Goodmans est. 2005, Then there were 3...: 11 Months Old... the countdown to 1 is on!

It is just daunting to me that in 4 short weeks, our little critter will be ONE YEAR OLD! Where does the time go? I remember the state of mind I was in this time last year... tired, nervous, excited, nervous, tired, excited, and downright exhausted! Len and I were both a bit overwhelmed at the prospect of being responsible for a little, vulnerable life that, together, we created. We were still finishing up the nursery, washing new baby clothes, writing thank you notes for all of the wonderful gifts we received to prepare us for a new baby, putting together all kinds of stuff (well, that was all Len and others I must admit... what would I do without him?? - a stroller, the glider, car seat installations, a swing, a crib, etc.), learning all about infant care by reading and going to classes... all while we were both working. It amazes me how it all came together, though.

Now that we find ourselves a year later, I can't imagine our life without Zachary! All of the anticipation and preparation didn't begin to prepare me for this overwhelming love and adoration that consumes every ounce of my being... all because we have this amazing little creature that Len and I hug and kiss every chance we get. I'm the luckiest person on the face of the earth!!

Speaking of hugs and kisses, I must say, Zachary is such a loving little boy! I think that is what is most evident to me over this past month. He is so expressive - with the looks on his face, the laughter and excitement in his voice and the tons of hugs, kisses and cuddling he gives us. What a gift it is to have Zachary speedily crawl or cruise in my direction only to throw his arms around me and plant a big, wet, open-mouth kiss wherever he happens to land when I scoop him up... sometimes my shoulder, sometimes my head, sometimes my cheek, sometimes my lips, sometimes my arm... whatever is closest and fastest for him to reach. It doesn't really matter to me where... it always melts my heart!

Zachary is really getting around these days... he's mastered cruising and is working on the courage to walk on his own. He'll walk while holding on to anything, including just one of my fingers. When he does that, I can tell he's not always using me for balance; rather, I think it's just a safety net for him. Soon, I'm sure he'll muster up the courage to purposefully let go and walk all by himself... he's sooo close!

Zach loves following Kitty around and giving him a kiss, too! It's just so adorable... he'll lean over and barely touch his lips to Kitty's fur, kiss him, then sit back and see how he reacts. Zachary is obsessed with kissing Kitty lately... but I have to say, I don't think Kitty loves it as much as me. What I will say, though, is that Kitty is amazingly tolerant of Zachary these days - perhaps he's realized that if you can't beat 'em, you might as well join 'em.