See and Read About Our 2009

To see a larger version of the slideshow you see to your left, click here.

Happy Holidays and Hello from Zogland!

I tend to be chatty. I also tend to find my little family of three to be extraordinarily interesting and special. Keeping that in mind, I've attempted here to write about the highlights of our year. But know as you read this that I was holding back. When I count my abundant blessings, my husband and son are at the top of the list. The tippy top.

If you are short on time, I suppose you could just skip to the summary at the end. No one will ever know. Note for newcomers to this blog: in an attempt to avoid showing up in Google searches, I don't use our names.

I am often asked how we like living in Chapel Hill. We've been here since May 2008 and it's the third city we've lived in since we were married in 2002. Here is my answer: Hands down the best town ever, in the history of ever, or will ever be. No need to discuss. Ever.

Okay, on to us...

As we end 2009, Daddy Zog is wrapping up his third semester of school. Only three semesters remain until his PhD is in hand (2011). Anyone who knows him will not be surprised to learn that he is excelling in his program. He is a dedicated and diligent student who receives high praise and marks from his professors. This year he traveled to five conferences to present his research papers, was accepted for publication twice, and was even cited in a Federal Court decision. Best of all, he loves his work and feels he was meant to be in his field. He spent his summer teaching, and those weeks reaffirmed that he is on a fulfilling and exciting career path. In addition to his fellowship work, Daddy Zog managed to squeeze in a trip to the NBA draft in New York in June thanks to tickets his sister scored. All work and no play just wouldn't be fair!

What a change we witnessed in Baby Zog in the last 12 months. We celebrated his second birthday in October. You can browse this blog to examine his adventures from the year. His biggest achievements this year were learning to speak in full sentences, counting to ten, and naming the players on the Tar Heel men's basketball team. He loves Grover, Kermit the Frog, Woody and Buzz, bacon, guacamole, sticks, hats, checking the mail, and saying "bless you." He hates wearing coats, eating veggies, and having his hair washed. He's enrolled full time at an exceptional child care program at a nearby church. He is thriving there and we are reminded each morning as he runs to greet his teacher that we've found the right place for him. A big event for Baby Zog was recent surgery to place tubes in his ears. The surgery was a success and the positive change for him was immediate. We couldn't be more pleased.

It was a year of new beginnings for me (Mommy Zog.) Late in 2008, I lost my job with the magainze publishing company in Birmingham that I'd been with since 1999. Most recently, I'd been working from home, which left me with literally zero local business contacts. So, I updated my resume and joined the networking circus that, in June, led to my new position as the Business Development Manager for a community bank. Yes, that's right. I'm a banker now. Crazy, I know. The story of how I found this position is even more crazy unless you believe in God's intervention in our lives, which I fully do. This new job is amazing. The work is challenging and rewarding, my boss is encouraging and non-micromanaging, and my schedule is my own to keep. In addition to this new position, I also worked as the Event Manager for the North Carolina Literary Festival from April to September. I was busy for those months, but the work was incredibly rewarding.

So, in summary, we are happy - the kind of happy parents wish for their children. We are content, living in a great town, working fulfilling jobs, and enjoying every single second with our precious two-year-old who asks to listen to "Santa music" in the car and loves to talk about Baby Jesus and his mommy and daddy, Mary and "Jofish." This Christmas we've especially realized what people mean when they say everyhing is new again once you have a child.

We hope your 2009 was also full of happy times and wish you a memorable 2010 filled with things you love.

Peace, hope and blessings to everyone from Zogland!

Open Door Policy

Twas the night of December tenth,
And all through the house,
A little bird was flying,
thank God not a mouse!

See, the child was nestled,
all snug in his bed,
While visions of the smoke alarm waking him
Worried his parents' heads.

So the front door they left
wide open with care.
In hopes that the smoke from burnt dinner
would rush out of there.

And the smoke, it did leave.
And the alarm did not sound.
But that darn little bird
He flew round and round!

Baby Jesus and Coach Roy

Baby Zog received a super fun Nativity set from his Sitti yesterday. He loves his new toy!

When asked by Daddy to identify the members of the Nativity, Baby Zog quickly pointed out Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, Ramses and Coach Roy. I'm sure there is a Tar Heel translation of the Bible out there somewhere that would show this is an accurate account of Christmas. Right?

So far, Baby Zog's imagination has directed Baby Jesus to nibble on hay with the barn animals, Mary and Joseph to ride in the Little People school bus, the wise men to take naps and go to time out, the shepherds to kiss the angels, the camel to say "woof" and ride on the donkey and everyone to go inside the "farm" - i.e. stable. All of his new friends are getting along splendidly with Grover and Elmo and I think they will all get together for the holidays and exchange gifts.

Grover and the Operating Room

Yesterday was special for Baby Zog. After suffering through 13 ear infections, countless rounds of antibiotics, bottles of Motrin and daily ear drops we finally decided to proceed with surgery and put tubes in his ears. The surgery was yesterday morning. We were all a little nervous (and Baby Zog was hungry - rare occasion I know - no food or drink for over 12 hours going into surgery.) The procedure was quick and everything went according to the doctor's plan. In all, we were only at the surgery center for about 2.5 hours.

As he always manages to do, my sweet boy put his own "stamp" on the routine surgery. You see, Daddy Zog went back with Baby Zog to hold him until the anesthesia knocked him out. When Daddy Zog returned we realized Grover wasn't with him. I laughed and said, "I think Grover is in surgery right now!" A few minutes later, our wonderful Doctor confirmed that, yes, Grover had done great during surgery and was now in recovery with Baby Zog. We went to collect both of them.

About an hour after we arrived home Baby Zog seemed back to his normal self. After a very lengthy nap, he actually seemed better than normal. That is continuing today. We can already see a positive change in his behavior. We just know he feels good now. He is so happy and content and lively. That is how is should be. Also, I never thought it was possible for him to talk more or better than he did, but Daddy Zog and I have noticed an increase in his conversation already too. I had no idea his ears were affecting his behavior or hearing that much. I am sorry he suffered for two years, and beyond relieved to have found a solution.

The photo above was taken outside yesterday afternoon. As you can see, surgery didn't keep him down at all!

Afternoon Exuberance

Happy Sunday everyone! We had a very enjoyable weekend and I am trying to hold on to it by watching this video over and over. This is the result of a 2.5 hour nap followed by two sugar cookies at Harris Teeter. (Note to the grandmothers: Yes, we took him for a professional haircut yesterday. I'm sorry. It was a mess and getting in his eyes. His curls will grow back, I promise -- and they will grow back evenly this time becuase I was not the master of the scissors!)

Confession

My intention for this blog is to chronicle my son's life and in some way create a journal for him to look back to later on. For this reason, I feel I need to include the following little story...er, confession.

Many readers of this blog were also in attendance at Baby Zog's 2nd birthday party last month. Those party-goers might have been confused by the sequence of events that seemed to go as follows:
Gather guests around to sing
Bring Birthday Boy's cupcake to table
Light candle on cake
Help Birthday Boy onto his chair
Birthday Boy starts crying - hard - for no reason
Calm Birthday Boy down enough to sing to him
Birthday Boy is happy again and enjoys cupcake

Here is my confession: There is a missing piece to that sequence of events. Right between "light candle on cake" and "help birthday boy onto chair" we need to insert: Birthday Boy's mommy burns Birthday Boy's hand with blown-out match while helping Birthday Boy onto chair. Yep, that's right folks. I accidentally burned my kid at his own birthday party. See the above photo? See where he's pushing on his right palm with his left hand? That would be the spot where I burned him. Poor, sweet boy. Do I hear a nomination for Mother of The Year? Man, did I feel horrible.

Luckily, he was just fine and didn't even have a burn mark that lasted after the initial sting went away. We actually already look back on this as a "funny mom story." To me, the best part is that we have the photo with him holding his hand and crying - all with the "2" candle in the background to never let us forget which birthday it was. I love the look on his face, it seems to say, "gee, what did I do to deserve that?"

Maybe next year, Daddy should be in charge of all things related to fire.

For more photos of the birthday month, click here.

Two-Year-Old Doctor Visit

We are so happy to have had yet another "glowing report" from a Well Child check up at the doctor. I am so proud of Baby Zog and his development and feel very blessed by God to have a healthy, intelligent, happy, thriving child. Sometimes I just hold him and try to soak in the blessings from this precious boy. I pray we can raise him to fulfill his potential!

Here are the stats:

Height - 36 inches exactly (88%) -so according to the old wives' tale, he'll be exactly 6 feet tall as an adult.
Weight - 28.8 lbs (62%) - much better than in August when we were in the low 50%.
Cuteness - off the chart :)

Trunk or Treat

Tonight was a great night to "test drive" Baby Zog's Halloween costume at the annual "Trunk or Treat" held at the church where he attends daycare. Of course, being a church they insist on saying this is NOT a Halloween celebration. Riiiiiiight...it's a night where we decorate with pumpkins and ghosts, hand out candy, yell "trick or treat" and dress up in costumes. Definitely NOT a Halloween celebration whatsoever!

We joined in the fun by decorating our trunk (our theme was the oh-so-original "pumpkins") and passing out candy. Baby Zog and Daddy Zog went around from trunk to trunk and Baby Zog seemed to figure out what he was supposed to do - i.e. reach for candy, place candy in bucket and then say thank you. It seems if he has his trusted friend, Grover, by his side, he can accomplish anything. I really enjoyed watching my son experience something new and have fun with his little two-year-old friends. Click here to see a few pics of our family, featuring Baby Zog in his Woody costume (minus the red bandanna which he loudly refuses to wear around his neck.)

Round two will be on Saturday!

Happy Birthday Baby Zog!

Our sweet boy is two years old today. We celebrated with a party at his daycare yesterday. The out of town family members started arriving last night and will all be here in time for his big party on Saturday. Here is the video from his party at school. More to follow soon. Happy Birthday Baby Zog! I love you more every day.

Yo Ho, Yo Ho a Game Day For Me

I shot this video last week. It was supposed to feature Baby Zog in his new pirate hat. The hat is the newest addition to his growing collection of hats. We have cowboy hat, fireman hat, safari hat, construction hat, fishing hat, numerous baseball hats, and now pirate hat! (It was supposed to be a birthday gift, but I'm not good at being patient with surprises.)

Anyway, the video turned into a little bit of everything, including his rendition of Sunny Days (the Sesame Street theme song.)

The game you hear in the background is not, thank goodness, the awful Tar Heel loss of that day. :(

Enjoy

Seasons

What a difference a year makes in the life of the smallest fan!

September 2008

VS.

September 2009

Under Means To Look Below

When Baby Zog was born (almost two years ago if you can believe that!) I remember Daddy Zog being overwhelmed by the simple fact that the baby knew nothing. "It's our job to teach him E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G," Daddy Zog remarked.

And so, we set out to do just that. Lately, Daddy Zog's lessons are often missing the mark in age-appropriateness and they make me laugh. But I applaud his efforts. Teachings I've heard imparted to my 23-month-old this weekend include:

"Safe means to no longer be in danger's path."

"Under means to look below."

"When someone does something that assists you, you should tell them they are appreciated."

But the purpose of this blog post is to brag on the new thing I taught Baby Zog! I couldn't be happier with the time he wakes up in the morning. It is often after 7:30 a.m. which is wonderful in toddler world. However, I was starting to grow weary of the way he woke up - crying and crying until we'd rescue him from his crib. And so, a few days ago I began starting each morning with a lesson: "You don't have to cry when you wake up, son. You can say 'I'm awake. Come and get me!'" I explained.

Well, this morning, guess what we heard through the monitor (at 7:55 a.m. no less):

"I'm awake Mommy. Daddy, come get me!"

So far, I haven't heard Baby Zog tell anyone he appreciates them, but the day is young.

P.S. This photo is of my boys enjoying college football yesterday. I'm sure Daddy Zog tried to explain "running the option" to Baby Zog while they were sitting on the couch.

This is how we know we're alive

Most of you don't know this, but I've spent the last six months working as the Event Manager of the Children's Area for the state Literary Festival that happens every two years. Yes, I know, I started a new job in June. I've been doing both!

The Literary Festival has been a lot of work - especially in the last month - but I really enjoy event planning, so I am happy for the experience and the new line on my resume.

The festival was this weekend and we couldn't have ordered a more wonderful, successful event - or more perfect weather! I am pooped (as my mom would say.) As I sit here typing, my wrists ache, my eyes are heavy, and I am contenplating cutting off my feet to get rid of the pain.

But here's one thing I've realized. Hard work reminds me that I am capable of more than I do on a daily basis. Getting out of my routine and reaching a new goal expands my ability to succeed in other areas of my life.

And then there is the high of my family coming to see me at the Festival - coming to see the result of my work. Watching Baby Zog hug Clifford the Red Dog, give high five to the Berenstain Bears, make a character mask and dance to new music was so inspiring. I love to watch him try new things, go to places we don't visit every weekend, meet new people, and find humor in unfamiliar places.

I thrive off routine probably more than the next person, but every now and then I think I'll try something that brings a new element to our lives and creates a weekend that will always live in my memory instead of slipping away. It makes me feel like we are actual LIVING.

Where does he get these things?

So this afternoon Baby Zog and I were sitting on the playroom floor building a house (as we do EVERY afternoon these days.)

Well then, I got a tickle in my throat and began to cough. Baby Zog walked over to me, patted me on the back a couple times and looked down into my face and said,"Everything okay here?" like a cop checking in a a domestic dispute.

Oh, he is so precious and so funny. Where on earth does he get this stuff?

Sorry for the "puffy eye" pic. It's the only one I have from recent days. His eye looks much better now. The cut is healing quickly and the swelling is gone. We're down to just a deep, dark purple bruise across his eyelid.

Night Night Tar Heels

It's almost September. I love September because everything is new again. I know I should get this feeling in January, but between being a student until I was was 22 (and for one miserable year later on), being married to a perpetual student, and having parents who are teachers, I have always operated on the school calendar instead.

This September newness can bring excitement about a variety of things, but in our house, front and center is the glorious new sports season. First football, followed by (but second to) basketball. I am aware of the long list of other sports, but here in Zogland, these two are the important ones. (Daddy Zog wishes I'd cave and include baseball in that list, but I just can't get into a sport that doesn't involve a play clock.)

Even more exciting than sports in general is college sports. For a girl who didn't grow up loving sports and didn't go to a big college, I sure do get excited when I hear the music that means ESPN Game Day is on my television. I admit that husband has officially converted me. And these days, in this house, college sports means one thing: GO TAR HEELS! Everyone in Zogland is ready and waiting for the new season of Tar Heel sports - even the littlest Zog. We are beaming with pride that he can name everyone on the '09 Championship Team, he even knows the coaches. We just need to work on his pronunciation of Ramses:

A Little Fall

Yesterday afternoon the Day Care Director called (never a good thing):

"Baby Zog had a little fall. He might need a little stitch. You should come get him."

So, to the daycare I went, worried about my son (and also worried about the $150 copay we'd have to dish out for a ER visit.)

Turns out - according to the five teachers that swarmed me to show concern - that he was playing with another child, tripped and fell and hit his face on the corner of the lunch/craft table. Thankfully, these tables have very rounded corners. Also good that he didn't hit his actual eye.

Because the injury is on his face, our pediatrician said we needed to take him to the ER in case a plastic surgeon would need to be involved. Not wanting to ruin his perfect, handsome face forever, we headed to the ER.

I'll save you the details, but I have to give props to the Pediatric ER at University Hospital yet again. We were in and out in under an hour. They were all kind, professional, caring and thorough. The doctor explained that he needed to make sure the area around the eye wasn't fractured, etc. I hadn't even thought of that! We left with no stitches and were told all should heal well with a minimal scar that will fade as he ages.

Oh, and the Day Care quickly made sure I knew they'd reimburse us for any out of pocket expenses. (Hmm...they must remember that Baby Zog's daddy is still a barred attorney. hee hee hee.)

He slept like a champ last night, and doesn't seem too bothered by the injury (unless he touches it on accident and then he just says, "ow.)

Although I do think he remembers falling because so far this morning, as we sit and play, Baby Zog is playing that his toys are falling. "Grover fall. Michael fall." I tell him that we pick up Grover and give him a hug and then the doctor says everything will be just fine.

We were lucky this time. I know he's going to get hurt - especially as we go through the next few years. I just pray they will all be like this one.

Funny Dance

So we were at a birthday party yesterday and while enjoying his celebratory cupcake, Baby Zog decided to break out his new "move" for the crowd. We have no idea where it came from, but it sure is funny. The best part is he KNOWS it's funny and is still doing it for us today.

Thummus

It's about 6:40 p.m. in Zogland and this is what you'll see - pretty much every night. Take a close look. Yes....that is a tub of Hummus. This is what Baby Zog eats for dinner nearly every night. In fact, these days, it's one of the few things he will actually eat. The child loves Hummus - or "Thummus" as he refers to it with hunger in his voice. We offer him a variety of other foods daily, but this is the one that lights up those brown eyes and opens that adorable mouth.

Now look even closer. Yep! You are seeing correctly. In his left hand is a tortilla chip and in his right - indeed is a spoon. As you might suspect he doesn't actually eat the chip (and thankfully he doesn't try to eat the spoon.) He merely uses these two devices as shovels for transporting the hummus to his mouth...rapidly.

Many of you are now thinking, "oh, great, he likes hummus, you can get him to dip veggies in it." Um, wrong. I've tried. He's not falling for that trick.

So, to summarize: my child eats hummus straight - with a spoon. At least 6 days a week. About a third of that tub will be gone in one meal. We live in fear of running out of hummus and keep a ready supply in the fridge.

Alas, at least he's eating...

Picture This

Thursday night I pulled out a stack of old photos to search for a cute baby pic of myself. We have to take them to work for some secret purpose (but I happen to know there is a surprise staff appreciation day next week and I'm sure these two pieces of information are connected.)

Anyway, I found this photo of a 3-year-old me. But then at the last minute I found a better photo and this photo was left on the kitchen counter.

As all things on the counter do, this photo magically found its way to the kitchen floor by the next afternoon. Baby Zog picked it up, held it up to us and said, "That's Mommy!"

He has never seen this photo before and was asleep when I was rummaging through them the previous night.

I was speechless for a brief moment and finally congratulated him on his correct observation (and for being a kind boy and gently handing the photo back to me.) All Daddy could say was, "WOW!"

So now, I have to wonder: Is this how he sees me? Do we all look like toddlers in the eyes of an actual toddler? Does he see past the age on my face to the basic elements that are still buried there somewhere? So many questions.

Regardless, it was pretty cool that he knew it was me!

Poe-Tay-Toe and Surprise

Baby Zog has two new things. Well, really I feel like he does something new daily, like today when informed Daddy it was time to go pick up Mommy from the gym. Anyway, here are the two new things:

1.) First, he is obsessed with his Potato Head toys. When we tried to teach him the word "potato," his daddy broke it down phonetically for him and it just stuck. So, they are lovingly referred to as Poe-Tay-Toe heads.

2.) Second, he has learned to show the expression of surprise. The funny part is that he doesn't know when to appropriately use it. For example:

Mommy: "Would you like some milk, son?"

Baby Zog: (opens mouth, inhales loudly and shows element of surprise)

Good stuff.

So now, enjoy this video which displays both (lucky for you, I edited out the part where he instantly throws a fit becuase he wants to see the Poe-Tay-Toe Head on the camera. Yes, he is almost two...)