Zane - Party of 1

Meals with Zane have taken on a comical note. He takes breaks from the food to chat, look around, sample other objects...hilarious! He eats three meals a day: Oatmeal for breakfast, yogurt and fruit for lunch and some sort of veggie deliciousness for dinner. He gets snacks of Mums (rice crackers) and Puffs, which he enjoys eating all by himself, throughout the day. Here he enjoys some veggie pasta.

He's also practicing with the sippy cup. So far it's more of a way for us to entertain him because he thinks it's fun to hold onto, but sometimes he actually gets some juice out and then the interest is piqued once again.

We also just got him a 'travel chair' that clips right onto our table. This is PERFECT for us since our table is higher which makes feeding him in the normal high chair a bit awkward. He likes it so far and it's just adorable to look over and see him sitting in his little bucket.

Musical Chairs

Before we left for RI, I went out and bought a larger memory card for our little point and shoot camera so I could be sure to have enough space. I love having the extra space and not having to empty the files onto the computer every day and not running out of video space in the midst of a cute moment, but now I'm finding that my photos and videos are just piling up in the camera! Maybe I should go back to the smaller card and only use the big one when I know we'll need it! Tough decisions...

Much to everyone's delight, Mason has been playing a lot of guitar. I love hearing it, and I like thinking about him teaching Zane in a few years. I'd also like to think that I might be able to learn a song or two, but since I have the musical talent of a banana slug, Mason would have his work cut out for him.

Papa's biggest fan!

Proof that he CAN close his mouth after all.

Our little sitter. Notice he's holding the toy in his left hand. He often feeds himself with his left hand too. I know it's still a little early to tell for sure, but he does favor it. We're wondering if it has something to do with his right eye being his good eye...only time will tell.

He's into strings of any kind these days....on his pants, my slippers, blankets...anything he can get his hands on. The extreme focus cracks me up.

Hanging out before I head off to Red Cross.

Rolling around and 'reading' in the morning.

Just sittin' around

It's crazy to me that once Zane makes up his mind to do something it's done. Not halfway...all of it, NOW. He's been sitting up a storm since we got back from vacation!

This video sums up the majority of our days.

This is his Miami Beach model pose.

Since he's such an accomplished sitter, we tried out his high chair today. As long as the snacks kept coming he was a happy camper.

The toy is his new favorite. It has legs so he can stand and play when he's ready!

Rhode Island

Mason and I are overflowing with parental pride. Zane was a rock star for the entire trip...flights, visiting, car rides, new stroller, unfamiliar bed, different puppy dog, new surroundings...he took it all in stride. We were most nervous about the flights, but he proved we had nothing to worry about. We lucked out and got an empty seat in our row both on the way and the way back. He passed out shortly after takeoff for about an hour and then was happy as can be people watching the rest of the time.

After landing in Boston we drove about an hour and a half to Mason's Uncle Scott and Aunt Lily's house in Rhode Island. The original plan was for them to be there so we could all visit, but they were invited to Tortola that week and they would have been crazy to pass on that!! They were gracious enough to still let us stay there and house/dog sit for them. Grandpa Dave and Grandma Doris drove up from Arlington (a breezy 7 hour drive) to see Zaney too! Then we all headed over to Great Grandma Claire's house to introduce her to her great grandson. It was amazing to see 4 generations of Rippeys under the same roof. Zane was very chatty (dadadadada) and smiley for his great grandma and was loving all her stories and wisdom.

Zane had a lot of 'firsts' this trip. He sat for the longest we'd ever seen him sit while under Grandma Doris' close supervision. Mama was a little late with the camera so the photo is the tail end of it. Hehehe...oops.

Great Grandma Claire inspects Zane's moose.

Back at Scott and Lily's place we had some time for relaxation while Zane napped before moving on to the next activity.

Tuesday was nice and sunny so we loaded up and headed over to the beach so Zane could see the Atlantic Ocean. Grandpa Dave even dipped his toes in!!

It's official, he's been 'in' the ocean!

Family picture at the Atlantic.

Another first: Zane stood while holding onto the table!

Uncle Same and Aunt Kristy came to meet Zane! He had a great time playing rocket ship launcher with Uncle Sam and was glad Aunt Kristy was there to catch all his spit up! Thanks Aunt Kristy :) We'll get you his menu ahead of time next trip so you can color coordinate your outfits with his peas and carrots.

Blast off!

Mason's long time friend, Adam, lives in Boston about 15 min. from the airport so we were able to catch lunch with him on the way. He lives right on a marina so we enjoyed the view while also enjoying our food!

Logan Airport has a neat kids area in the terminal. Zane was too young to enjoy most of it, but it did give us a chance to spread out and let him roll around before being confined to our seats for the next 5 hours. Notice the fantastic sitting that's happening in the two right hand photos!

Thank you to our great friends Unkie T, for house/dog sitting for us, and Brad for taking us to and from the airport amongst his busy schedule! We're here for you if you ever need anything....but you already knew that!

Happy Mother's Day!

POSITION:

Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy, Ma, Marm

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:
Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:
None required. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION:
Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS:
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.

A friend of mine sent this to me and I know now more than ever just how true it is. Thank you mom for all you've done and all you're still doing. I love you!

My mom even sent ME flowers!

We're spending Mother's day on a flight to Rhode Island. I know Zane is going to be terrific! Here's the little guy in his regular sleeping position: up on both knees with his face jammed against the bumper. We used to worry....now it's just normal.

Cinco de Mason

For those who didn't know, Mason's birthday is on May 5th and is better known as Cinco de Mason 'round these parts. This year was 30 for him so Zane and I tried our best to make it a special day. We started out with homemade pancakes with berries, followed shortly with presents (Mason's favorite part!). This year I collaborated with Mason's brother, Chris, on the gift. Even the wrapping was a collaboration...Chris provided the torpedo-like exterior and I added a festive bow. Pretty isn't it? Haha.

Chris has spent many creative hours on this guitar, it's really special and generous of him to part with it. I can't wait for Mason to play songs for Zane and hopefully spark his musical interest. And Chris - thank you so much for cleaning it up and helping make Mason's 30th so special!! We did it (virtual high five)!

When my folks were in town a few months ago Mason asked my mom if she could crochet a sock monkey. Well...guess what he got for his birthday! It's awesome!! Here the sock monkey poses with Zane. Don't worry mom, no spinach was transfered from Zane's mouth to the monkey....yet.

It's becoming a bit of a birthday tradition to go to Rogue for a little celebration. We went for lunch this year since it's a very kid-friendly establishment. Zane was in a great mood and was laughing up a storm the whole time.Zane is also grabbing at everything these days...Papa's big birthday beer was no exception.
He wants to drink out of the big boy cup.

Here we go! Here's a cup you can drink out of!!

At home we've rearranged the living room to have a big open space for Zane to explore. We made a big comfy nest for him right in the middle....notice where he is in relation to it. He is ALWAYS on the hard wood. I think he prefers it because it's louder when he bangs his toys on it.

We have a joke that Mason only gets to go out for sushi on his birthday since I don't like fish. This year we went to Mio Sushi and enjoyed numerous rolls, curry rice (for me), sake, and some delicious desserts. Thank you so much to Casey for babysitting for us!

Zane had his 6 month check up on Tuesday and is doing very well. He is 20.8 lbs. and 29 inches long. We asked the doc about the teething and he said it looks like it could be awhile before we see actual teeth come through and that his recent crankiness could be due to a lot of mental and physical growing instead. He said that some babies have a tough time because they want to become more independent but still maintain a close relationship with Mama and Papa at the same time. The doc said Zane could be struggling with this as we feed him more and more solid foods and as he becomes more mobile. Hmmmm....smart guy. So we're doing all we can to reassure little Z that we're not going anywhere and he should still explore all he wants. He's seems happy with that.

I think Virgil likes the attention.