Backtracking . . . Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving, we were able to spend it with my family. Mom and Dad hosted all of us (Mom's entire immediate family) and we had so much fun EATING all day long. Despite having both my digital camera and camcorder with me, I only managed to get 2 pictures. Both of the same thing, no less! Oh well . . . I learned my lesson and took a bazillion (yes, literally) at Christmastime.

Unfortunately, I didn't get everyone's faces in either of the snaps (and Zach was napping during this time, too!) . . . so for your viewing pleasure, both of my Thanksgiving pictures. Try not to be overwhelmed =)

I've probably said this before, but Thanksgiving is my all time favorite holiday. I love the cooking and the baking and the eating and regret for finishing your plate, the family time, the constant tally of how many times the story of the uncooked oyster dressing is mentioned. I love it all! I have so many fond memories of Thanksgiving growing up and how my parents made it a day all about family and spending time together as well as recounting how many things we have to be truly grateful for. This year was no different! Now if only I had the pictures to prove it . . .

Saying Goodbye

December is always a busy month. It's supposed to be. With all the shopping, wrapping, baking, decorating, partying, and family-ing (just needed to make that flow . . .) December seems to always fly by and then, before you know it, it's the next year. I wish I could say that this year was no different, but it was. On December 2nd my Grandpa Tom Baumgartner passed away from a heart attack. The following days brought about many tears, much preparation for a flight to CA, reunions with family (some of which we hadn't seen in years) and remembrances of a wonderful man. It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.

We named our son after him and I'm sitting here in tears now knowing that they will never meet. Here at least.

"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." (John 11:25-26)

Grandpa had a true faith in Jesus Christ that he lived out in his actions and love towards others. We do not grieve as those who have no hope, for we will see him again in heaven. And I pray that someday Zach will share that same faith and that when his days on earth end he will meet his great-grandfather and they will worship our Savior together.

Welcome to 2010 . . .

We haven't abandoned the blog . . . fear not! There are pictures, videos, and poorly written anecdotes aplenty coming your way soon. And what better way to start off the year than to catch a glimpse of this little dude:




Love to you all!

Scooting

Zach is diligently practicing scooting backwards . . . this morning he got his feet stuck under Greg's bass amp and then at nap time he did this:

Davis Lake

Though we live in a tiny little neighborhood where the only amenity is that they give you a warning before they begin fining you for being able to see your trashcan from the road . . . we do live right down the road from a very large neighborhood with a lake, playground and a couple miles of walking trails. On the weekends we often walk down there to see the geese and ducks and walk the trails. Zach was giving the water fowl a couple smiles here and there but mostly just staring at them, trying to figure it all out!



(these were taken a few weeks ago when the temps were still in the 70s . . . )

Mr. Casual

Zach is pretty laid back most of the time, but never more so then when he's sleeping . . .


The other day we went in to get Zach up from his nap and found this:

(see the little yawn in there?)

I think the only thing that would have made me laugh harder was if his arms had been propping his head up . . . little lounger . . .

Sitting Up!

Zach loves his bumbo seat, and so does his Mommy. It gives him a chance to check out his surroundings from a different perspective and when I have the tray attached as well, it gives him good practice at reaching for his toys.

But he won't be needing the bumbo for playtime much longer . . . he's quite determined to be sitting up on his own! For the last couple of weeks he's been able to sit up for very short bursts, but we've setting him up and catching him when he falls over 5 seconds later. He's getting better and better at keeping his balance and has even started to catch himself and correct his balance. He still needs to use his hands for extra support, but I'm sure he won't need them much longer!

This was taken on the 11th, the first day he was able to support himself sitting up . . . look at that concentration!

A more recent picture, if he didn't have the bulky sweater on, you'd be able to see that he's sitting a little higher up . . . take my word for it!