i'm growing...

a few recent pics of zac (and friends) ...

zac and his newest friend, ben



jessica and zac (zac's nanny who he loves!)

zac and his gram on thanksgiving



zac and his buddy, tucker!

all cozy in my bjorn

This cereal is great!!!



sporting a flannel shirt...happy as a clam!


too much time has passed since our last posting - we have good intentions, but the days turn into nights and then the cycle starts up again. zac is officially 5 months old (almost 6)- not quite sure where the time goes, but we do know that he's growing up too fast! he's a big boy weighing in at 15+ lbs. and laughing at everything that we do. he already has a great sense of humor and we're happy for that! we've been on numerous roadtrips and are trying to see as many people as possible before mommy goes back to work mid-january. we wish we could spend tons of time with all of our friends and family, but there just aren't enough hours in the day!

we are currently in st. croix visiting with my parents for christmas and we look forward to having stephen join us this weekend (providing the 'noreaster' doesn't happen!). we are excited to spend some fun days at the beach and just being together. we plan to smother daddy with love while we have him...school will start up again on the 2nd of january. off to the beach in hopes to get some r&r during naptime!

merry christmas to everyone! we miss you!

Zac giggling

This is our 1st attempt to upload a video...hopefully it's viewable for everyone.
Zac is just starting to giggle and enjoys silly things such as blowing bubbles/raspberries on his belly which is evident from this video. I couldn't resist sharing this with our friends/family!

october...

my 1st Halloween! i am pretty sweet...

It's been a long time since our last post and we've been busy! Where did October go?!?! Granmare and Poppy left to head back to the Virgin Islands mid-month and we had a nice opportunity to visit with them while they stayed close by - we can't wait to visit them in December. Zac is already excited to go swimming with his Daddy in the warm waters (under a wide brimmed hat of course!)
We've ventured on all sorts of mini roadtrips and Zac seems to be enjoying them all. We've made it to CT a few times for short visits to see some of our friends and family. We had a nice visit with Zac's Gram and Grandpa a few weekends ago. Last weekend we ventured to Boston for the day to spend some time with Aunt Theresa. What a great day and an easy adventure - the train is only 2 blocks from us - so convenient!
Zac was a sweetpea for halloween and didn't mind being in the unbreathable costume for the afternoon. We went to a parade with some friends that we have met and Zac actually slept through a fair amount of it as did many of the newborns that were in attendance. Then we brought treats to Daddy's studio and visited his colleagues - we kidnapped Daddy and went to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants...Zac was a hit in his costume!
We are starting to meet more and more people and enjoying both play time and adult time. Daddy is so busy with school that it's hard for him to enjoy many of the activities, but we're looking forward to having him around for Christmas...under a palm tree!

rough day - big yawn...

it's a rainy day and i'm just hanging out in my pj's!!!

hey look - i can fly!!!

i love mornings! i just lay and talk in my crib...

baby varriale...

Congratulations to Keith and Angela on the arrival of your new baby boy!
After much anticipation and a ton of patience, Angela gave birth to Ben Hartle Varriale on Thursday, November 1st.
Ben was 9lbs. 1oz. - now that's a big boy!
Everyone is doing great and from the sound of Keith's voice just an hour or so after delivery - the three of them are on a cloud together. I'm sure there's room on that cloud for Lucy!
Can't wait to meet you, Ben!!!

3 months...

We can't believe that 3 months have already gone by...so quickly! Zac is starting to enjoy some of the routines of our day - he typically starts the day by staring up at his mobile for 20 minutes or so and just talks to it and kicks his feet with excitement. As a family, we enjoy mornings together - breakfast, books, songs (Daddy sings not Mommy!) and sometimes we even walk Daddy to school. It's a family affair with Tucker included! Whenever we have an opportunity we swing by the studio to visit Daddy and he always looks forward to seeing his little man and the little man's Mom! :)


A few pictures from the last week...

Tummy time!!!



Zac and his friend Sam - someday they will not be pleased that we put them in pink and lavender seats. (luckily enough we have a blue bumbo at home thanks to the Proctors!)



he's starting to love his bouncy seat - for awhile he was a bit apprehensive...



clean as a whistle...and now loves the tub!!!



no explanation needed...he just wants to be like his Dad!

zac's christening...

We had Zachary baptized at Our Lady of Sorrows in Essex on the 30th of September and it was a beautiful day. Unfortunately Zac fell asleep at the end of the baptism and slept through the entire celebration. He was admired by all as he sat peacefully in his car seat. We were grateful to have so much love and support surrounding us on such a special day. Thank you to the children who attended (Anna, Caroline and Grace) for participating in the baptism - we'll tell Zac in the years to come what an important part you played in his day. Thank you to Granmare and Pop-pop for hosting the reception at the Yacht Club - it was perfect.
Thank you also to all of you who traveled from near and far!!!

Mommy, Daddy and Zac

Zac's Godparents (Uncle James and Aunt Elizabeth) with Mom, Dad and Zac

Caroline and Anna - acting silly

Caroline and Grace - so photogenic!

Zac fast asleep at his celebration

uncle james' visit...

Uncle James made the trek from California to meet his nephew and to participate in zachary's christening (pictures to follow). We were so excited to seem him and the trip to the airport was a quick one as we stayed with friends - Keith and Angela the night prior. We arrived earlier in the day to have lunch with Candi and Penny and also visited some of my former colleagues. It was great seeing everyone! Zachary started a new sleep routine while at Keith and Angela's...4+ hours at a time! I attribute it to the peaceful off the road room we were in - no sirens, no motorcycles and clean fresh air. Don't get me wrong, he has adjusted beautifully to the sounds here in Providence, but he certainly appreciated a night away from it all...as did I! We tested out Baby V's nursery by using the changing table and rocking in the cozy rocking/glider chair...it was heavenly. That little baby is a lucky one - soon to arrive!

Zac, Candi and Penny - lunch at Agave...yum! yum!

Zac at Keith and Angela's so excited to meet his Uncle James

Uncle James and Zac - he fell fast asleep on his shoulder - seems to be the way when he gets around people that want to hold him and get to know him. (just ask his grandparents!)

getting bigger...

Zac is getting bigger. He's in the double digits with his weight and 11 weeks old. He has been more and more alert during the day (and unfortunately at night, too!) and is just starting to crack his first smiles. It's not automatic yet, but we're getting there!!!


Stephen is loving school. The program is INTENSE, but it will all be worth it in the end. We were solo this weekend as he had a few projects that he was working on and this week he's going to be putting in some very late nights in hopes to have a chance to visit with James (Uncle James to Zac!) this weekend. Also, We are having Zac baptized on Sunday so Stephen wants to be able to devote most of the day to that. Then back to the studio in the late afternoon...it's a vicious cycle!

This is how excited Zac is that Uncle James is coming to visit!!!

Dempsey and Zac just hanging out

Hey Tucker - I'm over here...

Wow - You really are a big dog...I think we're going to have fun together!

Zac after a day spent at the beach - pretty darn happy!

zac has a new friend...

Congratulations to Miles and Tena on the birth of your daughter (and Ella on the birth of your sister) - Gately Alexandra David!

Zac is looking forward to having another friend in RI!

the zoo...

Zac's 1st trip to the zoo...

Shalonne, Sam, Mommy and Zac!

Huge elephants!!!

This giraffe could have kissed us on the cheek - that's how close he was. There were two baby giraffes there as well, but the pictures didn't come out.

Bald Eagles sitting so peacefully on a branch

Camels - it appears as if they might be posing!

we had a great day today! mommy met someone new through one of the playgroups organized here through the city and we decided to meet up on our own as we have children a little young for the usual activities. we met up with shalonne and her son sam (6 weeks old!) and we walked around roger williams park - what beautiful grounds. there are botanical gardens, japenese gardens, a carousel and plenty of geese to feed! we then ventured into the zoo...so many beautiful animals to see. the boys slept the majority of the time (except feeding time!), but mom and shalonne had a nice time getting to know each other. It's so nice meeting someone that has a child so close in age. Thank you, Shalonne for showing us around and for suggesting the zoo! we're looking forward to next weeks excursion...

finally...

We finally have pics of the people mommy talks so much about - although they had met Zac a few times we didn't have any pictures to post.

We made a trip to Newport last week to see Granmare and Pop-pop as they were at the boat show and we were lucky to have Auntie Ashley squeeze away for a few minutes to visit with us. Zac continues to be proud of the sweater that she knit him. Thank you Ashley for keeping Zac outfitted in such precious homemade items!!! He wears wears them with pride.

Dana and Zac - we visited the Fordyce's last weekend and although the girls (Kayla, Kylie and Jillian) were excited to meet Zac they were very busy modeling their new leotards and dance outfits. They were so adorable - calling their leotards 'tars' - and wanting to have the whole ensemble out of the bag before Dana could get all the groceries in the door. If I had been thinking I would have snapped some photos of the beauties showing off their new outfits - I especially liked it when they repeatedly twirled around.

2 months old...already!

Boppy time!
Chilling out in my bouncy seat - This sweater was handmade by Auntie Ashley and I receive a TON of compliments when I wear it.

Just hanging out with Daddy in the park - I love my Daddy!!!

It's been a long day and I am so glad that Mommy is carrying me...getting to know the city is exhausting!

Great Grandma Dannaher, Mommy, Granmare and Zac - after a great lunch in Watch Hill

********************************************************************

ZAC is 2 months old and weighs 9lbs. 8oz. - 22 1/2 inches long and growing...

Today Daddy starts school - we're so excited for him and proud of him at the same time.

We're keeping busy and looking forward to meeting many new people in the weeks to come. We have been involved with a few play groups and are having fun.

We miss our friends and family and think of everyone often - feel free to visit us, anytime!

Hope everyone is enjoying this fall weather

a few pictures from visits and visitors...we welcome visitors!!!

Three Generations

Grandpa Carrolla telling his Grandson that he's going to take him fishing...someday!

Meg and Zac - she's a pro at this!!! Angela getting some practice with Zac - we can't wait for her new arrival!

Grandmare taking a nap with Zac

---> Lisa, Jake (my Godson) and Zac

Aunt Allyson and Zac













The Carrollas - Tiverton, RI (Labor Day weekend at Evelyn's Clam Shack)