BackpacksGlasses&Zachy

Okay, so Zachy is ridiculous. Ridiculously cute that is. Last week we went to Walmart. He had on sunglasses. And a smirk. OHMEGOLLY, people couldn't stand it. How cute he looked that is. I couldn't stand it. I saw him in the carseat. Looking like a totally cool dude. With his perfect little head, sunglasses and smirk. But every time I tried to get a picture, the poop would take his glasses off. It's like he knew.

While at Walmart he saw a Cars backpack. He's never seen Cars, but the merchandise is all over the place. For 5 bucks and some change, I decided he could have a backpack. How could I resist afterall, since he looked so ridiculously cute with his glasses and smirk. Oh, and, and he had an Elmo balloon. Because we had gone to the dollar store first.

He loves having a backpack. I'm not sure he knows that he can put things in it. But, he knows it's called a backpack. He knows it goes on the back. And he knows it's his. What else really matters?

So there you have it. Zachy loves backpacks and he loves sunglasses. And, he's cute. Ridiculously so.

AlmostTwo

This morning the kids and I went to the zoo. The same zoo we are now members at and go to on a very regular basis. Also, the same zoo where we celebrated their birthdays almost one year ago. Mackenzie's third and Zachy's first.

Although we've gone there a lot since, I felt a bit sentimental today. I looked and Zachy and it hit me how much he has changed this year. He was a baby last year turning one last year. Crawling, pulling up. A few words. But really, he was still a baby.

Today he was running around. Climbing on things. Interacting with Mackenzie as they played 'house' together. I'd ring the 'doorbell' and they'd come to greet me. He'd shout out 'Welcome.'

Last year all he cared about where the chickens. Now he notices and is starting to identify things. He's learned Sash the Bear's name. He laughed today as Cassie the Tiger played with her ball in the water.

I had such a hard time with him turning One in a lot of ways. Felt like I was letting go of him being a baby. Still do. However, it's such a delight to see who he's becoming. What a great little person he already is.

He's funny. And clever. And focused. And determined. And observant. And sweet. And loving. And still is my amazing little boy. Oh Gosh. Now I'm crying.

Love you Zachy!

 Then...

And now...

6.25.11Love&Lies

6.25.11 was a big day for the Zachy. He said his first...

I love you.

Melt my MommaHeart.

I am not sure he knew exactly what he was saying or exactly what it means, but he said it.

With a smile.

So, he knows it's something good.

And that's what matters.

He had another first on 6.25.11. I do believe he told his first dishonesty.

The NV-boys were over playing. He loves having boys around to play with. He follows them around. Does what they're doing. Very clearly enjoys hanging with the big boys and doing boy things.

Then I smelled something.

Zachy, did you poo?

No, no poo.

He had. He just didn't want to stop playing. Silly little guy.

I had to smile. Even if it was about poo.

There you have it. 6.25.11. Two Zachy firsts in one day.

A day of Love&Lies.

Doesn't get better than that now, does it?

MyLittleBoySunshine

Zachy was trying to ride the trike yesterday. He fell off. Dad brought him in crying. I tried to comfort him, but he'd have none of it. We went back outside to investigate. He wiggled, frantically trying to get down. I let him down and he got right back on. Right back on the trike that he'd gotten twisted under just minutes earlier. And fell again. But got right back. GoZachyGo!

Get him on the tottrike, he really goes.



The boy is determined.  He's independent and when he wants something or is really interested, he's unstoppable and focused. Leave him for a second, and who knows what you'll come back to.

This weekend we went to Tsunami on the Square, a performing arts festival at the courthouse. He was really focused....not too sure on what though.

And would randomly wander off.

And then he discovered lemonade.

Last night we went to the store right before bedtime, just he and I. Mackenzie got a bit upset, which I am sure he understood. And liked. He was so darn cute during the drive and in the store. I tend to go off alone more often with Mackenzie these days, which is why I think he got such a kick out of it.

On the way home, I started singing You Are My Sunshine, which usually he sings along too, but, instead, he said No Sunshine! as he laughed. He can tell me to stop, yet he is, and will always be, My Little Boy Sunshine.

PreschoolBlessings

A couple of weeks ago we had a Curriculum Night at the Preschool followed by a Parent Teacher conference for Mackenzie the next week.

At curriculum night, there were just a few parents there, mostly parents who also had kids that have been in the program since the baby room. Miss Anne and Miss Sara along with Miss Vickey the Director could not say enough about this class as a whole. They spoke about how bonded they are and what good friends they are to one another. This seems to be in large part because a core group of them, including Mackenzie, have been together since they were babies. When new kids come in, they are welcomed and quickly adapt to the tone of the class.

I can see how special it is there. I know Mackenzie owns her school. She loves her friends and there is definitely a fondness for the few others who have made this journey with her: Saige, JoJo Emerson and Andrew. Slightly older and a bit ahead until this year are Teddy and Jordan S. Mackenzie's old M-W-F counterpart is now five days so Mackenzie has gotten to know Kennedy as well. Danielle has been around quite awhile, as have been Michael and Maverick.

After the parents got out and went to pick up the kids, Mackenzie was in the room happily playing. Her and "Saiger" hugged good-bye. Twice. Zachy was in there too. He got to play in the big kid's room and had a HUGE smile on his face when we walked in. Mr. Jon expressed what a good guy Zachy is. They love him everywhere, I tell you.

I worry what will happen when Mackenzie goes to Kindergarten, although I know she'll be fine. I hope she finds the magic there that she has found at FEC. If I know nothing else, I know that they have prepared her well. They have made school fun. They have her opened her mind and heart to learning. Could I ask for anything more?

As Zachy makes his way through the program, I have every bit of confidence that he will also take away a love for learning. I have every bit of confidence that he too will continue to benefit from the nurturing and enriched learning opportunities they provide.

I have said it before, but I feel so Blessed that my kids and our family are a part of such a wonderful community.

Motorcyles&Trains

Mackenzie has never been one to get attached to anything. No transition object for her. No lovey. No special blankie or binkie. Zachy has his beloved Gunky. He wakes up in the middle night and cries if he can't find him in the crib. He sits him down at mealtime. He pushes him in the stroller. He looks for Gunky. He asks for Gunky. He loves Gunky.

Not Mackenzie. We used to say she had an entourage of items. Now, she's 3 1/2 and I think she has found the item. It's a guy on a two inch motorcycle. We got it at Big Lots. It's not snuggly at all. It gets easily lost, which is a bummer for me. Seems she has to have him around at all times. Yikes, she sounds like a teenager already. I hope this isn't a sign of what's to come.

So, where do the trains fit in? When were at Big Lots, Mackenzie got her motorcycle guy and Zachy got a Thomas the Train. Whenever he sees Mackenzie holding her motorcycle guy, he asks for his train. I love the way he associates the two. When it comes down to it though, he's a Gunky loyalist. Mackenzie....we'll just have to wait and see. For today, it's definitely the motorcycle.

HomeAlone,Mommy&Z

Dad and Mackenzie have gone to the (hopefully) new house to meet with the electrician and then to run a couple of other errands while in town.

This means, Mommy and Zachy get some 1:1 time, which never seems to happen.

I thought I'd bullet point our time together. While I'm here I might change this blog's name to 'Bullet Point Momma.' Once we move, I'll get it together, I swear I will. But, for now, this is as much as I can do.

Here we go: HomeAlone,Mommy&Z!

• Eating breakfast: Cheerios, banana and cottage cheese. Zachy points to his mouth, says Mouth! and puts the food in it. Much better than throwing!
• When I got out the cottage cheese, which he LOVES, he said Bowl. I love seeing him learn to communicate.
• Rufus waiting at the door. Should I let him in? Yeah!, says Zachy. Now it's us and the dog.
• First he was chicken clucking, now he's gagging. I've got myself a totboy with sound effects.
• Asked him if he wanted juice, which I never do. He laughed, smiled, said JU! Now I'll have myself a sugared up totboy.
• He's got a poopy diaper, but would rather push the baby buggy around. I think he's thinking No sister to boss me around, I'm taking advantage! Whoot-Whoot!
• Now he's pushing the shopping cart AND the buggy. Hmmm...he's thinking....this is easier with sister.
• He just had me change his poopy. As soon as I started to eat he was ready. Go figure.
• Brought me diet cokes and said Mommy milk. Sad and funny at the same time.
• Couldn't get him dressed. Until he saw one of Mackenzie's 'dresses,' which is a sleevless shirt of hers, which looks like a dress on him. Now he looks like a really cute little girl.
• He just took my hand to dance. Ah, my sweet little boy who's dressed like a girl.
• Gosh it's quiet without the sister here.
• Okay, as cute as Zachy looks in a dress, sort of missing his cute little boy look.
• We're playing with balls and the playhut. And smushing our faces together through the playhut mesh, which makes him laugh, which is adorable.
• He tired of his dress and decided to put on a Mickey Mouse T-shirt. I have a little boy again. A cute one.
• Zachy wants IN his pack n play. Works for me. Time for Mommy to exercise.
• Onto to lunch.: Egg salad, crackers, cheese and peas. Golly he ate quite a bit.
• How 'bout some lunch time peek a boo?
• Naptime.
• And that concludes our morning. Together. Me and the best boy I know. In the world.

While I'm here...some of Zachy's favorite things right now are:

• Wow Wow Wubzy
• Dare I say he has recently found out about...Barney. What is it with the purple Dinosaur?
• Dancing. The other day I said the word Dance in a conversation and he started to.
• Laughing. He has the happiest laugh.
• Cottage Cheese
• Sand and Digging
• Zucchini! Who'da thunk? He devours it!
• Bikes - he really wants to figure out how to ride them.
• Trains - Choo Choo!
• His Gunky, of course.
• Running around (away) naked.

What'd I learn today after spending a good amount of time alone with my little boy? Really nothing I don't know. He's an easy going little guy. Fun to be around. A simple delight. He loves to laugh and joke around. He also love uggles, AKA snuggles. He's good at asking for what he wants, when you have the time to listen! He's amazing. And I am veryVeryVERY lucky.

Thanks for a nice time my sweet baby boy, whom I can hear chatting away in your crib.

Momma'sBirthday

Momma turned a year older yesterday.

Earlier in the week I thought it'd be a good idea to prepare Mackenzie for 'the day.' Especially since she is really into birthdays. Well, not really birthdays in general, just her birthday.

Accordingly, her response was not all that favorable.

You mean you get a birthday first? I want a birthday. Not fair. Why you get a birthday first? I not going to draw you anything. Here (handing me a piece of paper), you draw me something.

So, I did. I drew her a lovely picture. Lovely for someone who is artistically challenged that is.

Write Mommy Loves Mackenzie on it.

So, I did.

And she hastily scribbled me something in return.

There. That your birthday picture.

The following day in the car, Dad tried talking to her about my upcoming 'day.' From the sound of his report, her response hadn't toned down much.

Then came the actual morning. It was a work/school day. Close to departure time, she came running in Happy Birthday Momma!

Awww...made my day. She even handed me another hastily scribbled picture.

As I started to make my way out the door, she started to cry. I want to be at your happy birthday party at work. I explained to her that they don't really do that. She was unconvinced and still upset as I drove away.

When I got home from work, she and Dad were in the bedroom. She ran out and yelled back to him We better hurry for the Happy Birthday Surprise. Then looked at me and said Stay here. We cutting something in the bedroom.

I cannot begin to tell you how cute she looked. The idea of me having a birthday had grown on her and she was so sweet about now wanting to orchestrate the 'surprise.' Makes me smile.

Meanwhile, Zachy came over and gave me a hug. Just because he does. He doesn't know what a birthday is yet. Although he does sort of know the song, since Mackenzie sings it often. To herself.

Mackenzie brought out my present. With a Huge smile on her face. She hugged me. Told me she loved me. Then walked away and asked me to put Wow Wow Wubbzy on TV.

Before bed, Zachy went up to give Mackenzie a hug. She told him she loves him. They fell down. Then did it all again.

I couldn't ask for anything more. It was an absolutely perfect Birthday.

WordyWednesday

I feel bad that I don't seem to have much time to make more thoughtful posts. But here's yet another running ramble, which will hopefully cover a bit of this and that and some musings. Here we go..

• Last night after we got home, Zachy walked right to the laundry room, right to where the hand vac is, right to where the detachable hose is, and got it out. To play with.
• Next he got the sweeper. He's a tot of cleaning appliances.
• Tonight when I was vacuuming, he got his toy one and vacuumed right alongside. He's my Helper Boy.
• I called him my Helper and Mackenzie promptly showed up from the other room. She proceeded to hold the vacuum cord for me. Until I told her it was okay if she wanted to go back and play cars. She did.
• On the way home last night in the car, Mackenzie said Mommy I missing Daddy. So I said, Great! He can lay down with you tonight. At bedtime she said, Mommy, I not missing Daddy anymore. You can lay down with me. I lucked out, yet again.
• I not the crabbiest! Zachy is. We are taking turns. You the luckiest. I guess that's one way of looking at it.
• About a friend at school: Oh Audrey. She's the cutest!
• Zachy points to his bum and tells me when he goes poo poo now. Consistently! And even 'before' sometimes.
• After accomplishing a new feat, Mackenzie said, Look Momma. I learning!
• Zachy rode his 'car' up to me, crashed into me, then said, Beep Beep!
• I gave Zachy a bath the other night. While wiping some water up from the floor, next thing you know, water all over me. Zachy was using a cup to throw water over his head and it landed on me instead. While the first time was an accident, I'm pretty sure the other four were not.
• Zachy's a boy. All boy. The other day he tooted while sitting on my lap. This made him laugh. Hard.
• I think he's making you fun in reference to Zachy running away with playdoh, laughing at me while I chased him. Her way of saying I think he's making fun of you? Or maybe she really meant he was making me fun. As in otherwise I'm not.
• I don't have an issue today, but Zachy does.
• Another Zachy boy moment: He likes to pretend to gag up food. When I say *likes* I mean *likes* as in he does it and finds it amusing.
• He also likes to pretend to toot on people now.
• Mommy just did her first If it's on the floor, it's mine speech. Unfortunately for me, I was talking about Mackenzie's cut up pieces of paper.
• And he likes to blow toot noises out of his mouth. If there's a silly noise to be made, he likes it. If he can figure out how to do it, he does it.
• Mackenzie used the phrase 'best friend' today. She was talking about Saige. And Jordan S. Do kids have best friends at three?
• I almost caught Mackenzie trying to push Zachy yesterday. When she saw me, she, with the attitude of a teenager, said What? I was just trying to move him out of my way like this (demonstrating gentle push). Nice try.
• On Monday, Mackenzie called me into the playroom. She whispered I just wanted to tell you I love you, but I'm not gonna talk to you.
• Today before Zachy was going down for nap, Mackenzie said But who will play Kindergarten with me? Zachy's my best friend.
• Sometimes Dad calls Zachy 'Fred.' It's like their own little thing.
• And sometimes he calls Mackenzie 'Chowder Head.' She doesn't like it. She says, I NOT CHOWDER HEAD. I MACKENZIE.
• Before I put Mackenzie to sleep tonight, she sang our Good Night song to Zachy. Sweetness.
• Sleep tight my little ones. I'll miss you guys tomorrow. Like crazy.

And so concludes my last day of being a Mommy in her 'early' forties. Said it before and I'll say it again, I'm one Lucky Momma!

ZachySleep&Smile

I have probably talked about this way too much already, but it's ridiculous to me. How well Zachy goes to sleep now, that is. After a year of barely getting any sleep, I have the right to perserverate, don't I?

The thing is, he's so darn cute at bedtime I can't stand it.

With Zachy, bedtime goes something like this...

If it's a bath night, he and Mackenzie take their baths. And then Dad get his jammies on and I get Mackenzie's on. It's a race. Mackenzie and I always win. We have to.

Then Zachy wobble walks through the house, with his big Zachy smile saying Tee, Tee. He's ready to brush his teeth. His readiness, makes Mackenzie more agreeable to whole teeth brushing thing too. Thank you, Zachy.

Next, I tell him it's time to go to bed. He waves and says Bye Bye to Mackenzie and Dad. Sometimes he tries to hug and kiss her, just because he knows she will scream. And he'll laugh.

He walks to his room with his big Zachy smile. Last night he rode his car to his room. And then out of the room. And then back in.

Onto the bed. Usually with a bottle hanging out of his mouth. We sing songs. We used to read books, but then he started to grab them and shove them down the side of the bed, look at me with a clueless concerned expression on his face, and say Where go? Where go. But, it's been awhile, so maybe we should try books again.

Back to the song singing. We sing You Are My Sunshine and our special Good Night Zachy song. Several times each. Now I can't begin to explain how cute he looks in the dimly light room: His bald head swaying from side to side, bottle hanging out of his mouth, big Zachy smile on his face, singing along a word here and there. It's unreal. And just way too adorable for words.

I'm so happy right now just thinking about it all.

After some songs I say Okay Zachy. It's time for bed now.

He gets off the bed, with his big Zachy smile, and wobble walks over to this crib.

I then say Zachy you know you need to give me your bottle.

So he does, with his big Zachy smile.

We hug.

And kiss.

I put him in the crib.

He grabs his Gunky and says, with his big Zachy smile, GUNKY!

He picks up his blanket, hands it to me and, you guessed it - with his big Zachy smile, says On!

He lays down, butt in the air, snuggled up with Gunky, I put the blanket on.

I love you sweet Zachy. Good night.

2GoodTuesday3.8.11

Here's Three...

1. Zachy playing with balloons tonight. OhMeOhMy. He was giddy with excitement and laughter. Hard to get him calmed down for bed. But he was having fun.Fun.FUN! And that I like. A lot.
2. Mackenzie and I telling secrets. Whispering in one another's ear. Her secret for me? I missed you when I at school today, Momma. I melted. Not sure if there's any of me left.
3. Sibling too good from the morning: Mackenzie asked for an 'animal' and Zachy went and got her one. Actually what he got her was a rubber monster from the bath, which he calls 'Elmo.' So, I think he thought she asked for an Elmo. Regardless, it was sweet!
4. Okay, just one more. So this makes it 2GoodTuesdayx2. I know I already posted it, but Zachy says Mackenzie's name! Yay! Sibling Love.Love. Gotta Love It! Zachy heart 'Kengy.'

Total sidenote: I think kids are hardwired to know Elmo. Zachy has seen Sesame Street maybe once a 'long time ago' and yet totally knows who Elmo is. It's Freaky.

SparklingZachy

Zachy.  He is a cheerful little guy. I feel like whenever I do an update of sorts on him it always involves saying how happy, easy going and good natured he is; What a magnet he is and how people cannot help but gush over him. But that is him. It's all true. He is my SparklingZachy.

Zachy loves to laugh. He very magnificently goes through life laughing. Often, it's hard to tell exactly what he finds funny, but it's contagious. You just have to laugh with him. He walks around and randomly laughs. Sometimes, he walks up to me, looks at me, and, for no identifiable reason, laughs and walks away. It's adorable and it cracks me up. As I type, he is walking around in his pajamas, laughing and squealing, shaking his head back and forth he's in such hysterics. Why? I have NO idea. But it sure is cute. Sometimes he will fall to the ground laughing, roll around. He's amused. We're amused.

Zachy has a thing with shoes. Used to be his shoes, but now he likes any and every shoe. He'll get our shoes and puts one on and walks around. Of course, he laughs while doing so. We have begun calling him Swiper because he likes to come up and take our shoes when we aren't looking. In particular, he goes after Mackenzie's shoes on school mornings. It's become a game of theirs. When she's getting her shoes on, he will take one and wobble-runs the other way, laughing. She used to get really worked up, but now she laughs and says Oh Zacher or Zacher is the Swiper! The downside of Zachy's shoe fondness is that I often find myself searching for shoes. Missing shoes. I am pretty sure he threw out his cute blue sneakers. He loved them. But they're gone now. I am missing one of Mackenzie's shoes. I have had to wear my old sneakers. The horror stories are endless.

Zachy = joy. First thing in the morning, after getting out of bed, he comes and finds me. He walks up to me (usually laughing), puts out his arms, and with his amazingly purejoy smile says Up. Way more often than not he wakes up in good spirit. That's just him. Content and full of delight. And so much delight he brings to me. Sometimes out of nowhere, he will just wobble-run up to me and hug my leg, with a big smile (or laugh). If he is involved in something and catches you looking at him, he brightens right up. He has a way of charming people so they don't want to look away. He knows how to captivate.

Zachy goes to sleep on his own now. It's like a Christmas Miracle I tell ya. Who would've thought he, out of all babies - (okay, I'll get out of denial now) toddlers - would do that? It happened literally overnight, and, ironically since I called it a Christmas Miracle, right before Christmas. Naps and bedtime. It's awesome! Snuggles up with his Gunky and Pillow Pet and he's good to go. Around the same time he really started to adapt well to routines. We were not used to this, because Mackenzie never really has. But now he knows. After he takes a bath and gets his pj's on, he brushes his teeth, reads his books and goes to bed. It's precious. I caught a glimpse of him asleep the other night with Gunky and my heart melted. He looked beyond words Angelic.

Speaking of Gunky, Gunky is Zachy's monkey he got at the Zoo. He loves Gunky. He loved Gunky at first sight. It was like they were meant to be. He snuggles with Gunky at night. He squeals with delight when he sees Gunky, so much so that he almost falls over he's so beside himself with excitement. Did I mention that he really oves Gunky? I am guessing you can figure out for yourself how Gunkey the Monkey got his name.

Zachy is a bit of a daredevil. All boy in a lot of ways. He has conquered some big slides as of late. Some you have to be at the bottom to catch him. He has the idea of yelling out Go!, coming down and as he does yelling out Whooaaa or Wheeeee. He climbed on the table with Mackenzie last week and loved it - started stomping his feet. I didn't love it too much, even though they were being pretty cute together, getting into mischief. He tries to get out of his crib - great, he just finally got in! He gets a kick out of banging and throwing things. The other day he started to ram the shopping cart into the couch. Over and over and over again and, of course, he laughed the whole time. He likes playing cars now and has gone right to making them go forward and crash into one another. Boys will be Boys.

Zachy is studious and likes to figure out how things work. He can really focus when he gets involved in something. I have this Balancing Cactus game and it's for 3 and up, but he really worked hard at trying to figure out the balance aspect. Determined. He's still young and maybe it's too early to say, but he seems to have a pretty good level of frustration tolerance and patience.

He's still a joker. One of his most favorite pranks is to put a choking hazard in his mouth, walk up to me, laugh and wobble-run away. I have to laugh. But, how does he know?!?! He takes off his diaper now. It's not uncommon, if I don't have pants on him, for him to come up to me with a naked bum, laugh, and wobble-run the other way. He has even managed to get it off through his onesie. So, it's pants at all times. Or a naked bum.  Last night I asked where his diaper was and he led me to the trash can. Have I mentioned he also likes to be helpful? He thinks it's hilarious to get into things he knows he's not supposed to be in. What happens when he gets caught? He laughs and wobble-runs away of course. And tries to get back to what he was doing, finish it up really fast before I tear him away from his latest mess - I mean project. His new favorite things seem to be cat litter and animal food. The other night Dad went to food Rufus and had to take out about ten boxes and cans of food Zachy had dumped in there. Busy little Dude.

 Zachy enjoys playing the 'Sharing Game' as of late. He likes to bring things to you. As I type, it's dog biscuits. So far, I have five of 'em. My guess is, he'll keep bringing them until the box is empty. The other night Mackenzie and Dad were sitting on the couch and kept bringing them things from the play kitchen. Mackenzie loved it because she turned it into a restaurant game and Zach was serving them. Who knows what he thought he was doing!

He understands so much it amazes me. As I said before, when I asked where his diaper was, he knew what I was asking and showed me. I can also ask him to get something familiar and bring it to me and he often will. He has something to say about everything and how I wish I knew what he was saying. When he talks, he's animated and even uses hand gestures to emphasize his points. He is constantly imitating words.This morning he said 'Gucky anca,' trying to repeat what Mackenzie was saying (Pancakes are Yucky!). He knows the word 'Gucky' well since his favorite book is 'Yummy, Yucky.' He has quite a few words he says, although a lot of them you only really understand if you know him. Despite this, he gets his point across pretty well.

On the changing table he is a bit of a bear. He wiggles and squirms, but if you can get him focused, he loves to point to his ears, nose, mouth, pat his head and tummy and blow kisses. Speaking of blowing kisses, Zach's digging the whole Hi and Bye and waving and blowing kisses thing. I like nothing better about working than getting home and having him run up to me with his joyful smile and gleeful laugh. Yep, the boy warms my heart more than he'll ever know.

That's Zachy, at about seventeen months, in a nutshell. Hardly does him justice though. Bottom line he's 100% lovable - that big eyed little totboy of mine with the silly grin, yes he is! And I am beyond Grateful that he's my little boy.

2GoodTuesday2.1.11

It's that time again, Tuesday. The 'first day' of my two day work week, which ends on Thursday.

We had a good weekend. On Saturday we went to Costco, as usual Zachy got lots of Oh how cute he is. As did Mackenzie, but I think people 'see' him more because he is in the cart, whereas she is walking around or, at one point, on all fours playing dog, until she noticed how dirty her hands got, and then her OCD self stopped that game really quick. After Costco, they had some playtime at the mall and Mackenzie ran into her friend, Montana. The evening topped off with a trip to Red Robin, where a nice little girl gave Mackenzie a balloon. Made her night. And, she even said Thank You!

Oh, I almost forgot, earlier in the day Dad and Mackenzie went to the elementary school and played for an hour and a half on the playground! So, yah, Mackenzie had a pretty fabulous Saturday.

Sunday we took a family trip to the 'Mergress Park,' as Mackenzie calls it. It's actually 'Congress,' but 'Mergress' works and sounds adorable when she says it in her sweet three year voice. That was fun. We played on the swings, went down the slides and Mackenzie even did a bit of hiking up the 'mountain' with Dad. Zachy continues to love going down the slides and would yell Goooo when he was ready to come down.

Dad said that when he picked the kids up from school today, that Miss Sara told him that Mackenzie got a game of Musical Chairs going with some of the other kids. She's a leader! The Toddler Room said he had Tuna Noodle Casserole and loved it. They were starting to think he was going to keep going through naptime.

So, here's (at least) 2GoodThings from our week last week...

1. Mackenzie, Zachy and I all on the swings while Dad pushed us. Higher and Higher. I was 'pretending' to be scared, so Mackenzie joined right in. Dad, of course, kept pushing us higher. Zachy was laughing right along in the baby swing and was full of 'Whooooaaaa's.
2. I enjoyed spending a little one on one time with Zachy on Saturday when Mackenzie got to spend time at the school 'park' with Dad.
3. Okay, one more. Mackenzie told me this morning that she was going to miss me today. That just makes me melt.
4. I just thought of another one. I love coming home and having them be excited when I walk in the door. And then, I love how quickly they start interacting with me as if we never left (Momma...I need....Momma....UP!). It's the perfect end to the 'work' day.

TotboyAndLollipopStealer

My kids seem to develop and do amazing things days much faster than I can possibly find the time to adequately document. It's constant. They are such little developmental sponges.

Zachy is a little totboy now. He's no longer a baby. He is full on tot. Still not in a defiant way, not yet anyway. But, he's grown. His wobble walk is less wobble. He tries to run now. That's pretty priceless. Today he learned how to point to his nose and ears and wiggle his hands, all in one day. He already had the tummy and the head down. He was playing Peek-A-Boo and, very softly and deliberately, said, 'ee ba boo.' He practices new words all the time. His actual vocabulary is still pretty minimal, although I suspect he says a lot more than we realise. And regardless of his use of actual words, he communicates what he wants very well and understands seemingly just about everything.

He imitates Mackenzie now. Loves to do what she is doing, which at times is okay and other times not so okay. One day she was pretending to fix her kitchen with some tools. He wanted some of that action, bad. But Mackenzie was not in the mood to share her game or the tools. Later, after she had gone to bed (he stays up about a half hour later), he went right to the tools and started to fix away. He even reproduced the sounds she was having her tools make.

Today they played doctor. More like Mackenzie played doctor and he decided, after she forced him, to comply. I look over and he's laying there while she examines him. When I walked over she asked me to take off his shirt. I didn't. But I laughed. When she was finished, she said, 'Your baby was very patient today.' She doesn't miss a beat, that girl of mine.

Things have been pretty good lately. Zachy is sleeping better and OHMEGOSH he goes down to sleep by himself. He cries for a minute or so (tonight just a whimper) and is quiet. Now if only I could get the three old to follow suit! I am convinced she is going to cosleep until she leaves the house. This morning she woke up and I was already out of bed and she came out and said, 'Momma, I was worried about you.' Probably more like she was a bit scared (she has definitely entered the stage of the scaries), but it was sweet nonetheless.

Oh, and BIG NEWS....Mackenzie got a real haircut (1-8-10)! Well, I cut it. She had gone with me to get a haircut and I asked about her hair, which I think might make the Guinness Book of World Records for slowest hair to ever come in. But it was cotton candy like in the back. The woman who was cutting my hair explained to me that I needed to cut it regularly in short layers to keep it healthy and growing in (Rookie Mom, I know). Mackenzie would not let her cut her hair, but the stylist showed me basically what I needed to do and I did when we got home and it looks a TON better! Yay! I know she still wants 'True Princess Hair' (Shame on you Dora the Explorer), but I think just seeing real hair on the floor felt good for her.

I cannot believe how fast they are growing up. They learn new things and change every single day. It's impossible to keep up with! They are constantly doing things that amaze me. They make me smile. They make me laugh. And, yes they make me crazy. But at the end of the day, I will have inevitably fallen more in love with both of them.

Now, for a few TotMusings...

• Last Spring Mackenzie and I went on an 'Adventure.' First stop was the car wash and, despite all we did afterward, all she could talk about was how much she did not like the carwash. On Saturday I asked her if she wanted to go on an 'Adventure.' Her response, 'Okay Momma. But I no like the car wash very much.'
• Mackenzie and Zachy were playing Merry-Go-Round; Her 'spinning' him around on an upside down Little Tikes Table. She would say, 'Zachy do you like this?' And he would say, 'YAH!' Trust me, hearing a sixteen month old and a three year say that over and over again is very amusing!
• Zachy loves meat and cheese sandwiches. Actually, what he really loves is the process of taking out the meat and cheese and eating it. He dismantles the sandwich, bit by bit. It's intense.
• Mackenzie called Zachy 'Dude' the other day. I have NO idea where she got that.
• The other day a plane was in the sky and Zachy started to wave and say, Bye bye. Mackenzie did the same thing at his age - it's in the Tot A curriculum, I suppose.
• Mackenzie likes Lollipops. Today she manipulatively told me to go in Zachy's Room, while looking at the Lollipops. I played along and she came and found me and said, I a Lollipop Sneaker! I going to tell everybody I a Lollipop Sneaker!

RunningRamble

I have been off of work for fourteen days, not intentionally. I only work two as it is. I last worked two weeks ago today. With the holidays, I had some holiday time and then I was supposed to work last Thursday, but weather prevented that, so I have been off for fourteen days. Tomorrow I go back to work and the kids return to Totcollege. Not sure if I'm ready for real life, but we gotta do what we gotta do. Right?

Thought I'd do a rambling post today as the day goes on. Things from today as well as any things I think of that I have not documented. So, here I go...

• Zachy says 'Milk' now. And 'Yah,' when you ask him if he wants something and he does. If he doesn't, he shakes his head 'No.'
• Mackenzie is watching 'Birth Day,' a television show about birthing. I tried to change the channel and she asked if she could watch it for a little bit longer. I guess that's okay? (She did stop watching before the more graphic parts hit, in case anybody is concerned.)
• Mackenzie now likes playing 'Restaurant Leader;' Translation: Waitress. (And actually, she pronounces it 'Astronaut Leader,' but definitely means Restaurant.) She also likes to play 'Hotel.' She still plays 'Baby,' but doesn't like it as much since I refuse to let her continue to waste diapers. She also likes to play 'Puppy' and we have to drop her off at 'Doggy School.'
• My Mom said that Zachy looks like a Precious Moment's character. She's right. He is totally that S.W.E.E.T.! His big eyes along with his flirtatious smirk seem to be saying, 'Who me?'
• Mackenzie likes cold rice and cold noodles. No heating up means one less step for me. Like it.
• Zachy comes up with 'games' now that he likes to do over and over and he gets that toddler belly laugh thing going on in anticipation of the coming 'event.' Last night it was me kissing his bum bum. Cute at first, strange after awhile.
• 'We ever not going to get to it to work. Sorrry!' Mackenzie now uses the word 'ever' a lot and it's cute to hear how she uses it. Her language development is phenomenal.
• I get so amused when Zachy and Mackenzie play together, I always wonder what he thinks is going on. Something tells me it's not what she thinks is going on!
• Mackenzie now calls Zachy either 'Zacker' or 'Ding Dong.' I think she got the latter from my Mom. Nice job Grammy!
• Before leaving for California, I told Mackenzie that we were leaving after Dad took care of the cats, Buddy and Rainbow and Oliver. She asked, 'What about Missy?' referring to the Feral cat who lives outside and then found Dad to make sure he was going to take care of her too. Isn't that kind? Now, if only I could extend that to her father, her brother and me.
• 'I sure I are did.' Her response to me asking if she really got all the 'poopy out of her bum bum.'
• Mackenzie is playing 'Grocery Store' and Zachy is throwing away dog food, one piece at a time.
• 'And I already say to you that you ARE getting me Puffs.' After I told her, 'I already said you are not having Puffs.'
• Zachy playing carrying a baby in one hand a purse in the other. Meanwhile, Mackenzie plays cars.
• I think she just called me a 'Spitty-Poo.' Gotta hand it to the Girl. Creative use of insults.
• I pulled out Zachy's Little Wheelies track and said we need some cars. He bent down and picked one up and said, 'Car!' I loveLoveLOVE how much he understands and communicates.
• It seriously breaks my heart when I put Zachy down for his nap and cries. He looks so hurt. Today he only cried for two or three minutes, but, at the time, it feels like forever.
• Oh where, oh where did that green ball go? Oh where, oh where could it be?
• Zachy woke up after about 53 minutes. Had a second cry it out. Ick. Lasted longer, but I think he's back asleep. :-(
• Mackenzie won't nap. This should make for a happy girl in an hour or so. But, it means early bed. Last night she and I were actually arguing about her going to bed. She was trying to go to bed earlier than I wanted her to (because she had napped and was tired). Six forty-five, she was O.U.T.
• Mackenzie is outside in 40'something degree weather with a dress and shoes, no pants or tights. I finally got her to put a jacket on. Oh, did I mention that the ground is covered in snow?
• We were at Costco the other day and Zachy was in a stroller, trying to get out. He was yelling at folks walking by and I swear he was trying to get somebody to free him. But he wasn't fussing, which just made it funny.
• 'Come pick up your beautiful baby.' Mackenzie playing 'Baby' at 'Babycollege.'
• Have I mentioned how C.U.T.E. Zachy looks when he dances? He is a lover of music!
• Note to self: When cooking a grain or a pasta or a grain pasta you have not used in a long time, seek direction. Today's disaster involved Orzo.
• Sometimes Zachy just walks up to me, laughs and walks away. What exactly is so funny, my little sixteen month old?
• Zachy and Mackenzie playing tag. Priceless.
• Sometimes Zachy just walks up, looks at me with his big eyes, hugs my legs, and says, 'Up.' Melting just thinking about it.
• Mackenzie is just plain a cuddle bug. She snuggles like crazy. I love it. Totally.
• Gosh I'm going to miss my babies tomorrow!

InTheMoment

I had a busy day, but was missing my kids by the time they got home. How did I know they got home? I heard Mackenzie yelling 'Momma, Momma' at the front door. When I opened it, she was standing there, drenched with her slowly-growing-in hair all curly from being wet, her cheeks nice and rosy.

I asked her how her day was at Carol's and she replied, Good, Caleb and I were good helpers. They had helped picked up toys I guess. Gotta hand it to her, Caleb is seven and she's only three, so that Carol said She and Caleb were being the good helpers, well that's pretty impressive for a three year old. Still waiting for it to happen here...won't hold my breath!

She went right to the potty. Said in her cutest totvoice, I have to go REALLY BA-AD! Can you get me my cars? So, I had to get her all set up. Table - check, bucket of cars - check, stool to set the bucket of cars on - check. Okay, now she can get to the business at hand.

Dad carried in a barefoot Zachy. He now takes off his shoes and socks for entertainment whilst driving. He greeted me with his big eyes and a delighted smile. Makes me melt every time. He got right to work. Bringing me his shoes and socks to put on. Then he decided he needed to throw away the dog food. Piece by piece. Wobble walking to and fro - from the dog dish to the trash can and back and forth again and again.

Totally IntheMoment. I love that about toddlers. Gone all day and they get home and immediately fall into being right where they are. Doing whatever it is they do. So, while I enjoyed a nice quiet, albeit busy, day alone, I loved getting to spend some time just 'being in the moment' with them tonight. Lucky, Lucky Me.

RandomStuff

I guess the official countdown to Christmas is here. My Oh My.  Today is a Monday and I worked. I am off for the next nine days and then work one followed by four more off. I think I can handle that. Totcollege is closed this week and today the kids went to Carol's. They will also go on Wednesday and I will focus on the arduous tasks of packing and wrapping. Whopppeeee!

I think our weekend was good. We had our most wonderful Gingerbread Making House Party on Friday. Saturday we went to a party at some friend's house, Ann and Harry. We didn't get home until after nine, which is really late around here. Yesterday we were too pooped to pop as Mackenzie might say. Before bed we all drove around a little bit and looked at some lights. Mackenzie wanted them all on her side. I think Zachy even got the idea, somewhat.

Saturday and Sunday we made Grandma presents. Mackenzie painted frames. She did a lovely job. Then Sunday Mackenzie and Zachy made sweatshirts with their handprints. That was an experience. They turned out cute, definitely made by little hands. It's the thought that counts, right?

A couple random points...

• Over the weekend Zachy decided he likes to walk backwards. Why? Because he can. He thinks it's pretty funny. So do I. I also happen to think it's really cute too.
• Tonight when I got home from work Mackenzie was in the bathroom doing her #2 thing, waiting for me to get home so I could help. Love that not so much.
• I think, yes I think, Mackenzie finally cares about Fisbee the Elf.
• Zachy is communicating up a storm. He understands so much. He follows simple commands. Watching his communication skills develop is a blast.
• When Zachy gets upset he throws a little tantrum. Usually this involves walking across the room and laying down face down. It's sort of sad. And sort of cute.
• Mackenzie is in a phase where she gets scared of things, like being alone in the dark. Or in the light for that matter. She just really does not like being alone.
• Zachy tries to run now. Given that he still has somewhat of a wobble walk thing going, I find his 'running' effort pretty impressive.
• Mackenzie set up a picnic for her and her baby this evening. It was sweet.
• I asked Mackenzie how Zachy did at Carol's today and she said,  'I protect him, Momma.' What a good Big Sister she is!

That's all I got. Nighty-night time for this Momma!

Cute&SweetOD!

I think I OD'd on cuteness&sweetness tonight. Seriously. There are times my kids are so cute I Can.Not.Stand.It. Tonight was one of those nights. It started with them playing some game where Mackenzie was pretending to be his Mommy and was dropping him off to the 'Fanty Teacher' (what she calls the 'Infant Teacher'). Strangely, I think Zachy MIGHT have sort of gotten what was going on. He was totally playing along. AAHHHHH. It was cuteness overload.

But then came bathtime. He started to wash her hair. Look for yourself. More cuteness and absolute sweetness galore.

It was so cute&sweet, I almost couldn't stand it.

Then Mackenzie and I started to be 'Kissy Monsters.' We were attacking Zachy and kissing him. He ate it up and was belly laughing. I decided to tell Zachy to be the 'Kissy Monster' and he got it! He started to pop his lips and give Mackenzie his best 'Kissy Monster' kisses. That's when I OD'd. Seriously.

Through all the chaos and the challenges, nights like these remind me what it's all about. These are the times, I want to cry I love them so much. Thank You my sweet, loving, kind, amazing Mackenzie and Zachy. WOW, Blessed I Am!

Hustle&Bustle

With the Hustle&Bustle of the Holiday Season, I feel like I am struggling to keep track of things. Important things. Things my kids are doing each and every day. Things that make me smile, laugh, and that warm my heart so much I cry. Things as simple as they are grand. And that's the magic of our children.

This morning I was going to the other room and Mackenzie said, 'I going to miss you.' She is prone to be somewhat sarcastic at times, but this time it was sincere, which made it cuter. Maybe not cuter, because her sarcasm can be pretty cute too. But it was pretty doggone cute! And, it melted my heart.

Zachary woke up exceptionally happy this morning. Seeing him first thing after he woke up so happy, made me smile. He slept until about 7:30 am, after falling to sleep in the car on the way home probably about 7:30 pm last night. Twelve hours *done* him good! But, he didn't nap. Same thing as Wednesday. He was tired, just would not go down to nap. In bed tonight sound asleep at 6:24 pm. That's a tired boy.

Today I went and did hopefully the last of the last minute shopping stuff. When I got home from shopping, the kids were playing in the front yard. Mackenzie was dressed in some sort of flared sweatpants, a tight top and had a headband around her forehead. She looked a bit 80's. Turns out she was playing 'baby' and somehow this 'get-up' worked for her 'baby game.' Zachy was riding around on a toy, happy as can be. He is a pretty easy going little guy. Both greeted me enthusiastically, which is always a nice homecoming.

This afternoon I was putting together some candy gift bags to have on hand. Zachy caught on to what I was doing and started to be my little HelperTotElf. Putting candy in each bag one by one. Mackenzie joined in as well. So, I had not one, but Two HelperTotElves! Lucky Me! They got a bit of chocolate during their 'shift.' I learned two things: 1. Zachy definitely knows the sign for 'more;' and 2. Sugar DOES = Hyper. I had two wound up HelperTotElves this afternoon for sure.

Zachy was a pretty funny little guy tonight. At one point he walked away and went behind the pack n play. He bent down and I could see him peaking at me through the mesh part. He had that silly grin on his face I love so much. Earlier in the evening he was playing in the playroom and got a play plate and fork and pretended to eat. He tried to feed me too. Sharing his air. What a most generous Sweetpea!

After he went to bed, Mackenzie got some undivided attention. A definite rarity around here. She ate it up. First we read a Halloween story - her choice. We started the Little Engine That Could, but, by gosh, that's a long book! She cut reading time short and decided to perform songs for us. I forgot to mention that she was wearing a bathing suit. Of course she was. It's winter. She got out her play microphone and started singing the classics. Old MacDonald Had a Farm. Shake the Sillies Out. All her Greatest Hits. The best part was that she was really working her 'crowd.' Walking while singing and bringing us stuff. And then, at the end of her 'last' song, she started to sing louder and started to use runs - E....I...E....I....Oh-o-o-OHHHHHH! Then she said, 'Thank You all for coming!'

That was our day. Parts of it anyways. Tonight after I got Zachy to sleep, I could not help but hold him for just a few minutes before putting him in the crib so I could look at that ever-so-sweet-face. After Mackenzie's undivided attention time, I laid down with her for a bit. When I tried to get up, the first time, she said, 'Mo-om. I told you I needed you.' I stayed a few minutes longer, knowing that someday I will miss hearing those words.

OneIsFun

Zachy is in a much better mood this week. He didn't nap yesterday. Nor did his sister, so all three of us were disasters by about four in the afternoon, but otherwise, he's been pretty delightful.

He has discovered the art of taking off his diaper now. Of course he thinks it's a riot. A couple of times he's even brought it to me to show me how he got it off. He says his own version of diaper. It sounds something like 'biaper.' He has also said the word 'off' and almost seemed to figure out the idea of putting the two words together.

He loves being talked to. He listens so intently. I don't know why, but it fascinates me how much he understands. He responds to things I say. And he is also figuring out routines. After getting on his pajamas, he walks over to the bathroom to brush his teeth; without prompting He really likes brushing his teeth. A lot. He has started to add his own little components to our routines as well. Now when it's time to get his pajamas on he walks right to his bedroom and then walks through it to the other room really fast, looking back to make sure I am 'chasing' him and starts to giggle. Only after a few rounds of this can we move onto PJ time.

Dad says Zachy has not cried this week at drop off. So, that means he is 100% adjusted to the Toddler A room. Yay! His teacher the other day told Dad at pick up that if someone didn't come get him soon, he was going home with her. He is adored. Because he is adorable. This week his daily reports indicated that he went 'Christmas Caroling' with is friends. My guess is he was the best bell jangler there. We got an E-Newsletter from the school that had pictures of all the classrooms Christmas Caroling. Mackenzie was front and center singing with her PreschoolPeeps and Zachy had his hat on. CuteCuteCute. His report from today said that he tried to climb up the slide steps. He's getting to be such a big boy.

I love this age. OneIsFun. He is learning new things constantly. Learning to communicate his needs, learning words, learning more and more about his environment and about his relationships with others. He finds pure joy and excitement over things he learns and figures out. He will literally laugh out with glee. It's so honest and so innocent. Yesterday he got to playing with a magnet on a string on the poles of the treadmill. He was fascinated. He has likes and dislikes. He gets upset about things, but just as quickly gets distracted. He has a sense of humor. He's pretty easy-going, but determined not to be a push-over. He's loving and loves to snuggle. He's amazing to watch.

And, he still has his sweet, sweet baby face. And, an infectious giggle. And, a heartwarming smile. And, he's my BabyBoy, even if he is a toddler now!