18 months!

Zach is 18 months old . . . unbelievable.  Especially considering that he was only born last week.  I'm not sure how that works.  He's becoming more and more of big boy, we love to watch him as he figures things out and amuses himself in the funniest ways.

As I write this he is doing laps in our room at Greg's parents (where we are living while renovating our new house) closing and opening the 3 doors between the hallway, bathroom, and bedroom.  With foam sword in his hand.  He entertained himself this way for about 15 minutes yesterday.  Love this kid.

What else is Zach up to?

• He's running faster and faster everyday.
• His shoe size is a whopping size 6.
• He attempts to copy EVERYTHING he sees an adult do.
• He "talks" constantly but we can only understand a handful of words (dog, dada, shoe, cheese, me, no, that, 'nana, uh-oh, more, car).  We're quite certain he's saying more, but we just can't make them out yet - boy's got quite a southern drawl . . . 
• He LOVES to play with balls, especially Pops' basketball.
• He loves to play with all his tools and watches intently when Greg and I are working on projects and then gets the closest toy tool and mimics us.
• He loves his blue blanket and stuffed dog.
• He's still a thumb sucker, thankfully only when he's tired or extremely board (like in a car).
• He loves to talk on phone when it's pretend but freezes up if he actually hears a voice on the other end.
• He feeds himself pretty well with a fork and spoon, but still uses his hands as a reliable backup.
• He's forming very definite personal opinions and knows what he wants and likes (both a good and bad thing).
• He loves ketchup and would eat it on everything if we let him (we don't).  I've heard this is a family trait on Greg's side - - ketchup and cheese sandwiches anyone =).
• He loves things to be tidy and often picks up after himself and walks behind me in the kitchen closing drawers and cabinets.
• He talks with his hands and uses his pointer finger very animatedly.  I've been told he's learning this from me =).
• He's just started enjoying to watch tv (his attention span is only about 5 minutes) and loves to dance in circles if the show plays music.
• He says and waves "bye-bye", gives high-fives, kisses and fist bumps.

We love this little boy more and more everyday and we're trying to take the advice of everyone that has every seen Zach in a grocery store or at the park . . . enjoy this while it lasts because he will grow up all too fast.

Riverbanks Zoo

In November, the day before we moved out of our first little house, Zach and I spent the day with our friends Joletta and Aiden at Riverbanks Zoo.  It's about a 2 hour drive from Charlotte, takes 2 hours or so to walk through, and then 2 hours back, so really, the perfect day trip with kids.  Zach wasn't as interested in the animals as I hoped he'd be, but the zoo was really wonderful so I know we'll be going back.  

Go terps!

Joletta overcame her fear of birds to come in the bird enclosure with me.  That's a good friend =)

Buddies!

New house!

Come visit our new blog, And A Pecan Tree! We bought a new-to-us house and we're in the process of renovating it . . .

I've had every intention of posting more pictures but somewhere around the time that Zach started walking (immediately followed by running) I lost almost all of my free time. But I did finally download all the pictures from my camera, dating back to June, ouch! Maybe between keeping up with Zach and working on our house I'll get a chance to write some new posts here.

And I guess I shouldn't end this post without a new picture of Zach . . . =)

First Game of the Season

Softball season started up last night and . . . drum roll please . . . they won their first game!! Walking away with a 17-12 score, the guys were pretty stoked for this season. And I have to say not being 9 months pregnant was definitely a much better way to watch the game =)

Zach also enjoyed himself greatly. Clapping for Daddy and Pops, playing with Azaylee (who also came to the games last year in utero), and climbing on anything he possibly could.

After the game . . . quite a reversal from last year . . .

The creation of a beach bum

We just got back from a wonderful trip to Hilton Head, SC with Greg's family. Zach is a HUGE fan of the beach and especially loves to eat the sand.

Here are some pictures and videos of our time there =)

Photo album on facebook

Zach's first piano lesson

Neither Greg or I play the piano, but we have a piano in our living room. Well, I can play chopsticks and chariots of fire. And the first, oh, 10 measures of Fur Elise (which doesn't annoy Greg AT ALL!). Obviously my numerous years of piano lessons really sunk in well. But back to the story. We are storing my parents piano in our living room because they have my grandparents piano in their living room. It's a long explanation. But the upside to having a piano that we don't play is a) I have another flat surface to put pictures and plants on and b) when Chelle comes over to visit she plays for us. A couple months ago when she was here, Zach got his first lesson.





I think Zach has some potential.

Happy Guy

Zach loves to make noise . . . specifically hitting noises . . . we may have a drummer on our hands =) He bangs on the floor, the wall, his high chair tray, his toys, my head, etc, etc. It makes him so happy to hear those sounds! My mom was over yesterday and we got this great video of them hitting the couch together.