He walked!!! He walked!!!!

Zachary has been cruising on the furniture for months.. we thought for SURE he'd walk before Jarod did (right at his one year birthday). Nope.. has all the balance and strength - just no gumption to do it. Well tonight he was in the kitchen holding a bunch of cups not paying any attention and he took a step. My mom and I both looked at each other like: did you see that??? Then she said 'do some more while you aren't paying attention'. And on queue - about 3 more steps. He then went into the other room and promptly stood up all by himself. He did several more 3ish steps and was so proud when we cheered him on. Papa got home from work and he wouldn't show off his new skill (my dad has been working with him at least 2ce per day since last weekend) he was toooo tired. Of course I left the camcorder at home b/c what exciting could possibly happen while I was out of town for a few days? Argh!! I'll catch it when we get home. He's going to be running down the halls in no time!!!

And... they're off!

I don't know quite what happened. Last week was a little rough - Zachary required ALL the attention and to be carried everywhere making Jarod a little uptight. So I was doing OK until Saturday... sleep had been interrupted all week and the boys were sitting across the couch from each other SCREAMING at the top of their lungs. Luckily Sarah came home while I was in the pit of despair (please re-watch Princess Bride) and volunteered to take Zachary out to the mall.. oh how nice it was! Jarod even went and took a nap with me.

Sunday wasn't much better - Jarod's nose started running and Zachary was STILL screaming. My mom and dad came down as they both had doc appts on Monday. I tried to convince my mom to stay for a few days. She was FULL of excuses about why she couldn't stay... no medicine... didn't bring clothes.. etc. So I told her 'if you don't stay we are going back with you'. So Monday evening I packed up the boys and we left to my parents. Sarah said 'I really thought you were kidding when you said you were going to go'. I told her nope and she says 'yeah I can see that'. She wanted to know how long I was going to stay and I told her til I was tired of being here. She said she'd give me 3 days.. I told her I packed 4 pairs of underwear.

So far we've just been relaxing (as much as you can with 2 small boys who both have severely gross running noses). I've been working... my moms been helping me with the boys. I actually have decided she's going to kick us out b/c we are a NOISY group of folks!

So that's what we are up to.

Thursday, October 9th - 4:30am

There is voluntary activity in the Weeks / Smith household. As was the case 2 years ago when my mother-in law (Julie) and sister-in law (Abby) rolled into town during balloon fiesta, I INSISTED that my visiting mother (Jeanette) we head over to Balloon Fiesta park for the special shapes mass ascension. I advised both parties that it would hurt mightily but it would be completely worthwhile.

This year - I was especially right. It was one of the coolest experiences. There were so many special shapes that at one point I said 'hey mom look there's a something' and she says 'oh yeah I saw that one taking off'. (I'm slow).

The boys both had a great time. Everywhere Jarod looked he'd say 'look there's a something' or 'look mom what's that'. At one point Zachary saw a balloon that was to much for him and he did his I'm completely excited talking and expressions (see pictures).

After the special shapes were all off the ground they cleared the field for competition. The idea was the balloons would take off (from a field just to the north of balloon fiesta park) and they had to pilot to the park where they would drop a flag from the gondola to a designated 'pole'. The pilot who's flag was closest to the pole wins (I think they win money but I really don't know). There was a pole about halfway and the pilots would get close enough to touch it (they won nothing but mighty cheers from the crowd for that). There were HUNDREDS of balloons in this competition... they kept coming and coming and coming. All flying less than 50 feet off the ground in 75% of the cases. Remembering that you can not 'steer' a balloon... there were pilots that came across the field, headed west toward the river, came back north, then east and finally west BACK over balloon fiesta park. That was TRULY amazing. The Albuquerque box is what allows them to fly in a square - but I'd never seen it in action. The skill required to hit the winds going the correct direction at the correct altitude just blows my mind. Seeing all those balloons was just as cool as the special shapes mass ascension.

Of course we couldn't leave without purchasing a big huge bag of cinnamon roasted almonds. mmmm mmmm mmmm Both boys were asleep in the car before we were to far away from the park.

If I had to summarize it.. I'd use Jarod's words: Mommy that was AWESOME!

Balloon Fiesta - Special Shapes

A year in the life of Zachary Aaron Weeks

52 Weeks Ago

I'm almost weepy... At this time 52 weeks ago I think I'd asked my mom about 5 times if my dad was really on his way to my house to watch Jarod so Jacob could come to the hospital and be with me b/c the baby (who was at this point nameless) was causing me pains (no epidural) and he must be on his way.

Wow! Of course weeks, months and years don't line up so Zachary's birthday isn't until Sunday but he was born on a Friday night - the day before Balloon Fiesta kicked off.

Time just flies... more nostalgia to come.