Win 20 Pairs of Baby Leg Warmers from babySNAZZ!
If you don't know what these are...they're FANTASTIC. They're legwarmers for babies. You use these with a pair of socks and it's a great great substitute for tights under a dress (all you parents with baby girls KNOW what *fun* it is to change a diaper with a squirming girl and tights). For you parents with boys, they're just as useful. Think about the winter time...you're letting the babe crawl around in a onesie, but it's cold with just that. SO you slip these on and it is OH SO STYLISH. You should see the different varieties (there's even a ladybug style and a skull and crossbones).
Oh, and they're great under pants when those are forever riding UP the babies' legs.
If you don't have kids and you sign up for the contest...if you win, you can always give these to Z. We love them and so does Miss Laura at daycare. :)
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Yet another Thanksgiving picure...
probably one of the favorites...It's rare to get Unka G from THIS side of the camera!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Can't wait for turkey!!!!
Just before we let her dig into some turkey! "Turkey for you...turkey for me." Thanks, Unka G, for the pictures!
Turkey Day!
Hmm....Just learning how to use her new work bench. When she got the hang of it, Z quickly went PRO!
Waving to the Rays
MVI_0134
Originally uploaded by dRfruitLOOP
Aquarium Video
MVI_0151
Originally uploaded by dRfruitLOOP
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Zoe would like to tell everyone out here in cyber-world, "HAPPY THANKSGIVING!" She is very thankful for her family, her friends, her lambie (who she sleeps with), her kitty named Peanut (who may or may not feel the same way), and everyone who stops and tells her how cute and happy and friendly she is.
Seriously now, we'd like to, as a family, comment on how very thankful we are for all of the wonderful people in our lives. Over the last year to year and a half, from before Zoe was born to now, there have been many people who have come into our lives, or have been there but have been a HUGE part of this time. Noah and I have been very grateful for the people in our lives, who have touched our lives in so many ways. You have all helped in your own way, in so many different ways, and we are so thankful for having you in our lives. Zoe has benefited in so many ways, and we appreciate it so much.
This is a time to just stop, reflect, and thank all of those who are such an influence on us, and more importantly, on Zoe. All of you have helped contribute to her well-being, her growth and devleopment, and her future. Thank you.
Seriously now, we'd like to, as a family, comment on how very thankful we are for all of the wonderful people in our lives. Over the last year to year and a half, from before Zoe was born to now, there have been many people who have come into our lives, or have been there but have been a HUGE part of this time. Noah and I have been very grateful for the people in our lives, who have touched our lives in so many ways. You have all helped in your own way, in so many different ways, and we are so thankful for having you in our lives. Zoe has benefited in so many ways, and we appreciate it so much.
This is a time to just stop, reflect, and thank all of those who are such an influence on us, and more importantly, on Zoe. All of you have helped contribute to her well-being, her growth and devleopment, and her future. Thank you.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Possible Future Careers for Our Miss Z??
Fashion model...
Ballerina...(she looks like she's dressed for ballet class!)
Piano maestro...
Electrician or Computer technician...
Housekeeper or Tiler...
Carpet installer or cat whisperer...
Construction work, specializing in door installs...
What do you think??
Ballerina...(she looks like she's dressed for ballet class!)
Piano maestro...
Electrician or Computer technician...
Housekeeper or Tiler...
Carpet installer or cat whisperer...
Construction work, specializing in door installs...
What do you think??
"Walk with the animals..."
Sunday, Noah and Zoe went to visit with some family. As much as I would have liked to have been there, I was home sick with the flu (still am!). Noah's Aunt Susan and Cousin Jenna have come up to visit colleges in the area, so Grandma, Grandpa and Unka G got together with Susan and Jenna, and invited us along. Apparently, Unka G got some nice pictures and video, and as soon as he posts them, I'm going to add some to the blog.
First, there was the trip to the Hard Rock Cafe. Zoe did her normal restaurant routine of charming the pants off of everyone and playing her favorite game "let's see how many times I can get Daddy to pick up my rattle".
Then it was off to the Boston Aquarium. Apparently, Z liked the sharks the best. Noah said she had a blast hanging by the big tank and looking at all of the animals swimming by, and when something was particularly exciting, would say so with a "Woooo". She ended the day with some nice new toys from Aunt Susan and Cousin Jenna (bath toys and a "clacker" book in the shape of a fish, which she LOVES), and a towel to keep her legs warm (someone will have to clarify who gave her that) because we forgot to pack a blanket for her, and a stuffed shark finger puppet from Unka G.
The trip exhausted her, but she seemed to have a great time, and shared all her goodies with me when she came home. She wouldn't stop jabbering away about her fun!!
First, there was the trip to the Hard Rock Cafe. Zoe did her normal restaurant routine of charming the pants off of everyone and playing her favorite game "let's see how many times I can get Daddy to pick up my rattle".
Then it was off to the Boston Aquarium. Apparently, Z liked the sharks the best. Noah said she had a blast hanging by the big tank and looking at all of the animals swimming by, and when something was particularly exciting, would say so with a "Woooo". She ended the day with some nice new toys from Aunt Susan and Cousin Jenna (bath toys and a "clacker" book in the shape of a fish, which she LOVES), and a towel to keep her legs warm (someone will have to clarify who gave her that) because we forgot to pack a blanket for her, and a stuffed shark finger puppet from Unka G.
The trip exhausted her, but she seemed to have a great time, and shared all her goodies with me when she came home. She wouldn't stop jabbering away about her fun!!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Another Baby Carrier Contest
Win a Free Organic Embroidered Ergo Baby Carrier Hands Free System from Along for the Ride This time you could win a free Ergo baby carrier.
I've entered, and putting this link on the blog supposedly gets us another entry. Even if you don't have kids, or do the baby wearing, you could enter...if you win, I'll take it off your hands! :)
I've entered, and putting this link on the blog supposedly gets us another entry. Even if you don't have kids, or do the baby wearing, you could enter...if you win, I'll take it off your hands! :)
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Decisions, Decisions...
As a lot of people know, Zoe has been eating her morning cereal made with Neocate, a hypoallergenic formula that is broken down to the amino acids (building blocks of protein, if you didn't know). This is the smallest part a protein that the formula can be broken down, the most specialized form of formula. You can't even get it in the store...so needless to say, what we are about to announce is something that has taken a lot of time and energy for us to think about.
We've decided to wean Zoe from breastmilk to the Neocate. This was not an easy decision to make. I was having a hard time pumping to just keep up with Zoe. So, we kept trying to get her to take the formula in a bottle (not a simple feat because it's just not the same as what she's used to). Then, a couple of weeks ago, she just took it. Maybe Zoe just got used to it, or maybe she was hungry enough to take it. Regardless, she finally started taking it in a bottle, not just in her cereal. Trust me when I say how difficult this was to GET her to take it (at first we wanted her to be able to take it just in case I wouldn't be able to keep up with her). We flavored it different ways, had Noah try to give it to her, have me try to give it to her, had her daycare provider, Laura, try to give it to her. We tried different bottles, sippy cups, and even on a spoon, with and without a little cereal. She just WOULDN'T take it for the longest time.
Needless to say, taking the Neocate has made our life a little easier. It eased the stress I was feeling about not being able to keep up with Zoe (I'd been able to pump enough for one bottle for Zoe in one session at work, and while I was there, she'd take 2 bottles....do the math!). As she took to it more, we came to the decision that to ease my stress at work from not having enough time to do my work and to pump, not being able to get enough for Zoe, all of it. So, we started transitioning Zoe so that she takes 2 bottles of formula while at day care, and then I nurse still morning and night.
Instead of it alleviating my stress, it actually got more stressful. I won't go into details about how, but I was having a difficult time with it. So, after doing this for a couple of weeks, we, I, came to the decision to completely wean Zoe to the formula. Know the saying, "if momma ain't happy..." well, this is a sad decision to make, a difficult one, but I kept stressing about the half and half situation we had...this takes the guess work out of it. I was constantly guessing about the foods I couldn't eat, and if what I was eating was okay for Zoe, and it killed me whenever we'd go back to the doctor's office and wonder if there is blood in her stool or not.
We've also been told, because this is such a specialized formula, it can help her stomach heal so tha it can eventually take those proteins eventually (dairy, soy, and possibly egg). So, that's made this decision a lot easier to handle. And, with everything I've read about the formula, it can help reduce the spit up too. So, let's hope that it does what it is supposed to.
Unfortunately, there are not any over the counter alternatives. There is one other amino acid based formula, but that's it.
Fortunately, we have been able to get a few free cans from some generous people. I was pointed to a website where you fill out a short survey, and then they send you a free can of Neocate. They've filled out the survey and have sent us the can. It's definitely made this easier. Zoe is going to be on Neocate at LEAST until she's a year, and probably longer. And, if it's not Neocate, then there are toddler versions, if she's not on milk, at that point. (if anyone is interested in the survey to help out, go to www.testforallergy.com. It's easy and you won't get stuck getting 202384 emails after!)
This has not been an easy decision for me, but to have a happy baby, you must have a happy mommy. Stressing out is not going to make a happy mommy. So, this past week, we've dropped the night feeding, and this weekend, we'll be dropping the morning feeding so that she's on Neocate 100% of the time. It makes me sad to know that I won't be nursing Zoe for the year that I had planned, and I also think that if we hadn't had the health issues develop and having get rid of the milk stash I did have, I'd be feeling much differently, and we probably wouldn't be weaning at this stage.
While this is a difficult decision and does not come without some "what ifs" and sadness, I have a lot of solace in the things that the neocate can do for Z. I really hope it lowers the amount of spit up even more and help her stomach heal faster. Never did I think we'd be here at this point, but then again, we never thought we'd be dealing with an allergy, either!
We've decided to wean Zoe from breastmilk to the Neocate. This was not an easy decision to make. I was having a hard time pumping to just keep up with Zoe. So, we kept trying to get her to take the formula in a bottle (not a simple feat because it's just not the same as what she's used to). Then, a couple of weeks ago, she just took it. Maybe Zoe just got used to it, or maybe she was hungry enough to take it. Regardless, she finally started taking it in a bottle, not just in her cereal. Trust me when I say how difficult this was to GET her to take it (at first we wanted her to be able to take it just in case I wouldn't be able to keep up with her). We flavored it different ways, had Noah try to give it to her, have me try to give it to her, had her daycare provider, Laura, try to give it to her. We tried different bottles, sippy cups, and even on a spoon, with and without a little cereal. She just WOULDN'T take it for the longest time.
Needless to say, taking the Neocate has made our life a little easier. It eased the stress I was feeling about not being able to keep up with Zoe (I'd been able to pump enough for one bottle for Zoe in one session at work, and while I was there, she'd take 2 bottles....do the math!). As she took to it more, we came to the decision that to ease my stress at work from not having enough time to do my work and to pump, not being able to get enough for Zoe, all of it. So, we started transitioning Zoe so that she takes 2 bottles of formula while at day care, and then I nurse still morning and night.
Instead of it alleviating my stress, it actually got more stressful. I won't go into details about how, but I was having a difficult time with it. So, after doing this for a couple of weeks, we, I, came to the decision to completely wean Zoe to the formula. Know the saying, "if momma ain't happy..." well, this is a sad decision to make, a difficult one, but I kept stressing about the half and half situation we had...this takes the guess work out of it. I was constantly guessing about the foods I couldn't eat, and if what I was eating was okay for Zoe, and it killed me whenever we'd go back to the doctor's office and wonder if there is blood in her stool or not.
We've also been told, because this is such a specialized formula, it can help her stomach heal so tha it can eventually take those proteins eventually (dairy, soy, and possibly egg). So, that's made this decision a lot easier to handle. And, with everything I've read about the formula, it can help reduce the spit up too. So, let's hope that it does what it is supposed to.
Unfortunately, there are not any over the counter alternatives. There is one other amino acid based formula, but that's it.
Fortunately, we have been able to get a few free cans from some generous people. I was pointed to a website where you fill out a short survey, and then they send you a free can of Neocate. They've filled out the survey and have sent us the can. It's definitely made this easier. Zoe is going to be on Neocate at LEAST until she's a year, and probably longer. And, if it's not Neocate, then there are toddler versions, if she's not on milk, at that point. (if anyone is interested in the survey to help out, go to www.testforallergy.com. It's easy and you won't get stuck getting 202384 emails after!)
This has not been an easy decision for me, but to have a happy baby, you must have a happy mommy. Stressing out is not going to make a happy mommy. So, this past week, we've dropped the night feeding, and this weekend, we'll be dropping the morning feeding so that she's on Neocate 100% of the time. It makes me sad to know that I won't be nursing Zoe for the year that I had planned, and I also think that if we hadn't had the health issues develop and having get rid of the milk stash I did have, I'd be feeling much differently, and we probably wouldn't be weaning at this stage.
While this is a difficult decision and does not come without some "what ifs" and sadness, I have a lot of solace in the things that the neocate can do for Z. I really hope it lowers the amount of spit up even more and help her stomach heal faster. Never did I think we'd be here at this point, but then again, we never thought we'd be dealing with an allergy, either!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Happy 9 Months!
Can you believe it's been NINE months since our baby entered the world on that cold day in February?? She's informed us she will be spending her day playing with her friends at day care, playing with her toys, crawling, getting into the cat food, eating her food, drinking her bottles, screaming (happy screams), and talking everyone's head off. :)
For everyone's information, the good results of the drs visit the other day mean a LOT of things: 1. Zoe is in the 25th percentile in her weight (and height). This is up from the 3rd percentile when she started seeing the GI dr! 2. I've been given the okay to have soy lecithin and soybean oil (read your packages, those are in a LOT of foods). 3. Zoe is now proportionate. While her weight has increased, her length growth has slowed a bit, so she's now in the 25th percentile in each. She's still on the little side, but she doesn't look nearly as long or as thin as she did.
Zoe has enjoyed showing off for her Uncle Nick and our financial dude who both came up to visit on separate occasions this week. She's showing off all of her new skills--talking, clapping, crawling, dancing, and tormenting the cat! She even scored a cool stuffed turkey named "Gobble" from Uncle Nick.
That's all, folks. Have a great weekend!
For everyone's information, the good results of the drs visit the other day mean a LOT of things: 1. Zoe is in the 25th percentile in her weight (and height). This is up from the 3rd percentile when she started seeing the GI dr! 2. I've been given the okay to have soy lecithin and soybean oil (read your packages, those are in a LOT of foods). 3. Zoe is now proportionate. While her weight has increased, her length growth has slowed a bit, so she's now in the 25th percentile in each. She's still on the little side, but she doesn't look nearly as long or as thin as she did.
Zoe has enjoyed showing off for her Uncle Nick and our financial dude who both came up to visit on separate occasions this week. She's showing off all of her new skills--talking, clapping, crawling, dancing, and tormenting the cat! She even scored a cool stuffed turkey named "Gobble" from Uncle Nick.
That's all, folks. Have a great weekend!
Monday, November 10, 2008
... and the results are in
In the pink corner, wearing pink trunks and pink gloves, weighing in at 17 lbs, 0.3 oz and measuring 26 3/4 inches long..... Zoe!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
New Tricks!
Z is a crawling machine! She is everywhere...she just does NOT sit still. It's amazing the energy that kid has. She's crawling, scooting, rolling, sit up, lay down, slide over, pick up a toy and wave it around, tell us something, scream something at us, and do it all over again.
Today, she managed to crawl THROUGH her exersaucer.
She also has spent a good chunk of the day "clicking" her tongue. She loves it when you repeat it.
She also has a "mean face". She will scrunch up her face like she's all mad at you and then breath really fast in and out through her teeth. Again, repeat it, and she is all smiles. She loves it! :) She's not mad; it's just a new trick!
Z also is playing so hard she'll 'pant'. I don't think she's really out of breath, but it's cute to see her work so hard.
She's getting faster, and has gotten close to getting that FUN new toy, the cat's tail!! Peanut has NOT been amused. Z is also focused completely on trying to catch Peanut. So far, Peanut is still faster. :)
Zoe is starting to push onto just her knees to try to play...that's a problem because she's not too sturdy like that yet! I have seen her push onto her feet, but she usually collapses right away. Hands stay on the ground the entire time.
We've discovered a couple of favorite commercials of Z's...The Friendly's commercial with the soccer mom singing with the soccer team in the back. Whatever she's doing, she STOPS and just watches it. Then, when it's over? Back to playing. That one and a Ford truck commercial. Both have a lot of singing and music in them...what a freak we have for a daughter!
Oh, and Z has this dancing pig. You press its snout and it vibrates and plays some music. She starts to dance to it. We'll try to get it on video. This has been able to get Z to smile when she doesn't feel like it (I know, amazing, but she DOES have times when that's true!!).
Today, she managed to crawl THROUGH her exersaucer.
She also has spent a good chunk of the day "clicking" her tongue. She loves it when you repeat it.
She also has a "mean face". She will scrunch up her face like she's all mad at you and then breath really fast in and out through her teeth. Again, repeat it, and she is all smiles. She loves it! :) She's not mad; it's just a new trick!
Z also is playing so hard she'll 'pant'. I don't think she's really out of breath, but it's cute to see her work so hard.
She's getting faster, and has gotten close to getting that FUN new toy, the cat's tail!! Peanut has NOT been amused. Z is also focused completely on trying to catch Peanut. So far, Peanut is still faster. :)
Zoe is starting to push onto just her knees to try to play...that's a problem because she's not too sturdy like that yet! I have seen her push onto her feet, but she usually collapses right away. Hands stay on the ground the entire time.
We've discovered a couple of favorite commercials of Z's...The Friendly's commercial with the soccer mom singing with the soccer team in the back. Whatever she's doing, she STOPS and just watches it. Then, when it's over? Back to playing. That one and a Ford truck commercial. Both have a lot of singing and music in them...what a freak we have for a daughter!
Oh, and Z has this dancing pig. You press its snout and it vibrates and plays some music. She starts to dance to it. We'll try to get it on video. This has been able to get Z to smile when she doesn't feel like it (I know, amazing, but she DOES have times when that's true!!).
Friday, November 7, 2008
Care to wager a little bet??
Z is heading back to the GI dr for a little check up on Monday. At her last appointment with him, she weighed in at 16lbs 1oz and 26 3/8 inches long.
I think she's going to be 17lbs 8oz. Noah thinks she'll be 18lbs. If you care to wage in on this little bet, place a comment in the blog.
Winners will receive the glory of winning. :)
I think she's going to be 17lbs 8oz. Noah thinks she'll be 18lbs. If you care to wage in on this little bet, place a comment in the blog.
Winners will receive the glory of winning. :)
Kick it to the Curb!
Whatever Z might have been battling, getting used to daylight savings time, an upset stomach (she'd been spitting up a lot), who knows what...but it appears to be gone. She's spitting up MUCH less lately, her fussies have gone away, and she's a happy-go-lucky Z again.
Maybe it had something to do with sleeping almost fourteen hours last night. That's right...14 hours. She was SO tired last night, I put her to bed (hoping it was a nap, but knew it probably wasn't) at 4:30. She was OUT like a light and didn't wake up until 5am. However, she babbled away for a little bit and fell back to sleep until I woke her up at 6:15...I wonder how long she would have slept without me waking her up??? I hate doing it, but I have to do it to feed her before I go to work.
Hopefully, this is the start of improved napping at daycare (her napping's been all out of whack, too, poor baby)...hopefully, she'll sleep just as long tomorrow morning! :)
Maybe it had something to do with sleeping almost fourteen hours last night. That's right...14 hours. She was SO tired last night, I put her to bed (hoping it was a nap, but knew it probably wasn't) at 4:30. She was OUT like a light and didn't wake up until 5am. However, she babbled away for a little bit and fell back to sleep until I woke her up at 6:15...I wonder how long she would have slept without me waking her up??? I hate doing it, but I have to do it to feed her before I go to work.
Hopefully, this is the start of improved napping at daycare (her napping's been all out of whack, too, poor baby)...hopefully, she'll sleep just as long tomorrow morning! :)
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Check out our Z...
Zoe's playing...check out her "toy", the package of rings to put toys on things for her. Seriously, why do we spend money on REAL toys?? She likes these things so much better! DOn't forget, she still likes water bottles and wet face cloths, too...
Sleepy Z...When she's tired, she'll pull on her ear and yawn like crazy. When she's really tired, she rubs her eyes so hard, you swear she's going to rub them right out!
Zoe particularly proud of a meal...I THINK what we have here is chicken and avocados, with a side of cheerios.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Daylight Savings Time..
...has not been good for Z. Poor thing doesn't know what's up or down at this point. Her naps are all out of whack, she's been tired, a bit fussy (can you even believe it??), and getting up at 4am....
We're doing our best to help her get adjusted to this one hour change. Who would have thought ONE hour would be such a big deal?!?!
We're doing our best to help her get adjusted to this one hour change. Who would have thought ONE hour would be such a big deal?!?!
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