Thursday Thought

Baby Zog and I were having dinner last night and I stopped and thought, "My son is feeding himself ravioli, garlic bread and peas for dinner." Now, that's not a great accomplishment really, but I remember not so long ago when I had decided he would surely be in kindergarten before he would feed himself anything other than Cheerios. As I watched him smash ravioli into his mouth I realized how awe-struck he leaves me. I vowed to always take the time to marvel at him as he learns and grows because being able to experience this is such a gift. I think I've figured out why everyone says being a parent is the most fulfilling job in the world.

Pumpkins!

I love this photo. What you see here is the result of trying to get a mommy/son photo with my one-year-old. A challenging task - especially with a child who never...sits...still and does not want to be contained! But beyond that, I think this photo is a great statement on the phase of life we're currently enjoying. A pictorial metaphor, if you will, for my life with an emerging toddler. Someone told me recently to "hang on and enjoy the ride." I think this photo proves I'm trying my best!

We spent the afternoon with some friends at a sorority charity pumpkin patch. We had a great time with the orange "balls" as Baby Zog called them, running, falling, petting the pumpkins, and protesting when it was time to leave. Click here for more pics of the afternoon.

Driving Man

Hello Readers of Mommy's Blog! Now that I am one, I decided it was time for me to address you on my own. Here is a lovely photo of my Uncle Jim pushing me in my NEW CAR! Papa Rick bought it for me for my birthday and now I am one stylin', crusin' man. Everyday after school I go for a stroll around the neighborhood so I can look for baby women. Unfortunately, all the kids around here seem to be boys. Oh well. I love my new car just the same! I especially love the radio.

By the way, Mommy says to tell you that, as it turns out, most of the photos of my super fun birthday party were taken on other people's cameras. As soon as she has those photos in her possession, she will share them with you.

That's all for now,

Love Baby Zog

Pediatric ER

I apologize for the delay on posting birthday party pics and stories. I intended to work on them last night, but we ended up spending several hours in the pediatric ER at University Hospital instead. Our sweet birthday boy was a trooper all weekend. Then, last night after about an hour of sleep he woke up crying and cried for nearly three hours before we took him to the ER on the advice of the night nurse we'd called.

Let me say here that taking your baby to the ER is not fun. Daddy Zog drove quickly, quietly and safely there. We finally went home several hours later in the wee hours of the morning with a diagnosis of a double ear infection, a prescription for some medication, some ear drops, and a baby finally fast asleep - thanks to some strong pain killers. Poor little man. I hate it when he hurts.

This was the second trip to the ER in the last two months for the family Zog (the first being about seven weeks ago when Daddy Zog sliced off his thumbprint with a mandolin slicer), and we've decided that if you have to go to the ER, the pediatric ER is the way to go. Not only to they take babies back immediately, but thanks to a goody bag that included a very nice stuffed Dog, some friendly doctors, and a tv/vcr playing Bob the Builder and Beethoven in our hospital room, the night was a little more comfortable.

Baby Zog is resting comfortably tonight thanks to his ear drops and some Tylenol. Once I catch up on sleep, those birthday pics will appear. Looks like year two is off to a busy start!

12 Month Check Up

It probably makes me a mean mommy that we celebrated Baby Zog's birthday yesterday with his 12 month "well-baby" check-up, but I wanted to get it out of the way before the out-of-town guests and party-goers arrive today. So, yes, my child had shots on his birthday. (No, not the fun kind of shots...those are saved for my birthday!)

We are very blessed with a healthy baby who still has an average size head (50%), good weight on him (80%), and above average height (97%). He's doing well and the doctor said to keep up the good work. Always something nice for a Mommy to hear.

What I didn't expect was this conversation that took place at the end of the lengthy visit:
Dr. Gush: "So, I've noticed that he hasn't been still since I walked in the room."
Mommy: "Yeah, he's a good baby, but he is only still when he's sleeping. I figure he's just a boy."
Dr. Gush: "I mean, he is ALWAYS moving some part of his body."
Mommy (getting the impression her child is more active than even a typical one-year-old boy): "Yeah, he keeps us on our toes for sure."
Dr. Gush, laughing as she leaves the room: "Oh, you are in for it!"

Uh oh....

Happy First Birthday my Sweet Baby Boy!

October 15, 2007

October 15, 2008

Best Intentions

When Baby Zog was four months old, the planner in me started having elaborate thoughts about his first birthday party. In the months that followed, those thoughts became grander, bigger, and quite exciting. First there was to be a pumpkin theme with a pumpkin carving table and pumpkin flavored food and all things pumpkin, including my homemade pumpkin muffins. Then there was going to be the "nicknames of Baby Zog" theme complete with games and food and decorations that would reflect the various nicknames we've had for him in the last 12 months - BITO, Buddy, Turtle, Doodlebug, Nugget, etc.

Fast forward to October. If there is one thing this mommy has learned in the last 12 months, it's that some plans just aren't realistic for a working, traveling mommy -- and that is okay. As the birthday party is now a few days away, it is quite obvious to me that there will be a very subtle "cupcake theme," some food, some beer and soda, and a birthday boy. Oh, and cake. Of course there will be cake. I'll probably run out that morning and buy some balloons and voila! we have a party.

I've heard from friends that the parties do indeed get grander as the child gets older, so I'm enjoying this simple first birthday. In the end, I'm just excited that our families are traveling from far away to visit my son on his special day. My mommy heart wishes he'll somehow remember feeling loved and adored on his first birthday. My mommy head knows all that will remain for him is a photo with cake all over his face. But I will always tell him stories of his first year of life and how we marked it with cake and a song and plenty of love.