Our Little Girl is Growing!

You don't really see your kid grow until you take a look at some pictures and remember how small they were. Here is a small time line of pix with Zahra and her doggie doll (actually was Shannon's when she was a little girl). The first pic was taken a week after she was born. The next shot shows here at four months. This latest picture was taken a few days back at five months and two weeks.

The whole "tooth" about the last 24 hours

So yesterday, after I arrive home form a long day of work, Shan informs me that she is having emergency surgery on her tooth. She asks that I take the day off from work to help out with this situation since Grandma Laney would be taking care of the babe and she would need me to give her a ride. Fast forward 24 hours. Shannon is in good spirits after a successful procedure that has fixed the problem. She is tired but is resting now with baby Z. Grandma is making dinner and I am typing after taking a half day. How about that for the condensed version? I leave you with a picture of the two beautiful ladies.

Funny video!

We've got laughing and we've got reaching out and grabbing!

Thanks Essylstyns!

Man, we have the bestest people living here in Asheville. One group in particular is the Essylstyn family. We have a link to their blog right there on our site. (Hattie) We have received a TON, literally, of stuff from them including outfits, diapers, assorted baby supplies and lots of love. This past week, we received another bit of second hand love in the form of a swing set. Z LOVES IT! Thanks again guys, you rock!

A Busy Wet Weekend

Whew, the Seijezzali's are finally settled in and relaxing after a busy weekend.

First, Grandma Elaine is in town. She is here for the week and to give mom and dad some relief as well as good company. Upon her arrival, we headed to our Friday Hops and Vines beer tasting event. We ran into Craig and Isabella as well as a good friend, Brady who is passing through Asheville on his way to the river. Goods times were had by all.

Saturday was spent cleaning up the house. We finally have our hallway back! After months of storing boxes and assorted objects in the hallway, we have exercised all of those demons and moved everything into either our attic, basement or the garage sale bin. The hall almost seems like an air strip it's so huge! Later, we ended up at a party. It was located at my friend Brian Mahoney's house. Again, great times were had. The Mahoney's have a gorgeous property just outside of Asheville. It's 20 acres of 360 degree mountain vistas. Z was so excited to be out. She even got to meet her first llama.

Today was shopping day (eventually that was going to happen with three women around right?). We hit Lowes and Target and a bunch of other spots. Z was talking it up the whole time. She has become so observant! This little girl needs to be engaged in something at all times or else she is screaming for some attention. She enjoys people watching and going to new places.

Another thing got settled this weekend that is good news for those of you in sunny South Florida. We booked our tickets for a trip down there in mid June! Shan finally caved in and we are hitting the Sunshine State for a week. More details to come!

May Flowers

With all the rain we have received in April, it's no wonder we have May flowers blooming everywhere. Shannon and Z went out to the bird sanctuary north of Merrimon Avenue today and took some cute pictures with her little friend Stella. Enjoy!

Cuban Chef

My mom hooked us up with a great Cuban cookbook for Mother's Day. In it, authentic recipies of all the good stuff. How do I know? Well, Shan created a rice pudding that (dare I say it?) rivals my GRANDMOTHER'S! I know! It's insane to think that your wife can cook like your grandmother, but so far, things are only getting better.

Today, Shan created a fish dish that was to die for. "Restaurant Quality" is the top rating in my book and we know that is sure sign that it's a keeper. That is good news for baby Z and Daddy T as well. We look forward to your cooking honey!

Mother's Day

What a special day Sunday was!

It all started with breakfast in bed for Shannon. She got a nice stack of banana pancakes made by Zahra coupled with a bowl of fresh fruit (courtesy of a wonderful parent from school). Then Z delivered her Mother's Day card to mom. Daddy hooked mama up with a massage package and Euro facial (it just sounded nice) from Sensibilities. Then we spent the rest of the day out and about. We shopped for groceries and worked in the yard plenty. We grilled out to finish off the day in our backyard (well, I cooked out there, it was rather chilly out for the girls).

And to think, Z planned out the whole thing! I just bought everything (I forsee a pattern here). What a brilliant little lady.

Swinging for the Fences

Can you believe it? Two posts in a row!
Today has been great! Z is happy and sleeping on her own in the co-sleeper! What a difference a few days make. I'm happy to say our sleep plan is working. Of course I don't want to jinx it (too late I guess) but mom and I are happy as can be.

Enjoy the pictures of Z and her first swing ride!

And it begins...

So Shannon and I (mostly Shannon) have decided its time to get Z on a real sleep schedule. Now we had one going before but it fell apart, mostly because I am being a baby and not really following through with what we have planned. Right now, I have been so fixated with getting to bed that I usually give in and just want Shannon to make the baby go to bed (which means Shannon brings Z to our bed and they both go down). This has been a great short term solution for daddy since he gets to sleep all night long but we both know this is going to end horribly. So we are going to try a fixed time schedule deal where we take turns putting her down and making her go to sleep. How are we doing this? I still really don't know what the heck I'm doing but at the moment, the baby is sleeping and I'm typing and we'll all be going to bed soon (I hope).

The toughest thing about parenting an infant has got to be giving up your life. Trust me, I've been fighting this. I mean, we still do stuff, hang out and get things done but I've come to fully realize I just can't do what I want all the time anymore. Taken me almost five months to realize this because I'd been doing pretty well as far as having a good time and being a dad. But as Z gets older and she begins to make even more demands, I must give in and sacrifice more. It also doesn't help that I'm actually starting to feel old. My body is slowly going the way of the old man and I truly just want to get home, eat and chill and not do much else.

The good thing is, whenever I look at Z, all else seems to matter less and I forget about my problems. In the end, she is what is important. It must be so because she is the future of us and must be preserved at all costs. Must be something in the DNA that makes us strive to keep her healthy and happy and makes our hearts melt at any sight of pain she is enduring. Even thinking about her makes me feel better. So I'll go do that now and enjoy this quiet moment!

Where have we been?

After a long hard set of weeks, we are back. I thought things were going to be easier as time went by but it's only gotten busier. The Seijezzalis are up to our heads in activities, projects and everyday life.

Zahra has been great. She is growing, slowly but surely. Her attention continues to increase and her awareness is sometimes scary. She is at that point where she recognizes the both of us and has the presence of mind to choose which one of us she wants. It's mostly Shannon, especially at night but every once in a while, she wants her daddy. We are trying to keep her sleep schedule somewhat coherent. Right now she is going to bed earlier but waking up earlier as well. She hasn't been a problem at all at night since she is still in bed with us but nap times are still a mystery. She takes two or three depending on the day. Stroller rides are where its at for her as she enjoys the bumps and sights and passes out quickly. But the best thing of all is how Shannon and Z can get their laugh on. Shan will tickle her and Z will laugh so loudly. It's a joy to watch.

I'll try and be more consistent with the posts. Right now our house is in a metamorphis like state as we have half a dozen house projects going on, a garden that is expanding daily and a projected deck in the works (which requires a bit of land purchasing, more details later). With work winding down next month, I'll be able to keep my head above water with all this stuff but right now, it's just nuts. Enjoy gangsta mom with Little Stink (her gangster name), naked time, spring floral patterns and a sleep eyed baby.