Illness

I have decided that 2 ER visits in the last month is enough for me. I know there will be broken bones and I can handle that but when your baby can't breathe it is a very scary thing. Zach has bronchiolitis and an ear infection. We had a visit to the walk-in clinic (our doctor had no appointments) and they said to watch him and agve him a heavy duty shot. Well about 4 or 5 in the morning he started getting worse so we headed up to Vnaderbilt Children's Hospital. They were so great with him. It was awful to watch some of the things they had to do to him to get him breathing better but after 7 hours in the ER we were able to go home. Zach is doing much better now and it is amazing the difference a caring doctor and hospital staff make. The doctor at the walk-in clinic was off yesterday but logged in to her computer to see if we brough Zach back in and how he was doing. She saw that he had been brought to the ER and called my cell phone to check on him and see how he was doing. It meant more than anything to us that she cared so much to call. You don't see that very often anymore.

Here are a few pictures of Zach before he got real sick. I love with the new camera that you can see the drool dripping down his chin :) Note, Ryan's slipper is almost the size of Zach.

Preemie Onesie Drive

Everyone please check out this blog. I would love to get together and donate some onesies. Zach was a preemie but luckily not in the NICU but I know how hard it was to find close for him and know these babies could use some clothes especially since these parents are having to pay so many hospital bills. Maybe we can send them all together.
http://preemieonesiedrive.blogspot.com/

Christmas

Zach had a very good first Christmas. He racked up on the toys. I did pretty good myself. I got a Canon 40d camera. I was so excited. I have been wanting one forever.

Zach meeting baby Emma

Zach met baby Emma for the first time last week. He wasn't sure at first and after he tried to be rough and we told him be gentle he was very good with her. It seemed like he wanted to hold her hand. She is a very sweet baby and she slept almost the whole time we were there.

Little Monkey laughing

Here is a video of Zach laughing. He is too funny when he laughs.

http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w54/lrickels/?action=view&current=MVI_0701.flv

Really crawling

Zach is really moving now. He has his own way of crawling but it gets him places. I can't wait until Christmas to see him get into everything.

http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w54/lrickels/?action=view&current=Zachcrawling12-20-08.flv

Zach crawling & 9 months

Zach turned 9 months Saturday. He started eating cheerios this weekend as well. This is a milestone because before now everytime we had given him solids he gagged. He loves cheerios. He crawled this weekend too. He only did it for a minute but I am sure he will be a pro by Christmas. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4TOSB5-uZk

Trouble

Zach has been sick since Friday. Today he was finally feeling a little better. We were doing the dishes after dinner and we turned around and he was opening the drawers, which is his new favorite thing. We really need to baby proof the cabinets but he is not crawling yet so we are good for now.

Thanksgiving weekend

Here are some photos of Zach from the weekend. He had a good Thanksgiving, since he is still on baby food and gags on real food I gave him a jar of sweet potatoes and turkey. He loved it. Then when we ate dinner I thought he might like some real sweet potato casserole. When I gave it to him, true to form, he gagged and threw up on me. I start my new job on Monday. I am really excited but nervous at the same time. They invited us to a family party this weekend. We had a great time and Zach was a big hit.

What do you mean no real turkey

Loving my dinner

Happy & full

Hanging out on dad

Watching the fire

Ava sitting on the sofa table

Pictures

8 months

Here is Zach's 8 month picture (and a few others)

Baby Idol

Please vote for Zach in Baby Idol. I entered him in the contest. You can only vote for his group today and the top 3 in his group go on to the finals. It is a $500 grand prize!! It doesn't cost any money and you don't have to sign up to receive any magazines or all that junk. You just have to create a username so they can track who votes (so there aren't doubles) Please vote today. He is Baby #110. Copy and paste the link:
http://www.1075theriver.com/pages/babyidol2008.html.

Spread the word so as many people vote for him that can. If he makes it to the finals I will let you know.