Zachary's 1st Birthday Party

Woohoo! It's my Birthday party!

Zachary turned one year old last week, and celebrated with a birthday party with Uni friends on the grass outside our house. He enjoyed having lots of different people to play with.

Zachary had a mound of presents to open and slowly but surely opened them all. The main difficulty was that he wanted to play with the toys he'd just opened rather than open more presents.

Daddy assists the opening

Zachary's mini Hiab can pick up blocks

Zachary had lots of lovely toys and books, which are already keeping him well occupied...

Reading all about animals

Zachary particularly liked his maraca

...Then he found it more interesting playing with a pair of shoes

Then it was time for the birthday cake to come out and everyone sang to the birthday boy. Unfortunately it was a little too windy for his candle to light but he seemed to like the mocha cake.

The cute EDF character - Zachary loves these adverts

We're not sure if he recognised him but he did try to grab the cake

"Yum, yum, yum!"

The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing, chatting and playing games...

"Where's my audience gone?"

Zachary and his girly friends (inc. Gibbs)

Hop little bunnies, hop, hop, hop!

Zachary is now 1!

We can't believe how the time has flown - Zachary has now reached his first birthday!

Hasn't He Grown!

See the difference in the empty space on his changing mat...

Zachary at 3 weeks

Zachary at 6 months

One year old

Zachary at One Year

Zachary is a very happy and playful little boy who loves to move around. He has a loud voice and loves to babble. He loves stories, especially when he can turn the pages himself (although he usually tries to turn each page before you have the chance to read it).

Story time with Maike at Philip's first birthday party

Zachary is an entertainer and loves it when people interact with him. He can clap and wave on demand (he just has to hear us say the word 'clapping' or 'waving' and he will respond) and loves it when we cheer every time he does so.

Clapping with Daddy

Zachary loves to eat - fruit is his favourite, especially blueberries, which he shovels into his mouth. If he's eating something else when he is presented with blueberries, he will immediately spit it out and throw anything he's holding to allow him to pick up the blueberries as quickly as possible. When Zachary sees us eating something that he wants to eat too, such as an apple, he will kick up a big fuss as soon as he sees it and if he doesn't get it, he starts to cry (he's just like his Daddy!). 

Zachary eating Pizza

Whenever we go out and about, people comment about Zachary's hair as it is constantly sticking up. When they stop to talk to him, Zachary always smiles - he loves the attention!

Tall hair

Baby Mohican

Birthday Celebrations

Zachary in his birthday suit

Zachary was delighted at toddler group this week when he got to wear the birthday badge while everyone sang Happy Birthday to him and he was given a little birthday gift.

Fascinated by his badge

Zachary had the opportunity to open his presents yesterday morning; however, he was more interested in crawling around the room, so Mummy and Daddy did most of the unwrapping. Once they were unwrapped, he enjoyed playing with both the presents and the wrappings. 

Zachary loves his Eeyore toy

Playing with his new Noah's Ark

Opening a Noddy book set - thanks Bumble & Grandad!

Zachary's birthday trip involved visiting Cefn Onn park for a wander around the ponds...

Such a busy morning that he soon fell fast asleep

Running along the grass

Zachary's birthday treat was ice cream, which he loved! It did however get a little messy and kept slipping out of his hands.

He wasn't sure about which end to start with

Finished! With just a small piece left!

Here's Zachary enjoying a ride on his push-along car for the first time. Zachary had control of the steering so it kept veering off in random directions, but he seemed to like it. 

Driving along on the bumpy grass

Even though Zachary didn't realise it was his birthday yesterday, he seemed especially happy throughout the day, although he did cry at Uncle Steve when he appeared with a birthday present!

Today is Zachary's birthday party and we'll let you know how it went next week.

Video Post #34: Zachary's first seaside experience

Fun with the Lewarnes

We were staying in Exeter last week, visiting Bumble and Grandad, taking Zachary out and about and househunting for something to rent when we move here in August (Swith has a  new job teachng Economics at Exeter College).

Here we are enjoying the warm weather at Heavitree Park. Zachary wasn't too sure about the water, as it was quite a lot bigger (and slightly colder!) than his bath at home.

Walking around in the water with Daddy is fun!

Daddy, come back!

We enjoyed a lovely bike ride along the river with Grandad. It was Zachary's first ever bike ride, as we had just set up Zachary's seat on the back of Mummy's bike and bought him a helmet.

Excited about his first trip

Ready to ride

Bumble helped out a lot this week with looking after Zachary while we viewed houses and also so we could enjoy the sauna and the cinema - thanks, Bumble!

Splashing in the bath

Modelling Bumble's swimming hat

A Wonderful Wedding

We were delighted to celebrate the marriage of Anna Lacy and Steve Brown (now Mr & Mrs Lacy-Brown) last weekend. We had a fantastic day and Zachary enjoyed dressing up for the occasion: 

Smart and bright in his orange tie

Here is the lovely couple looking beautiful...

Here we are after the ceremony, before blowing bubbles over the bride and groom. 

Riding on Daddy's back

Auntie Beckrum and Uncle K kindly looked after Zachary so we could attend the wedding reception and enjoy some delicious food and great speeches.

I can't remember what this was called but it was very yummy!

Zachary returned (in something a little more comfortable) and stayed for a short time at the evening reception; he particularly enjoyed the numerous cuddles and the bright lights of the disco.

Clapping is extra fun with Auntie Berni and Uncle Nico

Auntie Phobe and Uncle Nico lead Zachary towards the bright lights

Zachary shows he has expensive taste as he eyes up Auntie Steph's champagne