Just (more) Zach

Grandma was inspired to take pictures of Zach with a backdrop after we got his 3 mn and baptism pictures taken. Here are some of her takes on Zach.

Back in Floyd

Caleigh, Zachary and Mama rode with Grandma back to Floyd for the last week of February. We got to caravan and make stops with Papa and Uncle Logan. We made the trip in 10 hours with two long stops. The kids were great and we enjoyed the travel -- talking and seeing the scenery. Papa and Logan especially liked "farming" along the way (i.e., looking at other people's farms and equipment).




Caleigh and Zach enjoyed a lot of holding - by the greats, Papa, and Uncle Logan and Ciera too!

Zach slept up to 11 hours a night during that week, but he's gone back to getting up once/night. Must have been the mountain air! ;-)

We spent part of every day with great-grandma and great-grandpa. It was nice to have them over or go over to their house. We had yummy treats and Caleigh enjoyed cake and cookies (a lot more than at home! ;-) We watched a couple basketball games (Roanoke College woman and Floyd girls). Caleigh had a "Grandma afternoon" while Zach joined Mama in Roanoke. We ate a lot of yummy food, hosted family members, ran around the yard, and generally relaxed. Another friend with a little one visiting her parents put it well -- it was nice to get some TLC. We are spoiled with our weeks in Floyd.

Dan was busy working on the house (basement mostly) while we were away. Since we took a car down, he took Amtrak to Lynchburg for the weekend. I wouldn't say Amtrak has 'being on time' as a priority, but we're glad he could join in the fun. The kids followed the same routine on the way home to PA -- 10 hour trip with two long stops.

Family pictures after the baptism service

We all got together in the living room to commemorate this day with family pictures. Zach looks like he is trying to recreate his screaming during his baptism, but I think he was just yawning here. ;-)

Baptism of Zachary Addison Creed Schantz

What a glorious event. We waited in the wings of the Tenth Presbyterian church's sanctuary for our time to come out and present Zach. [He was quiet & cooing then.] Dan carried Zachary out while Caleigh walked hand in hand with Mama. [This is where the incessant wailing and crying began.]

Our friends Tom and Dana Kim brought their son, Elijah, for baptism. What a treat to baptize our sons together -- born less than 2 weeks apart. Little Elijah was a perfect, quiet, contented kid who (thankfully) didn't feel the need to cry because he heard another kid crying.

We hardly noticed Caleigh climbing up the alter steps as Dan was handing Zach off to Mama because Mama thought she could stop the screaming [nope]. Dan looked around and scooped up Caleigh who probably just wanted a better view in the first place, not to be bad.

We prayed for Zach, we prayed for our family, and we prayed for those in our church family that will help us raise him in Christ. A year to the Sunday after baptizing Caleigh Grace. I think we'll take next February off! ;-)

Oh, and he did stop crying as soon as we disrupted the Sunday school class meeting in the basement to get to the bathroom nursing area to feed him. He was fed before church, but I guess not quite enough. Alas...there are no re-dos!! He is baptized all the same. Praise God.

Birthday gifts

Caleigh was thrilled with her gifts from Bill and Gwen, Kenneth and Kathy, and Logan and Ciera. She has no trouble identifying the best place to start unwrapping gifts and is kind of a neat freak about those little pieces of wrapping paper she tears off -- needing to hand you each one. I guess that's better that throwing them everywhere.

She loves her new tools and to wear her toolbelt. The hat falls off easily, but she's created a game of "ahh-choo!" where she dumps her hand as she acts like she is sneezing...and laughs and laughs and laughs (and expects you to laugh too ;-)

Before she fully got to experience the tool set, though, she had to wait for the guys to finish "taking the tools out of the package" (read play with each one before they gave it to Caleigh).

The easel came with magnetic letters and numbers and an eraser, which Caleigh thinks is really cool. We have now paint, paper, crayons, markers and (for sanity) smocks, easel clothes, a large tarp. ;-)

Caleigh also built her collection of doll house furniture and got a "neighing" horse! She is a very blessed, happy, and energetic little girl.

Zach celebrates Caleigh's birthday

Zach is wondering where his cake is. We think Caleigh is thinking, if he gets cake, I want more. ;-)

More family birthday pictures

Caleigh proudly posing with her balloons and cake.

Both kids with their mouths wide open. Caleigh did share with the rest of us...

Caleigh enjoying her special strawberry parfait.

LOVE that smile!

Grandma, Papa, Caleigh and Zach

Family birthday party preparations

Grandma and Caleigh made her special birthday hat. It looked great with her purple skirt. They had a great time stapling one pink paper on at a time. ;-)

Caleigh was pretty excited for the attention of a birthday party just for her!

We decorated with special balloons (Caleigh LOVES balloons) and a strawberry parfait dessert.

OH and VA family came for Zachary's baptism

Saturday, February 23.

We celebrated Caleigh's birthday early with far away family. We're so glad they could make the trip! It was a busy weekend, celebrating Caleigh and preparing for Zach's baptism but it was worth it to share the fun with family.

Mid February pictures...trying to catch up!

Pictures of our smiling little boy...and in his cute Winnie the Pooh outfit. And pictures (serious and silly) of our little girl...pre-hair cut.

Caleigh hunting eggs

Caleigh had a great time running around the backyard hunting Easter eggs.

My slide!

I just LOVED climbing up and riding down this slide. It's bigger than mine at home. I used the holes in the platform to pull myself up from my stepping stool. I could be a rock climber! A couple times both feet left the platform as I swung myself to a seated position on the top of the slide. Cool! I would say, "WEEE!" as I went down the slide "so fast" again and again. My arc to get back on the slide kept getting bigger as I found it was also enjoyable to "run run" in the backyard. I had a really good nap after all this excitement and exercise!

I was proud of Mama for not worrying about me getting my nice pink jacket all dirty as I pulled myself up, climbed through the 'windows' and generally wallowed all over the yard. Mama said she was proud of me for not saying, "dirty, need to clean up" every time I got something on my fingers. ;-)

Here I go a-hunting!

Oh, and I REALLY enjoyed eating my "cookies!" (animal crackers and vanilla wafers) while hunting more eggs for my new basket.

More Easter pics

Thanks for organizing so many fun events for me in your backyard, Oma! I enjoyed the egg hunt (and eating the marshmallows and cookies you put in there!) and the slide "and and and..." ;-)

You make me laugh & really good strawberries and shortcake, and always have my favorite toys and foods handy. Oh, and get me up in the mornings and read and play with me when I ask (Mama and Daddy especially appreciate our morning routine!).

I figure Mama would have gotten around to getting me an Easter outfit, but I like the one you made for me the best.