Just Hanging Out at Grandma K's

One of Zach's favorite places to be is his Grandma K's. It's been home of lots of fun, hugs, kisses, singing, food, and mealk (couldn't forget his two favorite things). He's spent lots and lots of time here. From about nine weeks old until he was almost 6 months old... Zach spent every Monday-Friday just hanging out. While Mommy was at work, Grandma K stayed home and took care of our little man. There were lots of sleepy sweet moments, lots of little firsts, and the every day melt-down because his bottle of milk wasn't warmed and in his mouth as quickly as he would have wanted. Not that Grandma K was slow... but have you heard that commercial, "It's my money, and I want it now!?" Well, substitute money for milk, and you've got my baby boy!! (Have I covered his dramatics in this blog? he he)



For almost 14 years now... Karen (AKA Grandma K) has been family to me. We've been through a lot of ups and downs together. I've called her my adopted mom, my best friend, a pain-in-the-butt (ha ha)... I did say family, didn't I?

Although we've been through a lot, nothing prepared me for what happened on April 2, 2012. Karen found out she was sick. Not take an antibiotic, and we'll get well in a week. Sick, Sick. One of the strongest women that I know, who has taken too many hits and punches in her lifetime to count... just got knocked over again. So.. that "that'll never happen to me" thing actually happened. Three months later, I still remember how I felt. How I felt hugging her after she told me. What we talked about, the plans to get through it all... I don't think that's something I'll ever forget.

I'm not going to go through the details, but know Grandma is on the mend! She's a lot stronger woman than I think she even knows. Karen is a caregiver. For as long as I've known her she's taken care of everyone around her. She was always putting herself at the very back burner... heck, I'm not sure if some years she was even on the stove!

So, when Karen told us that she was not well enough to watch Zach during the week... I can only imagine how she felt. She doesn't say no to helping others. So many times through the years I've watched her sacrifice so much, just to avoid inconveniencing others. I know it was difficult decison, but a necessary change we had to make. Our number one priority was to get Grandma K better!

In the meantime, Mommy was working from home with Z part of the week. My dear friend Pasha also watched Zach during the week when she could. I think she definitely caught the McKeever Fever... because she has quite the obsession with our little man!! :) She actually has a hot date with him this evening!! Wohooo! ;) My friend Erin, who is mom to a now-6 month old herself, offered her time to watch Zach too. They were able to have a play date together, and boy are they cute!

Zach and (little) Reese (he he)! She's actually bigger than him, and two months younger!

He chews on things when he's nervous... he must have a crush!! :)

Zachary and his favorite red head (Pasha).

I'm not joking every red head he sees now, he just lights up. He sure loves her!

Zachary and his Buddy Nate (Pasha's Husband)

We did find a more permanent solution for our "Z-sitting"... but that's for another blog! I am just so thankful to Karen, for watching Zach for some very precious months of his life. And, for Pasha & Erin for giving up their free time to help our family. 

Through it all... it's all been a part of Zachary's life. A part that he probably won't remember. What I do want him to know is what an amazing woman his Grandma K is. How she has taken upon herself to care for so many others in her lifetime, including our little Zachary. How giving of yourself is so much more important than receiving. How friends can be part of your family. How love never fails. And... there are so many people who love you sweet little Zachary... 

Easter

It's mid July... and I'm finishing up Zach's Easter post. A lot of life has happened in the last few months. I'll get to that... But, first I have a few pictures of Zach on his first Easter. A few - because unfortunately, it's all we have!! He attended church in the morning... and he slept most of the afternoon!!

This was taken the night before Easter. Gifts from Mommy, Daddy, and Grandma & Grandpa O! I never got a shot of the whole kitten caboodle. You can be assured... more gifts were added the next day. S P O I L E D, if you ask me. Or, as Great Grandma Dee would call it... 'Loved' :)

This was also taken the day before Easter. I can't remember why, but I'm glad I have it. :)

This is ON Easter :) Great Grandma Dee and Zachary... home after church!

My dad took this photo of our little family after church... the only 'family' photo we have for Zach's 1st Easter. He was pretty squirmy at the time... ready to go home and take a snooze in his crib!! Have a mentioned I'm sad that we didn't have more pictures?? :)

Thank You Jesus

As Zachary's first Easter is almost here... It's been an amazing time to reflect on the blessing of our son, and more so - the gift of God's son.

Zachary is starting to become a little boy. He's very quickly growing out of being a baby. His personality is so obvious. He's a little ornery, he's kind, and (just a little) dramatic. :) He can also melt your heart with one toothless little grin.

Putting Zach down to sleep is a special time for me. He's getting to the point where when I rock him to sleep he starts to squirm after 10 minutes or so. Before, he could just fall asleep on my shoulder and snooze for as long as I let him. He's getting too big for that. He'll let me cuddle for a little bit, but after a few minutes he wrestles around, and he's ready for me to lay him down in his crib, kiss his head, I love you, and leave him be. I feel he's getting a little more independent each day.

Just tonight as I was rocking him to sleep... I laid him in his crib as I always do, and he woke just for a minute like he always does. Just long enough to look at me to make sure I kiss him, and tell him I love him. Then he quickly snuggled up to his blanket, and I sneak out of his room and quietly shut the door. About 10 minutes later... he cries. Which is pretty unusual. Little man usually goes to sleep between 7-8, and will sleep until 5-6 the next morning. I figured he needed a diaper change, or something... so I quickly went in - inspected the britches, and he was clear! So I sat back down in his chair with him. He just looked up at me and smiled, and chattered away. I know how this goes. If you act as though you're entertaining the conversation... he'll keep it up, and think it's time to get up and play. Then I thought - well, he might be overtired. He did play hard at Grandma & Grandpa O's this morning? If he's overtired, I'll lay him flat on my chest - which usually brings the fussy tired cries... and then about 5 minutes later he'll zonk out. I determined that must be what it was, so onto the chest he goes. No fight, no whimpers, no squirmy overtired little boy. Instead he wraps his arms around me, and snuggles in tight. This is the first time he's ever done this. He woke up, decided he wasn't ready to sleep without just a few more minutes of mommy time. I just patted his back, and rubbed his little head... and moments later he was sleeping. As his busy little day melts away with his eyes shutting tight, he melts every little ounce of my heart.

While my heart got a little warmer with every rock of the chair... I thought, this is what God wants for us. He wants us to enjoy every little moment. Just. Like. This. I could have thought, "Little Stinker!" when I heard Zach's cry over the monitor. I could have let him cry himself to sleep. But - I would have missed out on this. How many times do we think, "Oh No!", when it's actually a blessing in disguise?

As this Easter season has arrived - it really sinks in that Jesus died on the the cross - for us to have this. Our Life. He wanted us to have our lives, and to enjoy them. We may never get the exact cards in life that we want dealt to us. But, he does give us these moments. Where all is right in the world, and by just the smallest little blessings... you can feel God's love.

God blesses us each day. It may not be something we notice, nothing big and flashy... but he's blessing us with the little things. Zachary has reminded me to slow down, soak it up, and live life for today. None of us are promised tomorrow. We are promised that if we accept Him, and let Him love us... He will take care of us.  He is the giver of peace. Now that's reassuring. As I hold Zach every night... rock him to sleep, I know that my God has His arms wrapped around me too. And I know, He'll never let go.

Thank You Jesus for Zachary. He's exactly what you knew we needed. Thank you for your son. That he died for us, and someday we'll all be together. Amen, and goodnight.

Happy Easter to You & Yours!

Enjoying the Sun with our Son...

 So many pics... can never decide which ones to post... so I usually post most of them!

Something caught his attention...

Playing with Mommy...

This one cracks Gabe & I up over, and over again!

He's sure getting used to this outdoor stuff!!

Only Warner left to meet is Brielle!

Blake stopped by to meet Zachary! I think their smiles are identical!

Coach finally got to meet Baby 'Steven' ;)

I'm pretty sure they liked each other!!

Ok, Brielle - You're next!!

Playing with Daddy

Why is it everything I do, you have to be taking my picture?

Still there I see!

What can ya do?

Back to work...

I get up on my knees now during tummy time!

I scoot around too... but haven't quite put the knees/scooting thing together just yet!

My butt is up... sometimes the chubby legs are an optical illusion... :)

St. Patrick's Day (Officially)

Daddy had to work St. Patrick's day morning... so Zach & I went to Grandma & Grandpa O's to see if they were hiding any leprechauns at their house!

We didn't find any little green men. However, we did find a lot of apples... a few black cats, and a fun time. :)

Cereal & Mealk.... Mmmmmmmmmmm!

At Zach's 4 Month Dr Appt, Dr. Chopra told him that he could start eating cereal. Here's some photos of Zach's first experience with a spoon! He did pretty good... and is pretty much a pro now. :)

Zach's Play Date Partner, Tatum!

This is the second time that Zach and Tatum got together. I'm thinking next time Zach might just be on the move with Tatum... although he'll have to wait quite awhile to get as strong and as fast!!

The following is picture overload... I know I could do my own picture commentary... but really... do it in your head... I'm sure it'd be funnier anyway!!! Zach pretty much has his thoughts written all over his face.... ;)

(I'm sure Grandma O & Gt Uncle Mike could come up with a pretty funny story line! ;) )

And... Grandma Mc volunteered to take the oh-so-good job of snuggling our little man after his afternoon of hard work!!