He's a Big School Boy!

Isaiah James started preschool today at Mapleton Montessori School. When he woke up he wondered out loud if "today was the day." We told him that it was and while in his pajamas said, "bye Mom, bye Dad!" He made it clear from the start that he was ready for this and that excitement was his feeling about the whole thing, not anxiety or timidity. When we got there he continued to live into the new experience, saying hi to his teacher with a little jig, making a friend in the sand box right away, and even going to the bathroom like a big boy before we left. he was having so much fun and seemed so comfortable that after awhile Ramin and I looked at each other and said, "well, I guess we can go now." When we picked him up we received the fantastic news that he'd done really well all morning and that he was "excited to be here and make new friends (both teachers described him this way independently)." We're very proud of our little man today!

smiling for mommy :)

ready to go.

the big boy.

riding on daddy's shoulders on the way to his school.

sweet boy.

Birthday Buds.

One of the blessings of my life here in Colorado is Meggan. We knew each other back at Miami, but lived in different states for many years post college. Two years ago, she, her husband, Ben and their son, John moved to Boulder and we were able to reconnect. Her son John and my Isaiah are great buddies and this past week she and Ben welcomed their second beautiful boy into the world. His name is Samuel David and he is perfect. To make his arrival even more special, he was born on Isaiah's birthday. Welcome to the world baby Sam!

Time.

One of the great mysteries of parenthood is the passage of time. There are days I feel will never end and seasons I cry through thinking that they alone define my life. Then, there are days and seasons that seem to pass like sand through my fingers and I can't grab tightly enough to hold onto the moments. I'm especially thinking about this as Isaiah turns 3 and prepares to go to school. The road we've traveled together has felt long and tedious at times, but when I look back it all seems to have passed too quickly. My baby is becoming a big boy and the challenge going forward is to complain less, ask God to give me perspective when the days feel long and the seasons feel unendingly rough, and enjoy with all of my heart the gift of a little boy that God has given us. Happy Birthday Isaiah James!

just hours old

6 months

one.

two.

three.

My Boy is Three!

Yesterday, August 26th, my little man turned 3. It was a day full of celebration and excitement as he did the things he wanted to do and talked all about what it meant to be 3. His day started with a birthday scone at our favorite bakery in town, Spruce Confections. He sat like a big boy in his very own chair and ate his scone without any help. He struck up conversation with the table next to us and much to our surprise and delight, they asked if they could sing happy birthday to him. He smiled and giggled as they sang and after they finished he broke out into self appreciating applause. It brought tears to my eyes that perfect strangers would extend such kindness and celebration to my boy.

After the scone came his first gymnastics class for this fall and because he's 3, he went all by himself. It was good and hard all at the same time to watch his little blonde fro bounce around in the gym through the glass. There were a few moms who seemed to be doing this for the first time, too, so that was nice. I wasn't the only one reacting to and laughing at everything he did.

Isaiah had made it clear to Ramin and I that for his birthday afternoon (after nap and once Daddy got home) he wanted to mountain bike and have a cheeseburger and a milkshake, so that's what we did. He rode to his little heart's content and ate with the ferociousness of a boy twice his age. It was a great day! Here are some pictures of our adventure...

Isaiah before the ride. He was upset with me for taking a picture of him without his helmet on.

Tricks on the trail.

On a mission.

He opted for riding on Daddy's back on the return trip.

We haven't had a family picture in awhile because Isaiah is always moving. I thought, in light of that, I'd try and capture us on the move.

Yum! Cheeseburger and chocolate milkshake!

My handsome men :)

Sonny took a break from trains to...

...create a piece of modern art this afternoon. when i asked him what it was called he said, "i don't have any time, mommy!" the demands of a toddler artist are intense. i thought i'd share his work with all of you :)

jumping beanies.

john and isaiah have a way of making everything goofy and a reason for a belly laugh. here is one such time...

to see midwest vacation::part 3 scroll down past part 2. blogger decided they should be in that order instead.

Midwest Vacation::Part 2

After uploading around 15 pictures to this post alone , I'm realizing 2 parts are simply not enough. So... our vacation recap has now expanded to 3 parts. Our time in Indianapolis was really wonderful. We stayed with my parents and enjoyed 10 days together. Among the highlights were spending quality time together at home, sharing meals together, watching Isaiah rip his bike around the "trail" (aka: my parent's landscaping), playing with Geico the gecko, getting prepared for my sister's bridal shower, celebrating my sister at her bridal shower, seeing Karin and the Smiths, going to the Indianapolis Children's Museum, seeing my brother, and going to my grandparents house. We packed in a lot of meaningful events and still had time to really talk and enjoy each other's company. What a great trip!

Isaiah and I in the backseat, ready to travel from Tiffin to Indy.

Isaiah asked Daddy to put "little lovey" on his head, so Ramin happily obliged :)

I got to see my best friend, Erin and her two boys Brett (3) and Noah (1). We had a great morning together and the boys played like old buddies. This is the two of them enjoying a popsicle together.

That same morning Mom and I got to babysit for sweet Noah Biggerstaff. Ramin and Noah's Dad, Ben went out for lunch, so we had the honor of caring for this little fella. 

Me, Isaiah, Brett, Erin and Noah

Watermelon at Grammy Debi's. He loves it anytime, anywhere. 

Isaiah and his pal Papa Jon

This was hilarious...Mom and I bought Isaiah paints, paper and brushes so that he could do some painting and he ended up using all of the above materials to make a train. After about an hour of lining up his paint tubs and brushes he said, "Mommy, I'm done painting." I love my Sonny.

Of course all of the available boxes were quickly engineered into a track with tunnels. 

Grammy Debi and Isaiah on the "Reuben Wells" at the Indianapolis Children's Museum. It's a real train that they actually have preserved inside the museum. Isaiah was struck silent with awe. 

Lauren and I

Isaiah James ready for a dinosaur dig at the Children's Museum. I can't believe he wore the goggles without any fight. 

Grammy and Isaiah watching the model version of the Reuben Wells chuffing along the track. 

An amazing blown glass sculpture at the Museum. It was enormous and breathtaking. I wish I could have captured it more accurately. 

Rookie of the Year: Isaiah James Razavi

Midwest Vacation::Part 3

Here are the rest of the pictures from our vacation. Enjoy!

I had the honor of throwing a bridal shower for my sister who will become Lauren Elizabeth Church on September 19th in Eugene, OR. We had a great time celebrating her. Here is a beautiful shot of her at the 'Welcome Table.'

Lauren's fiance, Ryan not only helped me gather photos from throughout their relationship, but gave me explanations, too. I matted the photos on black paper with the typed explanations, and hung them with ribbon representing their wedding colors. It was a fun project!

Mom and I made this fruit bouquet :)

Lauren's sweet little cake.

Gram, Mom, Lauren and I

What a huge treat it was for me (and for Lauren) to have my dear friends Julie Smith and Karin Stroessler there. We all moved to Boulder together over 4 years ago and Julie and Karin have both moved in the last year. I love them both so much!

Mom, Isaiah and I spent a day up at my grandparents farm in Northern Indiana. We had such a wonderful day together. It began how most of my adventures as a kid at Gram's did...with his head in the deep freeze choosing a treat to get things going :)

Grammy Debi and Sonny sitting together outside.

I've been waiting for 3 years to get a picture of Isaiah running next to Gram and Pop's bean fields. He just happened to pick the spot right smack dab in the middle of their veggie garden. I don't think he smashed anything! Notice the old brick schoolhouse in the background. 

While we were at the farm we received word that one of our friends in the area had built an amazing display of all of his childhood trains in addition to a real model train set up complete with 3 tiers of track, bridges, tunnels and what one day will be cities, mountains, and countryside. Isaiah was thrilled, as you can see :)

A Sonny's personal heaven.

After the trains we went over to Aunty Kathy and Uncle Barry's house to see the kitties, Daisy and Lilly. Isaiah was surprisingly gentle with them. Here he is with Daisy.

Isaiah and Lilly

When we were done visiting with the kittens, Isaiah decided that he wanted to drive Uncle Barry's truck. He was very serious about the trip he was taking his Grammy Debi on. 

Our last night at Mom and Dad's we had dinner and visited with our dear family friend, Julie Ingels. She and Mom have been friends since before there were any kids on the scene and we just love her (and her family). She was even sweet enough to search 6 stores for just the right toy for Isaiah.