1 year, 12 weeks (aka 15 months)

We had a relaxing Mother's Day weekend. The sun decided to make a rare appearance, so we went for a walk.
Zack was thrilled.
The rest of the day was spent at home, working in the garden, napping, eating a lovely dinner.



Here he is, looking for trouble.


And here he is, finding it. One night this past week I was apparently taking too long getting his dinner ready. So he took matters into his own hands.
That would be a mix of chicken curry, rice, and avocados.

"I've got avocados between my toes, Mom."

"Hmmm...what's this?"

"Doesn't look too dirty."

"Yummmmmm!"

Just for the record, he didn't eat his entire dinner on the floor. We regrouped and he ate in his high chair while I cleaned the floor.

1 year, 11 weeks

A few weeks ago, Rob went up to Connecticut to give a talk at Connecticut College. He decided to take Zack with him, particularly since it was also Nonno's birthday that weekend.

Zack liked the cake.


He also liked Nonnie and Nonno's backyard.



Back here at home he's been busy perfecting his walking. He's really starting to move! He gets a big kick out of being chased and goads us into doing it. He rarely walks around empty-handed. Usually he's got his bear...

...but sometimes it's other things.


The book says that around now is when he'll start learning programs (figuring out that there is a goal that requires steps for achievement). And whadya know? It seems that he is. Last night when Rob was getting him ready for bed he said "Let's go brush our teeth" and Zack immediately opened his mouth and said "Aaaaaah" before they even headed to the bathroom. Saying "aaah" is how we get him to open his mouth.

Some of his programs require a little tweaking. He's getting very good at shaking his head and saying "uh-uh" after he throws food from his high chair.

It seems that that sun has decided to make an appearance this weekend, so we'll hopefully spend a lot of time outside, drying out from the soggy week we've had. I hope everyone has a great weekend! Happy Mother's Day!

1 year, 10 weeks

The many faces of Zack.

All covered in tomato sauce.



Basta!


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He's walking up a storm, usually carrying something with him while he does his laps. He's also now able to go up the stairs all on his own. Hello, baby gates! He's started climbing up the slide at the playground, as well as chase after the bigger kids. He looks so longingly at them running around. Soon enough!

He's got some words for things. He's pretty good at "Uh-oh". He's got a word that sounds a lot like "bear" for his teddy bear, primarily, but he also uses it for other stuffed animals, too. All of which say the same thing as dogs: "eh eh eh". He's got a word for dog that I'm not sure how to spell. He's been known to sit at the playground, wood chips in hand, shaking his head and saying "eh eh" which is what I say to him instead of saying "no" all the time. He's also pretty good at saying "blech!" with me as I fish the wood chips out of his mouth.

Santa Fe

I thought I'd post a few (and by "few" I mean about 20) photos of things we did on our trip to Santa Fe. There are a lot more, but we don't seem to be able to get them off the disc at the moment. We'll work on that.

Zack was excited to be taking his first plane flight. As we got on the plane, you could just see him thinking "A captive audience! Al-riiiight!"

We went for coffee. Zack made him self at home.

Zack got tired of waiting for our name to be called at a restaurant and high-tailed it outta there.

Rob convinced him that the food was worth it. Of course, this is also the restaurant that he (Zack, not Rob) decided to goose a waitress that he'd been eying all night. Fresh.

He was overwhelmed by the balloon poodle that a lovely man made for him.

While Rob and I enjoyed the weather (and some wine) on the patio...

...Zack tried to enjoy some gravel.

We went to the square and walked around...

...and made some friends, both of the canine...

...and of the human sort.

While I looked at and bought some yarn, the guys just chilled out.


Zack had his first gelatto. He preferred blood orange to chocolate.

Santa Fe is very kid friendly. This is just one example of a restaurant catering to kids. They have a whole outdoor enclosed area with a jungle gym and tables around the outside.
We thought it might be cool to follow all the pilgrims to the Santuario de Chimayo on Good Friday.

By the time we got there (about 3 hours later) it wasn't so cool anymore and we were happy to see a cow instead.

Zack also wanted to sample the gravel at Pecos National Park.

Essentially, Zack flirted his way through New Mexico. At this particular restaurant, the women at the table next to us thanked us as we were leaving, they were so charmed by him. Clearly they'd had one too many margaritas, but it was sweet nonetheless.

He also charmed all the flight attendants on the way home. They made him a toy--the blown up glove you see here. It had pretzels in it so that it made noise when he shook it.

It was a really fun trip and it was hard to come home !

Live footage

I told you there'd be video footage at 11!

Breaking News Alert

The little guy is walking. All around the house. On his own.

Look out world, here he comes!

The full story and video footage at 11. Or whenever Rob downloads it.

1 year, 8 weeks

Just a couple pictures from our trip to tide you over until I can do a real post.


We had a great time. Zack was a great traveler and charmed his way through Santa Fe. More to come soon!

1 year, 6 weeks: First haircut

A certain individual (who shall not be named) had some problems with food getting in his hair and hair getting in his eyes.

"Not too much off the top, Dad!"


'I"m not sure I like this"


"Help."

"I want YOU to get a haircut, too!"


I would just like to point out that I did the bulk of the cutting, and he wasn't fussing while I was doing it.

Just sayin'.

This little guy does like his baths. Rob couldn't get the tub full fast enough for him. Here he's showing me his ducks.


Like father like son.


His balance is getting better. He keeps letting go of our hands and walking a step or two. He's cruising everywhere he can.

The babbling continues apace. He seems to be linking some sounds with objects, but not true words yet.

One of the things he does say is a woofing sound when he sees a dog. And does he like dogs! He gets absolutely beside himself when he sees one, and heads right towards them. He's really good with them when he gets close. The other day there was a puppy at the playground and he had a ball playing with her. When the puppy ran away, Zack was right behind her, as fast has he could go. The only downside is he throws a small tantrum when it's time to get back in the stroller to go home.

There probably won't be a post next week because we'll be in Santa Fe--Zack's first plane ride! Hopefully it'll go well, and I'm sure there will be a lot of pictures to share when we get back.

1 year, 5 weeks

Zack was very busy last night. He had newspapers to sort through. He was in the mudroom for probably 30 minutes pulling papers out of the recycling bag, putting them on one side or the other, deciding they were in the wrong pile, pulling out more, flinging unwanted ones aside.

And let me tell you, this was serious business!

Then all of a sudden he was finished...


...and decided it was time for a bath.

"Hey, Dad! Run my bath water, will you?"