Christmas Cabin Trip

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas 09! Whew, Christmas this year was a fun, special, busy, stressful, week long event. For the third year in a row, Matt was fortunate enough to get Christmas week off of work.

We started out 'Christmas Week' by going to Heber Springs on Sunday. Matt, Mama Doot, and Zane picked me up after work and we spent two nights at the cabin. I love being at the cabin because it's so relaxing. I feel like I can just sit. No TV (I mean, there is a TV, I just don't feel the need to turn it on unless the Razorbacks are playing). No laundry. Just hanging out, enjoying the fire, and eating way too much. One of the highlights this trip was the entertainment provided by Tyler and Matt as they played Dancing With the Stars on the Wii.....never thought I'd see these two brothers doing choreographed dancing! Ha! Ok, so there's another reason to turn on the TV.

*Love this pic of my boys in their matching flannel*Santa found us at the cabin, too! He brought me a Snuggie...yes, a Snuggie, but not just any ole Snuggie! This one had my name monogrammed on it! HA! Too bad I don't have picture of me modeling it. It's pretty fabulous. Santa brought Zane a moose, moose ears, and the book If you Give a Moose a Muffin. Nice themed gift, Santa.

*This is Zane's new face that he started making last week. It looks like he's yelling in these pictures...but, no. Just showing us his teeth. And yes, of course he's "hungry as a bear". How else would you describe a little boy at the breakfast table in a log cabin?

*What a sweet picture of Zane and his Mama Doot

*And this last picture is of my little baby boy trying to turn into a big boy. He's officially walking. And climbed his first set of stairs about, oh, five minutes after we got to the cabin.

Christmas Week 09 to be continued....

Santa Baby

Remember the post about the pumpkin patch? Well, same song, different verse. I could pretty much just tell the same story, but insert "picture with Santa" in the place of "pumpkin patch". I never knew the stresses of planning family outings and picture opportunities with a baby! When you take into consideration our work schedules, Zane's random napping schedule, and never knowing when that cute little outfit is gonna get ruined by a big ole, explosive poopy diaper....well, it's a lot harder than it should be to get a simple picture with Santa!

Zane did not take a nap this morning. I dropped him off to shop with my mom and grandma while I got a haircut, then we all met for lunch. After a morning of shopping and a full tummy, Z was one worn out little boy. But I was determined that today was the day for that boy to meet Santa! He did NOT cry. He also did NOT smile. Let's just say he was a little mesmerized. The look on Z's face is priceless!

Although he looks scared to death, I think he was more confused. He didn't make a peep. He just kept staring at him. Then he would look down at the white trim on his sleeve. And then back to staring at his bearded face! Santa told him that he was officially moved from the 'naughty' list to the 'nice' list, somewhere around nine months, because that's when he started letting him mommy sleep more. :) I never heard him tell Santa what he wants for Christmas, so I really hope he sent him a letter. How awful would it be if Santa didn't know what gifts to bring this cute little boy?

it must be a boy thing....

Zane has started playing with his toys differently. And I think it must be a boy thing. It's like he's rough housing with his toys. Well, see for yourself....

First, he stands up in front of the toy....

Then, he pulls on the toy as hard as he can. He usually grunts &/or whines during this step of the process...............

Then, he falls backwards.....

And pulls the toy on top of him. (i have no idea why this is underlining, but i can't figure out how to make it stop, so we're going with it....)

He does this over and over again! I don't think this is the way little girls play with their toys, but maybe I'm wrong?

Another "boy" thing he loves to do is "punch" Matt in the face. Matt overreacts, yells "OOOHHHH", and stumbles backwards. Zane thinks it's just the most fun game he's ever played. He "punched" Papa Skeet all the way out the door when he was leaving for work!

Zane has learned a new talent, which we both thought was HILARIOUS! Kind of regretting the 'star on your head' song I was singing to him. But it's worth it just to listen to Z laughing in this video. And he kind of reminds me of the walrus that balances the beach ball on its nose. I'm just saying, you know, if he doesn't get drafted into Major League Baseball, or med school doesn't work out, he could always join the circus....but, then again, Matt is scared of clowns.

Eleven months old

Eleven months old. hmmm...not sure how I feel about this. Eleven months. The last month before he's one YEAR. A whole number. I better keep doing these monthly posts, though. It's the only thing that keeps me on task and guarantees a post each month.

At eleven months, Zane:

*Will walk as long as he has one hand on the wall, my hand, the couch, a toy, etc. But it's just for security, not support. He could take off and go if he was brave enough. He can stand forever by himself and has taken some unassisted steps.

*Crawls normally on carpet. On hard floors he crawls with his right foot and slides his left leg and bottom! Saving those knees, I guess?

*Pats his head when asked, "Where's your head?" and his belly when asked, "Where's your belly?"

*Likes to turn off/on light switches. When someone says, "Thank you" he mimics with the same connotation. Does the same thing with "Happy Thanksgiving!"

*His favorite hobby is opening and closing cabinet doors, bedroom doors, and drawers.

*Does NOT understand "No no". He goes right back to the places he just got in trouble for! What the heck? I have no idea how to stop this.

*Added "uh-oh" to his vocab.

See how he's grabbing that shoelace? He wants to "floss" with it. Guaranteed. He "flosses" his teeth with any string, yarn, cord, etc that he can get his hands on. Just a word of advice to you parents out there.....don't give your 11 month old dental floss to play with. Just sayin......maybe we learned the hard way, maybe not. I'll never tell....

This is Zane with his third? cousin, Hunter. My favorite Hunter quote of the day: His grandma (my aunt) asked him how he pees. I'm expecting him to say "in the potty" or "like a big boy". Nope. Hunter's answer: "Like a race horse!" HA!

Here is Zane playing with his new toy that Aunt Claudia brought to my mom's house. LOVED it! He played with it for hours! Thank you Claudia and Hunter for your hand-me-down toys!Here's a video of Zane playing peek-a-boo. Hunter walks in the house at the end of the video. Around 20 seconds. Please note how Z totally zones in on him and looks completely enthralled!



Now, let the birthday planning begin!

Halloween monkey, plasma cars, and that darned pumpkin patch

Surprise! Zane-O was a monkey for his first Halloween! Cutest little monkey I've ever seen! We didn't do any door-to-door trick or treating...just went to Memaw's and Mama Doot's. Aunt Lindsey, Uncle Erik, Nana, & Bo Joe all came to bring the little monkey goodies. Doesn't he look thrilled?

Here's our little family on Halloween. I really didn't want to use this picture because I look F-A-T, but it's the only one we took together. Besides, maybe everyone will focus on the cute little boy and my handsome husband. No more Halloween candy for me!

He's just trying to decide which tree to swing from first....

Having a monkey snack

Anyone got a banana?

So, moving on to plasma cars. Friday night we decided we'd go watch the Pulaski Academy and Little Rock Christian football game. We pulled up to a very dark, very empty, LRC football stadium. It seems we miscalculated and were a little early for the game.....as in, a whole week early! I felt pretty goofy because I had Z dressed up in his football sweater and hat. When we got back home, our neighbors were outside carving pumpkins and invited us over to play. Madison and McKinley have these cool plasma cars that were lots of fun!

And that DARNED Pumpkin Patch! You may have read my earlier hissy fit about wanting to take Zane to the pumpkin patch. On Saturday afternoon we decided to attempt another trip to that mysterious field full of pumpkins to capture pictures of our little pumpkin. We followed the signs...Pumpkin Patch 5 miles...Pumpkin Patch 2 miles...Pumpkin Patch 500 feet................

PUMPKIN PATCH CLOSED!

NO WAY!

I honestly did not believe it was closed and told Matt to keep driving! I would open a gate, climb a fence, do whatever it took to get into that patch.

Except that the next sign said "WATCH FOR ALLIGATORS"!

Maybe next year?

Ten months old

**Update: Z had his nine month checkup today (at 10 months). He got his first flu shot and put on a pretty good little show. Once again, Dr. Magee said that he's perfect!

Length: 29.29 inches (75th%)

Weight: 20lb 4.5oz (25-50th%)

Head Circumference: 47cm (90th%) He's got his daddy's "Bell Head"!

Happy early Halloween! I'm not much of a Halloween person, but I do love fall. I think we found the perfect little pumpkin this year, too!Today is Zane's 10 month birthday! That means only two months until he's....you know....not a baby!? (I know, that was some hard math I just performed, right?)

Not only does he keep getting bigger and smarter each month, but he gets funnier! So maybe I'm a little biased, but I really think he is the funniest kid! He knows that he's funny, and does stuff just to make us laugh! Our all time fave is still the good ole Popeye face!What a stinker! He loves "Pumpkin Bear" that you see in the picture. KayeKaye gave it to him. Pumpkin Bear usually stays in the carseat, but made an escape for picture time. Z knows that PB stays in the car, and as soon as I put him in the carseat he is reaching for it. When you squeeze its hand, it laughs (in a kind of creepy way) and says "Happy Halloween". Z thinks that's pretty funny and learned how to make it work by biting its hand.

Zane and Pumpkin Bear

Zane and Frankie

You want me to what? Sit down? No, thanks!

At 10 months, Zane:

*Finally has somewhat of a schedule: Breakfast, play, bottle & nap, lunch, play, bottle and nap, play, dinner, bath, bedtime!

*Consistently goes to bed around 7:30 or 8. He usually wakes up once in the early morning (4 or 5), takes and bottle and goes back to sleep. As luck would have it, if it's a morning that I work, I wake him up by putting him in the car...around 7:15. Of course, if it's a day I'm off.....and want to sleep....guess who's up at 6:30?! Zane-O! Ready to play!

*Still scratches everything! He's got some kind of weird obsession with different textures.

*Calls all dogs "Lola". And "Lola" is said in a deep voice. Different than other words, such as "Dada". That is said in a really sweet, high pitched voice.

*Will pat his head when asked where his head is.

*Will wave his hands in the air and "Call the Hogs!"

*Fake coughs on demand

*Growls and pants like a dog.

*Will eat anything you put in his mouth or on his high chair!

*Loves his stuffed lamb. Well....loves to bite her face, anyway!

*Pays close attention to detail. Rather than pull the dogs' tail or ears, he will gently pinch one whisker or toenail. He seems to always pick out the smallest little detail on things.

*Pulls up, crawls, wants to walk SO badly...and can do it if he holds onto something with one hand, and can stand unassisted for about 30 seconds.

Sorry for the long post...probably boring to everyone but me. I just want to remember what he was doing at this age! Recently I got some good video of some of the funny things he's doing and will try to post them later.

Love this kid....especially when he looks like this:

The Pumpkin Patch

I bet you clicked on here and expected to see pictures of our cute little family at the pumpkin patch, right? It is that time of year....and all the good moms and dads are taking their kiddos to pick out the perfect pumpkin, go on a hayride, and take cute family pictures on a hay bail.Well, that's exactly what you WON'T see here! Why? Because 'life' gets in the way. Let me explain...

Friday morning started out perfectly! Matt and I were both off of work on the same day! That only happens about one day a month at our house (that's no exaggeration). Zane had only been up once (at 5am, took a bottle, went back to sleep) and then slept til 8! This meant that mommy & daddy got to sleep til 8, too! That hasn't happened since Pre-Zane! Matt brought Zane to our bed and we all had snuggle time. Then we ate breakfast together--all three of us!

After weeks of raining, the sun was shining and it was a beautiful fall day. A perfect day for Zane's first pumpkin patch trip! Now, we just need to clean up the breakfast mess, get everyone bathed, Daddy run some errands.....oh, yeah, then Zane needs his nap.....that lasted 2 hours....and then he's up, so back to getting ready for the pumpkin patch...We're all dressed and ready....oh, wait....Zane's hungry. Got to feed him lunch...and clean that up...oh, my! It's NOON?! But, but....I've got to be at my hair appointment (that I've had scheduled for a month) at one.....and Dad's got to be at the airport at 1:30. So....no time for the pumpkin patch, huh?

And then I acted like a third grader, complete with slamming stuff on the counter, throwing a dish towel in the sink, and tears. CAUSE I WANNA GO TO THE STINKIN' PUMPKIN PATCH AND LOOK LIKE A NORMAL FAMILY! We're always so busy, and work crazy schedules, and just never have time for 'normal' stuff. Later that day, my great neighbor & friend, Jaime, told me that, "Guess what? That is a normal family! Something is always gonna come up!"

Well, we were all dressed and ready, so we took few pictures on the front steps instead. I am very thankful that I got to spend the morning with my two boys, even if my plans didn't turn out the way I'd hoped! Maybe we'll make it to the pumpkin patch one day, Zane! Just know that your mom & dad gave it a valiant effort!

Lately...

Lately, Zane has been nothing less than an angel. He is such a sweet little boy. He will deliberately give kisses. Big, open-mouthed kisses. When Zane woke up Friday morning, Matt went and got him and brought him to our bed. He sat him right between us. He crawled up to Matt and gave him a kiss. Then, he turned to me, placed his little hand on my cheek, and gave me a kiss. Probably the sweetest moment of my life. I want to bottle it up and keep it forever.Lately, Zane has learned to sleep. I can't begin to describe what my life has been like regarding the sleep issues we've had since he was born, but to sum things up...until about a month ago, he was still getting up every TWO hours. Every.Single.Night. And I was a crazy, psycho, sleep-deprived, emotional, looney tune. To put it mildly. But lately, Z's been going to bed around 7:30/8 o'clock and sleeping until 4:30/5. He'll take a bottle and then go back to sleep until 7:30 or so. Heavenly days! I feel human again!

Lately, Zane has been crawling all over the place.Lately, he's been pulling up on everything.Lately, he keeps at least one bruise on his head at all times....because, what pulls up, must come down....Lately, he loves the puppy dogs. He crawls around following them. He growls at them. And he pants. So, lately he sort of thinks he's a dog. And he calls all dogs "Lola". Lola continues to be his favorite word. First thing out of his mouth when he wakes up in the morning. First of about the, oh, five thousand times he says it in one day.Lately, his favorite toy is this Baby Einstein thing. He pulls up on it and chews on it. He's also figured out how to turn one of the gadgets to make animal sounds.
Lately, I've felt incredibly lucky to be Zane's mom.

Zane's first work of art?

Zane decided that our bedroom door would make a great canvas for his first art project! Now that we have a crawler, the adventures have begun. He crawled over to the door, got his hand in some grease that was on the hinge (I have no idea why it was covered in grease???), and made a pretty little picture on our door! See the cute hand print? No worries, though. It's nothing a little Magic Eraser couldn't fix!

A few pictures of our little monkey....

Still loving the Popeye face! As Matt said tonight, "It will always
be funny--no matter how many times he does it!"