Like a Moth to a Flame...

Have I ever mentioned this child's love of water?

This is what happens when you turn your back for one second (literally) to trim another spot on an older son's hair.

Who needs words when you're a man of action!

That's right. Mr. Water-bug, himself, hopped right over the edge of the tub and then acted like it was no big deal to start playing away fully clothed. The boys thought this was ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS!!! And when they saw and felt the massive size and weight of his waterlogged diaper afterward, they just couldn't laugh hard enough!!!

Zane-18 months!

Today is Zane's last day of being 18 months old! Here he is with his curly little locks eating a piece of pizza. He and Colby were just cracking themselves up today at lunch- a couple of little comedians!

It's been a year and a half since February 6, 2008! Already! Wow! Do you ever feel like things in your life feel slow and fast at the same time? So much has happened since that time!

Day 1- February 6, 2008

Zane has changed a lot over the summer and particularly over the last six weeks or so, I think.

August 22
Sprinklers with the brothers

He's still not much of a talker (how can he get a word in edge-wise with 3 older brothers?!)...probably biding his time for just the right moment to present some sort of dramatic soliloquy or something...like this morning... First thing he did when he saw daddy come down the stairs was say,
"Hello!"
It was so completely clear, at the right moment, and with the right inflections, that we imagine he really meant to say it...but, his only other official word is "Dada," so I guess we'll have to wait and see if he says it again!

Here are a few snapshots of Zane's personality at 18 months and some possible leads for future employment:

July 17
Plumber...

July 17
Nudist...

July 17
Musician...

July 17
Social butterfly...

July 17
Budding artist...

July 25
Pastor...

July 28
Beach bum..."No one told me there was going to be sand on the beach!"

July 28

Conscientious business man and facebook addict... :)

August 11
Food connoisseur...

August 23
Backpack...er...

August 23
Naturalist

September 3
Avid sports and tail-gating fan...

We have enjoyed you so much, Zane! I wonder what God has in store for you?!

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:13-16

Days to Remember

Zane is now 13 months old and quite the inquisitive little mover and shaker! He's also definitely fast approaching that hilarious/not hilarious toddler stage of:

If it's open...close it.
If it's closed...open it.
Take it...toss it.
Want it...don't want it.
Don't want it...want it.
Start to laugh...start to cry.
Start to cry...can't keep from laughing.
Want up...but want down.
Want down...but want up, too.
If it's on...take it off.
If it's off...try to put it on.
etc.

A 13 month old's constantly revolving emotional door can be somewhat trying, but at the same time, we are just loving the mustering up of cheesy grins on command, the clapping hands with proficient zest, and the thrill of the always surprising peek-a-boo!

My all time favorite, though...the best ever...is the "hug-me-hold-me, tuck-the-hands-in, I'm-tired-and-soooo-content, snuggle" at the end of every wild and woolly day...These are days that I never want to forget!

Out On The Town

December 12

Who doesn't need a nap after a big meal!?

Ten Months!

Ten month old Zane is on the move! This little man loves opening cupboards, climbing stairs, walking with the vacuum cleaner and dropping any item, any time, anywhere! His brothers adore him and love to entertain him and he adores them in return. He has no problems consuming vast amounts of food (please don't eat that piece of carpet... Ewww, don't eat that dead fly... that paper is not for you... sorry, no rocks for you today!) and is now sporting a cute little pair of top teeth to match the bottom two!

Nine Months!

This month, Zane's new trick has been pulling himself up on anything and everything that could possibly/remotely hold him (including, but not limited to Oquirrh, a moving vacuum cleaner and big brother legs).

Tonight, Colby said, "When Zane starts ta walk, I'm gonna ta build him a house!"...which is going to be very helpful if our house blows down in this Wyoming wind (part of our dog run gate blew off last night)!

At nine months, Zane loves his brothers, baths, the dog, cereal puffs, corn chowder and cars (to chew on) and he has just started thumbing through board books instead of just gnawing on them.

He does NOT appreciate mommy and daddy leaving the room and/or naptime/bedtime but... mommy and daddy sure are sleeping much better now that Zane is sleeping in a different room! It's great to be able to pick Isaac up from school without feeling like I'm going to fall asleep at the wheel!

Sadly, Zane's Hermit crab, one leg out crawl has morphed more or less into a regular crawl. Scott and I will miss that cute little thing!

Mommy For President

I voted this morning and took Ian, Colby and Zane with me. They were really good, (partially on account of a surprise I told them they would get if they were good, which was watching an episode of the Backyardigans, my favorite cartoon!) even though it took about an hour of standing in line.

During that time, Colby asked me if he could play in the jungle (a bunch of plants in a corner of the building), Zane fell asleep in my arms, Ian read all the "vote now" signs, and we talked a little bit more about what all the people in line were waiting for.

As we were leaving the building, the boys asked me several times if we were done voting. When I said, yes, we are all done and you boys were really good, Ian then asked in all seriousness,

"Are you going to be president, now?"

I love my boys!

8 Months!

October 4, 2008

Another big month for Zane! He is now on the go! His first crawl was actually on the floor of the (I'm sure very sanitary) pediatrician's office while waiting for our pediatrician. Now that he has a couple weeks of crawling under his belt, he has adopted a very distinct style... He tends to crawl with one leg bent and one leg straight (reminds me of a hermit crab!) like he just can't decide whether to crawl or sit or try to pull himself up! He is also the proud owner of two cute, (very sharp) bottom teeth!

Seven Months!

September 1, 2008

September 2, 2008

September 6, 2008

September 6, 2008

This has been a month of big changes for Zane... rolling and rolling, not sleeping and not sleeping, getting his knees under him, and today he even sat up for a long time by himself at Ian's soccer game! When Ian saw him sitting, he was so excited and asked, "How did you get him to do that?" (Well...I do what I can!)

Eating Like a Bird...or a Porcupine!

Zane ate oatmeal for the first time today. He loved it! He has started opening his little mouth like a bird instead of pushing his tongue out! (ok, this picture isn't from today...and it isn't oatmeal...and he's still pushing it out with his tongue...but it's still cute!)

Speaking of eating...a porcupine came out tonight to eat the watermelon leftovers that I had set out for the deer. Wow! It was huge and had such a cute little waddle! I was really glad Oquirrh was inside the fence and couldn’t get to it. I’m really disappointed that I didn’t get a very good picture of it.

Five Months!

July 6, 2008

Zane is now professionally rolling from front to back, happily eating cereal, playing with his feet and hands, holding toys, putting everything he finds in his mouth and loving his loving brothers..."He's the cutest baby, ever, mommy, isn't he?!" (quote from Ian)

Not Quite Pizza, But It's a Start!

June 26, 2008

Zane ate his first rice cereal tonight! He was pretty into it, trying to push my spoon hand into his mouth faster. Apparently he was ready! Isaac, Ian and Colby were super excited that Zane was eating real food (Isaac even thanked God for it in his dinner prayer) and each of them tried a bite of his cereal, too. I wish I could have gotten a picture of each of their reactions, too. They had the same funny looks on their faces when they tasted it as Zane did...I think they'll be glad to let Zane eat his fill from now on!

Sleeping Like a Baby

June 17, 2008

This was just too cute to pass up! None of our other boys ever sucked their thumbs or hands or fingers, so I just couldn't resist this little picture of sweetness!

Four Months Old

Zane hit the four month mark on June 6th. Still a happy little baby with lots of shrieks, gurgles and coos. Not quite as good of a sleeper as he was last month, but still..."better than a kick in the pants" as my dad sometimes says! His brothers are super great at entertaining him! What a delight!

Zane Michael Balyo

Zane is already three months old! He is such a happy baby and a really good little sleeper, so far! What a blessing he has been to us!