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That's right, I said BEACH! Why didn't anyone ever tell me about this place before? WOW! There's sun and water and, my personal favorite, sand. I know you're dying to ask and the answer is yes. I'm not ashamed to admit that I took a taste of sand. C'mon, you know we've all done it. But if you're anything like me, you only tried it once. Not so tasty.
Whenever the weather seems intolerable inside the house, the folks and I head for the shore. I was a little worried at first because that water can be pretty loud. Sometimes it sounds like it's coming to swallow me up, so I have to keep a safe distance. Mom and Dad both gave it their best shot, gettin' me in that water. Mom was pretty sneaky, she was holding my arms, letting me jump up and down. Then next thing I know, my feet are wet! I quickly said no thanks and headed back to my spot on the sand. I just don't know what that woman is thinking, sometimes.
Dad says he thinks I'm destined for a career in demolition. 
He was trying to build something called a "sand castle" but I kept knocking it down. I couldn't help it, the sand was calling to me. It wanted me to dig it up and smash it down, I swear.
What's great about summer is that you are not limited to daytime beach trips.
Sometimes Mom will pack a picnic dinner and we'll head to the park just above the beach. It's pretty neat to watch Mr. Sun go to bed in the ocean. I never knew that that's where he sleeps.
As you can imagine, the beach is a popular place this time of year. I can sure see why. It's kinda like escaping to a different world. I don't have to think about all those stress factors, like putting my toys away or getting my diaper changed. Blech...who needs that? I'd much rather drift off in Dad's arms, listening to the waves.
As long as we don't get too close.
Here's what you've waited for all winter, folks. You wanted it, you got it. Me in my swimsuit! Aww, yeah. It's the season for bare skin and waterplay, and I'm game for both. Grandma Aida got me this cool "splish splash" pool, which as you can tell is no ordinary water toy. But then again, I'm no ordinary guy.
But summer is about much more than just water. Take a look here, for example. The park has all this neat stuff that you can climb up and slide down. I used to think it was just grass and trees. Maybe Mom and Dad thought I was too little for all the playground stuff. As you can see, that's certainly not the case.
Another great thing about summer is that there are lots of opportunities to get together with other kids. The Folks recently took me to something called "StoryTime." I overheard them talking about it ahead of time, apparently Mom, Dad and this "story time" thing go way back. There was this lady who sang silly songs and read some books and made funny faces. But for me it was all about the kids, man. A guy's gotta have friends, and this was a good place to find 'em.
So if you've been loungin' around the house, take my advice. Get out there, get active. There's a huge world to see.
And who knows, you just might catch a glimpse of me in my swim trunks.
Enjoying the weather? I sure am. Trips to the park four days in a row ain't half bad. There's a new treehouse there. I've made it my goal to fully test it out for them. Consider it my contribution to the Parks & Recreation service.
So far so good, guys. Even Dad likes it.
Hey, did you hear? Spring is here! If I sound excited it's because, well, I am. I mean I loved Christmas and this past winter was a pleasant one, but I for one have been cooped up too long. The warmer Spring air means only one thing that I care about...I can get outside and see the world. Running in the sunshine, watching shapes pass by in the white puffy clouds, yep, that's for me. I never did like staying inside much (which is what caused the whole preemie thing, as I'm told).
Apparently Mom and Dad noticed the change in the weather 
too because we've been heading out on more adventures. This week we went to a new park. Not just the same old kind of park I usually go to, but a special place where people bring their dogs to run and play just like kids do! It was great. There was one section for little dogs and another one for the big guys. They were having so much fun, chasing balls and running free. It was inspiring. In fact, it inspired me to do a little running myself.
Watching those dogs made me realize a little more freedom would do me some good. I mean, I am a big boy, after all. I don't always need a hand to hold. Plus it's good to get out there and stretch my legs...literally. Especially because we're gonna be doing a lot of walking later this month for WalkAmerica 2006. Mom says this year me and my buddy Trenton get to cross the finish line on our own! That's a big step (so-to-speak) for two preemies. I guess that's appropriate, we're sorta what the whole WalkAmerica and March of Dimes things are all about.
The cool thing about walking is that it takes you places. We were just going along, enjoying
the blue sky and cool breeze when all of a sudden our feet were moving through sand. I looked up to see a playground that was so inviting I couldn't pass it up. I went on the swings, down the slide a few times and took a ride on the back of my friend froggy. It was the perfect way to spend the afternoon.
If this season has lots more days like this in store, I'll be in good shape. Speaking of good shape, I just overheard Mom say that the WalkAmerica course is five miles long. I'm not really sure how long that is, but Mom's face looked tired just talking about it. I'd better get back to running my training laps around the living room.
Hello there, friends. After another new experience yesterday, I feel it is my civic duty to inform you about a particular breed of scam artist out there, inconspicuously called "the dentist." I haven't quite figured out what the scam is, exactly, but take it from me, these guys are smooth operators.
The first thing to remember is not to be fooled by the pleasant nature of the dentist's office. Mom, Dad and I went to one yesterday that was painted in fun pastel colors. It had toys on tables that were just my size and a train suspended from the ceiling that went around the whole place. There was even a little-guy sized door between the waiting area and the next room. And everyone there was so smiley and sunshine-happy. 
I believe this is how they lure unsuspecting kids to their establishment. But don't fall for it, it's all trickery. Smoke and mirrors.
I fell right into the trap and got more excited when they called my name and I went into the next room. 
This place was even better than the waiting area 'cuz it had two of my favorite things - cartoon animals painted on the walls and lots of machines and equipment. I couldn't wait to get my hands on some of that stuff, but the farthest I got was a big funny looking chair. That's when things started to take a turn. Dr. Hamilton (he called himself "doctor" not realizing that I had already heard he was a "dentist"...sounded shady right from the start) talked with Mom and asked if I had any health problems or stuff like that. He even mentioned that preemies sometimes have more problems with their teeth than other kids. This guy obviously hadn't done his homework on me.
So one minute I'm sitting comfortably while the big folks are chatting, and the next thing I know, I'm being held down against my will while the "doctor" pokes around in my mouth with some crazy mirror on a stick! I know, scary, right? And all I can think is, "Hey, Mom's a smart gal, she'll catch on," but she cooperated with the whole thing. In fact, I discovered later that this whole deal was pre-planned and Mom scheduled for them to do this to me AGAIN in six more months! Aren't there laws against this type of thing? Sheesh.
After Dr. Hamilton brushed my teeth a little (his toothbrush wasn't nearly as cute as my own at home), I was thankful to be done with that place. He did say that everything looked great and I did a good job (naturally). And he said I should keep brushing my teeth twice a day and then he gave me a new toothbrush to take home. That part wasn't so bad. I mean who doesn't like a free gift now and then?
But seriously, I'm convinced this dentist place is just a new way for the parents to attempt some control. And they took me off guard for this first trip, but boy will I be ready next time. Yesiree, you can't get one past...(yawn)...Isaiah....I will be alert.....zzzz.......and prepared.........Dr. H is no...match for ...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......
Here I thought that all the time Dad spends on the computer, he was working. Apparently he's really just fooling around, and the results look a little something like this.
Believe it or not, the Zaya on the right was taken March 13th, 2005 and the Zaya on the left was taken today, March 8th, 2006. Yes folks, that is the exact same shirt. As you can imagine I'm pretty proud of my slim and trim physique. Mom says we'll hang onto this shirt to see if I can still fit into it next March.
All I have to say is, thank goodness my hands are free from those awful mittens. Definitely a fashion no-no.
My house is like a corporate headquarters these days. Dad's busy working on his new business plan and Mom is having meetings and writing grant proposals on deadline. So today was an unexpected treat when we took the afternoon off to visit the Hopkins Wilderness Park in Redondo Beach.
Who knew there was so much nature in our own backyard? One minute we're driving on a main street and the next we're lost in the woods! It was pretty neat. Our first stop was a campground table for lunch. I tried my hardest to get my hands 
on that huge cookie for dessert, but I had to make do with animal crackers.
After lunch we hiked the many trails that run all through the park. Actually, Mom and Dad did most of the hiking, I was pretty much along for the ride. There were lots of trees and birds and...well, you know, nature stuff.
My favorite part was when we found a pond with ducks. Those guys crack me up the way they hide their heads in the water and then pop back up. I tried calling them by name, but apparently my "duck" sounds just like "dog" so they weren't paying much attention to me.
As we were leaving the pond to head up another trail, Mom spotted a little family of turtles. That was really cool. It looked to me like the littlest one (who really wasn't all THAT little) was trying to get out on his own and show some independence, but his parents were following close behind. Boy, do I know how that is.
I have to say, though, that hanging out with the folks isn't all that bad. I mean, they live for my every word (even my mumblings) and smile. 
So if I can keep them entertained, it's worth it. Plus (I can't believe I'm going to admit this), they're actually kinda fun...in a goofy sort of way.
Mom just informed me that we did NOT get the call from Regis & Kelly. You can probably see the shock written all over my face...my Most Beautiful Baby face, that is. So there will be no flight to New York City...no photo shoot for Parents magazine...no cash prize. Big deal. Personally, I think they were just afraid of the stiff competition. It wouldn't exactly be a fair race with a Super Preemie in the mix, now would it?
This works out way better for me anyway. Now I don't have to find a sitter for Noah's animals.
As Little Bill would say, "I'm a big kid!"
This is a picture of me at the doctor's office today, finding out that I'm HUGE! I mean, I knew I was a big boy, but Dr. Sergis says if I grow any more, I'll be OFF THE CHART! I'm not sure what she meant by that, but it sure makes me sound cool.While Dr. Sergis was talking to Mom about development and motor skills and all that mumbo jumbo, I was daydreaming a bit...
"In this corner, weighing in at 26 pounds, 33 1/2 inches tall, the Gerber heavyweight champion of the world, Biiiiig Zaaaaaaayyyyy!"
All I need now are some big puffy gloves and pair of satin-y shorts. Then lookout, world, global domination.
Anyone know a good seamstress?
I've gotta tell you, the big people around here have been mighty excited lately. I think it has something to do with me (as usual). I've been experimenting with my vocabulary and I finally got a word to pop out, "dog." Though when I say it, it sounds like "gog," but Mom and Dad must know what I mean because they get all happy and clappy. It's certainly not the first word I've thought, but the first one I've been able to wrap my mouth around.
I'm discovering lots of other new things as well. I think it's because I've got new perspective...especially when I stand on the couch. You can see a lot more stuff from up there, have you ever tried it? 
Mom and Dad only use the couch for sitting, but climbing up and standing is way more fun. Of course Mom's not quite as pleased as I am with my climbing abilities.
And just this week I learned a new trick with stairs...Mom calls it the Zaya-shimmy-shake. Whenever I get close to the stairs, I turn around, flop down on my belly and wiggle down the stairs. Sure, I could probably just walk down like anybody else, but what fun would that be? Plus, it's worth it to see the proud faces on the parents.
Not to mention, I have a very unique reputation to live up to, y'know. I am, after all, a preemie schmeemie.
Here's the photo that Mom submitted to the Beautiful Baby Contest on Regis & Kelly. She says that thousands of other pretty babies will be in the running, so the competition is pretty stiff. I guess she just wants me to remain the modest guy that I am. But it's ok, even if we don't get that call from Kelly Ripa, I think we all know who is REALLY the most beautiful baby around here.
No autographs, please.
In a bold attempt to maintain the image of parental control, Mom and Dad decided to take me out today...without the stroller. That's right, nothin' between me and the cold, hard ground by my own two legs. It was kinda cute, actually. You see, the parental units believe that they run the show, so they get these funny little ideas in their heads like, "let's go to IKEA." But it doesn't take long for anyone to figure out who really wears the pants around here (even if they are a little bulky around the rear).
This was my first trip to the big blue box known as IKEA. Apparently, Mom and Dad have been there before and were just there today for some "window shopping." Oddly enough, I did not see one window for sale there. While they walked around looking at couches and tables and funny picture frames with names like "RAMMA," I was paying close attention to those big arrows on the floor. As a matter of fact, I made it my goal to touch each and every one. I would have been successful too, if Mom hadn't gotten in my way. She kept talking about how dirty the floor is, how many people walk there...blah, blah, blah.
I guess Mom and Dad figured out that there weren't any windows to be bought because we left there and headed to a new place. I had no idea where we were going and wasn't particularly interested. Little did I know we were going to a very special place. Yes folks, there is a little piece of heaven right here on earth and it's called the lighting section at Lowe's. I've never seen so many ceiling fans in my life! All those lights, and the spinning...I get excited just thinking about it. We had to pause so I could take it all in.
After my adventurous day out, I was pretty exhausted. But as soon as we got home, I started formulating a plan to get back to those fans. I figured out that if I break something around the house, we'll have to go back to buy some stuff for repairs.
I will pause while you admire my genius.
Remember this guy, folks? That's right, it's the Zaya you all know and love. Well get ready...allow me to introduce you to...
Zaya Version 2.0!
There's a bit of controversy over my first haircut. I realize that many of you were particularly attached to my soft, silky curls. I thought I was too, but one look in the mirror after today's trip to the barber, and I can't deny this big boy look really suits me.
They even gave me an award for bravery and courage. It says I've graduated from Babyhood! I don't even remember attending. But I graciously accepted anyway. Even though they spelled my name wrong.
There's a bit of controversy over my first haircut. I realize that many of you were particularly attached to my soft, silky curls. I thought I was too, but one look in the mirror after today's trip to the barber, and I can't deny this big boy look really suits me.
They even gave me an award for bravery and courage. It says I've graduated from Babyhood! I don't even remember attending. But I graciously accepted anyway. Even though they spelled my name wrong.
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