a week after West Fest, we had the pleasure of attending the Wilde Halloween party. This holiday is so much fun. Pretty much everyone came in costume, and what costumes they were! Let me tell ya - no, let me show ya. Here are some of the pictures from the event:

 Us again! This time James had his mask and Isaac had his ninja head band. 

And I... well, I had a seriously red ponytail.

 Isaac. Did we make a cute kid or what?

 He actually really liked his shell. And didn't mind his headband... for about half an hour. 

Then it was gone, baby, gone.

 Emily and Max - he was the house from Up and she was Russell. 

Is that not the cutest costume you've ever seen?

 The Up characters with Ron Weasley. Presumably, he's responsible for turning Max into a house.

 Jedis who mean business.

 Jedis who know how to have fun.

 Horses at the prom (otherwise known as Jacob and Valerie.)

 Isaac again. He's too cute.

 Maria and Hannah looking gorgeous on the balcony.

 Allison and Michael coming as video game/cartoon characters Pikachu and Sonic the Hedgehog.

Isaac says, "Hey! I'm a video game/cartoon character, too! We can be a club!"

Ok, so we had a lot of fun this Halloween. We hope you all did, too!

West Fest Oh-10

So, we had our (sort-of) annual Halloween party again this year. I was going to call it a semi-annual Halloween party, but technically semi-annual would mean every two years, and I think the last time we actually pulled off a party was in 2007. So, not quite semi-annual. But we are hoping to actually make it an annual thing, since we had a blast throwing the party.

This year, West Fest included many carnival-type games, including bobbing for apples (in the sink), eating-donut-off-string races (from the ceiling fan, no less), a cake walk, pumpkin painting, and a viewing of Hocus Pocus - a Halloween classic.

We had a great time, and are grateful for everyone who came. Sorry we had to cram you all in to such a tight space, but we appreciate your good humor about it. We are hoping next year to kick the Halloween season off early and just do the whole thing outdoors in early October while it's still warm. We'll see how it goes.

Anyway, here are some photos from the event:

 Isaac getting ready for the festivities in his Leonardo costume.

 The kids were awesome sports about bobbing for apples in the sink. 

 It was so much fun to watch them be so excited.

 Isaac had his own method of bobbing.

 "Hmm," he thinks. "Which one do I want?"

 "I'll have this one thanks!"

 The whole family: Casey Jones, April O'Neil, and Leo. Now we just need three more kids!

 Once again, the kids were awesome sports - Danika was even willing to try to eat the donut while it was tied to the ceiling fan (yes, it was turned on!).

 Take 2, with the donuts tied to Rick's wizard staff.

 Isaac thinking, "Hey! Where's my donut?"

All in all, much fun was had, and we're hoping to do it again next year!

Happy Birthday to Isaac

Isaac turned one back in August, but it was just too busy that month to celebrate in style. So we waited till September and threw a big bash for the little guy. We invited friends and family for a backyard BBQ and had food, music, and conversation. Isaac had a blast, thanks to all the fun kids that came and played in the dirt with him. Here are some pictures:

 Isaac's robot cake. It says "Isaac 1" if you could see it 360.

 Isaac is excited for his party. He's actually dancing here.

 Ain't he a cutie?

 I love my handsome boy.

 Isaac says, "Dad, I can't believe you have this on your playlist! I'm going to change it to something more appropriate."

 Here's the cake surrounded by cake pops I made. Tutorials for these have been all over and I really wanted to try them. So now I can say I did, and I am never doing them again. The how-tos all made them seem soo easy and fun. They were not. But they were really cute, huh?

Here's our awesome robot we made out of rice krispie treats, fondant, and candies. He's cute, huh?

 Here's cute Johnny.

 Jonas. He ate the robot.

 The big boys like to pick Isaac up and carry him around. Here, he has been dropped. James snapped pictures while I laughed at my child.

 Yeah, we're winning the parents of the year award. Hands down.

 Allison and Michael enjoying the festivities.

 The cute Bonnett family.

 Some of Isaac's favorite playmates, our former neighbors the Dusbabek boys.

 Isaac and his cake.

 Isaac's favorite portion of the party. Playing in the dirt with Evan.

Thanks to everyone who came. To those who couldn't make it - we missed you.