Wasn't it just Memorial Day? Now the Fourth of July has come and went, and back to school season is in full swing. Here's just a few things we've been up to this summer...
One of Gabe's clients gave us box tickets to the Wingnuts game. The weather was absolutely beautiful that June night! The Dickson family joined us, and Zachary had a blast running around the suite with Zoey & Tiberius. I set the TV in our suite to the Disney Channel, so they decided to have an impromptu dance party. (Hence, blurry photo!)
We stayed way past Zachary's bedtime, but it was so worth it. He had a blast. It was the epitome of the perfect summer evening.
This is the first Fourth of July I've had to think about the boom of the fireworks. This was the year that Zachary wasn't so sure of all the loud noises! "What was that!?" was asked about two hundred times (give or take) for the next couple of weeks. To make matters worse, the night the fireworks began, we also had a thunderstorm come through. Poor guy just got settled in bed, and then was right back up when thunder was shaking the house.
All of it turned out to be a good lesson on choosing to be brave. One night we had my folks over for a pre-fourth celebration, and he refused to come outside. After a little pep-talk, and a few tears later, he was outside playing ladder golf with Grandma, Mommy, Jason, & Alex!
Zachary was a little apprehensive about his first Fourth of July parade too - asking if there would be fireworks there. He warmed up to the idea after awhile, especially when he saw candy being thrown out to the crowd.
Jason was stuck at work during the parade, so Alex joined us! Zachary loves him some Aunt Alex, and he cuddled up pretty quick!
The Dicksons made it out too - Zoey, Z, and Tiberius looked so cute waving their flags!!
Nannie & Papa were able to be in town - our first 4th celebrating with them. They made it down the night before, so they were able to go to the parade with us that morning as well!
Zachary getting some love from Alex :)
Zachary had to be held a lot of the parade since he wasn't so sure. I did end up getting a smile out of him when he was in Daddy's arms!
I can't remember a more beautiful Fourth... the weather was just perfect! We spent literally the entire day outside. We shot off some small fireworks (worms, poppers, and some parachuters), played ladder golf, made homemade ice cream (YUM), grilled, and even made another trip to the firework stand.
Zachary would still get upset from time to time, but by the end of the night he was laughing hysterically at Gabe being chased by bees (the fireworks, not the insect). "That's funny!" In the end, poppers were still his firework-of-choice, although I bet the sparklers were a closed second.
Zachary's babysitter was closed the Monday after the Fourth, so Gabe was able to take the day with him. I got off early that afternoon, and we took him on an adventure to Exploration Place. I wasn't sure if there would be much he could do, but we found lots! I think one of his favorite things was 'flying' the airplanes. Maybe we have a pilot on our hands?
I've tried to start couponing here lately, which is not anything new to my mom. I still remember her coupon box that she would bring to the store with her every week when she'd grocery shop. So, it didn't surprise me that when at Toys 'R Us one day, Zachary and Grandma found the clearance end cap right away. They didn't end up buying anything - but we sure checked them all out!
Like his mother... Zachary has expensive taste. ;) He may or may not have been telling Grandma what he wanted for his birthday! He spent at least half an hour getting in/out of about every Power Wheels he could find. He wasn't sure why we wouldn't let him climb into the ones that were displayed up above... although, Grandma did let him open/close the doors.
And... like most trips with Grandma, the boy was tuckered out. He didn't make it but a mile or two down the road and he was out. We both got a great nap that day - thanks Grandma! :)
Thanks to our DVR, American Ninja Warrior has been playing almost nonstop all summer. Which has turned my little monkey man into a ninja. What used to be my cautious little boy, is now a full-fledged adrenaline junkie. Our couch in the great room is the, "wall" in which he has to climb up, across, and routinely falls off of into the, "water." (If you've seen it, you'll understand)
It seems like just yesterday we would have to coax him down a big slide... now he has to see how high up he is. It's a boy thing - for which I'm told, so I'm trying to cool it on the, "Be careful baby!!" Zachary assures me, it's ok - he's a ninja warrior. They must have some sort of super power - - - giving Mom a daily anxiety attack.
It's sad to say, but it was end of July before we had our first pool day. Grandma K and Papa Dale were so nice to invite us over... or I may have invited ourselves (details, right?). Zachary didn't even want to step in the pool at first... but as you can see... in no time he and his Father were up to their shenanigans. If the baby in my tummy is a boy... I'm in trouble. I'm going to have to practice praying, and keeping my eyes closed - cause this Mama's heart can't take it!
Resting from, "3.... 2....1... BLAST OFF!"
Hanging out with Grandma K!
Zachary and I had a date day a week or two ago when Miss Hannah had another day off with her kiddos. We brought Daddy to lunch at Cinnamon's Deli, watched Planes at the theater, and stopped by Daddy's work again for good measure. After all, someone has to be checking Daddy's numbers!
He took a break long enough to give Mom a little grin! Being a banker is hard work, and he was working on, "Giving people money!" After all... that's all Daddy does all day! ;)
July 23, 2014 marked my 27 week growing McKeever Baby #2. Got Gabe to take a photo really fast before we were out the door to a friend's wedding. I'm officially in my third trimester... and swelling and heartburn have decided to rear their ugly heads. Still, this pregnancy has been a breeze, and I have nothing to complain about. Other than the fact it's flying by in a hurry. Baby's heart rate was 140, and wanted nothing to do with the nurse trying to find it. He or she kicked the nurse when she was trying to push it into a location to where she could get a better listen. Although we were 27 weeks, Dr J measured me at 32/33 - so almost 6 weeks bigger than normal. Again, no shocker there. This baby just won't quit - he/she moves constantly. It's been kicking Zachary A LOT when I'm holding him. Hey - I wouldn't want a forty pound person sitting on my head either! :)
Since the wedding was out-of-town, Jason & Alex watched our little man while we were away. They brought bags of fun projects. When Zachary woke up the next morning, the very first thing he wanted to show me was his ocean bags! He was so proud of them! :) He got to take a trip to their house and see their puppies, and kitties... and even talked them into his favorite restaurant, Braums. Good thing he's cute, huh?
That's been our summer in a nutshell - so far, I know we have a little ways to go yet. Our next baby appointment is August 13th, and after that we will be going every two weeks.
Someone PLEASE take us off of Fast Forward!!
