Nesting Blocks (Video)

Zealand has started to put the blocks inside eachother. And listen to NPR!

The Walker

Papa's special birthday day

Today Zealand and I spent the day with Papa (Grandpa) to celebrate his birthday with him. We met in Tilden Park for sandwiches and then headed over to the Little Farm. Zealand was thrilled to see all the characters from his storybook come alive - cows, pigs, and sheep! He also took special notice of a windmill. After visiting the animals Zealand was all smiles, babbles, waves, and claps. We ended the birthday afternoon with a visit to Mr. Mopps (a Berkeley toy store that has been around for fifty years and is now closing). Although it was Papa's birthday he ended up buying Zealand a stuffed doggie and treating us to a milkshake. Zealand had his first taste of ice cream and needless to say appeared to enjoy it a great deal. Naughty mom! A great birthday afternoon had by all.

Biking in Golden Gate Park

We had received a BoBike (european model) but it didn't fit on my bike, so we finally purchased an iBert. We took full advantage of the great weather and Zealand loved it. We even went on some single track.

Dear Zealand at 10 months

Dear Zealand,

It feels like you are fast accelerating toward the big one years old! I can barely keep up with all of the changes. I feel like the baby is fast slipping out of our hands. You haven't started walking yet which will keep time hovering just a little longer around our "baby."

This month you began to cruise furniture and anything else you can hold on to. You spend a lot of time holding on to our dining room chairs and playing under the table. You also cruise the couch and hang on to bookshelves. Throwing books off of the shelves is one of your favorite activities. In Tahoe you also climbed stairs for the first time.

I am really struck by how competent you are with your body. You are very careful and adventurous at the same time (a characteristic of your father). Every morning before your nap I watch you maneuver yourself up and down, side to side, in a manner that is almost calculating. You have learned how to fall gracefully (if there is such a thing with a ten month old), landing in such a way that you don't bonk your head and you figure out how to get in and out of small spaces. It is as if the world is a great puzzle offering acrobatic challenges that you are more than willing to try at every turn.

Your father's bike that stays parked in our living room (a sign that you are growing up in a San Francisco apartment) is a favorite challenge. You pull yourself up using the frame of the bike and then throw toys through the spokes of the wheels and you side step from one part of the bike to the next.

You are also quite the contortionist. You make your way through the smallest of spaces in a way that brings a smile to my face. The other day you managed to crawl under a wood chair and then sit up completely surrounded by the bars of the chair. You also enjoy pushing chairs and boxes around the living room.

This month you had your first carousel ride in Golden Gate Park. I sat behind you on a horse that moved up and down while your father took pictures from the side. You immediately grabbed the gold swirly pole on and began kicking your legs. You loved it.

We also went to the zoo this month with your friend Juliun from your playgroup. You and I continue to meet up with the same moms and babies every Tuesday. We also meet up with a few moms in the neighborhood each week for walks and time in the park. It feels very important for both of us to have time with other mommies and babies each week.

Also, each week you see your grandparents here in the Bay Area - "Ami" and "Papa." You have really warmed up to them and offer them wide smiles regularly. You and Papa play a special game of knock the block off of the tower which you enjoy a great deal. I am very happy that you see them as often as you do.

You continue to have us count our blessing each day for your first rate temperament. Each morning when we open the door to your room you are standing up in your crib with a huge grin on your face. Your father and I hop around like fools to make you giggle -which happens often (us hopping around like fools and giggles). You find us extremely funny and you just really seem to enjoy a good laugh. We are turning out to be a very goofy family. You fit right in. Or, I should say you bring it out in us. Lots of silliness all day long.

We love you Zealand bear.

Love,

Momma