Saturday, October 31, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Dear Zealand at 4 months
Dear Zealand,
You turned four months old at the end of September. It is already October 16! The weeks have flown by and momma hasn’t been able to sit down and reflect on your third month on this earth until now. Sigh… September was a big month for you. You developed the neck strength to take walks with your head facing outward. Our first walk like this was to the post office and library. You loved it! You cooed and chirped the whole way while holding my fingers. I could almost feel your newfound sense of importance and big boyness in the world.
On most days you will take a walk this way with either your momma or your father through the neighborhood or into Golden Gate Park. Although I can’t see your reaction to the world since you are facing out I can hear your excited “oooh, ooh, oohs” and can see the smiles on other faces that catch a glimpse of you. One morning we brightened a whole crowd of somber looking commuters waiting for the Muni with your cheery face. Smiles started spreading across people’s faces above newspapers, etc. You have that effect on us too – all day and every day.
This month we started to take runs together in my fancy jogging stroller through the panhandle and recently into the park. You seem to enjoy the ride and will stay awake for the first twenty minutes and then you will sleep for the rest of the run. Usually fast San Francisco bikers are speeding by us on the left and we keep at it a much slower pace taking loops through the park. I am surprised at how much I enjoy running with the stroller and you. I enjoy your serene and sleeping presence during these runs and often the quiet space allows me to reflect on how glad I am that you are my boy.
This month you have developed a new social behavior during breastfeeding that really makes me smile. Prior to this shift, breastfeeding was a practical and serious affair with you. You would suck intently as though nothing else in the world existed. Then one day you pulled your head off mid suck and looked up at me with quizzical and wondrous eyes as if you suddenly figured out that the silly lady who plays with you all day is also the one who you have been sucking on all these months. It definitely seemed like an “ah ha” moment for you. Now you do this many times throughout a feeding. Pausing to look up at me, smile, stare, and then back down for more. You are also very distractable now during a feeding. If I start talking you will pull off to see what is going on. Or, if your father steps into the room – all bets are off.
Speaking of your father, I have to say without any trace of jeoulousy that hands down he is your favorite person at the moment. I know you love your momma and it isn’t a who loves who more kind of thing, but your daddy stands ten feet tall in your world. The minute he enters the room your face breaks out in a smile and you cannot keep your eyes off of him. And, the two of you have so much fun together. Your daddy knows just how to make you laugh. And, boy do you laugh! Often I run in just to see what all the commotion is about. He has you laughing, squealing, and just absolutely beside yourself with silliness. Daddy is very creative in his play with you and finds lots of ways to entertain using himself and your body – holding you high, upside down, and just plain old roughhousing. You love it!
It makes me so happy that the two of you already have developed such a special bond. We feel very lucky that the first five months of your life your father was home for most of it. We have been co-parenting practically 50/50 and, although your father will be starting a full time job soon, I feel so grateful that the two of you have started out with such a tight bond.
Your father’s amazing availability has also allowed for many family trips. This month we took you on your first camping trip. We loaded up the car and headed to King’s Canyon National Park. Both your mother and father camped here as little ones so the trip was special on many levels. And your grandpa Richard was a trooper and headed out on his own to camp with us!
You were a gem on this trip. All peace and smiles. You slept beautifully in the tent and you seemed right at home in the woods. You went with us on a 9 mile hike and afterwards took a bath in a plastic tub on the picnic table back at camp. We see this as the beginning of many family camping trips. I know you will love it as much as your momma did as a kid growing up.
Last but not least you have discovered your toes! Shortly after you turned three months you lost all interest in your mobile hanging above your changing table and decided that toes are where it is at. You now grab them every chance you get. You have perfected the “happy baby” yoga pose and can now suck on your toes. You can also pull your socks off. Of course you still suck on your hands 24/7, but toes are great too especially when the diaper is off.
Well little guy, you continue to be the source of so much joy, laughter, and happiness around here. It is a lot of work but mostly I feel the grace and pure giddiness of being able to care for such a special boy. It continues to be a honor.
Love,
Momma
You turned four months old at the end of September. It is already October 16! The weeks have flown by and momma hasn’t been able to sit down and reflect on your third month on this earth until now. Sigh… September was a big month for you. You developed the neck strength to take walks with your head facing outward. Our first walk like this was to the post office and library. You loved it! You cooed and chirped the whole way while holding my fingers. I could almost feel your newfound sense of importance and big boyness in the world.
On most days you will take a walk this way with either your momma or your father through the neighborhood or into Golden Gate Park. Although I can’t see your reaction to the world since you are facing out I can hear your excited “oooh, ooh, oohs” and can see the smiles on other faces that catch a glimpse of you. One morning we brightened a whole crowd of somber looking commuters waiting for the Muni with your cheery face. Smiles started spreading across people’s faces above newspapers, etc. You have that effect on us too – all day and every day.
This month we started to take runs together in my fancy jogging stroller through the panhandle and recently into the park. You seem to enjoy the ride and will stay awake for the first twenty minutes and then you will sleep for the rest of the run. Usually fast San Francisco bikers are speeding by us on the left and we keep at it a much slower pace taking loops through the park. I am surprised at how much I enjoy running with the stroller and you. I enjoy your serene and sleeping presence during these runs and often the quiet space allows me to reflect on how glad I am that you are my boy.
This month you have developed a new social behavior during breastfeeding that really makes me smile. Prior to this shift, breastfeeding was a practical and serious affair with you. You would suck intently as though nothing else in the world existed. Then one day you pulled your head off mid suck and looked up at me with quizzical and wondrous eyes as if you suddenly figured out that the silly lady who plays with you all day is also the one who you have been sucking on all these months. It definitely seemed like an “ah ha” moment for you. Now you do this many times throughout a feeding. Pausing to look up at me, smile, stare, and then back down for more. You are also very distractable now during a feeding. If I start talking you will pull off to see what is going on. Or, if your father steps into the room – all bets are off.
Speaking of your father, I have to say without any trace of jeoulousy that hands down he is your favorite person at the moment. I know you love your momma and it isn’t a who loves who more kind of thing, but your daddy stands ten feet tall in your world. The minute he enters the room your face breaks out in a smile and you cannot keep your eyes off of him. And, the two of you have so much fun together. Your daddy knows just how to make you laugh. And, boy do you laugh! Often I run in just to see what all the commotion is about. He has you laughing, squealing, and just absolutely beside yourself with silliness. Daddy is very creative in his play with you and finds lots of ways to entertain using himself and your body – holding you high, upside down, and just plain old roughhousing. You love it!
It makes me so happy that the two of you already have developed such a special bond. We feel very lucky that the first five months of your life your father was home for most of it. We have been co-parenting practically 50/50 and, although your father will be starting a full time job soon, I feel so grateful that the two of you have started out with such a tight bond.
Your father’s amazing availability has also allowed for many family trips. This month we took you on your first camping trip. We loaded up the car and headed to King’s Canyon National Park. Both your mother and father camped here as little ones so the trip was special on many levels. And your grandpa Richard was a trooper and headed out on his own to camp with us!
You were a gem on this trip. All peace and smiles. You slept beautifully in the tent and you seemed right at home in the woods. You went with us on a 9 mile hike and afterwards took a bath in a plastic tub on the picnic table back at camp. We see this as the beginning of many family camping trips. I know you will love it as much as your momma did as a kid growing up.
Last but not least you have discovered your toes! Shortly after you turned three months you lost all interest in your mobile hanging above your changing table and decided that toes are where it is at. You now grab them every chance you get. You have perfected the “happy baby” yoga pose and can now suck on your toes. You can also pull your socks off. Of course you still suck on your hands 24/7, but toes are great too especially when the diaper is off.
Well little guy, you continue to be the source of so much joy, laughter, and happiness around here. It is a lot of work but mostly I feel the grace and pure giddiness of being able to care for such a special boy. It continues to be a honor.
Love,
Momma
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Train Ride at the Zoo
We took advantage of the free residents day at the SF Zoo. It was nice to have it practically to ourselves this time of year.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
A Dragon at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
It was a bit too crowded for the stroller, but we managed to find some great junk food and a sunny spot for our blanket.
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