I have been so terrible about this blog.  I don't know why I can't seem to keep up.  Maybe because every time I try to get on the computer, I have a little person wanting to help me.  Makes it hard.

Since the last time I wrote, we went to DISNEY WORLD!!  My baby got to meet his idols!!  We went to Disney the second week in December for my mother in law's birthday.  She wanted to do something big and exciting for such an important birthday.  We went along with Doug's parents and his sister and her family.  Zach had an awful time on the flight down (he was starting with a cold), but was able to fall asleep and wake up happy when we arrived.  

Waiting for everyone to get to the airport

He finally fell asleep on the plane...poor baby.

When we arrived in Orlando, we got on the Disney Magical Express!  It's a bus that takes you to and from your resort/airport.

riding to our resort!

seat jumper

We stayed at the Contemporary Resort.  I believe it was one of the very first resorts built on the property, but you wouldn't be able to tell that based on the remodel that they've done.  It was pretty cool.  The monorail came right through our resort...RIGHT THROUGH.  Hear me?  Not outside...in the resort.  The kids thought it was pretty neat..and it was.

Look what was in our room when we arrived!

The night we got there, we went to the Boardwalk area for Charlene's birthday dinner.  We ate at Cat Cora's restaurant Kouzzina.  Very Mediterranean.  Very good.

The Boardwalk area

I would have taken more pictures, but the camera was on the fritz.  Wanna take a guess on why?  It has to do with a certain little boy.

The next morning we had a character breakfast at Ohana's in the Polynesian Resort.  "Ohana means family".  Zach wasn't too sure about Lilo and Stitch, but he was IN LOVE when he saw the Mickey characters.

Charlene and Stitch

The only character at this breakfast that was aloud to touch her.  She hid under the table , armed with a fork, when the others came around.

he sees Mickey for the first time!

"luh chooo".

After breakfast we went to Magic Kingdom.  All of the parks are great, but this one is my favorite.  I loved how they all looked decorated for Christmas.

this is how he spent meal time

Cinderella's Castle

Doug and I took Zach to a character breakfast in our hotel one morning...at 7am

look how happy he looks!!

are those googly eyes I see?  

We had an amazing time in Disney and I can't wait to go back!!  Before I had Zach, I had it in my head that I wouldn't do character themes in the kids rooms or dress them with little characters on their clothes, but now I've come to realize that I AM that mom...within reason.  He loves it and that's why I do it.  Plus, he looks so darn cute!!

We had a pretty low key Christmas this year.  We were all so tired and spent from our Disney trip.  Doug also had to work, so that put a damper on it.  We spent some time with both of our families, which was nice.  I love family time.  Zach got a tricycle from my cousin Susan for Christmas.  It's one of those Radio Flyer tricycle's that has a detachable pole for the parents to help push them.  He loves it!  Some of his other favorites were his painting supplies, a talking Buzz and Jessie and a Mr. Potato Head.  The boy loves his Toy Story.

Doug finished applying to his graduate school choices.  Now we wait.  I despise waiting.  I just want to know so I know where we stand.  I'm a planner.  I like to have my ducks in a row.

I think that's all for now.

Until the next post!

S~

It happened....

...he turned 2.  As much as I protested against it, it still happened.  Why?!  Why do they have to grow up so fast?!  Look how little he was...

November 15, 2009...priceless.

I remember thinking after I gave birth, "I can't believe I actually did it!".  It was something so amazing and awesome and I did it!  He was so perfect, beautiful, amazing, everything I had ever dreamed of wrapped up in a 7lb 5oz package of pure baby boy bliss.  ::Sigh::

And then, 2 years later, I'm celebrating his 2nd birthday.  How did 2 years creep up so incredibly fast?  I don't feel as though time went by THIS fast before Zach was born.  Why now?  Is it that whole cliche of "time flies when you're having fun" kinda thing?  Life with Zach IS fun...unpredictable...amazing...but I would be ok if it went by a little slower.

He had an awesome 2nd birthday party.  I did a train theme because he loves him some trains!  However, do you KNOW how hard it is to find train themed party supplies that isn't Thomas the Train?  No offense toward you Thomas lovers, but Zach doesn't know who he is.  So, since I couldn't find any that I liked, I made my own.  They don't exactly scream "train", but they're cute and I worked hard on them.

My first attempt at cake decorating.  I wish I could take credit for the train, but I had it made from Etsy.com

little engineer bandannas. 

The birthday banner I made :)

Audrey!!

More decorations.

I really should have given this to him last.  I ended up moving it so he could concentrate on other gifts!

toy pots and pans!  he loves to "cook" and mommy loves picking up every single last 120 pieces of play food...thanks Aunt Jan!

hmm...what to open next

daddy helping Zach blow out candles.  I know.  Those candles are huge.  We had to improvise.  Don't hate!

Me and my cousin Beth.  Her and Audrey drove all the way down from Manassas to help celebrate <3

Oh, look! 120 pieces of food on my coffee table!

drawing on his new easel from Aunt Susan, Uncle Matt and Mitch.  He loves this!!

Doug drew characters from which movie?  He thought it would be cute for Zach to see when he woke up the morning of his birthday.

I decorated it with balloons.  I actually decorated the living room with balloons.  Maybe a little overboard, but the look on his face when he saw it...priceless.  Totally worth it!

Gifts from mommy and daddy on his birthday.

yes, he got a Minnie.  He loves her!

So those are some pictures from his party.  He had a great time and we so appreciate everyone who came, called, skyped, and sent birthday love to Zach.  He is such a loved little boy and so lucky to have so many wonderful people in his life.

Choo! Choo!...

Guess who's turning 2?!

This kid!!

I seriously CAN NOT believe that he's turning 2.  I know I said that when he turned 1, but time really does fly!  I feel like he should be turning 1 again!!  Can we make that happen?!    We can't?  ::Sigh::  Well, then can someone PLEASE tell me when the terrible 2's stop?  He's been in them since about 15 months and they are intensifying the closer we get to 2!!  The boy has been swinging on my very last nerve lately!!  Buuuut...then I look at this sweet face and forget all of that.  Good thing for him he's so darn cute!!

See?  He's so darned cute!!  

I can't really tell if he's enjoying this or wants it to be over!

The party planning is if full gear for his 2nd birthday.  I decided to do a train themed party (hence the title of this entry).  How can you not smile when you hear/see "Choo! Choo! Choo! Look Who's Turning 2!"  So cute!  Plus, one of his favorite things is a train.  We have some that through the city we live in and he loves to mimic them.  However, do you KNOW how hard it is to find train themed party supplies that isn't Thomas the freakin Train?!  No offense to anyone who loves them some Thomas, my brother used to love him, but MAAAN!!  I decided to do my own decorations.  Ambitious, I know.  I've scoured Etsy to try and find some already made banners/decorations, but they are way out of my budget.  I really wanted to try and do something like this (scroll down for the orange/blue theme) or maybe this, but I don't know how artsy I really am.  These would take a lot of work.  Plus, I'm not having a big blow out like his 1st birthday.  Just family.  I know they won't care what it looks like.  I am going to try and make a banner, his cake and maybe a couple of other things.  That being said, I guess I should try and work on some things!

Love,

Sarah

As the leaves change...

Can I just say how excited I am about it being October?!  It is the start of my favorite time of year!!  October through December = AMAZING!!  What's so great about it?  Let me tell you...it's the changing of the seasons, the colors the leaves turn, sweatshirts and sweaters, hot chai tea, decorating for the holidays, snuggling with the wee one (although, I don't need cooler weather for that), baking, cooking, spending time with family, the crisp smell the air takes on as the weather cools, the color of the sky right before it starts to snow, my son was born in the heart of fall, the list of all things to celebrate goes on and on!!  I know some people feel that it's such a dreary time and nature starts to die...etc.  It is...it does...but look at all of the fun stuff this time of year has to offer!!  I'm going to relish in my delight until January 2, 2012!  To me, that's when it gets dreary!!

Everything has been going well since the last time I wrote.  School started back for Doug (I think I mentioned that before), I got a "promotion" at work (I think I mentioned that, too), I'm planning for my child's 2nd birthday...2nd!!  HE'S GOING TO BE 2?!?!  I swear!!  Where does the time go?!  I feel like he should still be that little 7.5lb baby that I brought home from the hospital, not a toddler running around telling me he wants "dot dogs" for dinner instead of lasagna and "nacks" (aka fruit snacks) from breakfast instead of something more nourishing.  However, now he's able to run to me when I come home from work and wrap his arms around my legs and squeal "mommaaa!", he can tell me he loves me, he gives me kisses when he wakes up, and he asks me if "I o-tay?" while I'm coughing and he's patting my back (I'm currently fighting a cold).  While I miss that little bundle of baby boy, I'm loving the bigger baby boy he is becoming.  Just look at him...isn't he gorgeous?!

Zach's day care picture.  Fall 2011.

About a week ago we went to Northern VA to celebrate my cousin's 1st birthday!  Again, why are these children growing up so fast?!  Her party theme was based around a lemonade stand.  Sooo cute!  The weather called for rain aaaall weekend and for the most part, that's what we got, but it cleared up and was beautiful for her party.  My aunt Tara (her grandmother) was able to fly in from TX for the big event!  

Apparently the balloon makes a good seat.

Auntie T and the birthday girl, Audrey.

Lemonade!  Get your lemonade!

My future baseball star!

Zach and his auntie T.

Cake time!

Pretty birthday girl

Hey!  I got a car for my birthday!!

While we were up there we were able to visit with my brother and his family.  I can't believe my nephew is 4 months already (almost)!  Again...see above!  He's not so sure about me yet.  I'm just going to attribute that to him not seeing me everyday.  I will try not to take it personal!  It is so crazy how much he looks like my brother when he was little.  A ton of dark hair, bright blue eyes, chubby cheeks...meeeemories, light the corner of my mind...ok...I digress.  By the way, my brother and his family (his dad included) just bought and moved into a bigger house up where they live.  It's about time!  My brother has lived in the same rental town-home since he was...not even 1.  So, about 20 years.  From what I hear, this is a much bigger home (a duplex) with about 3 or 4 bedrooms and a HUGE backyard.  Hopefully next time I go up I'll be able to see it.  Check out my brother's twin below!

Braiden and his momma, Jessye.

Mmmm...yummy pasta!

And who is this big boy?!  It doesn't even look like him!!  (This is Doug's twin)

I hope everyone is well and enjoying the fall weather we are having!

Love,
Sarah

Happy Fall!