It’s hard to believe that another year is coming to a close. 2009 was a big one for us: we grew from a family of three to a family of four, and our original “baby” became a big(ger) kid by starting preschool. It’s been a nutty, hectic year, but also a joyous, blessed one – and I can’t wait to see what 2010 brings!
Happy New Year, everyone!
-M
Though our trip last week was cancelled, Zoe did her fair share of talking about Madison and our family there. Here are a few stories.
-Several days prior to the trip (before Avery got sick), I asked Zoe where we were going that coming Tuesday. She wasn’t sure, so I explained we would be flying to Madison to see Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Sandy. She smiled and thought for a minute before adding, “And Coco!” excitedly. (Coco is my sister’s dog.)
-On Christmas Eve, when our trip was officially cancelled, I was feeling blue and had the following exchange with Zoe:
M: “I’m feeling sad because I miss my mommy and daddy.”
Z, pointing to Q in the other room: “But he’s right here.”
M: “No – that’s your daddy. I’m talking about my daddy, Grandpa.”
Z: “Oh, but we’re going on an airplane to see him.”
M: “We’re actually not going now – because of Avery.”
Z: “Well, we can probably go next week.”
-A few nights ago, Q asked Zoe if she wanted to use the money in her piggy bank for charity. We explained, in very simple terms, that this was the time of year that people like to help others, and we told her (as one example of the needy) that some older people are all alone. Her eyes got big as she asked, “Like Grandma?” (We explained that, no, Grandma was okay and had Grandpa to help her – and we later assured her that Safta also had PopPop!)
Zoe is super excited that her sister is (finally) better, because now she can play with her. (As mentioned earlier, we’ve been telling her to stay clear of Avery for more than a week now.) “You’re a little girl that’s not sick, so I can touch you,” she told Avery last night, right before tackling and hugging her. Here are some pics.
-M
When Cousin Tanner was born three years ago, we welcomed him with a post. It’s only appropriate, then, that we welcome the arrival of Tanner’s baby brother, Brock. He was born in Madison yesterday morning around 5, and we’re all looking forward to seeing him. Given that the kids are all so close in age (Tanner and Zoe are five days apart, and Avery is about six months older than Brock), I’m sure they’ll have a lot of fun playing together in the future!
-M
When I went to feed Avery early this morning, I picked her up, pressed my lips against her and felt something wonderful: a cool forehead. This coolness represented a sharp contrast to what I felt too many times this past week or so; for days, I kept picking her up and expecting her fever to be gone – but her head, sadly, was always hot.
Feeling her this morning filled me with a sense of relief: she’s finally (almost) better. And it made me think about how sick she was – something I didn’t really realize until the last day or two. As her medicine started to kick in and she started to improve, she began acting more like herself – and her smiling, laughing, and scooting around was quite different from the behavior she exhibited last Friday onward. As Q commented the other day, Zoe never got this sick as an infant – so this was new, and sad, territory for us as parents.
The truth is that there’s nothing more sad (and, at times, scary) than the sight of a miserable, lethargic baby. It’s been a long 10 days for us all, and we’re all still bummed about having to miss our trip to WI, but I’m just glad Avery is kicking this thing good-bye!
-M
As mentioned earlier in the year, Zoe enjoys taking pictures; now, thanks to GG-ma and Aunt Wendy, she has her very own (pink!) camera to do just that. Below is the very first picture she took (of Jenny), as well as some other ones that aren’t half bad! I’m sure you’ll be seeing more from our little photographer in the future…
-M
Since we weren’t able to be in Madison for Christmas, the four of us had a gift-opening Skype session with my parents and sister this afternoon. It wasn’t the same as being there, of course, but it was the next best thing! And what else did we do today? Avery was feeling a bit better (still coughing and sleeping a lot, but also happier when awake), so we headed to Fisherman’s Wharf, where we played tourist, shopped and enjoyed some clam chowder. Now we’re gearing up for an evening of Chinese take-out and a movie – which is what I hear some people like to do on Christmas… ;)
Happy Holidays, everyone!
-M
Is not frightful. That’s because we’re still in San Francisco, where it was sunny and nearly 60 degrees all day, instead of (the much colder) Madison. Though Avery is doing better, she’s still wheezing – and we were worried about taking her on an airplane tomorrow. I’m disappointed that we won’t be taking our annual Christmas trip home (and I know Zoe is going to miss seeing Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Sandy), but I suspect staying put is the best thing for Avery. So… we wish a Merry Christmas to my family, and we hope for better luck with next year’s travels!
-M
As part of her treatment, Avery needs to use a nebulizer with a little mask. Needless to say, she doesn’t like it very much – and Zoe rushed to her side when she started to cry this morning. “It will be fine!” Zoe told her. “Don’t worry – it’s just a mask.” I’m not sure if Avery registered what she was saying, but it was sweet just the same.
-M
Avery’s doing a little better today. Her fever disappeared for several hours, then returned in the afternoon – but she was more smiley and active than she has been for the past few days. We have a follow-up appointment with the doctor tomorrow, and here’s hoping she’s pleased with Avery’s progress!
-M
So, a trip to the doctor’s today revealed why Avery hasn’t been feeling well: she has a double ear infection and a mild case of pneumonia! I was, naturally, bummed by the news; I’m disappointed that we’re going to have to postpone our trip to Madison (original departure date = tomorrow), and I’m sad to think of her in any sort of pain! Still, she actually seems okay: she’s sleeping a lot, but she doesn’t act as fussy or uncomfortable as one would expect. (The picture below is from Sat., a day after she first got sick, if you can believe it!) Here’s hoping the medication kicks in quickly and my little patient starts to improve!
-M
Avery is sick (cold, cough, low fever), and Q and I have been telling Zoe all weekend to keep her distance. (It may be inevitable that Zoe gets Avery’s bug, but we can at least try to prevent it!) Zoe has been pretty concerned about her sister, but she obviously misses playing with her too. Tonight, when I was putting her to bed, she said to me, “I hope Avery feels better tomorrow – so I can touch her!”
-M
Last year I bought Q and Zoe a series of classes, called Little Learners, at the zoo. Their first one was last Jan., and they’ve been attending ever since. Yesterday’s class was a graduation of sorts; since Zoe is three, she’s now old enough for the next series, Animal Adventures, which starts next month. Oh, how time flies!
-M
First class:
Yesterday’s class:
Another holiday has come and gone, and we have another year or so to go before lighting the Hannukah candles again. Q mentioned this was the first year that Zoe really knew what was going on – which made celebrating a lot more fun. (And now we can look forward to Avery being old enough to participate with us.) Here’s a picture from last night’s last candle.
-M
When Zoe turned six months old, I commented that she was always smiling or laughing – or doing something to make us smile or laugh. The same goes for her sister, who is one-half year today: Avery is super smiley and giggly and just genuinely fun to be around!
Avery spends much of her time on her tummy, checking things out and scooting around to grab things. She enjoys toys, and her new favorites are a little teething blanket and a retro apple that makes noises and bobs back and forth. She now munches on everything – toys, clothes, hair, etc. – and this is something Zoe finds particularly funny. She’s often laughing and saying to Avery, “Don’t eat that!”
Speaking of Zoe, Avery is a big fan. When Zoe comes around to give her a hug or to play with her (which she’s been doing more of lately), Avery always laughs. “Be careful! I’m not sure your sister likes that,” I’ll often say to Zoe – before noticing that Avery is actually smiling. As we’ve blogged about before, Avery has yet to get upset over anything her sister has done to or around her; Q is always saying you can tell she’s the little sister.
Avery has hit the vocal stage, as babies of this age typically do. She says her b’s and d’s a lot, and one day it really sounded like she said “mama” (though I know it wasn’t intentional). She’s not much of a crier – unless, of course, she’s hungry or over-tired.
And speaking of tired, she’s mixed things up at naptime lately. For many months she took three short-ish naps during the day; for the last few weeks, she’s been taking a cat-nap in the morning and a longer one later in the day. Her night routine, though, is pretty consistent: she eats around 7:45 PM, sleeps from 8 PM-5 AM and, after some milk, dozes again until 7 or 7:30. I’ve been feeling disappointed that she continues to get up so early to eat, but her doctor commented yesterday that it’s common for breasfed babies to wake up once or even twice in the night to eat. I guess we just got spoiled by Zoe (who by this age was sleeping until 6 or 7 AM each night).
As for physical developments, Avery can sit up unassisted for small stretches of time. She can also scoot up and down and even “creep” backwards when on her tummy; a few weeks ago, she started turning in a full circle when on her stomach. She recently started flipping (stomach to back to stomach), and she now reaches for everything; hair and necklaces are her favorite targets.
Avery had her six-month check-up yesterday, and Dr. Fernandez reported that, at 18 lbs, 11 oz and 27.25 inches, she’s the size of a one-year-old. I love this age, and I’m happy she’s growing at such a healthy clip – but I can’t believe my “baby” is getting so big!
-M
