Zach's First Birthday and More

I've been pretty excited about a lot of new recipes and other yummy food experiences this month. Of note: 

• Chia seed pudding with maple syrup and coconut milk (add nuts, strawberries, bananas - Yum!)
• Carrot cake made with apple sauce and maple syrup - Zach's birthday cake!
• Quesadillas of sweet potatoes, broccoli, hummus, and Gouda
• Hot apple cider float - Frank and I shared on his birthday
• Homemade chocolate sauce for Frank's birthday ice cream

Frank double-fisting
it on his birthday!

Zach and I have had the best time this month going for walks! The time change threw poor Zach for a loop - still has - but it's also given us time to go out after breakfast. Until mid-November, the weather was very mild, so it was never too cold. I love getting in a little Zach time and plenty of fresh air for both of us early in the day!

Of course, the results of the election of 11/8/16 were a real blow to the Fordams. It felt like a kick in the stomach. We focused on Zach on Wednesday night and had some Thai food to comfort ourselves. :(

Zach, tuckered out
from his first ear
infection

He's getting very close to walking, though a new interim step has been walking on his knees! He started taking multiple steps together around 11/20, and so he got his first shoes too! 

Climbing the stairs
and new shoes

I've recently started chasing him around his crib on a seat cushion, and he laughs and laughs, especially when we add in a game of peek-a-boo. We chose some of his wall decals and decorated his room together!

At home on the stair landing

Zach having so much fun at daycare!

And of course, his first birthday on Thanksgiving Day (11/24)! He enjoyed cake, presents, and multiple "Happy Birthday" serenades! Plus the entire country celebrated with gatherings! 

With presents

And cake

Vacation 2016 - Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina

Our first week+ adventure as a family of three. We got to see and spend time with lots of family along the way. THANK YOU!

See all of our pictures here and some below.

We aimed to stop every 2-3 hours for Zach, so our drives included wineries and breweries. With cool and blustery weather, we kicked off the week!

Zach having fun at Rockbridge Vineyard

As we drove in to Tennessee, we were treated to beautiful leaf color. The peak color continued into North Carolina!

Frank, Zach, and his apple at Sky Top Orchard

The weather turned unseasonably warm by Saturday. With temps 20 degrees above normal, it felt like a return to summer.

Frank, Zach, Susan at Sky Top Orchard

Because of the heat, we had cider slushies at the orchard, and two milkshakes from Quotations Cafe in Brevad. Yum.

Fall views, near Brevard, NC

After a run along the Davidson River, we took Zach for a Halloween hike. It was too hot for his costume!

Frank & Zach hiking

After stops at Sierra Nevada's facility in Fletcher, NC, and Blanahassett Park in Marshall, NC, to see my friend, Michelle, and her family, we made it back to Johnson City. Marney came to the house for dinner, and Zach enterained us all chowing down on Terri's gumbo!

Zach free standing (!) and Frank at Jim & Terri's

After fun watching Game 7 of the World Series, delicious tacos from the White Duck Taco Shop, and a visit to Parkway Brewing, we rounded out the vacation in Woodstock for Thursday - Saturday. Gamma and Daddy Bob babysat so that Frank and I got out for a hike.

Fall colors on the Little Stony Creek
Trail, Shenandoah County, VA