Where Can I Find???

Where can I find some really cute luggage tags and cute diaper bag? I want a small diaper bag for church use. The one I'm using now is too big and bulky. I don't mind buying from local stores, but I'd prefer to support an etsy store/person. If you have a friend who makes any of the above let me know. I want to support him/her.

Thanks!

These are the types of pics I get when Daddy is keeping watch over OFZ during the day. Makes me want to grab the keys, say ADIOS and hit the road for the ol' homestead. I can hear him cooing, giggling, gurgling and the likes. Le Sigh. I wish I was at home.

Ain't Got a Thing on Me

This prematurity thing is getting a Tae Bo workout from OFZ. We had our bi-weekly developmental therapy appointment. Needless to say Ericka was highly impressed with how much he's changed and how far he's come in 2 weeks.

• We have mastered rolling over (both ways)
• He holds his bottle now (this has been going on for a week or so)
• We are sleeping through the night (THANK YOU rice cereal!)
  
• Sitting up is almost to perfection.
• He's getting better at going from sitting up to lying down
• We're still working on going from lying down to sitting up
• He is all but crawling to and fro - He can get from one end of the room to the other
• Ericka thinks he'll be crawling on hands and knees at our next appointment.
• He's trying to pull up on things
• Drumroll.... she thinks he'll walk early. Given how early he's been monkeying with crawling she doesn't think he'll stay satisfied long and move on to cruising and walking.

Her exact words were, "He's really advanced given his adjusted age." Those words were music to my ears.

Cirque Du Soleil

This is Lord of the Dance thinking he can climb up our wall. He says he learned this at school. I think he misunderstood his teacher when she said, "Ya'll are driving me up the wall." Who knows.

He Likes It, He Likes It

Day 1 of cereal. He likes it, he actually likes it. I don't think I've ever seen a child take to rice cereal like OFZ has. I wonder if this is any indication on how great an eater he'll be when he's his brother's age.

Day 2 - same effect. He loves it!

Day 3 - Yep, nothing has changed. Rock on, little eater!

The Reminder

*** WARNING: The subject of this post may make some parents angry. I'm not going to apologize. We do what we feel works best for us. I trust you do the same. ***

Merriam-Webster defines reminder as:
to put in mind of something : cause to remember

Our definition: Wooden spoon

We learned about "a reminder" from my brother and SIL. While I'm not sure exactly what they use as a reminder, the Perry family uses a good, old-fashioned, wooden spoon. Friends, I'm here to tell you our reminder could move mountains in this house. Here lately it seems "the reminder" has put in overtime. As a side note: We've been down the time out road. Didn't work.

I've been forced to carry "the reminder" in my pocketbook lately. Normally all I have to do is show it to Andrew and he straightens up. Sometimes a simple, "Do I need to get the reminder?" works nicely. There are the few occasions where visual contact with the reminder doesn't work and I have to use it. Like for tonight for instance.

We have passed the terrible twos and the horrible threes. We have safely arrived into the fabulous fours. Isn't there reprieve from the monster that periodically takes over my sweet angel and causes him to behave like a madman, whine like a baby and throw temper tantrums?

Lord help me! My patience has been pushed to the brink of insanity. Tonight was no exception. Picture this: One 8.5 month old sleeping sweetly in his crib. This sleeping angel is down for the night and prayerfully won't be up until the sun rises on the next day. Next you have one 4 year old who has been warned at least 5 times it is bed time and it's time to brush our teeth and use the potty. Somewhere between the 4th and 5th warning of bedtime a monster took over said 4 year old and the tantrum/whine/madman scenario came into FULL effect. Said 4 year old started hollering all kinds of demands and things he was and wasn't going to do (WAS going to yell, WASN'T going to brush teeth, potty and go to bed). I'm sure you know where I'm going with this story. Said 8.5 month old who WAS sleeping peacefully is now belting out his own screams because he's ticked his sweet slumber has been rudely awakened. I can hardly blame him. Enter "the reminder" stage right. I hate using it, but dernit I mean business. I AM MAMA and when I say let's roll, we roll. Needless to say we now have one full set of 4 year old teeth that have been brushed, an empty bladder, a few shed tears and 2 sleeping children.

Man, what a way to end an already long day. I hope our reminder takes a siesta this weekend and possibly for good. Pray. Pray that said 4 year old banishes his hitchhiking monster and permanently stays the sweet, adorable and loveable child he normally is.

Progress

Ol' Fat Zach is making stellar progress in many different areas. His developmental specialist is going to be stunned on Monday.

We've been working on sitting up for a while now. Zachary can do it, but he would rather be on his tummy practicing his crawling technique. I still don't leave him unattended, but he's getting to the point he doesn't flop over or arch his back. He loves his toes and laughs at them frequently. They are free entertainment. We've noticed he would rather be in a onesie than in an outfit with feet. It's a "laughing at my toes" kind of thing.

He is almost 9 months old (calendar age) and turns 6 months (adjusted age) tomorrow. We've been given the green light for starting foods. I must say he has taken to rice cereal quite nicely. He scarfs it down. He all but chokes himself on the spoon. He prefers to help us with the spoon, but it's not a very safe idea. His method of eating is as follows: spoonful of cereal, insert thumb, suck, suck, open mouth, stick out tongue, spoonful of cereal and repeat the process. It is messy, but oh so cute. Pictures to follow.

As of this week we have finally gotten Zachary to sleep from 8:45/9:00ish until we wake him up around 7:15/7:30ish. No more topping him off at 11:30pm. What a nice feeling! It might be that he's been getting cereal OR that he can easily suck down 7-8 oz. There are occasions where he doesn't take that much, but for the most part he does.

I have officially given up pumping. The pump and I parted ways last week. I have mixed emotions, but I feel good about my decision. Zachary isn't suffering and seems to really like formula. I nursed him once a day and after a few days he could've cared less. Call it a sign or self weaning, but it made the decision a little easier. It sure has freed me up.

This weekend will be Zachary's first ride in the jogging stroller. I'm sure this event will provide much fodder.

Have a great weekend all!

Happy Resurrection Day!

I'm only a day off, but yesterday was busy celebrating with the family. Secondly, you can appreciate and enjoy the true meaning of Easter any time.

Happy Resurrection Day, everybody!

Easter Bunny

This Lil Cutie Has...

2 new teeth!!! Zachary's bottom 2 teeth are coming in and BOY are we feeling the effects! At the beginning he was fine and dandy, but now he's grumpy, grouchy and down right cantankerous. I will say though, when he's happy, he's happy, but when he's upset, he's upset. It's an all or nothing kind of deal. Good thing he's remarkably cute!

In other news, he's doing really well at sitting up. He also props himself up on one side. He gets on his hands and knees and rocks back and forth like he wants to crawl. His developmental specialist thinks he'll crawl on the earlier side. Who said preemies are delayed? Heck with that!

We get to start rice cereal next week and if all goes well we'll be eating fruits and veggies soon. Lil Cutie easily takes 7 oz and sometimes can polish off 8 oz.

Happy Birthday, Part Deux

I am a bad, bad Mom. I didn't take one picture (other than the cake picture) at Andrew's birthday party. I will have to rely on other friends/family to provide pics. Andrew had his party at Hopper's House again this year. Once again, Hopper didn't disappoint. Andrew had a blast and I believe his friends did as well. We had a full house.

Superman costume courtesy of Ahmy (birthday gift #2). This costume comes on as soon as his 34.2 lbs, 38 inch body walks in the door. Ol' Indian Jones has morphed into Superman. Wonder who he'll pick next?

One of his many identities... Superman

She's Thinks My Tractor is Sexy

One especially nice birthday gift from Ahmy. Andrew is in LOVE, love, LOVE with his "John Deere" tractor. And yes, John Deere is what he calls it because calling it a tractor just won't do. This tractor will hold up to 120 lbs. If my knees didn't hit my chin I could actually drive this thing. The back will hold up to 25 lbs. If child labor laws weren't in effect I'd be milking this "John Deere" tractor scenario for all it's worth.

Happy Birthday Big Monkey!

Happy 4th Birthday!

Dear Andrew,
I cannot believe you are 4 years old today. I remember the day you came into my life like it was yesterday. All 7 lbs 14 oz of you stole my heart that Friday morning. Each day with you is sweeter than the day before. You are a remarkable little man and you make your daddy and me so very proud. You astound me with your love for learning and the things you know. You truly fit the "soak things up like a sponge" mold. You ARE one.smart.cookie! Ms. Jean and Ms. Cory got that one right! It's amazing to me what you've accomplished in your short 4 years. I have no doubt the next 4 years and the 4 years after that and so on will bring many surprises and so much joy. Thank you for bringing love and happiness into my life.

I love you, lil man!
Mama