Out for a nightly stroll we stopped by our voting station. Bianca, Isaac, and I voted in the Democratic primary (which was all uncontested). It is important to instill in kids a sense of patriotism and a love for this country (and the voting process) early. Plus, unlike where my parents voted when I was little, there are no fire trucks to keep a kids attention only some old sweaty gym equipment. Here is Isaac and I making decisions:

Isaac reading the ballot:



Voting, after consultation with CB on the big issues:



Then afterwords, Isaac attracted the attention of none other than the mayor of Fitchburg, a pretty incredible story in her own right, found here. The mayor was just as enamored with Isaac as we were. He reached out and grabbed her finger. I tell ya that kid is shaking hands already. She said he was a natural politician. Isaac's mommy grimaced.

Early Saturday morning Bianca and I went in to find Chubby Bubby (CB to his friends) had partially escaped from the Swaddle Me:



We also noticed that Isaac has found his feet (something he was bound to discover eventually, right?):



On Saturday I went to our Church festival twice. Once to work and again to grab some food with Isaac and Bianca. My plan was to man the cotton candy machine and see how it worked, but two things happened: 1) no one wanted cotton candy; and 2) making it is terribly unexciting (just pour this special sugar into the center of the machine and turn it on). Sno-cones, on the other hand, were flying off the shelf. An hour later my hand was so stained with colors it looked like a road map. Isaac and Bianca were at Sarah Petty's bridal shower while I was at the festival. We met up, went back, and grabbed some pizza. It wasn't too bad at all.

On Sunday we went to Brimfield with the hopes of landing an old Gerstner chest. I was surprised at how few of the dealers knew what it was. I had to ask, instead, for a machinist's chest. None of the ones I saw were fully functional. Some had busted front panel doors and others had missing hardware. The best one happened to be the nicest one and the cheapest, but even it was not a real Gerstner chest.

Isaac got into the swing of things too. He was so incredibly good. He did not cry or even make a sad noise once. He was totally enthralled by the endless eye candy. Heck, his parents were enthralled so it is not surprising the little guy was too. Things like this:



He was also in a great mood. Laughing and giggling the whole time. While we were taking a pit stop, a very wealthy looking lady (with her small hand cart, identifying her as a Brimfield pro) approached and asked "How...?" Before she finished, I answered, thinking that she was asking what everyone asks with a new baby (how old?). I blurted out "Three..." and she cut me off and said "I'll take him. I'll even pay $395." It was really funny. Isaac played it up, being Mr. Shy Guy. He didn't really fuss on the way home either, not making a peep until we got on to Route 12 (a road I hate as well, so I can understand).

Here are a few shots of Isaac in the bucket at Brimfield:

Sleepy Isaac:



Mr. Shy Guy:



Really, Really Happy Kid:



Finally, I'll end with a video of Isaac sitting up in his nursing chair like a big kid (it is coming sooner rather than later):



Funny thing about all of this: it is so family friendly, something that I didn't even register as being important even four months ago. Life has changed. It is different. We haven't seen a movie in a long time. We haven't sat down to a meal without worry since June.

And it is great.

NB: Bianca is making her first sauce of the season today. I cannot wait to come home to Bianca, Isaac, and a house that smells like home made sauce. This is what heaven is for me.

One of the cool things about your phone being a decent camera is that you can catch just about every moment you want. With a kids as little as (and as cute as) Isaac there are tons of these moments, including the first time he really reached out for an object. Here is the video evidence. Watch him hit the baseball, look at it, and hit it again:



We uploaded 10 new videos and over 80 pictures from the past week today, so go take a peek.

A report on our Sunday adventure will be up later today or tomorrow.