Isaac has always had a tremendous capacity for laughter (ironic if you know the meaning of "Isaac").

I took this video about 6 weeks ago.

"The Snake"

If you have trouble with the videos try saving them to your hard drive. Right click on the link > select "save target as" > and then choose your location. Once it has downloaed, find the file, and double click on it.

Fall pictures... almost 7 months

the best thing that's ever happened in the world.

Will is calling my name. dadda, daddy... I have witnesses. He looks for me and says my name. Then when I come, he reaches up his little arms for me to hold him. He's said it to me at least five times today.

Granted: I've been drilling this into his head for almost seven months.

I take his little hands (Isaac too). I put them on his head and say his name. Then I put them on my head and say my name. Every now and then I dedicate a few fleeting seconds too "mama" instruction.

And it's all paid off. You simply cannot understand how incredible it is.

In fairness: Isaac's doing amazing things too... Like solid bowell movements. He's very proud. No seriously. He is developing a hilarious personality. He belly laughs on demand (which sets the world right no matter what).

Soon I will post some really great videos of my laughing boy. Then you'll have an idea of how much I love my life... but just an idea.

Will has a new face. It started out as his pouty face. Then when everyone started laughing at his pouty face, he started doing it all the time. It is very cute. When he finishes making this pouty face, he always smiles and thinks he is so funny!

Isaac and Will, your mommy loves you so much!

Here it is, as promised:

The new best video ever!

Isaac has uncovered the secrets of non-verbal communication and cause/effect relationships. (while his dad has not yet learned how to spell). Enjoy!

Who's Got My Leg?

Production Notes:
Will and Isaac have been learning (and remembering) the little games that we play with them. For a few weeks they have held their hands in front of our mouths inviting us to "eat" thier arms.

The boys love it when I do situps or pushups in front of thier jumpers (and it probably doesn't hurt for me to get a little excercise either). Well yesterday Isaac decided to put his hand on my leg. When he gave me that mischievious smile, I knew that he was inventing a new game.

After he did it five times I sneakily set up the camera on a tripod down the hall (once they see the camera, they forget everything).



PS. Hey, when's ma going to post again? It's been two weeks!

Different, like Every Other Day

This morning I got up, made bottles, set up a place for feeding/playing/reading in front of the fireplace, turned on some Nora Jones, and went to get my buddies.

I always wait for them to make noises. They know the ritual. They talk to each other for a while. Then they call for me. Sometimes they even say "dadadada". They greet me with big smiles and flailing limbs. I go back and forth to each crib to say "good morning" three times before I actually reach in and pick one of them up. This builds the excitement to the appropriate level.



Then I pick one of them up. (It alternates every monrning) I am sure to get a good cuddle all the way to the feeding couch.

I secure my first buddy while I go get my second buddy. After the bottles we change diapers, read two books, and then play.

This is a sacred hour. Since Andrea works at nights, the morning hours are almost always mine to savor alone (I like it when Andrea's with us too--but this is special and important in a different way).

This morning was perfect, in most ways no different from the last 180 mornings like it--but in a legal sense this morning was different. The boys are fully and irevocably ours.

It didn't feel different. Probably because we have been fully and irrevocably *theirs* for more than six months.

We celebrate the finalization of the adoption. But the beautiful/terrible nature of love dictates that nothing worthwile can ever be truly final or perfectly safe. We don't know how many days we will have to teach Isaac and Will what it means to be loved unconditionally. It's the kind of job you can never finish and you never want to.

Props to Kim for the great product tipoff:


You put a piece of apple or carrot in it.
They can suck, they can chew, but they can't choke.



Isaac thought he was in heaven. He pretty much ate the apple right through the screen. He is his own food processor.

Will on the other hand, does not seem to be an early adopter of new taste sensations. I wonder if he just has more sensitive tastebuds. Every new taste makes him shudder like he's just bitten into a lemon.

ps. you can usually click on the pictures to see a big clear version. (might give you a better look at Will's "shudder face".

GOOD Re-Run

Remember the "Surprise Ending Video" ?

Surprise Ending Video


you can catch all the other videos at the old "archival" site:

http://isaacandwill.orchardviewchurch.org

-Daniel

PS. Can't wait to post some new video. Coming soon.

Sub-Marginal Portraits

We tried to take the boys' 6 month portraits yesterday. Lake Michigan was a little overwhelming for them (as it should be). Will seems to be especially sensitive to the bright light. So... it didn't go well. But stay tuned. Next week we'll try again in the pumpkin patch...

Here's the best we got... (not touched up or anything)

Us Rudds are in the midst of a lot of changes -life-vocation-technology-gettingteeth-etc... That's part of the reason why I haven't posted much. Things should be settling down soon, and when I get my video editing capabilities back, I am going to post two of the best Isaac&Will videos EVER.

I know I keep saying it, but seriously, they just keep getting better.

Thanks for your patience

-Daniel

Every day is a new adventure with Isaac and Will. One of my favorite times with them is in the mornings. This morning I heard them wake up about 7:30 and they just were laughing and playing and talking back and forth to each other. I woke up, made bottles, and then couldn't wait to go see them.

Will's crib is the closest crib to the door, so I usually see him first. He has usually rolled over on his back and is just waiting for someone to come pick him up. He is always very excited to see you and just kicks and kicks his legs and has the biggest smile on his face. As soon as you pick him up, he just snuggles right into your shoulder and makes his cooing noise. This makes my day. He gives me several hugs like this a day.

Then I see Isaac who is pushed up on his belly or sometimes his hands and knees (he is getting pretty ready to crawl). Isaac is a very shy boy in the mornings. The instant you acknowledge him, he will give you the sweetest smile and then proceed to bury his head in his sheets (as if he is embarrassed). It is the cutest thing. His legs start going and he looks for you again. The routine starts over, and we both think this is a very fun morning game. When you pick him up, he continues to kick his legs and will laugh at any antic you are willing to perform for him. My day is complete after our "wake-up ritual".

How did I get so lucky?