HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY, ZACHARY!

It's amazing what a difference a year makes! Here is baby Zachary about 3 hours before he came out of Mommy's belly and joined us all in the outside world! On December 3, 2007 at exactly 7:31 am, Zachary Leonard Goodman was born... hallelujah! The world will never be the same and is an amazingly better place having our little critter be a part of it all!

This past year is unprecedented in terms of the love and happiness that fills my heart... I think Len and I are just about the luckiest parents on the face of the earth! Zachary is such an amazing gift and I can't even remember life without him. He makes me a better person, too! I think I even feel things more intensely since our baby boy blessed us.... I love more deeply and unconditionally, I laugh from the inside out so often, I cry more tears of happiness than sadness, and I live life to the fullest every day recognizing each sunrise and sunset as a gift! I'm simply dumbfounded at how another human being can bring such joy and fulfillment to me!!

Every month on the anniversary of his birth I share all of the milestones Zachary recently achieved and every month I continue to be amazed at how much he accomplishes. November is no different... in fact, I think it's his most dynamic month yet! Our little boy officially started walking!! I think that is the biggest news to share. He took his first unassisted steps back in mid-October (October 12th to be exact) and has been working very hard since then to perfect his stride. Though he will often revert to crawling for the sake of speed and confidence, many times he will take the opportunity to show off his "Frankenstein" walk (as I often refer to it). He holds his arms straight out in front of him and with stiff legs, will walk from person to person eagerly throwing himself into the open arms of whomever is coaxing him to walk toward them. It's just about the most adorable thing I've ever seen! And, Zachary is just so proud of himself every time he shows off his new skill!

Also, one of my other favorite Zachary-achievements was hearing him speak is second official word. (Da-Da or Daddy was his first real word spoken with purpose and meaning). His second (which just melts my heart) was "Kitty" or "Ditt-teee" as he pronounces it. This is especially meaningful for me given we very recently lost our beloved cat. Though Zachary hasn't said it for a couple of days now, I know when he did say it, he was very purposefully and meaningfully calling out to his bro, Kitty. In fact, the evening Kitty died, Zachary pointed to a stuffed animal I have that totally looks like Kitty and said "Dittee" with a big smile on his face. What an amazing little child... he is my comfort and peace!

Zachary is getting to be such a big boy, though we won't know his official stats until Friday when he has his 1-year well-visit with the doc. I can't wait to see how much he's grown. He's still a little peanut, but I can tell he's made great progress! As you can see in this picture of Zachary with his Daddy's little rocking chair from when he was a baby, we do need to roll up the bottom of his pants so he doesn't trip on them. (And we've been looking for suspenders to hold up his pants, too... size 12 month is still a tad roomy, but he's finally growing out of his size 6-9 month clothes! Believe it or not, he still can wear some of his size 9-month pieces but not for much longer... we're sure getting our money's worth out of his clothes!)

This past year has definitely been one of my favorite years that I've lived... I suspect they will probably only get better, too! Here are some of my most recent favorite things and moments with the little guy:

- his two little teeth that shine bright with every adorable smile he sports! (which is very often, by the way)

- watching him crawl around with the knob of a wooden puzzle piece in his mouth!

- when I'm getting him dressed and putting on his shirt, watching him find the armhole on his own and pushing his hands through the sleeve... he's just so cute and impressed with himself!

- when he's sitting in the car seat or just lounging somewhere, he bends his knees slightly and crosses his feet... he looks so comfortable!

- when he takes his pacifier out of his mouth and hands it to me as I lay him on the pillow to feed him (sometimes I'll put it in his mouth just so he'll take it out and hand it to me)... I crack up every time!

- when we're reading books, watching his eyes intently scan every inch of the page!

- when he lays his warm cheek on mine while he snuggles on my belly!

- his hearty full-belly laugh when Mommy and Daddy are being silly!

- PICKING HIM UP FROM DAYCARE and seeing his expression when he lays his eyes on me when I arrive!!

My baby Zachary is such a blessing... I am so grateful for him, and for every moment we have together! One year has passed, and we have lifetime ahead of us to anticipate and look forward to!! I love you, critter... thank you for being the light of my life!! HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY, ZACHARY!!