Zade is 2!

Holy cow! I can't believe two years have already gone by since I first met my sweet baby boy. Zade is the best thing ever, and the sweetest, funniest little kid on the planet. I may be biased, but seriously. He's just the best. We had a little party for him and got our pirate on! Here's some pictures from the party, and a couple of Zade enjoying the warm weather.Happy birthday, Zade!!

 Pirate-map cake. I may not be the best cake decorator in the world, but I think it turned out pretty cute!

Arrrg!!

Rockin' the hats and tats.

New water table. Parents of toddlers- do yourself a favor and get one of these things.

 Loving the water!

Mowing the lawn- if only it could really be his job ;)

That's all for now, folks! Have a wonderful day!!

Forward Motion

    I think I have avoided my blog this year because life has changed a lot for our family in 2012. I wasn't sure if the things going on were things I was ready to share with just anyone who wanted to look at my blog. I knew that the people in my life who needed to be there for us and who needed to know what was going on, did indeed know about everything and I felt I could leave it at that. In the interest of forward motion, and not avoiding posting all the cute happenings around here on my blog- I think it's about time we covered where life sits, be thankful, and move forward. 

    Most of you facebook stalkers have realized by this point, that Alan and I have gone our separate ways. We separated in July last year, and officially decided to file for a divorce in January. Things are still in the works, and we are so grateful for the support we've had from our loved ones. Things are pretty amicable, and we both know that this is the right path for all of our lives. Zade and I have been living in my parent's basement, and in the style only the two of us can pull off- we make it look good. Zade will be spending the summer with his dad in Alaska starting in the beginning of July, so I will appreciate any and all free hugs once he goes. I know he'll have a grand adventure, and I know his daddy is dying to spend some real time with him. It will be good for the two of them, and I'll have some time to get myself situated for when he comes back.    

    As for where things are on this beautiful, sunny day- they really couldn't be better. :)

                  
                                   

Zade is just like me, if there's a puddle anywhere around, you best believe it's getting jumped in.

This was some memorial day fun at the park across from G.G.'s

                                    

Zade found a perfect chair to chill out in at a work-party my mother insisted we attend. Grandma loves showing off how cute I am. (Ok, maybe how cute Zade is.)

Getting ready to go for a run.

"Munch" (aka lunch) today in the backyard. Far too much sharing going on, but what are you going to do.

Dakota knows how to work the system.

And, yes. She gets to lick the plate clean :)

Happy summer beginnings, everyone. Here's to new beginnings, new adventures, and new experiences. I hope everyone has a fantastic day and gets out to enjoy the sunshine! Until next time!!

Yes, This Seriously Is My First Post Of 2012.

Well folks, the title speaks for itself. I have been blog-slacking again. It isn't the first time, nor, I suspect, will it be the last. Forgive me, fam. Somehow I don't think anyone will be too broken up about it, but I felt the need to apologize. Moving along! 2012 has been a big year for us here in the Worner family. I think I will save some of the bigger changes for another post at another time, but for now, I'll just let everyone know that we did finally get our house rented out to a wonderful family and it has been great! Zade and I are now residing in my parent's basement (come on, we've all been there at some point in our lives!), and it's been fun being close to everyone. Since I know Uncle Kyle (probably my most loyal blog-reader!) has probably missed pictures of the Triple Man (Zade), the rest of the blog will be a few pics from the last few months. Enjoy!

IHOP silliness. He had everyone in the restaurant laughing while he flexed his muscles (AKA grunt and make a crazy face until all the veins are popping out in his neck then laugh hysterically). 

Being a kitty.

St. Patrick's Day green waffles!

First tattoo sesh. Pretty awesome.

So, I just wanted to include this because it's awesome. This is the card I made and sent to Japan for Kyle's birthday! Pretty sweet.

Zade, fixin' his ride.

So, this is from February, but it was his first official coffee table wound. Were were glad that no stitches were necessary.

Ok, y'all! I love you all for reading this! Hopefully I can be better about keeping this up in the future. Also, it's my birthday tomorrow, so let's not forget to call me on the phone and sing. Also- Kyle- you better call me for real. Serious. Anyway- until next time!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas, family and friends! I wanted to get this blog post up quickly so Alan could see the Christmas pics- we missed him today! Also I know Zade's aunt and uncle in Japan will enjoy, we missed them this year too. I have a few pictures from fun things this month that I will start with before getting to the Christmas joy!

Zade and I having a chill day with Secelia at Barnes and Noble. Best place ever to just hang out.

I attempted a hair cut this month! He looks like such a big boy!!

OK, let's get down to business. Christmas is , hands down, my favorite holiday. I love the season so much, and it was so fun this year getting everything ready. Having Zade around to enjoy the magic with all his awe and wonder only made it that much more amazing. I'm sorry for the bad lighting in a lot of the pictures, but I really enjoy unwrapping gifts by the light of the tree :)

Here Zade meets his new rocking horse- Legacy. He talks and sings and makes sound effects and is soft and adorable. It was love at first sight!

Zade's face while the horse sings.

First ride, giddy-up Zade!

A giant squishy ball.

Opening some puzzles- bugs and dinosaurs!

Zade opening the blocks I made for him. I'm happy to say that they have been a favorite today!

Zade got some Backyardigan's friends in his stocking.

Giving Pablo and Tyrone a squeeze!

So much fun!

We started a new holiday tradition this year- chocolate chip waffles for breakfast!

True to Zade form, however, he always goes for the fruit first :)

Then it was time to go to my parents' house...

Zade and Owen got a Lightning McQueen car!

Driving around. NBD.

Zade plays with his new zoo.

Owen shooting some hoops with Zade's new hoop! And Zade's exploring their new tunnels.

Happy holidays everyone! I hope everyone had a very merry day- Merry Christmas to all, and to all a GOOD NIGHT!

18 months

We had our 18 month check-up yesterday, and here are the stats: he gained about a pound in the last 3 months weighing in at 24 lb 13 oz which is the 59th percentile, and still being a tall, tall boy he is 34.25 inches tall- the 96th percentile. I love my little ham, he seriously gets cuter every day. He said his first swear word yesterday ("shit!"), oops. Mom is going to have to be more careful from now on. We have also finally commenced in earnest, weaning him off of a bottle. He HATES not having it and to be honest, it's been a rough couple days. We'll make it through though, we're tough cookies. Can't wait for Christmas, it gets closer every day, ya know! We also had a fun cousin photo shoot with Zade and my nephew, Owen. My brother, Chase, is a really great photographer. You can check out his website here if you're interested. Also, I'm hi-jacking a photo from yesterday from his Facebook to add to today's blog.

Our little tumblers, Zade on the left and Owen on the right. The boys are getting so big!!

December?!

I, for one, am completely caught off guard that it is December. This happens to an extent every year, but this year I am utterly bewildered with how quickly it has flown. I guess there is some truth to what my mom always said in that the older you get, the faster time moves. I think having a child does that too. Zade was exactly 18 months yesterday. I'll do a quickie post after his check up with some updates, I can't believe my baby is already a year and a half!

We're still just rolling with the punches here at the Worner home, missing Daddy, and growing up. I've got a few photos to share today, the last of the fall pics and a few as we move into my favorite season of all- Christmas season!

As quickly as it came along, I'm not at all disappointed. I love everything about Christmas time, it has always been my favorite holiday forever. I love the music, the decorations, the baking, the eating, the giving, and the family time. It's a lot of fun having my own home and family now to experience this magic with, I love decorating my tree and baking with Zade. He seems to enjoy it too, as you will witness in the pictures below ;) We also went to the festival of trees, my mom and I go every year. It was fun to take Zade this year, his first holiday tradition :)

Zade enjoyed playing in the leaves this year!

Our cute small tree. I didn't want to get a real one this year, because Al's not around to help me put it up and whatnot, but this little guy turned out pretty cute! And, it's at perfect height for Zade to continually redecorate it as he see's fit ;)

Ah the joys of being a child and licking the beaters :) This one was loaded with cream cheese frosting. Nothing says "good parent" like a sugar high before bedtime, eh?

Yum!

Another baking excursion, not related to the beater pictures above. I love baking this time of year! These bad boys are too delicious for their own good. I have dubbed them "birthday cake cookies" because they are cake-batter flavored. So delicious. If anyone is interested in the really easy recipe, I found it here.

That's it for today, I hope everyone enjoys the wonderful activities of the season! Go see some lights, decorate, bake, and do some anonymous acts of kindness. Enjoy your family, I am missing my husband and my brother Kyle and sister Chiaki. Happy holidays one and all!