Busy, busy, busy

I know it has been a while since we posted. We have been so busy this last week and a half. Especially this week! John has been busy with school and it is starting to wind down now and finals are quickly approaching. Please keep him in your prayers!

Zech and I have been busy. We went to Strollercize on Monday and had the hardest workout ever! It was great though!! We started our New Mom's Classes on Tuesday and Zech is by far the oldest one in the group. So while most of the babies are newborns and sleep most of the time, Zech is up and rearing to go and is talking and giggling away. After that we went and visited Dee Anna and Kade. Dee Anna is looking great for being a week away from having her second little one. We had a good visit. Wednesday we didn't go to Strollercize as we had a whole bunch of errands to run and we had to get our passport pictures done. It was a weird day of running around and it was one of those days where everytime we tried to do something it ended up being more of a hassle than we thought and well we ended doing double the running around. Today we went and did our passports. We waited 2 1/2 hours--not too bad, but Zech missed both his morning nap and his afternoon nap, so got a little fussy! It's done though and I am so thankful!

We are supposed to go and stay with my Mom for a couple of days here, but my Grandma (her mom) isn't doing so well and she really wants to spend more time with her. PLease keep my Grandma B in your thoughts and prayers. She has Pancreatic cancer and has had it for 3 years or more now. She has completely survived the odds, as pancreatic cancer patients aren't given much time. She has been getting worse and we just really pray that she will get better and that the Lord will watch over her.

This is one of my favourite pictures of her and Zech at Christmas time. I think that it is time to get another one!

TWO YEARS

It is hard to believe that we just celebrated our 2 Year Anniversary on Monday. Wow, where does the time go!!Somedays it feels like we were just married and yet others, I feel like I have been with my best friend for years. We are truly blessed to have one another and to have God as our foundation. This was the scripture we used for our wedding and it is still a verse that we both reflect on and revere.

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down,his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered,two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12

Now we are a family of three and have to get used to all of the joys, blessings and challenges that lie ahead. So this is how we spent our Anniversary--the three of us went for supper at a new Thai/Malaysian restaurant and then went to the Cheesecake Cafe for dessert and then headed home nice and early--in time to get Zech down for the night! Wow how things change! :o)

INTRODUCING SOLIDS

Zech was at the Doctor on Thursday for a routine check-up. He weighs 18 lbs now! We got the green light to start feeding Zech solids. He was definitely ready. It was like he knew exactly what to do the first time I fed him his cereal. He ate it all! I really hope this helps him sleep through the night!

Feet

As I had mentioned in the last post, Zech has discovered how to 'eat' his feet. Everytime we change his diaper, lie him down, his legs immediately go up and he starts sucking on his feet. Here is the proof! :o)

A Few Firsts.....

We have had a few "firsts" over the past few days:

• On Friday night we surprised Grandma H at school and spent the evening with her. As Grandma was holding Zech, he discovered how to eat his feet. He has been grabbing them for a while and has tried to get them into his mouth, but this was the first time he had succeeded. It was pretty funny! Of course I forgot the camera! :o(
• On Saturday night, we left Zech for the first time (well sort of--we left him before when he was a lot younger and pretty much slept the entire time, but never since he has been older and a little more interactive). His Auntie Michelle and Uncle Jason and his cousins took care of him for a few hours while John and I went to a Stag/Stagette. Yes I was a little worried, because he has been fussy lately. He must have done really well as they offered to do it again! :o)
• On Sunday we went to church and we made it through the whole service without having to leave. No he did not sleep, he was wide awake, but he was content and he drank his bottle and we heard the whole sermon---Yeah!
• On Tuesday Zech had his first play date. We got together with Pauline and her little boy Matthew (who is exactly a month older). They don't really do anything--I think it is more entertaining for the moms! Zech did get to try out some new toys though. He especially loved the Jolly Jumper. Pauline took pictures, so I will post them when I get them from her.
• Today (Wednesday) we went to our first Strollercize class. It was great! I haven't ran so much since before I was pregnant. What a great workout (I can hardly walk now)! Zech was great too. He slept and then he woke up and just stared at the lights. I went with my friend Megan and her little boy David. Both of our boys did really well! Can't wait for next weeks classes!

My Boys!

I love watching John and Zechariah interact with one another. John is such an amazing father! You can just see the love, excitement and amazement they have for one another.

These pictures were taken last night. Zech has been a difficult boy lately---not napping, not sleeping at night and being really fussy. John took a break from studying (to give me a break) to settle Zech down and I got some really good pictures out of it. Zech has discovered faces lately.....he likes to suck on cheeks, chins (especially ones with whiskers) and grab your nose. It is kind of funny, but sometimes he really hurts you.

10 Things we are Grateful for...

I have found that this month is a really reflective month for us and even some of our family members. A year ago at this time we were in the hospital fearing that we would lose our precious little one due to a miscarriage. A year ago at this time we were also given the news that my Dad had cancer. It is amazing how things can change so quickly and I find that in the midst of all the sadness, pain and sorrow we may feel during these times, we still have so much to be grateful for.

Vanessa

1. A wonderful, loving, caring and extremely helpful husband.
2. My beautiful baby boy who lights up my life.
3. The time and memories that I did have with my Dad.
4. My Mom and the wonderful, strong, loving and caring person that she is.
5. Wonderful In-laws.
6. Maternity Leave.
7. The freedom to talk to God whenever I please.
8. Caramel Smartie Apples.
9. My wonderful family and friends.
10. Good health.

John

1. My beautiful, patient wife (whom I think got ripped off by marrying me).
2. My heir to the Gooch throne Zechariah (Nummies boy, we couldn't live without)
3. What sane relatives I have left (yes, you too in'laws).
4. A-U-S-T-R-A-L-I-A
5. Beach parks (water, blue sky and green grass)
6. Buffets (especially with Taco bars)
7. Video games (I know, I know!)
8. Music
9. Good health
10. My salvation

Zechariah

1. Nummies
2. More Nummies
3. Diaper Changes
4. Mommy, Daddy, Grandmas and Grandpas, Great Aunts and Uncles, Aunts and Uncles, Cousins
5. My Exersaucer
6. Nummies
7. My Disco Light
8. Even More Nummies
9. My Baby Bjourn
10. Being able to breakdance naked

First Swim

It was an exciting day for Zechariah and even more so for Mommy and Daddy. We took Zech for his first swim at the West Edmonton Mall Waterpark. If we go between 12:00 pm & 3:00 pm it is toddler time and we get in at a discounted rate. We bought an inflatable crab chair for Zechariah and we went swimming!





Zech absolutely loved it. He kicked his legs so hard he actually started getting away on us. We had a great time and hopefully he will sleep well tonight!! I am so happy that he loves the water as I was always so afraid of it. He will take after his Daddy and be a fish in the water I am sure.





It was also the first time we got to use the 'Family Change Rooms'----wow we are a real family now. Sometimes it is still so hard to believe that we have this little, precious bundle of joy.

Photo Shoot

My friend Heather has a blog and she is always positng these amazing photos of her darling Daughter Helayna (who is three weeks younger than Zech). Not to mention her scrapbook pages and all of her other photos of just anything and everything. I wanted tips though on how to get some good photos of Zech and a couple days ago she posted her techniques and tips on her blog. Today I finally got a chance to try some out. I used all natural light, but I need to position it better so I don't get the shading that I got. I used an old sheet--yup it's wrinkled, but I kinda liked the effect. I tried different angles and got down on the floor in different positions. It didn't last too long as Zech got angry and decided he had enough. However, I did manage to get a few really cute shots. Thanks Heather for sharing and I have so much to learn and a new camera to buy! :o) Here are a few shots from our Photo Shoot:


This was the first shot---not so great but I did get better...

Aunty Mari and Uncle Tony sent this turtle and I love it and thought it made a great prop..........

This is my absolute favourite out of all of the pictures I took, couldn't really get him to smile, but I think it is so cute!

Zech decided he needed a break and pulled down the sheet and wanted his soother.

l love his little feet...

A new Journey

I have decided to do a blog, as my friend Heather has one and I really like it and I really feel that it is such a great way to keep in touch, share with family and friends and of course post pictures of us and our little one.

I was reflecting on what I wanted to call my blog and have decided to call it "The Journey Ahead....". It has been a year, well almost two years of great change, sorrows, happiness and reflection. I think these have been the most emotional years of my life and there are so many days I wonder why God has allowed certain things to happen and yet praised God for allowing other things to happen. I know that it is so easy to sit and feel sorry for oneself and believe me I have done it many times, but I also know that God has great things in store for us, so I really want to spend these next few years focussing on the Journey ahead that God has planned for us.

So with this blog I am hoping that we can share all the ups and downs in our Journey ahead together.

V

Zechariah at 5 months:

It is so hard to believe that our little monkey is now 5 months old! Wow time flies! Zechairiah at 5 months:

• smiles all the time, he even knows how to flirt with the girls


• has two teeth


• loves his exersaucer, especially the multi-coloured hearts


• hates being on his tummy, but we are practicing more and more each day---he really needs to learn how to use his arms as right now he sticks his butt in the air and uses his feet/legs to launch him forward--it's hilarious


• responds to his nickname "nummies"


• Loves his daddy and spending time with his daddy--he thinks that his Daddy's whiskers are really fascinating!


• Continues to love being in his baby bjourn (thanks Dee Anna for introducing us to it) and he loves it when Daddy plays video games while holding him in the Bjourn.


• is now starting to nap more during the day--thankgoodness for Mommy!


• is wearing 9 month and 12 months clothes---although he needs them for the length, not the width


• Giggles all the time especially when you tickle him under the arms, his neck and his back (Mommy and Daddy think that his giggle is the sweetest sound in the whole wide world)


• Is interested in books, and Mommy really has to watch what books she chooses to read him as he almost ripped the pages out of a couple books already.


• Loves to look at himself in the mirror


• Loves to have a bath or a shower--is fascinated by water and doesn't mind getting his face wet


• Enjoys standing and seeing everything


• Wants to be where the action is all of the time


• Continues to love his Disco light


• Loves music, especially the classical stuff


• Loves when Mommy tries to sing to him (believe it or not) and his favourite song is "If your Happy and you know it......"


• Just got over his first cold and he was miserable and so were Mommy and Daddy