Surviving the winter blahs...

Fortunately for us, our winter hasn't been spent w/ serious illness like so many others we know. Zachary is on his 2nd double ear infection since the new year. Other than that, it's just been the normal crud that comes along w/ the cold/warm/mild/COLD/mild/cold/COLD winter weather that we've had, as well as the exposed snotty noses of our daycare friends. We are definitely ready for the last 16" dumping of snow to melt (and stay melted)!

The kids are growing by leaps and bounds (especially Zachary) and we're really ready to dig out the sandbox, get out Emily's bike and spend some time outside!! As much as we tried to refrain from watching TV during Emily's first 2 years of life, she long ago caught on to the joys of "her movies" and watching Dora, Sesame Street and Pooh. (That's about all mom and dad can handle. Occasionally it's the Wiggles or Bear in the Big Blue House, but not very often.) It's funny to hear her talk about the TV... she doesn't know TV w/o satellite, remote control, dvd and turning her shows on in the blink of an eye... boy do I feel old! (And I feel even older for being old enough to say that!)

She constantly amazes us w/ her memory and her reasoning. I had no idea that a 3 year old could reason and comprehend the things she does... until one day while waiting at the Doctor's office she looked at me and said "What are you thinking?" WHAT? Are you my 3 year old baby girl or an adult?? For a split second I had a flash of telling her about my day, the people who call to complain on the phone, the piles of laundry I had sitting at home, or something equally grown-up like, but instead just shook my head. (Not quite ready for that.) It is amazing though, to watch her personality develop (and it's pretty darn scary at the same time!!!)

Anyway, when we're not watching her favorite "movies" her favorite things to do are play w/ play dough and dress up.

Daddy and Zachary even get into dress-up.... but wouldn't let me share any pictures.

Emily is a great big sister, and the day is getting closer when Zachary and Emily can actually play together without mom or dad needing to be right there. (Right now, all Emily's toys are Emily's, and all Zachary's toys are Emily's.... however, slowly but surely that is starting to change!) Although, we have experienced something awesome.... when Zach is crying (mainly because he's hungry, or we're out of direct sight) all I have to do is ask Emily to go check on him. She'll sit by him and "watch him" and he'll quiet right down. That is a great help!

Much like his sister, I don't think Zach will be a crawler. Emily started scooting (on her bottom) at 11 months old and at 9 months old Zach is a creeper... (on his belly; we read that cousin Sonja refers to it as a combat crawl... ya, that's what I'm talking about.) I suppose he could still graduate to crawling, but after surviving Emily's first year, I think crawling is highly overrated and have gotten used to (spoiled actually) being able to put the kids in one spot and after walking away, still being able to catch them before they get into too much trouble. I know I won't be able to do this much longer w/ Zach... he is much more "into things" than Emily ever was.

They also both share the same phobia w/ water. From when Emily was 11 months - 15 months, she would scream in the bath tub and Rick took to wearing his shooting range earmuffs. Up until a month or so ago, we were so lucky w/ Zach in the tub. He'd play, and kick and splash and be so happy. Not anymore.... it's right back to the same crying and "get me out of this thing" behavior. We haven't had to pull out the earmuffs yet, but I think we're close!

Zach's sleeping has also gotten slightly better. He's never been one to nap at daycare, and I'm tired of discussing w/ his teachers. There's just too much activity there, (by "too much" I mean if there's any noise, he's awake and wants to know what's going on) and we're lucky if he'll take two 1/2 hour naps. So, he's in bed around 6:30 pm, and I get him up in the morning at 6:30 am. I suppose that sounds great... except for the 2-3 times he still wakes in the middle of the night, usually just for his pacifier. (Which, I suppose is better than the 3-6 times he used to wake up in the middle of the night, which usually involved more fussy bouts of crying.) Somehow, we ended up w/ a child who was relatively not-happy, (I'll even say pretty darn right crabby), but slept through the night at 3 months, and a child who is so gosh-darn happy but doesn't sleep. I think we've got it covered.

Anyway, here's some current pics of ZKI. He got a "regulation" soccer ball from Aunt Tamara and loves to play ku-lu-lu... (are there any words to this other than ku-lu-lu?) (And I don't know what regulation this size soccer ball is for...)

And here's Zach in creeper position...

And here's the most handsome blue eyed baby boy in the whole world...

I think that catches ya'll up on life on Hospital Road. Hopefully now we'll be able to live up to the blogging expectations set by the rest of the family!