#1

 The Firstborn

                                                          The most handsome boy ever, Isaac!

        Well, I know it has been FOREVER since I've blogged so I decided to start back up today. I already did a post on our newest addition, Paisley, but I just had to highlight my other 2 kiddos as well. I can't believe I can say that I have 3 kids!! Life sure has changed a lot in the last 7 years, but it has been an amazing ride. I say 7 years because that is when our adventure as a couple started. That's right Nate & I got married 7 years ago--crazy!! About a year & 1/2 later we welcomed our first born Isaac and man were we unprepared! So begins our exploration into Isaac...

        Isaac was the worst baby of all 3. He came screaming into the world at nearly 10 pounds! The delivery was chaotic from the moment I left the house. We left our house at 4AM in full labor. We bumped the wall backing out, then we were the last person accepted into the American hospital. I wanted to give birth naturally, but just couldn't hack it. Unfortunately the epidural didn't work on me, so I got to follow my birth plan anyway. Close to his arrival his heart rate dropped & the delivery room suddenly became overwhelmingly busy. I was tired & extremely anxious. It turns out the cord was wrapped around his neck so they had to use the vacuum to help get him out. After he arrived they whisked him away & it took a few minutes before he cried. He finally cried, it was the sweetest sound in the world, but it never stopped!!

       From day 1 he was colicky & could not be soothed most of the time. To top it off we were young, not ready, & had just moved to Italy--I could not have felt more alone. Parenting was definitely a trial by fire for us. There were times he was crying so hard I had to leave him in the crib, go out on the balcony & just sob my eyes out. Other times I had to load him in the car & drive around until he finally fell asleep. For the most part though I learned how to do every daily chore & activity with him strapped to the front of me. I didn't know if we'd ever make it out.

      Fortunately we did make it out alive. Around a year old he suddenly woke up and became the sweet, reserved boy that he is today. Looking back I would do it 100 times over to have the kid that he is. He is incredibly agile, smart, & handsome to boot!                

          The picture here is a perfect example of the boy that he has become. He loves to be outside climbing trees, but he is still a quiet, shy observer. Even around his own Mama he peeks out from behind the tree, not wanting me to embarrass him :).

            Despite his shyness though he still has a great sense of adventure (as seen above :) ). He thinks things through, but once he's weighed his options he usually jumps right in. This is great since Nate & I are both avid outdoors-men, he fits right in. He is exceptionally coordinated and has a gift for any sport or activity he tries. I cannot wait to see what he ends up choosing to do exclusively. He's already an incredible baseball player, he's great with a soccer ball, he's showing signs of BMX riding, & his balance is un-real! I'm pretty much letting him try anything until he decides what to stick with. I do want a soccer player in the family for selfish reasons of course, but I fully support each of my children pursuing their own course in life.

         Not only is he adventurous, but he has an awesome imagination as well. He loves to play superheroes, transformers, & whatever else comes to his little mind. I don't know when he made the transition, but it seems like overnight he went from a toddler to a kid! He uses "like" in every sentence the way a teenager does & he tells me the most extravagant stories. It is so fun hanging out with him!

       
         That is why today was so sad. It was such a huge milestone, but such a shock too. It really hit me last night getting everything ready that my days of spending all my time with him are now over. He is officially a kindergartner & will be in school for the next 13 years! He's suddenly like Daddy--I only get to see him nights & weekends! I know I get all summer with him & all the breaks, but this is my first one it's crazy!

 
        Finally, what makes Isaac so special though is the amazing big brother he has become. Not only is he athletic, kind, adventurous, & now a kindergartner, but he is a brother & a protector for our two sweet girls. Him & Ryann have their moments of fighting, but for the most part they love to play together & both girls already worship him. Isaac stands up for Ryann when other kids are mean to her & he gives her her way so often when they are playing at home. He is such a great example to her & I know he will continue to be so as he grows. We were worried how they would react bringing in a new baby that wasn't from my belly, but they both bonded to her instantly like it was always meant to be. Isaac & Paisley already have an incredible bond that just blows me away. He helps me feed her, he plays with her when I need a break, & he comforts her when she is fussing in the car so that she doesn't distract me.

      I know now that Isaac was & is the perfect first born. Despite how hard he was as a baby every moment with him has been a precious gift from God. The name Isaac means "he who laughs" which I thought was a cruel joke when he was born, but it now fits him perfectly. He fills our house with so much love & laughter & he's always keeping us on our toes! Happy first day of Kindergarten Isaac--we love you! And, I love photographing him! He clearly gets his good looks from my super sexy husband! See below :)

                                                               2 peas in a pod :)   My handsome guys!

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