Spring is here!

We are so happy that Spring is finally here! The trees are budding and flowers are sprouting everywhere, including the bird garden-- yeah! The tulips don't probably get enough sun, but they will be pretty when the finally open up. Isaac's water table has returned outdoors, and the favorite toys are definitely any type of ball he can throw. We survived a long winter, which makes Spring that much better. Let's see-- Isaac is repeating nearly everything we say, or trying to, that is. He really makes us laugh. We got him a little table and 2 chairs for the kitchen, and he's loving the independence. He put up a big fight against the high chair at the end. He said, "Don't want to!" and he really meant it. Tantrums are as expected. We try to ignore a lot of it. It is not o.k. when he hits out of frustration. Time out has pretty much taken care of that, but he still has his moments. Since the new year, Isaac has stayed somewhat well; I say that as I remember he's finishing a perscription right now for a small cold. Poor boy has outdoor allergies. I guess he and I will be in it together... like a team. He doesn't seem to have animal allergies, or if he does, it's not that bad. We went for a short walk today and here are some pictures from it. I'll post more this week since I'm on Spring Break.

The Wiggles!

Isaac and Brian went to see the Wiggles, in concert, yesterday. They had tons of fun! Isaac loved all the kids. He has a Wiggles shirt, but he didn't wear it yesterday. When they got to the concert, they went inside and as Isaac saw all the kids coming in with Wiggles on their shirts he kept looking down at his own shirt. It was funny. When the Wiggles came out in the big red car, Isaac threw his hands up in the air and pumped them up and down like a rocker. It was hilarious. He couldn't stop talking about the show when they left (I heard him through the cell phone). He kept saying, "Daddy...fun...wiggles.." What an exciting day for the boy.

I took Isaac to the 3 year old class last weekend at church, because when we were at Shilling he did really well with them, listening and doing the project. Anyway, it was quite different at Wood St. They hold the 3-year old class in the daycare toddler room. He was so distracted by the toys that he couldn't really listen or do anything in there. Next time, he's going back to the nursery for the lesson in there.

St. Paul's called a new pastor and he has accepted the call. He is in his late 30's, has a wife and 3 or 4 kids. They are very excited to come. We are looking forward to his coming, too. He comes from Thomasboro, near Champaign.

Today is Brian's birthday. We are going to dinner and a movie. We will see Amazing Grace. The story should be really good. We're going to eat steak before the movie.

Isaac has been really throwing tantrums lately. He has quite a temper sometimes!

That's our news. Happy day!

"Diaper change"

"Let me show you how it's done."

"Here's my puppet show."

"My dad wears these big gloves when he shovels the snow. I bet I could do it, too."

"I'm telling ya, this snow is no good for making a snowman."

("By the way, my mom took my haircut into her own hands... SHE NEVER WENT TO HAIRCUTTING SCHOOL. We go Tuesday for the repair.")

"Dad; I want to make another ball this big!"

Snow days!
It's Thursday, and we have been out of school this entire week because of the snow (we had Mon. off for Lincoln's b-day). Decatur was not prepared for all of this and we've been digging out for days. My school was still completely covered as of yesterday and the County roads were not passable. Hopefully things will be better by tomorrow.
Needless to say, Isaac and I have have had tons of fun. Today was the first time out since the snow Monday night. We went to the YMCA to go swimming. I decided to try the floatation device on him. After about 10 minutes, I took it off. It gave Isaac a false security in the water and I didn't like it. He's so different this year at the Y; he's mobile now and he runs very quickly in the water. I keep a hand on him or within an arm's length at all times. He loves the water, though, and the "kids!"
We've been inside for days, but that's o.k. I put some water in the water table for splashing and playing. Who knew that the puppet show I picked up from school would be such a hit (no one wanted it and it was a freebie). We got a few puppets from Tarjea (i.e. Target). Isaac likes to watch a show, but he really wants to be involved. When he puts on a show for us, it's short lived. He looks at Little Red Riding Hood and Grandma-BBWolf and says, "Diaper change." He must think they look like dolls and that's what you do with dolls. It's hilarious.
He's talking in small sentences and really communicating these days, which is so fun. I just put him down for a nap, but left the door open, and he kept coming out, looking at Brian and me, and saying quickly, "Get back in bed Isaac." We laughed.
Now that he's down, I have some time for reading. I usually fall asleep when I read, but that's o.k. today. I wonder how the snow is out in NY. It seems they get big amounts of snow all the time in the snow belt, and they handle it. In upstate NY it looks like a rather large amount (9 ft.). I can't even imagine!
That's all my news. Have a happy day!

Snow! Snow! Snow!
When we got home from church on Sunday, we decided to bundle up and make a snowman. The snow was great for packing, and Isaac loved every minute of it. We rolled the three snowballs and used our snowman kit to complete the s.man with a hat and a scarf. Both Sunday night after the games and Monday morning, Isaac wanted to go outside to say hi to the snowman. I have a feeling he'll be around awhile with the cold temps.
Pictures will follow, my computer is slow tonight.

Isaac loves to play! He says, "Mommy play?" and asks me to join him. What fun!

Playroom!

Snoring soundly... after playing in the new playroom area!

This week Isaac has really been fighting another cold but he is a lot better today. He was coughing a lot Monday and I stayed home with him Tuesday. Wednesday I went to work (I thought he was better) and after a morning call from his babysitter, I got him in to see his doctor. He had a very bad ear infection! Who knew?! He wasn't really complaining and he wasn't pulling his ears. Now I'm on the lookout for similar symptoms. I know "the bad ear look." Scary.

It's raining and very dreary this weekend-- bummer! Brian is also sick.

We had a super inspirational speaker at school yesterday. He was great.

This week we are doing an internal review at our school. I am on the team. We get to go into classrooms and look at student learning and what we could do to improve. I'm excited.

Brian is now a partner at his law firm. Yeah! We are excited!

That's the latest!

Jen

The last posted pictures are me having a hay-day with my new posting discovery. The ice storm pictures at the end are duplicated (I was having computer issues). The pics in-between are my damaged swing (which insurance compensated us for) and us at Brian's high school in Frewsburg, NY, for the Christmas Parade. That day was a warm one for November.
I plan to do better with updates now that I've figured it out.
Jen

This is the dog stuffed animal Isaac saw first when he came down the stairs instead of the train.

Isaac's first xylophone!

Here it is again... by the way, the dates and times are wrong! It's Christmas day!

Do I hear Santa coming?! I love my new train! (Geotrax- stays together well)



Here I am being cute the week before Christmas! (If you look real close, you can see that I am coming down with a cold... don't worry, it was gone by Christmas day.)

I can make this train go with the remote control.

Here I am again before Christmas, these pictures are out of order, mom! I put this funny Santa hat on myself.

Here I am running the windmill switch before the train gets here.

Frosty won't keep his hat on like mine.

This picture is when mom figured out she could post after about an hour.

Yes, it's true! I finally figured out how to post pictures. It's not so hard, and the diagram Andrea sent was helpful. Soon I will post pictures of the ice storm. Have a happy day!

Jen

I got it! Here is the halloween Cardinal! More to come!

Jen's page
Christmas! We started by celebrating at the 5:00 pm children's program at church. Isaac loved the kids! "Kids...ba-bee..jeeshus," he said that night. It was great to celebrate with family and friends before Christmas and on Christmas day. Traditions hold true, it was a holiday to remember.
Isaac news: He didn't really get it. He said, "Preshens, open," but he couldn't get the paper off. It was more fun for Brian and me to watch him. He came down the stairs, and he didn't even see the train we had set up the night before. Oh, well. Next year will probably be even better. We had a great time.

I visited with visiting friends from Colorado (yes-her flight was cancelled and she had to drive), Champaign and California. Old friends are gold.

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Resolutions: 1. "Stretches," as Isaac says, 6 days per week. 2. Keep in better touch with my sis, Em (she's going to have another baby!). 3. Eat better.

I love teaching F3 so I'm really looking forward to helping out in 2007. My students will be starting confirmation stuff so I'm anxious to see if I can help out.

I'm looking forward to having next week off of school.

Jen

Jen's page
Santa Train:
On Saturday, amidst the ice and snow, mom and I went to the Santa Train in Monticello. It was the most fun I've had in a long time!
Santa talked to Isaac, and Isaac talked to Santa. He said he wanted a train set. He also told Santa that he couldn't have any of the sack lunch provided because he's allergic to peanuts (and it was pbj, chips and cookies- made in sunflower oil which is still questionable).
Santa told him he'll be sure to stop by Christmas Eve, since he's such a good boy.
The snow-covered countryside was beautiful! Trees are still covered in ice, but the sun was shining brightly and the trees were glistening! The train itself was like going back in time (it must be from the 40's or 50's). Imagine the Polar Express!
Before the train ride, Isaac went to his 3rd Santa parade. He's 3 for 3 in losing it when the bands come by. The loud drums and trumpets throw him for a loop, and he screams for everyone! Unfortunately, he can't have any of the candy thrown from the floats either. Tootsie-pops are a no-no. We will survive.
This morning we visited an allergist and had blood work done so we can know for sure exactly what he is allergic to. No more guessing games after he ate a seemingly harmless did t.v. dinner and broke out it hives last Wednesday night.
We have some of our Christmas decorations up. Isaac loves the lights and the baby Jesus (he says baby Jesus in a sweet little way). I plan to finish up when I stop blogging.
Have a happy day!

Jen's page
The last five days have been very trying at the Hair household! On Thursday night, the ice storm the forcasters had been warning about hit Decatur hard. We had no idea it was going to be as serious as it has been. Our power flickered, and then finally it went out. We waited... but it did not come back. After notifying my parents, my dad came and rescued us. I packed as quickly as I could, and when my dad picked us up, we were drove very close to downed power lines. Yikes! We got over to my mom and dad's where we thought we would be safe from the cold-- they still had power, but in the middle of the night they lost power, too. I had plugged in Isaac's night-light and when I woke up in the dark, I knew we were in trouble! We were going to stay Friday night at Pam and Barry's because they still had power, but my parents power came back around 6 pm, so we just stayed there since all of our stuff was already there.
We went over to Pam and Barry's just to visit and when we left, we went by our house to check again-- still no power. The hotels for miles around have been sold out since early Friday morning. We are so thankful to have family nearby that would take us in.
Sunday after church we went out to eat with my parents and their friends (who don't have power), and I saw a friend from school. She lives in Warrensburg, where I teach, and she still does not have power. Her daughter whose kids go to Warrensburg lives in the country near Warrensburg and they don't expect to get it back until Thursday. They are very cold, considering the temperature is in the teen digits. Staying with friends, and even family, is never quite as good as home sweet home. Back in my own bed last night, I slept soundly! I feel bad for all the people who don't have power yet! One little girl who's in first grade had a fire from a candle in her home, and the whole house burned down! People have purchased generators, but they run on a lot of gasoline, and they can only run one thing, such as the heater, for a short amount of time.
It is a blessing that we only have tree limbs down and a broken fence. Oh, I nearly cried when I found out about the other damage we have. My yard swing was crushed by a fallen tree limb, and it may be ruined. We have to wait to assess the damage until it gets a little warmer. I can't imagine having structural damage to your home. We are praying for Decatur families. We haven't had school since Thursday, but I expect we will have it tomorrow.
It will be a better day!

Jen's page
Maybe I have too old of a program. This window does not have the picture icon. I'll keep trying.

http://us.f321.mail.yahoo.com/ym/ShowLetter?MsgId=2230_4126849_18742_1122_3204_0_5284_12779_3563911814&Idx=0&YY=64520&y5beta=yes&y5beta=yes&inc=25&order=down&sort=date&pos=0&view=a&head=b&box=Inbox

Jen's page
Toddler bed update: For about 3-4 weeks, Isaac has been sleeping in a toddler bed. The adjustment for the first few nights was hard. He fell out of bed all through the night for a couple of days. Now things are just fine. He doesn't fall out anymore, and he can climb in and out. He's getting to be so independent! Just tonight, he sat with us for the first time in a real chair at dinner. He felt like such a big boy. I'm not quite ready for that, though. We need a booster. Maybe it will make a good Christmas gift.

Jen's page
Halloween bad news... Two weeks before Halloween we got a lovely surprise, Isaac is allergic to peanuts! How could this be?! Well, we're not sure how it happened, but now we know what happens! After an evening in the emergency room and quite a good scare, we're beginning to cope with the lifestyle changes that have to happen with a peanut allergy. Restaraunts often use peanuts or peanut oil in some form, thus we always need to ask. Further, trick-or-treating is now off-limits! Nearly all candy has peanuts in it (at least the kinds most people give out at Halloween). We have a really good handbook, and several Epipens now. It all happened so quick when Isaac reacted. Literally, 5-7 minutes, tops. Isaac was puffy for nearly a week just from peanut butter touching his lips and face. Luckily he didn't like it. We rushed to the ER and all was well in a couple of hours. I'm sure glad it happened to us and not anyone else because it was scary.

On a lighter note, F3 at church is going well. I really enjoy the 5th and 6th graders in the class I am teaching. My attendance has been pretty good; 10-15 kids every week. The lessons are from the Group series, and they are really good. It's great to share my faith with these kids! They are thoughtful and they take class seriously (most of the time).

Small group is going well, too. The group we have joined is made up of about 5 other couples. Starting this Friday, we are going to start meeting on Friday nights, rather than Sunday afternoons. I'm looking forward to it. The group is an answer to prayer.

My grandpa was 85 on Sunday. He's still doing really well, health-wise. It was fun to celebrate with him!

Isaac's hair is curly! We are waiting to cut it until after we visit NY in a week. I wish I knew how to post pictures!

That's this month's news!