1st Christmas

Family is always the centerpiece of our holiday festivities and this year was no exception. Isa got to hang out with her three cousins on the Rhynard side of the family: Rhye, Ash, and little Kai (who recently joined the bipedal community). Isa loves social gatherings and happily welcomes the warm arms of any smiling stranger. She is one bright and happy baby these days as she becomes more alert and interactive. This has truly been a year of blessings and celebration.

We wish you the best for 2009!

Tiffany & Marty

winter in vermont (new videos!)

We are looking out our windows at over a foot of snow. The fluffy white stuff is so lovely but the cold temperatures are challenging! But this has not stopped us from getting out and about with Isa. We have been getting a ton of mileage out of the Baby Bjorn that Aunt Kathryn gave us! (big shout out to Kat!).

Isa is growing bigger every day and her smiles and laughter are more frequent. She is almost two months old and we'll get an official weight in next week. She (and we) love her pediatrician, Mayumi. She was there when Isa was born and we all took a liking to her warm heart and grounded energy immediately.

Last weekend Marty and I had our first evening out, and hence we had our first babysitter, Kathy Clarke. Isa was being a good baby and crying her little head off. As first time parents our brows were all furrowed and concerned. Grandma Kathy, being a mother of three, finally had to (graciously) boot us out.

On Christmas day we are heading over to my sister's house to hang out with the Rhynard crew. Stay tuned for some holiday videos and pictures!

Happy Holidays!
Tiffany & Marty

Isa goes 3-D

For Christmas the Rhynfield family purchased a Flip video camera. We can't stop filming her! Here's one of our favorites.

Best,
Tiffany & Marty

One Month

We have new stats from Isa's one month visit to Mayumi, her pediatrician.

• 10 lbs. 5 oz.
• 22 inches long
• healthy & happy

I realize that some babies are in the 1o lb range at birth, but having gained 4 pounds in a month, she has gotten considerably bigger. Her cheeks, chin, and chubby little belly are the most visible signs that this girl can drink some milk. This morning she slept from 3:15 to 8, which means we (and especially Tiffany) slept 5 hours straight for the first time. Maybe this will happen again soon.

Isa has also been the center of attention at a couple of social gatherings over the past week. She is showing herself to be quite the party girl, staying awake and happy and engaging via eye contact and making faces with friends and family.

The best recent development has to be the smile. A big open mouth with curled corners that is a real heart melter for us. We are still in a state of wonder that we are parents and with the miracle that two people can start a new life. In Buddhism it is believed that children choose their parents, we are so grateful that she chose us.

Marty