It may not be a big deal to most people—but it is to me. Yesterday evening, as we were pulling our coupons out of our newspaper, Zachary went over to Mark, picked up a newspaper bag, took it to the garbage, and disposed of it. Then he went back over to Mark and did the same thing with the second newspaper bag.
It was a big deal to me because Zachary did something nice, purposely, without being asked. I was super impressed and thankful.
This past week, Zachary has really, really been understanding and responding to phrases. I can ask him to pick something up and put it in the garbage. I can ask him if he will let me change his diaper. I can ask him if we can put his shoes on. I can tell him something is on the floor that he is looking for. I can tell him his drink is on the chair by the table. He also understands "Let's go get the mail" and "Dad's home!" When I say that one, he runs to the door.
Those are some examples. He responds to them. (The diaper thing—sometimes he will respond favorably, other times he runs away.) It’s been wonderful and amazing.
He’s getting so big! He’s getting so smart! And he’s still as silly as ever.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Zachary - 16 Months
Dear Zachary,
It's been four months since I last wrote you a letter. But I really wanted to write you today, on your 16-month birthday.
Zachary, since you got your cast off, you have really, really had a mind of your own. You have wanted to do things yourself and you get upset when I won't let you.
We're so glad we taught you two signs: water and food. Boy, that sure helps me out. You can now tell me when you're thirsty or when you're hungry. Sometimes you sign the wrong thing and realize quickly that you did when I offer you the solution. Cute.
You're not full-speed running still. But, you are definitely not hindered at all by your previously broken leg. You do run, just not fast. And you climb on things. And you jump on things. The only thing that I can see leftover from the broken leg is a slight inward pointing of your right foot. I think that has already started adjusting itself as well. Thank goodness.
You can show us where your nose, mouth, eyes, ears, hair, feet, hands, knees, and belly button are. We've been having fun with that.
You love feeding yourself. You're not that bad with a spoon or a fork. I'm impressed anyway.
You are still a gem when it comes to putting you to bed at night. Your dad reads you a story while I change your diaper and put your pajamas on. Then we sing two or three songs, most often primary songs. We give you Woods and your sippy cup of water. We kiss you and tell you we love you. And then we lay you in your bed. Rarely, rarely do you cry any more. We're so proud of you.
You still love pulling out all the pots and pans. One thing that cracks me up is that you often put Woods in one of the pans you're "cooking" with.
This morning you brought Woods into the bathroom as I was pouring your bath. You insisted Woods joined you in the tub. Typically I wouldn't allow it, but today I did. Afterall, Woods was going to take a bath with the laundry later. I now know Woods floats.
You still won't have a thing to do with milk. Since I stopped nursing you--you won't touch milk. We've offered it to you a zillion times. Nope. Not interested.
We play with cars and trucks a lot lately. Much more than with blocks. You make car sounds and I think they're great!
Lately you've been taking a two hour nap. When you went to one nap a day, it was consistently three hours, so I was sad when you started waking after two hours. However, as I write this, you're to 2.5 hours. Keep sleep Boy!
You don't talk much. I hear of other children your age who seem to be talking more. Honestly, it doesn't bother me. I understand the words you do say, like dog, Dadda, ball, balloon, and bird. Are there other words? Um--not that I can think of off the top of my head.
One of my favorite things lately is that you blow raspberries on my belly! Hahahah! Oh my word--hahahah! You understand, "Do it again!" And you readily oblige. Totally, totally makes me laugh. You bury your whole face in my belly when you do it. Your little face is all wet by the time we all get a grip.
One of your favorite things lately is closing doors on us, especially on me. For instance, you watch me wash my hands in the bathroom. As I go to the towel to dry my hands, you get a big smile and you "get ready." Then you giggle as you close the door on me. It's now a contest whether or not I can get out of the bathroom before you slam the door shut.
We're so glad you're in our family. We hope you are a good big brother in a few months.
Love you!
It's been four months since I last wrote you a letter. But I really wanted to write you today, on your 16-month birthday.
Zachary, since you got your cast off, you have really, really had a mind of your own. You have wanted to do things yourself and you get upset when I won't let you.
We're so glad we taught you two signs: water and food. Boy, that sure helps me out. You can now tell me when you're thirsty or when you're hungry. Sometimes you sign the wrong thing and realize quickly that you did when I offer you the solution. Cute.
You're not full-speed running still. But, you are definitely not hindered at all by your previously broken leg. You do run, just not fast. And you climb on things. And you jump on things. The only thing that I can see leftover from the broken leg is a slight inward pointing of your right foot. I think that has already started adjusting itself as well. Thank goodness.
You can show us where your nose, mouth, eyes, ears, hair, feet, hands, knees, and belly button are. We've been having fun with that.
You love feeding yourself. You're not that bad with a spoon or a fork. I'm impressed anyway.
You are still a gem when it comes to putting you to bed at night. Your dad reads you a story while I change your diaper and put your pajamas on. Then we sing two or three songs, most often primary songs. We give you Woods and your sippy cup of water. We kiss you and tell you we love you. And then we lay you in your bed. Rarely, rarely do you cry any more. We're so proud of you.
You still love pulling out all the pots and pans. One thing that cracks me up is that you often put Woods in one of the pans you're "cooking" with.
This morning you brought Woods into the bathroom as I was pouring your bath. You insisted Woods joined you in the tub. Typically I wouldn't allow it, but today I did. Afterall, Woods was going to take a bath with the laundry later. I now know Woods floats.
You still won't have a thing to do with milk. Since I stopped nursing you--you won't touch milk. We've offered it to you a zillion times. Nope. Not interested.
We play with cars and trucks a lot lately. Much more than with blocks. You make car sounds and I think they're great!
Lately you've been taking a two hour nap. When you went to one nap a day, it was consistently three hours, so I was sad when you started waking after two hours. However, as I write this, you're to 2.5 hours. Keep sleep Boy!
You don't talk much. I hear of other children your age who seem to be talking more. Honestly, it doesn't bother me. I understand the words you do say, like dog, Dadda, ball, balloon, and bird. Are there other words? Um--not that I can think of off the top of my head.
One of my favorite things lately is that you blow raspberries on my belly! Hahahah! Oh my word--hahahah! You understand, "Do it again!" And you readily oblige. Totally, totally makes me laugh. You bury your whole face in my belly when you do it. Your little face is all wet by the time we all get a grip.
One of your favorite things lately is closing doors on us, especially on me. For instance, you watch me wash my hands in the bathroom. As I go to the towel to dry my hands, you get a big smile and you "get ready." Then you giggle as you close the door on me. It's now a contest whether or not I can get out of the bathroom before you slam the door shut.
We're so glad you're in our family. We hope you are a good big brother in a few months.
Love you!
P.S. Your mother wanted me to add to this letter to tell you about one of the words you know. Today, you were on the floor playing with one the frying pans saying "hot." You've said "hot" for quite a while now. But, tonight you were pretend cooking!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
My 32nd Birthday!
Woohoo! I turned 32!
It's true. And I'm not upset about it at all. When am I supposed to be annoyed with birthdays? I don't know if I'm going to get that way. I love my birthday.
Mark spoiled me--AGAIN. Mark is so amazing. I married the best, best, best man for me.
The day started out with breakfast. Mark made me pancakes. Sitting on the table were three bags of presents!!!!
In the bags I found a new cookie jar, stickers that say “The best things in life aren’t things”, a new wallet, and three bottles of awesome lotion. Mark pays way better attention than I realize a lot of the time. He’s so good.
I celebrated my birthday all week. On Tuesday, I went to lunch with Mark. We went to Red Robin. On Thursday (my birthday), I went to lunch with my friends, DeeDee and Jill. We went to Noodles and Company. DeeDee and I went to Cold Stone after Noodles. Thursday night Mark had training (that I forgot about), so I went to dinner with my friend, Jamie. We went to Mimi’s Café. On Friday I went to lunch with my friend, Teddi. We went to Thaifoon. Friday night I had a party. And Saturday, Mark and I went to lunch again—because Mark was at training again and only had a half hour break. We went to Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill.
All of these meals were free (for me). I had birthday coupons for all of them except Thaifoon—and Teddi paid for that one. I haven’t used all of my birthday coupons yet. In fact—I better use my free ice cream coupon at Baskin Robbins tomorrow!!!
The birthday party was GREAT! I wanted a white elephant party, so that’s what I had. I also wanted it to be fun and funny! So, I made some additional rules. They worked GREAT! Everyone participated and it was a blast.
The new rules?
* The first person picks a present as usual.
* The following participants must either
* Draw a challenge from a bowl in order to get permission to open a new gift OR
* Steal a present that has already been unopened.
* The present is “safe” or “frozen” on the third trade (fourth person).
Here are some of the challenges that I had in the bowl:
* For 45 seconds, tell us about your first day working at the zoo—in the ELEPHANT HOUSE.
* For 45 seconds, tell us about the importance of fiber in your diet.
* For 45 seconds, tell us—with enthusiasm—about the most exciting thing that happened to you yesterday.
* For 45 seconds, tell us what you would change if you RULED THE WORLD.
* For 45 seconds, speak to a group of vegetarians on the virtues of red meat.
* For 45 seconds, sing the theme song to Mr. Ed.
* Lucky you! You get to wear ITEM #1 for the rest of the game!
* Show us your favorite “stupid human trick.” Or make a funny face for 20 seconds.
* For 45 seconds, SING your introduction (name, favorite color, occupation, pets, etc.) like a RAP STAR!
I had a lot more that were not used. But it was great! The shy people picked already opened presents—leading to more trading. And the brave people gave us all a show.
Thanks Mark for a wonderful birthday! I love you!
P.S. This is how short my hair is these days. I chopped it on New Year’s Eve.
P.P.S. Here are pictures from the party.
It's true. And I'm not upset about it at all. When am I supposed to be annoyed with birthdays? I don't know if I'm going to get that way. I love my birthday.
Mark spoiled me--AGAIN. Mark is so amazing. I married the best, best, best man for me.
The day started out with breakfast. Mark made me pancakes. Sitting on the table were three bags of presents!!!!
In the bags I found a new cookie jar, stickers that say “The best things in life aren’t things”, a new wallet, and three bottles of awesome lotion. Mark pays way better attention than I realize a lot of the time. He’s so good.
I celebrated my birthday all week. On Tuesday, I went to lunch with Mark. We went to Red Robin. On Thursday (my birthday), I went to lunch with my friends, DeeDee and Jill. We went to Noodles and Company. DeeDee and I went to Cold Stone after Noodles. Thursday night Mark had training (that I forgot about), so I went to dinner with my friend, Jamie. We went to Mimi’s Café. On Friday I went to lunch with my friend, Teddi. We went to Thaifoon. Friday night I had a party. And Saturday, Mark and I went to lunch again—because Mark was at training again and only had a half hour break. We went to Rubio’s Fresh Mexican Grill.
All of these meals were free (for me). I had birthday coupons for all of them except Thaifoon—and Teddi paid for that one. I haven’t used all of my birthday coupons yet. In fact—I better use my free ice cream coupon at Baskin Robbins tomorrow!!!
The birthday party was GREAT! I wanted a white elephant party, so that’s what I had. I also wanted it to be fun and funny! So, I made some additional rules. They worked GREAT! Everyone participated and it was a blast.
The new rules?
* The first person picks a present as usual.
* The following participants must either
* Draw a challenge from a bowl in order to get permission to open a new gift OR
* Steal a present that has already been unopened.
* The present is “safe” or “frozen” on the third trade (fourth person).
Here are some of the challenges that I had in the bowl:
* For 45 seconds, tell us about your first day working at the zoo—in the ELEPHANT HOUSE.
* For 45 seconds, tell us about the importance of fiber in your diet.
* For 45 seconds, tell us—with enthusiasm—about the most exciting thing that happened to you yesterday.
* For 45 seconds, tell us what you would change if you RULED THE WORLD.
* For 45 seconds, speak to a group of vegetarians on the virtues of red meat.
* For 45 seconds, sing the theme song to Mr. Ed.
* Lucky you! You get to wear ITEM #1 for the rest of the game!
* Show us your favorite “stupid human trick.” Or make a funny face for 20 seconds.
* For 45 seconds, SING your introduction (name, favorite color, occupation, pets, etc.) like a RAP STAR!
I had a lot more that were not used. But it was great! The shy people picked already opened presents—leading to more trading. And the brave people gave us all a show.
Thanks Mark for a wonderful birthday! I love you!
P.S. This is how short my hair is these days. I chopped it on New Year’s Eve.
P.P.S. Here are pictures from the party.
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