Mommy Tricks

Here is what I learned last night:
If you offer Baby Zog a honey sandwich on whole wheat and say, "Here buddy, want to eat your sandwich?" he will run away, shake his head and say, "No. No."

But if you offer Baby Zog the same honey sandwich on whole wheat (the very next second) and say, "Here buddy, cookie," he will open his mouth for the first bite and proceed to take down the whole thing saying, "Cookie. Yummy," over and over again.

Hmm...I am a smart mommy.

April photos are posted over in the photo album section to the left. Enjoy!

Random Rant

Parents, please teach your children proper elevator etiquette so when they are all grown up, they will be polite citizens. There are too many uninformed adults out there. (I'm giving the the benefit of the doubt by assuming they just don't know better.)

Let's review: When you enter an elevator, you allow the people exiting the elevator to get off BEFORE you push your way on.

Doh'

I KNEW this would happen! For many months now we have been attempting to avoid saying certain words around Baby Zog. Of course, we don't use the common four-letter varies, but we're also trying to avoid words that children should not use like "shut-up," "mine," etc.

So yesterday morning, we were dressing Baby Zog and I said, "Should we wear these shoes with this outfit or does Daddy think that will look stupid?" Of course, I said it more to Daddy Zog to get his opinion, but regardless, I said it.

Baby Zog looked at me, curiously cocked his head and said, "Daddy? Stupid?"

Argh! Bad Mommy. Bad. Bad.

18 month check up

18th Month Stats:
Height: 34 inches (91%)
Weight: 26.25 lbs (56%)
Head: 18.7 inches (42%)

In the last four months, his weight has gone from the 83rd percentile down to the 56th. We were a little worried about that, but the doctor says it's totally normal. He's just getting tall and skinny. He grew nearly two inches in the last two months. I understand where he gets the "tall" from, but not sure how the boy wound up with "skinny!"

All in all a good visit with a very well behaved 18 month-old, although he is still fighting a sinus/ear thing he's had for a month now. The doctor finally decided she thinks allergies could be the culprit, so in addition to starting the THIRD antibiotic he's been on this month, Baby Zog is now also taking Zyrtec daily. We hope this will help. Poor boy.

MY JOY

This will be a first for Zogland, but I've decided to start a reoccurring post. I'm going to call it MY JOY. I can tell you it will be simple, as the most joyful things in my life are simple. I can also guess that about 95% of the posts will have to do with Baby Zog as he is the ultimate characterization of my joy. I remember hearing a Sunday school teacher once say that happiness was outward; joy was inward. I like that.

So, here is MY JOY, the first post:
I love this photo taken last Sunday before church. First, we were surprised by this lovely Azalea bush in our front yard (see, we know nothing about plants, so until the flowers popped out, we'd never really noticed this bush.) Second, check out Baby Zog's eyelashes. I remember holding him when he was mere hours old and falling in love with those eyelashes. Next, his hair. Of course it's awesome and curly and unruly. How can it not bring joy?

If you'd like to leave a comment and tell me what brings you joy, I'd love to read them. Grown up life can get us down (see yesterday's post), but the sun rises the next day and the choice is mine anew. I'm going to find joy...and hopefully a job too!

Grown Ups

I was nearly six when my baby sister arrived. For me, it meant a weekday sleepover at my friend Laura's house and a baby living in the empty room at home. I was unaware of impact on my parent's lives - the new responsibility, love, and fear.

For 9th grade, I left my private school and went to public school. Some financial reason was the culprit, but I realized some buddies were headed there too, and was satisfied. I'm certain if you asked my parents how the summer of 1991 treated them, they would recall more details.

I once remember my mother being upset when a friend passed away. However, she still cooked dinner, read me a story, and took me to school. All was well.

The summer of my 15th year, my mom had back surgery. I was away on a trip at the time. I returned home and mom was walking again. No big deal.

When I was 20, my dad had to fly out west to handle the division of his father's estate after his passing. I had not been close to my grandfather and since the trip didn't affect my collegiate activities, this is all I can tell you about it.

When did hardships and tragedies stop being things that happen to our parents and start being things that happen to us? I've become a grown up, and it's hard. All of a sudden it's ME who is out of work and wondering how to keep my kid in school. It's MY friends who are fighting for their lives against cancer. Its MY generation who have to pace waiting room floors while their children undergo operations. It's people MY age who deal with injuries that keep them from emotional and physical happiness. I'M the one who pours over financial documents and then smiles and makes grilled cheese for dinner while singing the ABC song.

I haven't sorted what this means to me, but lately I've realized that things I was always sheltered from are now mine to endure as well. I was duped into thinking "becoming your parents" meant twirling your glasses in that funny way like your dad does (yes, I do this) or scraping your plate with your fork like your mom does (not yet doing this.) I'm starting to clue in that it's so much more than that.

So here I am. No turning back! Onward we press, etc. There is no choice but to embrace the small things that bring me joy (such as Baby Zog), work damn hard to make a happy life for my family, keep positive, and say lots of prayers. I want to be the best grown up I can be, not only for those I love, but for myself. I can do this. I can handle this. I can deal.

Right?

Love at First Sight

I finally got to meet my new perfect niece last week. I went and spent five days getting to know her and helping her mommy and daddy around the house. I even helped her mommy with Josie's first outing to a very important place in any girl's life: Target. Given that she is seemingly a perfect newborn and a champion sleeper, they really didn't need that much help. But it was a great visit anyway and I am totally in love. I can't wait for Baby Zog to meet her and love her too.

Baby Josie looks cute when she yawns, don't you think? I can't believe she'll be a month old this Thursday. Of course, I can't believe Baby Zog is eating strawberries with a fork as I type this. Funny thing about time: it's gone as soon as it arrives.

EASTER

Easter 2008 versus Easter 2009. Is it possible that only 12 months have passed? (Hmm...and he's still being outfitted with sweater vests purchased by his Sitti. Maybe someday we'll be able to afford new clothes on our own. In the meantime - THANK YOU SITTI!)

Easter morning got off to a discouraging start. Baby Zog woke up with a very swollen right eyelid. A call to the nurse concluded it's probably a bite of some kind. So we pressed on and donned our Easter best (sans bonnets) and headed to church where Baby Zog promptly got his entire right hand stuck in an elevator door. Seriously? Yep. Thankfully, the hand seemed okay, and he was content in the nursery a few minutes later. Meanwhile I'm left thinking, "Can we please just have one day -- really I'd prefer a whole week -- where he isn't sick or hurt in someway?" This is one of those infamous things about parenthood for which you can never prepare. The constant worry followed by feeling like you are always being "kicked when you're down." Daddy Zog and I were feeling pretty blue.

But the sun's glorious rays were touching my skin and the service touched my heart. I was reminded through beautiful music, moving words, and quiet prayers of the power of the Resurrection and the promises it holds for me --and for my small son, swollen eye and hand in all. No matter what you believe, I hope you too were uplifted in some way this beautiful Sunday morning.

We concluded our festivities with some friends who joined us for brunch and an Egg Hunt in our front yard. For an 18-month-old, Baby Zog seemed to understand hunting eggs. Maybe next year we'll actually hide them.

And the sun shines again...

This has been one of those weeks where God wanted to make sure I was in this motherhood thing 100%.

Last Friday: Baby Zog's teachers are concerned about the "gunk" in his eyes.

Saturday: Baby Zog goes to doctor. No pink eye, but a double ear infection. Baby Zog starts Augmentin.

Sunday night: Baby Zog throws up in crib.

Monday: Baby Zog sent home from school after throwing up once and having what we'll call "exploding poo" three times.

Since Monday: Mommy home with Baby Zog and his relentless exploding poo. Apparently, his tummy does not welcome Augmentin. Doctor says we need to stick it out to get rid of the ear infections. Baby Zog not interested in eating more than a single cheesy poof every now and then.

Thursday night: We switch to a new antibiotic which seems to be treating him better already.

So, here is what Mommy Zog has learned:

1.) When my child has gunk in his eyes, its always the sign of an ear infection. This has happened three times now. New parents, take note.

2.) Our toys are boring and should all be replaced. Mommy's headbands are much more entertaining (see photo above.)

3.) Even for a child who normally doesn't watch t.v., there is such a thing as too much Elmo.

4.) When they told me to make sure I had at least three crib sheets for my baby, they meant it.

5.) I am SO GLAD my husband has no classes on Fridays!

We're on the mend now and looking forward to a visit from Grandma this weekend. I have realized that it's okay to think "this sucks" when you are caring for a sick child and you are both bored out of your mind. At least the rain has stopped and we can hit the park today!

If Perception is Reality, I'm in Trouble

Over the last few weeks, Baby Zog has developed a love for a book called "Ten Little Babies." As most counting books do, this book starts with ten babies doing various activities and as the pages go by, one baby leaves the group, and we count down, and so forth. Eventually you get to the page that has two babies and reads:

"Two little babies, playing in the sun, one said 'I'm leaving,' and then there was one."

It is at this point in the story that Baby Zog points to the drawing of the exiting baby and proclaims, "MOMMY!" He does this without fail - every time the book is read to him - no matter who is reading it. Daddy Zog asked me if I had noticed this and I could not lie...I had noticed. I'm not sure why or how, but apparently this is how my son sees me. Click here for the photo.

I have a niece!

My baby sister had a baby last night!!! Baby Zog has a baby cousin! I'm so happy. Hmm..we'll have to decide what to call her on this blog.

I wish I didn't have a rule about posting full names on my blog, but I can tell you that she was 8 lbs, 11.5 ounces, born at 11:45 p.m. on March 24 and has a full head of blond hair hidden under that sweet little hat. I am about to jump out of my skin to go up and visit her! Mommy, Baby, and Daddy are all doing great!

If you want to know her name, shoot me an email.

Baby Zog's Top Ten

Baby Zog has decided to take after his daddy and categorize things. So, with a little help from his mommy, he is proud to present his first ever top ten list!

Baby Zog's Top Ten

(Being that Baby Zog has only lived for 17 months, there are so subcategories to his lists yet. Just ten things he likes in general.)

10. Wrestling with Daddy

9. Naps that only last 45 minutes

8. Avery, the cute blue-eyed blond at school

7. Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You Hear? by Eric Carle

6. Checking the mail with Mommy

5. DIP! Especially Guacamole

4. Basketball (pronounced: Ba-tet-ball)

3. My new Fisher-Price Little People Farm (and the box it came in, see above)

2. Tomato Basil Wheat Thins

1. A little red monster named Elmo

Well....technically....

Under the chair in our living room lies a little green basket. This basket holds, among other things, baby Zog's shoes at the end of each day. Usually, when I say, "okay go put your shoes in the basket," Baby Zog scampers off to the green basket. So you can imagine the great laugh Daddy Zog and I had last night when Baby Zog put his own creative spin on my instructions.

Click here to see where baby Zog put his shoes when told to go put them in the basket last night.

Smile?

Being a first time parent, I'm unaware of when children become old enough to smile and say "cheese" for the camera. But, I can tell you with great certainty that it is not at age 17 months.

We had the pleasure of visiting with some of my dearest friends from high school over the weekend - two of whom I had not seen in 14 years.

As no reunion is complete without photos, we tried to get one. Below are the results of trying to photograph four old friends and a six month old, a 15 month old, two 17 month olds, and a 4 year old (who I'm sure wondered what she did to deserve this.) The first photo is probably the best and it rapidly declined from there.

Notice in the foreground of this final photo that sweet baby E has managed to wiggle free and make a run for it with Baby Zog's sippy cup. I love knowing that my son isn't the only sippy cup snatcher out there!

Snow Day Video

I strung together some video shorts from yesterday's snow play to create a highlight reel. I'll go ahead and apologize for my horribly annoying "happy mommy voice." I really need to work on that! Click here to see video.

Can you say snow?

What a awesome view outside our window! The snow is beautiful and brings back fond memories of my childhood up north. Last time it snowed, Baby Zog was sick with a 102 degree fever, but not this time! This time, we got to play.

My mom gave baby Zog a sled for Christmas. Of course, my response was, "Mom, um, it's not gonna snow enough here for us to use this." Well, boy was I ever wrong. Thank you, Grandma for the sled you bought in Indiana and hauled all the way home in your car. Your grandson loved it! Here are a few pics.

I Love Surprises

Especially surprises that make me happy while saving me time, energy and money. So a big THANK YOU goes to Baby Zog's Sitti. She stayed with him this past weekend while Daddy Zog and I went away for the weekend to celebrate my birthday. As if that wasn't enough of a gift, Sitti also managed to take Baby Zog out for a surprise photo shoot. Oh what a great gift to come home to! Thank you also to Baby Zog's Aunt Deenie for chasing him around the studio and getting him to smile. I know from experience that is one heck of a workout!

Here are my favorites from the shoot. (Grandparents, aunts, uncles - don't worry, your copies of these photos are in the mail.)

Sixteen

Baby Zog is 16 months old today! I can't believe he's not a helpless baby anymore. It seems overnight he turned into a snack-requesting, sentence-speaking, ball-kicking, peek-a-boo-playing, hand-washing, picture-coloring (well sort of) BOY. Every day he says or does something that I had no idea he was capable of - like today when he said "triangle."

I told Daddy Zog that I think I'll remember the year between 12 and 24 months as my favorite. Other parents say every year gets better. If that is true, than I am going to have the most wonderful life any mom could have. Sure, life after Baby Zog is busier, but did we really need to spend four hours every Sunday afternoon watching Food Network? Life after Baby Zog is more frugal, but was it necessary to dine in style four nights a week when we now know that La Hacienda has the best $9.99 fajitas I've ever had? Sure, Valentine's Day was a little less eventful, but Daddy Zog cooked the best meal I've ever enjoyed, we drank way too much Castle Rock Pinot Noir in the comfort of our own home and I can't think of a better evening with the man I love. (Baby Zog did his part by going to bed at 7:05 p.m. and not waking up this morning until just after 8:00 a.m. - considering our wine consumption, we were most grateful for his generosity.)

So, here's to the first 16 months with my awe inspiring son. He amazes me every day and melts my heart with his. Kinda makes me want another one...

(Daddy Zog will choke when he reads that!)

Mini Monica

Anyone who has ever lived with me, spent the night at my house or just "observed" me will appreciate this story. It seems Baby Zog is at the age where it's becoming apparent that he inherited certain traits from his mother. While climbing up the stairs toward his room for nap time yesterday, my meticulous boy stopped at every piece of fuzz, lint, or other non-vacuumed item, pinched it between fore-finger and thumb, handed it to me, and said, "thank you" in a voice that made me wonder if I should curtsy and call him Sir. Who needs a dirt devil when you have a child like this? :)

Two Bits

We can agree that he doesn't need a shave just yet, but Baby Zog's first hair cut is a topic of much conversation in Zogland. Daddy Zog is firm on the "no cutting" rule. I waver back and forth. Some days I think his long, uneven, unruly hair is adorable. And then there are mornings like the one you see photographed here. No, we did not put his hair up in a giant hot roller. He just woke up this way -- with a full WAVE on top of his head. I tried water, magical mommy saliva, and hair products. Nothing would tame the wave.

For now, he is clear of the shears, but check back with me in another month or two.

For more closeups of his hair that morning and other pics from the month of January, click here.

Watch and Laugh

There is no introduction for this video. Consider it your glimpse into a regular Tuesday evening in Zogland. Just watch. You'll laugh. Promise. Click here: New Hat

Yea! Dinner!

I try to avoid using this blog to report on the mundane child-rearing that goes on in our house - and yours - every day. But, since shouting from the rooftop is dangerous, I have no other way.

Most readers of this blog are aware that Baby Zog is not a great meal eater. He has mastered the art of snacking, but when it comes to his three-squares each day, he'd rather not take the time. While the children of my friends are shoveling food in by the tray-full, my child prefers to take a few bites and proclaim "all done," leaving me to worry that he's malnourished. It's maddening. Dinnertime is usually when Daddy Zog and I pull out the wine/whiskey and gear up for disappointment.

But let it be known that my son ate for 27 minutes straight tonight! He ate corn, green beans, and black beans. He ate cheddar cheese, pasta, pineapple, and chicken nuggets. He kept asking for MORE! We could barely keep up with him. I had to run and get the camera. Funny how something this silly could have made this the BEST night EVER (as Daddy Zog proclaimed), but really, we're thrilled.

I'm sure it's just a growth spurt and two days from now we'll be back in our kitchen doing the please-eat-one-more-bite dance, but for now happiness rules over full tummies in Zogland.

Sorry for the boring post, but I had to write it down to prove it really happened. Pleasant dreams to all.

Snow Day Thought

I realized recently how often I casually use the word "hate." As in, "I hate unloading the dishwasher," Or, "I really hate it when my socks scrunch down in my shoes," or even, "I hate this silly commercial." Since we have entered the era of anything-that-comes-out-of-my-mouth-will-surely-come-out-of-Baby-Zog's-mouth-in-30-seconds I decided to see if this word was meant to be used so lightly. Thanks to dictionary.com, I discovered that hate means to "dislike intensely or passionately; to feel extreme aversion for." So, maybe I'm just annoyed when my socks scrunch down in my shoes....

I can tell you this though, I do hate it when my sweet boy is ill. As I was rocking him for two hours in the middle of the night last night, waiting for the Tylenol to bring his fever down, I decided that since becoming a mother, the list of things I "feel extreme aversion for" has grown. And everything on that list is something that might negatively affect my small son. Funny how becoming a mother could blow open my capacity to love, but yet has also increased my ability to hate. Maybe that is why they say having a child is like nothing you've ever experienced before. The level of emotion is so raw and intense...

Hmm, does this mean I can use motherhood as the reason why I really might actually hate unloading the dishwasher?

Happy Day

I can't really think of anything creative to say about Saturday other than it was a fun and happy day. The sun was shining and Baby Zog was in a very good mood - probably because I'd told him that Daddy Zog was returning home from his trip that afternoon. Anyway, I took several videos that day - mostly thinking of the grandparents who are now missing Baby Zog after fun holiday visits.

So, I present to you:

Good Morning Grover and Elmo - this one is kinda long

Bye Bye and Kisses - this should have been the end of the first video

Do Dee Do Dee Do Dee - a.k.a. Playing in the Drapes. This is my favorite video of him recently.

Yoggie - um, that's "Yogurt" in Baby Zog speak

Happy viewing!

Puppy Love

Due to a day of complex scheduling that allowed me to help out a friend, I didn't get to see Baby Zog for the first time today until nearly 6:00 this evening. As I watched the time tick away while I waited for his homecoming, I realized the feeling I had - that feeling of anxiousness and anticipation and excitement - was the same feeling I used to get as a teenager when I'd wait for a boy to pick me up for a date. Peering out the window every so often, pretending to be calm and not notice how slow the clock moves. Oh how silly to waste that wonderful feeling on a high-school boy. Seeing them at my door could never never live up to the graham cracker covered kiss and running-start hug I got tonight!

Back in the Saddle, Off with the Pants

Is it really January 5th already? Geez! Is it clique to say our holiday was "busy?" My mom says that's because kids these days don't live near their extended families. "It's not like it was when I was growing up." I think she's right. Afterall, between Daddy Zog and I we have parents and siblings in five states. The closest relative to us is a five hour drive. And so, after concluding our holiday with a wonderful eight-day trip to see the extended family Zog we are now home and trying to get back into our routine (read: thank goodness for daycare.) So, as I crawl out from piles of laundry and unopened mail, trying not to notice that the Christmas tree is still in full display (but never lit after December 31), I leave you with my favorite photo from the week of Christmas. More photos to follow soon. We'll title this photo "What Happens When Daddy Changes a Diaper." To quote Daddy Zog, "I didn't think he needed pants, but didn't want him to slip in his socks." Now that's some serious PhD-level thinking!

You Better Watch Out

As required by the generations (i.e. they did it to us, so now we do it to our kids) we got together with good friends tonight to take the boys (Baby Zog and his best bud) to see Santa at a local bank, grab a bite to eat and watch a local Christmas Tree lighting. It was a nice evening, but I am glad we opted for the less crowded, calmer setting of a small bank for our Santa outing rather than waiting in long lines at the mall because the fruits of our labor were, well....I'll just let the photos do the talking. Happy Holidays!

Is it wrong that these photos make me laugh a little?

Tips Not Found in Parenting Books

I learned a Mommy trick this weekend. If your 13-month-old has recently discovered Elmo as mine has (from story books, but not yet from the television), then anything with this furry new friend is exciting. This includes an Elmo band-aid box. Playing with this box will keep your little one occupied for at least 10 minutes (or long enough for you to dry your hair and apply some mascara).

Further more, just when the excitement of this box starts to wane, you can inform your 13-month-old that the box opens and suggest he see if he can figure out how to open it. This will buy you at least another two or three minutes, allowing you to use the bathroom and maybe even tie your shoes!






Of course, once he's mastered the box, it will cease to be interesting and he will throw it on the floor. Game over!

Christmas Card Attempts

Last year was easy. Lay six-week-old baby on bed. Make gurgle noises at baby. Snap baby's photo while he smiles.

This year was, um, different.

Thank goodness for digital cameras. If I remember correctly, film was expensive!