Ireland Trip!

Enjoy these photos of our trip to Ireland. If you're looking for beautiful pictures of the country, you might have to wait for our next trip. Instead, enjoy these pictures of all the things Zander learned to do while he was away.

A Toy With Noise

Zander has really enjoyed playing with all the toys that are different at his cousins' house. After a few days, this one was put in front of him- it sang and did all sorts of different things that none of his toys at home do. Luckily, he isn't quite old enough to be learning the alphabet, or he'd learn the Irish version where Z is Zed. Tomorrow we return home, and then have the Cummins' grandparents visiting next. Hopefully we'll find time to put together the slideshow of a great trip oversees!

Still Having Fun!

Without sharing too many photos to save some for the slideshow, here's a few of Zander enjoying himself in Ireland- the land of fun balls to play with!

St. Paddy

8 Months Old in Ireland!

Well, Zander, survived his first transcontinental flight (I was a little worried after he spent the previous 24-hours throwing up and not eating...). He spent his first St. Patrick's day in Ireland with cousins, grandparents, and his aunt and uncle playing, and seeing his first parade.

Here he is watching the parade, although he was more fascinated with the ladies colorful hat, and pulling the hair of passerby's (oops...)

Here he is watching the parade with his cousins, Ciara and Eoin. As you can see, he's a little jetlagged.

Later that evening, after a long nap, he was more into playing. He wasn't interested in drawing, but did like to play with the mat.

Luckily, Uncle Phil reminded me that it was Zander's 8 month birthday, or I would have forgotten to take photos.

We didn't get too many photos though, as tiredness set in. Well, stick around for more fun from Ireland, and a slideshow when we return next week!

Laughing, Part 3

Silly songs that mom sings and don't make any sense also make Zander laugh...

Postponing Frustration...

Sometimes, Zander doesn't really feel like hanging out at the table, or when other people are eating, and he wants 'big people' food (not mashed up stuff). So, recently, our friend Apryl suggested giving him a dill pickle to play with will trying to occupy him at a restaurant. It worked out pretty well- no allergic reaction, and only small pickle bits in his diaper (I concluded after close examination). So, we've experimented with a few other things too...

Oranges were working out ok, until his bottom teeth came through, and are sharp enough he can just get bits of the peel off- We don't offer that anymore.

Fortune cookies also work, although, you have to wait a short bit until he gets it apart to snag the paper (hence Jehan- thanks!)

And, they make quite a mess- you can't see all the goopey drooled on crumbs attached everywhere! Next, we need photos of the pickle and animal crackers. Seems they don't sell Melba toast around here...

Starting to Crawl??

This is either Zander starting to crawl or he thinks we are going to Asia next week, and not Ireland...

Part 2...

I think I am going to start a video series of "Random Things That Make Zander Laugh". It's starting to become quite entertaining, and mostly happens when he's really tired, although also happens sporadically throughout the day. If you scroll down to February 24, you will see Clip #1 of Brent and Rasta Wrestling. Today, I am posting Clip #2 of Brent 'butting' his belly with his head, and Clip #3, rolling a block on the table. Enjoy our funny baby!

Clip #2


Clip #3

Brush, Brush, Brush

Zander has been really fascinated by a lot of things lately, especially brushing teeth. Instead of trying to keep him from grabbing mine all of the time, we've been brushing our teeth together. Mostly, he just looks in the mirror at himself while chewing on the end, and is still a little confused by the spitting part.