BIG NEWS!!!

I've noticed this funny trend with my son. There are certain landmarks in a child's life that mark his progress and growth. All of the big firsts. First solid foods, first sippy cup, first haircut. Periodically, a child's physician will check in on these firsts to see that said child is on track with the norms. There have been several times now that we have visited the doctor and had him ask about something only to have me look worriedly at my son wondering if he really should have been doing this particular task by that time. (example: crawling- he was slow to take the leap to mobility) The funny thing is, whenever we talk to the doctor about these benchmarks it's like a cue for Zach to suddenly decide it's time. We talked to the doctor about him not taking sippy cups- suddenly he took to them like he had always loved sippy cups. We talked to the doctor about him not sleeping through the night. Suddenly- 8:00 to 7:00- OH bliss! We even talked to him about Zach's apparent lack of interest in crawling and all of a sudden he was scooting accross the floor.

Are you wondering what our big new is yet? Have I left you in suspense long enough or did you already guess?

Well... yesterday was another doctor's appointment and we visited over all of the expected benchmarks. Stacking blocks- check! Finger feeding or using utinsels- check! Using tools for thier correct purpose- check! Following instructions- check! (still in suspense?) Walking and Talking? NO CHECK!!!! So we talked about some possible solutions, even checking into some physical therapy. He was ahead of the curve on everything except walking and talking- something you would think would be the basics. Our doctor wasn't too nervous about the speech stuff because Zach is actually really good at communicating non-verbally. He has some signs that we've taught him and our doc said that was great! It was more the walking that he said we might want to get some help for.

SO... right on cue with our past experiences Zach finally decided it was time to take the leap. Of course the day AFTER our check up. This morning he found some keys that had fallen off our key rack by the door. He brought them to me giggling and said, quite clearly "KEYS!"

HE SPEAKS

Then just as Jason was getting ready to walk out the door to go to work we decided to practice walking a bit. I held Zach, helped him stabalize, and then let go and WA LA! 7 whole steps to dad. I think he would have had more but they ran out of room.

HE WALKS

Apparently Zach just has a little bit of an attitude and doesn't want to listen to his parents. Only the Doctor can tell him what to do!

I'll have to remember that when he's a teenager and wants to do something crazy. Good thing his dad will be a doctor by then right? WHEEW!

Zach's first corn on the cob

I love summer and I love corn on the cob! So I thought I would let my son give it a try. He thought it was pretty fun.
He would bite in and shake his head. I think he really enjoyed it and ate quite a bit too.

Zach's Egg

This is Zach's egg. He decorated it all by himself! I would give him a

sticker and he would stick it on the egg. Then Clap enthusiastically. When he was done we peeled it and he ate it- the WHOLE thing. I think Zach likes Easter.

Zach's First Peep

Upon first examination I decided the object needed to be disected and holes were cautiously picked into it's squishy surface to determine if it was safe.

The pokes were followed by tiny tastes and it was decited that...

The squishy object is edible.

So I dug in!

New Additions

Well, we have taken the plunge and added to our family x 3

Introducing Bolt (top right), Spaz (top left), and Nosy (bottom)- given names, subject to change upon review.
Zach is pretty excited.

We've been taking Zach to the pet store every once and a while so that he could ooo and ahhh at the animals there and when these guys were posted on FREECYCLE I just couldn't turn them down. They are really cute and Zach loves when they stand up on thier back legs to look at him.

So, it's official that Zach now has his first real pets. Jury is still out on how his dad feels about the matter.

Happy Meal!

Today we had a special treat. We went to the Children's Museum to get a FREE PASS! Horray! They actually have a special program for low income families so that thier children can enjoy the benefits of the museum even though they (we) otherwise wouldn't be able to afford to get in. I hope to be going back again and again as Zach gets older. I think it will be really good for him and he just LOVED the slides.

On our way home we stopped at Mickey-D's. We still had a gift card from Chirstmas so I splurged on the chicken salad I've been craving and Zach got to enjoy his very FIRST Happy Meal.

Chicken Nuggets and Apple dippers.
And a toy OF COURSE!!!

Zack's first Car

Grandma Gundersen wanted to get Zack a new car for his birthday so we've been watching for just the right one. Finally, I found a fantastic deal on Craigslist and we just couldn't pass it up.
It's a little faded and the stickers are peeling off but Zack doesn't know the difference. I have a feeling this is going to be a well loved vehicle for years to come.

Oh! And there's that oh, so precious, "smile" again!

Zack's first Sledding experience.

Weeeeeeeee!
For an Arizona girl I think I was pretty brave to take on this monster of a hill outside our friend's appartment.

But you won't see me denying my son his first and last opportunity for sledding this year.

I'm just that cool of a mom.

OK- I'm a total panzy! And the hill wasn't really a hill but more of a "slight decline"- but it was sure fun!

The Chair...

Last week we had a little family trip to the Babies R Us to pick up a crib-railing-protector. No more swallowing paint chips! Horray! Anyhow, during that trip Zach spotted this elmo chair up on the top shelf as we walked by and he freaked out. He was so excited he could barely contain himself. We let him sit in it and his grin seemed to take over his entire face- unfortunately the chair was in the 60-70 bones range. NOT an option. He was pretty bumbed when we left the store so Jason sent me hunting. Walmart- no go. Toys R Us- out of price range. K-mart-nothin'. Finally- Target clearance section, the very last one. We have a winner!!!

Golly Gee! What could this be?

Zach, AJ and Scotty admiring the new addition.

Zach and AZ- chillin'

P.S. I realize the wrapping paper was inside out- I was trying to creatively hide the fact that I'm too cheap to buy new wrapping paper after Christmas. Leave me alone! ;)

The big day!

Today was the big day. The big birthday. I can not believe that Zach is ONE! This last year has really gone by so fast. It wasn't so long ago that we were trying to determine which grins were happy grins and which ones were stincky.

Here's the cake I made:

Not too shabby right?

Here's Zach diggin' in. He started out being sneaky and poking one finger in the center when he thought nobody was looking. Then he got a hold of mom's fork and the cake didn't stand a chance.

Landmark

Tuesday is Zach's first birthday and I can not believe how much he has grown up. Just in the last two weeks even! Before we left for Idaho he was just starting to scoot along the floor- VERY slowly. Now he flies across the room. Before Idaho he didn't know the stairs existed. Now he takes every opportunity to practice maneuvering both up and down the stairs.

Before Idaho Zach was completely dependent on me for his nourishment, now... just watch. (Awww.... I might cry. Again!!!)

Updates

First off, I do have to clarify. My "hairstylist" of a husband has ZERO experience with actual hair- styling. He does cut his own hair on occasion but NEVER does he attempt the "insane" practice of hair-dying. In fact he thinks it's pretty silly that I even consider such a thing. The only way we were able to make it through our adventure was by several phone calls to our true hair "connection"- Jason's Cousin Heather. THANK YOU HEATHER!!! I was pretty nervous but I think Jason was even more. He's pretty protective of my hair.

Anyway- it's been a while since we had an update so here we go....

Zack is crawling pretty well now. He climbs all over me if I lay on the floor with him. He also seems to think being trapped under a laundry basket is great fun. He crawled around the room with it over his whole body like a turtle's shell.

This improvement in crawling abilities has translated into some trouble at nap time. He can now sit up on his own and I often find him on his knees in his crib hanging on to the side for dear life- not quite sure how to get back down and definately no where near sleeping. Yesterday, he was quiet so I thought he had fallen asleep. Suddenly the monitor started beeping at me that it's signal had been lost and so I went up stairs to see what had happened. This is what I found;

Yep, doesn't he look like a good little boy ready to take his nap? No? More like he's really proud of his little accomplishment right? He's trouble, I can tell.

His next accomplishment was finally figureing out how to stand up on his own. He's still not very stable and is at risk for tumbling at any moment (we learned that the hard way). This is what finally motivated him to get to his feet.

We had just pulled out our Christmas decor and this is a nativity set that Grandma Gundersen gave us several years ago. I think it's becoming one of his favorite toys.

Finally, winter is in full force here in wisconsin. I've gotten into the habit of shoveling snow every morning when Zack first lays down for his nap. Yuk! Boy what I wouldn't have given for a snow blower today- my goodness! We got a good amount. Actually, It was pretty light and fluffy though so it was easy to shovel. I wish it would always be so fluffy. I'm actually really excited for the snow. It's so beautiful. This is the tree just outside our back door.

Zoo trip!

OK, OK, so these are a bit old- I've been slacking. Anyway....

The day before Halloween a bunch of gals from my ward got together for a trip to the Zoo. Because of my schedule, I usually can't join in on a lot of the activities they participate in so I was really excited to be able to join in this time. I think there were actually nine of us there. All with kids. It's fun because the kids seem to come in groups. There's the older ones- who I actually teach in primary. (it's funny to hear one's self referred to as "Sister Gundersen" while at the zoo.)

Then there's the younger generation- as seen in the strollers. Check out those Hot Mommas! Man, are we stylin with our shades or what? I think there were actually nine of us in all. And, here's a cute pic of Zach and his buddy AJ being very enthralled by the scenery as we rode the Zoo train for the 1st time.

Train Ride

We're having a little bit of a flash back period here. I've had some fun pictures recently that I haven't had the opportunity to share. That translates to, I haven't had the time. SORRY! Anyway, here are some from riding the train. I think this was actually the day before Halloween.

Zach and his friend AJ were so excited. Try as I might, I could not get Zach's attention.It was pretty funny to watch him shake his head back and forth as he tried to follow the trees as they flew by us. Kim finally did succeed though.

AJ was pretty excited as well. I was pretty impressed by Kim's crack shot photography. She was actually taking the pictures blind! Well done!

Aren't trains Coooool!?!?!