Handsome

Zachary is almost 16 months old! And so handsome!

Motherhood

"Motherhood: A love greater than your love for sleep, organization, and good personal hygiene."

B-A-N-A-N-A

Zach was helping me put the groceries away and found the bananas (his favorite). I love this picture. Classic Zachary - always having a good time!

Shoulda listened...

Zachary, how's that fingerpaint taste?

Today's Fixation

"Coo-kee...coo-kee....coo-kee....coo-kee...coo-kee...coo-kee"

"Pblees....coo-kee..." All day.

Teachable Moments?

Ok, so we've been working with Zachary on letter recognition with these new flash cards. He's been mildly interested and will actually say "A" & "B" very well. So tonight I thought I'd work a little more with him (and get some pictures of him learning!). Much to my dismay (but still super funny and blog-worthy), Zach was not in a learning mood.

He started off pretty well.

Then he thought it would be funny to scramble the letters.

Then he started scooting them off the table.

I guess he thought "Since mommy was laughing at the scrambling (I couldn't help it), maybe this is funny too...!"

They say your kids will teach you more about yourself than you can imagine. I guess Zach wanted me to loosen up and realize that it's ok for him to be super silly (& make mommy laugh) instead of learning the ABC s...at least for today!

Zacharese

In my opinion, this is the most exciting phase yet! When your baby begins speaking words to you, few things can compare. Zachary is saying SO many words - but Todd & I are only able to decipher about 1/3 of them. Every day there's a new discovery as mommy & daddy slowly catch on. We've started a little "Zacharese Dictionary" that includes the English translation (from what we can figure, since neither of us are Linguists and/or have any prior parenting experience).

"bay-bee" = baby
"bath"= bath
"brrr" = bear
"bd" = bird
"ball" = ball
"b-see" = blankie
"bl-bee" = blueberry
"chees"= cheese
"coo-kee" = cookie
"da da" = daddy
"dg" = dog
"pfsh" = fish
"jss" = juice
"rff rff" = what a dog says
"raaaarrr" = what a tiger says
"gul" = TV golf & golf club
"go" = let's go
"ba ba" = bye bye
"muh-muh" (when crying) = mommy
"peesa" = pizza
"pblees" = please
"kank-ew" = thank you
"whsst" = what's that?
"mboo" = what a cow says
"shoos" = shoes

Anatomy Lesson

Zachary, where's your teeth?

Where's your nose?

Where's your ears?

Where's your feet?

Where's your belly?

Where's your eyes?

Where's your head?

(Yes, it took me all day to get these pictures, because, as most moms know...toddlers do nothing on command...especially in front of a camera.) Anyway, Zach knows all of these parts and can point to them on mommy too!

Four Generations

Great-Grandma Claire, Grammy, Mommy, Zachary

Mr. Independence

Zachary has become quite the big boy lately. He has started refusing to be spoon-fed by anyone and protesting (pictured above) if he's not given the eating utensil to feed himself. This new phase of autonomy makes for some very messy meals, but I'm glad to see him ready to prove his independence.

Wedding Weekend

We had a great time celebrating Aunt Jen's wedding this weekend. Zachary walked the aisle with daddy and was so cute! (more wedding pictures soon)Handsome & ready to walk down the aisle!

Eating yummy carrot cake (Aunt Jen's favorite) at the reception.

Sleep and silliness on the road trip!

After 10 hours in the car and minimal melt-downs, Zachary deserved a lollipop!

Marriage Building

This may come as a surprise to most of you who know Todd, but after 7 years of marriage, he’s developed quite a knack for resolving conflict. Of course, like most married folks, we rarely disagree or misunderstand each other (HA!), so conflict resolution is an ongoing process for both of us. Sometimes he’ll implement new techniques, some of which are very creative! Well, today was the topper. We’re having an exchange regarding dish soap (yes, dish soap), and at the point where the conversation was heading towards “mildly heated,” he interrupts me and without any thought or hesitation, says, “No habla ingles.” This was so unexpected and random, I couldn’t help myself – I just started laughing. Disagreement OVER... due to laughter. Way to go, Todd!!

Proud Momma

Zachary had his first "conversation" today! I am so proud of him!! We were at the Publix Bakery and this is how it went -
Bakery worker: "Can I help you?"
Zachary (arms flapping, feet kicking): "Cookie, Cookie, Cookie!"
Mommy: "I think he wants a cookie. Zachary, say please."
Zachary (more flapping & kicking): "Pblees...Cookie, Cookie, Cookie!"
Bakery worker: "Here you go..." (hands him the cookie)
Mommy: "Zachary, say thank you."
Zachary (cradling the cookie in his hands with a huge grin): "Kank-yew"

Goin' to the chapel...

After years of searching, Jenny and Dan are finally tying the knot this weekend!! The countdown begins...will Zachary shine as the ring-bearer? We've been practicing this week, and so far, he hasn't been bothered by the bow tie or the suit. However, the rings will not be safe on the dainty pillow. He does not appreciate the elegance of the satin & ribbons, and instead uses them to propel the pillow into the air, followed by a bust-out laugh. I think he even incorporated a little tiger-growl. No worries, Aunt Jen! We'll keep working!

Fun with Mimi & Grandad

Grandad & Mimi visited this week. Zachary had a lot of fun watching videos, building blocks, swimming, reading books and playing patty cake. He is exhausted from all the playing...and so is Grandad!!

Bakin' Cookies

Zachary's best-said word right now is "cookie" - he says it exactly correct. Todd laughs every time he says it because it's so cute to hear a perfectly pronounced word come out of Zach's mouth. Anyway, we made cookies today for Mimi & Grandad (visiting this week). Zachary was very helpful and very funny. He liked the spatula after I mixed the batter, but then he discovered the tablespoon that was used to transport the vanilla extract - and that was especially yummy!