warm inside

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zachary didn't care that it was cold outside. At least not at first. He was happy to be frolicking, and yes, I'd say that was definitely frolicking, in the snow. He made snow angels, and threw snowballs, and generally tried to distract Big Daddy Paul from getting the walks shoveled. 

A little bit Spicy (tabasco!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elektra and Tabasco came for a nice long visit, and we got lots of play time, especially with Tabasco! I still have trouble sometimes with his name, I must admit. It doesn't help that Zachary's two favorite stuffed animal kitties are Elektra and Cobbler...and Z spent many months calling Tabasco, "Tumbasco."

sit still...

 

 

 

Well, at least I got one picture of the two of them before Z was off again. It never lasts long!

I Saw the Sign

8 months old today, and look what Elara can do!!!



(ETA) And here's an even better video (I thought it had failed on my phone..but showed up after a reset!)

the flapper

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Elara is happy, the whole family is happy. There is no mistaking this little spitfire's mood, either. When she is happy, she flaps her arms, and kicks her legs, squealing in delight while a huge grin splits her face. Of course, if you haven't had the wonderful experience of a miserable Elara, I'm you can imagine what she's like when she's unhappy..

stay and play

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of our new favorite destinations is the Stay and Play in Old Saybrook. This place is fantastic--Z can really burn off a lot of excess energy on a cold or rainy day. The last time we went, Z discovered the little climbing wall on the back side of one of the play areas, and he was really fascinated. Looks like we might need to make a rock climbing trip soon. 

differences

 

 

 

 

 

Things have definitely changed over the last six months...Zachary just looks like such a little boy now. Gone is the chubby, round little toddler. Now we have skinny, tall, not-shy little boy Zachary--I can tell 4 years is just around the corner..and then it's preschool and kindergarten..oh my. Then there is the pretty miss E, who has pretty much the opposite of her brother...going from a skinny tiny little baby, to this sweet cherub with deep dimples and the best chubby thighs I've ever tickled. Except for maybe her brother's at the same age! 

This pictures comes from this post in September! You can really see how much Elara has grown! Zachary doesn't even hold her on the boppy anymore, he just slings an arm around her shoulders and kisses her cheek. Then they get down on the playroom floor and play together. 

peace

 

 

 

 

if only E was this sweet, and peaceful every time she fell asleep...instead it's a battle of wills, and a test of patience, and still most of us wake up tired the next morning. i don't really remember the struggle with Zachary, at least not as acutely as i feel the struggle with E right now. I know Zachary wasn't a great sleeper at first. I remember he would wake up the moment you even started to lean over to put him in his bed. I also remember the light bulb moment when we realized that we really needed to get him down way earlier than we had been doing. But I remember that once we got him down for the night, he usually stayed there. Elara definitely benefits from going to bed early, but has yet to sleep through the night. She has done 4 hours, but it's rare that she sleeps that many hours in a row, especially if she's in her own bed. We're working on it, but we're pretty tired!

6 months...a few weeks ago

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, I'm a few weeks behind. She's definitely closer to 8 months than 6 months now...but look at that face!

New Karate Kid 2

 

 

 

 

Some great actions shots of Z participating in his Karate class. It's great to see Zachary listening, and following directions...most of the time!