Brave Mommy!

Well...today I finally did something brave with my son! I know since Zachary has been born, my family has thought I am a bit neurotic as a mom...and maybe I am, but to my defense, this is the first time I have done this :)
In the beginning of Zachary's life...I didn't leave my house for the first month because I was scared to death of germs! AND if anyone dare touch my child without hand sanitizer...it was on! Then it was never leaving him alone with anyone unless I was there. AND then it was making sure I was home in time for his nap because dare I be out in public around nap time. The thought of Zach not napping in his own crib, made me a wreak! Well...at 6 months old...times have changed. I, unlike my husband don't lose my hair if someone doesn't sanitize. Daddy is a work in progress :) I also have learned to get Zach to nap in the strangest of places...and luckily for me...I have an easy going child. Any mother who can get her child to nap in Crazy Lil's (which is a loud bar restaurant), must be doing pretty good! But today I conquered one of my biggest fears...I left him alone in the CHURCH NURSERY!!!!!!! OMG...this was huge for me. Other kids...other germs...but I did it! Zach had a blast! I went to check on him half way through the service and he was bouncing in a bouncer laughing his cute little head off! So...yes in deed....I am making progress. Bottom line, the way I see it... I am his mother, and at the end of the day I have to be comfortable with the decisions I make regarding my child. If I am not comfy with that...then nothing else matters! I too am a work in progress :)

Tonight I captured a few cute shots of Zachary playing in the trees with Nona and Pop Pop. He was so cute!

Welcome to the Rainforest!

Last night Zachary and I went out to dinner to celebrate Loren's birthday. Now that he is no longer in his infant seat, but not quite sitting up strongly on his own...having a meal out is always interesting. I decided to buy him a portable high chair because he is able to sit in his high chair at home! I was nervous because his high chair at home gives a lot of support, so I wasn't sure how this was going to work. Well...we tried it and he did great! Here are a few shots :)

He likes the rainforest on top!



Eating his mixed veggies!

YUM!

Ahhh...The White Onesie

Today Zach and I went shopping with Michael and Allison for Halloween Gear! After our wonderful visit to the mall we went out for a nice lunch! As I am enjoying my meal...this lovely odor comes upon me...and I thought..."Oh No!" Yes...he did it again! Zachary BLEW OUT another adorable outfit! Thank you prunes! Needless to say...mommy forgot the pants so all I could find was the white onesie, in which my child had to sport for the remainder of the day!
Gotta love those white onesies!

Gymboree Fun!

Today was Zach's last day of the Level 1 Gymboree class. Now that he is able to sit up, he has to move up to Level 2. This is scary for me because in Level 2, the babies start playing on the equipment. I am scared to death. It just doesn't feel like he should be playing on equipment yet...but they tell me he is ready. So for the big send off, Granna came to participate! She always wanted to see Zach in the baby class and this was her last chance. Zach beamed when he saw her. It was so cute. I captured a ton of pictures...and I am posting some of my favorites. Keep your fingers crossed for next week! Michael and Rowan...here we come!



Granna and Zach doing Tummy Time!

Peek a Boo Granna!

"Gymbo the Clown goes up and down...up and down....up and down"

Bugs and Chicks!

By the looks of Zachary's PJ's, I am sure you all can imagine the night we had. We started the evening with just Bugs...and now we have woken up with chicks and bugs! Since returning home from the beach, Zachary has decided that he wants to be a newborn again! Well...not happening! So we are trying to sleep train...AGAIN! For the past 6 months, I have had no idea where Zachary adopted these sleep issues...my husband also had no clue. Well....let me tell ya! It's my husbands fault! I am holding him totally responsible! After having a conversation with my mother-in-law last night, I have learned that my husband had major sleep problems as an infant through 9 months! So maybe Chris should be the one to start the night time duties????

At any rate, I have decided that Zach will cry it out through the night! He went down at 9:00 taking only a 4 oz bottle...well that's a problem with and in itself! So I knew my sleep would soon be interrupted! And it was...at 11:30. So I fed him again his 6 oz bottle, which I knew he would take and he did. He made it until 2:30 and I made him cry....and cry....and cry. I went in and gave him the binki, which he is not a fan of either. It worked until 3:16....and the screaming continued until 3:24. So in with the bottle I went...and that little monkey drank 3 oz...peed through his diaper...threw up on his shirt...and THEN decided it was playtime! He was laughing hysterically at me and I KNOW if he could talk....he would say SUCKER!!!!!!!!! So that's how we ended up with Bugs and Chicks!
Pray for me :)

Bugs and Chicks...and Ellie!

Nap Strike!

Okay...so my son has decided that he will not take a nap today. He is on a nap strike. I guess technically it is not considered a strike until it happens for a few days...however, when he is still not sleeping through the night at 6 months...I think I am entitled to call it a strike. And of course, today of all days, I feel like I have been run over by a mack truck...so I know I could easily fall fast asleep as soon as my head would hit the pillow. But my little bundle of joy obviously has a different plan for me!

Regardless...he is still as "Cute as a ..."


And so sleepy!

Get Those Feet!

Zachary and I were playing on the floor this afternoon and I was able to get some really cute photos of him. He is so into holding his own feet. He is facinated with them. It is so cute! We are also still practicing tummy time so that perhaps one day my little monster will roll over! At 19.5 pounds...who knows when that will be! He does have a lot to get over!

How cute is that face!

Aunt Rachie is home!

Tonight Aunt Rachie and Uncle Lasse returned home from China! They went there to watch the Olympics. Zachary hasn't seen them in about a month because of all the traveling they have been doing. Aunt Rachie was so proud to see how well Zachary was sitting. And the two of them carried on a full conversation. Zach was explaining to her just how much he missed her. She ate him up and gave out many kisses! It was so much fun!

Aunt Rachie watching Zach jump!

Uncle Lasse and Aunt Rachie playing with the toy they got Zach from China...Nini. The most popular toy there because it was the Olympic mascot!

Swaddle Free!

Yippee! I am so excited because last night Zachary slept without his swaddle. I have been trying to get rid of that thing for over a month now! Today he has also taken his nap without it. I am so excited. When he was a baby he didn't need it, but once he got older, we had to swaddle because he would constantly hit his face with his hands and wake himself up! I included two pictures of when he was a baby. One...swaddle free demonstrating the "touchdown Ravens" pose...and the second with the swaddle. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a picture of him swaddled with his arms in...but you get the idea. Last night our little boy scored the "touchdown Ravens" pose again and we were so excited! He is also doing a much better job of putting himself to sleep!
Go Zach!

Zach...2 days old


Zach...around 2-3 weeks!

A Fun Day In The Sun!

Today Zachary had two friends over for a playdate, Katie from church and of course his best buddy Michael! Allison and I had the boys play in the pool with Katie. They all had such a great time. The boys are so cute, especially now that Zach is a little older because he is actually more interested in Michael. I captured the cutest photos of the two of them. They look like they are having a serious conversation!

Seriously...


And then...

Katie and the Boys!

TUMBLE!

So...Zachary and I are just hanging out waiting for Katie to arrive. We are having a playdate with her today. I decided to snap a few shots of Zach and was able to capture him tumbling over from trying to stay seated on his own. It was too funny and as soon as he fell over, he would just giggle!

We also practiced sitting in the Bumbo. Check out Zach holding the ball with his feet!

The "Closer"!

So...I just get this funny email from Zachary's Uncle Lew! As many of you may know...Zachary is very funny about sleep. He will fight it to the end, especially if he is out of his routine! But Uncle Lew has this special way of getting Zachary to sleep...therefore he is known as "The Closer"! Needless to say...I must post this picture on the blog because someone was a little fiesty about not being on it. So...Uncle Lew, this is for you!

Crazy Lil's

Last night we took Zachary to his first Bar Restaurant! Crazy Lil's in Federal Hill! Aunt Mary had arranged a fun family dinner night out! It was so much fun. Zach got to spend some good quality time with Uncle James and Aunt Marcel and of course Nona and Pop Pop! Of course dinner ran right into one of Zachary's nap times, so he took a nap in the very loud location and everyone was so surprised that he could nap there. He also wore his Ravens Jersey since we were meeting Aunt Mary's friend Anita. She is a huge Ravens fan too, so we had to get Zach dressed up for the big night out! We had such a great time!


Zach and Daddy, with the Ravens Jersey!

Anita, Aunt Mary and Zachary!
Go Ray Ray!

Uncle James and Zachary!

The Family!