Where is Zachary?

Thanksgiving and the Santa Barbara Zoo!

Thanksgiving 2009

I love Thanksgiving. It may be my favorite holiday, though I think we should really find a way to celebrate it every month, instead of just once per year. 2009 was tough on so many people, we were reminded daily of our blessings. I heard a quotation recently but I have no idea where or who said it, "If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back", whenever things get tough I think about this. I also find myself saying, "If this is all I need to worry about, then life is pretty good". It definately helps put life in perspective.



Well this Thanksgiving we were incredibly grateful to have visitors in California. My mom, dad and Erin came to visit for a few days. It was a short visit, but much needed and appreciated. My mom came into town early in the week and spent some time with me, Zach and Doug. It didn't take long before Zachary was grabbing Mimi's hand for EVERYTHING he did, saying, "Come on, Mimi", or "Let's go, Mimi" or "No, this way Mimi,". I somehow don't think she minded.

On Thanksgiving day my dad and Erin flew in and got to enjoy three days of BEAUTIFUL California weather. I think our Thanksgiving day may have even hit the 80's.

Since my mom and I cooked everything in the morning, we (Mom, Erin and me!) were able to sneak away in the afternoon for a movie (TWILIGHT'S NEW MOON!). Then return home for a yummy traditional lasagna (hey, it's OUR tradition).

While me missed spending the day with all of our family (i.e. the Walker's), I am also thankful fo Skype daily. We were able to spend some time with them while we enjoyed the California sunshine.

The next day we took a trip in the new car (yay for everyone riding together!) up to Santa Barbara to visit the Santa Barbara zoo!  Below is a photo journaling of our trip.

This is my FAVORITE picture of the day!  Zach was so excited to pose for it! 

I am not sure if he was in on the joke, but love that he know smiles on cue!

Erin and Zach in front of the Giraffe's

It's a Boy!

After two ultrasounds, the second being almost an hour our little baby's gender has been confirmed.

Doug and I were very excited for this appointment.  Here is the rundown of how it went:

"Ok, I am 95% sure it's a boy but let's see if we can get a better look"
"Yup, definately a boy"
Me "How sure are you?"
Tech "about 95%"
Tech "oh, wait, I never do this, but it might be a girl"
Tech "nevermind, I am going back to boy"
Tech "if someone were to walk in now, they would say girl, we need to get this baby moving"
Me: very confused.
Doug: convinced of bo
Tech: "oh wait, never should have second guessed myself, it's a boy.  For sure a boy"

This was then circled on our photo, and reconfirmed by our doctor.  So...................

 It's a BOY!!!

It will be fun to have another little boy in the house.  I am now out numbered.

Goodbye Toyota Tundra!

After 9 years, Doug bid adieu to his beloved maroon truck for a more reliable and family friendly vehicle.  While the process was sad for him his new car seems to be alleviating some of his pain.

We are the new owners of a 2010 Buick Enclave.  It is beautiful and I think Doug looks phenomenal behind the wheel.  The truck was a great transition car for Doug from college to adult life so we will mourn this loss.  Then celebrate having a car we can all safely fit in and thoroughly enjoy!!

For posterity sake, here are some photos.

(Zach and I both have much more leg room in the new car).

Here is the new car.

Halloween 2009

Happy Halloween!  This year's celebration was spent in San Diego with Luke, Dori and "Baby Tommy".

(It was a perfect Halloween sky)

Leading up to the festive night, was the search for a halloween costume.  Zach and I looked online and unfortunately didn't find anything that excted him.  We also made a few frightning visits to the halloween store (pun intended and appropriate), but no luck there either.  On these Halloween store visits we actually had some experiences that were less than pleasant.  We tried to visit a Halloween store on two different occasions and both times Zachary was clinging to my neck saying, "He scares me mommy, he scares me", bless his heart, he was not a fan of manequins and masks this year.

So because of this we went with an easy costume this year (i.e. being creative with stuff we mostly had and buying new stuff we would use again!).  So what was Mr. Walker this year, you ask?

An Irish Soccer Player (complete with Tattoos!).  His costume was compliments of Aunt Erin's summer spent in Galway (town motto "probably the best city in Ireland").

The addition was some soccer shoes (which are adorable and impossible to find!!).

Zachary joined buddy Tommy (dressed in the cutest Bat costume ever, nice find Doris!)

and made the rounds at a local shopping center and in the Kartalis' San Diego neighborhood.  Walking around the shopping center was great, as Zach wasn't sure what was going on and was timid as usual (our shy little guy).  Then he realized people were giving him candy and he easily walked up and said "Trick or Treat".  That is until the next store when he decided that his job was to then give candy back, so as the guy handed Zachary a piece of candy, Zachary reached in his bag to give the man one as well.  Kids are the cutest!!!

The rest of the night was such a treat walking around the neighborhood with the kids.  Halloween hasn't been better in years.

Happy Halloween 2009 from the Waker Family!

Pray for Daisy

Isn't she ADORABLE?

My mom shared this story with me the other day.  It is a story about a five year old little girl named Daisy.  Daisy is the niece of a Houston family friend and also a California neighbor of ours (she lives in Carpinteria, about 30 miles north along the coast towards Santa Barbara).  Last month she was diagnosed with a form of childhood cancer, Wilms Tumor, in stage 3.  This is a highly curable form of cancer, but she still needs lots of prayers.

Check out her blog here and spread the word to pray for Daisy.

http://prayfordaisy.tumblr.com/

Pumpkins and Palm Trees

Nothing says Halloween like Pumpkins and......Palm Trees? 

Zach's childhood memories seem to have distinctively different details than my own. 

Isn't life wonderful?  It makes me smile.

Halloween 2009

We are less than a week away from Halloween 2009, can you believe it?  I can't.  That seems to be something I say often, where did the time go?

We decided to wake up early this morning to go get some pumpkins and fully embrace the upcoming trick or treat holiday.  We went to a pumpkin patch in Camarillo, Pete's Pumpkin Patch to be exact and had a GREAT morning checking out pumpkins, hay bails, giant hills and tractors, all while enjoying the California Sunshine.

Zach, as always, was a great helper in pushing our pumpkin wagon.

Once we picked out our first pumpkin (Zach picked it out, then picked it up "It's heavy, help dad"), checked out a tractor and conquered a giant haybale.  Zach decided it was time to conquer another obstacle.  The giant hillside.

Unfortunately we were too early for hayrides, but seeing this great maching was just as good for a two year old.

This was the giant hill.  I hope the photo does it justice, but I don't think it does.  Do you see those specs on the left trail?  Those are people, specifically me and Zach.  We only made it halfway because I was afraid of the slippery trip back down, but thanks to "Super Dad" the boys went to the top.  Much to Zach's enjoyment.

Me and Zach

Doug and Zach

(can you believe those GIANT pumpkins only cost $15,

note to self, never buy a pumpkin at a grocery store EVER again.)

As we were leaving with our four pumpkins, I told asked Zach if he had fun, he responded, "Yup".  Then I told him he did a great job picking out pumpkins.  I also told him I thought he picked out the best ones they had, to which he replied, "I think so".  

His vocabulary grows so much everyday.  Doug and I find ourselves laughing each night after we put him to bed while discusing what he did or said that day. 

Each day is truly a blessing.

Happy Halloween from the McGowan's and Duke's!

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Happy Halloween featuring the Walker Family

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Great celebrity story.

Living outside of Los Angeles we have more than our fair share of celebrity sightings.  And anyone who has been with me on a trip around LA knows I have an uncanny ability of spotting celebs in all sort of places.  So you would think this story would be from me, but no it comes from Doug.

During a recent trip to Las Vegas, Nevada for a guys weekend Doug noticed a familiar face waiting with him in the Burbank Airport.  Michael Clarke Duncan from movies such as "The Green Mile" was also headed to Las Vegas.  He created a small stir in the waiting area with some excited fans, and Doug said he was pleasant, cordial and overall seemed like a good guy.  Once they landed in Las Vegas and headed to the baggage carousel an excited fan practically skipped over to meet the star.  Their exchange went just like this:

Excited female fan: "Hi, are you Ving Rhames?"

Michael Clarke Duncan: "No, no I am not.  My name is Michael Clarke Duncan."

Less excited female fan: "Oh, well, you look just like him"

Michael Clarke Duncan: "No, no I do not"



As you can see from below he is absolutely correct.  Poor guy must get that a lot.  Anyway, it provided some comedy for us. 

His Sunday Best

Zach has been doing a great job of eating his meals at the dinner table each night.  He doesn't always finish his meals and veggies are still tough (as is fruit for that matter) but he sure knows how to make dinner an enjoyable experience.

This past weekend Zachary refused to sit at the table with us UNLESS he could wear an outfit of his choosing.  While I believe there are certain things Doug and I need to put our foot down on to establish some boundries, there are other things that are either just not that big of a deal, too much hassle for the return or just darn adorable.  Zach deciding to wear the outfit below was one of these non-fights.  (FYI: Dinner that night was Pork tenderloin with a garlic balsalmic demi glaze with a side Parmesan Risotto, yum!)

I hope your family dinners are equally enjoyable and entertaining.

Jeckyll and Hyde

What is it about a two year old and multiple personality disorder? Everyday I go from having a loveable two year old little boy who randomly hugs me saying,"Mom-my, Mom-my, Mom-my" over and over again, covering me in random kisses, cuddling up on the couch to read a book or watch a show to a little boy who become unrecognizable in an instant. This little stranger boy cries for no reason, will sit down or lay down anywhere he wants (middle of a street, at a check out line, living room floor, on the stairs) and cry incessantly over the silliest things. Today he was so mad at me because I wouldn't let him get a plunger while we were at Home Depot. I guess he thought it would make a good sword or weapon!

I tend to think each age Zach reaches is better than the one before, and while I still hold true to this thought I will say this stage is a little tougher than most. I know we will get through this but sometimes I wish for it to come sooner rather than later, then again I don't know if I want to know what is next!

Week 17

Yesterday was my doctors appointment. Some of these appointments are incredibly uneventful but the heartbeat sounded great (152-154 beats per minute), by stomach is really starting to pop out and we are feeling some small movements. Thankfully the weeks are moving right along. Zach likes to kiss my tummy in the morning and say hello baby. I know he will be a great big brother.

Onto the Fruit/Vegetable of the week!

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

Our lil' turnip

Week 16: How big is baby Walker this week?

The last couple weeks have been flying along. I can hardly believe I am 16 weeks! I am headed to the doctor next Friday for the update but overall I have been feeling great (minus a few headaches and a possible ear thing). All of my clothes are still fitting (a little tighter but still fitting and able to button/zip!). I have gained 7 pounds overall (5 pounds in the first trimester!). If I keep this pace I will be content, I just hope I don't have one of those crazy months where the numbers creep up way to quickly!!!


How your baby's growing:

Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.


How your life's changing:
The top of your uterus is about halfway between your pubic bone and your navel, and the round ligaments that support it are thickening and stretching as it grows. You're probably feeling a whole lot better as you settle into pregnancy, too. Less nausea, fewer mood swings, and "glowing" skin contribute to an overall sense of well-being.Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling your baby move. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, many don't feel their baby move until about 18 weeks or more. The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll grow stronger and you'll be able to feel them much more frequently.

Do you get this excited for your favorite Television Show?

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Zach has two shows that he prefers to watch over most others, Handy Manny and Calliou. If you aren't sure what he is saying in this video it's "Manny, Manny, Manny". We haven't had Handy Manny on very much lately and we happened to catch it the other day. To say Zach was excited was an understatement.

(on a side note, we do have furniture but we were waiting for our new purchases that particular day and it is possible I may do this same dance on Thursday when the new season of the Office starts!).

Baby #2: Week 15

The biggest news of the summer was the news that the Walker Family (of California) is getting a little larger! What was once a party of 3 is happily growing into a party of 4!

I will be updating baby information based on emails I get from babycenter.com as well as my personal experiences!

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam.

There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.") I don't think we are going to find out until week 21.

We are super excited to welcome a new baby into our lives and give Zach a baby brother or sister.

We've moved!

So one big piece of news this summer is that we moved! YAY! We are no longer "Oxnardians" as Doug liked to call it. We are now Camarillo people. A much prettier sounding name than Oxnard.

I will say Oxnard was very good to us. I never in a million years thought we would live there for 4 (FOUR!!!) years, but it was a very good 4 years.

I am looking forward to our newest location chapter, Camarillo.

Where did the summer go?

We had such a great summer this year. It was filled with great weather, family vacations, trips to the pool, walks to the frozen yogurt shop and many other terrific summer memories. I haven't updated the blog very often because I have been lazy, tired, busy, bored, etc. But I am working on a few updates to share some of our great summer memories. I hope to have it all completed in the next week.

Blogs for a Cause

Last year I decided to update my blog. I was planning on doing it myself with something free and simple but while lurking on another blog came across a site run by young entreprenuer and goodwill ambassador. After looking at her site, blog make-over work and knowing that something else is coming from my fee I decided I would HAPPILY pay her to makeover my blog instead of doing it on my own. (though I do hope to tackle this craft one day!).

www.madebynikki.blogspot.com

I encourage you to also talk to Nikki about re-organizing your blog. She does great work both with HTML code, design and helping children and those in need across the world.

I will be utilizing Nikki's talents again so check out our new design coming soon.

Basketball: I Did It!

Zach is very proud of his accomplishments often shouting from the rooftops, "I did it". He is currently perfecting his basketball skills along with dancing, singing, and household chores. Below is a video of his proud basketball accomplishments.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

On a side note, a week ago Zach was dancing in the living room. I said, " You are a good dancer". He replied, " Thank you, I know". It might be time to teach him that we must be humble.

BEST. MOTHERS. DAY. YET!

I had the best weekend. That's right, I said it! Doug asked me over the last couple of weeks what I wanted to do for Mother's Day. I wasn't sure of specifics, yet I knew I wanted to do something with him and Zach. Doug has been very busy with work lately so we were REALLY looking forward to having a work free weekend.

Here is what we did. On Saturday we thought about having a fancy pants dinner, we ended up grabbing burgers at The Counter in Westlake Village. This may sound lame to some people but since we were able to eat outside, try someplace new and do it in Westlake Village (one of my favorite places), I found it to be a PERFECT night!

On Sunday, we woke up early and decided to grab breakfast (another favorite of mine). There is something about our breakfast routine. We never went out to breakfast when we lived in Texas, yet here, it has become a really fun routine I look forward too. We don't go every weekend, but try to go at least once a month. Our Favorite place is Brents Deli (also in Westlake Village, are you noticing a trend here?). I don't know if it is the food I love so much (though it is the most important meal of the day) or the fact that Zach tends to sit through a Breakfast meal out more than others, either way it is something I hope we always do.

While we didn't make it to Brent's for breakfast (40 minute wait, obviously others like it as much as me!), we did go to Jack's across the street. My new favorite breakfast meal was enjoyed (egg white omelet with carved turkey and swiss cheese, yum!). After breakfast we headed down to Santa Monica. We planned to go for a bike ride at the beach, HOW FUN IS THAT!!!

There is a 30 some mile bike trail along the coast from Malibu to Pacific Palisades, I can't say we rode all 30 miles, but we did have a good two hour ride around with Zach trailing behind.

I hope your mother's day was just as good as mine!

Yumm.... Cupcakes!

Spending the day with Thomas the Train

On Thursday this week I was reminded that Thomas the Train was visiting in nearby Fillmore. I heard Thomas was in town, but I thought it was only for one weekend, LAST weekend. Talk about a slight case of Mom guilt, when last Sunday evening rolled around and I was sitting down thinking, hmmm, I feel like there was something I was supposed to do this weekend, hmm......than as if on cue Zach starts playing with one of his Thomas the Train books. ACK! Thankfully, while at the gym on Thurday my trainer Courtney showed off her pictures of taking her kids to see Thomas, then reminded me he was there this weekend too, FRIDAY, Saturday and Sunday. SWEET! So I called Kim and her son Nicholas (aka Nicky or as Zach calls him Nit-Knee), who is a Thomas afficiado and expert on all things Thomas and Friends.

As we drove into downtown Fillmore (very cute BTW), we drove past Thomas on the track. Zach proceeded to get very excited than very sad as we kept driving looking for a space. Once we got out of the car and walked back towards the trains, Zach and Nit-Knee, both saw Thomas and said, "Hi, Thomas". It was very cute.

Going on a Friday was great, there were only about 50 other people there. It got a little busier when we were leaving but no lines or craziness, other than our own boys running away from us (mostly Zach).

So we got there and took a picture with Thomas, walked around the tents, had a snow-cone (I ate most of Zach's) then went on a 25 minute train ride, led by Thomas. It was great. A simple shot out and back but it was open air, went through a tunnel, crossed a busy road where cars waved to us, through a field with waving workers and past constuction sites with working "diggers" as Nicky called them. Both boys were great at pointing out all the sites.

Working part time is WONDERFUL! as it really allows me to find cool things like this to take Zach too and spend time with friends like Nicky of Zach's and mine with Kim!

Here is Zach's new excitement for trains.

And we are back!

Zach would like to say hello.

Broken Computer

We are currently without a home computer, somthing that is INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING! Hopefully we will be back up and running in a few days. I have lots of great photos and stories, so fingers crossed I will be back to updating the blog this weekend.

HOO-RAY!!

There is nothing like hundreds of NCAA basketball games to get you cheering. Zach had a great weekend with Nana and Granddad, practicing lots of his cheering!

What a ham lately. So funny. And other than hooray, there are also lots of Wow's. I need to get that on video next, WO-OW.

Man on the run

When Zach sees something he wants, he knows how to go for it. He is moving quicker these days almost ready for a full on sprint. His sprints are best in places where they shouldn't be (i.e. parking lots, stores, towards stairs or other forbidden places!).

Sledding..............California Style

As the Northeast is pummeled with snow today (and for this winter), I was thinking about how Zach's and my childhood could potentially be very different. Will Zach know the joys of sledding?

While at a park in Thousand Oaks this weekend, Doug and got to see the (No Snow Needed) sledding alternative, first hand. Check out the video above (video is an example).

As part of a kids birthday party, there were 20 or so large ice blocks, burlap sacks and lots of kids riding them down a big hill. So I guess there is now year long sledding.

And as much as I miss the people back East, I think having a sledding option minus all the clothes and freezing temperatures may actually have a slight advantage.

Did I mention it was 75 and sunny this weekend?

Explanations

I really want to be a better blogger, I promise I really do. I am just going through some "growing experiences" within myself (incurred through work) that I am fighting to not best me. And it won't!

So, say it with me, "My job will not define me or be the most important thing in my life". Duh, of course it isn't the most important thing in my life. I just want to make sure it doesn't affect me or impact the things that are most important (Doug, Zach, family, friends). So patience is a virtue, I will become a better blogger again and my blogs will be fantastic!

I feel better already.

Say it like it is!

When Dad's away.............

We miss him.

New Year Resolution time!

Happy 2009 everyone! It is weird for me to think that Zachary is old enough to have been around for the entire 2008 year, as he is creeping up to the 2nd birthday (ok, we still have six months).

2008 was a great year just like the years before that. 2009 is in the works to be even better! I can't say there is anything specific planned for 2009 but why not make it a great year.

2009 Goals!

1. Workout more
2. Save more money!
3. Go to more movies
4. Take Zach outdoors as often as possible
5. Blog more (you want to remember these days!)
6. Find a house with a yard
7. Use the phone more
8. Make work a happy place

What are your goals this year?

Another question I am asking is should I make my blog public or keep it private? Probably doesn't matter if I don't update the blog butjust saying I do????