Captain Carrot Beard

This last week we started Isaac on so called "solid foods." Which means he now eats pasty liquid rather than just liquid. His first meal... carrots. He loved his carrots after getting used to the taste.

This picture is after two so called "bites." We put about twenty spoonfuls in his mouth, he probably swallows about 4 total.

Oye ye land lubbers. This is Captain Carrot Beard speaking. Ye better feed me more carrots before I make ye walk the plank. Oye, ye love me carrots. Ok, my pirate talk needs a little more work.

In Honor of Colleen Jacob: American Cancer Run 2008

Team Colleen

The kids race before the 5K Run/Walk. Sawyer, Logan, and Evan waiting to run.

Isaac with his first Team Colleen shirt made special for him and the other babies by Gina!

Heather and I raised $555.00 in donations from our generous friends. We will let you know the total raised by Team Colleen as soon as we find out.

This year the cancer run was even more meaningful because Heather's mom, Margo was just diagnosed with Colon cancer. She had her surgery the week after the race, and is now home doing well. The pathology report just came back saying it hadn't spread at all! Now we have to wait to see what the Oncologist says in a couple weeks.Isaac jumping for cancer.
As tradition, we went to Colleen's grave after sunset and lit sparklers to celebrate her life and show her our love and how much we miss her.

Thank You Colleen for showing us strength, love, and the true way to live life. We all miss you very much.

Yeah Beer!

Matt Flowers and Mark Meyer decided to start brewing their own beer. Matt and Mark worked on the first batch and it turned out great. I decided to jump into the process on the second batch. Hopefully it turns out well, otherwise I expect to be the fall guy.

The beginnings of beer. The ingredients....

Hops, condensed into pellets. I tried one, it was ....very hoppy.

The grains that go into the malt part of beer.

If you are lazy and would rather spend more time drinking beer than boiling down the grains you can purchase malt extract. We choose wisely!

Yeast, this is the magic ingredient. It makes the alcohol that is in beer.

Heather and Isaac supporting us in our beer making process.

Carol enjoying the fun part of brewing beer...drinking it.

Gus Gus, their walking fur coat.

The first beer Mark and Matt made was an Amber Ale that was delicious. The second batch was an extra hoppy pale ale. We will see how it turns out in a couple of weeks.

Isaac at School

Is it time for school already? Oh well, at least I get to study my favorite subject, The Wisconsin Badgers.
My soon to be favorite place in Madison, The Memorial Terrace. But Daddy says I have to wait 20.5 years before I get to enjoy a beer down by the water.
When you don't want to study anymore, take a break...and eat your books. As a side note, most of the food I ate in college probably didn't taste as good as my books would have tasted. Can anyone say "Ramen Noodles for 10 cents!"
Hey, whats that over there?
Its Isaac's new favorite toy. When we put him in his jumper he puts death grips on the blue straps and then proceeds to jump continuously from between 15 min to 1 hour. Don't think we are bad parents for leaving him in there for an hour. If we try to take him out before he is ready, he whines and pouts. Mommy says he is in training to build up calves like his daddy.

Isaac Relaxing at Home

Just out of frame: Grandma and Grandpa Jacob making silly noises.
What are they doing now???

Nature vs. Nurture

I saw this Hawk as we were driving past our daycare. I had Heather snap a picture out the window. We watched him eat for a couple of minutes before continuing on our way. Note to future parents: When interviewing daycares make sure to ask if there are any predatory animals in the area.

Look Mom, I can eat my whole hand!

Isaac likes to stick, not his fingers, but his entire hand into his mouth. Sometimes too far, as he gags and then gets this puzzled look on his face that seems to say "What the hell was that?!?"
It is truly amazing the crazy noises mommy and daddy will do to make me laugh. Sometimes it makes me doubt their intelligence.
Isaac with his outfit that states he is a "Hippo Monkey", whatever that is? I hope it is a really cute mammal, and not a giant feces throwing mammal, otherwise we might be in trouble.

Easter and Isaac's Baptism

At Church before the ceremonyIsaac's Godparents Brian and Gina Anderson. Brian is Heather's cousin. Heather is also God mother to their oldest son Jacob.

Great Grandpa Jacob with Isaac and Heather.Isaac with Grandma and Grandpa Stapleton

Isaac's Baptism cake. We didn't let him dig into it. That comes at his first birthday.Isaac posing in his chair with his Baptismal blanket that our friend Helene made for the occasion.

Isaac loving his special day!

Just a nice picture, without his mouth wide open. Its hard to get one of these anymore. He is always babbling or trying to stuff whatever he can get his hands on into his mouth.

Isaac pretending to try out for American Idol.

Look the Easter Bunny has arrived!
Without a doubt the cutest picture we have of Isaac to date. I have this one up at work and it makes me smile every time I look at it.

Badger Easter Bunny

Grammie helping Isaac open an Easter present. He is starting to get the idea of tearing paper. He tore off a couple of pieces and they went straight into his mouth.The Badger Easter Bunny arrives!!

This is a mechanical hopping bunny that captivated Isaac for about 5 minutes which is an eternity for a baby.

We got about 8 inches of fresh snow about two days before Easter. It was warm out so we took Isaac for his first sled ride in the back yard. There were numerous people on our deck watching to see his reaction. He only laughed when I was taking him away from the people, then he would be serious when I brought him back. Stanley is waiting for his turn.

Isaac and Dad playing in the snow.

Daddy....What are you doing???Hey look everybody...I can stand all by myself. Wait..why can't I move my legs??

Daddy Sleeping, Isaac is NOT!

Early one Saturday morning, Daddy is still sleeping but Isaac wants him to wake up and play.... whats a good way to wake up Daddy, lets try pulling his chest hair and poking him in the eyes. Guess what, it worked. Although you can't get mad when you open your eyes to a great big smile.

After Bath Relaxation

Isaac after a bath in his robe. He is starting to splash around in the tube which means that we also get a shower when he gets his bath.

Dad and Isaac

Dad giving his little angel some love. It doesn't matter how hard of a day I have had, when I come home to his smiling face it makes the world right.