Yay!!

It's been a crazy week and I haven't had any time to sit down to blog! To make up for it, I will treat you to two videos.

So much is new in Zach's world. He now loves to take his socks off -- then eat them. This week we discovered he loves carrots, cheerios and bananas. He can officially push himself up into a seated position and earlier this week he learned how to clap!

Yay!

We spent much of the Saturday at Great Aunt Leeny's place. It was fun to see him scoot around on the hardwood floor. He can really travel some distance when there's no carpet to hold him back! He's still not quite mobile, but he's getting closer every day. He's figured out the hands and can reach really far for a toy. Once he gets those legs moving and he'll really take off.

In other news, I'm 99% sure Grandpa Burke is excited that Zach is growing up. Now they can play. :)

Let's Go Wild!!!

Check the MN Wild off Zach’s list.

Zachers attended his first (of many) MN Wild game last weekend.

We were a little worried about it because of the late start. Normally games start at about 7 p.m., but this game was an 8 p.m. start — Zach’s normal bed time.

Zach didn’t seem to mind the late start time. He just loved all the things to look at.

We were “seated” in the standing room section of the upper level, but it ended up working perfectly. There were high top seats and we were able to prop Zach on the bar-height table for most of the first period. Zach sat there contently watching the game. He wouldn’t even take his eyes off the ice for a photo with Mommy!

By the time the second period rolled around, Zach was put in the baby carrier. He almost made it through the entire game — staying awake until about 10:30 p.m. when he crashed on Mommy’s shoulder. Daddy took him for the final minutes of the game and when the loud fog horn blew to signal the end of the game, Zach didn’t even flinch. Nothing can wake him when he’s that tired.

He crashed hard that night, waking only when we were pulling him out of his car seat.

A Twins game this summer will round out his list of professional MN teams to see in his first year. Now that we’re St. Paul residents we’ll also have to throw a few Saints games in there.

Happy Valentines Day!!

Eczema? Gross.

Well, it’s official. Zach has eczema. The good news? It’s mild. It’s actually referred to as “winter cheeks.”

We finally brought him to the doctor last week after his red cheeks returned. We were there for all of 5 minutes.

Doctor walked in, looked at him briefly, asked a few questions and told us it was nothing to worry about.

Her biggest concerns were:
Is it bothering him? No.
Does he have a rash anywhere else? No.
Has his attitude changed? No.

She said there’s no way it’s a food (or milk-related) allergy. It’s too mild to be that.

She told us to “grease” his cheeks often and that should take care of it.

It’s been a couple weeks since his appointment and ... she’s right.

We’ve been applying Aveeno Baby Lotion (that stuff’s expensive!) to his cheeks at almost every diaper change and the redness has faded to an adorable baby pink.

Last week I went to visit my BFF and her babe. While there, another mommy stopped by with her 6-month-old (who had bright red cheeks). Maybe this was one of my over-reaction mommy moments. Live and learn.

Rocky, rocky.

It’s just a matter of time.

More and more Zachers will push himself up on all fours and rock back and forth. He’s just starting to creep — but he creeps backwards.

You hear stories about kids learning to crawl by enticing them with shiny objects. In my family’s home videos, my brothers and I are pictured urging Maddie with a pop can. Jamer’s mom said he used to reach for crinkled newspaper.

Zach just wants Annie.

It’s not uncommon for Annie (our golden retriever) to join us when we gather on the floor.

To Zach, that makes her fair game.

He reaches, scoots, smiles and squeals for Annie.

Recently, he’s been trying to steal her toys.

It usually goes a little something like this:

Zach and I sit for play and/or tummy time. Annie wanders over with Bubba (her favorite toy). Zach reaches for Bubba and grabs a stuffed limb. Annie sees Zach, grabs another stuffed limb and gently pulls Bubba out of Zach’s reach.

When Annie finally gets Bubba far enough from Zach, her furry paw becomes the subject of interest — for those of you who know Annie, you know she doesn’t like people messing with her paws. She usually folds them under herself (so that she looks legless) to keep people from grabbing them.

This is repeated about 15-20 times before Zach moves on to his own toys.

We’re very proud of Annie’s patience.

Growing, growing, growing

  On our way to see Sophie - Zach's future wife.

 Sophie Morgan Salas - isn't she a doll?!

After visiting little Sophie Salas (born Jan 29, 2011), I’m beginning to realize just how quickly my little one is growing up.

It’s hard not to want him to advance to the next level, but when I look back at pictures or videos, I can’t help but be sad at how big and independent he’s getting.

He used to be a lump that was attached to me 24/7. Now, he’s jumping, rocking on all fours and rolling. He’s obsessed with Annie and can tell me if he’s happy or sad.

He’s a big boy!

His new thing is telling  us when he’s in a good mood. He opens his mouth wide,  scrunches his nose and does a funny fake laugh. You know, those silent laughs that sound like someone is breathing funny?

His upset or bored noise is just a yell. No pitch change, just a yell. It’s like a cry with no emotion behind it. I translate it to, “I’m upset and you better fix it before I get really upset.” It’s actually pretty humorous to me.

Zach is now a rocking champ. He gets up on all fours and rocks. He also scoots himself backwards, which I’ve tried telling him is counterproductive.

We’re in the process of babyproofing. I bought an extra wide baby gate the other day and we’re currently in the market for outlet plugs and cabinet locks.

He can officially reach the little animals hanging on his mobile (when he’s on his tummy and can get that high). It’s only a matter of time before we have to lower his crib.

I can’t even believe it!

 Zach's new nose wrinkle smile. It's how he tells us he's happy. What a goofball.