Thanksgiving movie

Here's The Boy eating his first Thanksgiving feast. He thoroughly enjoyed all of it, as you can see. Dylan also got some cranberries which he found very very yummy.

He wishes everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving and the very best for the holiday season.

Next up: the Christmas card photo.

Uh-oh part II

Uh-oh!

Dylan on an early Saturday morning, making the rounds and making comments. Dylan says, "Uh-oh" to trash in the kitchen, water on the floor and the cats outside. And he does look just 'smashing' in his little gray Union suit, doesn't he? All it needs is a little flap in the rear and it would be perfect!

You'd have to be pretty hardcore to not find this more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

At the Park & a Bean/Cheese Burrito

Nothing special about these  clips, other than it's The Boy being cute...

Happy Birthday to You - Madonna Inn '08

This was birthday party number 3, at the famous Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. Grandma Pilulaw, Mommy and Poppy went there with The Boy for a little birthday lunch and cake. The whole place joined in singing and clapping for Dylan's special event, which he thoroughly enjoyed!

Dylan Walks!

Dylan Wears Poppy's Hat

Dylan was just amazed today when I walked into the living room wearing my fedora. So of course I took it off and plopped it on his little noggin'. He loved wearing it! So here are a couple of snaps I took of him while he was cavorting around in it. The dark spot on his forehead is the remnant of a nasty spill he took on the driveway. Poor Baby Boy! But it's healing nicely, and it won't be the last one he'll get... 

Cutest Baby on the Block

More Halloween Photos!

Cousin Ari (whose birthday is Halloween - Happy 20th!),

Dylan and Aunt Patti, 2008

Halloween 2008

Here are some photos of Dylan in his 2nd Halloween costume. Ain't he cute? We think so! 

Pah-tay Number One!

Dylan Joseph Zárate, September 12, 2008

The Boy Turns One Year Old!

I Love Balloons This Much!!!

Mommy and Dylan, September 12, 2008

The Boy's First One Year Party

Dylan and Mommy, September 12, 2008

The Boy's First One Year Party

Mommy and Dylan, September 12, 2008

The Boy's First One Year Party

Dylan in Bliss, Bliss, Bliss

September 12, 2008

Dylan, September 12, 2008

All is Good in the World!

Dylan's daycare provider, Yolanda, goes all out for birthdays. Every kid she cares for gets the works - piñata, treats, balloons and a most festive party atmosphere. The kids, both birthday kids and unbirthday kids, enjoy the parties. Dylan's first party was, very suitably, at Yolanda's home.  Oh, and we found out that Dylan has the most intense passion for balloons! OMG, he just LOVES them! And if he sees them, he is very clear he wants them! And now!

No excuses

Dylan, September 12, 2008

Dylan Turns One

His Birthday Party at Yolanda's

OK, it's been a very very long time since I've posted anything here, and it will continue to be slow going. But a lot has happened in the last month and a half - not that that's an excuse... I am going to work on getting things caught up here over the next bit of time (see how vague that commitment was?) and so do stop by time to time to see what up.

The Big Number 1 Is Coming!!!

Dylan, August 30, 2008.

Just to let all you party animals know - Dylan's first birthday (a year...? Already?!?) is coming on September 12th, and the celebration will be on the 14th. (Many thanks to Grandma Pat and Grandpa Lou for letting us use their  lovely home!) It will be a small-ish, immediate family and close friends quiet sort of affair, and an e-vite  will be coming shortly to you lucky few. So do like Dylan (as you can see, he's very serious about this!), grab your par-tay hats and get ready!

Found Gold

No witty comments here, just some photos I found on one of my cards. These were taken just a couple three weeks ago, and then I forgot about them. Dylan is cruising big time, and he is clapping (just say "Yea, Dylan!" and the clapping starts!), and eating nearly nothing but big boy food: zucchini, kiwi, beans, cheese, etc...

Anyway, enjoy the boy in his Hawaiian shirt!

It's Been A Long Time Comin'

Jeez, I can't believe it's been nearly a month since I posted. That will give you some idea as to just how crazy things have been these last few weeks. Vacation, rush back to Sac to set up the exhibition, do this and that, get ready for the return to school (less than 10 hours from now!)... So much has happened, and then due to the exhibition, we've not had a computer for the last two weeks.

OK, so enough of the explanations. Here is what you come to this site to see: photos of The Boy (and others, though that is of minor interest). Enjoy, and please note that the exhibition runs 2 more weeks, so it may be a bit of a drought before things return to normal.



It was early in the morning when we had to 'break' camp. We had found the perfect head warmer for Dylan - and good thing! It was chilly and foggy every morning when we were in Morro Bay. What a delight! Anyway, as we took a break from breaking camp, I snapped some photos of The Boy in his headgear. He is so much fun to photograph! (BTW, Jennifer was standing behind me, making The Boy laugh and grin - Mommy can be so funny!)

Dylan, Morro Bay State Park.                       July 2008

The next few photos are of The Boy with various support crew near him, all standing in front of the famous Morro Rock. We all enjoyed the camping trip, and Jennifer declared the little oceanside town her "newest favorite place!" Me, I've always had a lot of affection for the place and I think Dylan will fall right in line with his parents. My mother of course was delighted to have us in town for a few days. That's why everyone is smiling.

The photo below of Dylan and Jennifer is in nearby San Luis Obispo. This particular local attraction is both repulsive and compelling - all the stuff you see on the wall next to Dylan and Jennifer is chewing gum, arranged and stuck on the wall in perpetuity forever. It is a very narrow alley way, and Jennifer had no desire to stand any closer than she had to - as you can see, there is not enough room to get away from it. Bubble Gum Alley is the name of the place, in case you were wondering. Oh, and note Dylan's look - "Please get me out of this disgusting place!"






And this last photo is one of the three of us, in front of our most humble abode (thanks to Pat and Lou for lending it to us!) at Morro Bay State Park. As people from Sacramento, we enjoy the fact that in July we get to wear sweatshirts and warm clothing. We had a really good time, and I know we'll be doing more camping with Dylan (though maybe we'll get an air mattress for the next trip). Ah, camping photos - everyone always looks their best when they've been sleeping in a sleeping bag all night!

'Nuff Said...

Dylan, Sacramento. June, 2008

Dylan Reads!

So The Boy and I were sitting on the floor, when he decides he wants to read the children's classic, Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? We certainly want him to be a literate child, one who loves to read, so we read to him daily and he always has books around him. He really seems to like being read to - he pays attention, interacts with the book (turning pages and the like), and really seems to enjoy the illustrations. And when he likes something, or wants to get a good look at it - why he just sticks his face right into it!

What's next? War and Peace? More likely Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Who Do You See?

Dylan Feeds Self - After a Fashion!

Certainly one of the biggest accomplishments for a baby is learning to feed him or herself. Once learned, the baby moves into toddler land and becomes more independent. That is great for baby and parent. Of course, there is a very steep learning curve involved here. And that means messy. Fun, and messy, too! Here's Dylan on one recent adventure in learning to feed himself. Note: He loves to talk while he eats too, and notice those two pearly whites in his mouth! More on the way!

Dylan Joseph Zárate, June 14, 2008, Sacramento, CA

Dylan and his beautiful Mommy, June 14, 2008, Sacramento, CA