The pink 'buddin

Zach doesn't care if the ride has pink on it...he's ready to go!

Whether on this or Caleigh's rocking chair, Zach automatically "rocks" as soon as he sits and laughs at his accomplishment.

The Zach game

Since Zachary is now able to move around, he invented a fun game of "drop and chase the ball." He's pretty good at it, and without much coaching at that! ;-)

Zachary started crawling...8/28 video

It's been an adjustment for us all, especially as he's gotten quicker and more opinionated about where he should be going. But it's a great developmental feat and Zachary is thoroughly enjoying his new freedom. Caleigh isn't so sure Zachary should be able to get various "treasures" but we are working together to set limits and share.

Zach did make it to the toys. He demonstrated his 'quick sit' used especially when talked to during crawling. We love his laugh! He is much quicker on the crawl now!

More from Chanticleer Gardens

Enjoying the day.

More from the end of August

And we're again with the Ko family. We visited Chanticleer Gardens and had a great day -- smelling flowers, running through the open fields, eating lunch under the cool trees, and looking at pretty scenery.

Caleigh and David like holding hands. It was a little bright for Zachary to look up and smile for the family pic. Here is Caleigh doing a little dance on the patio. Where's Caleigh? ;-) She liked running under the woven arch of branches.

End of August

Back in the warmer, hazy days of August we went to the pool with the Ko family. The Schantz kids liked the kiddie pool just fine. Caleigh was sad to find out she was too young for the giant red tunnel slide into the adult pool (Mama was just fine with this edict from the lifeguard).

There were lots of toys to enjoy in the water. Caleigh got up the nerve to walk through the fountain (in the picture) and stick her toes in the 'mushroom' waterfall over where the water was up to her chest.

Zach laughing in his hoodie.

Oceans N Motion (II)

Zach in the boat...

He LOVED the big bouncy ball. Lots of laughs and arm flailing with this thing.

Oceans N Motion

This was a couple days before Zach started to crawl. He sat for an hour playing with toys just within his reach and watching older kids jump and play around him. It appeared he had a blast. This cool contraption spun around on wheels.

Caleigh impressed us with her balance on the board. It was shaped like a rocker on the bottom. We told her she was surfing.

Too bad the picture is dark. The kids liked the see saw!

We enjoyed celebrating John's 40th birthday at the inside ocean themed play area. Lots of us have kids the same age so it was a brilliant venue for a surprise party!

Caleigh dancing

Her dancing has changed a bit over the years. ;-) With no music playing in the park, Caleigh created a routine of sorts and I'm glad I captured it on video.

A place to see and be seen

Rittenhouse Square in Philly on a bright, warm Sunday afternoon.

This was just supposed to be a pretty picture of Caleigh, but I notice there is a homeless person sleeping on the bench behind her. We live in a broken world.

Swinging again

The kids both get a lot of joy out of swinging and being swung. We have been so blessed by (ad)venturing out to new and exciting parks in a 15 minute radius. Many fun hours were spent away from home this summer. Caleigh takes her Big Sister role seriously, making sure Zachary is having a good time even while she is "busy" having fun. She is still an intense little girl, whether it's attacking the playground equipment, reading books, or running "fast as you can." She is a joy. And Zach likes to clap for her, encouraging her antics.

Near the middle of September Zach started (mostly) listening to our stern voice/warnings about what not to touch. He is so adorable, though, as he'll rock back to sitting (usually from crawling quickly toward said dangerous object) and wave at us, smiling. So his response to being told "no" is to cutely say "hi." We were talking about Zach to different people over the past few days and realized that we ended most every description with "and then he laughed/smiled." That's our boy.

Happy flapping

Zach shows his excitement or need (e.g., for Mama when we've been apart) by flapping his arms, grunting a bit, and sometimes pressing his still toothless gums together to form chipmunk cheeks. He loves his Cheerios and picking them up keeps him busy.

A visit from Sara L.

Thanks for visiting us, Sara! We enjoyed you spending the night and visiting the city with us. We'd never been to the Philadelphia story benches -- much fun! And what a beautiful day to be out. Thanks for making the trip and we hope to see you again soon!

First tricycle ride

Caleigh loves her new tricycle. We've notice there is a slight uphill from the street to our garage on the asphalt, but Caleigh is getting stronger and better about riding both ways. Currently, she enjoys riding 'down' the hill and stopping by running into the giant leaf pile we keep at the gate. ;)

Such the artist! She does watercolor, acrylic, crayon, and marker art-- enough to share! ;-) We were also practicing making "t's" or crosses (on the chalkboard). She often asks me to write "CALEIGH" please.

Flashback to mid-August

Look Ma, I can stand!
At Sister's train table, no less. And pick up and bang her train track! Yippee!

And trying to crawl over the forbidden puzzle letters Zach isn't supposed to 'eat.'

Daddy takes over picture duty

Caleigh asked Daddy to take her picture -- no problem! And look how BIG Zachary is getting. ;-)

Zachary is enjoying new clapping skills!

We think he has a good sense of beat!

Just Zach at 9 months

As with Caleigh, at this age it is difficult to get the "lay still on the blanket beside Eeyore' picture. ;-)

Various of the kids

Caleigh looked so very pretty for church -- had to take the picture. She is all girl -- loves her bubble bath and strawberry soap.

Zach is such a delight. He sleeps well and usually easily. He often has a ready smile. And he's a speed crawler! Fun to watch him explore and try to decide which way to go and what to pause long enough to mouth or toss.

He and Caleigh enjoy rolling/tossing/handing the ball back and forth between them. Very cute.