August 31st

Since Sunday was supposed to be the warmest day of the Labor Day weekend, we decided to go boating.  Chris worked at the Hy-Vee Triathlon, so Zach & I went to Red Rock with Mimi & Papa and Kyle & Amber.  Zach had a great time having a dock jumping contest with Kyle.  Zach had some great moves!

August 23rd

Our family took some maternity family pictures to capture this time in our lives before we become a family of 4.  I love how Zach's personality always comes shining through in pictures!  We can't wait to welcome this baby girl!

August 18th

Monday was the Dog Swim at the Altoona Aquatic Center.  Couper had fun swimming with Rami, Gracie, & Callie.  Zach had 2 major meltdowns when Couper ran off to explore and we couldn't find her for a few minutes.  He was convinced we brought home the wrong dog for a few hours.  He is such a sensitive boy...even more so when he is tired!  That boy sure LOVES Couper.

August 16th

Zach is playing flag football this fall through Ankeny Park & Rec.  His team is the Tigers and he is having a great time.  A parent goes out on the field with each child to help them run plays, so Chris is learning as much as Zach is!

 
 

August 14th

He started school this morning, and he seemed so very small.

As I walked there beside him in the Kindergarten hall.

 

And as he took his place beside the others in his class,

I realized how all too soon those first few years can pass.

 

Remembering, I saw him as he first learned how to walk.

The words that we alone made out when he began to talk.

 

This little boy so much absorbed in learning how to write.

It seems as though he must have grown to boyhood overnight.

 

My eyes were blurred but hastily I brushed the tears away,

Lest by some word or sign of mine I mar his first big day.

 

Oh how I longed to stay with him and keep him by the hand,

To lead him through the places that he couldn't understand.

 

And something closely kin to fear was mingled with my pride.

I knew he would no longer be a baby by my side.

 

But he must have his chance to live, to work his problems out,

The privilege to grow and learn what life is all about.

 

And I must share my little boy with friends and work and play;

He's not a baby anymore - he's in Kindergarten today.

 

 



August 12th

Tonight was Meet the Teacher night.  Despite how it appears in this picture, Zach is really excited to start Kindergarten.  His teacher's name is Mrs.Heller and she used to be our next door neighbor.  There are 24 kids in his class, and we are super excited about this new adventure!  I have to admit, pregnancy hormones plus sending your first born off to school don't mix well!

August 11th

We debated about the Iowa State Fair a lot this year.  Our family loves to go, but the thought of walking around 36 weeks pregnant in the heat didn't sound too appealing to me.  Zach is too big for a stroller but too small to walk that far all day long so that added some stress too.  We had planned to go all day Monday with the boys being in the parade, but Chris had a last minute 1pm conference call come up.  We decided we would go for awhile when we was done with his call and just see what happened with little expectations.

When I first found out I was pregnant and due right after the Fair, the thought of walking around with a big baby bump eating a corn dog & drinking a lemonade shake-up helped calm my nerves about losing another pregnancy.  It became my goal image and was really our only agenda item heading into the afternoon.

We ended up having a great time.  Zach did great walking and we got to see and do everything on our list in about 4 hours.  I really sympathized with the mama pigs this year laying there waiting to give birth in the farrowing display.  I had to get a selfie with one!  The best decision of the day was taking a ride on the Shriner's golf cart to our car on the way out!  Zach & I were really tired at that point.

August 9th

Zach is at the stage where he thinks big kids are really cool.  On Saturday he got invited to Dalton's (from daycare) 9th birthday party.  They had a "Game Truck" that held 15 little boys.  Zach was in heaven and had a great time.  The "big boys" did a great job including my little man!