Farm Visit

I've been very delinquent in not writing about our trip to the dairy farm. We had a wonderful time with the Nelsons and their cows a few weeks ago. Steve and I were very excited to show Zach the cows, calves and tractors after we have talked about all of them in picture books repeatedly! The milking barn is a great place to explore and half the fun is that your dressed in barn clothes so it doesn't matter how big of a mess you get into. (Zach figured this part out quickly with the surrounding mud puddles.) There were tons of cats and kittens running around, 2 dogs, 2 baby calves tied up and lots of 'big cows' moving through the milking parlor. In my mind Zach would be running after the older Nelson boys and petting the calves, however, when the moment arrived, Zach was very intimated by the 'big cow' and would not leave my arms...oh well. Perhaps next visit he will enjoy the opportunity to explore a little more. The cows still made a big impression in Zach's little mind because he has talked repeatedly about the 'big cow' ever since he laid eyes on one. (Oh, and yes! that man's back that you see milking the cows is my farmer husband!)

Happy Halloween!

(For those of you that are unenlightened by the pictures....)Zach was a monkey this year for Halloween! I hadn't planned on the day being quite as involved as it turned out to be....

Our first 'stop' was our Friday morning music class. (Zach and I signed up for 5 weeks of playing instruments, singing and dancing once a week. It has been another highlight to our week-although he starts off the class very nervous he quickly warms up to the singing! I have loved watching his receptive language develop in this class and am often amazed with the directions he follows-hiding hands behind back, banging the sticks together, jumping, dancing and putting the instrument back in the bag.) All of the children came dressed up but I know you will all be surprised to hear that Zach was hands down the cutest! His costume had a little curly tail on the back and it was amusing to see it dance around the room.

The next trick-or-treat stop was Papa's (my father) work. We hadn't been there in a while and I think Papa enjoyed showing Zach-the-monkey around the office. Zach loves to see Papa (and frequently asks for him) but he was not all together thrilled with having unknown spectators look at and talk to him! (we're still developing social skills) One women brought him some animal crackers and I think that improved his outlook on the whole experience.

After a nap, we went to my grandparents' house and to see Yia yia. I hadn't actually planned on going to our neighbors but one of them had asked earlier in the week so we swung home before dinner with family to do a little more trick-or-treating. I'm so glad we did! Our four closest neighbors had each bought him a little something special. It was quite a busy and profitable day for our-little-monkey!

Fall Adventures

When you're a not-quite-two year old every little excursion can be a big adventure! It is wonderful to see all these mundane activities as exciting through Zach's eyes. Our fall is plodding along at a leisurely pace-that's not to say that each day isn't a scramble to get meals made, laundry done, diapers changed and little boys to bed but it is more that the flow of the routine is somehow leisurely. Here are a few October highlights...

We took a trip to Rhode Island to visit Steve's family a few weeks ago. I hardly saw Zach the whole time we were there because he was off playing with his older cousins. He enjoyed being entertained by them and especially enjoyed sharing their snacks (Steve found him eating brown sugar by the spoonful from a bowl his cousins had finished with--ugh!). While there, Grand-D titled the facial expression Zach makes when he is trying not to smile as his "Cosby look". It is a rather amusing look as he cuts his eyes up at you and turns his lips into an "O" with a smirk just visible in the corners of his cheeks and eyes. Really much more enjoyable to see than to read about I promise.

Last week a visit to a pumpkin patch (really a pumpkin stand but 'patch' sounds more exciting) introduced another word to Zach's vocabulary..."pum-kin". We all enjoyed wandering through the rows of pumpkins and mums on a day that finally felt like fall. Steve and I both really miss New England's fall-nothing else can compare. We mostly try to pretend that it's fall here by surrounding ourselves with fall activities-although I have noticed some fall foliage recently so perhaps there's hope.

And today we took a trip to see Daddy at work. The weather had promised to be terrible so I thought it would be fun to explore the big gym and catch a few glimpses of Steve working. It was the perfect set up for Zach--the gym had huge safe spaces for Zach to be able to run unchecked and plenty of kid equipment to play with. There were even a few other kids around that Zach chased as they played sports. Steve has been looking forward to Zach participating in the 3 year old sport programs next winter and today for the first time I got a glimpse of how much fun that will be!

What's this?

About two weeks ago while Zach was looking at a book he pointed to a picture, said "wat-zis?" and then proceeded to answer his own question. He flipped through the entire book pointing, asking and answering at each picture. Steve and I have no idea what prompted this new question (it is not an expression that we have used with him) but it has quickly become a central part of our day. Zach walks around pointing at things saying, "wat-zis, wat-zis" and then waits just long enough to see if you attempt a response before he points to something different. Mostly he seems to just be enjoying asking the question and watching me fumble for an answer, but occasionally he seems to genuinely want to know. For example, at dinner recently as Zach was finishing a bowl of spaghetti he looked at me, pointed to his bowl and said, "wat-zis?". I gave him the word and sign-- the quizzical expression left his face and he finished eating, apparently satisfied. I'm sure there is a lot of learning going on in his little mind with all these questions I'm just not sure if he is increasing his vocabulary or learning how powerful he is as his mother jumps through yet another hoop!

A new car!

Zach got his first set of wheels last night! We received a good deal (free) on a used Tonka with lots of off-road miles and good gas mileage. (Thank you Timmons family for the gift!) Currently, Zach is only able to drive in reverse but it rides-like-a-dream! Zach continues to really enjoy being outside and is learning all sorts of fun new ways to play (see picture of slide)! With all the fun to be had in the yard it is really tough to convince Zach to come inside for things like meals, laundry, clean diapers and naps.

This past week we had our little jungle in the backyard removed by professionals--it was actually a 20 year overgrown hedge that was completely dead underneath but covered in wisteria. The vines had aggressively wrapped themselves throughout two trees and were threating to take over the neighborhood. The crew brought in a tractor/excavator and then a skid steer plus chain saws and a dump truck-and the wisteria still gave them quite a challenge! (It is laughable that Steve and I had actually entertained the idea of tackling it ourselves.) The big equipment in our yard this week provided Zach with hours of entertainment as he watched the "dumper" and "ss-seer" work. I missed taking a photo of him eating his lunch while standing at the window-but trust me it was precious!

"One, Two Buckle my...."

For about a month now Zach has been interested in the buckles for his car seat and booster chair, but he has still been content for me to do the actual buckling. I have known that one day this 'peace' would end and I would have to wait for Zach to do it himself...

That moment arrived quite suddenly tonight! It was an amazing process to observe and for once I did it 'right' by remaining patient and allowing Zach to take as long as he needed. Overall I was surprised at the length of time he spent accomplishing this task (45 mins) but also at his fierce determination throughout the learning.

The beginning was very emotionally charged! While trying to buckle his booster seat, Zach was crying, thrashing and repeatedly saying, "stuck" but vehemently refused any assistance. He was so angry and my first reaction was to rescue him, but thankfully I waited and he reluctantly allowed me to help him be successful. Immediately all signs of tears and frustration were gone replaced by a beaming smile and cry of delight for the pure joy of accomplishing the challenge!

These extreme emotions with repeated buckling attempts lasted for quite awhile but gradually I noticed that Zach was becoming less frustrated by not immediately succeeding and he also accepted my help more easily. In a more peaceful state, Zach began to master the task and by the end he had no more frustration but also no more outward signs of joy-I think success was expected and he was satisfied. I'm still expected to do ALL the unbuckling, for now!

So if anyone asks what I did today, I can say that I spent the better part of an hour watching Zach learn how to buckle!

Two boys!

Over the weekend we went to visit our friends Jesse, Krista and their son Josiah! The boys are only 3.5 months apart and they are just beginning to be aware of other kids their own age. Throughout most of the weekend the boys engaged in more parallel play and interacted only when a toy was taken. (Josiah was actually much more 'aware' of Zach than the other way round) On our last day, however, they took turns squealing across Josiah's Thomas table and then simultaneously would erupt in delightful belly-laughter. Krista and I scrambled for video cameras to try and capture the scene. (We have often seen the boy's dads engage in similar play but the young boys are somehow more camera-worthy!)

We took the boys to a park on Saturday with swings, slides, a merry-go-round and walking trails. It was interesting to see the difference that 3 months makes, because Josiah was actually engaged in climbing the steps, going down the slide and crawling through the tunnel. Zach mostly wanted to swing (surprise, surprise) and he also really enjoyed running through the trails. After our walk, Zach spotted a family baseball game and was most upset that he wasn't included so unfortunately the excursion ended in tears. (Zach has really become interested in playing bat and ball, much to Steve's delight! He seeks out the game whenever we go outside and makes us take turns "hitting", "pitching" and "fielding"-I use those terms loosely.)

In parting, enjoy the photo of cool-Zach wearing his sunglasses. He refused help and rode, fully awake, for some time with them half-on/half-off. Thankfully I had the camera in my lap and could grab the shot!

Together we...

....got rid of a few more items of junk in the yard yesterday. It was literally a group effort because wherever Steve and I were working, Zach was right there "helping". We all took part in tearing down the dilapidated bench swing and we uprooted a random flower bed in the center of the back-yard. Somewhere during the day we lost Zach's Redsox hat and we can only assume that while helping he threw it into one the yard bags that we were putting leaves and thorns into. Steve is very excited to empty and re-fill 10 large bags later today in search of the missing hat. I think if it wasn't a Redsox hat it would remain lost.

A few cool days!

We have tried to take advantage of a welcomed reprieve from the summer heat and humidity by spending a great deal of time outside yesterday and today! I finally set up the swing that we've had all summer (but have never used) and Zach likes to be swinging for 45 minutes at a time! (That is no exaggeration!) I quickly lose interest in swinging but I'm amazed at how long he will stay with one task.

We also recently got an old watering can from my grandmother and Zach has been interested in how this device works. After a few moments of exploring the water coming out of the can's mouth he usually decides that he prefers the hose that has a constant supply of water instead.

Also a new favorite activity is picking the not-quite-ripened tomatoes and either throwing them or carrying them around like little treasures. I have been teaching Zach "no touch" for a few items (the tomato plants being one of them) so now he approaches the plant shaking his head saying, "no touch" as he then picks tomatoes off of the plant! Ugh!

Beach Vacation

Our Corolla vacation has come and gone! We spent a wonderful week exploring the ocean, sand and pool. I can't begin to describe what a joy it was watching Zach eagerly take in the whole experience. Each day he became more confident in the ocean and wanted to be taken further out where the waves crashed in front of him. We went swimming in the pool and Zach was even tolerant of going under water for brief moments, however, he preferred holding my hands and being pulled around the water. We played hard all day and then slept even harder only to awaken ready to go outside in the sunshine again.

A Happy Half-Birthday!

We have decided to celebrate Zach's birthday in June on his half-birthday instead of the day after Christmas (many people with Christmas birthdays suggested this to us). So we recently had a small 1.5 year birthday party. Zach had no interest in opening the presents but he really enjoyed playing with each new toy. In fact, it was difficult to move on to the next gift because he was still playing with the previous one. I was sorry to encourage this gift-giving-frenzy and not allow him to play each toy until he naturally moved on.

Lake Forest Ranch

Last week we went to Mississippi for a youth camp. For Zach it brought lots of new things to explore and new friends to meet. Within the first few days he had a new bruise on his forehead, scraped knees and a bee sting. Thankfully all of the dogs and the joy of being outside for the majority of each day won out and made the week a positive experience!

Story Time

On Thursdays our local library offers a "story time" for children under 2 years old. They offer two identical back-to-back sessions and we attend both. The first one is our "warm-up" session. Zach sits in my lap and watches through big eyes all that is going on around him. He will not leave my lap or participate in any of the songs or running that is happening around us. After a short break the second session brings about this magical transformation. My shy-little-guy becomes the class clown as he walks around to each mother looking intently at them until they smile at him. He then runs, dances, claps and attempts to jump with all of the other children. This library time has quickly become a favorite part of our week!

Best Friends

Zach's best friend (Toula) came to stay with us this weekend. He followed her from room to room laughing (at what? -we're unsure)but he cracked up at every turn! At meal time Zach would come running (despite my best efforts to hide what I was doing) to hand-feed Toula one-kernel-at-a-time. I'm not sure who was in more agony, Toula or myself, as the meal dragged on and on! Two scoops of kibble takes a REALLY long time to eat in this manner.

We love water!

While in Rhode Island over Memorial Day weekend, we decided to take a walk on the beach. It was a chilly evening and the water was even colder. As soon as we came over the dune Zach began signing water and headed straight towards the ocean. We attempted to re-direct him with chase games and a ball we brought but he was determined to go in the water. After several unsuccessful attempts, we decided that we would 'out-smart' our toddler by letting him stick his toes in the cold water and then that would put an end to it.

We lost.

Zach would have walked out to sea in the freezing water if Steve didn't physically stop him. Zach appeared to be unaware that his legs and toes were cold even though Steve said his own had gone numb. We left the beach without ever taking our walk so that Zach didn't lose any toes!