Vaccinations and rice cereal

Ninety. Just remember that number. I'll get back to it in a minute.

Today Isaac had his four-month check-up with the doctor. We weren't looking forward to this at all. Four more shots. I wasn't able to go for his two-month check-up. But mommy told me the horror story. Five shots that time. In quick succession, but he still cried in a way she'd never heard before. And it was worse when the doc checked his ears.

So mommy was dreading today's visit. Daddy was optimistic, but still not really looking forward to it.

We got there and the first thing the nurse did was weigh and measure him. 17 pounds, six ounces. 26 1/4 inches.

BOTH in the 90th percentile!

At his two-month visit, he was in the 95th percentile in weight and 50th percentile in length. So at least he's balanced now. When the nurse was weighing him, the doc walked by and said, "Weren't we worried about his weight at one point?" Only for the first week. But he's been a healthy BIG boy ever since.

He also tried rice cereal for the first time tonight. First attempt did not go very well. I don't think he was impressed. But we'll try again soon. He'll learn.

So it was a long day for little Isaac. But he handled it all very well and his mommy and daddy could not be more proud of him. Way to go, Izzy!

Things we've learned

It's amazing all the different life lessons your child teaches you, even at an early age. Isaac is just over three months old, but here is a list of things he's already taught us:

-Sleep is over-rated.
-A little music and some blinking lights can be very entertaining.
-The things you want to get done really aren't that important afterall.
-It's better to eat a little bit every couple of hours throughout the day instead of one or two huge meals.
-Sometimes a good poo can really make your day better.
-A big toothless smile can brighten up anyone's day.
-Sleep is highly over-rated.
-Mother's Day should really be made into Mother's Month.
-Spitting up and peeing on someone is always funny. ALWAYS.
-Never turn your back on a naked baby.
-The digital camera was the best invention in the history of ever.
-Reading, studying and planning can be a very good thing ... but they don't always help. Sometimes you just gotta roll with it.
-Every once in a while you should stop and look around at all the beautiful and interesting things around you.
-Sometimes a little crying is a good thing.
-Breast milk is 50% alcohol. Just a few swallows can knock a baby out for half an hour.
-Some of the best conversations you can have are the ones with people you can't even understand.
-You're not nearly as funny or entertaining as you thought you were.
-Simple things, like a poke in the nose, can be hilarious 25, 50, even 100 times. But not necessarily in a row.
-Sleep is for suckers.
-It really is possible to love someone totally, completely and unconditionally.

Big night

Tonight we had the first night of the big "S" since before Isaac was born. And I've gotta tell you, it was even better than I remembered.

Mouth-watering. Earth-shaking. And totally satisfying. I mean it was GOOD. The best we've had in a long time.

That's right, for the first time in many MANY months ... we ate sushi.

It was a big night though. It was the first time we left Isaac at grandma and grandpa's and had a little date night. We met up with a couple of our friends (who have two little girls of their own) and went out for dinner. And while it felt weird not having our son with us for a short while, it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. I think the incredible food and good friends helped a bit.

I'm already trying to figure out the next time we can do it again.

Typical guy ... give me a little taste and I only want more.

Best. Christmas. EVER.

The holidays are officially over. Everyone has gone home. I'm actually working a full work week. And life has returned to normal. (Well, as normal as it can be when you're sharing a room with a very short guy who poops a lot and cries when he's hungry.) And I'm finally able to post a quick update.

A belated-Merry Christmas to everyone. We hope your holidays were joyous and memorable. Ours certainly were. I hadn't looked forward to Christmas with that much excitement since the year I asked Santa for an official Red Ryder carbine action two-hundred shot range model air rifle. Wait ... that wasn't me.

Isaac got to meet his cousin Hailey (they've already bonded), Aunt Jamie and Uncle Cory for the first time. And his Grandma and Grandpa Neil. And his Uncle Nick. And his Great-Aunt Barbara. He charmed them all, of course. It was SO great to be able to spend some time all together like that.

Isaac and Hailey were both dedicated at my dad's church. That was a beautiful day for all of us.

We've also turned a very important corner. Isaac has been sleeping through the night the last several nights! Those of you with kids know how huge that is. One night he actually slept for 9 1/2 hours. Even Fletcher has been thankful to be able to sleep through the night again.

Our next goal: saying "daddy."

Isaac's first photo shoot

W e took Isaac to get our first real family photos taken today. Man, he's already a pro!

The first few photos we had a tough time keeping him awake. But once he got going, he was terrific! He went through several wardrobe changes, didn't complain about the heat and (with the help of his trusty paci) didn't get fussy at all.

He was so relaxed, he even started pulling pranks behind the scenes between shots. The best was when he nonchalantly peed all over daddy while on a quick break during the naked butt shots. That one had everyone laughing. (Except daddy.)

The photographer asked us to sign a release for this one, so she could display it on the wall in the studio.

Why?

Because he's just so freakin' cute.

Late thoughts on Thanksgiving

W
ell we certainly have a lot to be thankful for this year.

We're thankful for the love and support from our family and friends, especially over these past few weeks. We don't know what we'd do without you.

We're thankful for car insurance.

We're thankful for having family so close to us.

We're thankful for our niece Hailey and we can't wait to see her at Christmas!

We're thankful for all the free no-hassle food! You guys are awesome! (You know who you are.)

We're thankful--so very thankful--for our beautiful son. Isaac, you have reminded us of what's really important.

But most of all, we're thankful for sleep. Any time and any where we can get it.

Returning to work

I can't sleep. I should have been asleep well before now. But I could only lie there in bed, staring at the ceiling. You see, I go back to work tomorrow.

And I'm really not looking forward to it.

I mean, I usually enjoy my job. And I miss my friends at work. I'm just not looking forward to leaving my family all day. I've gotten used to being at home with my wife and son. And I've REALLY enjoyed it.

Not to mention, I'm going to have about two weeks of e-mails to go through. Not fun.

But at least it will be a short week with the Thanksgiving holiday.

I just hope my son doesn't learn to walk while I'm at work tomorrow.

Home sweet home

I saac is now one week old. We've been home since Thursday and it's been nothing but a learning experience for mommy and daddy.

The horror stories you hear about the first night home with a newborn are true. It was pretty rough. We could get Isaac to sleep easily in just a few minutes. But every time we put him down to bed, he'd wake up and start crying. We didn't get much sleep at all that first night. Thank God my mom and Alyshia's Aunt Candace were staying with us. They held Isaac so we could get at least a couple of hours of sleep. (And they've both helped with things around the house so we can focus our full attention on Isaac and on getting some rest when we need it. Their love and support has been overwhelming and we are very grateful.)

In retrospect, Isaac was probably just hungry. Nights have gone really well since that first one. Sometimes the hardest part has been to wake him every three hours for his next feeding. But we've learned a few tricks that help with that too.

Isaac keeps us entertained all day (and night) long. He's a very sweet baby and not fussy at all. We're just very proud and excited to be able to spend this time with him.

And, of course, we've got more pics! (Click the image to view additional pictures.)

Isaac Arthur Zimmerman



Click here to see more photos of our beautiful baby boy!

(Due to technical issues, we're having problems uploading pics on our lap top here at the hospital. We may not be able to post any pictures until we get home some time Thursday afternoon.)

The morning after

S leep for two hours, lather, rinse, repeat.

That was pretty much our night last night. Although for Alyshia, I think the two hours was more like one hour. Apparently these hospitals don't come equipped with a "Do Not Disturb" sign.

Isaac made it through his first night. Survived his various shots, circumcision, and spending several hours at a time with his newby parents. Both are actually doing quite well, I must say. But it's still early ....

Our sincere thanks to all for your congrats and kind wishes. We've received plenty of phone calls, e-mails, blog comments and facebook comments! We can't tell you how great it is to have that kind of support system.

We look forward to showing Isaac off in the days and months to come!

Hope to get some pics posted later today.

Isaac Arthur Zimmerman

Born November 11, 2008 at 1:11 p.m., in Room #11.

Seven pounds, 12 ounces, 21 inches long.

And he is absolutely beautiful.

He's got his mommy's eyes. One of the nurses said he looks just like his daddy.

Mommy was fantastic and is sore but resting comfortably, with Isaac in her arms. Daddy was just an observer, but did cut the cord and put on his first diaper.

Grandma and Grandpa Z were here to share in the joy. Plenty of phone calls were made, text messages were sent.

Pictures will most definitely be posted, probably tomorrow.

Thanks for all the congratulatory messages and well-wishes from everyone! We can't wait for you to meet him!

Mmmm ... epidural ....

W e've been here at the hospital for almost five hours now. Still no baby, but things are progressing.

Let me start with the drive here at 5:30 this morning. This could only happen to me.

It was dark and rainy as we were heading down 75. We were going about 75 in the fast lane, when it appeared out of nowhere.

A dog.

A BIG dog.

Right in my lane.

I tried to swerve, but there was just no avoiding it. Kind of put a damper on our morning. And a nice big dent in the front of our car.

But we got here safely. Alyshia is now resting comfortably with epidural (a GREAT thing, by the way), firmly in place.

Stay tuned!

Well, it's 9 p.m. Monday. We'll head to the hospital about 5:15 tomorrow morning. And I'm not sure what I'm feeling right now.

Excitement, anxiety, joy, anxiety, pride, anxiety .... I alternate between being unable to stop smiling to being unable to keep from rocking back and forth and tightly hugging myself. OK, that last part may be a bit of hyperbole, but you get the idea.

I think it would be easier if she weren't being induced ... if we were able to just react as it all happened. But because it's scheduled, it gives us time to just sit around and think about it.

But what I keep coming back to is this: tomorrow I'm going to come face to face with something that will allow me to love more than I ever thought possible. We're going to have a son that we can teach and learn from all at the same time. And I can't wait!

I just hope he looks like her.

The stork cometh!

Just found out yesterday, if our little boy doesn't come by next Tuesday (Nov. 11), they are going to induce!

We will be able to meet our son in four days at the MOST!

Excited doesn't even begin to describe how we're feeling. How are we supposed to function for the next few days?!

More updates as events unfold.

Unfocused

Well, it's now the end of Week 2 since Alyshia's doctor told her she thought she'd go into labor within the week.

Forgive me for being so focused on this single issue, but I'm sure you'll understand.

You see, it's such a MONUMENTAL event in a person's life. I mean, we know our lives are about to change forever. It's coming. And it will happen soon. We just don't know when.

As a result, everything else in our lives just seems trivial by comparison. You want me to actually focus on work? But ... I'm going to be a dad LITERALLY any moment now. I'm sorry my ringing cell phone interrupted this meeting. But my wife is calling. She could be about to tell me that she's going into labor. Oops, nope. She was just wondering what I wanted to do for dinner. False alarm. Please, continue.

Problem is, this has been going on for two weeks now. And it could still be another two weeks, for all I know.

C'mon buddy! We're ready for ya!

Whenever you're ready

My wife's least favorite day of the year is probably Halloween. She hates it. I mean she can't stand it. Any part of it. So, of course, she was convinced that our son was going to be born on Halloween.

Now that we have escaped that tragedy, and November is finally here, we're both ready for him to be born. Really, we're ready for him to come at any time.

Like now!

No? How 'bout ... NOW!

Dangit. Now?

(My apologies if this picture is of your child. I meant no direspect. Just trying to illustrate the point.)

The Waiting Game

So we found out on March 11th (two days after my 33rd birthday) that we are expecting our first child.

It's a boy!

The original due date was November 17th. But Alyshia's doctor is now telling us he'll be here any time in the next two weeks. Two weeks!!! I'm still trying to wrap my head around that. We've never been this excited. But waiting until he decides he's ready to meet the world has proven to be a bit ... distracting.