In Yosemite....it can snow.

Weekend Photos

Hey Ladies!

Bath time photos

Dear Zealand at 8 months

Dear Zealand,

Your seventh month was full of exploring, adventure, and new words! You are very curious about the world and everything in it. Right now your world consists mainly of blocks, wooden rings, plastic rings, spoons, small bowls, books, stuffed animals, rattles, and whatever else is floor/knee level in our house. Once your tummy is full from either breast milk or your highchair foods, you are ready for the floor. I set you down and off you go from one object to the next. You still haven't figured out that your knees could help you crawl. But, I have to say the Zealand method is quite effective. Your upper body strength is impressive. Your grandpapa says it looks like you are doing the freestyle stroke on land.

Nothing really gets in your way. You are very determined to reach whatever interests you even if it means crawling under chairs, over babies, or even over your momma or daddy. You pull your basket of toys over and wrestle with objects three times your size. You have achieved a high level of mastery over the organic world of toys and objects strewn across the floor.

This month your exploring has accompanied a strong attachment to "mama" or "mum" as you sometimes say. Toward the end of the month you said "mama" and "baba" for the first time. At this point "mama" seems to be the word for everything - when you are hungry, tired, or just needing to shout something out. But, it does seem that you understand that I too am "mama." Right now I mainly am your whole world each and every day while your daddy is at work so it is fitting that "mama" is the word for everything.

When you first wake up you need lots of holding and lap sitting before you are really ready to hit the vast open plain that is your room. You will grab a block or two and then crawl into my lap. After a few minutes you will spot something new and practically lunge off of my lap. Sometimes when I leave the room you follow me down the hallway with one arm before the next dragging your small body crying out "mama." I really can't think of anything cuter.

Your musical side blossomed this month. We enrolled you in a music class that meets once a week down the street from us in a church. The first day you crawled right over to the big drum in the middle of the room and slapped your hands against it along with the other children. You seem to really enjoy your teacher, Lenka, and stare at her as if she was a fascinating creature from another world. She is really animated and sings and plays all kinds of instruments. This activity is a favorite of ours both.

When you aren't in music class we dance with you to your favorite music. You will move along with the rhythm and have a look of pure joy and enjoyment on your face. I would say that your first favorite song is "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" from the musical. Whenever this song comes on you stop what you are doing to appreciate it.

In addition to new words, music, and explorations of the house you also went sledding for the first time behind your Lake Tahoe house. Both times we took you sledding, down a fairly steep slope I should add, you remained absolutely nonplussed. Your expression was pure poker face. Bored? Unimpressed? It is hard to tell. I guess we can conclude that you don't hate sledding since you do not cry or protest. Maybe you are waiting for some better snow or a steeper slope? If so, we will really know that you take after your father. Maybe the sled hill behind our house is equivalent to a Heavenly ski resort? Only time will tell.

You still love to eat at your highchair and will slam your hand down after each bite. Yum! Your mother is getting more adventurous with your food and is feeding you mixed purees - salmon, chicken, leeks, lentils, coriander spice, etc.. I am learning that if it is a healthy grown up food that can become soft on the stove and then pureed it is good for you too. The sky is the limit in many regards to your ever growing palette. You also love cheerios. I am not sure if you love the taste or the chase of getting them from tray to mouth. Your little fingers are becoming quite adept at picking up those tiny rings and placing them in your mouth.

I have to say (and, I know that I am biased) that you are one fun, funny, and loving human being however small. We so enjoy your company. My time as a stay at home mother just gets better as you become more who you are. Most mornings you wake up smiling and ready to start your day. You squeal and smile when we go for walks and when we stay at home. You are content in your car seat and you are content to ride the bus. You have a smile ready for just about everybody. And, when your father comes home from work you always greet him with great giggles, shrieks, and smiles. As my day with you winds down I am treated to sounds of high pitched delight as the two of you play in your room.

You remind me of what a ball it can be to experience all of the twists and turns of the most ordinary of days.

Love and kisses,

Momma