Another Amazing Conversation

On the way to school today Isaac was talking about his new favorite show Wow Zubby Zubby, and told me that someone was cutting the trees down, so the Grizzly Bears were not going to have any where to live. Mommy where are they going to hibernate? So we started talking about what things were made from trees, that wood came from trees, that paper came from trees. And then what animals were effected by this. We talked about one of his favorite books the Lorax. Then we talked about the trees in our backyard, and how we have seen deer there, and squirrels, and other animals, and how they would be effected if the trees were cut down. "Where would they go mommy?" to "I want to see another deer mommy." To mommy why haven't we seen a giraffe in the trees, or a bear." I explained that bears liked cold climates, and since it doesn't snow in los angeles, bears generally dont live here. Then I explained about giraffes, and Africa. "I want to go to Africa mommy, I am going to bring my sunglasses because its very hot there. But the giraffe shouldn't try to eat my suglasses. He can wear them if he wants, but not eat them." What other animals would you see in Africa Isaac? "Monkeys, and Tigers, and Lions, and Spiders." Like what movie? "Like Madagasgar, and Santa Madagascar... and Lion King."

Coco - One Half Year Old

What she lacks in physical development, she certainly makes up for in hair growth. Our little bean, at the ripe age of six months can sport pig tails almost as long as mommy's, and a mohawk to boot. It feels like with each month so much development occurs, and yet we are anticipating so much that is going to happen. It was only in this month that I began to worry about Coco's physical development. If you hold her under her arms, she wont put any pressure on her legs, and she is not yet sitting, or rolling. With that being said her neck and core strength is so much better, and with each day we are seeing progress. At her 6 month check up this week I expressed concern to Dr. Shulman who acknowledged my observations, and suggested we have Coco see a pediatric neurologist to cover all of our basis. He thought that she could better access Coco's development, and suggest a course of action. Her weight was 11lbs 13oz, which was below 0% on the chart, and 24" which was 11%. He wasn't worried about either, and said she was gaining weight steadily at about a half pound a month, and that this would likely be her pattern for the next six months.
We have visited Dr. Michelle (her last name is impossible to pronounce or remember), the pediatric neurologist in Pasadena (who ironically lives five doors down from us) and she too agreed that Coco's development was on the slow side of normal, but that it would all catch up in time. She thought we could choose weather or not we wanted to do physical therapy, and that perhaps a couple sessions might give us some ideas of exercised we want to do with Coco at home. Dr. Michelle wanted to see us in three months to reevaluate, and wanted her to be passing an object from one hand to the other by that time.
SO, that is the state of the union around here. We have chosen to do a couple physical therapy sessions, and have our first appointment tomorrow, and even over the weekend have seen progress and improvement. Her sitting is getting better, her grasping too.
With all that being said, she is an absolute delight, and we are sure that much of the delay in development has to do with her progress socially and verbally. She is chatting up a storm, very interested in being around friends and family, and incredibly easy going. She is very much the joy of our house on most days, and has a smile that not only lights up her entire face but the entire room. I am so enjoying her as a baby, and appreciating each day.
We have started solid foods. I spent a day making sweet potatoes, green peas, butternut squash, pears, peaches. She has tried the sweet potatoes, and some avocado. So far she good give or take it. Not so interested, but willing to deal with it. This week we will try some fruit, and if she is anything like her brother she is going to love it.

Horizon Room, Coming to an End

As my days have become routine in so many ways, I have favorite parts. Highlights, that draw me from one event to the next. The things I look forward to most. For me picking Isaac up from school is one of these movements. The conversations I have with him on the car rides home are the best of the day. They are always rich with stories, and anecdotes, clever and witty thoughts, and very honest emotion. This week we have had some amazing chats.

Monday: Isaac told me that he was learning about outer space and Astronauts. I asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. He said a 'Chef'. I of course was gloating with the response until I said, like mommy? And then with no time at all he said, no, not like mommy. Mommy is a 'cooker' I will be a 'chef'. Wow I thought, a cooker? I am not sure which stung more. The fact that he was right (I am so NOT a chef) or the fact that he could distinguish the difference. From there we talked about other people in our family and their professions. Mommy is also and architect. Daddy is a director. What is a director? Blah Blah... Then he wanted to know what Papu did. I told him Papu is a business man. What kind of business he wanted to know. Computers I said. He sells computers and helps fix them. I want a computer Mommy! I know sweetie, you will have one one day. I know mommy, I will have a computer when Im a MAN!

Tuesday: More space talk. Mommy did you know Saturn has rings, Jupiter is big, Mars is tiny. There is a planet named after a dog. And on and on. I was so excited that he was picking up on and learning some of the things they were talking about in school. And then came Mama you know that people who go to the moon have to wear 'Gravity Boots', and 'Space Suits' with 'Oxygen Helmets'. OMG! Now I was blown away. Really Isaac? Why? So they dont float off the moon, and so they can breathe. Its scary out there mommy. They need to be safe. And in this one conversation I was reminded I am now raising a boy, not a baby, not even a toddler. A boy.

Thursday: Mommy Teacher Jennifer told us when we learn about the sun it is going to be our last day in the Horizon Room. That is coming soon. I said, yes it is, you only have one week left with Teachers Jennifer and Karla. He said he didn't want to go to a new class. He wanted to stay in the Horizon Room forever. I explained all of his friends were moving to new classes, and that it was time for the little kids to go into the Horizon Room. He said, I know mommy, but it makes me sad.

Friday: How was your day Isaac? Tell me about it? Was there a picnic at school? What did you have for lunch? Mommy... I dont want to talk to you right now. I will talk to you when we get home.

The things he says, the ways in which he says them are funny, infuriating, frustrating, enlightening, hilarious, and truly amaze me each and every day. His memory is crazy. The things he brings up from the past wow me. He is truly remarkable.