Zack's first annual Celtic Festival...

Big news today!!! My sister Patti had her baby girl this afternoon around 2:30. She had a healthy daughter named Madison Shea McGuirk, born at 7lbs., 9oz. (which is a big baby for her!), and 21 inches long. We are so thankful that Patti and Madison are both healthy and doing well. Two babies down, two more to go! My best friend Steph is due in November and my brother Clint and his girlfriend Tara are having their baby in December - - both boys! Zack is going to have so many kids to play with as he grows!

Every year, our family attends the Celtic Festival that is held at the Grass Valley Fairgrounds. We have gone every year since it first started...almost 10 years now. It's like a mini family reunion for us, which is hard to do with such a large family. My sister and her family from Oregon even drive down for the occasion. We took Zack to his very first Celtic Festival yesterday...unfortunately, his daddy had to work, but we still had a good time. There was a lot of food, great booths to shop at and it was so much fun to spend the day with the family and all the kids.

First, here are two pictures of Zack from the other night when he decided to suck his thumb! He has never done this, nor has he done it since.

The Celtic Festival

Shea and Alex grabbing a snack before heading back to the kid's area to play.

My eldest sibling Christine and my niece Aria. Look at that long red hair! She doesn't look a bit Irish, does she?

My sister Colleen and my niece Shea.

Our friends Stacy and Jeff met us in Grass Valley for the festival. We had so much fun together.

Zack had a blast! He was so good all day.

He got lots of kisses from his Auntie Stacy.

My niece Destiny introduced us to her fiance Jon for the first time. We had the privilege of having Jon stay with us this weekend - - they are so incredibly good together and we look forward to him being "officially" in the family.

Alex was pouting in time-out. He was so tired and started getting a tad grumpy.

Zack got lots of lovin' from his Grandma Sally.

AJ being a goof as always.

Destiny, me and Jon laying on the blankets.

It was getting cold, so I made sure Zack was all bundled up.

Me and my sister Kate.

Aria and Shea - - they are best friends.

Nap time...

Wide awake at 3am

Zack decided to wake up at 3am this morning (not unusual by any means)....it's now 5:30 and he's still wide awake. He had a full bottle and a diaper change, then got the hiccups, then decided that he wanted MORE to eat. I gave him another ounce and he just doesn't want to go back to sleep.

I figured I'd take this time to post a few new pictures. He's now happily swinging in his swing and, as Rich calls it, I'm "torturing the poor child" by making him watch Dr. Phil. Rich is snoozing away and I wish I could be in there snoozing with him, but as long as one of us is getting some sleep - - I'm good with that!

Zack's dedication...

We had Zack dedicated at our church yesterday. It was such a special moment for our family. I remember a prayer group that I attended once soon after my surgery and diagnosis. I was mourning heavily for the loss of my ability to have children and the group was praying for me. There was a man in that prayer group that night that told me that there would come a day when we would be able to stand in front of our congregation at church and dedicate our child. That image was so far from reality to me at the time that I never could have imagined that day to come...but it has. God has blessed us beyond all we could have ever dreamed and we will continue to praise Him by sharing our story.

Lucky for Pastor Gary, Zack waited until after the dedication to pee through his outfit!

It seems like every day he is more and more alert.

Zack playing on the computer with his daddy. He was totally content just laying there and staring up at his face.

Zack and his daddy...

Both of my boys zonked out...it was Rich's first night having to get up with Zack. I think now he knows why I'm so tired all the time!

Rich's parents came over to see us today. We are so lucky that they live so close (only about 8 blocks). Zack loved spending time with his grandma and grandpa.

Good times with good friends...

Our niece Kyrie came over to help me with the baby after school this week. She is so good with babies.

She was pretty happy just sitting with him while he slept and watching Sponge Bob.

Margaret come up from Sac. to see baby Zack. See Margaret, it's not so scary to hold a baby!

Last night we went to Sarah and Glenn's to BBQ and watch Survivor, however, with all the kids around, no one really watched the show :) Sarah Proudfoot and I switched babies for a while. I got to spend some time with little Zeke (who isn't so little anymore) and she played with Zack.

Sarah (Houston) playing with Zeke and talking to Valerie.

The Proudfoots: what a happy little family!

Amy came up for the weekend to spend some time with us. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be able to be posting this right now :)

Loves his new swing!

Yesterday was a tough morning, so we borrowed Auntie Steph's baby swing to see if Zack would like it. He liked it so much, that daddy bought a swing for him and put it together last night. This is a picture of his first time in his new swing. Look at his tiny feet! He slept for THREE hours in it the very first time! We've also found that if he won't go back to sleep at night, we can just throw him in the sling and walk him around the house for a bit and he is out like a light.

Auntie Heather came over this week and let me take a shower!

Auntie Sarah and Daniel came over and held Zack. Daniel was fascinated by Zack's "rough belly" (umbilical cord). "Why's it look like that? Baby has a rough belly? Can I see it one more time? Can't I just touch it? Why? Why's it look like that? Mommy, you holding the baby....the baby with the rough belly?"

I think someone was a little jealous :)

More pictures for you...

We tried "tummy time", but he kept falling asleep!

Welcome home, Daddy! We missed you all day!

Bailey is now very protective of the house and LOVES anything that smells like Zack.

"He doesn't want to play with me...he keeps falling asleep!"