Another milestone

Baby Zoe,

You achieved another milestone. You grabbed your Panda and held it tight and long.

When you saw our excitement, you let out a big laugh. We captured all in photographs. It was October 25.

I was sitting with Grandma Roza. You were leaning against my legs and having a conversation with us. Then you grabbed the Panda. This was the first time you grabbed an object with clear awareness rather than a reflex or a questionable move. We called out to Dad, and told him to come quick with the camera. Like parents we used to find unbearable in the past (Before Zoe - B.Z.), we snapped one photo after another to document your achievement.

We're ambitiously awaiting your milestones. And you're achieving them faster than anticipated - or so we think, as proud parents who impatiently await your success in school.

And here you are, in all your cuteness, chilling in the sink, as Dad washes your butt to change your diapers. You are so strong already, holding your head straight with no problem. My precious little planet.

I think I'm your favorite

Little Zoe,

Grandma Roza tells me that a neighbor approached you to say hello, and you started crying. I'm a little concerned about your friendliness because I think this behavior runs in the family. A neighbor walking his dog approached grandma Roza, and asked  if the baby liked dogs. Grandma Roza answered "No. And I don't either." Though not as blunt, your parents too, are not social butterflies. So I'm not too surprised at your reaction toward the neighbor. Grandfather Avram is worried that you will cry when you see him for the first time. I should remind him not to take it personally if you do.

I think you are saving all your smiles for mommy. When you see me, you smile. When I hold you, you stop crying. I don't want you to be dependent. But I also get a secret pleasure knowing that I'm the one that comforts you most.

Love, Mommy.

My baby's three-month birthday

My lovely Zoe,

It's your three-month birthday! Today I dressed you up in a cute outfit, with ruffles on the butt. I put on a nice dress too, and took a few pictures to remember the day.

You keep on growing.  At first, you mostly kept your eyes closed. Now you are exploring everything around you with curiosity. You look at the lamps a lot. I wonder if its because you've noticed that sometimes they are on and sometimes they are off. When you wake up, you greet me with a smile. You have an amazing sense of time. You know exactly when I'm supposed to be back from work. You refuse to eat until I come home, and show signs of hunger (loud screams) as I leave the parking lot at work. You started grabbing objects when I put them in your hand, and my hair, every chance you get. The other day you even reached toward the thing that dangles from the pink pig on your chair. You figured out that by moving your body, you can make the pink pig rattle (because the chair shakes when you move). You are having many little achievements every day. I'm so proud of you and love watching you.

Mommy.

Christening

Given the multiple religions - and the lack of - in our family, let me first put minds at ease by stating that this blog entry is not about baptismal ceremony but about your pooping habits.

Baby Zoe, every time we put a new outfit on you, you pass an epic poop that stains it. Ten times out of ten this happens in public. I have witnesses to prove it.

Last Saturday we all dressed up for dinner at a nice restaurant. Dad and I wanted to show our appreciation to Grandma Roza for being great help with you, and with household chores. We put you in a new, elegant Overall sent by Grandma Maria, accented by little butterflies made of tutu. You wore matching booties and a bow.

The waiter brought the bread, which was your cue to start eating. Within fifteen minutes, your butt thundered, followed by the slimy wetness on my lap. My dress too, was new. We wrapped you in a napkin, and ran to the bathroom. The Austrian restaurant was not equipped for bombardments, so we changed you on the floor where you also peed and laughed. You spent the rest of the evening wrapped in a blanket I had in your diaper bag.

Two days later we were at a small department store with Grandma Roza. Sure enough, the moment we stepped in, you ripped a mega poop. Again, the place was not equipped for baby bombers. We changed you on a bench outside the bathroom, carrying yards of wet paper towels back and forth, since baby wipes give you major butt rash. The unexpected cooler temperatures caught the inexperienced mom (me) unprepared. The spare clothes I had in your diaper bag were not warm enough for the day. Grandma Roza panicked. I stayed calm, knowing that in America, if I want to buy something, I can, anywhere, any time, as long as I'm OK with poor quality. I surveyed the environment and pointed us toward the baby section at the store. In the meantime,  you started crying for food, since you like to eat after diaper change. We pulled down a few sets of clothes from the racks, quickly evaluating our color, size and style options, chose a 2-piece set, tore off the tags, dressed you on the floor, sat down on one of the stools for sale, and started feeding, avoiding the gazes of employees "discretely" hovering around us.

A while later Grandma Roza said you looked too tight in those clothes, and pulled a 3-piece set from the hanger that was larger in size. We removed the clothes you were wearing, which we haven't paid for yet.  Should I neglect to mention that you drooled on the shirt just as I was pulling it off your head? We dressed you with 2 out of the 3 newer pieces included in the set. We left the drooled-on set at the store - no shame. Before we were able to reach the cash register, your butt thundered again and you soiled everything, including your carrying seat. Grandma Roza and I looked at each other, concerned about the security cameras - The baboon family with two crazy women tearing tags of clothes and a baby that poops on everything. We just wanted to get out of there before they threw us out. We changed you in the parking lot, on a patch of grass that divides the parking aisles. Grandma Roza took off her undershirt and put it on your seat so you don't feel wet. We put on you the last remaining clothing item of the 3-piece set. By the time we came home, you pooped on it too. And so we learned that Zoe christens every new piece of clothing she wears.

Love,
Mommy.