Summer Updates

I realize that it's pretty unlikely that I will actually catch up from the first year posts of pictures that I finally finished, so I'm thinking that maybe it's better to just have a fresh start for the school year and try to post more often. It's honestly sort of daunting trying to catch up all the pictures and highlights being 9 months behind where we actually are in life on the blog, as a friend of ours would say, "sorry 'bout that."

Here are some awesome highlights, milestones and updates to catch you up.

We started multiple therapies for Zachary for his developmental and physical delays due to his small stature, including physical, occupational, and speech/self-feeding therapy in January. Starting every week with OT/ST for the first few months, we saw Zachary learn how to feed himself anything that stuck out of his fisted hand by March. We then transitioned to every-other week and continued to see increased strength in his body, skills, and right eye (it was kind of wandering, especially when he looked in a certain direction). We also contacted the Help Me Grow MN program (http://www.helpmegrowmn.org) and had Zachary assessed to see if we were eligible for some in-home services through the school district and we were. I think that started at the end of March and there are PT/OT and a Special Needs Teacher who does cognitive play therapy who have come to our home about once a month each. All of Zachary's therapists are near to our hearts and have been instrumental in helping us help Zach make progress towards milestones and developing the skills he previously lacked.

We just had our 6 month assessment with the school district, and while there are some new goals we added, and a few that we'll continue to work on, he gained many of the skills that we hoped he would in the first 6 months. He's now pulling himself up, and crawling forward fully relying on all four limbs as of August or so (in January, he scooted backwards only, then in May, he started crawling forward only using one leg and dragging the other most of the time). He was recently assessed regarding his progress with his sensory challenges, and has seemingly overcome all of them. He no longer retracts his hand from the rice bowl and will readily engage and play in new textures and try eating new textures without gagging, these are huge gains!

We have a happy boy who is babbling with new sounds all the time and he's doing a lot more non-verbal communication like intentionally looking at something that he wants until we see it and he started pointing in the last week or so, although not always to communicate, this is still super exciting for us.

One cute story from this week and then I'll call it a post... He has really been enjoying playing with his letter magnets at the fridge over the last few weeks, and this week he started taking them off, throwing them and then chasing after them (to repeat again). I was washing the dishes the other night and turned around and Zachary was no where to be found. I followed the trail of magnet letters and found him at his other latest facination: the running front-load clothing washer, in the dark. Hilarious. At least he left a trail for me to follow! It's so fun to watch him adventuring with his new strength and mobility gained through countless hours of therapy and practice at home and daycare too, we're so proud!

December 2- January

This is truly a rare sight - a straight-faced little boy, but I couldn't resist posting it, it's so cute (and I love the jammies too). This was also taken on the ski weekend, I think, but wanted to include closer to Christmas).

                                                  Adorable, no?

All bundled up for going outside, so cozy!

This is one of my favorites, all dressed up, looking at the puzzle of animals. 

                Happy Wild fan (even though we don't let him watch yet), cute outfit from Nana and Papa!

                                            So big! Scooting backwards in the living room.

November 20-December 2013

 This serious-looking kid is about to entertain you with some beautiful, adorable baby chatter!

Some random cute ones:

 

 We went to Auntie Nikki and Uncle John's for Thanksgiving in Michigan! This time, we drove all night, while Zach slept, and it made the trip go much faster. Although we were quite tired when we arrived, taking turns sleeping while the other person drove worked out pretty well. I'm pretty sure we'll never make a long road trip during daylight again, with such a young baby.

                                            
                                         Like I said, we were all pretty wiped out - nap time!

Nana loved feeding Zach, he ate so well!

We were so thankful for their hospitality and to be able to see them for the holiday week. I was able to work a few days remotely, as well, which was a blessing too!

Here are a few randoms, the one on the left is Zach in an adorable sweatsuit, with a mane and little ears too. On the right is a friend's daughter, while Zach was there being babysat for the day.

We headed up to Giant's Ridge with everyone a few weeks later to hit the slopes and for the immediate family Christmas celebration as well. It was very relaxing and fun to be up north. 

Here's Papa Joe with Zachary and Jace:

 

Here is smiling Zachary and a pic with Nana getting ready to hit the slopes. 

Can't forget about cousin time, with Jada and Jace!

October 20-November

These are Zach at 9 months, on the bed in our guest room. Sitting up and enjoying his toys, he's a pretty good sport!

Then a few days later, we went outside for some more 9 month pictures, and he wasn't really having it, as you can see.

This one reminds me of "Wilson" who was always hiding his face behind something in "Home Improvement," any one else who used to watch the show knows exactly what I mean. For those of you who didn't, thank goodness for Google.

This is actually in front of our neighbor's house, she had such a cute little set-up, we asked if she wouldn't mind snapping a family photo - voila.

I can't remember exactly what he's doing in this picture, but I honestly think he's squinting because the sun is on his face. Pretty cute face, and not one we see often with a snarl-of-sorts.

Thankful for neighbors with two older boys, roughly 4 & 2 years old, who gave us this adorable red pepper costume. I'd say he rocked it for a total of ten minutes or less, consistent with most kids' first Halloween experiences. It's made of pretty warm fabric, so we actually kind of hiked it up, because he was too warm in it.

This is us at auntie Megan's bridal shower, big boy rocking the plaid and denim craze...

September 20-October

Yes, I realize I'm nearly officially one year behind on chronicalling this adventure of being parents, but it still holds true that I wish I had more free time than I actually make for myself (but that's another blog post all together)... These are some faves from last fall. 

Silly Zach starts it off:

                                 

             I wish you could hear him squealing with delight in the

                  photo below, but it was pretty cute! He is one of the happiest kids I know.

Zach attended one of his first "girl days" with my Mom's sisters and my Grandma, as the only boy allowed. He looks pretty serious in this first one, but he really did pretty well and the snuggles from the great-aunties and great-grandma were a bonus!

A rare moment with a serious Zach.

Yep, love this sweet little boy, snoozing away on my chest. LOVE these moments. LOVE.

It started to get sort of cool out in the mornings, bringing Zach to daycare, and when I found this cat hat in the bin, I couldn't resist. It's a little hard to see, but those are cat ears and there are yellow cat eyes below the ears. I figured it was close enough to Halloween for him to pull it off, so I went for it. And can you even believe how cute those shoes are!

Oh right, what was I saying about you hearing our vocal baby boy? Click here :)

First time in the pool, at Breezy Point Resort with some college friends, he had a lot of fun! I thought the pool time was going "swimmingly," until we went to rinse off in the shower and his diaper was, well, dirty. I'll leave it at that (you're welcome) :)

August 20 - September

We started off the month with some informal family pictures and a walk in the neighborhood, here's one with Dad and one with Mom.

 

We sing a lot in our house, here's Zachary enjoying Daddy's song (he gets more giggly the second time Louie sings, stay with it ;) ) 

 

                                        We hear a lot of this contagious giggle, we love it!

We spent Labor Day weekend at Leech Lake with Louie's parents and visited some relatives, it was a lot of fun (and more cold water for Zachary) :)

I don't remember the occasion,but if you catch your husband in a Snuggie(TM), holding your son, you must snap a picture and post it somewhere public, enough said!

 

 Look at my toes! So cute :)