One Year.....

I know that I am really late with this, but we just got internet today--finally after going to three different companies! It's a long story and just one of the many stressful things we have encountered this last month, but God is Great and has and will get us through.

I cannot believe how fast this year has gone. I spent the other day looking back at pictures of Zech when he was first born, up until now and it is so amazing to see how much he has changed. Thank goodness we have cameras to record all of these changes, these memories, because I have forgotten so much. It was hard spending his first birthday away from family and friends, but we tried to make the best of it and do what our little monkey loves to do most and that is hang out at the beach. We also met up with John's cousin Wayne and his wife Victoria and their two little boys and that was really nice and made us feel not so lonely!!

So our little Zechariah at 1 year:

• Has moved across the world to a new country and continent—Australia.


• Stopped in Hawaii along the way.


• Is an extremely easy going, go with the flow kind of traveler. He has been so amazing on all of our many excursions—we are truly blessed.


• Loves, loves, loves the beach, the water and well anything to do with the water. He is such a water baby; he is going to be a real little fish.


• Had his first big swim in the ocean, tasted the water and everything.


• Buried his legs in the sand with mommy’s.


• Tasted the sand and put sand in his eyes, and therefore discovered that it doesn’t taste that good and it really hurts when it is in your eyes.


• Said a tearful goodbye to all his friends and family in Edmonton, Kelowna and Vancouver.


• Had his first taste of birthday cake (early) at the Halwa get together at Randy and Sue’s.


• Just discovered how to clap his hands and thinks it is so much fun!


• Points at everything.


• Babbles like you wouldn’t believe—oh can he tell stories.


• Likes to look at and get the attention of strangers---we call him Ambassador Gooch!


• Finally gives kisses—especially to his daddy. He probably gets too many from mommy, so couldn’t be bothered to reciprocate!


• Still loves his books !


• Loves animals and loves his stuffed puppy dog that Great Grandma Halwa gave him. He is trying to say puppy now and goes pa pa pa--it's so cute!


• Met his cousins Wayne, Victoria, William and Mason for the first time. He really liked playing with William, and Mason is just still too little.


• Weighs 24 lbs. 9 oz. and is about 31 inches long.


• Is wearing all 18 month old clothing now.


• Has 10 teeth now---he just had three molars and his bottom incisor push through at the same time---can you believe this kid!


• Still is not walking but continues to pull himself up onto walls, doors, kitchen cupboards, you name it (we still don't have our furniture so he really doesn't have anything to hang onto).


• Goes to bed at 8:30 pm and sleeps until 7:00-7:30 am. Plus he continues to have his morning and afternoon nap.


• Still loves to be outside.


• Is so stubbourn and strong willed--it's a little hard to deal with sometimes! The Baby Wise II book has been an enormous help!


• Loves his new Elmo Chair and Shrek Mobile!


• Understands and sometimes responds to commands such as "come here", "don't touch", "go find your Puppy", "come have your Milkies", " go find your Elmo Chair".


• Understands phrases like "I love you" (I also sign it to him all the time and am teaching him more sign language), "give me a kiss", "bed time", and "bath time".


• Says Mama and Dada all the time.


• Is an extremely fussy eater--don't ask me what happened to our garborator. It is such a task to feed him as he stopped eating baby food a while ago and only wants what we eat. However, he is so fussy. He does always eat a really big breakfast though.