20 Random Facts About ME

One of my friends on Facebook tagged me to write 20 random things about myself and I thought I’d put it on the blog, so here they are:

1. I am completely in love with my baby boy. I never thought it was possible to love someone so much that it literally makes your heart hurt. I also love the fact that I’m able to be a stay-at-home Mommy… I’ve had so many special moments with Zachary that I will remember forever.
2. Two is my favorite number.
3. I hate talking on the phone and will avoid it, if at all possible.
4. I am completely blind in my right eye – therefore, I only wear 1 contact in my left eye to correct my awful vision.
5. I love celebrity gossip magazines and am always very excited to receive US Weekly in the mail.
6. I really like even numbers. If possible, I will do everything evenly.
7. I hate to sleep on the side of the bed closest to the door.
8. I love pointy-toed high-heel shoes. Especially black ones.
9. My favorite candy is Skittles. I eat them in order of their “yumminess:” Red, Orange, Purple, Green, Yellow
10. I love pajamas and would stay in them 24/7 if I were able to.
11. My favorite commercials are the ones for the Swiffer Wet Jet – that feature the “mop” and the “Baby, Come Back…” song J I literally crack up at every one.
12. I never listen to my voicemails on my cell phone. If I see a missed call, I’ll call the person back to see what they wanted – there’s no need to waste time by listening to a message.
13. I love to play board games.
14. I absolutely love dogs and would have 10 of them if we had the room and if Matt would let me :)
15. After being raised an only-child, I need my “me” time.
16. I love candles and will usually have at least 2 lit in our house.
17. I prefer to wear dresses – whether they’re casual or dressy.
18. At night, I hate to be home alone. If, for some reason, I am – I turn every light in the house on and turn on the tv.
19. I don't drink nearly enough water and am often dehydrated. I’m starting to get better!
20. I really like routine and knowing what to expect each day.

Our new monitor...

After searching long and hard and reading review after review - our *perfect* monitor finally came onto the market! This is the complete coverage monitor by Summer and we had to wait until January 15, 2009 for it to be released. We wanted to have the large video monitor as well as a handheld video monitor - so no matter where we are in the house, we can actually SEE him - not just hear him. Yes, we are the overprotective, paranoid parents. :)

Anyway, the monitor FINALLY came in - after ordering it months ago... and we couldn't wait to open the package and check it out! After opening it and seeing how neat it was, it occured to us that having the monitor actually meant something much bigger --- it was finally time to transition our little boy into his own room. (yes, he's been sleeping in our room up until this point). Last night was our first attempt and Zachary, nor Mommy, was too happy about this new adventure. We began a bedtime routine: a bath, followed by a baby massage, reading a bedtime story and finished up with a bottle. Zachary did pretty well, considering he's not used to being in a room alone. He did wake up a few times, but it wasn't as bad as we'd imagined. It was also not as bad on us - except for the fact that we kept our eyes glued to our new monitor screen and jumped at every sound or move he made :)

As I type this, Zachary is asleep in his room (night #2) and I have my trusty handheld video monitor right next to me ---- he is sound asleep and looks so peaceful. Let's hope tonight goes well!

Here's Daddy opening the new monitor

Baby Zachary sound asleep :)

As you can see, this is our new entertainment :)

Presidential Inauguration

Yesterday, while watching the Presidential Inauguration, it occured to me how monumental January 20, 2009 would be in history. I wanted to make sure that I took a few photos of Zachary during the moments that President Obama was being sworn in. I did this so he can look back on these photos - and whether he realized it or not (probably not!) - he was witnessing history. We watched the coverage of the Inauguration events and it was all very exciting. Although our country is in a difficult place right now, I believe that everyone is looking forward to change - and I hope we all work together to achieve that. It will not be easy - It will most likey be hard for everyone - but we are the United States of America and if anyone can do it, we can. I pray that God gives wisdom to our leaders and that President Obama allows himself to listen to what God is speaking. We are one nation - Under God.

Zachary watching President Obama being sworn into office.

He's such a happy boy!

Zachary and I couldn't believe the crowds!

This is Zachary's face while I'm explaining everything that is happening :) Listening so intently.

Such an important day in history...

Watching our new President speak.

Always remember that you were a part of this day in history, baby boy :)

Zachary's 4 Month Check-Up

Zachary had his 4 month check-up this past Friday! We can't believe he's already 4 1/2 months old!!! Isn't it crazy how the time has flown by?! Zachary met another little boy, named Henry, who is only 7 days younger than him... they didn't interact much, mostly just stared at each other :) Zachary's new stats are:

15 lbs, 2 ounces - 55 percentile

24.5 inches long - 49 percentile

He didn't mind Dr. Yang doing the general check-up and he didn't even mind being weighed and measured.... but then the time came to get his 3 shots! :( Our poor little man screamed from beginning to end. He finally calmed down once we held him for a few minutes. We're thinking he doesn't like shots very much... but who can blame him?!

Here's Zachary and his new friend, Henry!

"Wow, you're my size!"

Zachary weighing in... :)

Wow! 15 lbs and 2 ounces! He's such a big boy!

Date Night

Matt and I had a "Date Night" last night - the first one in a long time!

As much as we knew we'd miss Zachary, we think it's a good idea if we start having a night for just US once in a while. Gigi and Popa kept the little man for us and they were very excited to have him! We had dinner at Carrabba's (it was sooo yummy!), stopped for a drink at Uno's and then went to the movies to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It was a really great movie, but beware, it's 3 hours long! After the movie, we walked by the river and enjoyed the crisp weather (okay, the COLD weather!).

It was so nice to go out and focus 100% on each other...not that I don't notice this every day, but I am so blessed to have such an amazing husband. He's so much fun, has a great sense of humor, deliciously good-looking and still, after all these years, such a gentleman :)

We had a really enjoyable night, but missed Zachary! We called to check on him 3 or 4 times, and although we knew he was in good hands, we wanted to see what he was up to :)

I have a feeling we'll have to do this again!

Black Out

That's right... we seem to be having a Black Out at our house.

Lately, it seems as though we have a driveway full of BLACK cars...

how does that happen? Of course, we have our two Black Land Rovers (weird, I know) and then,

Matt recently bought this Mercedes and Audi to resell ---- both black.

It ocurred to us yesterday how strange this actually looks, haha

Just thought we'd share.

Zachary has taken a ride in each of them, and can't decide on a favorite...

I think he takes after his Daddy and loves all European cars ;)

Tummy Time

Here's Zacharoo doing his daily routine of TUMMY TIME!

He enjoys it to begin with and then he gets a little bit annoyed with it after a while :)

He's getting soooo strong and really strengthening his neck muscles...

Before we know it, he'll be crawling!

He's telling Rocko... "I'm gonna get you!"

He was happy once we stopped tummy time and he could relax in the chair :)

"Look Lexi, I get to sit in the chair now... you can have it later!"

What a pretty boy :)

Zachary... Meet your new favorite toy!

The guys putting the new toy together...

Papaw having fun with the dragon puppet :)

"hmmm, I'm not so sure about this thing!"

Maybe a little scared of the dragon???

"Oooo, this is how you work this thing!"

Zachary, Papaw and Rocko having fun!

"Mom! I'm playing here... can't you see that I'm busy?!"

Elmo made an appearance too! :) Zachary loves him!

Having FUN with Aunt Brandie :)

We're so excited! After reading all kinds of reviews and having Zachary test out each model in the store, we decided to buy him the Baby Einstein Exersaucer. After Daddy and Papaw put it together for him tonight, he started playing.... he wasn't too sure about it at first, but after a few minutes he really started to explore and have fun! I think this will quickly become one of Zachary's favorite toys... and Mommy's too! ;)

Jogging with Zachary

We just got an InStep Jogging Stroller and decided to try it out with Zachary! This is the first time that Zachary has faced outward (toward the world!) in a stroller! Let's just say, it was much easier of a transition for him than Mommy! Zachary loved it... he was watching the cars go by, giggling and taking it all in. I, on the other hand, had to constantly run in front of him to check and see what he was doing :) By the end of our jog/walk Zachary was fast asleep...

I think he likes his new ride!

~Tiffany

4 Months

Our little man is 4 months old! It's so crazy to think that this time last year, we didn't even know that we were pregnant yet! Zachary is changing so much.... he's very comfortable holding his head up now, smiling and laughing all the time, looking towards sounds and only waking up once at night (we're still hoping that one day soon he'll sleep through the night!!!). He is the sweetest little boy EVER :) Here's Zach at 4 months!

Zachary in Review :)

Since Baby Zachary has been with us for 4 months now (and there wasn't ONE photo of him on the blog!) --- we needed to do some updating before we can actively start using the blog!

Above, there's a picture of Zachary from Birth, One Month,

Two Months, Three Months and Four Months!

Our baby is growing so quickly and becoming cuter every day!

Where has the time gone?!?!

Sooooo much has changed since I wrote on the Blog last time!

Most importantly, we welcomed our precious little boy, Zachary Parker Yates on September 3, 2008! Zachary was born at 7:04am and weighed 5lbs, 14oz at 17.5 inches long.

He's the most wonderful thing that's ever happened to us and has blessed our lives more than we ever thought possible! We'll start updating the blog with exciting

events and the every day events :)

Keep checking in!

~Tiffany