Sitting on Top of the World...

Swimming Lesson - 10/27/08

Zeke's Six Month Pictures

A few weeks ago we took Zeke to a professional photographer for his six month pictures and we just got them back today...we are very pleased with how they came out...here are the 11 poses we chose...

We only have one copy of each print and a very low resolution CD of the 11 digital images (enough to make copies of wallet size pictures)...we also got a 24x24 collage of 9 pictures on canvas, a small brag book, 10x10 framed collage, two DVD's of the entire photo shoot (Thanks Mom - I'm sending your copy!!), and Katherine got a charm bracelet with six differents photos...If you are interested in purchasing individual pictures or a framed piece let me know...OR...XMas is only six months away...

Cliff Ammons took over 200 shots during the photo shoot...Below are the other 10 we chose...

If you live in Denver Metro, like what you see and want high quality child photos contact:

Cliff Ammons Photography -- (303) 343-7388 -- tell Margie we sent you...

{BTW - Andrew, What's better? Grey and Fat or Bald and Fat?}

Here's the 24x24 canvas we bought (sorry for the angle - I couldn't figure out the flash)...

Visit from Mom

Today is a big day for us...My Mom is coming in this afternoon for a week for a long overdue visit with Zeke...I can't wait for her to see how much he has changed since the last time she saw him...I think I'm also going to hit around some tennis balls with Mom (FYI - Mom plays all the time - multiple leagues. I have not lifted a tennis racket in over 6 years if my memory is correct). Should be interesting...

I will keep everyone updated with pictures over the next week...

Here is a picture of Mom with her baby Josh...

 

Playin' Ball

Happy Mother's Day!!

What a beautiful day for a walk on Pearl Street with my 2 favorite boys...Welcome to Boulder, Colorado...

Best Sound Ever

So, Katherine had to step out for a few hours tonight, which means it was my turn with the baby...here's a video followed by some pics...

Balance 123

Zeke - Months 3 to 5

Play Hard...Sleep Harder!!!

So just a little update about what we've been doing this week...DOG PARK!!! and lots of it. One of the biggest things that Josh and I were looking forward to when we moved back to Colorado, was being able to take Mutley and Sam to run around OFF LEASH at all the fun dog parks. For Mutley, we were excited to get him back to the "good life" he had been accustomed to. For Sam, we were excited for her to experience the "good life" she didn't even know about. It has been AWESOME!! We have been to the "DP" almost everyday for at least 2 hours at a time. These dogs are in heaven. They run, swim, chase, wrestle, sniff butts, follow scents, and just get to be dogs!! For Zeke, the "DP" is endless entertainment as well. He loves watching the dogs run around, splash in the water, and say "hello" to each other and him!! We have met tons of other dogs and their people, and are starting to know all the "regulars". It's like the stay-at-home mom culture people talk about, only in this case it's the stay-at-home dog park people. We all watch each others "kids" and talk about what they've been up to. We plan our activities around "DP" time. We make "playdates" with friends. I LOVE IT!!

So needless to say, all this playtime takes its toll on all 3 of our kids. Two hours of running around is enough to make anybody tired right? What we've noticed is that one by one Mutley, Sam, and Zeke start nodding off earlier and earlier and in the oddest places and positions. What do we about this? Take pictures of course!! So, here's to the "DP" and all the fun we're having. Our kids are truly enjoying themselves!!   

   

04-08-08

Father and Son

Crazy Hair, Rice Cereal, and Spoons!

Look what happens when they don't brush my hair after bathtime

I love my cereal and even try and feed myself

   

Just Another Happy Day in Colorado

Zeke's First Trip to Maryland

      We're here!! We're here!! Zeke, Doll Doll and I made it safely to Maryland for his first trip to see his family and friends in my hometown. It's only day three and we have already had an action packed adventure! To start with, our plane ride was very exciting. Zeke, happy as ever, decided that it would be a GREAT idea to have a blowout mid flight. Well, as we all know, airplane bathrooms are not very big and of course, as I am now very aware of, the idea of putting a changing table in them was obviously a last minute thought. Picture it...a folding table the size of a medium cutting board dangling by two plastic bolts, over a toilet seat with who knows what kinds of chemicals, and suction. Now picture this, a baby at least twice as long as this "changing table" with legs hanging just inches above the toilet wriggling and kicking. Now (oh yes there is more) picture this, just as we are getting into the heart of things...turbulence. Not a little turbulence, enough turbulence that the captain asks everybody to get to their seats as quickly as they can!  All I could think was "am I on candid camera?" as he and I are both rocking back and forth and bouncing up and down with the plane. Needless to say it was exciting. I feel like the newest member of a whole different "Mile High Club"!

Our adventure continued with a visit to my brother Joe's house. He lives in Montclair, Virginia about an hour and a half from Maryland. Zeke got to meet not only his two uncles Joe and Mike, but also their 2 dogs Mazy and Moonpie! He got his first look at an aquarium, which he loved, and tried his first piece of real food...bread. Mike had just made a fresh loaf and as I was getting ready to eat a piece, a small hand reached up and grabbed it from me and well...you'll see the result in pictures. We all had a great time catching up and playing with little man. I think he felt right at home with the dogs being there. He kept smiling at them whenever they would go by.

     Then it was off to my other brother Chris's house to meet him, Silvia, Marta and Lawrence. They live in Charlottesville, Virginia about three and half hours from Maryland. We got there Saturday evening just in time for dinner and some hanging out. Zeke, even despite his busy day, was very happy to meet everyone and was smiling up a storm at his cousins. He stayed up a little later than usual to keep his adoring fans happy but after a total of 7 hours traveling, we both needed a good nights sleep. Sunday the fun continued. Marta set up a carnival for all of us in her room. We danced, we sang, we played with a paper fish, we even won prizes. Zeke won a stuffed elephant whose trunk stretches out and plays music. He loved it!! Then the kids had some friends over in the afternoon. We met Sterling, Causey, Wyatt, and Kyle. Zeke loved watching them dance, and sing along with "High School Musical". He actually laughed for the first time! It was so cute! We got some new toys/tools from Uncle Chris and Aunt Silvia. Zeke now has a 2 different kinds of levelers to play with. He thinks they're great to chew on right now, but when he starts building things I know whatever they are will be even and straight!

     This morning we all got up and had breakfast together before the kids went off to school. They had these mini bananas that just looked too tempting to another small fry in the room and well (yet again)...you'll see the result in pictures. It was really funny. So now we're sitting here getting ready to get back on the road to go see "Pepe" (my dad) in Maryland. I can't wait to see what other adventures our week will hold for us. We've got lots of folks to visit with and new friends for Zeke to meet. Who knows what could happen!!               

10 Things I Learned About Zeke

Hello Fellow Faithful Blog Readers.  This is Katherine's sister, Patricia (or Zeke's Aunt or Josh's sister-in-law).  I just spent a wonderful two days with my amazing nephew and my dear brother-in-law has invited me to guest blog about my experience.  I have not seen Zeke since he was born (oh happy day) and can't believe how much he has already grown into a little person.  For others who have never met him or don't get to see him much, I thought I would share some things I discovered about him:

1. Amazing parents: This is the number one thing I saw all weekend.  Katherine and Josh are so relaxed and have so much fun.  They both love to play with, hold, and talk to "their boy" and Zeke just lights up whenever he sees either of them.

2.  Happy dude: Zeke is one of the happiest, most relaxed babies on the planet. He smiles at any person, animal, or toy he lays his eyes on - and he is getting very good at finding and focusing on things he likes.  He makes some little squawky noises when he is hungry, tired, or taken out of his beloved bath but he never really cries.

3. Loves his friend, "The Sun": There is a bright yellow smiley-faced sun that hangs from Zeke's car seat and he reaches for it and coos to it whenever he gets in the car.

4. Loves his dogs: Zeke is just learning to track things with his eyes and his favorite things to follow are his two dogs, Mutley and Sam.  Whenever they go by, he smiles and reaches out his hands, and if one of them is kind enough to stop and lick his hand... oh boy - huge grin.

5. Great smile: Zeke has this huge grin that starts with a lift of the right side of his mouth, twinkles through his bright blue eyes, and then just spreads across his whole face - it is like the sun coming up.

6. He can talk: He looks at you quite intently, then stretches his back and neck, and coos. It is like he is singing to you.  And then today... (please don't think I am crazy because Katherine is a witness)... he spoke to me.  It was after his bath, he was smiling and kicking on the bed, and I said, "How are you doing, clean boy?" And he looked right at me and said, "Good."  Just like that. Katherine looked at me and asked, "Did he just say good?" (Some of you non-believers might argue that it was "goo" but I know what I heard!)

7. Big flirt: He likes the ladies - anytime one holds him or looks at him - he tilts his head and breaks out that crooked grin - we're gonna' have to watch this one very closely! (Lock up your daughters - you have been warned.)

8. Sleeps all night: When Zeke starts his night time wriggling and squawking - usually about 6:30 pm after his last bottle - they just plop him in his swing... and he is OUT.  He sleeps from 7pm to  7am like clockwork - even has a cute wittle snore! 

9. Unbelieveably loud "gastric functions": He will probably be upset with me when he grows up for sharing this but... the first time he let one loose... whoa, nelly!  Katherine was holding him and I thought she did it (sorry, my sister) - how could something that loud come from someone that small?  Afterwards, he looked so satisfied and started cooing - it was hilarious! (The aroma?... not so funny.)

10. Best thing to hold in the whole wide world: Seriously, they should have some kind of relaxation therapy where you hold a sleeping baby.  Who wouldn't go to the "Warm snuggly baby" spa?  If everyone just held a warm, sweet smelling baby once a week, we would probably have world peace.  I think I'll start a petition...

 

So, I hope this has made you smile and taught you just a little bit about our fantastic little man.  I have to go now - Josh says there is a 4000 word limit.

Zeke in Colorado

My First Airplane Trip

We made it to Denver...Z-Man slept the entire way...Feels great to be here...Staying with Eric tonight

K9 and Baby

Another Visit from Doll-Doll

Now on Shutterfly

This blog is special for Family members who have been requesting a way to order pictures of Zeke...I have uploaded all the pictures I have in our shutterfly.com account...Here's the info...

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