Close ups of the Z man

Sleeping soundly -- oh so cuddly & warm! And the familiar smile. What a joy he is.

He is almost clapping (so far just one clap and done). He is putting things into containers and taking them out and banging them together. He's getting around the room, but not really by 'crawling' in the official sense of the word. And when he does start moving faster, watch out!

He's an original & he's our beautiful boy.

Even more beach

My glam girl and cuddly boy.

More beach

The kids were so busy having fun! Zach would bunch up the blanket we were trying to keep him on and get his hands on the sand. He didn't like the feel too much, though, ... or the taste. ;-)

Caleigh is serious about her sand tools, and doesn't mind the feel of sand (everywhere!) at all. She enjoyed sitting pretty in her frog chair, waving to her adoring fans. She was even more fearless going into the ocean this trip. However, she is still quite cautious and a 'good girl' about holding onto hands when the water comes up to her ankles.

NJ Shore

We took advantage of our neighbors' condo again. Grandma, Mama, Caleigh and Zach made an overnight trip to enjoy another day at the Brigantine beach. We were fortunate that it was again overcast and the kids were great.

The kids had a short nap on the beach and kidded around in the condo. Mama had a great long walk on the beach while Grandma stayed in the condo during the kids' naps. Mama and Caleigh went out on the beach a second time and had fun playing just the two of us. And then a yummy yummy seafood dinner before driving back to Daddy at the house. We were sad he couldn't join us for our 24 hours away.

Out of the mesh sling

...enjoying the added freedom. And splashing to beat the band. He doesn't seem phased by water flying all around him, stopping only for Mama to wipe it out of his eyes.

Love the picture with the water beads flying.

He seems to often epitomize the look of pure joy.

Sandor Der came to visit!

We enjoy Sandor's visits. He stops by for the evening when he is in town for work. Mama finally remembered to get our picture with him! He reads us stories (usually kid-friendly ones and not something by Solzhenitsyn Daddy handed him for the picture ;-). Sandor was prepared with lots of toys to entertain Zach! We look forward to his next visit.

July 17

Just hanging out on the couch, smiling and looking cute.

Zachary's first experience in the pool

And he likes it! Quite content to float around in the pool. Guess he thought it was a big bathtub. Look at those rolls!! Oh my, he is a healthy boy. ;-)

Caleigh suited up, put on her arm floaties, put her frog float around her and sat on the side of the pool quite happily.

We again enjoyed a couple months of going to a friends' pool one day a week with a slew of other Moms & kids. Caleigh really enjoyed playing with the ride-ons and in the sandbox. Zach was low-key, sitting in the stroller for long stretches, letting others hold him, and watching the kids run around. We so enjoy these days.

Our little girl

...growing up. Not quite 2-1/2 years old. But acting oh-so-grown-up. An adventurous eater (horseradish anyone?), a social butterfly (walks up to 'strangers' on the playground and starts talking), a ham (likes to get Zach cackling), a protector ("can Zach play with this, Mama?"), an encourager ("'good job Zachary!"), and an artist (painter, moulder of clay/play doh, drawer). Our joy.

Zachary at 8 months

Our boy - getting bigger every day. We are so blessed that he is healthy & happy. We just love his big smile. Here is his "Canada" bear. He really likes to cuddle with it. He is sitting up better...still no teeth...still not crawling...he has pulled to standing once...he can easily move from laying down to sitting up...eating more table/baby food off a spoon and off his fingers...he 'clucks' loudly...says Mama and Dada...laughs heartily at his sister...more insistent about getting/keeping what he wants (Caleigh's books, too-small toys).

Zachary at 7 months

Just our happy guy! He's growing, content, beautiful, cuddly, a good sleeper, a good traveler, and a great son/brother. He wasn't yet sitting up well at 7 months. He was making his wishes known, grunting and fussing if a prized toy was taken away. He was starting a wave-like motion upon saying hello and good-by (aka flapping wildly with one or both arms when excited).

MD house

A fun weekend (starting 7/18).

Certainly gave Dan a good excuse to goof off with the kids and help Caleigh with her computer skills. ;-)

Zach was just sitting up here so we kept a pillow behind him.

Such a comfortable & historic house!

To Antietam!

Caleigh fell in the artifacts room and said she got injured at the battlefield. ;-)

Zachary had fun rolling around in the stroller and watching Caleigh run and throw the ball around. Caleigh and Mama took a 'special' extra stroll while Dan, Zach and Lori's Mom went to get the car. We take our special time where we can get it. The battlefield was just a couple miles from our MD house where we stayed for the weekend. Dan and Lori got out and about after the kids were asleep (thanks for hanging out at the house, Grandma!) and walked to the Antietam cemetery.

A nice weekend away and beautiful weather! The kids did well away from their beds and Caleigh and Grandma enjoyed a 'sleepover' in the lower level of the house. We enjoyed the full kitchen, grill/patio, and proximity to area attractions.