Zachary measured 41 1/2 inches and weighed in at 37 pounds. This puts him in the 90th percentile for height and 75th percentile for weight.

William finally made it past the 50th percentile! I’ve been so concerned about him, this is quite a relief. He measured 34 1/2 inches and weighed 26 pounds. He’s still relatively a peanut, but, his height is now over the 50th percentile and his weight is up to the 25th percentile. And his body is finally catching up with his big ‘ole head, which is now measuring just above the 50th percentile (as opposed to the 75th or 90th).

Zachary also participated in a hearing and vision screening and passed them both with perfect scores. William was screened for autism (a new standard screening for all toddlers at 18 months and 24 months). He did not show a single indicator for this disorder.

They are both progressing nicely cognitively as well as developmentally. And, I was pleased to hear that although William’s language skills are not as advanced as Zachary’s were at the same age, he is still communicating more than the average child his age. The doctor was impressed that he can put together three word sentences – or “strings of thought.” Aside from having to get a few shots, (which all moms know is equally if not more traumatic for moms than kids), it was a very positive visit. I love it when that happens.

Now, I have enjoyed brief getaways since the boys were born, but this was my first time to travel so far away from the boys for a couple of nights without Greg. I sure do love my family, but boy oh boy was it heaven to have a little break. Since I was leaving the boys with their daddy, I didn’t have to prepare notes and secure emergency contacts and make sure that everything they needed was available within the house. Our wonderful cleaning lady came the day I was leaving and grandparents and cousins arrived the same day as well, providing excitement and entertainment for the boys and support for Greg. So, I was able to get out-of-town, literally without a worry.  I left late Friday morning and got back in town early Sunday afternoon. I was gone a total of about 50 hours – which was perfect for everyone involved, I think.

So much about the trip was perfect. As I packed for myself in a total of about 20 minutes, I reflected upon the way I used to stress about traveling B2K. My how my perspective has changed! I sat at the gate in the airport without any children to chase after, germs to wipe off of hands, questions to answer, toys to keep up with, eating or sleeping schedules to adhere to and already felt like I was a million miles away. I napped comfortably on the plane (well as comfortable as you can be on an airplane) for the first time in about 5 years and awoke refreshed and ready for a low-key visit with Emily, Eliza and Richard.

Emily and I have the kind of friendship that just picks up where we left off, no matter how much time or distance has separated us. She’s someone I traveled halfway around the world to see when she was in the Peace Corps in Thailand. Love is all I have in my heard for Emily and now for her beautiful daughter, too. It was so special to have the opportunity to be a part of her family for these few days – she’s so responsive and in tune with Eliza – it was beautiful to see. I was able to cook for her and put away some things in her freezer for weeks to come. We actually had a chance to go shopping, taking Eliza on her first trip to the mall. I wore Eliza in a baby wrap so she could sleep and Emily could try on clothes. Eliza woke up at the perfect time and I, too, was able to try on clothes, scoring some excellent new digs for work that were on sale at Banana Republic. I got to snuggle a baby (girl, even!) and offer some insight on mommyhood to my dear friend. One of my favorite parts of the trip was that I brought my earplugs. B2K, I slept with earplugs quite frequently. It just kind of allows me to tune out the world and sleep a deep, sound sleep. So, as we hit the sack before 10:30 each night, I tuned out the world and welcomed the kind of sleep I only see on rare occasions these days. Ahhh…heaven. But, all that aside, sometimes it’s just nice to share some time connecting with one of your best girlfriends. And, that was definitely true this weekend. So glad I was invited, so thankful that Greg encouraged me to go, and so appreciative of the brief little break it afforded me. It was a heart-full vacation.

Here’s my favorite picture from my trip.

On William’s birthday, probably the best gift of all was Daddy’s discharge from the hospital! We celebrated William’s birthday all together at home, though you will see in the pictures, Greg and I were both exhausted. I, again, saved some of the “joint” presents so that Zachary would have a few to open as well.

Daddy was in the hospital with pneumonia, but that didn’t stop us from celebrating – we just brought the party to him. Our original plan was to take the boys camping the weekend following their birthdays so many of their gifts were camping related. Since they were both getting camping gear, (and it’s hard enough to watch your sibling open presents in front of you as it is), William opened a bunch of his presents that evening, too.

Hip Hip Hooray!  
There are TWO birthdays
On one very special day! 

Join us for cake, games and more
As William turns 2
And Zachary turns 4!

When: Saturday, April 9th from 11 am – 1 pm
Where: The Rollingwood Park
Food: Sandwiches, fruit, chips, cheese, juice pouches and water bottles
Themes: Zachary – Trains, William – Elmo
Guests: The boys only invited their friends from school. Zachary thought it would be “too many friends” if we extended invitations to friends outside of school. I think he was right. About 20 kids and their parents attended.
Fun and Games: Zachary requested an “Egg Hunt” So we ordered plastic eggs and filled them with a variety of items from small toys to bubbles to candy. Zachary’s friends hunted for red eggs, while William’s friends searched for blue ones. Gold ones were hidden for anyone! (We evened out the eggs among all the kids’ buckets while everyone enjoyed lunch and cake). The rest of the time was spent playing on the fabulous playground.
Favors: The kids brought home their buckets of eggs as their party favors!

In lieu of gifts, guests were invited to do some spring cleaning and bring a gently used stuffed animal, small baby toy, 0-18 month baby clothes or diapers. Items were donated to InKind, Inc. (www.in-kind.org) for their “Baby Basket Program.” One of my most admired co-workers is on the board of this organization and she actually gave the boys a tour of their facilities when we dropped off the items. She was able to show them how much they helped, which was really neat. 

If there is such thing as reincarnation, than in William’s past life, he lived a long and happy life. He paid attention to life’s lessons and has retained that wisdom. He’s the kind of kid who has an old soul. He doesn’t get flustered by the little things – he knows when to be bothered and when to let it go. It’s like he’s been here before, he’s glad to be back, and he’s simply enjoying the ride.

I look forward to all that he has to teach me in this life.

So, I happened to walk in as Zachary was beginning his turn at “Show and Share.” The theme this week was dinosaurs. Zachary chose to bring the “dinosaur egg” that he found on a hike and bike trail here in town. Now, it is of course not a real dinosaur egg, just a large white egg-shaped limestone rock. As it goes, this “egg” is now actually the “daddy” in a “family” of multi-sized dinosaur eggs Zachary has collected. Thinking that it is really cute and not wanting to stifle his creative imagination, neither Greg nor I have pointed out the impossibility of his conclusion.

So there he was in front of the class, proudly holding his daddy dinosaur egg and nervously sharing all about it when his lovely teacher asks (in perfectly sweet teacher tone), “Is it a REAL dinosaur egg?” implying that she was certain his parents had carefully discussed this minor detail with him. Zachary confidently and proudly shook his head, “Yes!”

And there I sat with flashbacks of my younger brother’s first grade teacher calling the house to tell us that he had argued with her that day when she suggested that all of the celebrations on the 4th of July were for America’s birthday rather than his own. “My mom and my sister would not lie to me,” he confidently explained to his teacher thinking he had this one in the bag. Well, at least this time I didn’t lie, I just didn’t tell Zachary the truth. And, I have never made any promises (or even discussed for that matter) the potential hatching of the egg – building excitement for an event that will never occur. There’s a difference I think. Ah, who cares. It’s cute, right?!?

Here’s our final product and a close up of the wibble wobbles:

Snuggly Shelf (noun)
1. the shelves on Zachary’s headboard upon which his snugglies rest while waiting to provide comfort or security
2. where Zachary’s snugglies pemanently reside when their assistance has become obsolete

Snugglies’ Names:
Bear (a small stuffed teddy bear)
Dog (a small stuffed dog)
Pup (an even smaller stuffed dog)
Bunny (a small stuffed rabbit)
Cat (a small stuffed cat)
Puppy (a small stuffed dog)
Dog Dog (an equivalent of Puppy)

During a transition period between snugglies, the current snuggly may be utilized alongside the new one until the new stuffed animal emerges as the primary snuggly.

*All definitions and nameds by Zachary.