What a Wonderful Weekend!!

We just had such an amazing time when we made yet another mini-roadtrip to Jersey this past weekend! There were so many incredible moments I don't even know where to begin. I guess I'll start by first sharing why we made another trip to NJ since we were just there last weekend. Well, this weekend we had very special visitors to see... Aunt Nancy (one of Zachary's Great Aunts) was here visiting from Wisconsin, and Julie & Connor (Len's Cousin and her son) were back in the good 'ole USA for a summer vacation from Japan. It was all about good family, good friends, and good times all weekend long! I'll break it down by each day's activities, beginning with Saturday...

SATURDAY- Aunt Nancy's Reading in Hightstown

Aunt Nancy is an accomplished author, having now written two books. To share with family and friends, she arranged for a public reading at the library in Hightstown. So many people came to enjoy this special moment... and from as far as Japan! It was truly a memorable afternoon in so many ways... Aunt Nancy read from her books, which capture so eloquently special memories from her travels in life as well as her mother's (Len's very special Grandma)... she wrote about so many times with family and friends spanning so many years. These books are truly treasures that we will be able to pass on to Zachary some day, sharing with him the legacy of Goodmans past and present... thank you Aunt Nancy, for pouring your heart and soul into completing these awesome memoirs!



Zachary and Connor just loved seeing one another again, too... They really enjoyed all of the family and friends, and meeting new people, while playing at the library!

After the reading, we went back to Grandma and Poppie's for a family gathering.

To wind down the evening, Zachary experienced a very special moment... he went to sleep for the first time in the same crib his Daddy slept in until he was 12... hee hee... I mean 2 (he had to move out for his baby brother Dan's arrival). Zachary seemed quite comfortable and at home, and he almost made it through the entire night without waking up. His pj's matched the new crib set Grandma got, too... it was froggies, but he looked more like a chameleon blending in with the sheets and bumper!

SUNDAY- A cookout under the Ben Franklin Bridge!

Aunt Sharon and Uncle K.C. had the family over to their place in Philadelphia. It was just beautiful... right on the water under the Ben Franklin Bridge. We had a wonderful afternoon spending time with the Goodman clan, though it was sad having to say goodbye to Julie and Connor (they would be heading back to Japan at the end of the month), and Aunt Nancy (she was heading back to Wisconsin). We were able to take advantage of the beautiful scenery and capture more family portraits...

I call this photo "Four Generations - times TWO!" What a great shot!!

Happy Birthday CJ!

In addition to celebrating the 4th of July this past weekend, we made a road trip to NJ to celebrate CJ's 8th birthday! (July 2nd was the official day.) We had such a blast hanging out with family and friends - Mom-Mom, Aunt Lynne, Uncle Chuck, Hailey, CJ, Uncle Bobby, Aunt Robyn, Jay, Charlene, Kathy and Wawa were all there to share in the festivities. CJ had tons of fun even though it was raining and we couldn't play outside. And Zachary just loved hanging out with everyone... he even got to meet his doggie cousin Ralphie for the first time - I think they really hit it off!

Here are some of the pictures taken to remember the day...

Happy Independence Day!

Zachary is sending a big shout out for a Happy 4th of July! Today, the critter went to his first parade... though it was a bit rainy, he seemed to enjoy seeing the marching bands, horses, old cars, clowns, miniature ponies, soldiers past and present, tractors, police motorcycles and all of the people there to cheer! We had front row viewing, so Zach could see everything as it went by. It was great fun, though it probably would've been even better had the sun been shining. No worries... Zachary was protected by his stroller rain cover... Len said he looked like the "bubble boy"!!

Happy Independence Day from the Goodmans!!

Lucky 7 - Time sure does fly!

Zachary is exactly 7 months old today... lucky 7! I think Len and I are the lucky ones to have such an incredible little son!! He continues to amaze, entertain, enlighten, and complete us with everyday that passes... we just love our little critter more than words could ever say. This past month has been one of many firsts and favorites, as you can see by reflecting back on all of the June posts on this blog.

To sum it up, Zachary:

• started Gerber fruits and vegetables (pears, sweet potatoes, peaches and sweet peas so far, with bananas on deck for tomorrow) {First}


• goes on jogs with Daddy in their new, zooty Jogger stroller {First}
  
• sits up completely unassisted {First and Favorite}


• talks a lot! and with purpose... he even says "Daddy" and "Da Da" though I'm not sure if he's truly calling out to Len {Favorite and First}
  
• still LOVES to do raspberries (all the time!) {Favorite}


• gave his first Father's Day wishes and kisses to his Daddy, Poppie and Great-Grandpa {First}
• drinks water from a big cup, and also (sort of) holds his own sippy cup by the handles (he still struggles to get the mouth piece into his mouth, since it's pretty heavy) {First}
• really notices Kitty and likes to pet him {First}
• LOVES to play peek-a-boo... he even covers and uncovers his own face with anything he can hide behind. When we say "boo," he laughs so hard every time! {First and Favorite}
  
• sleeps in the crib with the mattress lowered a notch... he's getting so big! {First}


• continues to sleep through the night most of the time {TOTAL FAVORITE... for us}
  

We're still waiting for that first tooth to finally cut through his gums... it's coming... we just know it! Zachary is a maniac when chewing on anything he can get into his mouth, and drools like crazy, so we know it's gotta be close!!

As mentioned in the blog entry regarding his 6-month well visit to the doctor, we were to bring him back for a weigh-in this month. Well, we took him today, and are happy to note he's making progress with his weight! Today, he weighed in at... drum roll, please... 15 lbs, 12 oz (10th percentile)! Woo hoo! He's definitely getting bigger... good thing he's such a great eater!

I can't even really remember life before Zachary... he's definitely the center of our universe, and we love and cherish every second we have with him!

Here he is sound asleep on his newly lowered mattress... he didn't even seem to notice!

After we finished at the doctor, we took Zachary out to eat for a quick bite... he was selecting from the menu what he wanted Mommy to order, so he could have some later!! After all of that thinking, he needed to rest his eyes while we ate!

We stopped at Target after dinner to pick up a few things... Zachary had a blast trying on different hats! Here he is in the cutest one... it was a little big, so we didn't get it this time.

Here's the little guy right before going to bed on his 7-month Birthday... overall, I think he had a great day (runny nose and all)!