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...

Giving Thanks!

Life, and all the love in it, creates in me the most grateful spirit deep within.

I have said many times since becoming Zion's mother, that I have never known love like this before; this bottomless depth of overwhelming love and awe for my son especially, but also for my family and friends who surround and support us. We need others in our lives and we are so blessed from above to have one another to share this love with.

Thanksgiving: what a beautiful time to celebrate what and who we have in our lives. Since I have never known love like this before, I have also never known gratitude and praise like this before -- to the One who gives it all.

I am very grateful that I was able to bring Zion to Steinbach, Manitoba to meet my dad's side of the family. We had a wonderful time with all the family we were able to see. It was really important to me to bring Zion to meet his Great Grandmother. She is the most graceful and beautiful person I have ever met and I feel so blessed to be called her granddaughter; to be a part of her lineage.

We visited her everyday. We played Skipbo, made yummy family recipes, and shared stories. I just love spending time with her and learning from her. I stayed at my Uncle Smoky and Aunt Barb's house and I had a great time staying up with my Aunt and talking every night. Really, I'm just so blessed to be a part of this family!

Zion's first plane trip -- NO problems at all. He didn't even cry once!

Zion and his Great Grandma

I was a little worried that being away from home for a week would disturb the routine we've established with Zion, especially bed time. I don't know why I was concerned since I have the best baby ever! He didn't fuss at all with going to bed at his normal bed time in a strange place. He hasn't skipped a beat since being back either. The only "new" behaviour that was really pronounced when we were there was his awareness of new people -- "strangers" to him. He took some warming up to all the family members he met before they could hold him without him pulling out the lip and wailing! At least a couple of hours! Once he got used to a new family face he was fine, but certainly not right away.

We had a great week away, but I'm glad to be home. I really missed my husband, and Zion was thrilled to see his daddy again.

Being a Stay At Home Mom

I love being a stay at home mom. I love the routine Zion and I are now in and that I get to share every precious moment of every day with my amazing little boy. I feel bad for Jazz who has to go to work all day and miss our son all day. Especially when he has to work the late shift since Zion now has a pretty good bed time routine established at around 8pm. (Jazz doesn't get back from work those nights until at least 8:30pm).

Our son is laughing and giggling and shouting and screaming all of the time now -- he loves to have a conversation with you (although he usually yells in delight when he's really happy and excited :)

He is beginning to reach out for his animal friends on his play mat since he's starting to realize the power of his little hands and all that they can do. It's truly a marvel to watch him slowly discover himself in the big wide world.

I love being a stay at home mom and wife -- I love when I have dinner ready for my husband when he gets home from work. I love cooking and cleaning on days when it all goes well. It's not every day, but when it all gets done, it feels like I'm doing my part for my family and taking care of them like I want to. It's my new full time job, and of course there are moments and hours and days when I'm exhausted and overwhelmed and I need taking care of, but on the whole, it's the best job I've ever had. I wouldn't trade it for anything!

The Joy of Our World is in Zion!

Here are a couple of photos from a mini photo shoot we did with Zion 2 weeks ago:

He is just so photogenic!

We also went to the Stampede with the little cowboy:

Yeehaw!!!

3 Weeks 4 Days Already!

This was taken on Father's Day...Zion is 5 days old here!

Zion and mommy gave daddy a book, "Why I Love My Daddy"

Nanna came just in time to steal many sweet cuddles...you can see how proud she is of her first grandchild.

Daddy and Zion cuddling together and sleeping in.

Another extremely proud grandma! Zion tends to sleep through grandma's visits so it was a real treat for her when he woke up and stared lovingly at her.

Kiely and Audria also enjoyed cuddles with the cutie!

Zion is now staring intently at the Whoozit -- he's studying it very carefully!

It may be July, but he needed to be bundled last week during the dreary rain. He's about 2 weeks old here.

Now at 3 weeks; silly silly silly monkey.

Finally the heat has returned and Zion can enjoy the great outdoors (on our back deck).

He has these cute little feet -- he can grip your finger with those long toes!

Precious!