Grandma & Grandpa Z brave the heat!

Any logical human being knows that Texas isn't generally an ideal vacation destination in August. Grandma & Grandpa are pretty logical - except when it comes to opportunities to love on their grandkids! Despite scheduling complications related to dad's knee surgery (and a myriad of trips and vacations for the "senior Zavodnys") last week we had the pleasure of hosting "Grandma" and "Grandpa" in Austin. Cooper & Lucy didn't quite know what to do - 4 sets of adoring eyes for 5 days straight! They craved every minute of it (especially when one of them was still asleep and the other got to be an "only child" for a moment... oh, how they each cherished that!).

The extended weekend was wonderful - it was punctuated, of course, with Rudy's BBQ (which is now universally loved by mom & dad). We did a fair amount of home-cooking, got mexican food, received free pastries from the new Panera Bread, enjoyed a trip to the mall and showered LOTS of loving attention on two little toddlers! We even managed to order some cloudy weather!

Mom & dad arrived late on Wednesday night - under the cloak of darkness. When Cooper & Lucy woke on Thursday a.m. they didn't quite know what to do with their unexpected guests - in fact, they gasped and Lucy turned the other way (toward Daddy). Well, what a difference 5 days makes - Upon Monday's departure the kids were hugging all over Grandma and Grandpa, reading books with them, laughing, and generally soaking-up every ounce of attention.

While we didn't encounter any huge "milestones" during the visit we do continue to be enchanted at Cooper & Lucy's little development (and their quirks). Let's see... They both are increasing their vocabularies - dog, cat, up, down, help, please, pig, outside ("side"), avocado, bib, and even temperature are among the words on the list now. Also, they continue to LOVE to read books (& make the associated animal sounds). They love to laugh and Cooper especailly loves to dance. They both love going outside where Cooper enjoys being pushed on a swing while Ms. Independent Lucy prefers to climb on our small playscape. Lucy is REALLY interested in belly buttons (not just hers - everybody's) and she has started to grunt ("ugggh") to indicate that's she's really making an effort at something (prior to asking for help). Cooper, our deeply emotional one, has developed a much better sense of "I can" when presented with problems. We're really proud of him because he tries to solve things now... Oh, I guess we also just think they're adorable as they get "bigger". It's really fun because they're increasingly mobile so trips to the store are easier & easier (heck, D got cocky and took them grocery shopping today... solo ... HINT: it didn't turn-out so well).

One final (insert "sad") bit of news is that Karen, our nanny, turned-in her resignation letter. She's kind to assist in the transition but feels that she needs to switch careers due to recurring injury to her back (we think she is really sick of eating so much Chick-fil-A and didn't know how to tell us =) ). Anyhow, we're hopeful that the right alternative will turn-up...

Until next time - Much love from Austin, TX
Mama & Dada

Splish - splash... Summertime is here!

Turns-out that Lucy in particular is quite the water baby... She absolutely LOVES splashing around in pools of all sorts. We bought a child's "sprinkler pool" for the back yard (pictured above) and they both enjoyed it a ton. Lucy (in typical fashion) walked right in without hesitation. Always the cautious one, Mr. Coops took some time to warm-up but loved the pool as well.

June also marked our first visit to the "Lakeway Swim Center" - a great neighborhood pool for little tykes complete with a little "beach". The kids had a blast... We did - to an extent - as we were the consumate "over-protective parents" watching every single step. Ahhh parenting - as seasoned parents have told us - "welcome to worrying - you'll do it from here on out and only with bigger things as they get older". Geez, what did we get into here?!

Anyhow, the kids have really enjoyed their summer... heck, who are we kidding... it's not like their lives have changed one bit. We have the same routine: they're bathed, clothed, pampered, fed, coddled, & watched-after... only it's hotter! Either way it sounds like quite the life of royalty from this end. No wonder mom & dad told me that "every day is kids' day" when I asked them about the inherent unfairness of "Mother's" and "Father's" Days with the glaring omission of "Kids' Day". No mater... from our side it still is the greatest blessing on earth - especially being the servants.

We have had the opportunity to enable Coops & Lulu to hang with a lot of neighborhood kids & they've had a ball. Carter, Hunter, Olivia, Eli, & Mia have been great big friends and Anna, Zane, Kasia & Avery will ge great "same-age" friends. Lucy is walking quite adeptly and Coops is still taking tentative steps only to be rudely interrupted by the floor - RUDE! Anyhow, the kids have clearly "socialized" quite a bit... In fact they often walk around the house with our I-Pods & Cell phones pretending to talk to their Peeps.

The most recent event was July 4th... the kids had a terrific time watching the colorful parade go by. The horses were the favorite by FAR! Afterward we cleaned-up and went to the neighborhood block-party where Coops & Lulu encountered what we believe might be tantamount to "original sin" - the tasting of homemade ice cream. Their eyes were opened! (Brief parenthetical here... do you think english peas with olive oil or avocado will taste nearly as good now? We don't either). I guess every dog has his day... We all went to bed late - surely Cooper & Lucy dreamed sweet dreams.

Until next time. Love to all,

D & Jules

A lot has changed...

Well quite a bit has changed since the last post. First, Lucy has had two big milestones - 1. She had surgery on her eye and it went-off without a hitch 2. She started walking. Both events are huge!!! Also, while Cooper is not walking he did have his first big boy haircut (bye bye frat boy =( ). Finally, on Memorial Day the kiddos had their first "swimming pool" experience and loved it. Other than the big milestones each day is filled with fun as the kids chatter more and explore more...

In addition to the news on kids Jules and I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Scotland (to see Margaret & John) and to Italy in May. We had a delightful time and couldn't have asked for better weather. Margaret & John were wonderful hosts and we can't wait to meet little "Wilbur Bosephus Burk" when he arrives (j/k). A HUGE thanks to Granny, PaPaw, and KK for their tremendous help while we were gone. Sadly, it didn't seem like Coop & Lulu really missed us... but, alas, they were in great hands. Soooooooo... we're settling back into our life here in the states after driving on the wrong side of the road and using different currencies for 17 days.

We're preparing to split Coop & Lulu into different rooms as Lucy is just a party girl who doesn't need nearly as much beauty sleep as her brother. Green walls with pink and green birds are the plan and the painting will commence this weekend... All are welcome to come visit if your calendars will allow.

Lots of love,

us

She barks, she quacks, she says "moo" & she said "da-da"

What a month it's been for Lulu and Coops! We continue to be amazed at how rapidly they are changing... The biggest thing that happened this month is that Ms. Lucy said her first word!!!! (you guessed it - "da-da").

Obviously Lucy doesn't understand "pregnancy" or "labor & delivery" just yet otherwise I suspect she would have uttered another word. Evidently, at this stage in the game, linguistically, it's just easier to say "da-da" - plus D gives her chocolate (no baby, when you read this, I don't). Back to the initial talking thing... Cool thing is Lucy can even see a picture and respond with "da-da" when asked who that is - pretty neat little parlor trick we think! She's also quite adept at quacking, barking at Samson, and saying "moo" to a Chick-fil-A cow.

Cooper hasn't spoken his first word yet but continues to be a chatterbox as it relates to sounds and laughter... Speaking of laughter - how's Coops look wearing daddy's boxers around his neck? Great way to assist in the laundry party, huh?

The kids continue to develop in such neat ways... (and yet so differently). Just like with crawling Lucy dabbles with standing/walking... she pulls-up to her feet and has "cruised" from one end of the couch to the other while holding on... Coops - not so much. He's content to sit when given the option, crawl wherever he'd like to go, and stand when placed on his two feet (he loves staring out the window and banging on the glass). He doesn't desire to pull-up. We suspect he'll go from crawling to sprinting once he sees how quickly Lucy can get around. One big thing he can do though - A "Stevie Wonder" impression that could win a contest (how 'bout them apples!?). When lying down we say "Stevie Wonder, Stevie Wonder" and he closes his eyes, grins, and rapidly moves his head back-and-forth... it's a HOOT! We think he just does it when he's happy but (again, another great parlor trick) - he does it on command!

The other biggest news on our front is that Ms. Lucy has her eye surgery on Thursday, 3/20. We're so grateful that we have such wonderful doctors taking care of things and they really gave Jules some comfort at the pre-op meeting last week. Still - it's our little quacking, barking, moo-ing, talking, pulling-up girl we're talking about, ya know! A whole bunch of new pictures (including camoflage Lucy - can you find her?) have been added to the picasa web album (link is at the bottom of the blog).

Until next time - love to all!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU (TWO)...

Ordinarily you'd think it spelled chaos but 20 adults and 14 kids at our house meant great fun for Coop & Lulu on a (belated) birthday celebration. The weeekend was awesome - highlighted by Coop & Lulu's first taste of cake (a homemade banana bread -pictured above - prepared lovingly by Granny)!

D was busy preparing much of the food for the gathering (OK, the wonderful folks at your local Chick-fil-A prepared nuggets, cheesecake, fruit and more =) ). Not to be outdone though we had several homemade goodies for guests to enjoy... Cooper & Lucy got some terrific gifts including a very thoughtful "birthday in a bag" from Uncle Chad & Aunt Rhonda which even included some home-made crowns from cousins Dylan & Brayden (thanks ya'll!). Among the other big gifts that arrived over the weekend included some swings which daddy was able to put-up with the able & willing help of PaPaw... (incidentally, as an over-protective father I ensured that the weight-limit for our apparatus was in excess of 500lbs - eat-up kiddos!).

Enjoy even more new pics on the link at the bottom of the blog. We missed all folks who couldn't come be a part of this birthday - hopefully we'll get to see you on their next one.

A very Merry Christmas

Coop & Lulu spent there first Christmas in a place where wisemen travel, where miracles occur, and where there was no room at the Inn... that's right - Waco, TX. Indeed, that wise man would be the soon to be "Dr. John Burk" who arrived from Scotland with his beautiful bride Margaret. The miracle would include Lake Travis High School (of Lakeway, TX) became 4A state champs (AND Baylor's men's basketball team has a winning record thus far). And, ... with 13 Christams guests at 3410 there was scant a spare bed.

Well the parallels to a little manger several thousand years ago end there... Of course it is with great joy that we got to celebrate the birth of Christ, our savior, with Coop & Lulu. We had a GREAT time visiting with Aunt Lauren - who finally is getting a VERY well deserved shout-out on this blog, Kakie, Patrick, Daddy Jack, Janet, Ashley, Jason, Hank, Suz, Margaret & John.

What a whirlwind visit - Hank & Suz entertained magnificiently, Lauren "wow-ed" all with her gift-giving (antique Edinburough book - AMAZING! - please pick us as your recipient next year!), Jason fried a turkey, ring-toss occurred (as did John's mighty 187 in bowling), the '07 version of Spades resulted in a split between the boys and the girls, neighbors visited, Coop & Lulu opened their first presents, Buddy came-down sick =( , and that was just the start of it...

There's a first time for everything...

November marked a month of many "firsts" for our dynamic duo:

• Lucy's first teeth (bottom)
• Our first illness (Cooper - shown lounging with his remote above)
• First plane flight (to Charlotte for Thanksgiving)
• First meeting of the NC aunts and uncles - how VERY fun
• First meeting of the NC cousins (who were VERY sweet to Coop & Lulu)
• No, despite our desires to twist their babbling into words (saying 'da di doo dah' while staring at a toy doesn't constitute a term of endearment for dear 'ol dad) these little gems haven't been a "first" for either kiddo yet

So, a big month... Coop & Lucy did really well on the flight out to Charlotte (much to our surprise) and generated the predicted threatening, glaring, "how dare you fly with those little monsters" looks on the return as they (especially Cooper) melted-down for the duration. The aunts, uncles and cousins were darling as they doted-over Cooper & Lucy and assisted mightily with car seat, pack-n-play, food & diaper prep... Of course we managed to visit with a beautifully pregnant Suzy Calloway (& Bryan) & adorable Griffin Coleman (who kept trying to take a nap with Lucy... that rascal is starting early!). We even managed to meet dear friends Britt & Scott Hennesey in Greenville, SC for an afternoon of visiting as we met Will for the first time (and got to hug on Claire, too).

All told it was an AWESOME month. As a distant storyline our jobs both continue to go fine... We're glad to be back in the great state of Texas and back on a quasi routine. We're really excited about the kids first Christmas - Merry Christmas to all!!!