April Accomplishments

Last week I went to get Zion out of his crib and to my surprise he was sitting on top of the changing table which is right next to the crib. That very morning I converted his crib to a toddler bed. He seems to be adjusting okay to a "big boy bed," although getting him to lay down for naps is a little more challenging. At the end of last week Zion finally got tall enough and coordinated enough to open doorknobs. This resulted in the little guy climbing out of his toddler bed one morning, opening his door, opening Zach and my door and standing by our bed wanting up. This new skill has made time outs in his room a little more challenging as he can now get out.

Talking continues to progress. Yesterday morning he handed me his elephant blanket and said "elephant." He also says chocolate (thanks to Easter candy), thank you, up, "ready, set, go," and many other words that I can't think of at this time.

He is climbing up everywhere and loves playing on top of the bunk bed, on my computer desk, and on the counters. He has found that pushing around my rolling chair is a great way to be able to climb up and reach things.

Last week Zion was diagnosed with an ear infection in each ear. Thankfully he takes his medication willingly most of the time. He is also chewing his fingers, so more teeth are likely on their way.

4 1/2 weeks to go until the next baby Bertsch should arrive. Hopefully I can make it that long. We have a crib set up and I have started getting some other things ready in the new baby room. Work projects and keeping up with Zion are helping the weeks to move by. I was a very pregnant Bridesmaid for my cousin Sarah's wedding the first weekend of April, so wedding activities helped that weekend fly by. The week after the wedding Josie, Jason, and Julie stayed with us all week. Mom came on Wednesday and Dad came Saturday morning so they could all be with us for Easter. Josie and Julie painted our master bathroom for me (a great relief to have that project done).

Last Saturday Zach went to church cleaning and I went to a second hand children's clothing sale at a local church to get a few clothing bargins. We then had testimonies and baptisms at Leo and a get together with our Crown group in the evening. Zach left Monday for a conference and Zion and I are really looking forward to him coming back late tonight. Going to International House Monday night and hosting the Crown Bible Study Tuesday night helped keep the evenings from getting too long. We have two more weeks until we complete the Crown Financial Bible study.

Words from Zion

cookie
cheese
cracker
mommy
daddy
diaper
thank you
more
bye bye
drink
no
yes
down
all done
amen
Jack
Asher
Joy
Julie
shoe
socks
okay
Zions first Hair cut-Feb 4, 2009

January News

We Spent New Years Eve at Brad and Sonya's with Jon and Jennifer, Mick and Brooke (and Ali and Guy) eating, talking, and playing rook. New Years Day was spent at Zach's parents. Zion started feeling sick and we ended up taking him to the doctor on the 4th. He had a viral infection and didn't eat well for almost a week.

On January 8th I had my ultrasound. It was great to be able to see our baby again. Our little one was quite active and would not look straight on so our pictures are all side profiles. Zion was quite interested in what he saw on the screen, but I don't think he understood that he was looking at our new baby. Now we just have to wait until the end of May to meet him/her.

On the 11th Sarah's engagement was announced to Michael Crist. We are all really excited to welcome him to the family.

We went to Pokagon State Park with three other couples from Gateway for Staff Retreat on the 11th through 13th. Settlers of Catan games were frequent and we also visited the local outlet mall and all ate out at a Mexican Restaurant.

The Rufeners (except Jacob and Jared) came for a visit the weekend of the 16th-18th. Zion enjoyed being spoiled by all the relatives. He started saying "Julie" and "Asher" (we watched Asher and Darci on the 17th).

This week brought lots of fun playing in the basement for Zion while I scrapbooked and cleaned. I am hoping to get Zion's book up to date before the new baby arrives. I have over 100 pictures to put in for 2007. Zion received a few bumps from all his climbing and playing. Last night Tim and Christa came over with Jack and Willis, so Zion had a lot of fun playing.

Zion and Zach have been enjoying the hot tub almost every week (see video).

Baby

This morning Zion lifted the bottom of my shirt touched my stomach and said "baby." I was really impressed we have been working on identifying his belly and belly button. Once I did show him the "baby" but I didn't think he really got it-so fun.

Litttle Climber

Zion has started climbing. A few days ago he climbed on a chair and then on to the counter where he proceeded to open cupboards. His adventure ended when he fell off the counter while checking out the spices. He has climbed on the counter several times since, so I guess it was not too traumatic. Zion is also enjoying emptying drawers, pulling pillows off of couches and beds, "talking" on the phone, and running around the house. Yes! Running! or at least trying too. He trips often. Zion now says his own sweet version of "thank you." He learning that the consequence for not following the rules is going to his room for a while.

Jack has started coming over again now that his little brother is a few weeks old. Zion and Jack giggle and make so much noise while they are together-it is really funny. I also find that I get more done around the house when they are together in spite of the messes they make.

Zach has just two more weeks left of class at IPFW before he earns his Masters Degree in Business. I am really excited that he will be home one more night each week. Not sure if he will be as excited when I come up with bigger "to do" lists for him, but I know he will be glad to be done with class work.

I am trying to get work for Gateway done during Zion's naps and in the evenings while Zach is home. I start working with another family tomorrow morning while Zion plays at Jack's house. I still love my adoption work even though it means our house isn't always as clean as I would like.

a growing boy

On Monday Zion had an appointment with Dr. Camille. He now weighs 21 pounds 12 ounces. He is in the 15th percentile for weight!!!! (a great improvement from the 5%). He is 28 3/4 inches tall (less than 5%). Such a small little guy-but so mighty. He is starting climb all over the couches and beds and took a head first fall off the couch a few minutes ago. Right now he is playing with his farm animals and push toy. Earlier he had me read him is Little Lamb Book. AGAIN!!! He is making more and more noises. Yesterday he kept saying "ba ba ba." "Shoes," "yeh," "okay," "no," "Jack," "ma," "da," and "cheese" are other common words heard at the Bertsch house.

Life

Life-As a mother of a 14 month old. I often wonder if I get anything accomplished. Zion is so active. He was pretty much a grump when he got up every morning this week until today. It was so nice to have him happy from the start. Poor little guy is getting teeth and his sensitive skin is giving him trouble. Right now he is happy as can be because his friend Jack is over to play. They love chasing each other around the house, sharing toys (they are still working on this), and sharing snacks (they are actually generous with their milk and water). It is amazing how much more I can get done when Jack is over-they both pretty much ignore me unless they want something. So I am counting this a blessing and getting caught up on my e-mail and some scrapbooking. I should be cleaning. I made a wonderful weekly cleaning list last week and posted it inside my kitchen cupboard. It is really a nice chart with all the cleaning tasks in each room listed out. What is not so nice about it is that a week later it has no check marks showing completed tasks. Now what??? I wonder if I was better off not knowing that things weren't getting done. To give myself some credit. I have been washing the dishes almost everyday and I did vaccumm the dining room flour this afternoon. I have also gotten a few things done for work thanks to Zion's long naps and his play date at Jack's yesterday. Tomorrow is Saturday, so just maybe with Zach's help a few things will get done. Just wait until his sees the "to do" list.