I just can't believe how quickly our little Zekey is growing. This past year especially seemed to go so quickly as I look back on it. I guess with four children, one being a newbie, Adren starting kindergarten, Eli and Paisley starting Preschool, so many milestones etc. It is just starting to fly by faster and I'm wondering if I'm pausing enough to smell the roses.
Zekey's whole birth was so miraculous, I still go back to that morning where it seemed one miracle took place after another. I really felt like everything was out of my hands and felt at peace. I still remember when Jon said, "It's a
boy!" I was just as shocked as if he'd said "girl"- It always is, for some reason. I remember the first time I looked at his little, swollen face, and I could immediately see so much of Eli it's the first time I've felt an instant love and bond with my new baby!
I remember bawling like a baby the whole way home from the hospital because we couldn't bring him home yet, and rushing back so early the next morning, not wanting him to wonder where his mommy was. I entered the nursery and saw him sleeping in his little bassinet and scooped him up, wispering that I was there. He was too sleepy to care or notice.
But I've loved scooping his little body up into my arms all year, wispering lovey words into his ear. He presses so hard against me and smiles- I know he loves it. If I know he's near I'll start saying, "Where's my little Zekey baby?" in my lovey voice and he'll peek around the corner all smiles, knowing that tone is for him.
I don't really remember when he started crawling- I do remember saying, "I bet Zeke will be crawling by next week." - and he was. I do remember when he started walking- right after he turned one. It seemed it only took a few days and he had it down. He runs everywhere! Still a little wobbly, but it's adorable! He's got such big feet, they keep him sturdy. He's such a climber. He can climb up on anything, he's got such strength in his upper body. Just a little ball of muscle.
I love to hear him jabber- it's more of a growl- he growls a lot. His chuckle sounds like Gus-Gus on Cinderella. His smile is
so cute! He's got like 6 upper teeth, and just the two bottom teeth. I love it. He's a good eater, he'll eat whatever the kids are having, and gets so excited sitting in his chair watching me dish up a plate for him or fill his cup with milk. He starts to laugh! I'm trying to get him to clap and point to his nose, belly button etc. but not yet.
He sure is loved. Adren get's so concerned about him if we leave him with a sitter- he's so good with him, carries him around, I watch him brush sand off him out in the sandbox, and take away shovels or things he thinks are too dangerous. He lifts him out of bed in the morning and plays with him. Eli just climbs right in- so does Paisley. They fill his bed with toys and all pile in.
Paisley likes to play with him, but gets a little bossy. She also thinks if he accidentally tosses a toy and it touches her he did it on purpose and puts her hands on her hips and yells at him while he's all smiles. I love putting him down for naps- that's our time. I wrap him in his cozy- which he loves and usually makes him chuckle- and we rock and sing while I rub his legs. He growls happily until he's asleep.
He's been so much fun! I always say, "Isn't it fun to have a little Zekey baby around?" and the kids all agree.
It sure is fun watching them with him, and see how much in love they are with their little brother. I'm glad there's a little gap so they can appreciate him and enjoy him.
He sure loves Jon. It seems in the mornings all he wants is Jon, and gets so sad when he has to put him down to go to work. He's with Jon pretty much all day on Sunday's, I feel like I don't even see him until after church.
I'm looking forward to the school year when it will just be he and I going on errands together and hanging out. It will be fun to watch this sweet little one grow!
