SPL will sit in my lap and we found out that provokes the “Z attack” which can take many forms: squawking, crawling over to push SPL out of my lap, or trying to climb into my lap too.  SPL thinks it’s funny and I have to admit, I was surprised at Z’s reaction the first time it happened. 

Talking – Z’s most consistent word is “this” which he uses to point to everything.  He also has said “Hi” and has a sound like “Cheese” (mostly the “S” sound with a bit of the ee to go with it).

Walking – Z took his first steps on June 23. went from 1 to 2 to 3 steps in the first week (June 24-28) to 5 steps the first week of July.  So fun to watch!  He still wasn’t convinced that walking was better than crawling but he definitely was focused on figuring it out.  It was fun while Grandma was here as she saw him take his first 4-5 steps.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star – ZBL learned this in Mandarin first :-)(babysitter taught). He puts his arms up, hands over his head when he hears the song.  It’s too cute!

Peekaboo – Our friends Mike and Erin and their daughter NGS and Erin’s parents were over for dinner and Erin’s dad said “peekaboo” to ZBL and Z put his hands on his ears!  and then released his ears and put his arms out to the side in a “who me?” pose.  We quickly realized he was making up his own version of “peekaboo.”  Awesome.  So funny.  His own take on a classic. 

Gives 5/Big 5 – this was thanks to his dad who loves this milestone.  Can I get a triple w00t!?!?!?

Z will also now crawl over to me when I say it’s time for bed/nap.  

Daft Punk – ok, this is also thanks to John.  ZBL will stop everything when he hears the song “Get Lucky” and start “dancing” (which is swaying for ZBL).  I hope Z will continue to love music – John realized this about Z early on.  He *really* likes music (as early as 6-8 weeks old, John noticed it calmed him down).

Can nest blocks or cups – not sure when exactly this happened but he can do it!  w00t!

His morning routine is to take his PJs out of his drawer (he’s now tall enough to do this) and also to unload his book shelf.  He can also get behind the bookshelf.

He can find his belly button now too – 7/26 :-).  Plus head and hair on 7/27.  

Understands mandarin phrase of “smile” & puts fingers to cheeks when Chun Hua sings “If you’re happy and you know it” – our babysitter loves music too and sings a lot with ZBL :-).  

ZBL also says “Hway” which is the word for hello in Mandarin, when picks up the phone.

In English, he is learning “no” and will often start to do something wrong or mischievous and then stop and start shaking his head at himself and then look to me or John.  It’s very endearing.  

John was gone on a couple of trips and I noticed that even when he was gone, Z seemed to know when it was time for dad to come home.  And he would look for him and wave (even if the wasn’t there).  Very endearing.