Christmas 2010

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. I think the thing that made it so amazing, was the fact that Zachary could truly appreciate everything and understand the excitement of Santa and presents!! Although he still does not know the idea of Christmas and why Santa comes, he still enjoyed it to the fullest. We started our Christmas celebration on Thursday at Kenilworth Mall to see the train garden.

We (Jason and I) have seen the trains before, but not from a child's view, which made this year all the more fun! Zachary just stood there and was so excited as he watched all the trains rush by. There were also buttons you could press to make different things move, so of course we walked around the entire thing twice so he could press every button! I was shocked at how he could actually walk right up - with no trouble - usually it is VERY busy! It is probably the first time I 'let go' and watched as he walked up to the glass all by himself while I stood behind and watched. My little boy is growing up so fast!

On Christmas Eve we went to my parents house and also got to see Paka and Lois, which I love. Every year I require a generation photo of Paka, mom, Zachary and I!! As you can see - I didn't include the photo in this blog, Zachary didn't care to participate!! Dinner as always was amazing, and I watched my night of putting a train together with my husband slip away as my husband and my dad downed wine, quantro and port together! But, that is their thing - so I was prepared! Poor mom was so sick - not fun to be ill during the holidays!

We did manage to get in a family photo though - too bad I was having a bad hair day and a five head! But at least Zachary was smiling! 9:45pm rolled around, and Zachary was still wide awake - so I decided it was time to leave and get the little man home for bed to get ready for Santa.

Christmas morning was soooo much fun! Not exactly what I was expecting as a reaction from Zachary - but very cute!

Basically, he came down with Jason, ran full speed into the living room, and stopped dead in his tracks. He looked at everything and seemed very confused. He then proceeded to point everything out to up before he dove right in!

It didn't take long though until he was in his new car, smiling and driving. He also did exactly what I thought he would do - he drove his car to the train, and just sat in the car as he watched the train go round and round! A big thanks to Nana and Papa for his train table - otherwise I don't know where we would have put it!

As soon as he got up from his nap, he was on the floor watching his trains some more. I think the train was more exciting for Jason - as Zachary slept, Jason took all the extra tracks and built a huge train track over our entire downstairs - Zachary LOVED it!

I truly had no idea how much Zachary loved trains till this year. It seems like he sleeps and breathes them. He talks about his train all day, as he is going to bed, and the first thing out of his mouth when he wakes up!

Our family also helped in the train obsession with more trains and more tracks - so everyday, Zachary and I have built a separate track on the floor to play with.

What a great Christmas and I can not wait till next year. I really have no idea how Santa is going to 'up' himself next year - but I'm eager to see!!

The Big Birthday Bash!

It's amazing how much I let this childrens birthday party get to me! I was so worried that everything had to go perfect that I litterally was having dreams about it with the weeks leading up! All and all, it was a great time! We had a total of 12 kids there - 10 that were old enough to participate in all the activities. Zachary was a complete and utter little ham - he must have known it was all about him. The family was the first to arrive, and Zachary went right over to the trampoline and started jumping, screaming and laughing - anything to get everyones attention!

Throughout the party, Zachary had 'Happy Birthday' sung to him approximatly 5 times! The teacher was great too. The kids were all very involved. They sang songs, marched in a parade, made a choo choo train, climbed the candle and made a pretend birthday cake!

However, I think the highlight for all of the children during the activity time was bubbles and the parachute. Screaming, laughing, running - all went crazy!

But it all comes down to the cake right? About 4 or 5 months ago, I decided that I wanted to do an airplane theme for his birthday, and Jason was determined to be the one to make it. So I found him a pattern to follow, and three hours before the party was to begin, Jason began to assemble the cake - I would be lying if I said I wasnt nervous!

All in all I think everything was a success, it was a great party, and Zachary and all the kids seemed to have a good time. Now, time to relax till I begin to early plan birthday party number 3!!

My little boy is 2!

I can't believe it has been two years since Zachary blessed my life. Yesterday was his birthday, and we had all kinds of stuff planned - along with letting him get pretty much anything he wanted!! First thing was Santa. He screamed with excitement in the line, smiled large when it was his turn next, and walked right up to him. I was so excited - a good picture perhaps? NOPE! The second he sat in Santa's lap, he started begging for mommy and daddy, with both hands out! Of course we bought the picture though, really kinda had to - memories!
After that we came home, relaxed, napped and then off to pick out his fish tank for his room! We came home with two fish which he loves so much! All he wants to do is look at them and feed them. If he is not in his room looking at them, he is downstairs asking to go look at them! We definitely got him a great birthday gift!
That night, we went to Steve and Sara's for dinner and cake. I made Zachary a cake with fish candies all over it. He LOVED it - not the cake part though! He loved the candies and the icing only! He would simply stick his finger in the icing and eat it. Sugar Rush!!
Next week is his birthday party, and I cant wait. Lots of little kids, running around, and celebrating my amazing baby boy!

No Mommy!

Yes, those are the words that I hear on an HOURLY basis. Terrible twos, here we come. Sometimes I just want to pull out my hair. Here is a typical conversation:

Me: Zachary, you want to go take a bath?

Zachary: NO!

Me: Then what do you want to do?

Zachary: I want to take a bath

So I'm confused, does no mean yes? But, all in all, life is better than we could have imagined. Tomorrow he is 2 years old! I can not believe how fast the time has flown by. We have decided to buy him a fish tank for his room with 2 goldfish. He seems to be very excited about having fish in his room. He does a very good job with his Betta fish in the family room. Always telling us that he wants to feed him, every morning. Its amazing how responsible a 2 year old can actually be.

I plan on taking lots of pictures, but they will come at another time. No computer to upload them to at this time - but soon. As for now, here are two professional photos we had taken - ENJOY!

OMG by Usher - performed by Zachary

There are not many songs I can listen to on the radio without Zachary asking to watch his 'Elmo' video. However, when this song comes on - everything stops! Every day, Zachary asks to listen to the song. So much that I had to download it so we could listen to it anytime he wanted!! So here you go - OMG by Usher, but performed to perfection by Zachary D. Dengler!

Its getting tough. . . .

I have posted something about this before, but to be honest, it is still bothering me and in fact, getting a little worse. It all started up again about 3 days ago when Jason and I tried to put Zachary to bed. The usual screaming and hollering, but this time, it was louder, longer, and all for daddy. Then the following day, Jason kissed Zachary goodbye, and left for work - absolute HYSTERICS! Screaming and hitting the window - everything. However, when I tried to go over and comfort him, he pushed me away, screamed more, and huddled in the corner. This lasted for about 20/25 min. But I think everything came to a peak last night. Again, bedtime has been pretty bad lately, but last night, we took him up at 8:00 - his normal bedtime. He continued to sit up and cry and cry and cry. Then screaming, then hyperventilating. He began to hold his breath and scream some more. I couldn't take it anymore - 30min, and he was not slowing down, in fact, it was getting progressively worse. So, I went upstairs, picked him up, rocked him, and asked him what he wanted. 'I want daddy' he repeated over and over. So, with all the lights off, I took him downstairs, laid him on Jason and that was that. Around 9:00, I walked over to him, asked if I could take him to bed, he shook his head yes, climbed off Jason and rested his head on my shoulder as we walked up the stairs. He laid down, cried for about 2 min. max, and was out like a light.
Now my question is this - what does Jason have that I don't? I know, I know, all children go through a phase with their parents, but believe it or not, even if you know that, it still hurts a little :( The funny part is, when Jason is home, he acts up, whines, cries and everything. But if he wakes up in the morning and daddy isn't there, and it is just he and I - he is a perfect little angel. He will practically put himself to bed when it is just us. Explain? I really cant handle these nighttime tantrums anymore. Cry it out they say - well I think 'they' never had children! Its hard, especially when they begin to hold their breath and hyperventilate! Maybe he is not tired, fine. But I think putting him down any later is way to late for a toddler - 8:00 is a good time. To be honest, when he misses his nap, he still acts like this, so it can't be that he is getting too much sleep. I just don't know where to turn anymore. We are due for his 2 year appointment with the doctor in a couple weeks, should I wait till then or call and have a consultation. Its bad, its real bad.

Trick or Treat!!

WOW! I have never been so proud of my little man. He really did put up with a lot this week and Halloween, and Mommy's excitement! The week started on Thursday at Gymboree class. They all dressed up and played in their costume. About halfway through class, Zachary's hat came off. As you can see by the picture, so did best friend Colts hat - Spider Man showed his identity!!
On Friday, I was able to convince Zachary's friend Colts mom to join us at the Baltimore Zoo for the ZooBoo. Kinda a funny story. We decided to walk to the main part of the zoo instead of taking the tram. We walked the entire zoo and saw NO activities for the kids. Finally, I had to ask someone. Turned out, all the activities were next to the tram stop - no wonder we missed it!! So, as we left the main zoo, we took the kids into the ZooBoo. Zachary was a little hesitant about walking up and saying trick or treat for the first time - however, when the first person put 6 lolly pops into his bucket - his mouth was huge, and he began to walk up to anyone (whether they were giving out candy or not) and said trick or treat!

They had all kinds of activities for the kids. Games, a hay maze, face painting, moon bounces, pumpkin picking, and of course, trick or treating. After all that fun - we sat down for lunch, the boys wanted to sit next to each other - too cute!Tonight - trick or treating. I was so proud of Zachary! He walked up to all the doors by himself, said trick or treat, thank you, and good-bye! They only thing that distracted him - dogs! He had to pet and kiss everyone that came to the door!I was amazed at how much candy he got (and a balloon animal) for just hitting 10 or so houses! Good thing he cant eat some of it - made sure we picked out our favorite too - hehe. After we finished trick or treating, we hung out, out front, with our other neighbors handing out candy. Zachary ran around, had some sugar and enjoyed saying hi to all of the kids. I truly was amazed at how well he took to this holiday. He understood exactly what to do and how to do it. Poor thing though, when I went to put his costume on tonight, he ran into the kitchen yelling no! Think he was sick of it??