Day of FREEDOM!!!!

The day has finally arrived! Zach is taking his test and in a few short hours, this chapter of our lives will be over! He called this morning and said the morning part was fairly easy and he was looking forward to getting the afternoon part done. I am so excited...I could cry!

I wanted to put a picture of our beautiful magnolia tree on our blog since it only blooms for a few days. The blooms are already falling to the ground so it won't be around much longer.

Isaac had his 1 year appointment on Monday. He's officially 23 pounds, 12 ounces...with his clothes off. We got some antibiotics for his cold and he is doing much better the last 2 days. It was really rough over the weekend and for the first few days of the week. On Wednesday I sucked more snot out of his nose than I thought was even possible. Since that he has been able to breathe and has been sleeping better. Last night he slept 12 hours! He has never done that! I was happy because Zach stayed in Ames last night and I was on my own with Isaac.

Well, the garbage truck just went by and woke up Isaac so I'd better go get him! I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful day!

Birthday Fun!!

Isaac is 1 today! We had a really great time with my family and our friends and missed having Zach's family down here to celebrate. Zach's mom had unexpected surgery on Thursday and is recovering in the hospital. We will celebrate next weekend though!

Here are a few pictures of the day for Grandpa & Grandma Erickson:

Zach and I teamed up to decorate Isaac's cake! We are pretty proud of the end result!

Isaac got some blocks and some trucks and really had a good time opening his presents. He didn't understand why he couldn't immediately play with the toy he just opened though. It was hard to keep him unwrapping presents!



Isaac loved his cake...especially the frosting. If you look closely you will see his fingerprints by Mickey's shoes!

Isaac loved mushing his cake between his fingers!

Whoops, a little behind his ear! Good thing it's bath night!

My baby is one! Zach and I are both exhausted after a long day of preparing and celebrating. It seems we were just as exhausted last year! Probably more last year!

walking...with help!

Isaac has started to take more steps and walk behind his little car. It won't be long and he will take off and run...although he knows he is much faster at crawling and prefers it at this time! I got a little video of him walking behind his car today!

Softball season will start at the end of the month. We had a practice last night and Zach let me go and he stayed home with Isaac. I am SORE today!! Zach laughed at me but I will return the favor in a few weeks when he plays for the first time!

Study time...

Ten more days...hopefully life will feel a little less stressful and a lot more free! Isaac wanted to help his daddy study the other day...he loves the calculator!

We are looking forward to taking a break and celebrating Isaac's 1st birthday on Saturday. I've been planning and working up the courage to make Isaac's cake and decorate it myself. This may be the only year I attempt it! My plan is good (I think) so we'll see about the execution.


Isaac and I went to my parent's Saturday night for Easter and to allow Zach some distraction free study time. Isaac enjoyed seeing Grandpa Beerends' cows and actually took his first step! He didn't mean to but it was very exciting. When we got home he even walked a couple steps for daddy! Isaac loved helping me unpack but then wanted to be in the bag too.

We are still working on being a healthy, germ free family. Isaac has had a runny/stuffy nose for a week and on Thursday spiked a temp of 101 degrees. We took him to the doctor but there is nothing wrong with him. We are glad it's not ear infection again but wish the nose would just clear up! Isaac does have two more teeth on the way...who knows when they'll actually appear! Zach has sinus infection again and I'm pretty sure I have bronchitis or at least a mild version of it.

Doors are so much fun!

Isaac has a major fascination with doors now. He loves to go in his room and shut the door so I can't get in. Usually he then makes a mess of his room by knocking over his laundry basket and taking all the books off his shelf. But, he is very content to have the door closed!



This morning Isaac learned how to open the cupboard doors as well. Until now he didn't know how handy the handles could be and we were able to keep him out. We have baby proofed the cabinets he can't be in so that's good!

Isaac managed to give himself a black eye the other day. He was reading his book while I was changing him and he dropped the corner of the book on his face. It was really black on Monday but seems to be better each day. He also has a runny nose again...is it teeth or is he sick? Hopefully this won't turn into an ear infection!

My baby is going to be one next week! How fast time flies! Also, we a little over 2 weeks from Zach's test! We can see the light at the end of the tunnel and we will celebrate when we get there! Zach still has some studying to do though!