Can't get enough of this face

Can you blame me?

Jack goes to Kindergarten

For history's sake I want to rewind and remember that my big kid started kindergarten this year!  I won't lie, I was pretty devastated about it.  I put on a super excited and brave face with Jack who could hardly wait for the first day of school while in bed at night I counted down each night till the first day of school like the world was ending.

 

Jack, I know the time will come when you hate going to school, but I want you to know how much you love Kindergarten.  The biggest threat we have over you right now is not loss of wii, tv, or going to bed early, it's not being able to go to school the next day.  (I know I should be ashamed that I threaten that some days... awesome parenting at work!) 

I love you big kid and your father and I are super proud of who you are!

Brothers

I worried a lot about the age gap between our children.   Not that we could have done anything about it, but I mourned each passing year both for myself and for Jack.  That's why moments like these touch my heart so much. 

And the great thing is...they happen all the time these days.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas (oh and Thanksgiving)

Thanksgiving was wonderful because of our guests.  Dorothy flew out to help me negotiate Jack's week home and a Thanksgiving dinner for 11 to be prepared.  She was a joy and the week got even better as soon as Grandpa showed up.  Jack got to make not just one, but two trips to Build A Bear, a trip to Ceramic Cafe, swimming with Grandpa and Papa and a quick trip to the beach.  It was like Christmas come early for that little boy.   Other highlights include me and Grandma cutting Williams "party in the back" hair.  It really is a lot more even and he doesn't look more bald then he did before.  Success.

The meal preparation spanned three days and was full of flops.  I won't name them all here, but a sleepy mind and a little baby made me have to redo more then a few dishes!  By the time we sat down to eat I think I may have had a few bites off of Zack's plate, but I didn't even bother to fill mine.  William fell asleep in my arms and words do not express how grateful I was this Thanksgiving to have my baby in my arms, my big kid to my right and my love to my left.  I am truly blessed.

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving Football players

You can't beat a Holiday Season in sunny California!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we headed out to pick out a Christmas tree.

"Gee Jack look how small this tree is...I think we need an even bigger one to make Christmas that much merrier!"

I got a real kick out of this picture.  The Zackrison men standing around critiquing the Christmas tree netting process.  Love these guys!

 There's nothing in the world like Grandparents!

This is how William felt about the whole Christmas tree shopping experience.  Big old beautiful stink face.

It took us a few days to actually get lights on the tree (much to Jack's dismay) but then it was finally time to decorate the tree.  Let's just say it was not the picture perfect experience.  Jack kept dropping and breaking ornaments and then running upstairs to cry and hide about it despite the fact that we didn't get upset with him.  William was crying and spitting up (the norm) and the first ornament I picked up I dropped and broke.  Maybe the years will fade the edges of our memories and we will remember how perfect it really was.

More William Love

Seriously how beautiful is this child.
(ignore the flower pillow.  And Adda, take this as proof that we do some belly time sometimes...)

Loving on this guy

Seriously words do not do justice to how much I'm loving on this little guy. He is a total chunk and I can't get enough of him! Zack says the camera adds 10 lbs but I earned every roll on him! Also that smile just warms my heart.

I love you little buddy. You and your foot that looks huge in this shot!

Zackrison Sister Update

SARAH
Last Week:

• Released the Lower Lights Christmas CD - "Come Let Us Adore Him". It turned out great and orders have been rolling in which has been exciting to watch and overwhelming to ship (luckily I don't have to do that, although I did plenty of other administrative work around the release).
• Took June shopping again to try again to find more weather-appropriate clothes she's willing to wear. This time we went to the Gap and I actually told her she could get anything she wanted there - knowing first there would be very little she actually liked but also anything she does like will be worth the money spent on it because she will wear it to death. We came away with 3 graphic tshirts, 2 pairs of sweat pants, and a pack of underwear (that's what she was most excited about - and it was the most expensive thing we bought and she didn't actually need them but I was anxious to make it a positive experience for her so I splurged)
• Took the boys to the indoor skatepark in Midvale on Saturday night, and left them there while Huck, June & I walked around the Fashion Place mall. Haven't been there in forever and now I'm anxious to go back without the little ones to have the chance to browse around the new Crate & Barrel and H&M. Driving past point of the mountain always means a stop at Pei Wei on the way home, so that's incentive for me.
• Did a little more yard work. Pulled out the garden and trimmed back the roses. One more round should do it for the end of the season wrap-up, but I'm afraid I might have already missed my chance. Had our first real snow on Friday night.
  
• Watched supportively as Scott put up the Christmas lights on the house
• Tried to explain several times why all her friends get to have their Christmas stuff up already but we don't
• Made some good progress on my work project 
• Went to a watch Scott play with newish local band Moth & the Flame at Velour with Courtney (no baby yet)
• Had dinner at Mom & Dad's on Sunday - haven't done that in quite a while

This Week:

• We're headed to La Canada for Thansgiving. We'll try to leave at 4am on Wednesday and hopefully we'll beat the Vegas traffic
• Lots to do to get ready for the trip. Laundry, shopping, packing, cleaning
• Looking forward to a yummy Thanksgiving feast and hanging out with family for the weekend.
• Take a shipment of Lower Lights Christmas CDs to the post office. This will probably take me a couple hours.
• Finish William's stocking - made great progress on my trip back east last week. Just need to put on the finishing touches now.
• Get creative with my wardrobe - none of my regular clothes fit anymore, but can I really bear pulling out maternity stuff already?!

ANNEE
Is excused while she recovers from her Marathon!  Super impressive!!

Check out those skinny feet and that adorably chubby baby!

ANA

Last few weeks:
-Started to feel healthy again.  Such a blessing
-Volunteered in Jack's class during their Thanksgiving "Thumpkin Pumpkin Pie" day.  It was so lovely.  Zack took the morning off of work to watch William so I could go in and help.  It was the first time I got to see Jack in his class and I loved it!!  I always consoled myself when we thought we couldn't have more kids that I would just volunteer a ton in Jack's class and as grateful as I am for the way my life has changed, I was wishing I could be more a part of his Kindergarten experience.  Zack was my hero and helped me get both of my wishes answered!
-Had our first parent/teacher conference and got Jack's first report card.   She pretty much said Jack was a rockstar academically and personally.  Preaching to the choir...that boy is a champ and we are so proud of him
-Am loving the age gap between my kids.  Not that I don't hope for another one close to William's age, but Jack is so helpful.  He loves Will to death and is old enough to not be in diapers, buckle himself in the car, get dressed, feed himself, and entertain himself.
-Worked as little as possible but managed to make it through month end without losing it.

This week:
-Grandma Z came out to help me through my first week with Jack home full time and the baby.  I tell you I am so lucky to be so wonderfully supported by our families.  This has been such a gentle way to ease into life with two kids.  Thank you John, for loaning her to us this week.  She is a joy!
-Host Thanksgiving dinner for Grandma and Grandpa Z and the billion other people Zack can't stop himself from inviting.  Seriously, our total is up to 12.
-Get ready for my busy work week next week...either that or totally ignore the fact that its coming and let future Ana deal with it.
-Get my hair cut for the first time since March.  I have been letting the worst haircut of my life grow out since last December.  It's finally long enough that I think she could shape it a bit...fingers crossed.
-Get on the elliptical machine 5 times.  Turns out I gained 80 pounds with this pregnancy.  With only one baby.  Here's to a long road of exercising ahead.
-Try to meet up with Sarah this weekend and pass along the two huge boxes of maternity clothes I have sitting in my garage.  I am so glad to be saying goodbye to them and so excited for a new nephew/niece on the way!!
-Maybe take advantage of our visitors and escape for a bit of early Christmas shopping with Zack.  Zack and I both agree that Jack has been an all star lately and Santa needs to be extra good to him this year.  :)
-Commit to doing Christmas/birth announcement cards this year.  I certainly don't want to be in the photo, but maybe I can take Jack and William in and get a cute boys shot.  I think finally have two kids makes sending out a photo without Zack and me a whole lot more legitimate then just sending one out of Jack on his own.

IE LI

Last couple of weeks:

• Ran the Richmond half marathon
• Hosted John and Dorothy for a couple of days
• Took John and Dorothy to Mei Li's school for American Education Week and school book fair
• Picked up my new glasses.  I didn't need them.  Apparently, I'm not much of an accessory girl except when it comes to my glasses.  I have been collecting them since high school.
• Took a break from running, but I'm so ready to start again.
• Yard work
• Thanksgiving prep
• A Christmas Carol at Ford's Theatre with Steve.  I wept.  It was so great.  I understand that this is an old Zackrison tradition.  I'm so glad we finally made it.  In past years, we forgot to buy tickets until they were sold out.

This Week:

• Stephen turns four.  I think he's going to love everything we have planned for him.  I'm so excited! 
• Babysit for a friend.
• Cook a lot.
• Earnests come to town!
• Run a 5k or 10k on Thanksgiving day.
• It's going to be a great week! 

RACHEL

Last Week

• Everybody Wins on Monday.  Met Flor, our 4th grader.
• Dinner with Mom & Dad & Sazband at the mall on Monday.
• Felt so so sick on Tuesday.  Went to bed at 9pm.  Didn't want to go to work on Tuesday or Wednesday but did in the end.
• Forgot to bring cookies to work due to the feeling ill.  Oh well! 
• Ken went to PA for a work thing on Thursday, I worked late.
• Friday was a long day, as it always is before you try to head out on vacation.
• Friday night we bought Season 1 of Modern Family and started watching it.  It's so funny!!
• Saturday I slept in and was awoken by gardeners working outside which totally reminded me of being in high school!  I lounged around all morning because I didn't feel like doing anything, but finally pulled myself together so I could go to Day 1 of the sale at Anthro.  Picked up 4 sweater skirts, which is what I want to wear all season long.  It's like wearing a blanket all day, how is this not awesome! 
  
• Played games with some friends on Saturday night. 
• Church on Sunday followed by making Pizza Monkey Bread for lunch/dinner. 

This Week

• Not going to work all week long!!  Turns out this doesn't mean I won't be working all week, but at least I won't be going in. 
  
• Run every day!  Because the weather is prefect!  And because I can! 
• Begin the planning for the ward Christmas party.  We are helping with the decor again.  Hopefully I don't regret this...  They want a Whoville theme so we really need to re-watch The Grinch this week for inspiration. 
  
• Get so many tasks done!!  I have a list a mile long I've been forming since I knew I'd be taking this week off.  I want to get my skirts hemmed finally, rotate out summer and winter clothes, take a batch of things to DI, organize the office and craft shelf, put up our Christmas decorations, finish our Christmas cards, etc.  This week is already too short!
• Turkey Trot 5K/10K on Thursday with the fam!  Turkey trots are my very favorite part of Thanksgiving day.  I know that sounds crazy.
• Visit the US Botanic Gardens to see their Christmas decorations, including the mini trains. 

CHRISTINE

Last Week:
- Had training all week at work.  This meant sitting in a freezing cold conference room with no windows in a nearby hotel for 8+ hours everyday as we were basically retaught everything from school.  It was good to have a refresher on a lot of things, but it was definitely a lot of information and I really can't remember the last time I spent eight hours a day in a classroom-like setting.  And on top of it all they actually gave us assignments we had to get done at home each night.  It was a pretty long week, and as a result of the lack of sleep and freezing cold room I came away from it all sick, but it was nice to at least have a clear idea of what I needed to be doing each day at work. 
- Had dinner with mom and dad and all at CPK Monday night, it's always great to have family around.
- Went to dinner with some of the other new hires after training one night.  It's fun to be back with a lot of the people I interned with last summer, we actually got pretty close last summer so it's great to catch up. 
- Studied as much as possible.  Last week wasn't a good week for studying with some of the later hours at training.
- Went to yoga at my gym one night.  It was alright, definitely not the same as It's Yoga, or I guess 3B Yoga now, where I was going in Utah, but it still felt good to go.
- Tried to sleep as much as possible.

This Week:
- Study.
- Work Monday-Wednesday.  The office is pretty dead this week but hopefully I'll be able to find somethings to do.
- Thanksgiving!!  I'm very excited for all the celebrating and family time!
- Work Black Friday at Anthropologie, 5am-12pm.  Sounds awesome, huh?  Work again Saturday evening.
- Study some more. 

William Todd Zackrison

I met Todd in 7th grade.  He was hilariously sarcastic, ferociously loyal, and always ready with a lame joke to make me smile when I was grumpy.

When Zack came into my life at 15 1/2, I think it's safe to say Todd was not his biggest fan.  In fact, he insisted on calling him the Jolly Green Giant the first few months of our relationship (It still makes me chuckle that the meanest thing he could think to call Zack references a tall happy guy).  But then he met Zack and the two became fast friends.  Don't get me wrong, I think he continued to call him the Jolly Green Giant, although not to his face, but that's just Todd.  We all remained friends throughout high school, visited one another through our college years and stayed in touch through frequent phone calls after we were all married.  He was not able to make it to our wedding which in some ways was good because I think Zack and I would have fought over which one of us got him as our wedding attendant.  He was our unofficial best man, and bridesmaid.

Throughout junior high and high school Todd would tell me and Dani two things constantly.  One, that we needed to name all of our children after him (especially the girls) and two, that some day in the middle of the night we would get a call to tell us he had been killed on some foreign battle field.

That call came Halloween night in 2003.

This last summer we took a trip out to Arlington National Cemetery to see Todd's tombstone and tell Jack more about our best friend who gave up his life for this country.  

When we found out last spring that we were having another boy, pretty much the only thing Zack and I agreed on as far as names go was that his middle name would be Todd. 

The world was a better place with Todd in it and he is missed by our family daily.
Little William Todd, you have huge shoes to fill.

These Women

I have these women in my life.  Strong women.  Capable women.  Loving women.  Sacrificing women.  And I'm surrounded and upheld by them.  They came and supported my family when we started down the IVF road and couldn't escape the Boston winter.  They came and supported me with chocolate cake when the doctors thought I was miscarrying.  They came with offers to get Jack out of the house when I was sick in bed.  They came and supported me when I was so swollen and pregnant I couldn't function.  They came and watched my child while I gave birth to by second.  They came and supported me and held my baby while I cried and tried to heal my torn body.  They have come and they continue to come.  They come in many different ways. Some in person, some through phone calls, some through emails and some through the mail, but they come.  And I am stronger, more capable, more loving and more sacrificing because of these women.

And I love you all.

On My Camera

The "My parents have no clue what they are doing look."  We see this look a lot!

Jack is the BEST big brother.  He loves to help and mostly to hold Baby Will

Mads gets in on the holding Baby William action

Baby William

I can't imagine whats kept me so busy that I haven't posted pictures of our beautiful baby boy William for over a week.  :)

I'm not going to narrate otherwise this will never happen.  Besides pictures are what everybody cares about anyways.

...waking baby...more soon

It's 2am

And I'm awake again. I think heartburn woke me up and being uncomfortable has kept me here.

I got a call from my doctors office last week informing me that my doctor was on vacation for the next two weeks. I kinda freaked out because I really like him and trust him but I told myself the likelihood of him actually delivering me was so slim that it wouldn't really make a difference. That's just how medicine goes these days. I guess I am spoiled because when I had Jack my doctor knew I was in labor and stayed to deliver me even though he wasn't on call that night. Dr. Medina where ever you are - you rock. But I see how much Sean works so I get it that my doctor deserves some time off too.

That is until I talked to the doctor who is seeing me today. My doctor said he'd induce at 39 weeks. This doctor won't until 42. Forty freaking two. Now not to speak poorly of women obs but I have always loved my male obs. In the few moments I have seen female obs they have had a "so what, deal with it like I did attitude" whereas the men have been kind hearted and appreciative of my discomfort.

42 weeks. I think my feet will give up before then.

Baby Update

No progress.  I'm 39 weeks and not even dilated to a 1.  Not even 1/2  not even 1/4.  I'd settle for 1/64 at this point but no dice.

I know I have been moaning about being done for some time now.  I want to set the record straight that its because of my feet.  My feet can't take it anymore.  The rest of me could power through for the sake of this little guy but my feet scream at me all day long and are retaining so much water and weight that I am barely mobile.  Zack, bless his heart, comes home each night and massages them for an hour or two and afterwards they almost look normal again.

For the sake of record keeping I took a picture.  Mind you they look even worse now 2 hours later in the day, but I have no more energy to move them enough to take another picture.

Warning...the below is really really really nasty.  Like I have the feet of a 500 pound Guiness Book of World Records nasty.

Can you tell that they are going to pop?  Literally I am concerned, my doctor not so much  Look at all the deep ridges.  So disgusting.  So ready to be done and have human feet again and not elephant feet.

I had a nice pedicure but then scraped it when I fell a few weeks ago.  I think I was more sad about losing my pedicure then having to go to L&D to be monitored for a few hours.  I'd go back for another one but can't imagine what those ladies would be saying to one another about my elephant feet. 

Please baby, come.

The Great Piano Project 2011

We bought a piano a few months back for next to nothing (like $100).  We spent so little because we didn't know if anyone would play it, and don't know how long we are going to stay in this house and how long we will have room for it.  But Jack loves it and it's staying.  So on to photographic documentation of the great piano project 2011.

Before:

Proof of how beaten up this piano was

It had white paint marks, and glass stains all over the the piano

.

During:

The garage acted as one paint zone

The living room as the other

The tools.  I won't admit to how many cans of sprayer we went through...

And After:

In all it's blue glory.  Too blue, but as I am never painting another piano again it will remain blue forever.

I think its a prettier color in the soft glow of the evening.  And a 39 week self portrait as well.  Check out that belly...

The piano is done

I will post pictures soon.
It is really blue.

...really really blue.  Maybe like what the heck were we thinking blue?

But it's painted and done and will remain blue until the end of time. 

Ok baby, now there is nothing holding you back.  We are ready at any time.

...really really ready.  Maybe like what the heck are you not here for ready?

It's 4am

And this baby is kicking the heck out of me and reminding me he's happy and I should be too despite it being 4 Am and me being awake. I don't remember not being able to sleep in the weeks before Jack was born but man alive it's kinda miserable now. Like I'm lucky to sleep 4 hours a night and then muddle through the rest of my day exhausted.

I've been having piano stress dreams. A few weeks ago we decided to paint our clunker of a piano to help it be not quite so ugly. Why oh why at 38+ weeks did this seem like a good idea? Why oh why did I think either one of us knew enough to paint a piano? And mostly why oh why did I think having a blue piano sounded like a good idea?

I'm convinced this baby won't come until the piano is done so I've been working like mad while jacks at school and then working Zack like mad when jacks asleep. Maybe when it's done I won't have anymore painting and sanding nightmares waking me up at 4am. Maybe then I'll just have sweet little kicks doing it instead.

Yesterday while driving home from a trip to home depot for our silly piano Jack just casually said, hey there's a ball in my brothers car seat. (which finally got installed). It was such a simple statement but I teared up hearing him refer to his brother in such a casual way. Like it's normal for him to has a brother. It reminded me of all the prayers that he has offered asking that our family be sent a baby. So many years of prayers. I am so grateful that I have had so many years to focus on Jack. He is my buddy in so many ways and I know having a brother is going to help him grow in so many ways that I could never teach him.

So baby I am working like a crazy mad woman to finish this piano and then you are welcome any time. We cant wait...

Jack's Birthday Cake

Last year all Jack wanted was for me to make him a Super Mario Brothers cake for his birthday party.  So we found a picture of what his little heart desired and I got to work.

First I made the Bomb-ombs and Mushrooms

What Mario cake could be complete without a few Piranha plants?

Add some bricks, gold coins, turtle shells, and goombas to finish off the job

 And the final product...

Just missing the "Happy Birthday Jack" sign on the flag pole (everything eatable)

 All that work and Jack woke up the day of his birthday party with a raging fever and throwing up.  (Does anyone notice a disturbing vomit trend in my family?)

We had to cancel the party and reschedule for the following weekend.  By then the cake was yucky and old and made Jack sick just looking at it.  So we called it a day, trashed it and brought store bought cupcakes to the party.

I felt like a turbo awesome mom bringing in store bought cupcakes.  I should have made a shirt to wear with a picture of the cake so people would know how hard I tried despite appearances.

Baby

I just got back from my doctor's appointment where he said, "Well it looks like you are never going to have this baby!"

Just as I suspected.  This baby is Zack's child and most likely will show up late.  (But always worth the wait!)

Does anyone elses kid do this?

Jack insists on saying hello, shaking hands, and then taking pictures with mannequins whenever we go shopping.

Is he the only one?   Given the looks we get in the stores, I'm guessing he is.

This is his favorite "smile for the camera face"

Football Mania 2011

It shouldn't be forgotten that Football Mania hit our home in 2011.  Zack and Jack watched every single Patriots game (early Monday morning since they don't watch football on Sundays) and Jack became a die hard Patriots fan. 

One of the best things about Zack being in grad school is his schedule really did allow for a lot of family time.  Or maybe its more accurate to say that Zack made time in his schedule for our family.  Either way most days as soon as Zack would come in the door from class Jack would be waiting to see if they could go outside and play football together.

My camera is full of pictures like this

Striking fear into the hearts of all opposing football players.

And the face and taunts of a winner! (I love that he insisted on wearing his jersey on top of his coat).  The story of the jersey is awesome too.  Another testament of Zack's haggling ability.  It is a Randy Moss jersey, who was cut from the Patriots before last season.  So the sports store had his jerseys on deep sale.  Still when Zack and Jack went in, Zack asked for a larger discount.  The store clerk said, fine buy anything in the store and the jersey (normally $50, on sale for $25) would be free.  So he picked up a $2 ball point pen and asked if that counted.  Welcome home $2 pen and free Randy Moss jersey!

We also took a family outing down to Patriot Place to see the stadium and Patriot museum there. 
The boys had a great time and I was glad to be out of the house during the winter and loved seeing how excited Jack was to be there. 

Makes me cold just seeing this picture!

Real Patriots Jersey and helmet

And uniform...love this look

And this handsome football player especially

Go Patriots!

Team huddle

What a great way to spend a freezing cold winter day in Massachusetts!