Sorry for the delay, I have uploaded the remainder of Zoe’s May pics, Including some I took at Skydive Arizona this morning. We put Zoe in my brother Fred’s plane with the headgear on and everything.

* WPG2 CANNOT LOCATE GALLERY2 ITEM ID 1503 *

Check them out when you get a chance.

Later!

Categories: Rantings
No Comments »

I can�??t believe that Zoe is 5 months old today. It has gone by so fast. I know, I know, the whole time she grows up will go by fast. This last month has been probably the best so far. She has really started to show a personality and is quickly becoming more than just a eating and pooping machine. She grabs at stuff now, just about everything, and tries incessantly to put everything she can in her mouth. I live for the moments when I see her and she sees me for the first time in a while and she smiles and lights up, causing me to do the same. It is an indescribable feeling of elation for me and absolutely warms my heart. To think I waited this long for her, not knowing what I was missing!

We take walks together everyday. I give her a bath every night now and look forward to and enjoy both. She is on solid foods and formula now, so we go through Nutramigen a bit slower, which is good. I really enjoy feeding her. She has an Oldenburg appetite and we have no trouble getting her to eat (except turkey baby food that Kris tried to force upon her) and she seems to enjoy the solid foods, I personally feel that bananas are her favorite.

Zoe is funny. She is talking all the time know, mostly squeaks, squeals and babble but it is truly music to my ears. She absolutely is entranced by the dogs and speaks to them quite a bit. She also loves to watch people. On our daily evening walk last night, we stood and watched a bunch of guys playing basketball on the court at the park. I literally stood there for 10 minutes while she watched them play and run, seemingly enthralled by the activity. For a moment, I thought that she was thinking �??I wonder when I get to play that game�?� Soon enough my love, soon enough.

Most people who see her comment on how happy she is and they are right. She has a fantastic disposition (when she is not hungry – again – think �??Oldenburg�??) and rarely gets upset. Our family has been blessed with her arrival and her health and vigor. I have so many things to be thankful for.

Kris bought this book on her first year�??s development and what to expect and Zoe is right on track. It�??s a great book and I recommend it to everyone who has a new baby.

The world is definitely a much brighter place now that I have my Zoe!

Categories: Milestones
1 Comment »

I am rapidly finding out that the word “weekend” has a completely new meaning now. It no longer holds the connotation of rest and relaxation. It now means �??let the REAL work begin.�?� Those of you out there who know me know that we are trying to go the way of non-daycare use, that is, we are working opposite schedules so that we do not have to put Zoe in a daycare center. This requires that Kris and I watch her while the other is working. The result is no free time, except at work of course. Work has now become the relaxation station, because at home, Zoe is the subject all time spent.

Do NOT get me wrong, I am not complaining at all. I absolutely adore her and love spending time with her. My sun rises and sets with her. Its just kind of a switch for me, relax at work and work at home. Besides, I already miss spending time with Kris, I enjoyed our time together.

Oh well, its for the best. Zoe is #1

By the way, we are lacking on the pics due to Kris’ camera accompanying her to work most of the time. We realize this and will get some more pics up ASAP.

Categories: Rantings
No Comments »

* WPG2 CANNOT LOCATE GALLERY2 ITEM ID 1201 *Zoe has taken quite a liking to our dogs. She really lights up when she shees them and can sometimes spend several minutes in a row (longer than I can seem to do anything) just watching them. Zoe started to talk to us in her cooing, squeaking baby talk a few weeks ago but has seemed to slow down recently. Not with the dogs! Every chance she gets, she talks and talks and talks with them. I’m not sure what she is saying but I hope she is giving Syndey some crap for chewing up all of her new toys.

We are lucky to have dogs that are extremely patient and gentle with her. Sydney seems to be the best with her and appears as though she enjoys when Zoe graps at her and coos. Casey appears just to be tolerant and Toby (the pug) could give a crap. He has his standard “whatever” response to her coos and squeaks.

Categories: Rantings
No Comments »

Since the Littlest General has sent down orders for solid foods three times a day, it has been messy to say the least. Zoe really loves squash, in a sweetened, pureed format of course. The only problem with squash is its burnt orange color, combined with the fact that she loves to spread it to every part of her body while eating. Several wipes later and she still has small amounts of squash on her in various locations. She was even able to get some on her foot last night, gave my hand a karate kick during the presentation phase of the spoon feeding process.

* WPG2 CANNOT LOCATE GALLERY2 ITEM ID 1272 * * WPG2 CANNOT LOCATE GALLERY2 ITEM ID 1275 * * WPG2 CANNOT LOCATE GALLERY2 ITEM ID 1278 *

She gets three meals a day combined with her normal bottle feedings. It can be trying to feed her because, typically when Zoe is being bottle-fed, if the bottle slips out of her mouth, she starts to crying in an instant. So when she is taking spoonfuls, let me tell you, they better be in rapid succession or the crying commences. This has proven to be a help sometimes as she presents an open mouth when she starts to cry. Pause �?? Cry �?? Shove.

Its nice to see her progressing along, but also scary because its going so fast.

Categories: Rantings
No Comments »

I received a call this morining from my wife to let me know that Zoe now refuses to stay on her back. At the first chance she gets, Zoe immediately will, because she now can, roll over on to her stomach. I was able to observe her newly acquired skill last night before giving her a bath. Of course, in classic Oldenburg luck, when I tried to videotape her feats of dexterity, she wouldn’t perform. When the camera went off and was put away, she was right on cue. Reminded me of the old cartoon when the guy finds the frog in the box that could sing and dance, just not in front of anybody but him.

Things have now progressed to the next level with her, no more leaving her for a few seconds on the changing table.

I will have proof forthcoming, I swear.

Categories: Milestones
No Comments »