Teamwork

Zeb and I both really enjoyed our time at home with Zander over the last few months, but our leave has come to an end. I didn't have a traditional maternity leave (unfortunately with adoption I didn't have the same benefits and would have had to take a lot of unpaid time), so Zeb and I both took time at home with Zander over the past 12 weeks while the other was at work. My mom also came down a few days to hang out with Zander while we both worked. We were able to find a small in home daycare that is only about 10 minutes from our condo and is near a train station so Zeb can help (we only have 1 car in the city). Zander did a few short trial days last week and this was his first full week.  He seems to like it there and does well with the 2 ladies who run it and really likes being around the other kids. His new friends are 2 little girls 6 months old and 3 little boys ages 2-3 years. They all love Zander at the daycare and he has not shortage of love and attention while he is there. We are happy we found a good place with good people to care for him while we are at work, but we definitely miss our time with him.


Grandma Lynne was more than happy to make the trip to Chicago a few times to babysit Zander

 

Getting ready for his first day of daycare

 

He survived his first day and gives us both huge smiles when we pick him up

 





He was wiped out by the end of the week from all the action and excitement

Holiday Weekend

This is my favorite time of the year and have always looked forward to the 4th of July and my birthday that follows. It may have taken me a little too long growing up to realize the 4th of July celebration was not just a big birthday party for me....but I still look forward to it every year. We have been traveling so much lately, we did not make it back to Shullsburg to celebrate with family, but had a great day at Ravinia and Zander enjoyed his first outdoor concert (Goo Goo Dolls and Machbox 20). He had a lot of fun hanging out under the shade trees and getting spoiled by friends and his aunts and people watching (and there was some good people watching). The fun continued over the weekend when we met up with my family for lunch then some wedding dress shopping with my sister. Sunday was my birthday and after spending some quiet time at home in the morning, we went to a Cubs game with my sister, Maggie and a friend. We had great seats Zeb and I had won in a raffle at a charity bags tournament in the fall that we luckily were able to claim for this weekend's game.

 Waking up from his nap - he didn't mind the headphones and was able to sleep with them on....he thought he was really cool with them on!

 

 Maggie, Nellie, Zander and I having fun at the concert

Hanging with some of his favorite ladies....Lisa and Kirby

 

Spending time with grandma and grandpa before dress shopping

 

 Some of his favorite things to do...standing up, people watching and hanging out with his aunts

Jazzie's friend Val joined us for the game; she thinks Zander is the cutest little guy ever!



4 Months

It's hard to believe Zander is already 4 months old! He is getting more personality and is a very interactive and social little guy. He is very curious and loves to people watch and now really likes to watch Parker. His personality is coming out and he has a dramatic side (see pouty face photo) and is very determined (he will sit and focus on playing with a toy for 30+ minutes). He is grasping toys and likes to lay on his play mat and look at himself in the mirror and now will grab the toys and kick them. He also has a few favorite toys he likes to sit and play with. He is sitting really well with support and he likes to push up through his legs and stand with support. He is at a really fun stage where you can sit and play with him or have him sit on your lap and read a book. We're enjoying it while it lasts, because he is getting more active and he is ready to move.....watch out!

 4 Month Photo Shoot

With his favorite toy....he likes to put it in his mouth and will focus on it for almost an hour...grabbing it and kicking it

 The baseball is his other favorite toy and the one he started to hold onto first

He does really well sitting in his bumbo seat and his head control is getting a lot better now that he can sit in it...it can be a little touch because he is so tall and skinny so we have to add padding so he can stay in it better

 

The drama...he can pull out this pouty lip on cue! Then he will smile and think he is funny then go back sticking his lip out