Beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Trying out my new snowsuit

Not so sure about all this white stuff


Mama, get me out of here

Candy cane, mmmm

Finding a Christmas tree

Even though I am a big boy, next to Daddy, I still look small

Birthday fun

First Mommy made me clean (no, I really just think the duster is the best toy ever-next to the broom, of course)




Balloons are fun!


Hanging out with the boys (Daddy and Grandpa)


The big cake


A snowman cake just for the birthday boy


Bring it on


An initial try


The aftermath

Thanksgiving photos

Catch-up

A terrible blogger I have been. I could blame lots of things-all very valid- sickness, birthday, holiday preparations, work craziness- but mostly I just need a few more hours in every day.

Developmentally, Zachary has been walking very well for weeks now and he scampers up the stairs at our house way too fast for his old mama. He insists on "walking" down the stairs with help and refuses to learn how to go down backwards on his knees or on his bum. Transition to a cup and whole milk has been a frustrating challenge. Although he wil drink down water out of his cup, Zachary wants nothing to do with the white stuff. I am hesitant to take away the last bottle for fear he's not getting enough nutrients.

A few weeks back we celebrated the little man's birthday. He seemed mostly confused by the proceedings and showed no interest in the gifts at all. Cake, on the other hand, he was a big fan of. And ballons are his new favorite!

At his 12 month appointment, he weighed in at 25.5 pounds (exactly triple his birth weight) and 32 inches long. The length of his torso is requiring 3T pajamas, which end up looking funny as the legs are too long. We have been fighting the neverending runny nose and repeated ear infections since November, so are quite friendly with the doctor's office.

The visit with Santa was tolerated as long as we kept jingling the reindeer bells. It looks like we will be snowed in as we celebrate Christmas here, so lots of new toys to open will keep us occupied.

Pictures to come . . .

Gobble, gobble

Little man took to his Thanksgiving feast like he hadn't eaten in weeks. The big winner of the evening- cranberry sauce.

Happy Thanksgiving and let the Christmas countdown begin! Well, actually it is the home stretch to the "big 1" birthday first, but I most excited about sharing Christmas with the little guy this year- so bring it on!

Children's Museum

In order to get a preview of the place to which Grandma is getting us a family membership for Christmas, Zachary and I took a little trip to the Children's Museum. he enjoyed the grocery store setup and all of the water attractions. but we had to retreat to the area for toffler (Habitot) after another id pushed him down, on purpose.

Here are some pictures:

All by his little self

Zachary walked across the entire length of the living room by himself tonight- more than five yards. I guess he's an official walker now.

Halloweenie

Look Ma, no hands!

On Thursday night, Zachary took his first independent steps. He was attempting to chase the dogs and I couldn't get up fast enough to hold his hands so he just kept on going and took a good five to six steps until he reached something to grab onto.

My little pumpkin

is ten months old today. Thanks to our second trip to urgent care in the last week (for ear infection), I know that he is 24 pounds (clothed) and 31.5 inches.

Toy Suggestions

Birthday and Christmas is coming quicker than you know (and the grandparents have already been asking), so I would love to hear toy suggestions for the 12-18 month set.

A Little Better

at daycare yesterday. He cried, of course, when I left, but when I called the school, I was told he had stopped after a few minutes and had been doing well all day. The teacher even gave him an award for it. Wouldn't it be nice to get an award just for not crying all day?

Daycare difficulties

Last week, I went back to work two days a week until the end of the year, at which time I will have to go back to full-time. Zachary started daycare at a wonderful school that I really liked. Unfortunately, Zachary doesn't seem to have the same feelings.

He has been getting so upset that he will throw up. Despite his wonderful eating at home, he has a hard time settling down to eat at the school. Also, the loud noises of the other kids seem to be setting him off.

This week, after consultation with the director, I have taken him every day- sort of an immersion therapy, with the thought that it is too difficult for him to adjust with the big time lapse between Thursday and the following Tuesday. I don't know that it's made a difference.

I am having a terrible time leaving my poor little man, knowing how miserable he is. He also is all messed up at home- exhausted, but not sleeping well. I keep being told that it will get better, but it is difficult to even imagine that at this point.

September 18, 2009

Because I never want to forget


the day my beautiful boy said the word I have been waiting so long to hear- "Ma-ma"



Now, the fact that we were in the much-visited Target makes me wonder if it was because we were at the "mother ship," but I will take what I can,

Since then, he keeps on babbling- "mamamamama" although "dadadadadada" is much more prevalent.

Hugs and kisses- because I never want to forget

Zachary has been giving wonderful bear hugs for about 6 weeks now. But now, when prompted to "kiss mama," he gives the most wonderful and sloppy open-mouthed kisses usually accompanied by a lick or two.

Summer Loving Happened So Fast

I just don't know where August went. I have been attempting to cram in every possible adventure for Zachary and I before I go back to work two days a week starting next Tuesday. All three of us went to visit the grandparents in Kansas and to the State Fair (a must do in this place). Zachary and I have been to the zoo and the conservatory and to the pool repeatedly. For reasons I can't figure, except for a top tooth possibly coming into play, sleep has been a patchy experience.

Additionally, we have been visting his school once a week to get him used to the classroom. Tomorrow, I am actually leaving the building while he gets to hang out there. I am so dreading next Tuesday. The mommy guilt is incredible.

For his nine-month appointment last week, he weighed in at 22.5 pounds (80th percentile) and 30.5 inches (95th percentile). I am still waiting to hear the elusive "mama" and crawling is likely going to be skipped. Zachary cruises very well and is starting to get brave about moving from one piece of furniture (or an adult leg) to the other. His favorite activity is walking while holding hands. He gets rather upset when I don't immediately take the hands he throws up in the air.

I can't believe I am starting to ponder ideas for a first birthday party!

Pictures from July

Cheese!

My favorite playthings are cardboard

I like to steal Daddy's glasses

Out and about

Tomorrow, the little man turns eight months and we are getting closer and closer to my return to work and his introduction to daycare. We are still struggling with naps and they still aren't happening in the crib. Sigh- I really don't know what else to try and fear that they are going to hate me at daycare. As a result of the napping dilemma, we get out and about a lot. In the last few weeks, we've been to the zoo, the Washington County fair and a myriad of park and swim trips.

It amazes me how such a young baby can physically stay awake. He seems determined not to miss a thing- except crawling. Zachary apparently sees no need for that. He still screams as if we are sticking bamboo shoots under his nails when he is put on all fours. He is capable of rocking and scooting but the wailing that occurs must make the neighbors think we are killing him. Instead, he is all about standing- he wants to be vertical all the time. Too bad he hasn't figured out how to get in that position by himself.

Seven Months old today

The little man got his pictures done at Target for his seven-month milestone. He flirted with the photographer big time.

He is over 29 inches and over 20 pounds (we'll get a more official weight tomorrow afternoon).

And this evening, while holding hands, he took steps on his own- he looked like he was marching.

A soggy little firecracker

We took Zachary for a walk in the nearby park on the Fourth of July with the two dogs. It was Zachary's first ride in the front of the stroller sans car seat. At the dog park, Zachary and I split off with one of the dogs (who isn't allowed at the dog park because it isn't entirely fenced and he runs off) and continued on the trail. I decided Zachary looked sleepy and put down the back of the stroller so he was lying down. About ten minutes into our walk, it started to sprinkle. And then the skies opened and a deluge came down. I attempted to take cover under a tree, but decided to forage ahead because surely it would stop raining quickly.

I was wrong. It rained so hard, I couldn't open my eyes because my contacts were virtually glued shit from water. So, there I was walking along with my stroller and completely soaking wet dog, everyone miserable. Poor little Zachary was covered at the top but his legs were soaked. When we got him home, he was so scared and cried as I tried to get him changed into dry clothes.

Oh did I mention, I was wearing a white shirt? Talk about embarassing. My husband is still laughing about this experience, but I haven't gotten to that point yet.

Scooting Along

Zachary now falls to his tummy from sitting up when he bravely reaches long distances for his toys. Oh, how he hates his tummy! But he is able to scoot along on it-backwards- as he fusses and fusses at the indignity of it all. He can also scoot forward when he is on his back- it's rather comical to watch.

This week's fun has centered around the introduction of popsicles (pureed fruits frozen into those clever popsicle makers from Target) and cheese. He has been delighted with both.

Six month photos

Leaving on a jet plane

Zachary went to California and his first airplane ride went smoothly.



He thought flying was quite fun and was glad not to share a seat.


Great-Grandma was overjoyed to meet her first and only great-grandchild from her first (and best) grandchild.





He practiced crawling with Grandma


Zachary loved meeting Aunt Shannon for her graduation



He enjoyed hanging out with Grandpa at the graduation

More pictures