Monday, December 28, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Dear Zealand at 6 months,
Dear Zealand,
This month was a big one for you. The beginning of the month marked a definite turn in your tendency to spend time on your tummy. As a 3 and 4 month old tummy time was not a favorite of yours. Often times you looked like a turtle stranded on his back (of course the reverse was true for you). Stranded turtle no more! It started with more frequent roll overs – self initiated, and then some crying to have someone turn you back over. And, much to our dismay, you enjoyed trying this in the middle of the night. We would wake to you on your tummy with your little arms flapping and your face red with tears and effort.
The whole month you have been “practicing” and now moving from back to tummy and then back is no big deal for you. It is now a very natural and fluid movement of yours. . You now cover a great deal of distance on the floor by rolling and scooting toward toys and other objects of curiosity (your daddy’s bike tire, for example, that I found you sucking on, yuck!). You combine your new gross motor skills with your excellent fine motor skills that I have noticed in you from a small age. You can grab onto just about anything – expertly curling your fingers around whatever it is you desire. You love your stacking cups, wooden rattle, and carefully inspecting labels on your stuffed animals.
At 5 and half months we noticed the beginnings of a bottom tooth. Coincidently this day was the day we planned on introducing some rice cereal to your diet. Prior to this you had been eyeing us with intent fascination whenever we ate. I believe you were learning by watching because you were an old pro with the cereal and spoon. You acted as if you had been eating solids your whole life. No spitting it back or confusion with the spoon. Just methodical bites and a proud “look at what I can do” sense about you. Of course your father and I had the video camera on and were cheering every bite. You definitely enjoyed the spectacle eating was creating. Since then you have tried sweet potato (big hit), bananas (verdict still out), and peas (not so much).
We are excited to introduce you to all of the organic and locally farmed produce that your father and I select every week at the farmer’s market. This so far is our most routine family outing. You seem to enjoy yourself and charm all of the farmers with smiles. Your latest favorite is an old lady who sits on a stool playing music with saws and washboards accompanied by a cat puppet whose paws go clickity clack on a tray (impossible to describe but just another reason why we love the city and being able to expose you to such a range of experience).
Our family went through a big change this month – your father started a full time job with an energy engineering firm. Your father and I are still adjusting to our new full time roles as breadwinner and stay at home mother (for the time being). It is a little strange for all of us I think but the important thing in the end is that we can keep you with us most of the time when you are so tiny and still trying to figure out the world through your connection to us.
We are also committed to making sure you see your Walnut Creek grandparents once a week so your immediate world of family is larger than just mom and dad.
This month I have noticed that you have become more clingy and needy with me. It could be related to the fact that your daddy went back to work. You are much more of a cuddle puss and will now stare up at me while you nurse playing with my hair and such. You also lean in now for hugs and I most gladly give them. I always remind myself that someday in the not so distant future your momma will become steady background to your exciting world. So, I make sure to soak all of this cuddly intimate time in now. It won’t last, I know. Not in this form at least.
You still love walks and outings to the park. Often times you will breathe in and out excitedly (as if you were hyperventilating) when we begin a walk. And, you really take in your surroundings. Every sound and shadow seem to register with you. Dogs and children are a special source of fascination for you. The other day we sat in the sand at a park surrounded by little (big to you) boys playing with brightly colored plastic shovels. Your eyes tracked their every move. I could feel the intensity of your curiosity. I can only wonder what you think of as you watch them.
We continue to delight in getting to know who you are. One of your characteristic moves is to rush your fists into your mouth when you are either excited to see your father and I after an absence or when we are being silly with you. That move, along with your move of looking away and then back again excitedly when someone is interacting with you, says something, I think, about who you are. Not sure what it says yet, but it is signature Zealand. It is as if you are overwhelmed by joy or excitement and the fist or the turn of the head helps you stay present with it all.
The most frequent comments I get when I take you out on our walks and outings are “what a happy baby,” “what a smiley baby,” “what a big baby,” and “what a beautiful baby.” You generally love looking and smiling at people whenever you encounter them. Once in a blue moon some well-meaning stranger will attempt to engage you and for whatever reason your face will slowly crinkle up and you will break out into tears. As far as I can tell there is no rhyme or reason to this. Although I don’t like that you get upset there is part of me that appreciates your reaction. There is an edge to you that is your very own. You are figuring out your boundaries with others in your own way.
Well, little pumpkin, happy one half year birthday! We look forward to the next six and all that they will bring.
We love you!
Love,
Momma
This month was a big one for you. The beginning of the month marked a definite turn in your tendency to spend time on your tummy. As a 3 and 4 month old tummy time was not a favorite of yours. Often times you looked like a turtle stranded on his back (of course the reverse was true for you). Stranded turtle no more! It started with more frequent roll overs – self initiated, and then some crying to have someone turn you back over. And, much to our dismay, you enjoyed trying this in the middle of the night. We would wake to you on your tummy with your little arms flapping and your face red with tears and effort.
The whole month you have been “practicing” and now moving from back to tummy and then back is no big deal for you. It is now a very natural and fluid movement of yours. . You now cover a great deal of distance on the floor by rolling and scooting toward toys and other objects of curiosity (your daddy’s bike tire, for example, that I found you sucking on, yuck!). You combine your new gross motor skills with your excellent fine motor skills that I have noticed in you from a small age. You can grab onto just about anything – expertly curling your fingers around whatever it is you desire. You love your stacking cups, wooden rattle, and carefully inspecting labels on your stuffed animals.
At 5 and half months we noticed the beginnings of a bottom tooth. Coincidently this day was the day we planned on introducing some rice cereal to your diet. Prior to this you had been eyeing us with intent fascination whenever we ate. I believe you were learning by watching because you were an old pro with the cereal and spoon. You acted as if you had been eating solids your whole life. No spitting it back or confusion with the spoon. Just methodical bites and a proud “look at what I can do” sense about you. Of course your father and I had the video camera on and were cheering every bite. You definitely enjoyed the spectacle eating was creating. Since then you have tried sweet potato (big hit), bananas (verdict still out), and peas (not so much).
We are excited to introduce you to all of the organic and locally farmed produce that your father and I select every week at the farmer’s market. This so far is our most routine family outing. You seem to enjoy yourself and charm all of the farmers with smiles. Your latest favorite is an old lady who sits on a stool playing music with saws and washboards accompanied by a cat puppet whose paws go clickity clack on a tray (impossible to describe but just another reason why we love the city and being able to expose you to such a range of experience).
Our family went through a big change this month – your father started a full time job with an energy engineering firm. Your father and I are still adjusting to our new full time roles as breadwinner and stay at home mother (for the time being). It is a little strange for all of us I think but the important thing in the end is that we can keep you with us most of the time when you are so tiny and still trying to figure out the world through your connection to us.
We are also committed to making sure you see your Walnut Creek grandparents once a week so your immediate world of family is larger than just mom and dad.
This month I have noticed that you have become more clingy and needy with me. It could be related to the fact that your daddy went back to work. You are much more of a cuddle puss and will now stare up at me while you nurse playing with my hair and such. You also lean in now for hugs and I most gladly give them. I always remind myself that someday in the not so distant future your momma will become steady background to your exciting world. So, I make sure to soak all of this cuddly intimate time in now. It won’t last, I know. Not in this form at least.
You still love walks and outings to the park. Often times you will breathe in and out excitedly (as if you were hyperventilating) when we begin a walk. And, you really take in your surroundings. Every sound and shadow seem to register with you. Dogs and children are a special source of fascination for you. The other day we sat in the sand at a park surrounded by little (big to you) boys playing with brightly colored plastic shovels. Your eyes tracked their every move. I could feel the intensity of your curiosity. I can only wonder what you think of as you watch them.
We continue to delight in getting to know who you are. One of your characteristic moves is to rush your fists into your mouth when you are either excited to see your father and I after an absence or when we are being silly with you. That move, along with your move of looking away and then back again excitedly when someone is interacting with you, says something, I think, about who you are. Not sure what it says yet, but it is signature Zealand. It is as if you are overwhelmed by joy or excitement and the fist or the turn of the head helps you stay present with it all.
The most frequent comments I get when I take you out on our walks and outings are “what a happy baby,” “what a smiley baby,” “what a big baby,” and “what a beautiful baby.” You generally love looking and smiling at people whenever you encounter them. Once in a blue moon some well-meaning stranger will attempt to engage you and for whatever reason your face will slowly crinkle up and you will break out into tears. As far as I can tell there is no rhyme or reason to this. Although I don’t like that you get upset there is part of me that appreciates your reaction. There is an edge to you that is your very own. You are figuring out your boundaries with others in your own way.
Well, little pumpkin, happy one half year birthday! We look forward to the next six and all that they will bring.
We love you!
Love,
Momma
Sunday, December 6, 2009
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