Good night!

All wrapped up for night-night time.

And if Zach can't find his thumb to suck, he has Mama do it. ;-)

Caleigh's new room

And Zach looking in on her.

Our happy little girl

A smile for the camera! A hop, jump & spin is fun! And a serious look with the remote.

Our cutie.

The kids

I'm still sometimes shocked that we have two kids! They are wonderful and fill our lives. And they are growing so fast! It's true what they say about that. ;-)

Another day another park...

The kids cuddling...

Caleigh wrapped up like a cat in a ball of yarn...

Around the house

"I wake the sunshine up, Mama?"

Caleigh wants to know if it's "dark yet" (night night time) or "still sunny." It's not that she minds (usually and/or too much) going to bed -- she just wants clarity in her life. ;-)

It is so fun watching her and Zach interact. He arches his back to keep her in view (but doesn't quite turn over yet), grabs her hair, hands, face and legs (whatever is in reach), and gives her big smiles and coos. Caleigh doesn't mind the grabbing, but is quick to tell us that "Baby Zach grabbed Caleigh's ear, Mama!" before putting her head in his reach again. So brave!

Mama and Caleigh built the biggest train track we could this morning, using all the pieces. She proudly showed it off to Zach when he woke up. She'll ask me to "Tell Baby Zach Caleigh is singing to him" even when he is closer to her than I am. But I dutifully tell Zach what Caleigh is doing and she smiles...

Zach is doing better with his tummy time. Mama thinks she is cutting him too much slack with the workout and vows to do better enhancing his upper body strength and conditioning. Not sure why he's pursing his lips so tightly unless the elephant's ear didn't taste fresh.

Caleigh loves to dress up, but doesn't seem to like to smile once the camera is on her.

Nice weather!

It's spring!! And we've taken advantage of the nice weather this week to go to the Zoo on Wednesday, music class and a park on Thursday (and met Kristen and Allison!), and another park on Friday. Mama didn't have the camera at the park...what a shame...but she took pictures Friday and Saturday of Caleigh enjoying our backyard sand. (and looking at her big toes, it looks like in the third picture ;-)

Caleigh and Allison had a great time running around, chasing birds, holding hands and playing on the slides/swings. Very cute.

Caleigh-ism -> When Mama is carrying Zach upstairs, Caleigh likes to say "You don't drop him, Mama?" I respond with "No, Mama won't drop him honey." It's not like I HAVE dropped him.....

The Vukmers came for a visit

**Warning -- if you don't want to see spit up in action, don't look at the last picture of this post. ** But, seriously, this is a big part of our life. Zach eats and spits up -- immediately after eating, and maybe 5 minutes later or 30 minutes later....there is just no rhyme or reason. So we keep a lot of blankets handy and change clothes when necessary. This picture makes me laugh aloud every time I see it. Call it crazy Mama humor, but it's life. I just noticed, Zach may be wearing a different outfit in each picture...telling isn't it?

We so enjoyed having Cynthia and Brent join us in PA for a weekend. We hung out, played a game, watched the NCAA men's, went to the park, went to church and lunch in the city, and just enjoyed each other. We are thankful for our friends and the times we can still share with them even though distance normally separates us.

Anybody need any work done?

You'll note the drill doesn't have the bit in it (safety first for the eyes!) but Caleigh loves her tools. And she is really good with tool identification (makes me think I should work on letters or something a little more useful for school ;-)

She enjoyed helping Daddy put up her curtain rods in her new room. And later watching us put up the curtains, frog coat hanger, butterflies and dragonfly, flowers, her name and shelves. Whew!

And with this warm weather, the fleece sheets will go away today (and we'll put on ones that match much better ;-)

Caleigh-ism -> "Sompenbody" instead of "somebody."

After a yummy Saturday breakfast (4/19/08) of Cheerios, fresh strawberries and milk I told Caleigh I was going into the kitchen to get her washcloth. Caleigh informed me that instead, she would just "lick her paws off" and proceeded to lick the back of her hands in a cat-like motion. Okaaaay...and then Mama will wipe your hands with the washcloth. Too many trips to the lion exhibit you think? ;-)

News flash -- Caleigh put on her shoes today ALL BY HERSELF! Slip-on velcro, but it's progress! She was very pleased with herself and anxious to tell Daddy the news. She is currently enjoying playing in her sandbox (now sans shoes) while Daddy does some yardwork.

Please - no pictures...

Actually Caleigh was fine with me acting like the paparazzi in the front yard. We had just returned from an outing. She was quite the image strolling around town (to the library) in her shades and matching sippy cup. That's her stack of library books by the front gate in the third pic.

I like the one where it looks like she's taking a drink...reminds me of those celebrity shots where they are drinking a latte in some swank place. ;-)

Now if it's sunny (or sun-shiny as she sometimes says) she requests her sunglasses (or sunshine glasses...;-) And if it's getting dark out she knows it almost night-night time. We know we need to work on this distinction, though, as the days are getting longer and longer and her bedtime is pretty routinely 7:30/8:00. We are trying to get Zach to Caleigh's bedtime. He likes the 9:00 hour, but I'm sure we can talk him into 8:00. ;-)

Zach's nursery

Zach moved out of Mama and Daddy's room and his bassinet on his four-month birthday. We had planned to make the move sooner, but there was much to do it seemed. We had to move Caleigh out of the nursery, move all the clothes and stuff (furniture, toys) around the upstairs, and, oh...who knows where the time goes. ;-)

He seems to like his crib! He is sleeping well in the new arrangement, but still waking us up between 4&5 AM. Caleigh has started to think of the nursery as "Zach's room" (instead of her old room). She has moved into a whole new bedtime routine -- without the pacifier but with a host of stuffed animals. So far she hasn't figured out that she is able to get out of her twin bed...or do we fool ourselves thinking that she isn't because we told her not to?

Recent quote -- Caleigh (with a concerned, cross-eyed look) - "Mama, I have hair on my eyes." Mama - "Those are eyebrows, Caleigh." Caleigh (thoughtful look) - "Eye growls...GRRRRR!" Mama - "Yes, that's correct dear." [at least for awhile because it's so funny and cute...]

Oh, and more evidence that our daughter can break dance.

Zachary A C Schantz

Four months
Officially 17 lbs, 3 oz. and 26 3/4 inches -- WOW!

He's got some excema on his face, but otherwise a healthy boy.

To the museum!

Caleigh and Zach enjoyed a stroll around town and to the cool fountain between Dan's work and the Please Touch Museum. We met Dan here and traipsed over to the museum together...to share our little adventures and joy with Daddy.

Caleigh had a great time explaining and showing off her knowledge of the farm and grocery store to Daddy.

Here she is driving the tractor, picking radishes and selecting eggplant from the produce department.

A fun time was had by all.