My first thoughts when I opened my eyes today and saw that it was 5:55 AM were, “Did I sleepwalk through a feeding?” and “Is Zoe okay?” My next thought (once I realized that I hadn’t and that she was) was, “Hooray!” For only the second time, Zoe slept through the entire night: she went to sleep at 10 last night and didn’t wind up waking to eat until 6:30. This also marks the first time since before she was born that I’ve gotten nearly 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep, and I am elated! I don’t expect this to be an every-night occurance (just two nights ago she was up every 3 hours, remember) but I’ll take what I can get. And if this is a taste of what the future holds, I say: bring it on!

-M

 

As Q mentioned below, we had a fun Super Bowl Sunday this year. What he didn’t mention, though, was that we had a bit of a bumpy road before the party. Much to our dismay, Zoe didn’t feel like sleeping very much on Sat. night or Sun. morning. She woke up several times to eat (she normally eats only once in the night), and she wasn’t that interested in sleeping for her normal long stretches of time. She was also crankier than normal. I couldn’t help but wonder about the timing: why now? Was she excited for the party? Was she experiencing a growth spurt? Was she trying to torment her parents (who got very little sleep that night)? I don’t know the answer, but I do know that (thankfully) she’s back to her normal self. (See pictures below for evidence. They were taken this morning.) She slept well last night, and she’s been napping most of the day today. (Oh, and she’s not demanding to be fed every 2.5 hours like on Sat. night.) A friend commented that sometimes babies just break their routine and act a little out of character once in awhile – and I think she’s probably right. I also like to think that Zoe just likes to keep us on our toes! (And I guess that’s a good thing.)

-M

As most people know, we really like to celebrate the Super Bowl (we have been pushing for it to be an official holiday and to get Monday off, but nothing has really come of it). This year we had a pretty large group of pre-kindergarteners running around the house. We still had the deviled eggs, mini hot dog pigs in a blanket, beer, and gambling, but as Jon H (a very wise man, for those who do not know him) reminded us, just a few years ago we were more interested in how many beers we could drink during the Super Bowl and now we have kids to worry about. Zoe may not remember the Super Bowl this year, but hopefully she’ll have better memories next year. Below are some shots of her wearing her football outfit for the last time this season.

Jon Q

“You better work (cover girl)
work it girl (give a twirl )
do your thing on the runway…”

RuPaul sang about supermodels in his early-90s hit (“Supermodel [you better work]”) and maybe Zoe should start listening to the lyrics! She has been striking all sorts of poses this week – check her out below.

-M

So, good news everyone…Punxsutawney Phil (Zoe’s favorite groundhog) emerged from his burrow this morning and didn’t see his shadow, which according to a German legend signals there will be an early spring! Punxsutawney Phil had seen his shadow every year since 1999, so this should be a good year!

Of course, some people in our family only go by Jimmy the Groundhog from Sun Prairie, WI (can you guess who that may be?). And Jimmy predicted 6 more weeks of winter…but what does he know?

In other Groundhog’s Day news, it is Uncle Dan’s 30th birthday today! Dan is now 10,957 days old (only 10,886 days older than Zoe), which is 1565 weeks compared to Zoe’s 10. Just think, Uncle Dan, when Zoe is 30, you’ll only be 60…Hope you have a happy 30th!

Jon Q

PS. Oh, and one other Groundhog’s Day note…something about Brett Favre coming back for the 2007 season or something…not that important, though…

The Dr. told us that the side effects from the shots should go away after 24 hours, and we have made it. And much to our surprise, Zoe did really well! She took her cherry flavored Tylenol every 4 hours and didn’t do too much complaining. No fever or swollen legs. She actually almost slept through the whole night…we fed her around 10:30pm and she didn’t eat again until 6am. So, all in all, she was a good patient!

Jon Q

PS. I read this in the paper this morning! One day late – article

Remember the movie “Mr. Mom” – the one where Michael Keaton plays a stay-at-home dad?  I wound up watching it while comforting Zoe today, and I was amazed by how dated (and sexist) the storyline is. The movie, which came out in 1983, makes a huge deal out of the fact that the mom is the family’s primary income-earner and the fact that the dad grows to love taking care of the kids and doing traditional “mom” stuff. (Don’t even get me started on how the mom’s older male boss frequently comments on how “pretty” she looks at work.) I can’t imagine a movie with that premise being made today, nor can I imagine anyone these days batting an eye at a father who enjoys – and is good at – taking care of his kids. As I watched the movie, I couldn’t help but think of Q, who (as mentioned here before), is the real baby expert in our family. He’s been incredibly caring and hands-on with Zoe from the get-go – and I’m grateful that these days, doting fathers like Q are the rule – not the exception!

-M

Well, we have been putting it off for a week, but Zoe finally got her 2 month shots today:

• DPaT (diphtheria, acellular pertussis, tetanus) shot
• Hib (Haemophilus influenza type B) shot
• hepatitis B shot
• polio shot
• pneumococcal (PCV7) shot

Some of these vaccines were mixed together in the same shot, so she only had to have 4 separate shots – 2 in each thigh.

She was a good patient and only cried when the actual shots were being given. We hope that she doesn’t get any soreness, but to be safe we are giving her Tylenol every 4 hours or so.

We did get her weighed and she is now nearly 13 lbs: 12lb, 15.5oz! Our next Dr’s visit isn’t for a month and her next shots aren’t for another 2 months. I am sure she will be happy about that!

Michelle will have to update us on how she does today…

Jon Q

As Q mentioned, things have been pretty busy here lately. Lots of company, appointments, and leisurely walks with friends… And then there was our trip to Stanford. As Q mentioned, Zoe and I drove down on Friday – and Zoe was able to meet for the first time most of my colleagues. Driving onto campus was a really weird feeling for me – I hadn’t been there since two weeks before Zoe was born – but it was so much fun seeing everyone and being back in the middle of the action. Zoe seemed to enjoy herself, too, and maybe it’s because she felt right at home. After all – as my boss pointed out – Zoe did spend a good chunk of her (pre-Nov. 23) life in that office!

Our big event today was joining the Stonestown Strollers, a group of moms (and their kids) who get together each morning to exercise and power-walk throughout the mall. It was my first time joining the group – and it started out well, until Zoe decided she wasn’t in the mood to work out. Her crying led to our early exit, but at least Zoe saved her mom from doing push-ups! (I’ve always hated those.)

Anyway, here we are post-exercise…

-M

Zoe has been very busy this past week, and I thought I would share in photos…

On Monday she said good-bye to her Grandpops and Safta.  I know that there was a lovely post of Grandpops below, but here is one with Safta. 

The next day she met her cousin Rachel. (Doesn’t she look comfortable?)

On Wednesday she got a visit from her good friend Tonja.

On Thursday she just hung out and watched us play Ninteno Wii. She is a big fan of Wario!

On Friday she took her first trip to Stanford!  Here she is on her way down…

Then on Saturday, she had wine with Jeanene, Glenn, and Leah.

And finally today, she met Karen, Robert, and Henry… Henry took Zoe to the zoo and showed her all around!

Zoe meets Henry:

Zoe and Henry quickly become friends:

Zoe gets a ride to the zoo from Henry:

Zoe seems to love the zoo:

Even the animals love Zoe:

Looks like Zoe found another friend:

Hope you enjoyed!

Jon Q

Jan. 25 has always been a special day for me and Q: it’s the anniversary date for *both* sets of parents! Our parents have been married for a combined 80 years(!), and we’re obviously quite lucky to have such great role models. Zoe is lucky, too – and she says Happy Anniversary to Grandma Vicki and Grandpa Larry, and to Safta and Grandpops!! She hopes you guys have a wonderful celebration.

-M

 

Zoe and I just got back from her doctor’s, where we learned that she has grown two inches since she was born. She’s also up to 12.5 lbs, which pleased her doctor. Dr. Fernandez also commented that Zoe looked a lot blonder than the last time she saw her – so perhaps Q and I can look forward to having a fat, blonde baby on our hands! (Sounds good to me…)

-M

Zoe is two months old today, and it’s time for another update on how she’s changing. She’s grown more than 5 pounds since she was born (we’ll know exactly how much tomorrow), and she eats 5-6 times a day (down from 7-8 when she was really young). All of the things she likes to do at this stage are pretty textbook: blow bubbles, munch on her hands, stare intently and coo at mobiles and certain toys, etc. Speaking of cooing, she is finally able to communicate in other ways besides crying; she routinely chatters and “squaks” – especially when music is playing. She also now kicks her legs and flails her legs around when she’s excited, which is pretty cute to see. Zoe is still a good sleeper – routinely waking up only once a night to eat. The most exciting thing, though, is that she doesn’t always have to be asleep when she’s put to bed; lately she’s been going to sleep on her own. (That makes my life a lot easier in the middle of the night!)

Angelina Jolie recently got a lot of bad press for calling her baby daughter a “blob,” but I can sort of understand what she’s talking about. Teeny-tiny babies really don’t do that much (aside from eat, sleep and go to the bathroom), and – although I didn’t realize it when Zoe was first born – it’s a lot more fun when a baby is bigger and able to interact more.

-M