9 inches of snow in Virginia Beach!!

Well Zach got outside to experience snow for the first time this weekend. While he loves to watch it come down from the cozy warmth of the house, he was not a big fan of being out in the cold. He lasted all of 10 minutes so we did not get to build a snow man while he watched like we had planned. But I'm sure next year he will have a blast trying to "help" build a snowman.

A few new milestones - right around the 3 month mark

Zach is just growing and developing by leaps and bounds. Just in the last week he has been pretty consistently sleeping through the night (9 1/2 or 10 hours at a stretch). He can sit very well with a little support now. He can stand with just some help balancing by holding someone's thumbs and loves to pull himself up to standing with a little help.Which of course he loves to do when you are trying to burp him or some other time when you don't want him standing....Pretty soon he'll be walking in daddy's shoes....

He is also holding things on his own, examining them and trying (sometimes successfully) to get them into his mouth. He's not really reaching for things much yet but I'm sure that will come fast. 

He has the fist in mouth thing down which is awesome since his first little tooth is starting to poke through...I'd rather he chew on his fist than mine...that boy has a strong jaw.

And at the advice of his pediatrician because he's so big, we've started rice cereal early and he's really starting to get the swallowing solids thing down.

He got a new big boy booster/high chair while we were in Pittsburgh. Makes eating so much easier.

He's still working on being able to push himself up on his arms while he's on his tummy. He's pushing himself up on his forearms and is happy on his tummy for longer and longer periods so hopefully that will come soon. Just last night I went in to get him when he woke up crying (thankfully a rarity lately) and he was on his side. I guess fully rolling over is coming soon...and then comes crawling...man, I need to baby proof the house....

Christmas in Pittsburgh

We drove up to Pittsburgh on the 26th to have our second Christmas with my parents and grandma.

 My parents were so excited to see Zach again

 My grandma can't get enough of him

 

He went to the shop and got a massage with one of my dad's tools.

that feels good.....

 

And got a bath complete with a heated counter and towel followed up by a massage by Uma (grandma).

All tuckered out...napping with grandpa before bed.

One of the best presents was a piece of shiny wrapping paper.

Trying out his new Johnny Jump Up...not quite ready for it yet.

This might be fun...

Or maybe I'll just chew on it....

Look at all that snow.....

 

 That is one happy boy!

Whew....after two Christmases, this little boy is exhausted....Time to recover and rest so I'm ready for all my new toys...

Christmas with the Snyders

Zach's first Christmas

We spent Christmas with Josh's family and had a wonderful time hanging out with everyone. 

Of course Zach slept through it all...

But his cousin, Melanie, liked his new toy from his grandmama and grandaddy very much. I'm sure Zach will love it in a few more weeks...pictures are sure to follow when he does.

Josh hanging out with two of his brothers. I think Jeremy is showing of his new video game.

Zach loves to be held by grandmama in the "magical" chair. He almost instantly relaxes and falls asleep every time she holds him while sitting in it. I'm not sure which is magical, grandmama, the chair or the combination. We'll have to investigate further...

 

Our nephew, Mark, enjoying his new Elmo book (that boy loves his Elmo) in his new warm hat for when they move to the frigid north later this month. That hat actually fits my head. Granted, it's a tiny bit tight, but still...big noggins seem to run in the family. Zach is already wearing a 12-24 month hat. I guess I should be thankful I had a c-section...

 

Even baby Sylvia had a great Christmas...she slept through most of it too and even slept in Zach's bouncy chair for a while. I can't believe Zach was that small just 2 months ago...

Even the dogs had a good Christmas

Mozart enjoying his Christmas rope:

Bella all tuckered out under the tree

Christmas at our house

A few more highlights from month 2

One of my new favorite pictures of him:

He loves to hang out in bed with us and lay on my pillow. Usually he's all smiles when we're hanging out in bed but he didn't like that I got up to take the picture...

He still loves loves loves to stand. He can do it as of this week with us just helping him balance by holding his hands.

Looking very preppy and happy in the shirt his great-grandma Kotchey (aka Nene) got him...

"photo shoot" outtakes

Here are some outtakes and some other favorites from Zach's "photo shoot" for the Christmas card picture.

Not so sure at the beginning that I want my picture taken.

Maybe I'll try to take my shirt off....it worked for the guys in that Twilight movie...








Now we're getting the hang of it...