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

As mentioned earlier, my sister visited last week – and then Q’s parents were here over the weekend. Zoe was *thrilled* with all the company, which I think you can tell from the pics (all taken within the last few days) below!

 -M

 

Zoe usually gets fed by her mom, but today she got a special treat: her Grandpops gave her a bottle. She looks pretty content, huh??

-M

It was so nice to have my sister Sandy here the past few days. She left yesterday morning, and we miss her already. She took great care of Zoe when I was feeling sick on Sun. and Mon., although there was a slight issue with Zoe’s hair. For some reason, whenever Sandy held her, Zoe wound up with a *major* case of bedhead! (What did you do to her, Sandy?) Check it out below.

Oh, while I’m at it, I’m also posting a pic of Sandy and Zoe at the Wharf; it was Zoe’s first trip there! Hey, Sandy – Zoe had great fun with you!

-M

I had a follow-up appointment with my ob doctor the other day. The first thing she asked was how I was feeling about being a parent, and when I told her that motherhood was much better than I had expected, she gave me a big smile. “You just passed my depression screening test with your answer,” she said. It was a cute thing to say, and it reminded me how grateful I am about having missed out on those “post-baby blues.” I experienced some depression/down times during my pregnancy, and I’m so happy that I’ve felt so good since Zoe has been around…

On another note, I have to admit that I was actually a little sad to go to my last appointment and say good-bye to my doctor (who was absolutely amazing). I know I totally complained before Zoe was born about all my doctor’s appointments (towards the end, I was going two or three times a week), but now I find myself oddly nostaglic for those times. Everything I went through at 400 Parnassus led up to Zoe’s arrival – and I can’t help but have a soft spot in my heart for that place and the people there. I know I sound terribly sappy, but it’s not my fault! (It’s in my blood; my father is the most nostalgic and sweet person I know.)

-M

After watching a thrilling episode of American Idol, Zoe decided to give us a little taste of her singing and dancing skills. Not much in this video, but I can see the potential!

Jon Q

A friend recently asked if we self-censor the content on this site. We rarely talk about any challenging times with Zoe, she pointed out, and she assumed there were some (and she’s right, of course). In her honor, then, I thought I’d share a bit about one such time. Sun. night, I was feeling sick (bad cold) and miserable, and I was having the most difficult time falling asleep. When I finally dozed off after 1 AM, Zoe woke up to eat – and the same thing happened again around 4 AM. This wouldn’t be a big deal, I guess, if this was our nightly routine – but it’s absolutely not. Zoe has gone *weeks* without waking up more than once in the night to eat, and Sun. night -  the one night that my head was about to explode and I desperately needed sleep – she woke up twice!! Talk about frustrating…

As difficult as Sun. night was (and last night was no real picnic, either), there were some positives. First, my sister is visiting, and she was able to watch (and give a bottle to) Zoe yesterday, so I could get a few hours of sleep. What a lifesaver!! Secondly, Zoe has been especially cute as of late. She hasn’t been crying a lot, and she’s been in a pretty cheerful mood. This morning at 4 AM, when I plunked her down on the changing table before her meal, she looked at me and gave me the biggest smile. I was still super tired and headache-y, but how could I stay in a bad mood after that???

-M

Just thought everyone would like to see more pictures of Zoe.  She fell fast asleep in my arms today and I thought she looked quite cute…

Jon Q

As promised, here are some pictures of Zoe with her Aunt.  More to come…

Jon Q