Happy Birthday!

Here is a look back at the First Birthday weekend. On Dad's side of the family - Max, Nana, and Aunt Courtney flew in from North Carolina; on Mom's side - Gramma Carol flew in from North Carolina. Local friends and family joined us for a party on Sunday Nov. 1st.

Isa had a great time sharing her house with her pals and grown ups alike. The party built to a crescendo with presents to open, Happy Birthday to sing, and cupcakes to eat. I think I was more overwhelmed than she was as present after present bombarded her followed by the entire room singing and cheering. She kept her cool and daintily ate some cake.

It is so hard to believe that a year has already gone by. She is growing up so fast and the time is flying by.

Home Movie - Little Walkabout

First Steps

The biggest news of the moment is Isa Is Walking. I think it is safe to make the claim now as she is taking a dozen steps in a sequence and seems to be very excited about it and is apparently intent on making her primary mode of travel. For the past couple weeks she has been taking 2 or 3 steps at a time and a couple days ago made it up to 5, but tonight she crossed the line into bipedalism. A very exciting evening for all 3 of us, indeed.

The swim cap/speed racer helmet hat

jamming on the keytar (or is it guitboard?) with Kai

Her 2nd carousel ride, this one at the Addison County Fair

Transatlantic flight home from Vienna

The photos above are a bit of a catch up since we haven't posted since returning from Austria. Unfortunately, we don't have a good walking or standing shot yet, but we'll put one up as soon as we get it. The top one was taken tonight after the camera slowly decided to engage as Isa walked toward me, or should I say, as Isa walked toward the camera. So it missed the action, but caught a rather cute expression and those blue eyes.

A Trip to Venice

On July 6th we drove down through the spectacular alps on the Austrian/Italian border and west to Venice for a few days. Isa got lots of attention from friendly Italians who described her with words like bellisimo, piccolo, bella, complimenti...

We took a bus through the main canal to Piazza San Marco, pictured above with Tiffany. We spent the day winding our way through the streets and across bridges eating gelato, drinking cappuccino, and seeing some of the world bienniele art exhibits happening there now.

Isa's name, Isolina, came from our last trip to Italy, a long belated honeymoon. We were eating dinner at Pane e Vino in Cortona where the dessert menu gave credit for the confections to Isolina. We liked the name and it stuck with us and two and a half years later Isa was born. Finally we have gotten some clarification on its translation. we saw Isola on the map describing the islands of Venice and others nearby. Next, an Italian artist, Alesandro, who is here in Austria with us offered an explanation. Although the name is rare and probably isn't meant to be translated literally, the -ina suffix means small or tiny. Tiny island.

We have one more week in Austria! It has gone by so fast. Tiffany is gearing up for a performance on Friday and Marty is firing his new work tomorrow to be exhibited this weekend for the big presentation.

Ciao!

Ponies and Kitties

These are the animals that Isa is very excited to see on her walks past the farm.

Away from Home Movie - Schrattenberg Panorama

Hotel Pupik - Austria

After something like 24 hours, 6 time zones, planes, trains, and automobiles we arrived a bit groggy at Hotel Pupik in Schrattenburg, Austria. Luckily Isa slept away almost the entire transatlantic flight. She was incredibly patient while being strolled around several airports partially in the wee hours of the morning when she would rather have been sleeping. She also kept her cool as Tiffany and I had a momentary crisis over the possibility of losing our luggage in Geneva (everything arrived as planned).

Hotel Pupik is a summer artist residency run in part by our friends Heimo Wallner and Hedya Klein. Tiffany was invited to spend a month here working on new choreography and presenting it on July 18th. Isa and I are riding her coattails. Heimo lent me a guitar and has offered a stash of clay, so I have some options for artmaking as well.

If you would like to come for what promises to be a weekend of experimental art, music, performance, and dance let us know and we'll get you directions. If for some reason you can't make it, you can follow Tiffany's time here on the
Big Ape website.

Here is Isa enjoying the train ride from Vienna to Unzmarkt. She is quickly becoming fast friends with Louis, Hedya & Heimo's son. They are having fun with call and response baby talk, playing with the diaper package (a long time favorite), sharing toys, laughing at the ponies, and occasionally holding hands.

Check back here over the next month for ongoing saga of Isa in Austria.

First Father's Day

Marty enjoyed his first father's day by sleeping in, eating french toast with blueberries in bed, and playing with his always enthusiastic and bubbly baby girl. He has declared it his favorite holiday. And rightly so. Mother's Day is my favorite as well.

After a leisurely morning, we took a drive over the border to NY to what we thought was Ticonderoga, but turned out to be Crown Point, an old British Fort on the lake. Not as historically exciting but still loads of fun with Isa giggling along.

On the way home we stopped for one of Marty's favorite treats, a delicious creeme. For those of you that are not familiar with this Vermont delicacy, it's soft serve ice cream. Somehow it just tastes better when you call it a creeemeeee.

Stay tuned for an Austria blog! We have just about recovered from jet-lag and will have some photos soon.

Love,
Tiffany

Home Movie - First Rock Concert

Isa is usually willing to try anything. In this case its a David Byrne concert at Shelburne Museum. Its a great outdoor venue that hosts a series of concerts throughout the summer and lets kids in free. There is plenty of space to spread out a blanket and bring a picnic. Our friend Rachel was in town and joined us to see the experimental pop legend.

Because it's such a kid friendly scene, our original plan was to take Isa thinking she would enjoy the spectacle. But, about a week before the show, we started to chicken out since the concert would be happening during her winding down period and bed time (which can be a little fussy). So we tried to find a baby sitter and no one was available. We switched back to Plan A and all was well. We felt better seeing that there were babies younger than Isa in the crowd.

Isa didn't really get why we were there, but she had a good time people watching, bouncing to the music, and getting lots of attention. She went to sleep in the Bjorn about halfway through the show.

Kodak Moments

A nice afternoon earlier this week, Isa and I got to spend a little time in the back yard. She is still enamored with Cowboy and now that she's crawling, she can chase him down... if he sits still. All I can say for his part is that thankfully he's patient.

All strapped in and on the way to Tuesday morning play group. She looks pretty happy about it.

This one goes back a few weeks - Happy Mother's Day. They make quite a pair. Cheers to mothers everywhere!

Isa and her toy box - or - Isa in her toy box. And look at that two tooth grin.

Mister T's birthday, May 21st. Tiffany picked up this onesie about a year ago from a street vendor in NYC along with Saturday Night Fever and Sex Pistols prints. Look for an awesome KISS onesie in a future post. Happy Birthday Mr. T from one tough baby.

Home Movie - Laughing Baby

Peek-a-boo, power slides across the floor performed by her parents, and (as shown below), a bouncing tennis ball can evoke a hilarious reaction from this little girl. As you'll see, it's quite contagious.

6 Months

All dressed up for her 1/2 Birthday Party

Jungle Gym

Another trip to see Dr. O' on Wednesday yielded new stats:

• 15 pounds, 10 ounces

• 25 1/2 inches

Isa is now sitting up and getting closer to crawling everyday. Look out Mom and Dad.

Home Movie - Rice and Bananas

Big Developments

The past few weeks have been full of excitement, both for Isa and her proud parents. She has been learning some new moves:

• Isa is up on her hands and knees and doing the inch worm, not quite crawling but it can't be too far off.
• She has two teeth coming in, bottom front, and reaching for anything that comes into an arms distance and putting it directly in her mouth.
• She started eating cereal with bananas. At first she just made a funny face and pushed it out of her mouth, but now she's chomping on the spoon with a great passion (video to follow)
• Peek-a-boo is now one of the joys of life that gets her laughing harder than just about anything else.
• And Cowboy is finally doing some walk-bys while she holds her hand out to pet him. He seems clever enough not to stop long enough for her to clinch a fist in his fur.

The cuteness is never ending. Thanks for tuning in.
Marty & Tiffany

Airplanes

This flight from Burlington to Newark turned out to be on a turbo-prop, we were already nervous first time parents with a first time flying baby. She loved looking out the window and making faces at the other passengers. The turbulence and bumpy touch down only made the flight more fun for Isa. We were thankful not to be the annoying parents with a screaming child and relieved that she wasn't in agony for the entire flight.

Meet the Fieldings

Here are some photos from our trip to NC where Isa got to meet Dad's side of the family.

4 Months

Isa reached the 4 month mark Monday, the 2nd. This milestone corresponded with a visit to Dr. Mayumi on Wednesday. So, after 2 months we have new stats:

• 13 lbs. 6 oz.
• 22.5 inches long
• Can almost fit her entire hand in her mouth
  

This is a big month for all of us including Isa's first 2 out of town overnight trips. Last weekend we took a very quick trip to Brooklyn on Friday night and came home Saturday night. She wasn't sure at first that she wanted to be in the car for more than 5 hours, but after a snack she slept through the rest of the drive. She got to take subway rides and walk around both Manhattan and Brooklyn. One of her favorite things to lately is watching Tiffany's rehearsals - she enjoyed another on Saturday at Long Island U. As often happens in New York, I happened to run into Karen, our friend from Columbus, while crossing the street. With the magic of cell phones, we met up later in a coffee shop where the picture above was taken.

The upcoming trip is to NC in 2 weeks, on a big jetliner. We'll visit Grandmom and Granddad Fielding, a.k.a. Nana and Max as well as Uncles Mike, Doug, & Charles, Aunts Courtney and Kathryn, and nephews Taylor, Charlie, and Jack. Isa is also looking forward to seeing Gramma Carol. Next stop will be a few days in Boone where Tiffany is a visiting artist at ASU. I'm hoping to head over to Penland for an afternoon to introduce her to all the crafty folks.

Wish us happy travels,
Marty

16 Weeks

As of a couple weeks ago, when she crossed the 3 month line, Isa has officially graduated from the 4th trimester and ready to take on the world - or at least take it in.

While she is awake she is either smiling and playing or studying the world around her. The play consists of lots of funny faces in the mirror, lying down kicking, doing sit-ups (with a little help) and occasionally rolling over. As for taking in the world, we take lots of walks in the Baby Bjorn - provided that its above 20 degrees. She used to sleep on these walks, now she either faces forward checking things out or looks out the side if she's facing back. With a few inches of fresh snow last night, today's walk was pretty with the sun shining and no wind so the snow was still mounded on tree branches.

As for the parents, we're learning. Tiffany is in her 3rd week back to school and we're still trying to get a sense of how all of our schedules come together. Since her schedule is set and mine is flexible, I'm trying to steal away into my new home studio for an hour here or two hours there. I definitely overestimated the amount of time we'd have to work, play, etc. But as time goes on, our expectations are becoming more realistic. The other aspect of life that has become more realistic is priority, and as a dad, I'm so happy to be able to spend so much with this amazing little girl.

Signing out,
Marty

Secret Admirer?

We'd like to thank an anonymous gift giver. We received a package from Nubius Organics with a great hat (pictured above), a super soft sleeper sack, and our 2 favorite stretchy sherpa swaddling blankets (they are Isa's exclusive swaddlers since they arrived). This gift came at Christmas, but Nubius didn't say who it was from. So if you sent it, thank you very much for the generous & snuggly gifts and please identify yourself so we can thank you directly.

Grazie,
Isa, Tiffany and Marty

Happy Birthday Great Grandma Fielding!

Isa wants to say Happy Birthday to her great grandmother, Lillian Fielding. She turns 85 today which happens to also be the day that Isa becomes 11 weeks old. Isa can't wait to meet you, Grandmom. We're hoping to make a trip to Hayes Center later in the year to introduce Isa to the wider Fielding family, the plains, and the homestead.

We all wish we could be there to celebrate your birthday with you today. Hopefully you had a great weekend and spent it with excellent company. We love you and miss you very much and hope its not long before we see you next. Keep on moving and shaking.

Happy Birthday Grandmom,
Isa, Marty, and Tiffany

A Chat with Cowboy

Isa has had a few interactions with the cats, Cowboy and Sampson, but nothing like what unfolds in the following movie. To give a little backstory, I sat Isa down to take a look at Cowboy and they shared a quick moment of eye contact. This summoned a smile from Isa and a long discourse followed. Luckily Tiffany was close by, heard what was going on, and picked up the camera. Cowboy stayed in character remaining aloof and unaffected by Isa. His attitude since her arrival has been to ignore her, while persistently trying to make the crib, swing, and the changing table a bed for himself. He's starting to slowly come around, but I guess he couldn't show it on camera.

Lights, camera, action...and most importantly, turn up the volume.

Enjoy,
Marty