Suk-Suk teaches Ezra about basketball

Thanks, Uncle Chris! (and Happy New year!)

Happy Holidays!

The shortest distance between two points is beef stew

Bo made a delicious, slow cooked beef stew today. All day long, the house has been filled with beef goodness. I waited eight, long, teasing hours to have a gratuitous bowl. I thought, "Hey, I'm going to watch recorded T.V. shows while eating this bowl of stew! Ezra can play while I relax and enjoy. This sounds like a wonderful plan."

As I cozied myself on the couch with my bowl of stew and remote control, Ezra pulled himself up, as always, and cruised around the couch. At one point, he brazenly removed his hands from the couch, looked at me, and smiled a big goofy, giggly grin. And then he took a step. And landed on his bottom.

In an effort to not freak him out (loud emotion, no matter if it's happy, seems to scare him lately), I said "good job!" while containing all kinds of ridiculous motherly pride exaltation deep beneath a thin veneer of calm.  

The first step, I thought was a happy accident, so I went back to my phenomenal meal. With a look of jealousy, Ezra stood up from his fallen spot and took four Frankenstein steps across the floor to get to the bowl of stew in my lap. Determined and fierce, he reached my knees with a huge smile and an agape mouth requesting his fair share of my meal. More quarantining of overjoyed feelings. 

While feeding him a stewed carrot, I couldn't help but think of the scene in Kung Fu Panda when Po completed a perfect split twelve feet off the floor when enticed with cookies. Food is a motivator. For my son, the shortest distance between two points is definitely beef stew. :)

Note to Ezra: Happy walking, buddy! You also climbed all the stairs by yourself, and giggled when you reached the top. Now Mommy and Pops can't turn our backs on you for a second. We will make sure you never forget this. <3

Beast status

At the nine-month check-up, Ezra's doctor told me he's actually a one-year-old, but we can pretend he's only nine-months-old. She expects he will walk within a month.

SLOW DOWN!!! :'-(

Weight: 25.2 lbs. (99%)
Height: 30.25 in. (97%)
Head: 99%

Cruising, clapping, pointing, self-feeding, throwing, standing unassisted, crawling like a mo fo.

Thinks his dad is the funniest person alive, and needs mommy when he's sad.

Says mama, dada, nai (milk), mum-mum (snack), and various other ramblings.

Gives high fives and slobbery kisses (and hickeys if you're not careful).

Boom.

Shopping with Gramps

Ezra loves being in the shopping cart.

Ezra vs. The Yoga Ball

Silly baby...

Oh yeah, he's nine-months-old now. *hiccup*

He's cute

One of Ezra's favorite things to play with is a toy ball. He likes to throw the ball, laugh/squeal, chase the ball, capture the ball, shove ball into his mouth, and repeat. Cutie.

Presenting The Dumpling as Cookie Monster

Happy Halloween!!

Next generation Giants fan

I am a San Francisco Giants fan. Bo is a San Francisco Giants fan. Needless to say, Ezra is a San Francisco Giants fan. Last night our boys in orange and black won the National League Championship Series in game 7, shutting out the St. Louis Cardinals with a final score of Giants 9 Cardinals 0. Ezra was a huge part of our home cheering section.

W O R L D   S E R I E S   2 0 1 2 ! ! !

My lil Fish is starting swim lessons

My favorite Pisces is having his first swim lesson today with Grandma. I am completely bitter that I can't be there. Hopefully Grandma comes back with some good stories and a happy baby!

*Edit*
Ezra loves swimming! All the instructors and parents were amazed by how natural Ezra was in the water. "This isn't his first time at swimming lessons, obviously." Yes, it it. "That is just amazing!" I'm all puffed up with pride. Grandma and Ezra had to be told to get out of the pool, that their turn was over. There are nine more weeks of swimming lessons in this cycle, and I can't wait to see how much progress Ezra makes in that time.

Fine tuning the fine motor skills

Ezra is a very strong baby. He already has the strength to pull down a heavy floor lamp with ceramic glass shade (sorry, Grandma... we'll buy you a new one). When he wants freedom from Mommy's arms, he pushes off with enough force to knock me over. He can pull his heavy little frame up to standing as if he weighed nothing at all. The kid is all buffness. A bull in a china shop. My sumo baby. The brawny strength moves come naturally to the kid, so it's with great enjoyment that I watch Ezra hone his fine motor skills. More than anything, I am proud of his determination to get that little bit of bao-bao (bread).

I live for these moments.

These are a few of my favorite things

Morning coffee time with my office husband/platonic life partner Major.
I wake up late. Ezra has a mini meltdown before grandma picks him up. My morning grooming routine is cut short, thus I resemble Bellatrix LaStrange. Traffic takes an extra hour, in which time I am cut off multiple times by the entitled drivers of luxury vehicles and Priuses (Prii?). I forget my lunch. Those with the foresight to leave an extra hour early for work swipe my top five favorite parking spaces. I nick my front bumper trying to fit into the smaller space next to a giant cement column. The elevator button does not want to work for me, but works brilliantly for the next person to come and test its functionality. I get to the second set of elevators and realize my security badge is still in the car. When finally at my desk, my computer displays that haunting message about not shutting down properly and spontaneous combustion being eminent. And I clumsily knock over my open water bottle as I reach for a sip.

then

Then Major arrives on a white horse brandishing a sword and a hair flip while exclaming, "Let's get some 'coffay!'" By the time we reach the sidewalk, all is well. By the time we're leaving Peet's one would never know that I had anything other than a spectacular morning. FAVORITE.

Watching Bo have playtime with Ezra.
When these two get going, it's like there is no one else in the world. They forget about mealtime, bedtime, bath time, whatever-time. I must keep my distance watching these two get lost in their secret language of giggles and coos because they are like mythical wood sprites that get spooked easily, allowing the magic to dissipate once they realize they are being watched. FAVORITE.

Late lunch on a sunny Saturday afternoon at the Park Chalet.
Having sunshine at Ocean Beach on a weekend is cause enough for celebratory beers. FAVORITE.

Scalp massages.
Need I say more? FAVORITE.

A DVR full of my beloved guilty pleasures (and freedom to watch them).
Ezra is in bed and Bo decides to go play basketball/hang with the boys/not be home. Clicker control is mine! Say Yes to the Dress? Of course. Project Runway? Yes, please. Grey's Anatomy? Don't mind if I do. Reruns of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding (the British version)? Nom nom nom. HGTV anything? Droooool. TV is bad, and my programming choices tend to be the worst kind of bad. I get that. But it's nice to be able to numb my brain and body for a while. Heroin has the same effect, but TV is the safer option, wouldn't you say? So I take my moments of guilty pleasure bliss, minus commercial breaks. FAVORITE.

The moment Ezra falls asleep.
Regardless of the statement made in my previous favorite, this is not a sardonic comment on having freedom from parenting when the baby finally passes out. Lately, Ezra has been developing stranger anxiety. As my little guy becomes more aware of his surroundings, he becomes more aware of strangers. So naturally I have been seeing upset across his precious little face more often. I'm not worried in the slightest, but I would rather my baby never be upset. To offset the stranger anxiety, Ezra needs a little extra comforting from Mommy and Pops pre-bedtime. Holding him in my arms, he slowly nods off. I know he's asleep because his little face relaxes, his tiny mouth spreads into a smile, and whatever fanciful thoughts he's having make him giggle dreamily. Yes, Ezra giggles in his sleep. FAVORITE.

Low rider

We are officially in trouble. Ezra. Is. Mobile.

That is all.

Time to lose the baby weight

I started my diet today. Yay! Fresh, low-glycemic fruits and veggies with lean protein. Don't forget the chia seeds and evening of primrose oil! Hell yeah!! Once adjusted to the lower caloric intake, I will start going to the gym in one way or another. I'm going to run or walk really fast or dance or swim or something. I am so excited to get healthy and fit! I will have so much energy to chase after Ezra. I will have a cute figure that will look great in cute outfits that make me feel like a hip, cool mom. I will be able to walk the entire country of Spain when we go in March. It's going to be awesome.

Right?

Almost...

Ezra will be crawling soon. Mommy has been taking hours of video to catch Ezra in the act. Check out how close he's gotten.

Almost, not quite, kinda, maybe a little bit? Regardless, the intangible "baby proofing" is quickly becoming a reality that I must face, and face hard.

Sigh.

Se7en months and already a drinking problem

Happy seven-month mark, baby. Love you!

Sleep, or lack thereof

Lucky. That is what Bo and I have been for the past five months. Why? Because Ezra slept.

The number one comment I received while pregnant went something along the lines of, "You can kiss sleep goodbye." My sisters and brothers in parenthood were all quick to share their own stories of trauma caused from sleepless nights thanks to new babies, not to scare but in an eager excitement at having another sympathetic in sleeplessness. The baby books spell it out clearly: baby needs to eat every two hours, so you only get to sleep in two-hour bursts--try to sleep when baby sleeps.

So, I was prepared for sleeplessness. When Ezra first arrived, he acted as expected, waking at least three times a night for some booby snacks. He slept really well during the day and I was on maternity leave, so I didn't mind much. But lashing out against the norm, Ezra started waking only once per night by his first month, much to my elation (and to Bo's sanity because he went back to work at that time). And even more back-flipping-while-hula-hooping kind of amazing, Ezra would sleep through the night roughly three nights a week. By two-and-a-half months old, Ezra consistently slept through the night. He slept so well that Bo and I were confident to put him in his own room (he also outgrew the bassinet ahead of schedule). Then, Ezra simply slept through the night, every night.

We didn't know just how lucky we really were until the past week arrived. Sleeping seems to be "so last season" for my little man.

Take last night, for example. Ezra decided to party. All of the usual tricks weren't working. Quiet play time alone in the crib? Yeah right. Bouncing? Nope. Warm nai? Only made him hyper. Soothing sounds and mommy hugs? Get outta here with that mess! Bo and I were exhausted, and we decided that 11:00 P.M. was late enough. It was time for extreme measures. Ezra would grow sleepy in bed with us, and we would put him to bed after he passed out. HA! I'm pretty sure Bo and I fell asleep before the dumpling did. But while dumpling stayed asleep, Bo and I did not. How can something so little take up so much room?! Perhaps he was making up for all the sleepless nights we should have had, but Ezra achieved at least half of the following baby sleep positions last night alone:

He tossed and turned in his sleep, kicked and slapped, jazzed-handed, whimpered, fussed, and farted. "Should we give him a bottle? I think he's hungry." But the doctor said not to do that because he will get used to eating in the middle of the night, every night. "Okay, you're right." Four minutes and three baby punches later, Ezra was drinking warm nai. Then he got a nice, dry diaper. Then he passed out just in time for mommy's morning alarm to sound.

Maybe I should stop putting him in outfits proclaiming the wearer a monster. Self-fulfilling prophecy  much?

Note to Ezra: Your nighttime shenanigans put Mommy and Pops into some seriously foul moods this morning. Then you woke up, and smiled all bright and shiny. Immediately we became putty in adorable, sleep-depriving hands. You win . . . for now. 

:)

My good eater

I have finally figured out what Ezra loves to eat! When I fed him the concoction, he ate it up without dropping a single spec out of his mouth. I didn't even have to put a bib on him. Rice cereal and bananas are no go's. Oatmeal cereal and mangoes are the way to go for my little guy. PS... he ate that whole bowl!!!

Climbing, sitting, and laughing, oh my!

Seemingly overnight, Ezra has simultaneously decided to pull himself up using furniture and try climb out of his crib. He has mastered neither, but the threat is imminent. He has mastered sitting up on his own, however.

Then my amazing little guy gives kisses to an owl and makes the owl give kisses to a car. Or makes the owl repeatedly bash said car after trying to eat said owl. It's all about perspective.

I have roughly 162 videos of Ezra playing. Nothing truly exciting happens in these videos.  It's doubtful that any of Ezra's videos will be as popular as this kid's one video. Then again, I don't care about that. These videos are my sanity as more and more I want to be a stay at home mom so I get to witness every single amazing new trick...

Note to Ezra: You have the best laugh, ever! You are also spending more time with Uncle Harry, and Mommy adores the calming influence he has over your energetic self. It's highly doubtful that I could ever get you to simply hang out in a basket. Then again, maybe you're just totally into the Baby Einstein video you're watching. Or is it an A's game? If so, BAD UNCLE HARRY!!

Six month check in

I have worked at a computer desk using computers for a decade. Luckily, I have yet to have work-related issues in my wrists and hands usually attributed to poor ergonomics at the workplace. Then why, oh why, am I wearing a carpal tunnel brace on my left (and not primary) wrist? Ezra, that's why.

Ezra is getting heavy. Really heavy. He weighs more than Lilah, a little girl two years his senior. At six months of age, Ezra has outgrown the Baby Bjorn carrier that most fit well after 1 year. I put him to bed in jammies that fit perfectly, and when he wakes up the sleeves and legs are comically too short.

Perhaps I should blame this growth spurt on the solid foods that he decided to love this past weekend. Previously, we were lucky if Ezra ate more than two bites of brown rice cereal in a sitting. Now I make almost three times the usual amount of cereal and mix in an equal part of pureed apples, and Ezra squeals for more. Obviously, this is one the most adorable things in the world because he gently leans forward toward the spoon with his little mouth agape and looks expectantly at you out the side of his eye. "More, please." Now, if you aren't fast enough, the cuteness collapses into an orange alert complete with a wail of warning. Who cares? My kid eats (almost) real food! (What is rice cereal, anyway?)

But I digress...

Ezra is also getting more and more active. Holding him is becoming quite a workout as he shifts his weight and swings his head around with  enough force to knock me over. And he requires being held a lot. I don't know if it's curiosity, but Ezra refuses to sit on the ground if Mommy or Pops is moving around, at all. He wants to see what we're doing. He's wants to be held. Mommy's wrist hurts.

But Ezra is trying to help us out. He really, honestly wants to move about on his own. He has not quite figured out crawling, but he is trying!

Note to Ezra: Your personality is really starting to shine, mister. You love to laugh at Pops; you think he's simply hilarious. You really want Mommy to hold you when you don't feel well. Sometimes you cry "Ma Ma Ma" until I hold you or until you see my picture hanging at Grandma's house. You really like it when Mommy and Pops are together; that's when we notice you are the most calm and content. You helped us make dinner last night by ramming us in the Achilles tendon repeatedly with your walker. Thanks for keeping us on our toes, literally :)

Just a day

Suffering from writers' block. No matter, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Adventures in Parenting: Refrigerator dreams

It's a lazy, early Saturday morning. Ezra has had his morning nai (milk), and is playing contently in the kitchen with his dad. I think I might just fall back asleep here on this couch with Olympic diving droning in the background.

"Meesh? Can you come in here? This is bad."

Words you never want to hear from the kitchen where baby is playing happily beneath the feet of your cooking-with-hot-stuff-and-sharp-things co-parent.

I frantically rush (as only one can when woken from that place of half-sleep) into the kitchen where Bo stands dazedly at the refrigerator, with one finger rhythmically tapping the door shut as it stubbornly bounces back open. Ezra, in his walker, babbles at the out-of-reach shelf of kitchen appliances. I imagine he is telling the objects, through mouthfuls of drool, about his new favorite toy Sophie. It is at this moment that I realize my reaction is decidedly overreacted (as if it's possible for a new mother to overreact, sheesh).

"The fridge door won't close. Can you figure it out?"

I systematically go through all the reasons why the door might not close. Is the door path free and clear of any objects that might hinder proper door closure? Yes. Am I sure? Yes. Have I made sure by pushing every single item to the back to the fridge to be damn certain that a rogue carrot is not to blame? Yes. What about the janky crisper drawer, is that thing closed all the way? Yes. What about in the door; is that one-too-many bottle of hot sauce that causes the door storage to bow slightly taken out of the fridge completely? Yes. In the end, I blame the issue on the amount of rust and deteriorating door seal. Okay, so now what?

Tape the door closed to preserve Ezra's milk stash. Call the landlord (aka Bo's mom). Decide the silver lining in this situation is that I have a reason to spend too much money on my dream refrigerator.

Yeah, I said it: dream refrigerator.

It's stainless steel, with double doors and a bottom freezer. All the food will be at an easily accessible height. The appliance will be grime-free. The thing will be shiny and new and oh-so-pretty. When I open the double doors, angels will actually sing arias as the golden, energy-efficient light floods the kitchen. I imagine this fridge will make me more attractive simply by association.

So maybe I'm ridiculous. However, Major and I both squealed with delight as we described it to each other, so I'm not the only weirdo that gets excited about a new kitchen appliance (this also solidifies my uncanny connection with Major, but that is another story).

Bo's mom tells us that she knows someone that will give us a good price. Knowing the issues we've had in the past trying to get new things into our house, we measure door frames and maximum height/width allowances. I make all assurances that I have the information to make a grown-up, informed decision (so I can ultimately buy what's pretty). Ezra foregoes his morning nap to watch Mommy and Pops bounce around the house singing, "We're getting a new fridge!"

At the store, we look at each model, opening doors and getting a feel for each product. Laboriously, we make a final decision. When the salesperson approaches, I let him know what we want and give him our specs.

"That's not going to work. All double door models are too wide and all bottom freezer models are too tall given your height and width constraints."

I felt my refrigerator dream bubble burst. No double doors. No bottom freezer. No easily accessible food. No angels singing arias. No golden beams of joy. Grime-free, shiny, and new, sure, but it's a let-down all the same. But our purchase cannot wait to remove the impossible metal cabinets that are restricting its height, nor can it wait for us to remodel the layout to allow for its width. Ezra needs refrigerated nai!

So we grumpily choose a top freezer, single door refrigerator in stainless steel for half the price, telling ourselves that one day we will remodel and get our dream refrigerator. Bummer.  But my baby gets something new and shiny to tell his stories to, so I am endlessly happy and grateful.

Note to Ezra: You were amazingly patient with your parents at the appliance store. I thought for sure you would throw a fit of boredom and frustration after two minutes, but you relaxed patiently in your stroller while Mommy and Pops shopped. You surprise me every day, and I love you for it!

Just like dad

Bo took two weeks off to have some family bonding time with The Dumpling. Bo has been giving Ezra a crash course in how to be cool like dad. Ezra is a great student.

Oh yeah! Ezra is only 5-months-old, by the way. Yup. He is ALL head with little, mini legs and yet the kid is strong enough to stand, mostly unassisted. And he's into shoes.

Sigh.

Solids! (well, kinda)

Today Ezra turns five months old. To celebrate, Bo and I thought a nice treat might be to let Ezra eat his first solids. And by "solids," I mean rice cereal. And by "rice cereal," I mean creamy, formula-flavored, beige mush.

Yum.

We have video that may be used as blackmail during his teen years (mwaaa-ha-ha-ha-ha). For now, photographic representations of the event shall suffice:

What a difference a dress makes

I must announce the fact that I'm feeling super hot today. A few weeks ago I purchased a cheap black dress at Target without trying it on. Normally this act would end in tears and self-loathing, especially if the first time wearing the garment was a Monday morning. But this particular Monday morning the dress slid on and actually flattered my post-pregnancy frame.

I stared at myself in the mirror.

And I smiled.

And I called Bo to confirm that I, indeed, looked hot (as if he'd say otherwise, but that's another story).

And then I did this:

Damn, I feel good today. BOOM.

Raspberries and a note on change

Last night I asked Ezra what he would like to do for the rest of the evening. He did this:

So what? Right? I have become that person who thinks every little thing my kid does is comparable to discovering the concept of zero. The single, baby-free version of me hated those resembling the current ooey-gooey, constantly cooing version of me. I used to have clothes without baby drool and/or spit up all over them. I used to have a tummy that did not resemble the aerial view of a corn field. I used to have control over my emotional waterworks. But in all that unglamorous, stretch-mark-scarred, bipolarity I have found an uncanny sense of worth and pride. I don't need a smooth belly or the ability to hold back tears at the drop of a Hallmark commercial; I get to watch Ezra blow raspberries for the first time. #winning

Ladies and gentlemen, we have tooth!

Yesterday morning, Ezra had no teeth. I know this because he loves to grab my hand and chomp on the knuckle of my curled index finger, and he had no teeth during his morning chew-fest. When I go to pick up the babe from my mom's house, she asked, "When did Ezra cut that tooth?"

Excuse me?

Cue me running to wash and sanitize my dirty hands that I've been denying Ezra's oral fixation. I glide my finger along his bottom gum and promptly get stabbed by the teeny, tiny tooth that pushed through sometime during the day.

Cue me crying tears of joy, then laughing at my ridiculousness.

To celebrate, my parents, Bo and I go to eat like fat kids at Hard Knox Cafe (can anyone say OXTAILS?!). Growing teeth must be hard work because Ezra slept the whole time. I was worried that he would be up all night from such a late nap, but he slept well yet again. I actually had to wake him from his sweet, precious baby slumber this morning to get him ready to go to my mom's house. And he was pissed. I made my fussy little man a bottle, and the little (and I say this lovingly) brat snatched the bottle out of my hands as if to say, "Gosh, mom. I can do it myself *rolls eyes* " ...

Really? A tooth and holding his own bottle? All within a 24-hour period? I guess this is why my parents kept commenting on the speed at which my sister and I grew. It's so bittersweet; I want Ezra to grow and develop without hinderances (and am so proud that he has done so thus far), but I also want my baby to stay a baby (I'm a selfish, selfish person). I'll be okay, of course. When I asked Ezra if he still needed his Mommy, he grinned and cooed.

Cue me melting with a cliche "awwwwwwwwwww".

Note to Ezra: Slow down, baby. Our fast-paced world will have you trying to grow up faster than you should have to. But just know that even when you don't need me, I will be here for you. Love you, Monkey.

First tooth!

After weeks of thinking I was crazy and being told "he's too young," Ezra finally cut his first tooth today. This is excellent news.

Updates updates updates

During the final month of my maternity leave, Ezra decided to explode on the scene with new tricks. Because I've been awful at blogging but religiously updating Facebook, I have a little timeline of our adventures since the last blog post (note-current nicknames include The Dumpling, Monkey, Bubbaluh, and Gruntalope (like an antelope that grunts):

May 26, 2012: Ezra's first camping trip at the Russian River! Too bad the weather was too chilly to float for long. Mommy and Pops weren't planning on camping, but Tita Nanelle, Uncle Harry, and Auntie Bonnie talked us into it. Ezra was super warm in his bear suit while Mommy and Pops froze/half-slept under thin blankets we purchased in Guerneville. We'll be better prepared next trip!

May 28, 2012: Monkey watches a whole ten minutes of a Baby Einstein DVD. His attention span for the show has since waned, but we'll keep trying!

May 29, 2012: Ezra finds his hand and decides it's the best chew toy. And this is true to this day.

May 31, 2012: Something amazing happened today. Ezra grabbed and held onto a toy all by himself. Even more amazing was when he grabbed the crotch of his baby pants with his free hand and proceeded to babble about his own awesomeness, never letting go of his toy. The kid is so gangster and he doesn't even know it.

June 2, 2012: Ezra masters salutation to the sun pose/cobra pose.

June 5, 2012: Ezra chills (and falls asleep) in the Johnny Jump Up for the first time.

June 6, 2012: Just when I start to get bored with this "stay at home Mom" stuff, Ezra does something amazing like discover his feet. He's been trying to figure out how to get them in his mouth for a thrilling 15 minutes. Best. Show. Ever.

June 8, 2012: Ezra finds himself on the computer screen.

June 9, 2012: Ezra's first Giants game was Super Hero Day at the park and he got a free Giants super hero cape. Home team lost (boo!), but the weather was unseasonably warm, and Mommy & Pops had a great time showing Ezra the stadium. Ezra decided the game was not at all entertaining and decided to take a two-hour nap in the Baby Bjorn, startling with each cheer from the crowd.

June 11, 2012: Ezra discovers freedom of mobility in his walker. Besides trying to pull down anything within reach, Ezra has figured out the awesomeness that is gliding. From one end of the house he runs, picks up his legs, and coasts into the opposite wall with a giggle. Turn. Repeat. ADORABLE. Bo and I have to watch out for our toes, or else constantly wear steel-toes boots. :)

Time to baby proof!

June 16, 2012: The Dumpling's first trip to the beach. Bo and I decided Santa Cruz would be the perfect initiation to sand and salt water, and we weren't disappointed. We all came home with a bit of color that day. I was too worried about putting sunblock on the munchkin to apply protection to myself, and I got sunburned. Totally worth it!

June 20, 2012: Gruntalope babbles in the range of "ooooh" ALL DAY LONG.

June 24, 2012: My Bubbaluh rolls over back-to-front for the first time. Later in the day he rolls over a full 360 degrees multiple times. What can I say, the kid learns fast!

June 27, 2012: Ezra finally fits perfectly into the hat that Auntie Lillian, Uncle Tim, and cousin Ella got for him. Be prepared to melt, and understand the nickname Monkey.

July 4, 2012: Ezra's first 4th of July. Gruntalope decides to sleep, and sleep, and sleep.

July 6, 2012: As if he could sense the huge change to his daily routine that was about to take place, Ezra discovers his thumb in an attempt for extra comfort. We now have a thumb-sucker on our hands. I have already started preparing myself for the possibly long ordeal of retraining the habit at a later date. *sigh* I also hate myself for finding his thumb-sucking so darn cute.

July 9, 2012: Ezra is on the fast track for growth! At his 4-month check up, Ezra's stats were 18 lbs. 12 oz. and 27 inches long (the 95th percentile, by the way). I am ridiculously proud while at the same time super bummed. He's in nine-month clothes already!! The doctor was (as always) amazed at the advanced motor skills of my fast-achieving baby. In a surprising notice, she said Ezra gets to start solids next month!


July 10, 2012: Mommy's last day of maternity leave. Mommy takes a million pictures of Ezra. Mommy breaks one of her rules and lets the dumpling nap in her arms instead of in the crib. 

"Don't go to work tomorrow, Mommy. Please?"

July 11, 2012: My first day at work and Ezra's first day with Grandma. Things go surprisingly smoothly, with few tears from Ezra or myself. Great success!


July 16, 2012: I start my second week of work, and am feeling good about the transition. Next steps: lose baby weight, clean house more often as Ezra will soon crawl, and update blog more diligently! 

3 months

Ezra is growing fast. He no longer fits comfortably in one hand but requires some serious mommy arm strength. Ezra used to get his naps on a standard sized pillow, and now the lil guy takes up more than a couch cushion. He's started smiling and laughing, and those are the highlights of my day. And when he stretches after a nap. And when he crinkles he forehead at some new discovery. And when he babbles along when the adults are talking. And when he squeals with joy at his sports-themed mobile. And when he sighs in his sleep. And when he glances sideways at me mischievously. And I could go on and on.

Ezra on April 27, 2012: Rocking out to Lullaby and Good Night

Ezra on May 4, 2012: Talking to his mobile

Ezra on May 1, 2012: Deep Conversation

Note to Ezra: You're awesome. Please refer to the following for proof:

Happy Mother's Day, Mommy.

What's that you say?

Mother's Day is almost over?!

Bummer.