To mark Ziyan's 4th week, we took a bunch of pictures.
Zahra wanted to help. While she seemed so grown compared to our rapidly plumping third Z, mostly she reminded me how important it is to make her feel special during this transition time. So, both of my babies got some baby time.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Last week... Ziyan was 4weeks old
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Zilker: the fourth Z
Despite a newborn, less than two hours of sleep for mama, a rainstorm, an "in office procedure", and not having a car that fits our whole brood now that lovely Rachel is in town, we opted to caravan to Austin this weekend. Ever since Sam's short tour in San Antonio (9 years ago!) I've been dying to go to Zilker Park in Austin for a day at Barton Creek Springs Pool. Somehow we've never done it: it always seems the waters too cold, the weather too hot, or the traffic too bad. All of that held true yesterday but it was completely worth it. I kept exclaiming what a great day I was having. It was just a memory making kind of day and we got to spend it as a big happy family!
Friday, June 24, 2016
Ziyan is One Month Old
Gymnasticzz
Z1 and Z2 recently enrolled in tumbling and gymnastics, respectively and they are loving it. I know I am completely biased but they're also quite good! I think it's because they have almost no extra body weight and abs of steal.
Today, we headed to tot time to blow off some energy. It's an unstructured playtime on all of the near gymnastics equipment. The extra bonus is that Mommy didn't have to wear Z3 in the blazing sun! This baby is a first class sweater and we think he could use a break from burning up outside while the big kids do big kids things.
In addition to today's tot time, should admit that to fill up the summer, I have actually enrolled them in nearly everything: 4x/week swim lessons, gymnastics, ballet, random art classes, a few sessions of Montessori Summer Camp themed "Experiments!". Yesterday Zayd said, " Swimming again?? Aren't we doing too much stuff?" Conversely, Zahra is thrilled to tackle every adventure. Zayd has to be coaxed from the house every time only to discover he loves said activity once he's doing it. Wish me luck that a month from now I'm still getting him out of the house!
Monday, June 20, 2016
Living that Busy Mammen Life!
This Saturday we were living our normal Mammen life, doing all the things. But better than our normal life we have little Ziyan now and Auntie Soni was visiting!
We were out the door early so all 5 of us could take Zayd and Zahra to a Saturday morning Chinese class. I was super proud of how engaged they were and how Zayd volunteered to answer questions. (Ni hao, y'all.)
Afterward, we headed to Bowl and Barrel for lunch and a round of (hipster) bowling. Somehow Zahra won! We all had a great time and Ziyan slept like a baby in his Happy wrap.
To round out our busy busy afternoon, Ziyan and I went shopping so I could do my new favorite activity: buy lots of clothes, take them home, try them on, arrange to return them all later. Arg. Post-partum dressing is the worst.
Growing so fast
The "oh no, don't grow!" sentiment is beginning to set in around here. The little lamb is growing so fast and gaining little dents or nooks that will likely turn into full-on rolls. He's too tall for his newborn footie jammies. His cheeks are growing and now extend down to his tiny double chin. With all of this growth, comes a little extra sleep, though! He went almost six hours without food last night! (Though he still woke up at the three hour mark to cry and refuse food.) Ziyan has gained some head control and honest to goodness he rolled from tummy to back last night. I'm calling it a fluke. The kids are convinced it's a skill. We'll see!
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Gaining some chub...
My littlest Z is growing. It's a tad bittersweet but I think I'm handling it quite well. Babies are amazing but so are five year olds and three year olds...
Check out Ziyan's cheeks. They're filling in.
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Zahra Makes the Rules...All of the Rules
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Our First Outing for Four
Though Ziyan is just under twenty days old, today was Daddy's favorite neighborhood dad's event: Bikes, Brews and Bros. Because I'm mom AND wife of the year, Sam spent most of the day out with his favorite guys while I manned the home front. I think everything went super well. We even managed a .7 mile walk to Ziyan's favorite restaurant (favorite in utero) Jimmy John's!
Here's the proof of our first outing!
My Brownest Baby
We all can't stop saying how much Ziyan looks like his big brother. He's even plumping up the way Zayd did: chubby cheeks that all of a sudden make his chin look tiny.
But there's one way I can't deny he's totally Sam... Check out this little man's color. That's my hand and arm behind him for comparison in the first photo!!
But! Also note that Ziyan is sucking his thumb. So he's definitely mine!