Happiest Moments of Zeke's Short Life (So Far)

Pretty Good Saturday

Took a picture of a pepper in the garden. Ate some ice cream with Zeke.

A Visit from the Bepe Fairy

If you've been around Zeke anytime in the past year, you have probably heard him mention his beloved "bepe" (pronounced (beh-pay). Bepe is Zeke talk for the Spanish word, "chupete", or pacifier. We realize that two-and-a-half seems a bit late to be taking this comfort object away from our little guy, but since we've had so many major changes this year, it never seemed like quite the right time.

For the past month, we've been gearing up for the big day. We told Zeke about the legend of the bepe fairy (or in some families, the paci fairy) and how she works here in Arkansas. According to Ozark legend, when a small child is ready to become a big kid, he packs up all of his pacifiers and puts them in the mailbox before bedtime. During the night, the fairy comes and gathers up the pacis and takes them for babies that don't have any pacis. In their place, she leaves a big-kid toy for the child.

We spent some time browsing at the toy store discussing which types of big-boy toys the bepe fairy might be able to bring. Finally, the big day arrived, and Zeke gathered up all of his pacifiers and solemnly walked them down the driveway to the mailbox. We talked about how the first night might be hard, but it would get easier. Some tears were shed and screams were heard at bedtime (and until 10:45pm), but Zeke managed to fall asleep without his bepe last night.

This morning when he woke up, we hurried out to the mailbox to see what she'd left. The Bepe Fairy came through for our little guy. When asked if it was worth it, he remembers his comfort object, frowns for a minute, then looks at his new digger and smiles. "Yeah."

Big Brother Z: Squirt, Squirt

Big Brother Zeke loves his new brother and sister. He thinks that Ezra and Zadie are super cool and loves to help out. Yesterday he helped out by trying to clean his little brother with a couple squirts from the Spray & Wash bottle. Squirt! Squirt! Don't worry, no harm done. Karine was right there. And Ezra was wrapped up like a little burrito, so he didn't actually get squirted. The Spray & Wash has been moved to a secure location. We talked with Zeke about finding some other ways to help out.

Open Letter to Nebraska Public Television Programming Deptartment, RE: Dinosuar Train

Dear NETV Programming Department,

We are sure that you have an excellent reason for moving Dinosaur Train from the 8:30 AM time slot to the 9:30 AM time slot. We appreciate what you do over there at public television and do not wish to be overly critical of your programming choices. However. Are you out of your freaking minds? Dinosaur Train was a perfect fit for the 8:30 AM time slot. Your decision to move Dinosaur Train from 8:30 to 9:30 hurts Nebraska families. I can speak for my family with utter certainty: Dinosaur Train at 8:30 AM is a core element of a successful, on-track morning. Things run amok without it. Please, for our safety, return Dinosaur Train to it's regular time slot.

Sincerely,

The L. Family


**Just a clarification- this open letter is in no way related to any programming conflicts that some crazy people may have had with the Discovery Channel. We just really like the show- dinosaurs and trains in the same show??!! How perfect can it be? We're not actually angry, but just wish the show could continue in the 8:30am timeslot.

Little Tikes 8-in-1 Adjustable Playground

Karine told me that we had to buy one of these things on account of Zeke's climbing problem. He's a little over the top with the climbing lately. Sometimes he tries to climb up Grandma Jean's cane while she's using it to walk. So Karine found a playground on Craig's List and we put the thing together in the backyard. Zeke's happy. Karine's happy. I am happy.

I was extra happy to discover that Little Tikes manufactures their toys right here in the United States. All of them. Which makes them better even than Wham-O. Wham-O's still got the better name, though.

Omaha Railroad Days

We celebrated Omaha's railroad heritage Saturday with a trip to Lauritzen Gardens, the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, and the RailsWest Railroad Museum. We had a blast. We discovered that Zeke loves trains. It's just that he calls them cars. One step at a time. He also calls airplanes boats.

Lauritzen Gardens was a charming discovery. That's what Karine says. I said, Karine, what you say about Lauritzen Gardens? A charming discovery, she says. I would say more. I would say that Lauritzen Gardens are probably the best gardens around since the hanging ones in Babylon. But I can be a bit of a hyperbolist. Especially when I'm talking about my home town.

Things Zeke Loves: Yo Yo Ma and Bobby McFerrin

Ezekiel is almost three months old now. Its an exciting time, developmentally. He's starting to express preferences for particular objects and sounds. He likes our wooden spoon. He would rather look at Karine's face than stare at a rotating ceiling fan. Good times.

We're happy to announce that Zeke is a huge fan of Bobby McFerrin. We are too! We saw him in concert on our honeymoon in Vancouver, BC. If you ever have the chance to see him, treat yourself. You deserve it.



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