9 Months

Z turned 9 months on Sunday! It has been a slightly stressful birthday for him due mostly to the fact that we moved this weekend and that he sprouted his second tooth. The poor guy picked the wrong time to cut a tooth. It began on Friday, moving day. We decided that I would go over to the house with Z and Nick would help the movers pack everything up and come over. Z must have known his life was about to be turned upside down, because he would NOT let me put him down at all the whole morning. So, 5 hours and no nap or food (for either of us) later, Nick arrived. The movers were on a lunch break, so we ate and put Z down for a much needed nap.  As much as I love him, it was miserable to have to carry him around an empty house for several hours with no TV or food.

It takes moving all your stuff to make you realize just how much you have!

After we got everything unloaded, we were feeling overwhelmed. So,we decided to go to my parent's house in Sylacauga for the night to get away and to gain some familiarity. Poor Z was really feeling it that night, and finally fell asleep after a lot of comforting much later than normal. We spent the rest of the weekend unpacking and trying to make our new house feel like a home. To my surprise, that has been no easy task! From our shampoo to our bed, and everything in between,the whole place is completely unfamiliar to us. It's like we have been living in someone else's house. We have been all out of sorts, and so has Z! On Sunday, after 2 rough nights, tooth #2 arrived. And, thankfully we have had relative peace since then. I would like to wait a little while before another one comes, thanks.

So, I haven't done an official 9 month photo shoot (been a little busy), but here are some I took on moving day (before tooth #2). I so LOVE the many faces of Z!

Serious (to me, he looks like he's about to crack up)

Threatening (Grrr, he does growl on occasion)

Silly (nothing else you can say about this face)

 

Funny (this one's like a fake laugh, which he does sometimes)

 

All in all, things have been very busy, but great. Z is adjusting to his new surroundings and his new room. He has been sleeping much better. He is pulls up if you give him a hand. And, he's starting to reach out for things to pull up on.

We don't have our 9 month appointment for a couple of weeks, because our doc is on vacation, but my scale has him at about 18 pounds and 9 or 10 ounces. We're shooting for 19 by the appointment. He is eating super well and has yet to turn anything away. He's still breastfeeding (though his days are numbered), and (hesitantly) doing well with holding his own bottle (so I'm told). He also does pretty well with water in a sippy cup. We are still nowhere near self-feeding. He likes to sit, open his mouth, chew and repeat, and really wants nothing to do with the process of getting there. 

He has had some table food like cheese and chicken, and he threw down on a cheese quesadilla at Superior Grill the other night! I'm pretty sure I'm ready for him to start table food, at least then he'll be a little closer to doing it himself!

Slow Down

Okay, so I know I've been trying to encourage Z's growth and development, but I wasn't expecting this...

His first zit... 

 Where did the time go?

Here's a good shot of his tooth. His single tooth.

Father's Day and Such

Z has been having some busy weekends, and this one was no exception. Friday we had orientation at his new school. We got to put him in the classroom that he is going to be in (at least for a little while) and let him get acquainted. He seemed to like it, and I am slowing warming up to the idea too. Enrollment there is on the low side, so I'm thinking that will be good for my son, who is used to being the only man in his caretaker's life! Friday night we went to Nick's firm's annual cookout, and even though it was all over Z's bedtime, we decided to take him anyway. We were really glad we did, because he got to see so many people and meet some new babies. I don't have any pictures, but I know some were taken so I'll try to track them down. I have been seriously slacking on the picture taking these days, and I'm sorry for that!

Saturday, we packed and went to the house to await the delivery of our bed and mattress. All of that went so smoothly. Z even napped in a pack n' play in his future room. I can only hope the big move goes half as smoothly. Then we went to Sylacauga to hang with the family and leave Z sleeping while we went to my 10 year high school reunion! It was fun to see everyone and catch up, but we had moving and Z on the brain so we didn't stay very long.

My sis is in town, which means Z got to hang out with cousin Adam. They had a blast together, and I think were having a competition to see who could scream the loudest. Adam was crawling circles around Z, so hopefully he was a good influence on him. Here's where we are on that front.

Step 1, we put him up on his hands and knees.  

Step 2, we put a desirable toy, just far enough away

Step 3 is usually Z on his belly. Believe it or not, this is progress! Z also is saying mama now, although it usually goes like this muma-bababa. As, ba-ba still reigns supreme in Z's vocabulary.

Sunday, we packed more. Poor Nick only got a Father's Day hug and kiss from me and Z, because we have been so busy. We are thinking there will be a belated gift in the form of a grill or tools for the house, but it just wasn't happening this weekend. I am so blessed to have a wonderful husband who is so involved in everything Z. He loves his baba very much too.

I wouldn't even know where to start to show my appreciation for my dad, who was my everything for 24 years before I married the love of my life and is still on the short list of guys that I love more than anything. (that list consisting of Z, Nick, and Baba). I am one lucky girl!

In addition to all the other family Z met, he got to meet his second cousin Lola. She is a bundle of sweetness, and Z was all about her!

This is a picture of Z with his Nana Janet and his Great Grandmother and Lola again. He looks like he is going to spring off of Janet's lap onto baby Lola!

Playtime with Lola and her daddy

Zayd with Tata, Lola, and Jasmine (Lola's Mama)

Jet Setter

This weekend Z had his first airplane ride (2nd, 3rd, and 4th for that matter). We flew up to Ohio to visit hubby's family and see his sis graduate from nursing school. It was a fun-filled weekend!

The big unknown was how Z was going to behave on the airplane. I have had a healthy amount of anxiety regarding this topic, but I reminded myself that people do it all the time, and that he could surprise me. We tried to be as prepared as possible, and we went for it.

We are very anti-bag checking, so we packed lightly and checked his carseat planeside. That meant a lot of heavy lifting for us, but it was totally worth it. We flew B'ham to Detroit then Detroit to Dayton. The first leg was 2 hours and it was timed just right for nap time, so Z slept the ENTIRE time! He was pretty hyper upon arrival to Detroit. The shorter flight from Detroit to Dayton was a breeze. Even though he didn't sleep, he kept himself entertained by a combination of things including people, his favorite book, and puffs (the greatest food-like substance ever created by Gerber).

Z was a charmer the whole time we were up there. He had so much fun with Nick's family and met a LOT of new people. I regret that we didn't take many pictures. Between getting all of our plans straight and keeping up with Z's sleeping and eating, the time kindof got away from us. There are some out there, though, so if I track them down, I'll get them posted (hint hint). Friday night was the graduation. It was actually her pinning. After a long day of traveling, Z and I hit the bed, but Nick went. 

Nick and Talia at the graduation

Talia with her aunts

Saturday, we had a cookout and Z got to play on the playground with Daddy

Here are some just to document his first trip to Ohio, and to show off his airplane outfit.

That last picture gives you a good idea of his travel behavior, happy and hyper!

Independence Day

I know what you're thinking, I'm about a month shy of celebrating America's independence. But this post ain't about America, it is Z's independence day! After all, he is much more important, at least to me.

I was beginning to think we might be going straight to independent sippy cup drinking, which he has gotten much better at...

When suddenly, I got a report from our sweet nanny that he is finally holding his bottle himself. He has to be lying down, because he hasn't quite got hang of the tipping, but sure enough, he's starting to show some signs of independence!

Note: This bottle appears empty. In actuality, it had about 1 oz. of BM in it. I never get to see him take bottles, and I had to see it for myself/take a picture. Besides the fact it is a 4 oz. bottle, he kindof looks like a big boy.

Summertime!

We had another great weekend! Right when the sun came out on Saturday, we took Z back out to the pool. I just knew he would jump right in since it was warmer and he had done it the day before, but it turns out that he had to get adjusted again, and once he did, he had a blast! This time we weren't alone, so it was even better.

Swim lessons from Jido

 

He's getting the hang of it

I love the face he's making in this one

His raisin toes are saying, I think we've had enough

 

Drying off

Close-up courtesy of daddy

Hanging out afterward in his Rockband t-shirt

Z is now saying "dada" as much as he says "baba." He squeals a lot, and I'm pretty sure he has conversations with himself, especially when he's in his crib before or after he sleeps.

He is also no longer a vegetarian. He has had chicken 2 nights in a row, and so far as long as we mix it with something familiar he seems to like it.

My favorite new thing, which started last Tuesday, is that when I come to get him from my mom in the afternoon, he gets really excited and reaches both arms out to me and leans way out with his whole body. Once I hold him, he leans in and gives me a little hug, wraps one arm around mine, and sticks to me! I'm sure one day I'll complain that he is "stuck" to me, but right now I couldn't be happier. He also does this in the morning when Nick gets him out of the crib and brings him to me while I'm getting ready. I think this one is motivated more by hunger, but I'm not complaining! Whatever the reason, I LOVE this new behavior. It is so rewarding.

Another First!

Today Z had another first. His first time in the pool! I have been wanting to take him (while we still have access), but the weather has been unpredictable. It has been pretty overcast today, but I thought, what the heck let's give it a shot.

It was pretty cold, and the first few times I dipped him in, he did NOT like it, but then the sun came out, and he remembered how much he LOVES being outside.



 
Once the sun came out, we gave it a shot again, and he really loved it. I was a bit nervous about going alone, but once he relaxed, so did I, and we had a blast! Why didn't I try this earlier?! My mom came down and took some more pics to document the day.

Excuse the roughness, Friday is no make-up day

We have a beach trip planned in July, and I have been so excited about letting Z experience the beach, but I'd rather him not experience the catastrophe of the oil spill, so our plans may just be on hold. We are praying that this thing gets resolved, so we can enjoy the gulf once again, and for Z, for the first time...