Grandma and Grandpa Sawyer sent Zachary his first 1/2 Birthday gift. He got an ASU jumpsuit that is pretty stinkin' cute. You're only 1/2 once, so we're going to celebrate when Kyle and I get back from Orlando in a few weeks.

Get ready for your first party Zachary!

Zachary's Girlfriend Eden

Cassandra met Lisa, Zachary and I after work this week for a little play date. I think Zachary is in love with Ms Eden Marie. She's ridiculously cute. Cassandra is an amazing friend and we were SO EXCITED to meet her little girl. They live in Sacramento, so we don't get to see them often. Enjoy these photos of Zachary trying to impress Eden with his sitting up skills.
This is the first time Eden sat in a Bumbo, so she was getting used to it. You could tell she was a little scared, but also liked it all at the same time. I think Zachary was trying to put his arm around her.
Not sure if Eden was too impressed...
"Hey girl, have you seen my foot? It's pretty cool..."
Eden lives in California, so had her summer clothes out in Colorado.
She's getting big! Thanks for coming to visit us Cassandra and Eden. We love you both and are counting down the days when you come back.

Zachary's First Easter

We had a great Easter celebration today. Our family is just relaxing and enjoying spending some time together. It's quite chilly this morning, so we're spending the time inside with the toasty heater on, cocktails for mom and dad, and presents for our favorite little guy. Zachary got a few new summer outfits, a baby pool, more towels for bath-time, and the favorite gift........a bubble blower. Here are photos of Zachary's very first Easter.

I mean, shut up. How cute is he?! He was lovin' every second of it.
Zachary got a baby pool for the yard this summer. He was just as happy about the box than what was inside it.
"What's all this mess in the bucket?"

New summer outfit

Zachary is Sitting Up and Crawling! (Sort Of)

My little man is on the move! He's starting to rock on his belly and although he hasn't gotten far at all, it's the official attempt to move! Here are a few photos to mark a great effort this weekend.I'm comin' over there mom!

I want that toy SO BAD over there!
This photo was right before he fell over. It's SO CUTE to watch him tumble as he doesn't know how to catch himself, it's just face first.
Ahhhh yea......

The Middle is Looking Pretty Good

Good thing I think my kid is stinking cute. These past few weeks have been rough! I think (I hope) we're on the road to recovery from the ear infections, but we still need to take everything one day at a time.

Z is starting to eat more, which is great. He eats rice cereal and fruit three times a day and it seems like his favorite so far is bananas. Even though he seems full, he still gets up at night for a meal or two. Kyle and I have developed a new skill of zombie walking and bottle making at night. I bet we would get a good chuckle if someone video taped the process.

Work has also been very challenging for me and I'm still trying to adjust. In the past, I've always been a successful career woman, and when I went back to work, I truly thought I could have it all- another successful year at work while being an all-star mom. And then reality hit. Over the past three months back, I've realized that being in the middle isn't such a bad place to be. Maybe I won't have a great year at work, but I can still be a great mom to Zachary. I'm thankful Zachary doesn't evaluate motherhood by sales figures and I'm slowly adjusting to life at work in the middle.

Here are a few photos of the family recovering from the past few weeks:
Kyle officially has a mini me. Zachary is looking more like his Dad everyday.
Z fell asleep in the car on the way home from school. It was pretty nice out, so I stuck him on the deck for some fresh air. His big brother was enjoying a little after school time as well.
Typical Colorado. It's April and I'm still dressing Zachary in fleece.

There's a lot of drool happening these days. I put bibs on my kid. Don't judge.

Mr Penguin, Mr Best Friend

Kyle bought Z this crazy penguin toy while I was pregnant. I didn't break it earlier because: #1) I thought we'd have plenty of time for loud toys in the future and #2) I thought it would freak him out, but I got brave last weekend and assembled this bouncy, jolly musical penguin......and Zachary LOVES it.

He'll whack this silly little toy and laugh out loud. It seems to be his new BF.

And we're head first in the world of battery operated noise toys.

Check out the cute little rolls on his arms.
"I love you, Mr Penguin."

You Crazy Monkey,

This is your new favorite sleeping position. It cracks me up! You like to sleep on your left shoulder and chin!

The Cure for Diaper Rash....

Is being naked! You LOVE being naked! Even your big brother came over to check out where the giggles were coming from.

Your mommy and daddy used to party with our friends when we were younger...and now we spend weekend nights watching you roll around naked! It's quite the change, but we love it and love watching you laugh and roll around.

Dear Zachary,

Sweet, sweet Zachary. You're getting to be such a big boy!! You're FIVE months old now and you learn a new skill every day. You enjoy being on the floor, rolling, kicking, and getting on your belly to squirm. Looks like you're getting ready to crawl. Mom and dad will have to find new tricks to keep you occupied in the morning when we get ready for work!

These past two weeks have been super tough. Mommy and Daddy are exhausted! Two weeks ago, we noticed you just weren't yourself. You weren't smiling as much as you used to. You weren't playing as much as you used to. And the worst- you didn't like mommy holding you anymore. Even your teachers at daycare mentioned you just didn't seem like your happy self. I took you to the Doctors and they said you had a virus and we just needed to 'ride it out'. Too bad for all of us that it just got worse from there.

Last Wednesday, you and Mommy got the stomach flu. We spent the day together, but it wasn't our usual fun day. We were very sick and spent the day belly moaning in our PJ's. You seemed better on Thursday, so we took you to school.......that was short lived. Your teachers called me in the afternoon to tell me you weren't eating or sleeping and that I should come to get you. Poor little guy. It was a rough night, so daddy stayed home with you on Friday.

Your daddy worked so hard to make you comfortable. He set up a play station and spent the day making bottles, cleaning stinky diapers, rocking you, and even got you another Doctors appointment. Bad news was the doctor said there was nothing we could do.

That weekend, we noticed you were pulling on your ears, spiked a fever, and would cry when we put you in your crib. It looked like an ear infection was on the way. We took you in for a THIRD time in a week and you developed a double ear infection! Even daddy went to the doctors and he had an ear infection too! The two of you left with matching medication and orders to get lots of rest.

I tried to take a few photos of you for your five month birthday. As you can see, you just didn't feel good, but you were such a trooper, trying to give mommy just a few smiles. I'm hoping you feel much better for your big 6 month photos.

You're feeling much better today and I want you to know how much everyone loves you and cares about you. Your Grandma and Grandpa Sawyer called every day to check on you and your Grandma and Grandpa Tormoehlen came over to give you hugs and kisses. And the best part? You let me hold and rock you by Thursday night. I have to say I shed a tear of joy, knowing my little man was feeling better.

It seems like you're getting better every day. I even noticed some of your clothes were getting tighter- a sign you're growing. You even started to laugh out loud when daddy sneezes. You are VERY entertained by your dad!

Your dad and I love you more than all of the stars in the sky and all of the coffee in the world. You are the joy of our lives and we're so happy for each smile you give us.

We look forward to each day with you and are getting excited to celebrate six months very soon!

Much Love,
Your Mommy



Look at those tired and sick eyes! You didn't even want to look at the camera!
"I don't want any more photos Mom!"
Happy Tax season!

The End of the Swaddle

ohhhh. The Swaddle. This fine piece of fabric has helped Zachary feel like he was sleeping in a hug for the past few months. But now, my little man is just getting too big. He's managed to find his way out of these fluffy little straight jackets. We're on our way out, but check out the photos of the end of an era.....the end of the swaddle.
"I'm free!"

"Boo-ya! A Full Arm and a hand out!"