zoo time!

We were gifted at Christmas with zoo memberships from Justin's family. We have been waiting for a day when Justin didn't have to work and with warm weather. Monday matched both criteria. With temperatures in the sixties, we headed for Zach's 1st trip to the zoo!

I was so excited to take him to the zoo and for him to see all the animals that we read about in so many of his books. We had a very pleasant trip, although he wasn't quite into the animals as much as I was expecting. He was more into people watching and taking in all the other kids at the zoo. Some exhibits though were a hit for him: pandas, meerkats, and flamingos. The little babe has been teething and cutting his top teeth, so we was a little fussy and practically chewing on my scarf the whole time.

We definitely had a fun family day at the zoo and look forward to many more visits this year! I am excited when he can start walking and go look at the different exhibits on his own!

 cute panda munching away. 

 haha- I love this! We didn't read the sign ;)

 my precious boy

 not too into the tiger. 

 rhino- later we saw this guy horn a christmas tree and carry it around!

 gross. 

 this guy just woke up from a nap with the LOUDEST roar!

 so cute!

 baby's 1st trip to the zoo!

 people watching. 

 and scarf eating. 

 baby pandas. 

waving bye to the zoo- see you next time!

Nine Months!

This month was a month of change for me. Besides celebrating my first Christmas, which was so much fun, I made my first big move, to a new house, in a new state! Let's get back to Christmas though. I LOVED Christmas! I loved the ribbons, the lights, the boxes and all the people. I had, not one, not two but three Christmas celebrations!

Mommy, Daddy and I all moved to Georgia. It has been a very busy month with packing, moving and unpacking but we are mostly settled and love our new home. I have a new room, which mommy even set up her classroom library in.. so lots of books (and bookshelves for me to climb up on!) We live closer to lots of my aunts, uncle and cousins, although I do miss living so close to my Nana and Grandpa!

This month things got a lot more vertical for me. Yep, I learned to stand up all by myself and I do it all.the.time. Since I haven't fully mastered sitting back down by myself yet, without falling, mommy and daddy have to watch me like a hawk, which makes it very difficult for mommy to get stuff done during the day. I love to climb on EVERYTHING: inside my crib, outside my crib, bookshelves, coffee table, doors, cabinet doors in the kitchen, my high chair, couches, chairs, dishwasher, you name it. I am also a little explorer and like to get into everything: pulling books of shelves, dvds, items out of kitchen cabinets, etc. I have definitely hit 'that age' where I have to be closely monitored to make sure I don't destroy everything and get hurt. 

Here are some things I have been up to during this busy month:

• I learned to stand up all by myself! [12.20.13]

• New foods that I added this month: Cheese, yogurt, black beans, chicken and my first cookie [made for babies- Nana got it for me!] I am moving more toward the direction of finger foods. I eat shredded cheese, banana chunks, black beans and puffs all by myself. Mommy is going to have me start eating more things on my own, but she is still nervous of me choking so she is taking it slow.... (cut her some slack- I'm the first kid!)

 

 I LOVE PUFFS!

my 1st cookie

• I now eat breakfast, lunch and dinner with solid foods. 
• I love to stand up in my crib. When I do it, I get so proud of myself and my face just lights up!
• Celebrated my 1st Christmas! I had lots of different celebrations :)
• I celebrated Christmas with my Nana and Grandpa!
• We had our family Christmas and I celebrated with my mommy and daddy!

 grandpa & nana opening the present I gave them :)

 my 1st stocking

little ham. 

• I really enjoyed climbing on top of the boxes, playing with the boxes and all the ribbons and bows!
• On actual Christmas Day, I got to celebrate with my Aunts, Uncle and cousins down in Atlanta!

 aunt jen gave me my gift before she flew up to oh!

 with my cousins- can you find me?!?

 

• Gramma Linda came down to North Carolina and I got to spend some quality time with her!

• Had some snow day fun with Aunt Jen. She even built me my first fort!

(please note- it may look like i am ALWAYS wearing these dino pj's but that is just because I have two of them!)

• I moved for the first time! I am now a Georgia Peach!

 helping daddy unpack ALL. OF. HIS. BOOKS!

my new crib (pun intended!)

• I love to climb up on anything and stand: boxes, my drum, my stool, in my crib, by my crib, on my bookshelf, the coffee table, my jumperroo... 
• I can play the recorder by myself. I am such a musical little boy. 
• If you put out your hand and ask me to give you a toy, I can do it. Mommy says she is teaching me to share. 
• I can wave hello and good-bye.
• I can clap my hands! [1.12.14]
• I can give high fives
• I got sick again :(

snuggles with daddy are the best when i'm not feeling well.

• Went up to North Carolina to spend time with my aunties!

 

• Had some piano lessons with grandpa

Statistics:
Weight: 19 lbs. 2 oz. [estimate]
Height: 30 inches [estimate]
Nicknames: Zachy, Zachy Doodle, Doodle, Bugaboo, Gloworm (when I don't sleep at night)
Likes: Standing up on ANYTHING, pulling things off of shelves and out of baskets, cheese, puffs, tigger, anything musical: recorder, drums, clanking two objects together, playing catch,  
Dislikes: Peas, being by myself, sleeping [ha!], staying on my changing table too long. 
Clothing: Tops: 6-12 months. Bottoms: 6-12/12 months. Sleepers: 12 months. Diapers: Size 3

Milestones:
Stood up by self: 12.20.13
Clapped: 1.12.14
Wave hello/good bye
Words: hi, mom/momma, dad/dadda [he can say these words but not always in context]

9th Month Pictures:

looks like such a little boy sitting like this. 

 melt my momma's heart. 

 clapping. 

 waving hello. 

A Note from Mom:

My little Zachy Doodle- What a little explorer you have become. You have become quite the expert army crawler. You know how to crawl on all fours but for some reason prefer to stay on your belly and do the army crawl. This month you learned to stand up/ pull yourself up all by yourself. You are quiet the strong little boy and use those arms to get up on anything you want to. We have had a few close encounters of near catastrophes but thankfully the Lord is watching over you and keeping you safe! You really love to climb on everything and it is really hard to get anything done because I have to watch you like a hawk. But, I do like that you like to explore and are curious about your surroundings. We are working on teaching you the word 'no' which is a learning process for both your dad and I, as well as you. You enjoy playing with your toys, but your favorite thing to do open cupboards and discover everything that is around you. You entertain yourself almost all day long by crawling here and there, opening this and that and pulling things out..... and standing up on everything.

You have really learned how to interact with other people this month. You can wave hello and good-bye and even make some 'hi' sounds when doing it. When someone leaves a room, you know to wave good-bye. You can give high 5's when someone holds up their hand and says, "High 5!" You can clap your hands when someone is doing it or when you hear the word "yay" or just a smile. You can also share toys. If you have a toy in your hand and I place out my hand and ask for it, you will give it to me. You know when I am being affectionate to you and kissing your face and you will hug my neck and kiss my cheek. [We just need to work on closing your mouth because your open-mouthed kisses are very wet- but I still love them]. If I am working on something, you love to crawl over and be involved with that toy or task as well.

This has been a very fun age and I love seeing you grow up and have an inquisitive drive. I am excited to explore our new home together and find fun things to do. I love you, my little big boy!