Sunday, January 30, 2011

@ 121.75 Days Old

Zane at approx. 3.5 months

Today marks 4 months since Zane graced us with his arrival. He's doing really well. He's still very eager, in learning, growing and eating. He tries moving his body in ways his body can't support yet, like lunging over, out and up at things he wants to grab. He loves sitting in his Bumbo seat and playing with his spinning toy. He can be strong and rough, grabbing and pulling on things with all of his might while crossing his eyes from concentrating so hard on the task. He still shares tons of smiles and lots of laughter. When on the floor, he grabs onto carpet threads to pull himself and move.

He eats a ton. We'll be thinking about introducing cereal soon, which I'm in denial about. Introducing cereal might help us make it through the night a bit longer. A couple of weeks ago we went back to eating in the night -- and he's eating the entire time, so it doesn't seem to be just for comfort. Although he eats a ton, I consider him lean, except for in his thighs, which makes me feel like I'm NOT doing my job, like the kid has to resemble the Michelin Man to be considered healthy and well fed. (It's interesting that I feel this way when I hear other moms talk at playgroups and community activities about their concern over plump babies becoming obese. I fully believe this is the time for anyone to be fat. I'm a believer that as long as it's not comfort eating, the normal kid knows how much they need -- let them be fat for now and take in all the nutrients they need for brain development. Then when introducing foods, I'll become a little more concerned about combating obesity early. I'll miss those leg rolls all too soon.) While eating though, he likes to play with my face, grabbing my nose and lips while gulping away.

He loves his sister. Yesterday he had some alone time with Mommy and Daddy while his big sis spent the afternoon playing with Grandma and Grandpa and Cousin Tucker. It's been a while since he's been without her bouncing energy nearby. And the last time he was too young to notice the difference. Yesterday there were a couple of moments where one could tell he was wondering where she was at -- he kept looking around, like the house was almost too quiet. It was amazing, too, to see how much less talking he did without her here, like he didn't feel the need to compete. Sometimes Zane talks louder and louder to be heard over his sister. Sometimes were all talking at once, each of us vying to be heard. We feel certain he'll hold his own really well. I love to see him tug and pull on his sister and smile really big when she enters his view.

Aside from in the middle of the night right now, his eating and napping are pretty predictable. I'm amazed he can sleep so well with tons of noise around him. My brother began remodeling our bathroom last week and Zane was able to sleep through most of the loud pounding and moving of things.

He played in the exersaucer for his first time yesterday. We decided it would be best to introduce him to it while his sister was absent -- that way he could get the full effect. :) He loved it!!!!
 
 
 
Thanks for making me look so darn cute, Grandma!

 
Then Vanessa came home and was consumed by it. This morning she came downstairs before the rest of us and figured out how to get in and out of it all on her own. As I type and Zane naps, she's playing in it. Good thing the girl only weighs between 32 and 34 pounds . . . and her knees touch the floor! Later she sat in it with a mug of water, like she was working at an office desk. She talked about getting back to work on a couple of occasions. :) Check out Vanessa's first time in the exersaucer here: Boy, how she's grown . . . but poised just the same . . .

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

It's Like Buttah

A few weeks ago we needed to use up the leftover whipping cream from holiday baking. And what a perfect way to release all of our pent up energy -- make butter! We poured some in a cold canning jar and we danced and we shook the jar vigorously. Within 10 minutes, the girl had butter.

     
 "Shake, shake, shake!"

      

As we were posting this, Vanessa said "Look! That's me making butter out of that whipping cream junk. It was YUMMY. I ate some."

Monday, January 24, 2011

How to Tame a Lion

From eHow, here are some notes for taming a pet lion. I think these are applicable to Vanessa too:
"Lions are intelligent, social and can communicate through body language. Establishing a bond with your lion early on is key to taming and later training it. Cute, cub-like behavior can become a problem as a lion matures and taming it is essential for developing a safe owner-pet relationship.

1. Know that lions are very social, but they're also temperamental and subject to quick mood changes.

2. Always exercise caution at meal times. Even a tame lion can become very aggressive when food is involved.

3. Try feeding your lion at different times to curb aggression. If a lion knows when to expect meals he is more likely to become aggressive as meal time approaches.

4. Know that lions should never be handled by someone who has not been adequately trained to deal with them. "

This blow-up lion has made a couple of appearances already. He was part of a Christmas gift for Zane from Great Grandpa. Vanessa has made him her buddy too, and she carries him around the house for us. :) Here she was attempting to throw him a rope to help pull him over the "mountain." These pillows often serve as mountains, bologna sandwiches, and various other things. (I'm not sure we've had real bologna sandwiches but for some reason she often asks to go to our room so she can "make" some on our bed.)

And for now my son thinks he's real. They tell lots of stories and share tons of secrets.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Tum Time

It can be the best time. Sometimes Zane begs for it. He lunges and seems to already be figuring out ways to squirm his body into other positions or locations.
He makes it look easy though, doesn't he?!

      

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

T-Totally Terrific Tobogganing

Does the look on her face give you any idea as to how excited this girl was to go sledding?!
Without any hesitation, and with much pleading, she was ready to go down by herself after going down with Daddy the first time. What a brave little girl!
She was nice enough to allow Mommy a turn. We even went with Daddy, Mommy and Vanessa on the sled!

She did some of the legwork too. :)

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Hide-and-Seek

"Oh Zane . . . where are you . . . ?"
"Ha! Found you, silly guy."
Zane loves to cuddle in his warm blanket made by Grandma. He pulls it over his face for fun. Okay . . . by accident . . . :)

Isn't it neat to see how he's grown? A few weeks ago he weighed in at just over 13 pounds. I figure he's close to 14 now but haven't checked yet. Over the last couple of days he seems to have grown really long. His toes and legs are busting seams in some of his 3 month clothes. And what's been really funny is to see how long his arms have gotten and how they seem proportionally much longer than the rest of his body. I think I remember his maternal grandfather having really long arms, and he was tricky when it came to fitting appropriate dress clothes . . .

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Random Comments

Vanessa: Hey, I have two feet.

Mommy: I have two feet too.

Vanessa: Together we have four feet! [Pause] I wonder how many we have with Zane . . .? 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 6!
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While punching numbers into the calculator: "Mommy, how do you say 11 with a 0 beside it?"
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Vanessa: Mommy, write your name for me.

Mommy: My name Vicky or Mommy?

Vanessa: Vicky!

[Mommy helps Vanessa write Vicky.]

Vanessa: That's NOT how you spell it! It has an M first!
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While playing the Ladybug game with Mommy winning: "Oh, this is RIDICULOUS." (She ended up winning, by the way.)

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While playing with Zane's race track: "Mommy, would you cooperate, please?"
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When telling a joke: "Daddy loves Dino Dan."

[BA-DA-DUM]
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While covering the kitchen island this morning with individual graham crackers: "Mommy, these are for the other Vanessas to have."
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When dropping the Lincoln logs all over the floor: "Ohhhhh . . . FIDDLESTICKS!"
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When waiting and with hand in the air: "Okay, okay, okay. I want to listen."
 
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At random times: "Mommy, I told you that's what I said."

Friday, January 7, 2011

Whatchu talkin bout?

"There. Perfect."

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Happy Birthday, Hannah!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Full of Sugar

Monday, January 3, 2011

Happy Birthday, Ben!!!