Papa and Grandma McCulley

Papa and "Gamma" came out to MD to meet their new grandson, Isaac, and to spend time with us in our new home. We had such a great five days together, even though we hardly left the house! Wyatt was in heaven to have full-time attention for 5 straight days! He told Papa and Grandma lots of stories, got them to play choo choos, draw on the chalk board and tackle. He got lots of snacks including popcorn (a first for Wy) and pistachios (glad Grandpa 'accidentally' tried out this food that we were afraid Wy might be allergic to! : ), read lots of books, did some cooking, etc. Grandma and Papa followed Wyatt's instructions very well which made him one happy camper (Wyatt gives firm orders to "sit" with a point in exactly the spot he wants you!). Wy guy got some good one-on-one time with his Papa each morning... Papa graciously got Wyatt out of bed and played with him in the mornings while Daddy, Mommy and Isaac got a little extra rest. Wyatt still hollars occasionally from the top of the bannister for "Papa!" or "Gamma!" then realizes that they aren't here and went "up up" on the airplane back to Iowa.

Helping Grandma make some baked potato soup

Wyatt waving to grandpa who was outside shoveling the walk.

I love this photo... Grandpa was praying with Wyatt before bedtime.

Daddy and Papa took Wyatt for his first sledding adventure!

Ahhhh... Aren't these such sweet pictures of Grandma and Isaac?

Wyatt enjoying a new found favorite snack!

Thanks for all of the fun memories and for loving our boys so much. It was a blessing to have you here. We miss you two and look forward to seeing you again in April...

Baby YIKE!

The name Isaac has been a tongue twister for Wyatt to say--it comes out of Wy's mouth sounding like "yogurt", so we've been working on saying "Ike" for short, which Wy guy pronounces as "Yike"... So we've got a BABY YIKE for now! : )

Homecoming!

Isaac in his HOMECOMING attire!

This was the most wonderful hospital stay and 4 of the happiest days of my life! If it weren't for our little Wy guy being unable to visit us, I definitely would have opted to stay another night. But I'm very eager to get home and introduce our BOYS!!!!

One last memory at the hospital All ready to head out... BROTHERS!!!!!! Mommy brought home some birthday cupcakes for the celebration and introduction... I'm not sure if it was a mistake or just a really good distraction! But Wyatt was definitley more interested in the sweet treats than the new baby in his house!

It didn't take Wyatt very long to warm up to this new little fella

First HUG for baby Isaac.

And a first KISS too on day one! : )

I really do think Wyatt is the BEST big brother in the whole wide world.

Wyatt was determined that Isaac could sit with him... He kept patting the couch cushion and saying "sit" relentlessly

I'm feeling so blessed and our JOY is very FULL! These really are the sweetest days...

22-Months and now a BIG BROTHER!

Wyatt got a pretty special 22-month birthday gift... A BROTHER!!!! Wy has not gotten to meet baby Isaac yet due to restrictions at the hospital because of flu season, but I'm confident that Wy guy will be a great big brother! I'm so in love BOTH of my BOYS. Wyatt wearing mommy's shades

Reading in his dino slippers

Time with Daddy is the BEST Wyatt loves to TALK on the phone. Wy guy has gotten pretty good at putting on his own shoes when he's eager to go play outside. Mommy normally let's Wyatt pick out his own shoes each day to wear... Soooo that often means that we're not matching! : /

Wyatt loves his snacks and sometimes helps himself...

Wyatt on his morning "conference call" with Daddy!

Thinking about getting into the pantry... Lil stinker!

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Fun Facts About our 22-Month-Old:

WYATT...

• Always uses his UTENSILS... He will not let you by with giving him finger foods! He wants a bowl or plate and fork or spoon for everything! I'm amazed at how well he does and how little actually lands in his lap!
• Is now drinking out of a regular CUP all on his own. Bye-bye sippy cups!
• Wants ICE in his water all day
• Is sure looking forward to Feb 12 when the WINTER OLYMPICS begin...He loves the commercials (I promised Daddy that I wouldn't post this, BUT I have to note that Wyatt really likes to watch the figure skating because they "spin")
• New cute words include: "THANK YOU" and "TACKLE" and "KNUCKLES"
• Says "NICE" when he or we make a basket or do something cool! ; )
• Will not ever let us forget to "PRAY" at the dinner table... Sometimes we have to pray 2 or 3 times before Wyatt is satisfied!
• Is still obsessed with HORSES
• Blots the pizza grease with a napkin... I guess he's been watching Mommy's silly quirks!
• Loves to give "knuckles" instead of a high-five!

What's in a Name...

ISAAC OWEN MCCULLEY

"Full of Laughter"

The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name

Isaiah 49:1

Well, we didn't have a definite name picked for our new man going into the hospital... We had 3 names on the list! Daddy was set on Isaac and Mommy was leaning towards Owen. So once again, Daddy won the name game! But I'm confident that it's a perfect fit... Isaac definitley is our little LAUGHTER already.

ISAAC (Hebrew)

Inherent Meaning: Full of Laughter

Spiritual Meaning: Child of Promise

Scripture: Genesis 21:6 God has made laughter for me...

Isaac's Debut!

The morning of!

Joyfully awaiting the arrival of our new little man...

Final Photo as a Family of 3 Life's about to change...

Here he is! ISAAC OWEN MCCULLEY weighing in at 8lbs 14oz and 21inches

Calming down and warming up In Daddy's arms. This is one proud Papa! A very HAPPY moment! It was LOVE at first sight!!!!!

My second little miracle... I'm so humbled by the Lord's amazing GRACE!!!

Meeting Mimi

This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! -Psalm 118:24

A day of REJOICING and GLADNESS it certainly was!

I was feeling a little anxious the weekend before Isaac's debut with all of the changes that were going to be taking place. I randomly (or divinely!) woke up at 3:30am just in time to eat one last snack before surgery : ) and to spend some time in God's Word and praying over my new little man... The Lord gave me many scriptures that brought my heart much peace in preparing for surgery! Joe and I said goodbye to our little Wyatt who got to stay home with Mimi, and we headed to the hospital at 9am. We were scheduled for an 11:30 cesarean but didn't enter the OR until about 1pm. Finally, at 1:23pm our little man made his grand debut and my heart was instantly full of JOY, pure JOY! I'm increasinly in awe of the Lord's amazing GRACE.

Preparing for BABY!

Wyatt is very excited to meet his brother in just one week! He has been "helping" Mommy prepare for lil brother's arrival and testing everything out as we go... 39 weeks--He's almost here, Wyatt!

A little too old for the pacifier but he had to test them all before they went in the dishwasher! : /

This seems strangely familiar even though it has been several months since we switched car seats.

Little monkey under the changer...

One last "date night" with ONE little man at Chick-fil-A!!!