Big News!

Zack is going to be a big brother!  I'm 12 weeks along and due July 14th.  We are all thrilled.  I got Zack a baby doll for Christmas and he pretty much has ignored her.  I'm not expecting too much more with the real thing (LOL).  

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Zack and Grandma Jude with her new bag set from the kids.

Jacob, Emma, Jack, Abby, Zack, Audrey and Grandma Nene

Zack opening his kite.  We plan to fly it at Lake Michigan this Summer.

Zack and Grandpa Scott - reading The Night Before Christmas.

Zack, Mommy and Santa - Maybe I'll like this big scary man next year?

Wow, this Christmas really went by quickly!  We had a wonderful time in Iowa.  The weather was crazy (always).  What a magical time of year for a two year old and his parents.  We really had a great time watching Zack discover all the treasures of the holiday season.  He wasn't real thrilled with Santa.  He literally tried to crawl over me to get away from him.  He did enjoy talking about Santa and reading about him.  He just wanted nothing to do with visiting him.  In fact on Christmas morning when I went to get him out of bed, I told him Santa had come.  He no longer wanted out of bed and only would come with me after I assured him that Santa wasn't still here.  I found this quite funny!  We wish you all a very Happy New Year!

This white stuff is awesome!

Zack enjoyed our first real snow of the year.  He and his buddy Connor had a great morning in the park.   Every time we walk outside Zack says "it's snowing."  I remind him that it snowed.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a white Christmas.

Lil' Mr. Terror

As you can see, Zack continues to be very active. Aunt Ally bought him this very appropriate t-shirt. He certainly is Lil' Mr. Terror! We are not model parents by any means. We find it pretty amusing when he decides to launch from the coffee table to the couch (picture above). Hum, I wonder why he thinks it is okay to climb on other people's tables?
In other news, Zack got a haircut this morning. He sat in the car chair and watched a video while the lady cut his hair. I also bribed him with two lolly pops. Wow, another example of our model parenting! We're on a roll. Zack continues to do really well at potty training. Stop reading if you want to be spared the details..... he now has gone poop in the potty twice. Very big news for this family. He does really well with going potty, but is a little resistant to going poop . I've just been timing him and putting him on the potty every hour. He has been wearing underpants and pull-ups during the day. Keep your fingers crossed.

Trick-or-treat

Luke the Punk Rocker, Connor the Disco Dancer and Zack the Pirate

Happy Halloween! We had a wonderful night of trick-or-treating. Zack ate the candy before it even made it to his pumpkin. His sugar high kept him up about an hour past his bedtime. At one point in the evening he was literally spinning in circles. We enjoyed Halloween night with our neighbors - Brandy, Coby, Connor, Trish, Jeff and Luke. We took the boys out for a couple hours and then we all ate appetizers and chili. The boys had a ball playing together in costume.
Now I'm just hoping to find a good hiding spot for the candy.

Arrr.....Matey!

Mommy, Zack the Pirate, Anna the Bumble Bee and Karen

Zack looking tough

Mommy, Pirate and Daddy

Last night we went to a Halloween party with our friends Dan, Karen and Anna. Zack decorated a pumpkin and danced the hokey pokey with his dad. We have a busy week of Halloween activities planned. I just hope his costume will last the week. He isn't real gentle.

Little Piccaso

Ms. Cheryl and Zack

Zack stamping

Zack painting with a marble

Zack using an excessive amount of paint

Zack is in a painting class through the Chicago Park District on Fridays. He seems to really enjoy this class for about 30 minutes (the class is an hour). He has a pretty short attention span and for those of you who are around him, you know he likes to get into whatever he shouldn't be in. His favorite part about art class seems to be the birds in the cage and washing paint off of his hands. He really enjoyed making the Halloween mask above, but was very upset when he went to pull it off and it snapped back at his face.

Playgroup

Drew, Andrew, Audrey, Zack, Ava

Today we hosted Zack's playgroup. They all enjoy stealing toys from each other, but overall they play very well together. We started the group when the kids were about 2 months. We have anywhere from 5-10 kids on any given Tuesday. It is pretty crazy to see how big they are getting.

Harvest Days at the Zoo

Zack and I went to Harvest Days at the Farm in the Zoo on Saturday.  They had a pumpkin patch and craft area to decorate the pumpkins.  Zack's first instinct was to throw the pumpkin after he picked it up.  I guess they do look like balls?!?  We had a great time.  Zack got to look at the piglets, cows, goats and bunnies.  We haven't settled on a Halloween costume for Zack, but stay tuned.  

Go Cubs Goooooo!

This morning we walked up to Wrigley Field to capture a little bit of the baseball playoff magic. Zack loves watching the Cubs! We are really hoping, like all Cubs fans, that this is OUR year. Matt has tickets with Connor's (pictured above) dad for the game on Thursday night. Zack and I will be watching the game in the warmth of our living room. It is pretty cool and windy here in Chicago today. I hope the wind calms down before the game tonight. Go Cubs gooooooo!

Trip to the Zoo

Polar Bears up close.

Zack really liked watching the Polar Bears swim.

Riding high after an up close view of some branches (Daddy forgot to check for clearance before hoisting Zack on his shoulders - LOL).

Zack attempts to join the Flamingo exhibit by scaling the fence.

This morning we rode our bikes to the Lincoln Park Zoo. We are very lucky to have a free zoo within walking/riding distance. Zack loves to run from animal house to animal house. He likes to be on the move - constantly! Because of his quick pace, we can buzz through the zoo in about an hour.

Boys, Boys, Boys!

Zack just returned home on Monday after spending a week between Grandma Jeanene's house and Grandma Jude and Grandpa Scott's house.  Matt and I had a wedding in California so Zack got to have some special Grandma and Grandpa time.  He had a great time and tired everyone out I'm sure.  The above picture is of Zack and his cousin Jacob.  Jacob was teaching Zack how awesome it is to just drink straight out of the faucet.  Who needs a glass?   Not these boys!

I forgot the socks, but remembered the camera!

Getting ready with Daddy in the locker room before hockey practice.

Not real crazy about the ice yet.

Zack loved it when Daddy took him for a fast ride around the rink.

Standing on my own after just one class!

Ahhh, this is the life!

No socks for my kid, but I had the camera (LOL). I guess you know 

what my priorities are. Zack had to skate his first practice without 

socks and he survived. Daddy met us at the rink during his lunch. I 

was glad to have Matt's help. Zack did great. He was very wobbly at first, but by the end of class he had become a lot more steady. The 

coach has the kids skate behind these bars that look like mini 

walkers. The kids lean on the bar for balance and take small steps. Zack really focused on his skating when he found out there were 

suckers in the bucket at the other end of the ice. He was very 

determined to get that sucker and boy did he enjoy it. He did 

awesome and we are really proud of him.

Wet Morning!

Zack and I went to the Chicago Children's Museum yesterday morning. I decided to ride my bike because it was such a beautiful morning. It was sunny enough that I put sunscreen on Zack before heading out. Our ride to Navy Pier (site of the Children's Museum) was great. We stayed and played at the museum for a couple hours and in that two hours the weather changed dramatically. It was pouring down rain and the temperature had dropped about 10 degrees. It was pure gray out and it didn't look like there would be any break in the rain. I decided we would have to suffer home in the cold rain. Zack was such a tropper. He didn't mind the rain at all, in fact he really enjoyed it. I kept getting sympathy looks from people walking and driving. But anyway, the museum was great. Zack loves playing in the water works room. They hand out little rain coats (red coat on Zack) so the kids don't get wet (ironic right?). He also enjoyed driving the CTA bus and listening to "The Wheels on the Bus." It was a fun, busy, wet morning!

Go Hawks!

Football season already? I can't believe it is already here. Zack cheered on the Hawkeyes the first half. He really likes it when Iowa has the ball, but loses interest when they are on defense. Matt is a little worried since he is grooming Zack to play safety like Bob Sanders (LOL). I was in charge of half time food and it was delicious. I cooked Chicago dogs and sweet corn (yum, yum). Happy Labor Day!