First ASU Football Game

I have gotten terrible about posting on here! I can't promise it will get any better because I am chasing an almost 10 month old around! But here are some pictures from Zach's first ASU football game. He LOVED it! However, he does not think it is very nice when people yell for the players. He burst into tears for about the first quarter every time someone yelled. But as the game went on, he figured out they weren't mad at him. He even yelled for the Red Wolves a few times towards the end! Zach's best buddy, Jack, sat a few rows in front of us too. The boys got to play together with their thunder sticks before the game started. They were really cute!

First Major Boo-Boo

Zach absolutely LOVES the splash park at Craighead Forest Park! Last week, he and his friend, Cora, went to the park to play. Zach (being a man and all) had to show off for his girl! So he walked (holding his mama's hand of course) through the spray rainbow, put his hands in all the spray things, and insisted on jumping in puddles! Just as I was saying "Don't jump anymore; Mama can't hold you as well because you're getting slippery..." he leaped out of my hands and landed face first into the concrete! This is what the aftermath looked like! He handled himself pretty well and got to watch an extra Baby Einstein out of the deal. I guess it will be the first of many boo-boos to come. :(

Like my shades?

Zach looking cool in his sunglasses!

My Big Boy

I almost cried tonight! I put my big boy in his crib tonight knowing he wasn't fully asleep, but I was starving for some dinner so I thought I'd give it a try. A few minutes later I heard some murmuring. I went to my video monitor to check on him and he had turned himself around in his bed and was now on his belly, head up looking around his dark room. He wasn't fussing so I thought I'd just leave him while I ate and deal with it later. A few minutes later I went back to check the monitor and he was sound asleep on his belly! No crying, no fussing, no rocking! I couldn't believe it. My big boy had put himself to sleep without me! Part of me wanted to jump up and down because this was a huge break-through! But the other part of me got kind of sad realizing that my little guy is growing up so fast.

He has been such a joy over the last month or two. In his first few months, I had often wondered what I got myself into. I also wondered if I was cut out to stay home with him. I was exhausted and he had my number. But these last few weeks have made up for it all!!! I ADORE this little boy. He is so spirited and full of life. His latest few crazy tricks have been putting his face under in the bathtub, doing backflips out of my lap (yes, I'm serious), and rolling all over the room. He thinks he is a big boy now and insists on standing all the time. I wish he wasn't so short because I know he would LOVE a walker. He wears me out almost every day but I honestly wouldn't have it any other way.

I am so thankful for this little boy. God constantly reminds me of his story every time I say his name. Zach: the Lord remembers. God remembered us in giving us Zach. He remembered His promise that He made us after we lost our first pregnancy. I always prayed that God would use Zach in amazing ways. And tonight I was reminded of a verse that God pointed us too when I was pregnant with Zach. Habakkuk 1:5 "Look at the nations and watch- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." Can't wait to see what God's going to do with him!

Happenings of the Zach-man

We took Zach in yesterday for some shots and found out he weighs 12 lbs 13 ozs! That means he gained a pound in 1 month. Not that that is a huge gain, but it is significant for us. Thank goodness for soy formula! Z has been really fun to be around lately. His body awareness and control has really improved which means he can now enjoy more toys, like his Baby Einstein jumper and Johnny-Jump Up. He is also rolling both ways now (when he feels like it) and really ENJOYING tummy time! He is babbling new sounds every day and Scott and I PROMISE that he is answering questions we ask him by saying "uh-UH!" I know it sounds silly, but it has happened appropriately too many times now to discount it!

Thanks to my friend, Katie, we tried out Kindermusik last week. Zach LOVED it! His class consists of about 6-8 other kids from ages 0-18 months. Zach is the youngest in his class but don't tell him that. He thinks that the other kids are so cool and thinks he is as old as they are. My little turkey has even been trying to lean out of my lap to crawl like the other kids! I keep having to remind him that he is going to face plant if he does it. He doesn't seem to care. We sang lots of nursery rhymes and danced and did motions with them. We even got to use egg shakers and bang on a bongo drum. Zach was right in there banging on the drum with the rest of the kids. I knew his daddy would be proud! We are going to finish out the term with the class and see how he does.

Here's a picture of Zach before church last week. We thought it would be funny to send him with a mohawk since his hair tends to naturally do that. We thought it complemented the rocker shirt. Too cute!

Reading

I just think this picture is too cute! This is a little book a friend gave us. It has various nursery rhymes on each page and if you hit a button, it reads them aloud. Zach LOVES it! I think it is so cute how he folds his arms and crosses his feet while looking at it.

4 Months

We've been through a lot in the last month! After a month's worth of doctor's visits, nurse's visits, and lots of heartache, we have finally learned that Zach has an intolerance for milk. So as of this weekend, we have started him on soy formula and things seem to be improving. Simple, I know, but it's been a LONG journey to reach this end. We are so relieved to know that this is something we can fix! And he seems to be adjusting well!

Despite all of the issues he has been through this past month, Zach is still growing and learning new things constantly! He keeps us laughing with his little coos and giggles as well as his desperate attempts to blow raspberries back at his daddy! He is rolling over about 3/4's of the way from back to belly and has flipped several times independently from belly to back. He is a wiggle worm who loves action and activity. The days are spent rotating between the swing, the bouncer, the floor, playing various games in each. He is a bundle of energy who hates to miss the party but who needs naps badly! He has also learned to use his hands so well in the last few weeks and is really enjoying toys in his hands. He has been a joy to us, but definitely keeps us on our toes!

Here's a picture after his first shots. He cried for just a second, but glared at us on the way out and on the way home. I think he thought we were the meanest parents ever! And so it begins....

3 Months

Zach turns 3 months tomorrow! Here are some pictures of the last month. It's been a very eventful month as you can see!

Lovin' my mobile

Hating my carseat (and being hot)

Playing with my friend Georgia

Watching TV

More TV (especially Baby Einstein and Wheel of Fortune)

My first ASU basketball game! (I fell asleep during the last 10 minutes...and that's when we lost. Guess they couldn't do it without their biggest fan!)

This gown used to be my Mama's. I think I kinda look like her.And my first Band-aid. I haven't been feeling well and have been screaming my head off to let everyone know. I didn' t know they'd take me to the doctor and prick my heel. But I did get my first band-aid out of the whole ordeal and I am really enjoying this baby Tylenol!

2 Month Update

Zach went in this week for his 2 month checkup. He weighed 10 lbs. 2 ozs. and was 21 3/4 inches long. Although still only in the 15th percentile on weight and height, he is growing perfectly! He has been so much fun lately as he has started trying to coo here and there when he is smiling at us. I think he even scares himself sometimes when he makes a noise! He definitely values his naps right now-one in the swing, one on his mama, and one in his crib. Don't mix them up or skip one. He will make sure you pay! Things have been relatively uneventful as of late. We are just enjoying our time with him. He's been so squirmy lately that my camera has trouble focusing on him! I will try to get a picture up sometime soon.

Walking with Zach

Zach in the jogging stroller

After a good long walk

Scott, Maggie, Zach, and I all went out for a walk this afternoon. Zach decided he didn't want a nap and it was 70 degrees so we strapped him in and went for a walk. He fell asleep not far past the driveway! I think he enjoyed it, but he did not like getting strapped in! I can't say I blame him. Maggie ran into the stroller only once...she's a smart dog. Thank you Paw Paw and Leah for the stroller. It was a lifesaver in more ways than one!

Zach's first trip

Zach and Nana
After a long trip home

We decided to travel for Christmas this year. Zach was 5 weeks old on Christmas Eve. First we went to Searcy to be with Scott's family for Christmas. Poor Zach got sick the day before we left for Searcy so his time with his Nanna and Papa wasn't as much fun as usual. He had a pretty bad belly ache. But Christmas Day was highlighted by some quiet time with Nanna while everyone else played outside with the new game, Cosmic Keepaway. We stayed with my Nana while we were there and enjoyed a wonderful day on Friday with her while waiting on Scott to come back from working in Jonesboro.

Next, we went to Malvern for Christmas with my family. Zach and I stayed until Tuesday and had fun with his "Leah", Paw Paw, Auntie May, and Uncle James. Days were highlighted with early mornings with Leah and naps on Paw Paw. But most of all, he was treated to the best swing in the world! Needless to say, we bought the same swing and had it delivered to our house in Jonesboro before we got back! It has been a lifesaver!

Zach finally started to feel better around Sunday and enjoyed a long nap on the ride home Tuesday. He did great traveling in the car! My only hope is that he doesn't get sick the day before our next excursion!

Also, Zach's newborn picture proofs are now ready online. If you want to see them, go to www.kendyschimmel.com. Click on Website, and then Proofing. Email me for the passcode. My email address is sarahasaunders@yahoo.com.

One month old!

Our little guy is one month old tomorrow! He went for his check-up today and weighed 8 lbs 1 oz was 20 3/4 inches long. He is in the 10-25th percentile in weight and height but started out small. He is catching up fast!

Here are some things Zach is doing at one month. He has slept 4-5 hours at night the past 3 nights! We put him down around 8-9 p.m. and he hums himself to sleep. It is so cute! He is smiling socially and enjoys being talked to. He discovered the fish and bubbles on his bouncer this week, along with the bears above his swing. He kicks his legs and waves his arms with delight to try to get them. He also discovered himself in a mirror yesterday. Today, he exchanged hums and coos with his mama! He panted so hard between coos when I would coo back!

He is currently wearing newborn and some 0-3 month clothes. His skin is still smooth and beautiful and his hair is getting curlier every day! He loves when his daddy comes home from work and he rolls his eyes back in his head trying to see him. His big "dog-sis", Maggie, has become quite fond of him due to spending the past few days indoors because of ice. She has been very helpful in settling Zach, i.e. bringing me burp cloths, bringing Zach her favorite toys, and showing me the way to the nursery to change him when he cries! I think they will be big buddies soon!

That's about it for now. Just didn't want to forget all the things he is doing as he grows up!

Zach's 2 week update

I guess I should preface this with the fact that I know every mom thinks her child is THE smartest, cutest, and best baby in the world! And I am no exception! So this is my chance to brag on my little boy and keep record of the neat things he is already doing...at only 2 weeks old! So here it goes!

Zachary-

We are amazed at how expressive you are! You have been smiling from the day you were born. You are especially happy after a good meal or a good poop! You must take after your parents! Your toothless grin warms your mom's heart. You also make the funniest little expressions with your eyebrows and little mouth. You were NOT happy after your circumcision and definitely let us know with that little pouty mouth and serious brow! You wear your emotions all over your face and we never are in doubt of how you feel! Something tells me you will be like your mom in this!

You are a WONDERFUL sleeper! We are already getting two 4 hour segments of sleep at night and couldn't ask for any more! You like to sing to yourself as you fall asleep. It's precious! You also really like to be sung to. Your mama LOVES to sing to you and we are still working on your daddy! You always enjoyed music in utero and it has remained true once you came into this world. Some of your favorites are: Midnight Cry, When I think about the Lord, I Love you Lord, and Lord you are more precious than silver, just to name a few!

And if we didn't already think you were the smartest and strongest little guy in the world, you decided to roll yourself over today! Yes, I know it is WAY to early for this, but we had you on your belly finishing your bath this morning and the next thing we knew, you were pushing yourself over from belly to back with those strong little arms! We caught you just as you were headed into the sink! You grinned and cooed and were mighty proud of yourself! I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You were wiggling and rolling all around in my belly up until the day you were born!

I guess that is it for now. You weighed 6 lbs. 9 ozs. at your 2 week checkup putting you a little ahead of schedule on weight gain. We know you are gonna be a big strong boy one day! We love you!

Our Little Turkey

We have so much to be thankful for this year. Our little Zach has been such a blessing. We are so thankful to our Lord for this gift. He is so perfect and came to us at the perfect time. God is sovereign and we look forward to seeing His plan for our little man.

Our baby boy

Here's Zach right after he was born. He was 6 lbs. 3 ozs. and 19 1/2 inches long. We are all doing great, but exhausted!!! :) We'll post more pictures sometime later but here's one for now. Thanks to everyone who has called, texted, emailed, etc. Our little boy is so loved! We will enjoy seeing each of you sometime in the near future, but for now we are enjoying getting used to being parents! Thanks also for all your prayers. He came out a "small, but mature" according to the doctor! He is already such a strong and healthy little boy! Praise the Lord!

It's almost time!

The time is almost here. We have one week left til we meet our little boy! My emotions are going crazy right now. I am excited, nervous, anxious, and skeptical all at the same time. This has been such a surreal experience and I don't know that I have completely accepted that it is going to happen. I think it won't hit me until I'm holding my son in my arms, and I wonder then if it will still be strange. I'm excited to see him and enjoy looking at him and holding him for hours! I'm nervous about being a parent. I'm anxious to see how Zach changes our family dynamic. I'm kind of fond of my Scotty and the time we spend together. Part of me is nervous as to how another person fits into our family! And what will Maggie think? I worry that she will feel left out and neglected. She's been an only child for 12 years now. That's a LONG time! :) It's going to be a(insert all emotions here) experience! Keep us in your prayers.

Waiting on Zach...

Here are pictures of Zach's nursery. Other than the curtains, it is pretty much finished. I was happy to get things sorted and put away this week. We also got the new air conditioner in so the room is finally cool! Now all we need is Zach! 6 more weeks... :)

The Story of Zach

I've been working on trying to get Zach's room finished lately. I hope to have pictures posted on here soon! The idea for one of the projects I have recently finished came from a good friend of mine, Beth. In both of her kids' rooms she has a frame that has their names with the meaning as well as a Bible verse that represents that name. Zach's name is really special to us and we wanted to do something like that to remember the story. I thought I would share the story on here as well!

After our miscarriage in October of last year, Scott and I both knew God was telling us that He was going to send us another child. He did this through several separate avenues; however, it was all finalized through some scripture. Psalms 105:42 says "For he remembered his holy promise given to his servant Abraham." Throughout our trial with our first pregnancy, God had revealed the story of Abraham and his son Isaac to us. He walked us through this journey and brought us to the point where we had to lay our child at the altar and give him up to the Lord. We later found out he had literally taken him to heaven on that day. His name was to be Isaac. In the week following the miscarriage, God led me to that Psalm and we knew he was telling us that he was to give us another child. We didn't know how, when, or in what context, but rested in the peace of knowing he had promised us this.

Several months later, Scott and I decided we "might" be ready to have another child but were very guarded. We wanted God to show us what He meant in his promise, and not us. I found out a week or two later, much to my surprise and disbelief, that we were pregnant already! Scott was on call at work at the time so I grabbed a card and scribbled something inside and slipped a piece of paper that had Psalm 105:42 on it. I headed to the hospital to give it to him, but he got off early and met me at home instead. When he read it, he knew! He kept saying "Are you serious?" We were amazed at what God was doing, because this was definitely not our timing, but His!

The next day, I sat at my computer on one of those baby names sites. I typed in things like "promise" and "God-given" and found very little. Then, I happened upon the name Zachary. The description said "The Lord has remembered". I stopped. That was to be our child's name if he was a boy. I just knew it and needed no further explanation!

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I need journeys to solidify things. God took me on that journey over the next few months. Scott and I toyed with girl names, even to the point where God said "You will name her this...quit running." When I FINALLY, legitimately agreed, we found out it was a boy! It was almost as if God said, "Listen to me. Trust me. Show me your faith. (But it's gonna be a boy!)" :)

So Zachary was named by God. His name represents a spiritual journey that God has taken us on over the past year. This little guy was promised to us, long before we ever knew. He wouldn't be here if we hadn't willingly given up Isaac last October. I know God has big plans for this little guy. I pray that Scott and I will be parents that help him to know God and how special He has already been in his little life. I also pray that we will also willingly give Zach to God like we did Isaac. I have a feeling it will be even harder than it was the first time.

31 weeks and counting

I am 31 weeks 5 days in this picture! This picture became much "squattier" when I rotated it so I really don't think I look THAT squatty! Zach is growing bigger everyday and I know getting off my feet was the best thing for him. He has continued to be so active and have such a little personality. I can't WAIT to meet him! Scott and I started our childbirth classes last night. This is something I think everyone should do at least once. I can't say that I really learned anything last night but we laughed a lot and the "relaxation and breathing" part at the end was wonderful! But even better, it was nice to have a date out with Scott. We are so thankful for life right now. It's been an amazing journey over the past year. I have spent this week reflecting over a lot of what we have gone through as a couple since this time last year. Although I wouldn't wish a miscarriage on anybody, I can say now that our marriage is so much stronger, so much deeper, and so much sweeter than ever before. God is so real in our lives and our marriage and for that I am blessed! I've learned this week about journeys that God takes you on. Although they can be painful, looking back is so sweet. And I honestly wouldn't change a thing. I feel I am blessed for having been on that journey. And what a sweet Thanksgiving we are about to have, with our little blessing from above!