Winter Time

The first time Zackary tried on his rain boots he was cracking me up. We were at Nordstroms and he was picking up his feet like they weighed a ton and walking around modeling them for us looking like he had never walked before. Now he's used to them. It's fun looking for puddles after a good rain because his love for water is still in full affect! As you can see above he loves bringing along his rakes, golf clubs, popper, or lawn mower on EVERY walk we go on. He drags them along the whole way and only for maybe a dandelion, snail, or pine cone will he put them down!

A week before I knew we were going to our local mall for Santa pictures I started telling
Zackary all about Christmas. He's still a little young to really understand but he loved hearing about Rudolph (and singing the song), Santa Claus, Christmas lights and what Christmas time is all about. He has a Christmas picture book, so we go through it and talk about all the pictures. When it was Santa Picture time he did so well. He ran up to the house gave Santa some high fives, sat in his lap and let us snap away! The picture we bought is priceless.

They have a huge Christmas Tree at the mall and all these presents underneath it. Good Kodak moments!

Two more pregnant months to go!!!

Grandma and Zackary.
After we grabbed these pictures Zackary found a drain hole and started jumping on it. These 3 kids around his age thought it was so cool and joined him but also started following him around. He did not know what to make of it...but he allowed their playful behavior!

Update on Zackary: 2 years 3 months old!
He says Aqua still instead of water! And we aren't allowed to say water either...he corrects us.
He's babbling way more-sometimes sounding like he's speaking Asian and I think he can say good-bye in German and good-night in Italian!
He loves to hum Jingle Bells and This Old Man.
Sesame Street and Mickey Mouse Playhouse are still his favorite TV shows.
He has developed a sudden burst of energy...and wants to be moving all the time-that is where Dad comes in after work! My energy level is around the play-dough level!
Nap time has shorten to approx. an hour. Bedtime still great 6pm to between 5 and 6am.
He kisses my belly and hugs it all the time. Every time we go somewhere he makes sure that we say the baby is coming too!
He leaves all the Christmas presents alone under the tree but plays with the ornaments occasionally. And he loves to find the Elf every morning but doesn't understand what the significance of Mr. Elf is yet.
And you should see his new dance moves....can't put into words, just to cute.
He does push ups with Dad. He is quite the character!
He likes to make animal sounds and his wolf, peacock, horse, fish and lion are pretty spot on!

Halloween Weekend at Jedo's

We drove up to visit my Dad for Halloween. It's so gorgeous where they live and Zackary has fun playing with Jedo and Baba. They took us all to a pumpkin farm. It was the first time Zackary's been that close to a cow...and we talk about them a lot...so that was fun.

He loved the calf and kept saying mmmmm for mooooo.

He did so good trick or treating. His chicken costume kept him warm and it was so adorable. We hit about 12 homes and he would balk like a chicken for each! Most homes let him pick which candy he wanted and he always went for the m&m's....secretly I was like thanks Zackary...my favorite!

He decided to walk backwards down the street for a duration...slow but funny!

We had him in a red wagon most of the time which suited him perfectly! We were so proud of how well he did and long he lasted and we can't wait to hit more houses next year=more candy!!! Thanks Jedo and Baba for taking us to a fun neighborhood for Halloween.

Pumpkin Carving

Happy Halloween everyone (4 people, maybe...hehe). We had fun carving our pumpkin today. Zackary wasn't into touching all the seeds, etc...but he monitored the carving progress and in between doing that he was busy digging in the dirt! Dad did a good job carving.


And the final product...
Next post will probably be how cute we look in our chicken costume trick or treating! Stay tuned....

The First Dentist Experience

I can only say that I wish all my doctors were as fun as this Dental office. Of course I was way anticipating bringing Zackary to the dentist because I for one knew he was going to cry and two Ben had to work. But there was a sign for him when he walked in saying Welcome Zackary...toys everywhere and cartoons on. So far so good. When we went into the back he straddled his legs around my waist and laid backwards with his head in the hygienist lap and she cleaned and put the fluoride treatment on his teeth. Straight above on the ceiling they had t.v.s, which he didn't watch because he was to busy crying. But 2 minutes later and then doctor came over looked at his teeth the same way and said no cavities, and all looked good. He was super nice. Then the hygienist gave him a coin which he got to use on a vending machine with balls in it...boy did he like that part. Out came a yellow ball-good sign for me! Then they gave him a balloon with a big toothbrush on the bottom and didn't even charge me the full amount because I was quoted something completely different on the phone before going in. We were out in 25 min. It was crazy. I can't wait for his next appointment in 6 months!

Perfect Pumpkin

Who would have thought rows of corn would make Kodak moments!

We took a trip to our local pumpkin farm with a good friend of mine JS. There was a lot to do...feeding the animals, playing games, picking our perfect pumpkin, eating chocolate covered strawberries (my favorite), taking cute pictures and at the end we went up to another area of the farm where there was around 2 acres of pumpkins. Row after row with a lot to see, do and look at intermixed. But my camera died at that point so didn't get those cute pictures. Zackary was busy arranging the pumpkins making sure they were where they should be in the row...He's definitely after my heart...and playing with the dirt and rocks!

Look I found a radish!







We found our perfect family pumpkin!!!

Peek-A-Boo

Peek

A

Boo
His favorite game to play especially with Dad! Ha always hides in between are bar seats too.

Some new things he is doing:
Hysterical-I said Aqua one day when I was about to drink some water and he mimicked me right away and now he says Aqua for water whenever he wants it or if he wants to water the garden. It's so cute!
He is doing this really fast dance...moving his legs up and down quickly running all around.
He has a new laugh that Dad and him created and he also draws circles in the air sometimes when he does this laugh...know clue where he picked it up and it sounds weird but he's so cute it doesn't matter. Some of the mom's in his my gym class laugh at him and I think that eggs him on!
cold...cold...cold fruit...frozen basically and bananas.
chalking everything not just pavement!
still loves his etch a sketch (thanks Melissa).
Snails, worms, ants and any little bug...he has to stop and investigate.
Not spinning things as much but loves this little hamster thing that Ben bought him.
He says Dad a lot...not dada, but Dad...and All Done and...More. You should hear him mimic a Peacock!!!

So cute little man

Where's Mickey?

Here's a funny story. Zackary is really into Mickey Mouse and Elmo right now. We have been letting him watch Sesame Street during breakfast in the morning and then Mickey Mouse Clubhouse after. So we got him a Mickey balloon for his birthday party. He loved it but really appreciated it more once the party was over and we moved the balloon inside. Mickey lived with us for a good 3 weeks making us all laugh as he flew over our heads while we played. Well one day Ben and I came home from work and my mom was babysitting. We all went upstairs for dinner time and she told Zackary to show us where Mickey Mouse was outside. He stared at the tree outside for a minute and then pointed...yep across the street in the neighbors tree is now Mickey's new home. So funny...he flew out our window/door when no one was around and got stuck in the tree. He'll be there smiling at us till the city trims the tree again probably in the spring!!!

The Height of a 3 Year Old

Before I start, I am anxiously awaiting pictures from my sister to update everyone on Zackary's 2 year old birthday party. She took incredible pictures and I want to share them. It was a blast...more later.

As the world follows, Zackary had his 2 year old pediatrician appointment. He usually handles the waiting room with caution and then upon entering the exam room with the same nurse each time he proceeds to start crying while we are doing all his measurements (easiest part of the exam-lol). He is 31 pounds (87%) 38 inches (+97%) and well his heads cute and small!!! All went well after with the doctor checking him all out. Ears clear, molar gums a little inflamed (which we knew due to him pointing to his teeth and crying out, not eating well, and the change of how long his naps are). He was negative for lead and Hg was normal. So I hate, hate, hate vaccine days. I am well aware they are for the good but we made a decision in the beginning to not give so many at once and go slower in the process. So he was due for 4. We gave HIB and Hep B. Ok...it went ok.

Well that night, he was limping on the HIB leg not wanting to walk, great, and when I heard the first cough in the middle of the night...I knew...he is sick now TOO. He must have been fighting something and the vaccines weakened his immune system-this is how I feel, my point of view-pretty much can't change it!!!
Needless to say, I was not to pleased. He's been sick now for 7 days. Leg was/is fine.

New things in Zackary's life:
A baby sister/brother on the way
2% milk now from Whole milk
Still a bit of a picky eater
Growls like a lion and neighs like a horse almost like the real thing
Loves:
Bees
Fountains-well water playing of any sorts
Great Grandma's tomato plants-takes a tomato off each morning and carries it around.
Sesame Street and Mickey Mouse club house
Beach time-finding the big holes others have dug for us!!!
Spider webs, snails, ants, bugs of any kinds
Peek a Boo
Opening the Fridge and eating Strawberry after Strawberry.
Chalking up the ground and house
Coloring, drawing, and climbing.
pears, turkey meatballs, muffins, breads I make, Popsicle, cheese crackers, cottage cheese, peanut butter, quesadillas with guacamole, icing on birthday cake, bananas (whole, not broken or mushed), applesauce and much more.
He still is in love with his pacifier and burp cloth
Loves to read and is pretty good with brushing his teeth.

We love you little man. Can't believe you are 2 already. Time's flying.

My 2nd Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZACKARY!
Yaaa...here are my little boys two year old birthday party pictures. On the side yard we had the food set up with bubbles (above) and tons of chalk. One of his gifts were 3 Disney balls that my Dad kept throwing on top of the roof (once all the guests had left). Zackary thought it was so funny.

An hour must have passed while these two were completely focused on their ball throwing on the roof. We had to bring his dinner to him outside and feed him because we knew he wouldn't want to miss any action! It was more fun to watch then opening presents even!

Out front on the porch we had an easel set up for panting, finger panting and coloring. It was a big hit with the kids there.


When the party first started Zackary was busy with the chalk...coloring all over the bricks. Then he saw the fruit table and that was his new passion. He must have eaten a container of strawberries, some figs, grapes and from the look of half eaten cheese and crackers left all over the table, those too.


Then came cake time. Ben's mom helped me with the cakes. She pretty much homemade the banana cake and chocolate cake. He liked the frosting on the chocolate cake for a long time. Everyone that had a piece of it also had a fingerprint of Zackary's love too! He liked it and that was all that mattered.


I am in love with this picture. Zackary we love you so much. You melt our hearts everyday in new ways. We hope your second birthday party was so much fun. And we thank all those that came to support our son and helped us make it happen and helped clean up. I was exhausted for 2 days! HA!

A Small Glance into Zackary's Past Couple of Months!

Last week we took a trip to Illinois to visit Ben's family. Two days before we left Zackary came down with a cold (I was upset to say the least since the cold stuck with him for half of our trip). So our flight to IL wasn't the best, but on the way home he did much better. He actually sat in his own seat and as you can see here devoured a muffin as Ben and I sat back and laughed at the mess he was making. Well we did pay a lot to fly there!!! We figure it's okay!

I don't usually give him muffins but it was like magic and bought us a lot of time on the plane! I will have to remember this for the future. (Notice the short haircut!)

Here he is with his cousin. She has her pacifier and he has his as well as she has her Minnie and he has his best friend Mickey! To cute!

The first half of our trip we didn't do much because of his cold and it was very hot and humid. Secretly it was so nice to just only have two things to do...read and take care of Zackary. So when he finally felt better him and LO got to to play in the giraffe pool. He didn't want to sit...to funny, but he loved filling up the containers with water and watching the water come out...over and over!

One day as I was scouring the house looking for treasures I found a box with some marble domino's in it. Zackary and I had fun putting them up and knocking them down!

A few weeks ago we headed up north to visit my mom and JG. I had a baby shower to go to so we thought it would be fun for Zackary to come along and we could take him in the pool (didn't add any of those pics cause my prego belly would scare you). He played on the piano, loved the pool, and spent a lot of the time spinning anything he could find to spin. It's his new favorite past time. He can spin 3 things at a time and he's really quite good at it. And very proud of himself. He gets into my Grandma's cupboards here at home and spins lids and whatever he can find on her living room coffee table. (I miss his long hair)

About a month ago a dear friend EB and I took Zackary to Downtown Disney. Well we really wanted to take him to Disneyland but we couldn't find parking. The normal area was closed down so by the time we found where to park and waited in the line it wasn't worth it anymore. But he loved Downtown Disney. There were fountains, and lots of Mickey Mouse's, and Winnie the Pooh's in the Disney Store! This doggie backpack is such a big help when we are in crowds and he wants to walk but I want to have a hold on him. He did so well with it and had it on the whole time. We also used it in the airport for our IL trip.

Giving Mickey a hug.

I had to add this precious picture. Ben brought home flowers one day and I think Zackary thought they were for him. He LOVES flowers still and after these were put in the vase for several days I had to get them down so he could smell them, count them and check out the water in the bottom of the vase.

So in a nutshell that is what we have been up to since my last post. In IL he had his own watering canister to help water Grandma and Grandpa's back yard. So we found him one here and he loves it. He is saying more a lot, and he just doesn't say it he screams it very passionately...it's great. He laughs at everything, and if you ask him to make a funny face he closes his eyes real tight for 5 seconds...funny. His animal impressions are perfect and you should see him with Ben. He will hide in a certain spot and Ben will come and find him and they do this for an hour...with Zackary cracking up the whole time. He has a certain laugh with Ben too...those two are the comedians. Since IL his new thing is to grab our clothing if he wants something and take us to whatever it is. He's pretty good at it too. Today he made me hide with him when Ben and him were playing and he also took me to the Strawberries in front of the house (another favorite of his). I love seeing what each new day brings. He makes me laugh all the time. He's the sparkle in my life.

A Little Man Now

These pictures really tell you the whole story. My written additions don't do justice to the actions in the pictures. You can see what he enjoys, and how much happiness he brings to us every single moment...well we do get a bit frustrated with his lack of wanting to eat certain foods at this moment in time! He, as most children I am sure, reminds me of the little things in life that really if given the time are so much fun! Like chalk. And coloring. Watching him get lost in these little moments well I get lost too and I love it.

My mom says to Zackary, "how old is Zackary..." he lifts up his finger...ONE. Now I am teaching him TWO!

Have you ever tried just punching holes in the side of a cake with your finger? Try it....you get some good frosting on the side.

:)

So the candles did scare him a bit. We had been practicing blowing out candles for my up and coming birthday cake and well, I had to help him and real quick cause he was not having any of it!

I will congratulate Ben and I because we have actually been going out of our comfort zone and taking Zackary out to eat dinner more often. He does really well at certain restaurants and not so good at others! This evening was a tremendous success...and so fun watching him enjoy the experience.

He's not a little baby anymore...look, he's a little man! Love ya buddy!