He's Not A Baby Anymore

Zion is growing and learning so quickly! Everyday we realize a little more and more of how much he understands. I'm not sure how most 13 months are, but Zion is able to follow so many directions. It amazes me every day! Below are a series of pictures to show his sparkly smart self. (I wish I could reorder them, but I can't figure out how :)

Zion the helper!

Above: Zion had spilled water all over his chair at dinner. I started cleaning it up and he insisted he help. So there he is, using a cloth to clean up the water.

Below: He loves to see me doing whatever it is I'm busy doing, whether it's making dinner, doing the dishes, putting on my makeup, he wants in on the action. So now I let him "mix" -- water in a bowl with a spoon can keep him busy...for a few minutes.

Zion the athlete!

Above: Jazz and Zion practicing some soccer (aka. football) moves. That was a few weeks ago. Now Zion is able to kick the ball around the yard (and house :) all by himself.

Zion started walking all on his own around his first birthday. At 11 months he was able to confidently cruise around holding onto furniture. The day before his first birthday he took his first "kamikaze" steps towards me. Ten days after that he was independently walking all over the house. Now he's practically running!

And I'm realising how much he is like me...uh oh! When I was little, I used to take off in stores -- no fear just blazon independence without regard for where my mom was. That's Zion. He doesn't look back. Just goes where he wants - and he's fast! Which is bringing discipline to a whole new level.

It's hard to know at what time to start a discipline routine -- consistently and age appropriately. But like I've said before, Zion understands a lot of what we say and follows so many directions, like, "Go to the front door." & "Do you want a nap? Go to the stairs." Plus he signs many words now to communicate what he wants -- "Please" & "All Done" are especially handy. And he already has learned not to touch the entertainment system buttons by telling him no and giving him a series of responsive time outs. So I figure when I'm at a store and telling him to stop and come back, he knows what I'm saying. The hard part is follow through.

I keep reminding myself about the result I'm aiming for -- a child who doesn't need a leash (which I'll admit has been so much more tempting than I ever thought it would!) and who stays with me in a store because he listens and obeys. I'm determined because I know it's best for both of us.

Joyful boy!

Zion has such an infectious personality. He gets it when he makes you laugh and he keeps going. He's funny. He's happy. He's smart. He's the delight of my life.

He sprouted his two teeth around 11 months...it just perfects his mega smile.

Playful.

Above: Zion squatting to play with his toys. This is his usual position. It gives him easy access to just stand back up and keep going -- which is what he is usually doing -- go go going.

Typical Boy

Zion enjoys anything with engines! Cars, trucks, planes, boats..he loves it all. When he hears or sees vehicles driving by he does his cute little engine sound. When he sees a plane he points and says, "Up!" And he loves helping mow the lawn ;)

Zion's 1st Birthday!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar theme. I admit, I had a lot of fun putting it together. And we had even more fun celebrating with our family and friends who have been so supportive and encouraging throughout the best year of our lives.

Kiril and Zion - so happy together!

Our birthday present to Zion was this sandbox. He was quite unsure at first, but now loves to play in it. Bath time is way more frequent now!

Zion's new bath towel -- my Norwex one is too small now so this was a great deal at Walmart!

Zion and Evan on a walk. I so enjoy watching them play together now. Evan loves to make Zion laugh, and Zion loves to be silly and giggle. I really hope they can be good friends, with Cara too of course!

Zion learns new things everyday. When Jazz comes home I have a list of new things to tell him that Zion did that day. It has been such a blessing for me to be able to stay at home with Zion the last 13 months. I dread going back to work (in 2 and a half weeks) because I don't want to miss a thing. I know mothers do it every day and I'll know we'll adjust but it still is not easy.

Enjoying the time I have left to spend every minute with my delight is my priority. And I am utterly grateful that I've been able to have an extended year off (being a teacher, it just worked out that way). As we embark on the next change of routine, I know my blessings will not be diminished. I will continue to cherish each moment. Glory be to God.

8 Months and A Bundle of Pure Joy!

Zion is a silly boy who loves to laugh and make us laugh! His giggle is so precious -- it lights me up every time. Another one of the most precious things about Zion is the way he hugs...literally, he wraps his arms around your shoulders, buries his head in your neck, and squeezes. The other day Jazz was holding Zion and I went to give them both a hug and Zion wrapped one hand around each of us and squeezed. I can't describe how wonderful that moment was. Joy!

Here are some pictures of Zion and daddy dancing!

Zion loves reading time...I bought some lift the flap books for him since his "Oh Baby, Go Baby" book was a favorite (it's very interactive). He has been turning the pages for a couple of months now.

Play time is so much fun for both of us. He now prefers to sit up while playing (rather than laying on his back -- he's never liked tummy time and still rolls over immediately). Zion is really coordinated with his hands, has been for a while. He loves to pass things from hand to hand and study it from every angle. Especially things that are not toys. He has been clapping for at least a month by himself - I credit my dad with that. Zion has his grandpa like watching "Wheel of Fortune" while I start dinner and they get a lot of clapping practice then.

What a difference a day can make...all of a sudden Zion was able to start picking up little pieces of food and put it in his mouth (just last week). And then, same day, he discovered how to take the top block off of his tower (that I would build) without knocking the rest down. We also have lots of fun playing pass together!

Zion has always loved bath time and now it's a play time too. I find he needs a bath way more often now that he likes to feed himself way more and therefore ends up getting his food in his hair all of the time. (Dried fruit and cereal are very hard to wipe out of his curly locks :)

I am so blessed to have such a happy boy. He has never been fussy and has always been very easy to read (scratching his head is a clear cue that he needs something - either food or sleep). His Papa Phil calls him "Talking Eyes". Like his mom, his eyes and facial expressions always give away what he feels. I know that he is understanding more and more of what we are saying and I hope that the baby signing that we have been doing since he was born will continue to help us communicate with one another. He definitely gets routine and responds well to the days when we go out and the schedule is different. Like I said, I am blessed to have an even tempered little boy...that he got from his dad :)

7 and a Half Months...almost 8!

Sometimes I catch myself marvelling at how big Zion is getting. He's growing so fast! He has such a calm temperament and silly personality. He loves to laugh and make us laugh. I am trying so hard not to laugh and encourage his "raspberries" while he's eating -- but he's just so cute it's hard not to have the laugh with him...but in the long term, I guess I don't want him to be spitting his food all over the place because it's funny.

His strong will is starting to show...watch out if he drops something he still wants to be holding -- or if you have to take it away. So it's time for us to get that parenting "tone" so he knows when we mean no :)

Zion is still a very picky eater. I have yet to find a veggie that he will eat. I thought he was being picky because he likes to chew food now instead of having it pureed. But I don't think that's the case since I've tried cut up veggies and he still makes a face and seals his lips shut. But he is chewing toast, cheese, and some pasta. I really hope he grows out of his aversion to veggies because I have no idea how to force feed a child healthy food...

6th Months and Zion's First Christmas!

It's hard to believe that Zion is half a year old already! Every day is so much fun - watching him learn and grow is a daily blessing! He's eating solids now, but is quite picky. Apple sauce and yams are not favorites, but I'm slowly sneaking them into his diet. Avocado and bananas are a hit thus far. With some propping, he can sit on his own to play. He loves to talk and squeal and laugh and scream! His newest sound is a deep growl -- I say he's taking the Zion the Lion a little too far.

Christmas was so much fun. Uncle Femi was here too, visiting from England, so it was even more fun! I have been eagerly waiting the day so Zion could get his new toys. (I bought them a while back and wanted to give them to him because he seemed to be getting bored with the ones he had -- or maybe I was bored :) Of all the days Zion decided to sleep in until 10:45am, it had to be Christmas. Mommy and Daddy and uncle were up early waiting for him!

Zion finally awoke!

(Notice he needs time to wake in the morning just like his mom)

We opened a stocking full of bath toys!

Daddy helped him open his presents in the morning.

Uncle Femi got his first ever stocking.

Daddy opening his presents.

Zion finally smiling!

Cousin Kiril and Zion doing tummy time.

The cousins opening presents together.

Zion and Uncle Peter

5 Months and Loving Every Second!

It is really remarkable how fast babies grow! I have been looking back on photos and video of Zion since he was born and I am just astounded at how different he looks and how much he can already do.

At first, he was just here; breathing, looking, hiccupping and the slightest movement was pure joy to witness. And then he started smiling. Even still, when he smiles at me my heart lights up. Isn't it incredible that the first responding emotion (that is, emotion that is not just instinct) is that of happiness of some sort? And those smiles develop into laughter! Things are funny to babies at 2 months! Wow. Plus, that's when he started intentional communication -- cooing. Barely on this planet and communicating and being happy are the first things that they really learn.

And it just snowballs from there. Now Zion loves to jump in his bouncer (and I mean JUMP!), he loves to roll over, he loves to listen to mommy and daddy read books, sing, recite rhymes; he loves us just looking at him and talking. He loves to clap his hands (with our help) and say Pat-a-Cake. He loves to play with his toes and try and put them in his mouth. And he LOVES to be tickled! His laughter lights up our house!

Here's some shots of him rolling over:

Just beginning to eat rice cereal.

Getting excited with daddy!

He is such a good baby - not fussy at all. He might start "complaining" when he needs something (food, change, or sleep does the trick 99% of the time), but it rarely becomes actual crying. And he's on such a great "schedule". Wake up around 9am, change, eat, play. Nap around 12pm. Wake up. Eat, change, play. Nap again around 4pm. Wake up. Eat, change, play. And bedtime around 7pm. He still gets up once or twice in the night. But he goes right back to sleep once he's fed and changed.

He now often talks to himself for a long time in his bed before he either falls back asleep, or gets serious and makes it known that he's ready for some company. His babbling is just precious. And there he is now, babbling away, nearly ready for me to go and get him...