Taste Test

Feeding Z these days is like taking a pass/fail exam. I watch his behavior and try to decide, is he in a veggie mood, bread, meat, baby food, which brand? which flavor? Self feed? Does he want me to feed him? Then I prepare several options, table food, milk, water. I always have several jars ready. Okay, it's time, cheese cube, pass, Ha! That was an easy one. Green beans... yesterday pass, today... fail (miserably). Wheat bread, he picks it up, pass. Oh, unexpected trick question, throws it on the floor. Fail! How about pasta, the cute twirly kind... He takes one look and fail! Z, if you would just try them, you can ask anyone carbs are delicious... Fail! Time for jars, turkey casserole with mixed vegetables, smells like garbage... Pass! Didn't see that one coming. Finish the meal off with yogurt, plain, at first glance... fail, force a bite, hm, he likes it... Pass!

An hour and half our groceries for the week later, and mealtime is over, only 3 hours till we do it all over again...

So Z is a high maintenance eater. In his defense, he has been under the weather the past few weekends. Last weekend, he was running a fever, which we attributed partly to his 1 year shots and partly to the 5th (count it) 5th tooth sprouting. He woke up in the middle of the night Saturday with the saddest little cry we'd ever heard, and he was burning up and in a pool of drool! Poor guy. Now, this weekend he has a runny nose (again) and is running another low-grade fever. I can't wait for him to be well for good, even though he rarely fusses and thankfully, his sleep hasn't been affected. I just feel so bad for him.

1 Year Photo Shoot

Last Friday, we had our 1 year photo shoot with Heather Swanner. That morning, I think Z wanted a nap instead because we had our first major meltdown. Needless to say, I was slightly stressed, but by the time we got to the studio, he was in a much better mood. I think the pictures turned out really well. All I can say is, Heather is a gifted photographer!

You can view the slideshow here.

The Light of Our Lives

Z is lighting up our lives these days. He' still crawling around like mad, pulling up, and cruising. His favorite (and pretty much only) word is "light." Light turns on, he points and says "ligh ligh," light goes off, "liiigh," you approach the switch, "llligh." We always reply, "yes light."

He blows kisses and has just started playing peekaboo. Sometimes he gets confused though and puts his hands over his ears or on his head. Another game that's a big hit in our house is when we ask him for something, he gives it to us and then we usually cheer. This started one day in Sylacauga and like 5 of us would cheer every time he handed one of us a toy, now he expects that every time, but no worries, if we don't cheer for him, he pretty much is happy to cheer for himself.

He talks now with inflection as if he's actually saying something. I usually respond with, "really? and what else happened? He still loves books, and now he likes to "read" them himself.

One thing he started at his birthday party is dancing. He particularly does it when my dad sings to him. He sings a song that he made up for him which basically uses many different terms of endearment and asks God to bless him. The song also has his name in it. He's been singing it to him basically since he was born, and Z has always liked it, but now, every time Z hears it, he starts rocking back and forth and even side to side a little bit. I have now seen him "dance" to some other songs too. The boy's got rhythm. *might want to turn down the sound, my dad's voice comes through a little loud on this clip.

Party Time!

This weekend was the long-awaited birthday weekend for Z. Nick's parents, sister, and brother in-law came into town and stayed at our house, which we prepared all week long. It was a great excuse to straighten up, hang pictures, and continue our settling in process. We all enjoyed having our house full, and for once everyone was comfortable and had a place to sleep! Thursday night we stayed in, ate, and watched a movie downstairs. It was so fun and relaxing and great to catch up. Friday, Z had his 1 year check-up, where we had to wait for one hour to see the doctor. He was so well-behaved it was a little ridiculous. Of course, I had plenty of snacks and milk to keep him occupied. Everything went well. He got his Prevnar, Varicella, and flu shots. He weighed 19 lbs. 11 oz. (10%) and was 29 and 1/2 inches long (50%). My doctor was not too concerned about the weight thing because he has been on the smaller side for the past 6 months or so. Anyway, everything else was good. He's been on whole milk and a sippy cup for about 2 weeks, and hasn't breastfed in over a week. I'd say those are some major accomplishments for both him and me! While the guys were putting out small fires all over the house, we were getting ready for the party, then we all took a break and had some barbecue. Then, the gang went for a walk around the neighborhood. The weather was gorgeous!

Z got his first gift (from his nana and tata) that day, which was a playhouse. Uncle John put it together for him, and he loved it. Based on Amira's affection for it, I think he will be playing with that one for a few years to come!

I was so excited Friday I could hardly sleep! Saturday came around, and we spent the morning decorating, then Nick and I went to pick up cake and balloons and the rest of the fam finished up the decorations. Everything looked great!

Z was asleep during the first hour of the party, which was good, because it was kinda chaotic. He was a little shell shocked at first, but then he let everybody pass him around and really enjoyed the attention.

We decided to eat cake on our screened in porch, and the same thing happened. He was really quiet at the beginning and while everybody was singing, but then he began cheering, clapping, dancing, and most of all chowing on the cake. Hearing everybody sing happy birthday to our little man made me a little emotional I have to admit, but it was wonderful to see him so happy! I had to get him started on the cake, but once I did, he didn't have to be convinced to eat it up!

Then it was time for presents. Everyone was so generous! I just have to say thank you! Z is a lucky man to have such sweet family and friends!

All in all, the party was a great success! And, we all had a blast!

The rest of the weekend was great and very relaxing. We were sad to see everyone go. Oh well, happy birthday, Z!!