Leavin' on a Jet Plane

This weekend we flew to Houston to visit family and attend my cousin's wedding. This was Z's second time on a plane, and by the time we landed he was already exclaiming "air-paaaane!" On our way back home, he probably said it 3,000 times. Don't you wish you were on that plane with us?

Yes, we were those people. Z did pretty well, considering, but there was some kicking of the seat in front of us, some cheerios dropped on the floor, and plenty of exclamations. Another favorite was "Goooo!" We timed our arrival in Houston perfectly for his nap. He actually fell asleep in the car and went straight down for a nap in the pack n' play at my aunt and uncle's house. After that, he slept great in the pack n' play, took long naps and never cried once! We put him in the bathroom adjoining our room, which made getting ready for bed a little tricky but was totally worth it, because we are not good at sleeping in the same room with him!

He was an angel the whole weekend! We played outside, went swimming, and he even got to dance at the wedding reception. I spent several weeks out of the year at that house growing up, and I have the BEST memories there. It was so great to go back and surreal to be there with a husband and child! I can't wait to visit again soon!

 The groom is in the military so Z got to try on his hat in between dances. It was a beautiful evening, made even more fun when we got to put Z down and come back to dance the night away :)

"ELLOOOH"

ELL-OOOOH, everybody! That's my Z's new favorite word. We had a great weekend! Friday night, we took Z to Taziki's for dinner and then we watched a movie after he went to bed (No Strings Attached, not the best choice, but what ya gonna do?). Then Saturday, we had a playdate with MM and B, who's moms both work with Nick. We went to Tutti Frutti and then to the Homewood Park. It was Z's first playdate possibly ever and he LOVED it! He even got a smooch goodbye from MM (hope her dad doesn't see this). 

Thanks to MM's mom for taking these great pics.

My Child's Alternate Life

I have been learning this week that my child lives a second life at school. Let me explain. Usually, Nick drops him off, and I pick him up, and it's all pretty uneventful. We get reports that say what he ate and drank, how much he slept, diapers, and what activity they did for the day. They usually tell me, he had a great day, mom! This news was important to me in the beginning because not every day was "great." Many days he cried what seemed like the entire day. We would drop him off crying and pick him up... crying. Not fun.
As he progressed, I began hearing more stories about how he and two other boys would crawl around in circles chase each other around class. They were like his first friends, and the teacher called them the rat pack. 

Now, we are in such a routine that I don't even ask. But this week, when I got there Z was chasing one of the little girls around the classroom and squealing. He didn't even notice me. I started talking to the teacher and she began telling me all of these things that my child is doing.

He signs "more," "I'm full," and "all done."
He says "please."
He recognizes colors and shapes.

What's next? He speaks Spanish?!

I know a lot about my child, but this I did not know. I feel enlightened.

Then when he was ready to go, he grabbed my hand, led me to the door, waved to everybody and said buh-byee. Well, okay then.

I love our little routine, we ride home and sometimes sing along with toddler radio on Pandora. Lately, we have been watering the plants, checking the mail, then Z closes the garage door (by pushing the button), walks up our couple of little stairs, walks in the house, and shuts the door. He's getting so independent these days. So far, he knows his limits, but still tests them from time to time. I just love this time because I never know what he's going to do next!

Mother's Day Weekend Part 2

On Sunday, we went to Home Goods, and I bought, among other things, some new pots and pans for my Mother's Day gift (a little sad, I know). Then Z took his nap and we got ready and headed to Brookwood Mall. We had reservations at Brio, so we went a little early and strolled Z around. Of course, that didn't last too long, but he did better walking around holding my hand. I brought my good camera so I could take some better pictures.

I didn't mean to get this first one, but it does illustrate how Z uses every possible resource to get himself up when he's climbing.

Lovin' life at Books-A-Million

 I am so blessed and thankful to have my family nearby. They are the best support system I could ever have, and they are so good with Z too! Mom, Dad, I LOVE YOU, and so does Z!

Z's obsession: The iphone. This bedazzled version is my mom's

 Z stopping to lick smell the flowers again

A couple of family shots

 This was Nick's idea (my mom refused, so she is taking the photo)

 In case you can't tell what that is.

Because I never get tired of seeing that smile

Mother's Day Weekend Part 1

I am so thankful to be a mother. It is the best job in the world, and I hope I NEVER take it for granted. This weekend we went out to eat Saturday and Sunday night in honor of Mother's Day. Saturday, my mom and I had a shopping day and met the boys at Cheesecake Factory. Two things happened this night. One, Z met a dog and couldn't stop hugging it.

 Now, I think dogs are great, and I know most of you own dogs, but we are not the dog owning type. Thankfully, almost every one of our neighbors is and does, so Z will get plenty of exposure, but please don't let this picture fool you into thinking the Gax's are going to get a dog (note: this is mostly due to me and not my hubs, as he is very good with dogs and grew up with them, he would want me to point that out if he were standing over my shoulder right now).

Next, Z went berserk in Barnes and Noble and ended up receiving his beloved Elmo doll as a gift from his Nuna. He clung onto Elmo like he was his only friend in the world the whole way home.

Later that night:

That's one happy kid.

Here are a couple more pictures from the restaurant. Our Chicco clip-on chair works great, and Lord knows we love it, however, Z has now found a way to stand up in it. I did not take any pictures of said phenomenon so as not to make you think I am a crazy mom who lets her child stand up in his chair. When he does it, he looks at us, like "yeah, that's right, I'm standing up in my chair right now, what are you going to do about it?" In this picture, he is sitting in a booster seat, however.

I believe we might have been singing in this picture, or he was throwing food at me... Another note: his father dressed him this day.

In other news, Z has learned the word "No!" and it comes out something like this "Noooo!" And, it's loud and he looks real serious when he says it. I wish I could be mad about it, but it's too cute.

These Days

Z's newest activity is climbing up, down, over, whenever, wherever. I wasn't sure whether I should post these videos because he almost lands on his head a couple of times, and I am just sitting there camera in hand, but hopefully my readers know me better than to call DHR for a couple of little supervised slips dismounts.

Z is 19 months now and is all about Dora and Elmo these days. The past few days he has come home from school saying Elmoo Elmoo. He loves watching youtube videos on my phone of Sesame Street, nursery rhymes, alphabet songs, pretty much anything as long as it's on that small screen. His love for Dora really lies in the backpack. Whenever he sees that part he gets so excited and yells "ba-pa, ba-pa." I've been known to rewind the backpack portion of the show and replay it for him in order to elicit said response.

He recognizes several letters of the alphabet now and loves to be sung to. His favorites are If You're Happy and You Know It and Wheels on the Bus because he likes to do the hand motions with them. Whenever he is upset or starts whining all you have to do is sing and he gets so excited. Speaking of happy, he is (thank God) a happy child. He just wants to laugh and play all the time, and it is so uplifting to be around. Don't get me wrong, he whines from time to time and is a pill when he gets tired, but I feel so blessed to be around him because it is a joy!

Oh, and I must take a moment to mention the most fabulous Royal Wedding. I DVRed it, and Z slept in a little bit, so I got to watch all of the coverage leading up to the big moment, then I got Z up and we watched the wedding together. He was actually into it, and I loved it! The past couple of weeks are historical for many reasons, and I'm just glad that one of them is so joyful and happy. I soaked it all in, and I'm not ashamed.

Sad Day

I don't have pictures or a funny story to tell. I just had to take a minute to acknowledge the horrible events of April 27, 2011 when a series of tornadoes took our state hostage. This day and its aftermath will forever plague our history books, and I have to thank God that we were spared when so many people were not so fortunate. We had known for several days that Wednesday was going to be a day of severe weather. We are not strangers to severe weather around here, and in fact we have had our share of "big ones" in this state but nothing could compare to what would happen that day. We had a string of storms that morning including some strong tornadoes, but the worst was yet to come for the evening when a second round of storms was predicted. The power was out at Z's school, and I had patients to see, so hubs worked from home and took care of Z, and I worked. We closed early on the news that more storms were coming, but everything was eerily quiet until about 6 that night. We were tuned in to the weather and all the news men had their sleeves rolled up (a sign that this thing was getting serious). Then, all of a sudden we saw the direct shot a weather camera atop the courthouse in Tuscaloosa got of the nearly mile wide tornado, and we were all speechless.

The aftermath has been even worse, but I feel like the state has really pulled together to help the countless number of people who have been affected. I pray this tragedy will be known not just for its massive destruction but for the strength of the human spirit and inspiring way the people helped each other get through it.