First Road Trip

This actually happened just before Thanksgiving, but I'm a bit behind on my blogging.



Dad and Zoey by a wine barrel, the whole gang (Vince, me, Zoey, Becky and Bill) at Copia, Mom and Zoey at Chateau something or other...



OK, Becky is the official trip photographer but I had to take this one.


First pic is a familiar sight but the second is the "aw-geez-another-winery" face

Walking around Copia on the first day in Napa

Hmmm, well, there's still more pictures but Costco seems to have lost them. Becky is the photographer to credit on all of these pictures....there's so many more too! Too many to post.

Zoey did travel very well in the car and it was a long 8 hour drive. I only had to do some mild entertaining (One Fish Two Fish, etc.) for about an hour. She was up at 4 am every morning though. Thank goodness I brought the jogging stroller. Becky, Bill, Zoey and I went for walk/jogs around Yountville every morning. Nice way to get to know a new town...at the crack of dark! This picture is just after sunrise with "Uncle Bill" at the wheel, Becky is, of course the, photographer and I'm off and running...my motto these days is fake it until you feel it and I'm referring to my energy level...get your minds out of the gutter, folks!

First Thanksgiving

Uncle Kevin making creamed brussel sprouts au gratin under my watchful eye...just kidding...Kevin is a natural in the kitchen. If only he weren't diabetic...so much culinary fun to be had!



Zoey is already a hearty eater, so turkey with all the trimmings was no stretch for her taste buds.



Here's the dinner (I'm just noticing the pictures look really crooked, LOL). Thanks Allison for fixing this picture for me. From left to right is me, Zoey, Grampa Don, Gramma Jean, Grampa Lionel, Uncle Kevin and Vince. Not pictured (because he got a better dinner offer...just teasing) is Uncle Dean. Thanks for coming Jean and Lionel! Thanks Dad and Kevin too. It was a really long trip for you both but I'm really grateful to have had you here.

Later, CHP officer, "Aunt" Chris (not to be confused with Auntie Kris) came to sample the food to make sure everything was within the acceptable limit...and the picture shows that my alcohol level was most likely way beyond the acceptable limit.



Some soak time in the Jacuzzi helps aid the digestion.



This is the day after Thanksgiving...spending quality time with Uncle Kevin in the "Octagon". Nice hair Kev!



Then later, Kevin babysitting while I rode...this was probably the only moment when she wasn't crying. Sorry we didn't get any pictures of Grampa Don with Zoey...next time.

9 Months Old

Swings, striking a pose in the back yard, thinking about college with Dad...



No, I'm not in a spaceship...this is a crawling tube at the playground.



Mom and me on the way to the playground (photo by either Uncle Kev or Grampa Don) and modeling a BG (Becky Greene) one-of-a-kind couture sweater. Thank you Becky...can you make me one like it next time?

Anyway, sometimes the last month seems to have stretched forever...what a time warp! And I catch myself wondering what happened to my life. Not in a bad way, just stuff like, "it sure was nice to take showers" or "I really miss going to the bathroom without having to entertain someone at the same time." I know all you seasoned parents are thinking...don't wish it away, it'll be gone forever before you know it. *SIGH*

What's new? Hmmm, still crawling and definitely cruising circles around the coffee table. Not too much interest in walking. Why walk (or crawl) around something when there might be the slightest chance of climbing over? Yep, her boyfriend Charlie is walking already(way ahead of the curve) but she's definitely a climber. Better put bars on the bedroom windows or she'll be meeting said boyfriend in a few years on the sly. YIKES!!

What else? I think she has about 5 teeth. She won't let me visually investigate, but if I let her bite me (and mostly it happens without my permission) I can usually tell by the marks left on my skin. LOL!

We did re-visit the "Ferber" method...and for those of you who haven't read the book, he's the Dr. who trumpets the "Cry-it-out" strategy. It took five days but seems to be getting better. It is not a fun thing to do for anyone involved, let me tell ya! Again, all you experienced folks are probably thinking we shoulda done it a long time ago.

Just Pictures

First Halloween

Yes, I made this myself. This costume was inspired by one of the first (really loud) noises Zoey made. It was a cross between a Pterodactyl and an Eagle...I chose the Eagle. With that start, I decided to go Patriotic as an Army soldier.

Thanks, Martha Stewart for the patterns and directions...Zoey did her first short round of Trick-or-Treating. Just some of the 12 houses on our street and the mall with her boyfriend Charlie, a mere pittance compared to what I remember Dad doing with Kevin and me.

After a hard night of knocking on doors for treats (which I ate for her) she went straight for the bucket of candy. She really wanted Skittles but had to settle for a grape lollipop.

8 Months Old

Very mobile and working on cruisin', loves the baby swing at the playground very much, thank you and the jogging stroller anytime, anywhere...at least I'm well exercised if not well rested...yes, the "No Sleep For Mom" saga continues. "Crying it out" didn't work the first few times...AT ALL, so now I have no faith in the method. I'm still getting up to do something every 2-3 hours and factor in Daddy's snoring so I probably get about 4 hours of sleep. Very little rest for one who used to require 10 hours per night. Sometimes I feel like I'm going insane.

Daytimes are nothing but tyring to convice her to take two naps and about 15 feedings (in a 24 hour period!!) when you count the "boob time" and solids. I'm trying to work out a new shedule. Maybe she needs all the extra energy since she's mobile now? Nothing I need to point out in the pics but I'm noticing a standard pose now that I see them all grouped together...of course, what post would be complete without Charlie? We love Charlie (and his Momma). Zoey's very self-absorbed compared to Charlie. He's a sweet, intuitive and sensitive guy and I melt when he looks at her the way he does. She's a lucky girl to have him in her life in ANY capacity!

I almost forgot...

Zoey's crawling! First time was September 29 but she didn't really mean it until October 4. I'm working on posting all the video on www.YouTube.com. Easiest way to view is to just use my info. Username:LVZLopez Password: voodoo It's all just silly little clips. The DVD Compilation Set has had a limited release.

7 Months Old

Yep, 7 months old and I guess it's high time Zoey started thinking about what to be when she grows up. (I'm modeling this blog after Irete's Retreat, referenced in a previous post. But I don't have quite the camera she has.) See the photos... Should I be a chef? (No mom, these are underwear not a hat!) But I'm already trying to be a sommelier so I'll go with it? Or a French Horn player since I already play piano? Or a gymnast to combine with my swimming lessons, and I could be a high diver? Party/sorority girl? Actress specializing in on-screen kisses with hunky leading men named Charles? So many possibilities...


And the newest addition to our home decor is the "Super Prison Yard". She doesn't like being in there unless I'm doin' time with her. She's no dummy!

OK, so all you Moms and Dad's need to post comments on this post. Here's the issue:

To cry it out or not to cry it out? That is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the cries and wails of and outraged babe or to take her up in thine arms against the advice of those who have tread these waters ere mine self. And by opposing them, perchance I will die from lack of sleep. No more; and by a sleep to say we end the heart-ache and the thousand unatural torment that a childs voice at night can render upon that ear belonging to the flesh that she is heir to, 'tis a death devoutly not to be wish'd. To die, to sleep; To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub; For when was the last time I slept enough to actually dream...I could go on as Hamlet did.