And so, life returns to normal for us and the progeny this week. Poor little baby spent last week recovering from his illness. You could tell he was feeling run down all week -- he would be crawling around and then put his little head down and rest for a few moments. He also didn't sleep or eat well. He didn't even enjoy some of our regular weekly outings. His sleep is still a little erratic, but he is finally back to his regular eating habits. Unfortunately (fortunately?) we did not take many pictures over the past week, so I am bring you some photos from this time last year. Yes, that special time of my life when I had no reason to wake up at 5 AM.
The week before Zeke was born, Judith -- a former intern and great photographer -- offered to take some portraits of me. I took her up on the offer and spent an afternoon at her loft. She did a great job and I'm so thankful for the pictures. (For more of Judith's photography, check out the link at right to her blog documenting her current travels and work in Uganda.) It is astounding to look at these photos now. I'm full of wonder remembering what was going on. At that time, I couldn't imagine what it would be like to give birth or to see our baby. However, the phrase "monstrously pregnant" has surfaced a few times in my mind. I was so big, especially in the legs! In some of the photos, you can even see how lopsided my belly was with most of the baby on my right side. I also remember the happiness and I think you can see that in some of the photos (as well as the 47 inches of girth).
What has changed in a year? There doesn't seem to be any adequate way to answer that. I have learned so much, but have so much more to learn. What I have learned, though, seems less amazing than the changes Zeke has seen in one year. I may have learned how to change a diaper, breastfeed and give a baby a bath. Yes, it's a lot. But the things he has done for the first time! Breathe, see, laugh, hold up his head, sit, eat, roll, smile, talk, stand! Yes, quite a year.
Here are some updates on the baby:
* He is becoming a toddler....either that or a chimp. He likes to screech and scream. He definitely has a sense of "mine mine mine" as he displays his new screeching when I take away something he thinks is his alone such as the bottle of lotion, my earrings, my glasses, et cetera. He also has taken to biting, not while nursing, but any other time.
* We're experimenting with new foods, especially solids and self feeding. With a little bit of assistance, he can feed spoonfeed himself purees. Messy, but fun! He will eat small dices of food, but he also likes to smush them between his fingers and then throw them to Maggie. While that is also messy, it is not as much fun for me. I've tried introducing a few new foods (today: collards!), but at least while he has been recovering, nothing has really struck his fancy.
* He sometimes helps me put on or take off his clothes.
* When you ask Zeke, "What does the cow say?" and then you moo, he responds with a funny sounding raspberry. CUTE!
* His receptive language is just huge. He loves to wave, but not just when he sees people wave. He also waves when he hears us say "bye bye", "wave" and "grandma" (as we have been telling him to wave at Grandma when we videoconference).
* Zeke loves his mama! Separation anxiety does not begin to cover how upset he can get if I try and get away to go to the bathroom even. He also gets shy around new people and will cozy up especially close.
* We finally heard back from our preschool of choice. We are, as we expected, on the waitlist. However, we are lower on the waitlist than I would like. Basically, one of the two classes didn't even take any new applicants as it filled with siblings of children already attending the school. The letter says that it is likely that many of the children on the waitlist will be enrolled, but I'm not optimistic. Zeke and I visited another school today that has openings. It is not my first choice, but it is less than a mile from the house and the director and facilities seemed nice. We'll keep you updated!
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