Saturday, August 29, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
3 Months Old
Zealand turned three months old today!
We got our first laughing cackles out of him this week. Also got our first couple major evening crying spells. (We've been so lucky to have such a great tempered little guy.) He's getting good with his neck movements from one side to the other. He recognizes our faces and they usually make him smile. He is fascinated with sucking his hands and does so all the time. He can grab toys when his hands bump into them and usually holds on until he gets a quick taste. He is still enamored with his mobile and it frequently results in long periods of giggling while he's getting changed.
We got our first laughing cackles out of him this week. Also got our first couple major evening crying spells. (We've been so lucky to have such a great tempered little guy.) He's getting good with his neck movements from one side to the other. He recognizes our faces and they usually make him smile. He is fascinated with sucking his hands and does so all the time. He can grab toys when his hands bump into them and usually holds on until he gets a quick taste. He is still enamored with his mobile and it frequently results in long periods of giggling while he's getting changed.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Zealand and Sarah
Zealand and Sarah were conceived about the same time and had the same due date. Their mommies emailed, shared, fretted, and paced together throughout their pregnancies. Sarah came ten days after Zealand. She is so petite and dainty - all girl! Zealand looked so husky and boy-like next to her. They both sat and sucked their fingers together peacefully. A successful first date!Sisters
It was so nice to spend time with my sisters. So lucky am I to have such sweet and loving sisters. And, so lucky is Zealand to have such wonderful Aunties. Even though Karen is busy 24/7 with a vivacious and incredibly active 6 month old she stepped in immediately to give Duane and I a break when Zealand was fussy. She soothed him, took him on a neighborhood stroll, showed him flowers, read him a story, and offered us whatever we needed for Zealand. Auntie Annika babysat during the wedding and is such a natural momma. Someday her little one will be one lucky baby! Thank you both for all of the love!One, two, three, Jump!
Cousins. Mason and Zealand. The first meeting. Zealand was pretty oblivious, but Mason was old enough to be interested. He reached for his arm a couple of times and stared at him - mildly curious. I bet they will be fast friends soon enough.
Our first date - Mauricio's wedding
And, we had a blast. Knowing he was in such good hands with Grandma Mary and Auntie Annika allowed us to truly enjoy the evening - lots of dancing, visiting, good food and drink.Second cousin John is funny!
During our week long trip to San Diego for Mauricio's wedding we visited with my cousin John and his wife Celeste (who treated us to an amazing dinner). Second cousin John bonded with Zealand by making fun rat tat tat noises.Grandma fun
Zealand had a blast with his Grandma Mary. He spent time with her on the swing, trampoline and here marching his feet in the water.First swim in San Diego
Zealand loves the water. His daddy is the perfect teacher. He creates a safe and fun space in the water.
A swim in Grandma Mary's jacuzzi.
Dear Zealand at Two Months
Dear Zealand:
In a few days you will be two months old. As I write this you lie peacefully on the couch draped over your boppy pillow. A fan is blowing cool air into the living room from outside. All three of us are in Lake Tahoe where we have been for the past week. So far you have spent half of your life in San Francisco and the other half in Tahoe among the trees. Your first significant hike was at Echo Lake with your parents and grandparents who shielded you from the mountain sun with an umbrella while your father fed you a bottle and your mother made sure the ants stayed away.
I have to say you are one easy and delightful baby to care for. I was struck by this when, after a four hour drive to Tahoe, your father and I were grocery shopping at 9 pm. You sat in your seat positioned in our grocery cart while fruits and vegetables piled up beside you. You sat there with wide button blue eyes perfectly content. Your first rate temperament allows your father and I to resemble sane people – a miracle at seven weeks!
The other day I had you in your bouncy seat on the deck while I read the newspaper and sipped tea. You were looking around pondering mysterious infant thoughts while my foot kept your seat rocking. At one point I left my world of news and started to engage you. You instantly registered my face and broke out in shy smiles all over. You are a fun little guy to hang out with.
Your smiles are easy to come by. It doesn’t take much for your father and I to get you to smile. Your eyes become so happy and twinkly and the best word to describe you in these moments is jolly – a jolly little elf. Often the smiles are accompanied by little coos of delight and your eyes staring upward with a flirtatious slant.
This month you started sleeping in your co-sleeper next to your father and I. We used to take shifts sleeping with you on our chest. Although it was tiring deep down neither of us really minded as it was such an intimate and cozy way to meet your needs. Now, you seem comfortable on your back and increasingly are learning to self soothe with either your pacifier or by loudly sucking on your fingers. You love sucking on your hand! I think you may have given up on isolating the thumb and now just go for the two middle fingers.
You still love bath time and are becoming quite the squirmy little fish in the water. You take baths with your father who is expert in keeping your head stable while your body is free to flap around.
We love you little Z and delight in the day to day existence of caring for you. Your smiles and twinkly eyes leave us eager to learn more and more about the little soul behind them.
Love,
Mama
In a few days you will be two months old. As I write this you lie peacefully on the couch draped over your boppy pillow. A fan is blowing cool air into the living room from outside. All three of us are in Lake Tahoe where we have been for the past week. So far you have spent half of your life in San Francisco and the other half in Tahoe among the trees. Your first significant hike was at Echo Lake with your parents and grandparents who shielded you from the mountain sun with an umbrella while your father fed you a bottle and your mother made sure the ants stayed away.
I have to say you are one easy and delightful baby to care for. I was struck by this when, after a four hour drive to Tahoe, your father and I were grocery shopping at 9 pm. You sat in your seat positioned in our grocery cart while fruits and vegetables piled up beside you. You sat there with wide button blue eyes perfectly content. Your first rate temperament allows your father and I to resemble sane people – a miracle at seven weeks!
The other day I had you in your bouncy seat on the deck while I read the newspaper and sipped tea. You were looking around pondering mysterious infant thoughts while my foot kept your seat rocking. At one point I left my world of news and started to engage you. You instantly registered my face and broke out in shy smiles all over. You are a fun little guy to hang out with.
Your smiles are easy to come by. It doesn’t take much for your father and I to get you to smile. Your eyes become so happy and twinkly and the best word to describe you in these moments is jolly – a jolly little elf. Often the smiles are accompanied by little coos of delight and your eyes staring upward with a flirtatious slant.
This month you started sleeping in your co-sleeper next to your father and I. We used to take shifts sleeping with you on our chest. Although it was tiring deep down neither of us really minded as it was such an intimate and cozy way to meet your needs. Now, you seem comfortable on your back and increasingly are learning to self soothe with either your pacifier or by loudly sucking on your fingers. You love sucking on your hand! I think you may have given up on isolating the thumb and now just go for the two middle fingers.
You still love bath time and are becoming quite the squirmy little fish in the water. You take baths with your father who is expert in keeping your head stable while your body is free to flap around.
We love you little Z and delight in the day to day existence of caring for you. Your smiles and twinkly eyes leave us eager to learn more and more about the little soul behind them.
Love,
Mama
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