Billy took his first trip to the zoo this week. We live in Florida, so the zoo is a year round event. Its still a bit warm this time of year (about low to mid 90's with the heat index), so the zoo is a morning event for the family. We decided about a week ago we were going to get Billy up to the zoo and buy one of these zoo passes. The deal is $70 for a year for one adult who can bring one friend and kids under 3 are free. So instead of paying $26 a visit, in three zoo visits, the pass would pay for itself. That works out well since we have a nice zoo, live about 15 minutes away from it, and both Antoinette and I enjoy it. We figured we'd make it to the zoo about 10-15 times a year, even if its just to go for a walk there. That's $250-$400 worth of zoo trips for $70. Can't beat it.
Anyway, we took Billy there on Sunday morning, but we didn't leave until 11 AM. Well, by the time we got there, got our passes, and got into the zoo, it was packed and it was hot. People everywhere, combined with a sweaty uncomfortable baby was too much. So after 30 minutes or so, we left and went home figuring we'd come back again on Monday (holiday). The next morning at 8:45 AM, we were out the door, at the zoo by 9 AM (when it opened), and pulling into an empty parking lot. We went right through the gate and straight to the back of the zoo where everyone else would get to last. Next thing you know, we're half way through the zoo coming back before we see the first people. It was great and we had a blast. Little Billy seems to be partial to the giraffes, but in all fairness, the giraffes at this zoo are allowed to stick their heads into area where people are so that you can feed them by hand and touch them. Its a great zoo.
Anyway, the little guy liked the animals he could see up close, provided they were moving and not just laying down. If they were laying down, he didn't seem to realize what he was looking at. He was also equally interested in the trees, plants, and water fountains, especially when we dipped him into them. The zoo was a hit and we'll be back at least once a month...
As for Billy, he's rolling all over the place. You can't keep him one spot now. Leave him on his mat and walk into the other room to grab a new onsie for 5 seconds and when you come back, he's three feet to the left after two barrel rolls toward the door. This is most apparent in his crib at night where once we put him down, we have to check on him 15 minutes later to flip him back over to his back. I'm sure he's fine now since if he can flip himself to his stomach, he can likely flip himself back over if need be, but it makes me feel better to start the night on his back. Once he's out cold, you can flip him with ease and he just stays asleep. Sleeps like a rock like his Daddy.
Billy has also noticed his feet and his knees a bit more. He's grabbing at them quite a bit now. On his play mat, he's reaching for everything, grabbing, manipulating, pulling and hitting things, etc. He's much more interactive with the mat now than he was a month ago. Tummy Time is interesting as he can now easily stay on his stomach for 20-30 minutes at a time with his head up and looking around. If he sees you, he'll definitely smile from this position and seems to really enjoy it.
Billy's eye sight is improving. He is better able to break down bold colors now and while his eyes will continue to develop, in most ways, he can see pretty much everything that we can see now. You can see additional development in his ability to turn toward sounds, such as his name, which he seems to be recognizing a little better these days. He's also expanding his sense of taste with his first dabble into some rice cereal this week. His Mother tried it and he basically pushed 90% of it out of his mouth. This is clearly going to be a work in progress, but what part of parenting isn't, right? I guess practice makes perfect when it comes to eating solid foods, too.
Looking forward to next week, our primary goals are to continue working on eating solid foods and to practice sitting up. Billy has done very well developmentally so far and we think a lot of that has to do with us practicing and structuring many of the games we play with him around our goal for the week. This week, he'll get plenty of time in a sitting position with his hands out in front of him to help strengthen that upper body and that midsection. His lack of balance is no longer in his neck, but now in his abdominal wall, lower back, and shoulder/arm muscles. On the solid food front, he'll finish this week with the rice cereal and then we'll transition him to barley cereal. Enjoy the pics.
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