9 Months Old

Zachary,

It is Saturday morning and you and I are the only ones awake. Happy 9 Month birthday!  Three quarters of a year.  And it has been an amazing nine months.  This past month has been one of the most exciting months for you little man.  This is the month my life of sitting and holding you came to an end.  You are officially on the move...and into everything!!!  In one week you learned to go from laying down to sitting up and from sitting to being able to pull yourself to stand up.  And you are officially crawling. I can't take my eyes off of you for a second.  If fact, as I am typing this we are sitting in the playroom, and you are getting into all your sister's toys.  I am constantly picking up little pieces of stuff and tiny parts of toys off the floor, because I know if I don't find them you will.  And you are quick!  I can put you down in the family room and within minutes you crawl all the way to the back door.  You love for daddy to take you out to see the pond, so no matter where you are that is always where you end up, at that door. You haven't found the steps yet (thank goodness), but I am sure it won't be long.  Inquistive is the best word to describe you at nine months.

Real time update: You are dumping all of Isabella's doll clothes out of the armoire.  

This month you also got not one but two bottom teeth (on the same day!) And this month you decided you didn't want to nurse anymore.  I am so so sad about it, but I am trying to not take it personally. You like to sit and drink your bottles at your own pace and be able to look out at what is going on in the world.  I miss nursing, but my favorite times are when you drink the first and last bottles of the day, because that is when we sit quietly and cuddle...it is the only time you sit still during the day anymore.

Real time update:  Alex is up, you gave up on the baby doll clothing and are crawling across the room to get your big brother.

Our days are busy, little man.  But you are such a good boy. After your morning bottle and cuddle, we wake up Alex and Isabella.  We go into their beds and you crawl all over them and pat their faces and pull their hair.  Then you eat breakfast - your favorite these days are blueberry waffles and pancakes.  We spend a lot of time in the morning playing on the floor in your room and in the family room.  We take the kids to school and then its nap time for you!  After nap, we eat lunch and pick up Isabella from school.  Then we play some more or maybe run an errand.  By the way, errands take forever with you. We went to Wegmans yesterday, and you sat in the cart like a big boy.  You thought you were too cool!  And so did everyone else.  At least seven people stopped and talked to you.  And you loved it.  You are my little flirt. It is so sweet, but you are so friendly that it takes us twice as long to get anything done, because you are so busy smiling and "talking" to everyone. You usually take an afternoon nap and then wake up in time to get Alex off the bus.  Then we play some more.  Alex and Isabella help me take care of you, so I can make dinner.  We try to always eat dinner as a family at the table.  You sit in your highchair and like to eat "real" food.  You can put away some macaroni and cheese! Then it is bath time - you love to splash.  You laugh and laugh! We put on your pjs and then snuggle on the rocking chair.  Sometimes I read you a book.  Sometimes I sing to you.  Sometimes I just sit quietly and look at you.  You have changed so much over the last nine months.  It is so bittersweet watching you as you get so big. I would do anything to freeze time, but I know that is not impossible.  So with one more kiss, and then maybe just one more, I put you in the crib and you go right to sleep! 
Real time update: After climbing all over Alex, now you are back across the room chewing on a piece of Isabella's doll house! Isabella just came down and said, "Good morning, Zackie. Don't chew on that.  You will choke."  She gently took it away from you.

A few other things about this month I want you to know...

• You went apple picking. You gobbled up the homemade applesauce.
• You went to the farm.  You loved the piggies and the cow and sitting on the tractor with daddy.
• You went on your first hayride with your buddy Grayson.
• You cheered on the Orioles - they made the playoffs for the first time in 15 years!
• You love balls - you have a little basketball that you "throw" and crawl after.
• You celebrated Poppy's 85th birthday and Grandma's birthday too!
• You spent your Sundays at your grandparents' houses with your families
• You say "da da da" all day long.  I think you love him best.
• You love to chase Charlie.  Sometimes you even catch him.
• Your favorite tricks are waving "hi," cheering "yay" and doing "so big."
• Your cousins and brother and sister all want to hold you and hug you...all the time. 
• You are one of the boys! You always want to be where Jake, Luke and Alex are...I am in trouble!
• You love to play peek-a-boo.  You hide your face.  We say, "Where's Zachary?" You sit up and laugh and laugh.

Real time update:  Now daddy is up. (Yes, the last one to wake up, as always). He picked you up and you are sitting in his lap. I love watching you with daddy. You still look so little when he is holding you.

Happy first autumn my sweetheart.  Can't wait to see what the next month has in store for us!
I love you so much, my growing boy!
Mommy

7 and 8 Months Old

Zachary,

The past two months have been a blur.  You have grown so much.  At 7 months, you weighed 15 pounds and at 8 months, you weigh 15 pounds 12 ounces.  I think you are going to be my little muscle man - just like Pop and Luke.

You eat anything and everything I put in front of you. You don't have any teeth yet, but you can chew and chew with your gums. You love Cheerios, turkey, fruit. And yesterday, you and Alex ate the same breakfast of waffles and yogurt!  I can tell already you are going to want to be just like your big brother!

August was such a fun month for you!  Steph, Ryan, and Chase came all the way from Australia to stay with us.  They brought a bunch of New Jersey cousins too - Jenny, Amy, Joan and Dolores.  We had a cookout with the whole family.  Then we spent a week in Ocean City with the Beynons.  And then we headed to the Jersey Shore for some more cousin time! You discovered the sand for the first time. You were a mess!!

You are learning so much.  I love watching you and interacting with you. I am trying to memorize every little thing about you at this age!

• You are sometimes sleeping through the night.  And you usually take two naps a day. 
• You love bath time. 
• You clap hands and give kisses. 
• You love when I tickle you, and you make this high pitched noise that sounds just like you are saying, "tickle. tickle." 
• You are working on "So Big." You like to hold my hands and then I lift them up above your head.
• You can sit up by yourself.  And you can get down from a sitting position.
• You are learning to crawl.  You can get up on your hands and knees but haven't exactly mastered moving. Sometimes you wake up in the middle of the night and get up on your hands and knees and then cry for me, because you can't figure out how to get back down. 
• You have figured out how to turn the music in your crib on all by yourself. And sometimes I hear it playing in the middle of the night.
• You really love to play with (and chew on) your toys.  You like to knock down block towers and love anything that makes noise.  You love to hold my phone and the remote!

But most of all, the thing I want to remember best about you at this age, is how you want to be held.  Sure, you are a wiggle worm, but you want me to carry you around.  You love to be near me and people in general.  I love how you look at people expectantly, waiting for them to notice how cute you are!  It usually doesn't take long.  That smile of yours wins people over in an instant!



August 13, 2012 - 7 months





September 13, 2012 - 8 months



I love you Booba,

Mommy

First Day of Fours

On Friday, Isabella went to school to meet her teacher and to see her new classroom.  She wanted to take her new ladybug backpack. Here she is, walking up the sidewalk.

We had to stop and take a picture in front of the tree as we do on every first and last day of school.  (Her first picture in front of this tree was taken when she was a week old, and Alex was starting school here). Now she is my big four year old.

She walked right in told her teacher her name.  Then she picked up her name tag and said, "This one is mine.  It spells I-S-A-B-E-L-L-A." She sat right down and started to play.  The only time she got upset was when I told her we had to leave.  She wanted to stay all day!

Yesterday was her real first day of school.  Here she is in Ravens Purple holding up her sign.  (Look how tall she is, but still so tiny behind the sign).  She is ready to go!

We had to get a few more shots of Isabella with Daddy and her best friend Kaitlyn by the tree.

Here is my fearless, funny, fantastic four year old in her cubby.  She gave us a kiss and went right into her classroom without a fuss.  I just love how much she loves school.  

I couldn't wait until 12:30 to pick her up and hear all about it! Her favorite part of the day was playing with Kaitlyn on the playground. She was also so proud of herself, because she can swing with no one pushing her. My favorite part of the day was picking her up. I missed her and so did Zachary. It melted my heart to see how excited he was to see her. I am so proud of my girl! I know she is going to have a fabulous year!

Flowers For You

Happy Birthday, Grandma.  I can't believe it has been 10 months since you went to heaven.  I still miss you everyday.  I don't think that will never change.  Sometimes I forget you are gone. It seems so unreal. I catch myself thinking, "Grandma will get a kick out of this when I tell her" or "Grandma will love this." And then I remember...

Yesterday, Jay cut all of the fresh flowers out of the garden.  Isabella and I brought this beautiful bouquet to you at the cemetery.  When we pulled up, she asked why were leaving the flowers there.  She said, "Grandma Mela isn't here. She lives in heaven on a star." I explained that yes you do.  But since we can't go to heaven to leave you flowers, we bring them there so you can look down and see them.  She thought that was cool. I left her in the car and put the flowers at your grave, and just as it does every time I go there, seeing your headstone brought me to my knees.   I stayed there for only a minute or two, stood up and dried my tears before I walked away.  I didn't want you to look down and see me sad because you died, I wanted you to see me honoring the day of your birth. 

When I got back in the car Isabella said, Grandma is an angel, and she has wings just like a butterfly. She flies all around heaven.  Sometimes I think she is over our house." 
I hope she knows what she is talking about, because I love the idea that you are close by watching over us.  I believe that you are...

Happy Birthday! 

I love you,

Your Firstborn

Happy 4th Birthday Isabella

Dear Isabella,

Four years ago this minute, I was dressing you in a little tiny pink outfit and taking many pictures.  We were getting ready to come home from the hospital.  That evening you attended your first party.  We had the family over for pizza for Nana's birthday.  So I guess you can say you have been my "party girl" since the word go! 

I'm sorry this letter is a few days late, but we have been celebrating!  On Saturday, you turned four and your grandparents came to visit you.  That night we went to see fireworks at Hillendale.  It was the perfect way to spend your birthday!  Your face was priceless as you watched "your fireworks" with your cousins and friends. 

Sunday we celebrated your birthday by having an "Under the Sea" party.  You chose the theme, and of course I ran with it.  Aunt Barb made mermaid tails and "sea star" wands.  We had shark teeth and shell necklaces. You loved helping! We made up a cool sand art craft for the kids. We spent the week before making yummy desserts and decorating.  I also spent the week before watching the weather.  Last year we had an univited guest, Hurricane Irene, come to your party. This year Hurricane Issac was on his way!  I didn't want your party to get rained out two years in a row so I did a little (a lot) of praying and we set up an amazing mermaid lagoon outside hoping that the forecasters would be wrong.  I think you must have had a few angels listening on Sunday, because not a drop of rain fell until the last few minutes of the party. 

 Shari, the face painter, worked her magic and you donned your mermaid tails and danced like crazy! You had the best time!  And so did I!  I barely let you leave my sight the whole day, because I was enjoying watching the joy on your face! It was a perfect day!

So my sweet, wild, strong willed, beautiful girl, now you are four.  You tell me all the time that you are getting bigger. And I always say, "No, no no.  Don't say it!" The other day, you insisted on walking across the street to Samantha and Eva's house all by yourself!   Even though I do want you to stay my little girl, each stage of your life is so much fun.   You are my little sidekick.  We enjoy our girl time of shopping, picking out cute outfits to wear and pedicures. We love playing girly stuff like My Little Pony and dressing up your dolls. We like our "girl movies" like Beauty and the Beast and Annie. After you take your bubble baths, we cuddle up in your bed at night and read our Princess stories.  But do you know what else I absolutely LOVE about you?  You can hang with the boys! You love your brothers so much! You were excited to go see Diary of a Wimpy Kid with Alex and to run around in the yard and hide out in the fort!  You are such a big helper with Zachary.  You love to sing to him and take care of him.  You are so proud to be both a big and a little sister! And you are your daddy's girl. You love to help him work outside and you only want Daddy when you are hurt!

And you have a ton of friends - boys, girls, older, younger (hence the 40+ kids at your party).  Everyone wants to be around you because you are hilarious and fun and have an incredible imagination.  One of my favorite things to do is sit back and listen to you and your best friend, Kaitlyn, play. I can't believe the things you two come up with! I hope that all your life you continue to have these almost innate traits of being social and kind and thoughtful. 

I love you and your brothers with a fierceness that cannot be described.  I have no favorites.  Together you make up the pieces of my heart. But with that being said, you are my daughter, and the love I have for you is different. Not in a better way, but just a different way.  There is nothing in this world like having a son, but there is nothing in this world like having a daughter.  I thank God every single day for giving you to me to take care of and love.  Without you, my days would not be as full with laughter and silliness and all the fun pink girly things in life.   I want to be a role model for you.  I want to show you how to be strong and selfless and loving.  And I want to teach you by example to be confident in who you are as a person. But it is funny, because even at four years old,  I find that many times the tables are turned and you are reminding me how to be each of those things. 

 I can only imagine what great things the future holds for you my girl.  You have a picture in your room that says, "I am fairly certain that given a cape and a nice tiara, I could save the world."  I am completely certain that this is true!  And I can't wait to see it (and brag that I am your Mom)!

I love you,

Mommy

First Day of First Grade

I have a first grader? What?  When did that happen?  It seems like hours ago Alex started preschool, minutes ago he started Kindergarten, and seconds ago he got off the bus ready to start summer vacation! But here we are- the first day of school!

This summer I spent good deal of time just looking at and listening to Alex in a state of complete awe.  He has grown up so much! He is all arms and legs and has a big boy haircut. His vocabulary is incredible. He can read to me at bedtime.  I have to give him his kisses when no one is looking.  And this morning as I watched him tie his own shoes, the lump in my throat got bigger and bigger.  He truly is my big first grader. 

He got on the bus with a wave and a smile (of course he was first in line).  I managed to not cry.  As the bus drove away I got butterflies in my stomach.  As much as I miss not having him here with us, I am so excited for him to go to school and learn all kinds of new things.  But I can't help it. I keep looking at the clock.  I can't wait to see that cute little smile as he gets off the bus and tells me about his first day of first grade!

Summer 2012 - Part 2

We had so much fun this August.  We spent our days at the pool and the beach.  We ate Thrashers Fries, cotton candy, and Fisher's popcorn. We rode rides on 3 different boardwalks in three different states. Daddy and Alex went fishing and hiking and camping.  We went to movies, had a lemonade stand, and ate ice cream with friends. We cheered on the Ravens and the Orioles!

Our cousins visited us from New Jersey and Australia.  We visited family in New Jersey.  Zachary got to experience his very first (and second) cousin's weekend and meet his best buddies Chase and Grady.

Can't believe how quickly summer has gone by this year.  It was a great one though.  We made memories that we will never forget.  And on Sunday, we will celebrate Isabella's birthday with a huge party with all of our family and friends.  One last summer fling!  Stay tuned...

 

Summer 2012 - Part 1

Summer has been so busy!   We are having a blast.  Here are some highlights of the first half of summer 2012!

Summer Hill Block Party - we had so much fun with all of our neighbors at the block party.  There was face painting, a balloon artist and a DJ!

The Pools - We have been spending lots and lots of time at Summer Hill Swim Club and Hillendale.  We love being at HCC with Mason, Preslee and Finley.  The kids are little fishies. Isabella now puts her head under water and can kick from one end of the pool to the other using a kick board.  She also makes me so proud when she goes right up to other kids at the pool and asks them to play.  She is always "making new friends." Alex amazes me daily.  He can dive. He does front flips off the diving board.  When I asked him who taught him that one, he said, "Griff asked if I could flip and I said I don't know.  Let me try! And I can!" This summer he also swam for the 6-0 Hillendale Hurricanes.  He has quite a collection of ribbons from his freestyle, backstroke, and breast stroke heats.  He also won rookie of the year!  Zachary loves the water, just like his brother and sister.  He loves to sit and splash in the fountains.  Mommy and Daddy are also enjoying the Happy Hours at the pools with their friends too. 

The Beach - We have already been to the beach three times this summer.  Nana and Pop Pop just bought a condo on the beach!  It is perfect for the kids, especially Zachary.  When it is too hot out, I can sit up on the deck and still feel like I am on the beach!  We have loved being at the beach with our families and friends.  The kids have played in the ocean, built forts out of boogie boards, umbrellas and towels, had sleepovers at Grandma and Pop's with Jake, Sophie and Luke, visited Samantha and Eva in Bethany, gone to Ava's birthday bash on the beach, gotten "tattoos" at Fish Tales and treats at Candy Kitchen, and Mommy's favorite - stayed on the beach late in the evening.  Mommy and Zachary have even watched the sun rise over the ocean.

Fourth of July-The last Saturday in June, we met all of our friends at Jacksonville Elementary to watch the fireworks.  We staked out our land with lots of blankets and had quite a gathering of people.  The kids played on the playgrounds and ate snowballs!  Then on Sunday we headed to the beach for a week.  Jay and I have spent 9 of the past 11 Fourth of July's in OC.  Our kids have been there every year of their lives! We spent the day on the beach with our cousins and the Atkinsons.  Then we ate dinner at Hidden Harbor with our families and then went to the park to listen to music and watch the fireworks. Zachary was completely mesmerized.  And this year as we watched the night sky illuminated in color and listened to the patriotic music it was bittersweet as we remembered Aunt Mickey, Grandma Mela, and LoLo.

Play Dates, Camps and Sports- So far this summer, the kids have also kept busy with play dates, camps and sports!  Alex has been taking tennis lessons, he went to Camp Hillendale and Camp Invention.  At Camp Invention, his group created the BB (Balloon Buster) 6000, an invention that pops water balloons!  Alex was chosen to demonstrate the BB 6000, and it worked on the first try!  He also earned his Blue Belt in karate and participated in a Sparring Tournament. He has most his play dates at the pools where he meets up with kids from school and off he goes to swim or play on the playgrounds.  Kaitlyn and Isabella spend hours and hours at one each other's houses playing, doing crafts and sometimes getting into a little bit of mischief. (It sounded like a good idea at the time to use berry scented antibacterial gel as hair gel). It is one of my favorite pastimes to listen to the imaginations of those two girls (and Alex too) when they play together. Isabella went to camp at her preschool and to Ballet Camp with Finley.  The two beautiful Beynon girls stole the show in their recital at the end of the week! Even Mommy and Daddy have been trying new sports.  Daddy has taken up tennis, and Mommy is doing a Boot Camp to get back in shape!

Stay tuned for Summer 2012- Part 2!

Check Out These Numbers

I took Zachary to the doctor for his sixth month appointment!  He is growing well, but is still my little peanut.  He weighs 14 pounds 11 ounces and is 26 inches long.  Dr. V. was very happy with his development.  He said I should start feeding him three meals of solids a day! 

I have an app on my phone where I can keep track of Zachary's eating, sleeping and dirty diapers.  It is really the only way I can remember the last time I fed him or what time he woke up from his last nap.  Who needs a pen and paper when you have the iPhone?

Since birth Zachary has nursed 1,581 times for a total of 207 hours.  I have pumped 2.1 gallons of milk, and he has had 88 bottles.  I have changed a total of 1100 diapers!

Half Birthday

Zachary,

Happy Half Birthday!  For six months you have been a part of this family, and I can barely remember what life was like before you were born. We love you so very much.  You remind me of your sister with your social personality.  Nowadays you hardly ever want to nurse during the day, because you are too busy turning your head to see what Alex and Isabella are doing.  You smile that toothless grin at everyone and look at them expectantly, wanting them to entertain you! You carry on whole conversations, and we all wonder what you are saying! You remind me of your brother by being a sweetheart yet all boy at the same time.  You grab our faces and pull them towards you to "kiss" us.  You love to cuddle in the morning.  You look so much like Alex as a baby, yet you have your own look about you too!  Alex always tells everyone, "He looks just like me when I was a baby, but I was fatter!"  That is very true.  I am loving putting you in Alex's baby clothes and taking your picture. 

You are a lucky little boy, because your brother and sister cannot get enough of you.  Alex calls you "Zacky" and Isabella calls you, "My baby." I'm pretty sure you are the most kissed and hugged baby in the world.  Sometimes I literally have to pull them away from you.  But you adore them and the attention they give you.

So many more firsts this month...

I finally decided to put you in your crib for naps and bedtime.  I miss you so much, but you love spreading out in your crib and listening to the same mobile Alex used listen to when he was falling asleep.  And since you are still waking up to nurse once or twice in the middle of the night, we still get our quiet time together.  I sit in the rocker in your room and we cuddle up under a blanket, and I rock you as you make up for all the time you didn't want to nurse during the day!  And as nice as it would be to get more than 3 or 4 hours of sleep in a row, I promise I don't mind getting up with you.  I could cry when I think about how fleeting this time is, how quickly you are growing up.  I am enjoying every second of you being my baby. 

This month you also tried formula, apples, peaches, sweet potatoes, and avocado for the first time.  You like the veggies better than the fruits.  You gobbled up half of a avocado for lunch yesterday. 

You went to Ocean City for the first (second and third) time too. On your first morning there, we watched the sun rise over the ocean.  It is something I will never forget. You've been to all the hot spots - Fish Tales, Tequila Mockingbird, and Grottos!  I lathered you in sunscreen, put clothes with SPF in them on you, sit you under the umbrella and your little arms still got tan!  You take after Alex in that way too!  You saw your first fireworks show!  You loved them!  As Izzy said, "You just stared and stared at the fireworks.  Not moving.  Not even blinking."

You are learning so much.  You try to clap your hands, you love playing with your toes, you say "de de de de" over and over.  You love to stand in your exersaucer and play.  And you are practicing sitting up by yourself.

This afternoon, we will celebrate the first six months of you life.  We will eat half a cake that I baked and give you a few little gifts that we picked out!  And I will make two wishes - one for me and one for you.  My wish I know will not come true, but I will hope and pray for it anyway!  I will wish for the next six months to go slowly.  I want you to stay my cuddly, slobberly, chubby little bubba for as long as possible.  And your wish has already come true - I will wish for you to be the sweetest, happiest, most adored little boy a family could ever love! 

A few more things I never want to forget about you at six months...

 You suck your thumb, your pacifier, my hand, but you more often than not fall asleep with the leg of your stuffed toy in your mouth.  You love to stick out your tongue and blow bubbles.  You love the water - the bath, the pool, the sink.  You kick your feet all the time, and you rub them together when your belly hurts.  You love, love, love to be naked.  You think it is so funny when I take your clothes off and say, "Naked Baby!"  You can be fussy and temperamental at times, but I can usually talk, sing, hug, kiss and dance you out of your bad moods.  And I hope that for all your life, I can be the one you come to when you need to feel better.  I will always be there with a smile and a hug.

I love you sweet boy! 

Mommy