Doctor visits, new tricks, and pull tabs

On Wednesday Zachary had his nine month well-baby checkup. He's up to 18 lb. 7 oz. and 27 1/2" long, putting him in the 12th and 17th percentiles for weight and height, respectively. His doctor is nothing short of amazed at Zachary's growth and development, and was impressed to watch Zachary "roll 'em up" in a game of pat-a-cake. That evening Zachy came down with a fever, and by Friday he was still feverish and cranky. So we made another doctor visit to rule out any ear or lung infections, but by Friday afternoon the fever broke and he was starting to feel better.

Zachy continues to build upper body strength and is learning to navigate the living room floor quite efficiently. On his bottom, he can spin 180 degrees and scoot backwards. He also scoots in circles on his tummy and rolls across the room in the wink of an eye. He'll soon be crawling and wearing out the knees on his already "gently used" hand-me-downs.

And now for one of those moments. The moments are those times I just have to call my mom, like the time Alex thought the bathtub floaters were watermelon seeds (don't ask what they really were) or when Sammy got into my cupboard and I found him spread-eagle on the floor lapping up cooking wine. Well, Zachary had a moment last week, just minutes before I was due to pick up the school boys. I had him balanced on my hip while I was trying to refuel with a bowl of cereal. Apparently Zachary was hungry too, for he reached for my bowl but ended up knocking it clean out of my hand, sending milk and sticky flakes flying across the room and all down my shirt and pants. In desperation, I sat him down on a dry spot of the kitchen floor and hurriedly began mopping up the mess with a dish rag. While Zachy looked on, I heard a toot, toot, tooooooot coming from somewhere in the diaper region. Then to my surprise, he giggled. More tooting, and more giggling. My nine month-old baby farted and laughed about it. And this has since become standard practice. Oh, he's fitting in so nicely with his brothers...

Say goodbye to those toothless grins, for last week Zachy cut his first tooth! A second pearly white is also trying to surface, so before long we'll have to review nursing etiquette. Steve chuckles when he recalls the many times he has heard a loud "Ouch! DON'T BITE!" followed by a pitiful wail from behind the nursery door. Aside from the obvious painful effects of new teeth, I am somewhat saddened by this new milestone, for it reminds me that my Baby Zachy is growing up. I should be relieved that he seems to be developing normally, but I sometimes wish I could keep them babies forever.

Little Joseph was another that I wanted to freeze in time. He was the happiest baby and would flash the biggest smile to anyone who gave him half a glance. I remember one particular night that I rocked him to sleep, as he was all cuddled up in my arms with his silky locks of hair against my cheek. I realized he was growing older, and that he would soon be walking, running, and not so cheerful at the sight of Mom. I kissed his soft little forehead and etched that moment into my memory. I told him he would always be my baby.

Now my Baby Joseph is a big-time kindergartner--independent and a little sassy, but still as cute as ever. His class is collecting pull tabs this year in an effort to support our local Ronald McDonald Houses. As I mentioned on a previous CarePage, the RMH's recycle pull tabs from pop, soup, vegetable, and just about any aluminum can. The proceeds help cover the cost of utilities each month. (Click here for more information.) The Ronald McDonald House has done so much for us at a very trying time, and now we can help them in return! Please save your pull tabs, and encourage your friends and colleagues to do the same (I can get you a cute little collection box for the company break room.) Deliver them to your local Ronald McDonald House, to me, or to one of those cute little SEAS kindergartners! What an easy way to make a difference for so many families in need! Thank you!