The Fernbergers

being a parent to zach just gets more fun! 

 

he now says just about anything he can think up and his clarity is improving.  Yesterday he said, "momma, more frosting please"  he does not like cake.  just frosting.  Susie says the same was true with Matt.  sugar!

 

Zach is a guys guy.  he loves his grandpas, his uncle Dave, and his friend Nathan Barkley whom he fondly calls "the boy" 

he loves the ladies too but other than "mama" it's not even close.  But he did enjoy coloring eggs with grandma (grandma Fishie is his term of endearment). 

 

zach loves the water and sports.  he likes to swim and today wanted to climb the lifegaurd chair and jump into the pool from the top.  this on day ONE of swim class.  uh oh.  As from the beginning, no big deal to dunk under water, blow bubbles, kick across the pool, etc.  the main problem we have is that he likes to jump in the pool out of my reach.  i think he actually likes sinking!  yes.  uh oh. 

 

he is also a cuddler.  he lilkes his cozy blankees and is right now cuddled up to my shoulder watching finding Nemo.  although he likes the scary parts the best - firs scene with "the mean fishy" is his favorite. 

 

he is amazing on his scooter and likes to show off by leaning his head on his arm across the handlebars and looking back at you while he zooms forward.  this usually ends in Zach hitting a wall or grass.  At which point he falls over and then just lies there.

 

zach weighs 29.5 pounds.  He has gown 1/2" this past month and now is 36.5"!

 

email from matt on friday: 

Zach so far has eaten 4 hot dogs, cheese puffs, bowl of raisin bran with milk. He is still eating and making dinosaur noises...

 

 

 Favorite recent quotes are:

"Me share with me!"  - response to sharing with Austyn

'I try it" - which he says every time he wants to eat something

 

favorite books:

Harold and purple crayon

all dr seuss books

where the wild things are

puff the magic dragon

 

favorite toys

matchbox cars

trains

plastic dinosaurs, sharks, dolphins and horsies

 

favorite foods

cakie and frosting

pancakes and syrup

cheesie noodles (mac/cheese)

hot dogs

broccoli

orange juice

water

spaghetti

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zach is just ful of language these days.  He repeats most of what Matt and I say.  This weekend he announced that his name is "Zackie" and he insists that he is THREE not two.  hmm. 

 

He has named his dog Gaboo

He said he needed "peices of pizza" tonight

Who is your best friend?  Mannee

He loves juicee and clarifies when he wants apple or orange juice

 

he will stop and loook at you and then shout "GO!" and take off

he is a shockingly good skooterer - doing knee bends, one leg up, pigeon heads and other very cool manuevers

He rode the skooter down a bit of a hill and as Matt chased after him full speed zach screeched with delight "I'm flying!"

he likes cakee but now adores pan-cakie!

he likes "momma's jewery"

 

His waist is 18" and he is 36" tall

 

He has his 2 year check up this week at Dr Gidwane's so we'll see what he weighs and where he is on the charts and all that

 

we are very proud of our little guy.  And I tell him I love my sweet boy every night. 

Tonight he said he wanted to go "nigh nigh" and once in his crib he told me that he would be dreaming of "dadda" and "flying". 

 

Me too.

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday 2/4/09

"Here I come, Juice!"

-Announced loudly as Zach is about to take a sip of orange juice.  Every time he took a sip. 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: mfernberger@yahoo.com [mailto:mfernberger@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 7:27 AM
To: Reker, Aimee (NYC-MRM)
Subject: This mornings conversation

 

Dada, I want donut cakey.

 

Zach, we don't have donuts.

 

Dada, money.

 

You want money to go buy donuts?

 

Yes!

 

----

Thursday 1/29/09

 

"Mamma, I lah lah"

 

translation: Momma, I love you.  Which he told me over the phone while I was in London working way too much, for way too long, while way too sick.  I cried, of course. 

 

 

A grand second birthday celebrated last night with Mom, Dad and Auntie Alex.

 

Zach and I had fun making a "cakie" together.  And we decorated it with jungle animals.  It's been the talk of the house ever since!  Today started out with a big lion mylar balloon and a new JOOM airplane.  And more cakie.  And the 300th viewing of Madagascar. 

 

Celebrations to be continued this Saturday when his little friends come over for more sugar. And hopefully we also share some bday fun (and valentine sweets) with lovely grown-up cousin, Daphne.  

 

 

As you can see from pics below - Zach has his four upper teeth, two bottom teeth (??) and is now getting his four molars (bottom left is half in but others are just poking through). Teething is affecting sleeping and is the cause of the recently ended affair with the juicy bottle. But we're making progress on sleeping through the night again - in addition to bottle free living.  Last night Zach woke up twice and got up for a bit at 5am but then back to sleep until 7.  getting there....

 

But it starts every day out great that I wake up to "momma?".  Regardless of the hour.

 

 

Splish splash here’s to taking a bath! 

 

Mom and Tom have been renamed Grandma and Grandpa Feesheee – in honor of this little bugger they gave to Zach at Xmas (among a fleet of other things).  Although, today Zach called Grandma “mahmahmahmah” which is technically quite accurate.  ;)

 

He reminds me a bit of Alyssia in these pics.   Maybe it’s just the curls.  Which are the best xmas present I could have asked for.  The curls return!!  Hurray!!  Why is it that babies are cutest in the tub?  I love these shots.  He is the happiest human I've ever met.  Without being giddy, hyper or even truly outgoing.  He is just delighted with the world.  And the tub.  ;)

 

 

Happy to report that Zach gave up the bottle today.  Hurray!! no more Dr. Browns - the bottle of 1000 peices (or so it seems at 3am).  Zach gave it up without the Bottle Fairy having to assist!  Just about 45 minutes of hysterical crying that depleted Zach into a crumpled sleeping ball on the couch.  But then it's been sippy cup (actually a strawed cup) all the way. 

 

And his talking is wonderful.  New words and sentences all of the time.  These include “peas” and “danks” and “I want to go up now”.  Time at home together has been great.  Happy family time.  But i must figure out how to get IN some of these pictures.  Zach may believe that I have a detachable camera as a facial feature!

 

 

Perhaps as a result of all of the chocolate and CAKEEE Zach chose to eat baked tofu, green beans and soy beans for dinner tonight. We gave him chicken and pasta but he wanted my dinner instead.  Much to our surprise and delight.  He also insisted on scooping (or rather ‘serving’) the food onto our plates for dinner.  He said he was cooking.  Adorable but I think he’s just trying to butter us up in thinking that surely there must be some more of those presents around somewhere….

 

Love to all.  Zach sends puckery kisses.

Aimee

What a fantastic holiday.  We kicked things off early and headed down to Grandma Julie and Grandma Tom in Florida the weekend before Christmas.  Zach had the time of his life.  Grandma Julie picked out the coolest dump truck and Grandpa Tom gave Zach a Diego Big Wheel with sounds effects in 2 languages! But the biggest hit of all was Grandma and Grandpa and the FEESHEEE in the pool.  Zach just loved swmming and refused to get out even when the wind got a little cool.  He also loved picking oranges off of Grandma's very own tree. How cool is that?!  And Grandpa's mini pine tree forest is just the right size for racing around.  Mom and Dad had a great time too and were able to take some time alone and also visit with dear friend Kimberly who drove up (way up) from Tampa. 

 

We got back to NYC on Monday and talk of Santa filled the week.  Matt brought home a gorgeous tree and we decorated it all together on the night before Xmas eve.  Uncle Peter and Auntie Bron had lovingly brought over magical ornaments for our NYC tree.  Zach spent hours talking to the animals and santas and courteously introduced them to each other during several play dates.  On Christmas Eve Matt and Zach set out carrotts for the reindeer and cookies (with sprinkles, no less) and milk for Santa.  Zach had asked Santa for a scooter and boy did he deliver!  Zach awoke on Christmas morning and ran out to find his stocking stuffed with a little black lab puppy, matchbox cars galore, a book of cute baby animals, an orange, chocolate money and a tin of french hard candies like Santa used to bring to mommy. 

 

Grandpa and Grandma Reker sent Zach the movie Ice Age.  Which he loves.  He describes it as "baaaabeeee and daadaaa" as it's about a little baby that gets cared for by ice age animals and finally returned to his father.  We watch it 4-5 times per day.  Good thing we all like it!

 

Grandma Susie was not able to make it from Boston but she sent along fantastic books and a marvelous snow globe with all of Zach's favorite animals.  It plays "If I could talk with the animals".  Very sweet.  He likes to play it before his nap.

 

Christmas Day we had breakfast together, took nice naps and then headed over to see Uncle Peter and Auntie Bron and Zach's cousins Emma, Daphne and most of all, Henry.  Zach adores Henry and Henry is sweet enough to let Zach follow him about.  Zach even got to snuggle in to Henry's lap and learn how to play video games.  he watched in wonder as Henry conquered gnomes and giants. 

 

Zach is growing up so fast.  I guess that's how all parents feel.  But seriously.  It's just going so fast!

Zach has many words including please, thank you, i don't want, me, baby, nigh-nigh (which is his super blankie), mow (the cat), feeesheee (fish), zooom! (airplane) and choochoo.  He's a tall, thin, athletic and thoughtful little boy.  And he fills his mom with love every time he snuggles in with her.  How lucky am I to have a snuggly little boy.  Melts my heart.  But Zach sure loves his Dada.  He really won't tolerate Matt being gone for very long.  In fact, this morning Matt was napping but Zach thought he had the apartment so he unlocked the door and ran into the hallway pleading for DaDa.  We had to go in and spy on Matt to make the world right.  So cute.  See how cute they are here...

 

 

 

So many fun things.  Time is flying!

Zach is finally getting some more teeth.  His middle molars on his top right and left have just broken through.  And he's growing like crazy!

 

Zach loves his zebra tent.  It is monster proof.  We love to run through it and read books inside of it.  And Zach feeds it carrotts. 

 

 

Zach discovers his sweet tooth with Great/Super Grandma Klein

 

 

Zach said "taxi" today.  I guess that means he's a new yorker since it came before "car".  Pretty cute.  His words are coming so fast these days.

Zach is practicing for Halloween.  He is going to be a cowboy on horseback complete with cowboy hat and boots.  Very cute.  He will be all ready to trick or treat withhis good Cardinal Creek neighbors John, Amelia, AJ, Aaron, Mahad, Maleha, Maddy and Hailey by the time we return to MN!  We miss our neighbors and will definitely miss all of the pumpkin spirit. 

 

 

Originally Zach was going to be a tiger..but it just couldn't contain him. He got too tall. And too fast.  Rahr!!

 

Manning and Zach are the strong silent type.  Tony says thing like "that ship's enormous!".  Benefit of siblings? 

 

Anyway, these are his buddies.  And Milena and Genevre hold a special place in his heart. 

 

 

Zach is enjoying his visit with Grandma Susie and all of the relatives who've come in for Grandma's 70th Birthday Party in Salem.  Spending great time with Dog Ruby (oof oof) and beloved Cousins Henry and Daphne.  Saw Uncle John and Aunt Ann for the first time since he was teenie tiny.  Met Aunt Hannah, Uncle Glenn, Cousin Crystal and friend Kevin for the first time. Uncle Glenn sat up up with Zachie while he had a rough night teeting.  Still only 6 teeth but working hard on adding to the collection.  Zach showed off his love of animals, big kisses and his knowledge of ears, noses, cheeks, feet and the like.  He enjoyes pushing his little stroller around at break neck speeds.  This is the most fun stage yet but we're also seeing a very focused, determined young man who doesn't like waiting or being denied.  Hey, who does?!

 

On Monday we attended a thrilling and emotional event.  David's deployment (400 days in Okalahoma, then Kuwait and then Iraq) finally arrived.  The Guard threw a very cool ceremony at the Hanger with great speaches, all you can eat BBQ (with pineapple upside down cake!), FIVE helicopters you could sit in and then watch depart in formation, a Chanook huge helicopter, everyone in uniform, lots of friends and family and free stuff.  It was really nice time to be able to show support and start to prepare for time apart.  We are so proud of Dave and it was great to see him in his element.  He is really happy and is focused on his mission of helping others.  It was very cool. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We have been without our furniture in the apartment for a while.  It's been a little tough on Zach as there is not much for him to do inside.  And there are my any things that he's to remember not to do...like start the gas stove, climb up on the windowsill, stand on the table, jump on the airmattress alone, flush the toilet, discover the toilet paper, pull the cat's tail, bang on the walls, let himself out of the apartment and call the elevator, and so many more fun things.  Very frustrating.  One day Zach was going after the cat pretty hard and Matt was worried Daniella would snap at him as Zach went for her tail.  Matt quickly yelled "No! No Zachie! don't pull the kitty's tail.  She doesn't like it."  Ever since he's been screaming NO! to us, to the wall, to other kids.  Sigh. 

 

But our furniture finally arrived.  A little worse for the wear but mostly whole.  Zach's got all of his toys, his super (he went without it for 2 weeks and squeeked with delight when he got it back yesterday), his weed whacker, his green cart, his crib.  And we have our familiar couches and chairs and a real bed.  And our first weekend in new york with a car.  Hmm.  what to do?!!

 

Matt and Zach have met many other kids at the park.  There will be much to share in the coming days - so far he's been bitten by a blonde girl, slapped in the face by a much older boy, and pushed down by many.  He's done his share as well.  But he mostly likes to watch the other kids - they don't seem to understand that he's still a baby because he's taller than most of them.  He loves the water maze at central park.  He was definitely the youngest kid in there as it's for "big kids" - mostly 6-13 year olds.  Didn't phase our Zachie though.  He ran me to a nub and then wore out Matt as we chased him around the maze filled iwht 1" of water.  Great fun.  We all slept well that night!

 

On to the weekend!