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!