Baby Z's First Birthday

One year ago today we brought our adorable little 1-day-old baby boy home from the hospital. Can’t believe how much he has grown and how fast it’s all going. One year later...
Zeth's birthday on 9/9 was a regular work & school day for us so he was at his day care all day with his friends. Here's how his day began.

For Zeth’s first birthday, we decided to throw him a “Ball.” When thinking what he would enjoy doing on his birthday, it just seemed right to do a party all centered around balls. So we invited a bunch of friends for dinner, brought a bunch of balls to the park and served, among other things, spaghetti & meatballs, melon balls, rolls, shrimp balls, popcorn balls, cake and ice cream balls. It was a hit. The kids had a blast kicking balls all over and playing on the monkey bars. We never did get to the games I had planned but everybody was so busy eating and playing that nobody seemed to miss them.

The popcorn balls, by-the-way were a hit and I was so thrilled to find a box of 18 not-too-sticky balls ready to go for less than $4 which saved me a ton of time not having to make them myself. After dinner, Zeth was in heaven chewing on and getting covered in popcorn. Thanks Walmart! We went home and opened the gifts his Grandma sent him which included a bath tub toy catcher filled with a bunch of little balls. Probably 20 ping pong balls among others, each carefully double wrapped and taped up in tissue paper. Thanks Mom. Zana had a blast helping me unwrap them while Zeth tossed them all over the house.

At his 1-yr well-baby appt he measured in at 20.2 lbs & stands 30.0” tall. He loves applauding and smiling whenever something exciting is happening. Watching parts of the National Presidential Conventions with him was fun because he kept clapping gleefully along with the TV as if something good was actually coming out of it. (*sarcasm*) He is working on mastering climbing and descending stairs now. This past Monday during FHE Zeth was found under the kitchen table smooching a little girl three-months his senior. He’s such a little charmer and already has a way with the women. Watch out!
He’s got so much soul he’s always dancing and bouncing up and down – music or not. If anyone has a cool 12-15 month size Tigger costume for Halloween you don’t need, I’ll gladly buy it off you. I’ve been looking but haven’t found one yet and this kid just needs to be a Tigger this year. He loves taking baths but hates to sit still in the water. He’s got to be walking or crawling around which also means slipping a lot despite the traction pad. He’ll probably learn to swim real quickly, this little guy. Zana is my little artist lately. Last Sunday she sketched and painted for several hours before our 3-6PM church started. I love her sketch she described as Mickey Mouse’s Grandparents with walking sticks.
Not yet a Monet but she's got potential.