Co-Sleeping (The Double Edged Sword)

If there is one thing that has been a touchy subject in the Seijezzali household, it's gotta be co-sleeping.  Z has been sleeping in our bed since we brought her home.  I have to say, it's been a successful way of getting her to sleep peacefully at night.  Shan enjoys the warmth of baby nestled in her arms and I enjoy the rest I can get so I can wake up at 5:30 a.m. feeling fresh and ready to go to work.  However, it's starting to get to a point where I would like to claim our bed back.  Shannon agrees with me but we have yet to successfully transfer her to her co-sleeper.  I have a plan.  Of course since it involves the child possibly crying for a little bit, Shannon has reservations.  

I believe that if we just place her in the co-sleeper once she has gone down, she will stay in there sleeping.  Z will probably wake up because she knows when she is in there and is used to her momma's warmth.  However, we must be firm.  I would then have to comfort her back once she wakes up and get her a sleep again.  Then place her back in the co-sleeper.  This may mean sleepless nights.  I am aiming at Spring Break to begin this bold plan.  That way, I can sleep during the day when I'm tired.  Hopefully there will be a post here that exclaims we are successful before the leaves can get back on the trees.  

As for us, we are doing well.  Shannon is in full swing with her new job.  She is writing letters for her dad's company and doing other small tasks that have her back on the payroll and contributing money to the family.  It's a pretty mindless job so she doesn't have to stress too much about it and it helps put more food on the table.  

I'm anxiously awaiting April when I take my students to DC and then get a week off for Spring Break to spend time with my little girl.  The weather is getting better and that means Spring is just around the corner!  Bust out the shorts!

Weekend Time!

What a week.  Shannon has gone through quite the health battle as she was plagued with flu like symptoms since Wednesday.  It got so bad, I had to take a day off from work Thursday to let her sleep while I took care of Z.  She has bounced back and today is feeling much better even though she still has the sniffles and can't really taste much.  

Zahra has been awesome.  She is growing well after a visit to the pediatrician.  After some debate, we decided to get her vaccinated with the DTap vaccine.  Man was that an experience.  I had never heard Z scream quite like that before.  Fortunately we were ready for the reaction so Shannon was nursing her while the shot was administered.  It was a blood curdling scream that had Shannon horrified.  I was just emotionless because I knew she had to get the shot and what point is there in getting upset about it?  Besides, Dad has to be strong for his little girl so I just hummed to her and told her it would be OK.  And it was because she was over it as we walked out of the office.

Asheville has grown cold again but we haven't let that bog us down.  We went for a nice walk in the neighborhood today and visited our friends, the Petriani family.  We also went to the local wine tasting and rented a flick.  Shan is feverishly preparing the seeds for the upcoming garden season.  I am trying to enjoy some rest before the work week comes back to bite me.  

In the meantime, check out Z lifting her head a whopping six inches off of Daddy's chest, us singing some rocking tunes (we don't need no stinking baby music!) and a face of the lovable mug.  Enjoy the pictures and tune in next time! 

So Much to Say!

Been a while since I have been able to sit and just type out my thoughts here.  Unfortunately I also have a tight timeline now so I'll be brief. 

We have a big decision to make about vaccines tomorrow.  Shan is not certain about getting them for Z due to some information her mom acquired from the doctor she visits.  Because of Shan's family history, this doctor told Grandma Elaine, we should think about certain vaccines and their potential side effects later on.  I personally think we should get Z some of the vaccines that are recommended but not all of them (like the Hep shots).  We'll decide tomorrow because we are going to the pediatrician Wednesday.  

In less serious news, Z has discovered Tiny Love (Thanks Esselstyn Family!), a mat with some fun colors and dangling toys that keeps her entertained.  She loves lying on her back and interacting with the blue cloth horse and the bright plastic shapes.  Just look at those bright open eyes!

Shan and I continue to adapt to the parent life.  We've been having dinner every night at around the same time at the dinner table while Z swings in her chair.  We've been tweaking our night routine and trying to get Z to bed at a sensible time.  We're also devising a method to work her out of the bed.  She's been sleeping more and more in her co-sleeper.  Our hope is to have her out sometime before or near summertime arrives so she can get used to sleeping on her own.  She had five straight hours of sleep last night, her record!  

Enjoy the pictures! 

Happy Valentine's Day

It's been a hectic week.  Shannon and I got a lot of things done today since we never really have time during the week to do much anymore.  Z has been sleeping well (except for Tuesday night).  She'd been cranky Wednesday and Thursday but has mellowed as her poop began to flow again.  Today has been a dream.  She slept almost the whole day and we even snuck her into the bassinet for about 30 minutes while we frantically ran around the house doing chores.  

The family was going to go out for a night on the town but instead opted to stay inside.  We rented a movie, ordered out some Chinese food and shut ourselves in.  We even dressed up little Z in a Valentine's outfit my mom sent us.  

We look to have a restful rest of the weekend together before Monday puts us in her jaws.  We have a visit to the pediatrician this Wednesday so tune in for the latest weight and health information.

Babies and Beer

We have discovered this amazing place in Asheville where families can come and enjoy one another while taking in premium beverages.  It's located at the Thirsty Monk downtown and takes place on Tuesday nights.  Babies and Beer is a night to take your toddler or infant out while you enjoy some exquisite high gravity ales and lagers with the company of other hard working grown ups.  Shan and I have gone the past two Tuesdays and it's been fun.  Z usually chills and takes in the lively establishment complete with stools and coasters and colorful foam mats and wooden miniature trains.  There are usually dozens of families just hanging out with their kids enjoying great company and spirits.  I can't think of a better thing to do as a parent than to bring your child to such a social event with other little ones while kicking back some cold ones with folks who are in the same boat.  If there isn't one of these events going on in your town and you are a parent, start it up because it is fun.   

Back in Asheville, Z Keeps Growing

I have returned to Asheville after being at a friend's wedding this past weekend (great wedding by the way Leslie and Ruben!).  What did I find when I returned?  

Baby Z is as cute as ever.  Mommy bought her an organic cloth carrot to play with (she likes to eat it).  She seemed to grow a little while Daddy was gone.  It was awesome to see her again after being gone.  We spent some quality time together this afternoon (I had to make sure she didn't forget who I was).  Shannon was happy and excited to show me all of the work she had done to the house while I was gone.  She completely redid the office (the last undone section of the home) by repainting it and overhauling the desk area.  It's a work of art.  

I would describe the whole experience of stepping out to Miami as a time warp scenario where I went back in time.  Fortunately, I was able to ride that same time machine back to the present. 

So I am back in the groove after a grocery store visit with the family to get ready for the rest of the week.  It was nice to go to Miami and see family and friends.  It was nice to party with those family and friends and relive my old single life.  But I would not want to live my life without my ladies.  I'm a fortunate man. 

Let it Snow!

We have been slammed by cold temps and the white powdery stuff over the past few days.  It's been so bad up here we've missed two days of school.  

The Seijezzali family has been keeping warm inside though.  Z is doing great.  After a few doses of the Zantac medication, her tummy troubles and fussiness disappeared.  And better still, Shannon is feeding pain free for the first time in a long time.  The girls are set (for now)!

Meanwhile, I am preparing for my first trip away from the family.  I am heading to a wedding this weekend in Miami and will my precious ladies.  Am I leaving the girls alone you ask?  Of course not!  Grammy Elaine has arrived today for the next five days.  Grandpa Larry came up as well to help out with some projects.  I can leave Asheville with the peace of mind that they are being taken care of.  

We'll be on hiatus here at the blog for the next few days so tune in next week for more news.  

Super Sunday

It is the most gorgeous day of the new year so far and Asheville is taking it in.  It's a balmy 65 degrees with sunny skies and a cool breeze.  It feels like the first day of spring as folks are walking down the main drag in shorts and T-shirts.  Z and I joined the dozens of people out and about on a short walk to procure some party items for today's big game.  There were bikers and skaters and walkers and runners.  It was amazing.  The walks Z and I take are really nice because everyone benefits.  Z gets a nice nap and some exposure to the outside world, I get some exercise and Shannon can get some alone time.  

We also busted out some nice early spring gear with Z as she is rocking the purple today!  Notice the various shades of lavender and violet in all aspects of her attire.  Of course, no one told her the purple clad Ravens didn't make it to the Super Bowl (her middle name is Raven) but we won't ruin it for her.