Growing Boy

Z had his 12 month check-up today...he weighed in at 22 lbs 8 oz and was 31 1/2 inches tall! I think since he is walking everywhere now and is very active he has slimmed down a bit. He is still at the very top of the curve in height though. We ended up not doing shots today as Z has not been feeling well the past few days. The Dr. seemed to think it is a stomach virus. He is also cutting some of his molars and has not been happy about it. He actually feel asleep last night at 6 pm on Daddy's shoulder, much to R's surprise and delight, something he has not done since he was an infant. Lets see, what else is new??? We are trying to wean, but unfortunately Z seems to have an allergy to cows milk, so we are doing soy and trying to get him used to that. Hopefully in the next month or so we will be fully weaned. Z still loves to eat...current favorites are french toast, pretzels, strawberries and Annie's mac & cheese. We go outside and play on the swing and go for a bike ride almost every day. Z has also developed a love of dogs. All of our neighbors have dogs and whenever we are outside he wants to go look at them. Last week he was mingling on our neighbors deck surrounded by their 4 dogs! He didn't like them all up in his face but refused to be picked up, it was too cute. Today's pic is a tribute to Cleveland the best basketball team in the nation as of now...go Cavs! (too bad shortly after this shirt was donned it was then the victim of a diaper leakage! Hopefully this is not a premonition of the Cavs future...hehe)

Our Little Boy is 1!

I can't believe its been a year since Z was born. The time seems like it has flown by, especially the last few months where he has developed in leaps and bounds. First crawling, then walking, now understanding simple questions and commands like "Z where is Elmo? Can you bring Elmo to Mama?" Its amazing when he does exactly what you ask him! We had a small birthday party last night with our neighbors which was just right. We ate pizza and cake and opened presents. I baked Z his own 2 layer carrot cake with whipped cream frosting. As you can tell from the video he thoroughly enjoyed himself and totally destroyed the cake :) By the time we were done there was cake everywhere...on the floor, on the wall, on the window and window sill and even on Katie! Z got some wonderful presents from both family and friends but still seems more interested in the tissue paper and wrappings. I'm sure that will change in the next few months. I look forward to seeing what he will do next and am so proud of our boy!

Walkin, Walkin, Walkin...

Pre-Birthday Birthday

We were in CT this past week for a visit with the fam. As much as we miss R on weeks when he is out of town it allows Z and me to travel and visit our loved ones. Considering how far we live away from everyone we are blessed to be able to see both families quite a bit. I am very lucky to be able to be a stay at home mom...it allows us tons of flexibility. We celebrated Z's first birthday on Friday night. Grammy made him an applesauce cake with whipped cream frosting. He had a candle and we sang happy birthday. He was not sure quite what to think of all the singing but he knew exactly what to do with the cake when he got his hands on it! We let him eat his fill and he had a serious sugar high after. It was SO cute. Z had a great time playing with his Auntie, Uncle Dan and Grammy & Gramps. His favorite game was taking D's hat off. Grampa's favorite game was Z's laughing Elmo. We would be trying to put Z to bed upstairs when we would hear Elmo laughing downstairs...that would be Grampa!

Little Social Butterfly

Z is a very outgoing little guy. I'm not sure where he gets it from since both R and i are pretty shy. Every time we go out somewhere Z likes to talk to everyone he sees. We were at Lowes the other day and i was talking to the employee asking him some questions when we here this loud "HAAAAA, HAAAA". Apparently Z was miffed that the guy wasn't talking to HIM. Then as we proceeded through checkout Z is saying "HAAAA" to everyone within hearing distance. He definintely likes people paying attention to him. He apparently has a southern accent since his greeting comes out as "Ha" instead of "Hi." He is too cute. On another note we had a nice visit with Gramma and Grampa Sustar. Z is also close to walking. He pulls up on everything now and will walk about 4-5 feet before barreling into me. Can't seem to stop himself yet!

Crawling....finally!

Zach started crawling last weekend! He doesn't much like it, just uses it to get where he wants to go and then wants to stand and walk. He is so close to walking on his own, probably in the next few weeks. Watch out!

Z's First Christmas

Christmas was in CT this year with the fam and it was great. Although Christmas is not the same without a little snow, i do have to say that i will pass on the snow any other time. Our trip up to CT was horrible. Canceled flights, sleepless night in a hotel room, lost luggage that showed up 2 days later. Once we got there all was well. My fam really enjoyed having Z around. Auntie didn't have to work so she was with us almost every day. We got the decorate Grammy's Christmas tree, make pieroges, bake and enjoy good home cooked meals. I think Z had a good time, he was not that into opening his presents but he loved his new mini rocking chair that Uncle Dan re-finished for him, loved ripping tissue paper into little bits which kept him busy for a while and last but not least LOVED the slot machine my parents have. All the lights and sounds and dropping coins! He would walk us over to it and then turn into your legs, meaning "pick me up" and then would watch and help us play. Z still loves to be "walked" around, hasn't gotten his balance yet and wants no part in crawling. Also as my mom remarked over Christmas he seems happiest when he's eating! Z is definitely my boy :)