Cheerios

San Diego for New Years

Dear Zealand at 7 months

Dear Zealand,

This month your signature, dare I say, primitive pterodactyl shrieks, were replaced by a new sound that you favor - that of the owl. You often will get a serious expression on your face and purse your lips to an "o" shape while going "ooh, ooh..." We still get the boistorous shrieks but owl hoots are now more common. Often times a distant, far away look will be your expression while you utter a few oohs.. You definitely seem to already be a thinker. You really seem to sit back a bit to observe your environment before engaging with it. It is as if you are trying to figure out how everything works.

You aren't always serious though. You can also be very silly and also prone to wide mouth open moments of pure bliss just because. Strangers often remark - "what a happy baby!" I have to agree. This month I have been feeling so grateful for your first class disposition. I was struck by this during holiday errands with you in tow. I carry you everywhere in our baby carrier and you are always content to bob along. You come along for my doctor's appointments, errands, and bus rides without a single complaint. You mostly observe all that is going on around you and engage all of the people that cross your field of vision. Most people that meet you will eventually (after a serious stare down on your part) get a smile.

You still love to go on walks. I am so grateful because I too love to walk. Although we very well might be projecting our love of nature on you, it really does seem that you love the outdoors. You are so observant of the details in nature. Birds especially are a favorite. The other day at Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park you were pretty much blown away by a huge flock of birds that flew away in a grand formation. You are also a big fan of pigeons, ducks, and geese.

This month you learned how to clap! After learning how to bang two blocks together you then learned that you could do the same with your own hands. Needless to say this is a very cute behavior and will elicit a hugely positive reaction from those around you. You have caught on and will clap with a huge smile on your face.

Not only are you clapping, you are also crawling! You have mastered the commando crawl and will now spend most of our playtime scooting around the floor in pursuit of a toy or object that has caught your attention. Once something has caught your eye you are unstoppable. You scoot and grunt until you reach your destination. Electrical cords are of a special interest to you. Your fascination with grown up things keeps your momma on her toes!

Besides scooting around you are eating like a champ. No food is too green, slimy, or nutritious for you! Everything that I have introduced to you had gone straight down the hatch. You are natural eater. We actually don't use a bib because one isn't needed. You open your mouth wide take your bite and then all trace of the food is gone. You love to drink water from a cup, which you do quite well, and to grunt loudly while eating. The grunting is pretty hilarious. Each anticipation of a bite and the actual bite is accompanied by a grunt. I can see you in a past life sitting at a long table surrounded by hearty mugs of beer, roasted pig, whole loaves of bread and grunting over the day's conquests.

Besides a good squash puree, you also love music and dancing. Your father and I will dance with you and you move along to the beat in our arms with a big smile on your face.

Finally, you experienced your first Christmas this month. Your presence made the holiday an extra special one. Not surprisingly the highlight for you was all of the paper and ribbon. For me it was seeing a Zealand stocking hanging from the mantle. Your grandparents always made my Christmas so special and magical. It is so fun to begin to repay the debt. In the morning a Neel tradition commenced for you - a handwritten letter from Santa Claus himself. That morning we left Walnut Creek for Lake Tahoe to take part in a Kubischta tradition - snow! We met up with grandma Mary and the next day took you for your first sled ride.

Merry Christmas little buddy. Your father and I love more than you can know. More to come in the new year.

Love,

Momma