On becoming a human pacifier, Part II

We had a very early morning set of flights back home. The timing of leaving my folks house coincided pretty well with the finish of Zoe's 4am breakfast, which was a nice coincidence. Having completed those first flights a whole week ago, we packed our carry-ons a bit more efficiently. We're still trying to figure out, though, all of those families that were walking around the airport without car seats - we can't figure out what they do with them. Check them all the way through? Don't they get dirty and greasy? It'd be great not to lug the seat around the airport, with Zoe just hanging out in the Baby Bjorn, but we have yet to figure out how to do it...

Anyways, with those first couple of flight behind us, we were better prepared for the whole bit. One of us boarded first with all of the carry-ons, and the other waited in the terminal as long as possible with sleeping Zoe. We were able to sort-of time feedings for at least either the ascent or descent. And we just accepted the crying (though there was less of it, I think). On the way back there were a lot more families, so we have a feeling they were all accepting the crying as well. All I have to say is I am thoroughly impressed with those parents that travel by themselves with their child(ren !) - I have a new found respect for all they go through.

family self-portrait - back in Austin!

Grandpa's high chair

My dad is busy making a high chair for Zoe. He had a full-scale mock up made of scrap wood, so Zoe could try it out and we could make any design modifications. Looking forward to seeing the finished product!

And here are some pics of Zoe, just because!

Over a river and through the woods

Hikes on the hill behind my parents house are a regular occurrence when visiting. Thankfully the weather was gorgeous and we were able to enjoy the great outdoors.

fresh air puts someone to sleep...

to Grandma & Grandpa's house we go

We were able to spend the holidays with my family and enjoyed it quite a bit. We don't get to see them all that often, since it requires a plane ride or 15 hour or so drive on someone's part. Plus, Matt was able to join us, and we get to see him even less often then my parents. It was a very enjoyable week. Zoe definitely enjoyed the attention. Kyle and I definitely enjoyed the help.

Matt and Martha get a few giggles out of Zoe

I think I remember seeing this person a few months ago...Halloween maybe?

Hanging out with Grandpa

So, who has less hair: Uncle Matt or Zoe?
Definitely not the bear...

How does Zoe celebrate her 15 week birthday?

By giving her Mom and Dad a present: sleeping 8 whole hours!
Thank you Zoe!

Great Grandma's quilt

My grandmother, Zoe's Great Grandma, makes beautiful quilts. This Christmas we were able to pick up Zoe's quilt, which had made it over to my parents' house. It's the perfect size for a play-mat. During family game nights Zoe hung out on the quilt with visits from those who had already finished their turn, laughing up a storm at the constantly changing cast of court jesters.

On becoming a human pacifier, Part I

awaiting our first flight

For the holidays, we adventured into the world of flying with an infant, which we found to most definitely be a test of our stress-coping skills. The first leg was a quick half hour flight, which means it's all up and down, which also means it's a bit hard on those baby ears. Pacifier sucking just does not happen when Zoe is unhappy, and Zoe is most definitely unhappy if she has a full diaper and she's not up being walked around. Someone later told us they knew of a person who had brought ear plugs for those around her traveling infant, and I'm sure those on our first flight would have appreciated this. Thankfully it was short one!

Kyle and Zoe after the first leg of our journey - Zoe's still not so sure about this 'flying' thing

We arrived in Dallas for a two hour layover. Zoe definitely appreciated being able to walk around, and not being confined to one place. Boarding the plane went fine, and as we had been moved up to first class, we were looking forward to the extra leg room (for Zoe's legs). As the plane pulled away from the gate, the crying started. By the time the plane was taking off, Kyle and I were both ready to rent a car at our final destination to drive home instead of fly. Thankfully, Zoe decided meal time had finally arrived, during which she fell asleep. Usually we have to sit her upright after eating because of the reflux, but we just left her there the entire flight, thankful that all of us were getting some rest. We must have looked like we'd already had quite the day, as the flight attendant was more than happy to provide Kyle with some strong drinks. We arrived eager to get to a house, and thankfully Zoe continued to sleep through the car ride to Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Mo - the human pacifier
Zoe - finally quiet
Man sitting behind us - finally, quiet

(sort of) dressed up

This year we again attended the German-language Christmas service at St. Martin's here in Austin. It's nice hearing German again, and I feel like I can sort of follow along. For the event we dressed Zoe up in an actual outfit, instead of just the onesies and leggings which are our staples. Here are a few photos:

We've also gotten in some reading lately, which Zoe is pretty into. Here we are reading Dr. Seuss's ABC book:

Week 13/14

So, Zoe has most definitely started the drooling/teething thing. A month ago we thought it would just be a fluke, but it's pretty constant now, hence the teething tools in the photos above. The only issue is that she can't pick them up by herself, so it's a matter of putting it in her hand and then Zoe managing to get it to her mouth - not quite that coordinated yet. So...my thumbs seem to work pretty well for gnawing on.
Meanwhile, this past week was my first back at work, and Kyle & Zoe's first at home alone. Omi was able to come a couple of times to help out, which I know Kyle appreciated. The scheduling of working and pumping is something to figure out, and will become even more of an issue when we both start working. All of a sudden I have a definite timeline that I have to stick to for getting to work, at work, and then getting home. No more of deciding the day-of to work a couple more hours. This will definitely make this year a challenging one.
Here's a parting shot of Kyle and Zoe out for one of their walks this past week. Aren't they a great team?

war has been declared & update on single-stream recycling

So, we apparently have some pretty smart squirrels in our backyard. They figured out exactly what was preventing them from getting into the promised land of food sources, and bit through the exact portion of the hinge on our compost so they could pull off the lid and feast. We've temporarily put duct tape on, but that's already not holding them up. They laugh in our face : "Duct tape? You have got to be kidding us. Foolish humans!"

Meanwhile, since single stream recycling has started up, we've consistently had a full-to-the-brim recycling container, while our trash has had two bags of diapers, and one partially full household trash bag. It's awesome. With the compost going, we really do throw away so little trash.

Robot Dad

Now Zoe can control where she walks around in the house,
without having to do the actual walking...

The World’s First Energy-Generating Revolving Door

Inhabitat � The World’s First Energy-Generating Revolving Door
Coffee makes the world go round?

12 Weeks!

Isn't it amazing? She's almost three whole months old!Zoe - skeptical?

As a family we're definitely getting more used to each other. Kyle and I were thinking how much has changed, especially since the medicine for the reflux is working now. She takes a regular (almost) nap in the afternoon for a couple of hours, she goes to bed at night around 7:30/8:30 until about 1 or 2 (a whole 5 hours of sleep in a row!), she smiles and laughs (even in her sleep), she drools like crazy (teething already? oh no!), she makes noises (baby books call is 'talking' - ha), she notices Lola and Sophie (they still don't know what to think of her), she does (baby versions of) push-ups, she stands (with help for balance) and in general she is so much more aware of her environment. We still do have tough times - she is not fond of waking up or going to sleep, there's still plenty of spit-up, she wants to feed every couple of hours starting at 4am - but overall there has been such an improvement in our family life. It's so encouraging to see that she actually is growing!

laughing at Dad

Now, let me tell you what it's all about Bear...

What's going on here? Why are you guys laughing?

I love my pacifier

Recycle your Brita filters

From Preserve...

Preserve Recycles Brita Water Filters

We are proud to announce that we have teamed up with Brita and, beginning in January, will recycle all Brita pitcher filters returned to our Preserve Gimme 5 program. The No. 5 polypropylene plastic from the casing will be used in our products. The filter ingredients – activated carbon and additional ion-exchange resin that reduces lead, mercury, copper, cadmium and zinc that might be found in tap water – will be regenerated for alternative use or converted into energy.

Starting in January, you can drop off your used, dry Brita pitcher filters at participating Whole Foods Market stores or mail them directly to Preserve Gimme 5. Full details and instructions on both options, including a complete list of Gimme 5 stores, will be available at www.brita.com in early January 2009. To read more visit http://www.brita.com/pr/recycling.pdf

Winter craft

In case anyone is looking for some easy decoration to make (perhaps some fake snow for us non-snow receiving areas of the country?), these are super simple and look pretty good.

Week 11

Well, Zoe is now a whole 11 weeks old! Hard to believe how quickly the time has gone by.
We did enjoy Thanksgiving at Omi & Pop's house, with the entire family. I'm so appreciative to have all of these extra hands to watch and take care of Zoe. And it seems she had a good time as well - when we got back to the house, she slept for a whole 6 hours that night! All that excitement can certainly wear a girl out. The next day she got in a good amount of rest as well, allowing Kyle and I to set up the Christmas tree, and clean out a few things to pass on to Goodwill. The den is still a disaster, but hopefully someday we'll be able to clean that up...

Who's walking who?

Kyle walking Zoe walking Lola

or
Lola walking Zoe walking Kyle ?

Birthing Class Reunion

Last nite we got together with our birthing class group - everyone, including the new dads. Had a great time talking with everyone. It really is such a great resource, having these other families to get tips from on dealing with new babies that are the same age as Zoe.

Speaking of - aren't these the cutest babies ever?!
(Fletcher, Bodhi, Quinn, Aidan, Zoe)

And here are Kyle and Mike playing 'swap the baby.' Quinn was about 2 weeks early, and weighed around 6 - 1/2 pounds I believe, but now he's 3 pounds heavier than Zoe - go Lisa! Zoe had a bit of a panic attack in the car on the way over, so she spent the entire nite swaddled and snoozing.

Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging

How much sense does this make? If it's on Amazon, it's not as if the packaging needs to entice the shopper to pull it off of some imaginary shelf anyways...
Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging FAQs

laundry

I honestly don't know why I bother to change clothes - either mine or Zoe's. An hour later we both end up soaked with at least one bodily fluid. It would ease the laundry burden a ton if we just wore one set of clothes a week. It's not as if I'm really showering every day anyways.
edit: not to mention the floors or the furniture - we should just be living outside in a cave or something.

Tummy time video

Napping in the Sling

First time forward facing...

Google Flu Trends uses web search to track real flu

Google Flu Trends uses web search to track real flu
In case you want to know when it's coming to you!