Fifth Disease

Welcome to the world of parenting - all kinds of crazy illnesses that you've never heard of before.  On Wednesday, Kaleb woke up with a red rash on both checks, but when Amy picked him up from the bed it just looked like he was flushed from sleeping (the time zone change has meant that Kaleb has been sleeping in until 8A when Amy has to WAKE the poor kid up every day in order to get out the door) - but the rash didn't go away throughout the day.  But, he didn't seem to be feeling bad, no fever etc.  The next day the rash is a bright, fire-engine red color - so our dear friend Jennifer & babysitter extraordinaire offered to swing him by the doctors office on the way home from the library.  Diagnosis......Fifth Disease - aka "slapped cheek."  Apparently this is fairly common for kids to have, and when the rash appears on their face, they're no longer contagious.

This is the day after we started putting Cortaid on his face, so it is MUCH MUCH better (not the fire engine red that it was the day before), but you can still see the remnants of the rash on both of his cheeks.

We're waiting to see if anyone else will get it (although about 50% of adults have already been exposed and thus are immune).  The one stinky thing about it is that it isn't great for pregnant women to be around, as it can be a risk for about 5% of pregnant women to the fetus.  Our friend Kelli is of course pregnant, and she saw Kaleb last weekend at church (although thankfully he did not sit with her the entire church service), so we were a bit concerned that she could have been exposed but so far so good.

The other thing that occurred this weekend which really could bring Amy to tears is that Kaleb has discovered how to get INTO his crib.  Why would this be a downer, you ask?  Because we can only imagine that it will be a short amount of time before he figures out how to get OUT of the crib!!!!  Soon, the random middle-of-the-night wake-up calls will begin.....ouch, it makes us tired just thinking about it.  That transition phase is just not fun!

Phrase of the week:  Zachary and Kaleb are REALLY into animals right now, and so we read a lot of animal books for bedtime stories.  Kaleb is always particular about telling you which animal is the mommy, daddy, Zachary and Kaleb (so cute that he calls the baby animals by his and Zachary's names!).  When we get to the kangaroo portion of the books, he'll say "Look, baby kee-roo!"  A few weeks ago, Zachary was playing a game with Grandma and informed her "Grandma, you're pretty good at this game for being old!"  Just what a lady wants to hear! :)

Getting filthy in their mud pies - what great fun!

Kieran & Kaleb getting a ride upside down on Uncle William!

Kaleb and Kieran playing in the sand

Riding tandem on the tricycle

Grandma Norma!

Last week, we had the treat of Grandma Norma coming to Orlando.  It was the sad event of her sister's funeral, but we did enjoy seeing her very much.  Zachary remembered Grandma Norma and how she taught him to play the "Numbers game" (aka Trouble), so he insisted on having a game with her.  She beat him twice to his one win which did result in a near cry, but she taught him a little about the fact that life is like that, and it doesn't mean that someone else is smarter etc, and he seemed to handle it alright.

Other than that, it was a relatively quiet week with Amy flying up  Atlanta for a day trip to do some training while the boys stayed close to home.  We're looking forward to the end of allergy season here, as we're beginning to wonder if Amy has allergies - it seems like she has been getting a sore throat and swollen lymph glands every 1-2 weeks for the last 6 weeks or so but it has never developed into an actual cold.  It is hard to tell, and fingers crossed it isn't something else.  Amy's mom went back to work after her hip surgery, which she recovered from amazingly fast.  The minimally invasive surgery that she has had now both times really does seem like the best way to go.

This was the week that Amy was able to sneak away from work in order to go watch Zachary in his gymnastics class.  He is the oldest child there, and as such, the teacher has him go first etc for the different exercises.  He has really come a long way in his coordination and abilities - it is really fun to watch since he began last Fall.  With being the "first" in most things, he's also getting a lot of confidence and really trying hard to catch on to what the teacher is asking them to do.  Hopefully we'll start Kaleb next year into gymnastics.



Phrase of the week:  Mommy, what is a EP?  A leader (he was trying to say VP).  What does a VP do?  They make decisions.  What kind of decisions?  At this point in the conversation, Karis can't help himself and starts to laugh - saying "Zachary, those are VERY good questions that the rest of us workers would like to know - what are they DOING!?" Kaleb's favorite word this week is "blue" - perhaps this is the one color that he knows consistently, and he wants to have a blue spoon or fork at every meal!  Good thing over the years we've accumulated a lot of them!

Just like Daddy, ready to shave with shaving cream on his face!

First Time Skiing!

This was the annual trip to the  CFO conference, which is also the annual skiing trip.  This was the first year that we took Zachary - believing that he was at the optimum age (in that 5 range, although he's technically one month shy of 5 years old!) to learn.  We headed off to Deer Valley, Utah on an early morning flight in which Amy was a bit nervous about that long of a flight with a plane full of coworkers.  She brought an arsenal of entertainment options, with the fallback option of the DVD and kid-friendly educational apps on the I-touch.  But, we're pleased to say that both the trip out and back, she managed to entertain him the whole time without the use of electronics!  This feels like quite an achievement as it would be SO MUCH EASIER to just turn on the power button and sit back to relax the trip, but she  wanted to keep him engaged rather than mesmerized.

Anyway, we were fortunate to have our friends the Johnsons, Deiningers and Cochrans come with us.  We were able to get an early check-in, so we headed up to the condos (we had rented two side by side to accommodate everyone) to see if Zachary, Luke, and Kieran would take naps (which they did) while Karis, Kent, Rob, Adam and William headed off to Brighton to ski.

Monday was the first day of ski school for Zachary and Luke - while Lisa and Amy nervously waited for the outcome.  Zachary was emphatic at the end of the day that "I didn't learn anything, I didn't like it, and I'm NOT GOING BACK"   Zachary is a bit of a perfectionist, and if he doesn't master something in the first day, he doesn't want to do it again - and it appears that he had a hard time making the 'pizza' shape with his skis that first day.  So, Amy gave him the pep talk of "you learn a little bit every day - and someday you'll be able to ski with Daddy!"  That didn't work, so she moved on to "In life, you have to learn perseverance because lots of things are hard, and you won't learn everything in one day."  That didn't work either, so she moved on to "I'm sorry you don't like it, but we've paid for a week of ski school and you'll certainly be going whether you like it or not.  I only expect you to TRY your best, and to LISTEN to the instructor."  At that point, Zachary finally seemed to capitulate and informed her "Fine, I'll go back tomorrow but I want a LADY instructor this time, not a man!"

Thankfully, Tuesday through Thursday went fantastic in ski school and on Thursday the Z-parents picked him up from ski school and actually skied down the bunny hill with him 4'ish times.  He could have kept going on all afternoon but we decided that a nap was necessary as we'd be on the plane again the next day.  He LOVED it, and seemed to be doing fantastic with the pizza shape (with a little help from the 'edgie-wedgie' elastic bands which help them from getting the skis too far apart) - he turned and stopped very well and loved going fast down the hill.

The other highlights of the trip was a sleigh ride at the conference dinner (which actually came in handy as an incentive (aka bribe) in order to go back to ski school the next day) and a tubing adventure at Gorgoza Park.  Zachary loved the tubing experience as well, so it was a smashing success.  Sleep was at a precious minimum with Zachary waking up at 3:30A, 4:30 and finally 6:30 on each respective day.  The last day was also in the 6 range, which we were thankful for!

Karis hurt his back before we left, but managed to recover enough to where he enjoyed himself as well.  Amy had a great time skiing on the first and last day, but will admit that her quads were screaming on the second and third days! :)

Kaleb stayed at home with Grandma to have fun with her, bonding over all kinds of fun activities.  The big highlight is that he's definitely gotten the hang of going "pee in the poddy" so now we're trying to figure out a good weekend to really launch the full-on poddy training.

Phrase of the week:  Zachary informed us on the last night that he wanted to live in "Ew-Tah!"  Kaleb's phrase as he would tell Grandma that he needed to go poddy "It's coming Grandma!"

Zachary in the tube, getting ready to go down the hill

Luke & Zachary

The newest ski lover

A family picture in our ski gear

Skiing on the last day with Karis through the hoops course - very clever for getting them to turn as their skiing in order to go under the hoops!

Zachary is in the blue looking at his instructor in the middle of the picture in the "magic carpet" ski school area

The Deiningers with Adam & Luke, the Cochrans with Kieran, the Johnsons with baby on board, and of course the Z-family

Getting ready for the sleigh ride

Pregnancy Conversations

First off, the title is probably making some folks wonder if the Z-s are expecting again, and the answer is No - just to set the record straight.  However, our dear friends Auntie Kelli and Uncle Kent are expecting!  YIPPEE, YAHOO!  We're very excited about this news and couldn't be happier for them.  Since they shared with us the news, we've had several very funny things happen with Zachary.  He was there when Kelli told us the news and while it was still very much a secret, he then went around informing those folks that would be interested in her news.  We tried to explain the whole "secret" thing but it just didn't work well, so it was a good thing that his social circle is pretty small.

Since then, we just have to write down some of the conversations that we've had:

1.  When Auntie Kelli eats, does the food get on the baby?  No, the food is in another spot in her tummy, so it isn't on the baby.  How?  Well (thinking hard on this one...), it's like there are two sacks in her tummy, one for the food and one for the baby  - kind of like you have a Ziploc sack in the morning for your gummy vitamins.  Oh, Mommy, I think that you're right - like one sack for the green gummies and one sack for the red gummies!

2.  Then, while looking at a Christmas ornament of Zachary that was an ultrasound picture, he asked Amy - "Mommy, was that when I was still in your tummy?"  "Yes."  "Oh - well, where is Kaleb, I can't see him in that picture!" " Kaleb wasn't in there yet." " Yes he was, because I was born first!"  At this point, distraction was the only way that could end this conversation, so distraction effort began immediately!

3.   Mommy - I'm going to have a baby when I'm older!  No, Zachary, only girls have babies.  Well, what did Daddy have in his tummy then!!?  Nothing, he didn't have a baby!

4.  Why can't Auntie Kelli go snow sledding, if the baby has no bones yet, how can the baby get hurt? 

It has really been a fun experience to watch his little mind trying to figure this whole thing out, and these conversations really haven been delightful.

Phrase of the week:  Kaleb's word this week is 'nuggle' - which is for "I want to snuggle!"  What mommy says no to that!? :)  Zachary informed us this that he was going to marry Kaleb.  Ha ha - such funny stories to tell them when they're older!


Uncle Kent came over for the "Daytona 500" on our back deck - running the boys around and around in their cars at top speed while they laughed their heads off

Grandma playing with the boys - throwing balls into a bucket on the other side of the room - the requirements before throwing the ball include saying a rhyming phrase, blowing on the ball and then lobbing it across the room.

The main stage of the family room - the jumping trampoline - aka the couch.  Poor thing, it'll never be the same

Spa Day - enjoying mommy's robes!



Green Meadows Fun

Last weekend, we headed off to the Green Meadows Petting zoo to enjoy the lovely weather and the fun animals.  It's been over a year since we went last time, but Zachary remembered vividly being able to milk the cow!  That remained his favorite thing this year, but it was sure fun to pet all of the animals.  They have a lot of animals for the kids to interact with, so it is always an entertaining visit to see how delighted the kids are.  Kaleb has always been afraid of the animals, and while he certainly wasn't all that brave this time, he got to the point where he'd reach out with one finger to touch the animals, or he would 'pet' them if you put his hand on top of your hand, and then petted the animal with your hand.  He'd then be brave enough to slide his hand forward and touch the animal with his fingers.  One step at a time! :)  For the record books, there was a slight mishap at the end of the day when Zachary and his friends were playing on one of the old-time tractors and the small ledge became just a bit too small and Zachary fell off - about 5 feet to the ground.  So for the fading memories, it is NOT a good idea to have more than one kid up on those tractors!

Phrase of the week:  Zachary informed us last night that he was going to marry Kaleb! :)  Kaleb's phrase today was yelling from his crib "I SLEPT!"  when he had clearly never even closed his eyes - thinking that surely Mommy or Daddy could come get him up if he told them that he slept!

At the beginning of the day, Kaleb, Zachary, Luke and Adam on the tractor

 Zachary milking his cow

 Loves petting the sheep

 The chicks is always one of the favorite moments

 Even Kaleb was brave enough to touch the chicks 

 Zachary on the pony ride

 Kaleb riding the pony, although not wanting to PET the pony!

 Kaleb had a fantastic time playing on the playground afterwards, and was the only one who wanted to go get his picture taken looking out the 'peek-windows' - he's in the middle one looking out

Park & Re-Park

We had a great weekend with some outdoor activities.  We actually went to two separate picnics yesterday, which was very fun and the weather was cool, but still lovely.  We headed first off to the Wekiva Springs Park where we met the Hilliards and Ottatis, and enjoyed a picnic lunch and then playing around the springs.  Some folks (not in our group) were actually brave enough to get into the water on a cold 60 degree day - brr!

The 'explorers' walking along the trails in the woods

Zachary and Kaleb sitting along the edge of the springs while Mommy prayed that they didn't fall in, because it was going to be Daddy having to drive into that frigid water! :)

After that, we jetted off to the Chapin Station park to enjoy a supper picnic with the Cochrans, Deiningers, and Johnsons.  There were bikes out at this park, so the kids played on the playground sets and rode bikes.  It was hard to beat such a fun day outside, although the missing of a nap had us crossing our fingers!

Kieran and Kaleb enjoying a spin in Uncle William's bike trailer

Phrase of the week:    When Zachary was three, he would always call blueberries "burlies," and we kind of wondered what Kaleb would call them, whether it would be the same or something else.  But of course Kaleb has come up with his very own version and calls them "blue-eies" :)  Zachary's phrase continues to be his obsession with numbers, so while we're driving he'll ask how fast we're driving, and then proceed to tell us what the speed limit is.  He'll then tell us EVERY time that the speed limit changes, shouting out the numbers and informing us that he's going to tell us every single number!  Thankfully he doesn't do it every time, although perhaps necessary as sadly Amy has been stopped twice over the last six months for speeding (and no, unlike our friend Corey, both times have resulted in a ticket!!  Next time she's just going to be bold and ask the police officer if he'll just give her a warning instead, although Karis is now convinced that her car is 'marked' and there will be no getting off! :)  Sad to say, because Mommy is not the fastest driver in this household although Daddy loves to gleefully inform her that she is!  Not so!!!

Celebrating Grandma's birthday two weekends ago

Luke & Zachary, the hockey players

Riding the Mommy horsey

I winned!

We've had a week filled with mostly illness and work - at least on Amy's side of life.  Amy and the kids (thankfully not Karis) got the stomach flu last weekend.  Amy's mom had taken the boys down to her house on Sunday, so she had the unenviable job of dealing with Kaleb as he threw up multiple times.  She had it over the span of 24 hours - but thankfully was up on her feet on Monday.  It was a critical week at work, so she worked very long hours and on Friday started coming down with something again - which laid her flat again on Saturday with a 102-103 fever.  Karis is impressed with her ability to hold off illnesses until the weekend when it isn't important that she be up on her feet for work! :)  Amy would be more impressed if she could just avoid the illness to begin with!

We had the Cochrans over on Friday night for supper, our boys just love to play with their little boy Kieran.   Auntie Heather had given all three boys a bath, but after supper while the adults chatted, the boys went into the front room and were romping on the couch until they were hot and sweaty - with soaked hair and all.  Crazy kids - so much for the bath.

Phrase of the week:  Competition is alive and well in the Z-household.  A typical conversation that you can hear every morning as the boys run out of the house to the car in hopes of being the first one to open the door and make the car light turn on "I'm gonna win!"  "No, I wanna win!" "I winned!"  "No, I win!", "I WIN!"  "I winned second!"  Thankfully the "I winned second" seems to be enough of a win to keep folks still  happy without a complete melt-down.  Kaleb is usually the one winning second as he just isn't big enough yet to keep up with Zachary, nor has he figured out how to "sneak" out to the car when Zachary isn't looking to get a headstart, but he is young enough to think that winning second is still winning!

A first in our house - Zachary giving Kaleb a horseback ride.  Of course he would start to go fast and Kaleb would fly off the backend, but thankfully Zachary is low enough to the ground that no harm was had with being "bucked off"