Tis the Season

Zach's first Christmas has been building with anticipation. With our Christmas parties, Advent services, decorative lights, holiday baking, and last minute shopping, it's been a busy month. We headed northwest in search of the perfect Christmas tree. We found a great blue spruce (20 ft) which Aaron single handedly took down and drug back to the Jeep. Zach enjoyed riding in his sled while mom and dad searched and searched and searched. I think we'll do it again next year! Christmas sure seems a lot more fun now with Zach, he adds a whole new dimension and feeling to the season. Shopping for presents seems more fun now that we get to find ourselves back in the toy department! :) (Aaron's already checking out the latest Lego collections.) This year has been one of the most amazing and I can only imagine the joy that Mary felt as she held her newborn baby close. To know the power he had and the task ahead I can only image what thoughts went through her head. As a mom I like to think about how much happiness and excitement she had that first Christmas season.

Mental Health Day

I had the opportunity to take a day off this week as my mental health day. I stayed home, slept in until 7am, and enjoyed hanging out with my little one for the day. It was so wonderful to go for walks, play at the park, and just take time to be with him. I wish I could do this once a week (I'm afraid my sick days would run out pretty fast though). Wednesday really made me think about the summer and how lucky I was/am to have all that time to just bond with Zach. I am already looking forward to Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring, and Summer breaks. Sometimes I feel as though teaching isn't my career of choice, but who doesn't get tired of their career every once in a while. My heart belongs with my family and I just have to remember how blessed I am to have such a great job. Although my job may not be my life, it definately helps make an enjoyable one. Don't get me wrong, I like teaching, but being a mommy and wife is really the only career I want.

Conservation

So I just finished my Hunter Safety course and it was a very worthwhile endeavor. I think that if everyone were to go through a course on firearm safety and habitat conservation like the one that the DOW offers, we would see a tremendous drop in accidents involving firearms and an increase in funding for the environment. (Hunters provide an overwhelming majority of the funding for increasing wildlife habitat.) I am looking forward to someday share this knowlege and love of the outdoors with my son Zach! I value the times that my father has taken me shooting and I think it has given me a resonsible respect for not only firearms but for the wildlife that share our space.

Sooooooooooo big...

Zach is now going on 6 1/2 months old! I can't believe he's been here that long and yet I can't remember life without him (nor do I want to)! He went in for his 6 month pictures on Sunday, very cute indeed. If you'd like to see them, send me an email and I'll forward you the link to the Sears website. We took Zach to a pumpkin farm today to find the great pumpkin. Apparently we waited too long and there really weren't any good ones left. Aaron managed to find one that worked and wasn't too squishy or over 50% green. Maybe it was the weather this fall? Who knows, but tomorrow we've got a pumpkin to carve. :) We're almost ready for Halloween now!

Roly-Poly

Not counting the Roly-Poly lab I had my 7th graders do a few weeks ago, we've been seeing a lot of roly-polying around our house... Zach's rolled over! He went from his back to his tummy. It's kind of funny, though, because once he makes it over he doesn't like being on his tummy much. We've started sitting him in his high chair while we're eating and are debating starting cereal soon. It's crazy to think he's already 5 months old. In some ways it feels like he's always been with us, in other ways it feels like time has flown by and he's only been here for a few days. It's hard to explain, and I think it's another one of those situations that only parents can understand. I had a meeting with a student's parents this morning and were discussing how the student talks badly of/to her parents at home. I wanted to pipe up and help the student understand how much work and love her parents had invested in her throughout her life and that she shouldn't be disrespectful to them like that. But then I realized she's a 12 year old and figured she wouldn't understand anyway. To anyone who doesn't have kids, you have no idea what your parents went through to keep you alive and happy when you were young. It's so worth it, but it definately wasn't easy. Thanks Mom and Dad for all you've done for me!!! I love you!!!

The Tank

It's so amazing how much Zachary changes in such little time. We were sitting at dinner tonight talking about how it's still hard to believe (at times) that he is ours! What a miracle to think that he was knit together by God, inside his mommy (me), and is now experiencing the world around him. I can't even remember life without him, what that felt like, and yet he's only been here for 5 months. It makes me wonder what I did with myself before he was here. I have to say... even though I have next to no me or free time anymore, I wouldn't trade it for the world. I still get really excited for friends when I hear they're pregnant because I am excited for them that they will soon get to experience the enormous amount of emotions we've been able to experience. Looking back at pictures of Zach when he was only a week or two old it's hard to remember what it felt like to hold such a tiny baby. Although we didn't want him to grow up, we're now so glad he's getting to the point where he is interacting more (giggling, babbling, playing, watching, etc.). I can't wait to see what a fun little boy he'll be. I just hope it doesn't go too fast! The world seems like a whole new place now that we get to experience it through Zach's eyes.

Routines

Well, Zach had his 4 month check-up today and second set of vaccines. He weighed in at 18 lbs, 2 oz and is a healthy, happy little guy (we knew that though)! He took his shots pretty well and is sound asleep as we speak (write, I guess). He actually slept through the night for the first time on Monday, Aug. 19th... he must have known Nicole had to teach the next morning. :) He's growing so much, he looks more like a little boy every day. The doctor said he'd be a handful in a few months and in a way, I guess we prayed for that. We wanted him to be an active, talkative little guy and I think that's exactly what we got. God bless our little angel!

Outdoor Man

Zachary successfully survived his first camping trip! He's also now been to the mountains and experienced his first s'more (through mom of course). What a trooper he was, despite the continuous rain. Aaron and I have decided he was born to be outdoors, which is really great since we love it as well. We're hoping to go on many more camping trips with the little guy, and someday hope to take him on some snowshoe trips as well.

All Alone

The most obnoxious feeling in the world is to sit alone in a movie theatre. Fair amounts of folks go to the movies alone right... Nope. Just one last night - Me. I realized that although the movies are not a place to take someone you want to get to know, they are one of the worst places to take absolutely no one. Nicole wasn't there to talk with during the stupid slide show they show at the beginning and Zach wasn't there to urge me to pause the movie so mama could feed him (giving me the opportunity to grab a fudge-sicle from the freezer), so I sat there very awkwardly doing nothing but answering the movie trivia in my head. I watched the Dark Knight, which I thoroughly enjoyed, (a brilliant movie that I will see many more times - hopefully with someone this time) and then had to call Nicole to tell her how good it was without being able to say much because she wasn't there to see it. It was at that time that I realized that anything I would have the opportunity to do in Steamboat would be diminished by the fact that my other half isn't here. So I do very little.
To add to it I am missing a week of my son's life. This may not sound like much, but when you are 3 months and about 2 weeks, this ends up being roughly 1/14 of your life. He will be just fine, but I miss the little guy!
Things aren't all meloncholy here. I am enjoying doing something different (leak survey as opposed to reading meters) in some incredible surroundings. Today I walked along the tracks next to the Yampa river with a beautiful view of the green (and red - due to pine beetles) ski slopes. The weather is amazing and the work is good. Speaking of which, I need to try and get some sleep so I can start fresh tomorrow. I haven't been sleeping well - I blame it on the lack of static from the baby monitor. So until I return home...

Our Little Fishy

Well, we're back from our travels and had a great time visiting everyone! Zach did really well, but I think he's glad to be back with his own things. He's definately well-traveled and seems to adjust well. We took him swimming for the first time in Wisconsin Dells and he seemed to like it. Aaron's really glad considering he's a swimmer himself. Zach and I have been enjoying relaxing days around the house, the few I have before school starts up again. I'm really going to miss him. I honestly can't think about it much because it just makes me cry... pretty hard. I don't want to miss out on him, he's so much fun and I love him so much. I'm so afraid the time will just fly by once I go back to work. I guess you could say I'm already looking forward to next summer with him. Say some prayers that I won't be a blubbering baby the first weeks and that our relationship with Zach will continue to get stronger regardless of returning to work. I love that little kid and know it's going to be rough.

Off we go...

Well, it's another late night at the Bishop household. Aaron and I are rapidly getting ready and packed for tomorrow's trip to Minnesota for Grandma's birthday party. We're all very excited. Zach's sleeping (thankfully), so he will be rested and ready for the long car ride. I feel bad making him sit in his car seat for so long, but when I think about it, the rest of us are sitting that long too. At least he has a cushioned seat. I just hope it doesn't funktify his growth or something. Anyway, wish us luck and safe travels!

Tired

So I have noticed that when Zach gets tired he doesn't simply go to bed. He fusses for a bit and makes his mom and I wonder what the heck is wrong. We are beginning to catch on to this and have found that if we place him in a comfy place without many visual distractions he eventually nods off to sleep - providing he isn't hungry or in need of a diaper change. This seems puzzling to me but then I take a look at his mother and I. Here we sit telling each other how tired we are but yet we refuse to go up to bed and continue plugging away at our computers getting more and more fatigued by the minute. So that being said I think I will go upstairs to bed. Granted I will more than likely stay up a few minutes more.

Cutest Baby

Just wanted to let everyone know we have the CUTEST baby in the world!!!

Daddy

It is so great to be celebrating my first Father's Day! I never knew that I could be this happy with someone I have only just started getting to know. That and it is neat to know that I will have some impact on the man he will become. My dad came over yesterday and I always get a kick out of watching him with Zach. For someone who's father passed away before he was born, he has done a phenomenal job of raising my brother and I! I only hope I can be as good of a dad as he was and is. I am looking forward to watching my son grow and mature over the years, but at the same time I am truly enjoying the time I have with our cute little guy!

Lessons Learned

Zach has been fighting a cold or stuffy nose or something. We're thinking perhaps he has allergies... poor guy. If I could I would go out and cut down every single cottonwood tree out there, but alas, I don't have the right tools. I feel so helpless not being able to heal him up. He hates the nose aspirator with a passion and I feel so bad using it, but it's all we've got. I guess it's just one more strength I've got to learn... being a mom. I do have to say that being a mom is the greatest joy ever. It's harder than I thought it would be, but also more rewarding than we could've imagined. Even if we get minimal sleep. :)

6 Weeks

Our little Zach is 6 weeks old today! It's so hard to believe that much time has gone by and yet our trip to the hospital seems so long ago. It's hard to imagine life without this little guy. Aaron and I are going to try to update the blog at least once a week with a post and new picture. Lord knows we've got enough pictures! Zach is on the verge of smiling. He's starting to grin and do half smiles while awake (not just in his sleep anymore although he still does that). He's grown a lot too. I can't believe it, but he doesn't even fit into some of his newborn size outfits anymore. He's got a long body and long legs and will probably be a tall guy when he grows up. Just a side note, I have decided on my dream job... 5 star resort critic. If anyone knows anyone who would like to pay me to stay at their resort, try the food, spa, pool, beds, etc, I am in! Zach and Aaron would have to come too!

Beyond Imagination

I'm sitting here holding my beautiful baby in my arms. I got to celebrate my first Mother's Day on Sunday. I think what gets me the most is how much I love Zach. Before I had Zach I thought I understood the amount of love a mother has for her children... not even close! Even though I thought I knew, I really had no clue how much joy being a mommy is. I can't really explain it, though, except to other moms. It's just another amazing benefit of being a mom!!!

Wealth

We have been back from Florida for a little over a week now and it sure is nice to be home. Zachary did amazing on the plane and was a celebrity in the airports. It is such a unique feeling to have strangers stare at you as you walk down the concourse. I was struck by something that was said in Atlanta by an elderly woman. She was reffering to Zach when she said that he was our "wealth." I thought that a very apt statement. Here was the only icon of our existence that would really last past our lives on earth. It brought me back to what I said at my Grandma's funeral. I am really happy to be passing on a spiritual legacy to my son. Not just from my family but from generations prior on Nicole's side as well. If we are to invest anything in this world may it be time spent loving encouraging and challenging our family with the truths of the gospel! What a great return on an investment to be able to spend eternity with generations of past, present and future family!

Flying high

Billiruben levels are a-OK so we are off to FL to bring a little ray of sunshine to some folks who may need it.

Golden Child

So if our son looks a bit yellowish in the pictures it may be because he may have jaundice still. Something more to freak out about I guess. It can be fixed very easily, but we are headed to FL tomorrow and are waiting for the Doc to get back with us. It is kinda' stressing us out, but I suppose this is something we should get used to, being parents and all. I wish that the those two guys Billy and Ruben would leave Zach alone!

Travel

So I found out today that my grandma passed away. I don't think I have fully processed the information quite yet and what it really means. It may be perhaps that I have had to figure out the best way to travel with a 14 day old little boy. We have tickets to Florida and I know it will be good to have Zachary at the funeral - something about brand new life may just be good for the occasion. My mom seems to be handling it well, but I think that after all of the nitty gritty of planning is over it might fully set in. Keep our family in your prayers.

La-Z Days

I have to say this has been one of the (if not the) most amazing weeks of my life. It's hard to believe it, but a week ago Aaron was timing contractions! Zachary is almost one week old now! We've decided to throw him a birthday party on Saturday night to celebrate. :) It's so amazing how we find ourselves just sitting there staring at him. I could stare at his beautiful face for hours and never get bored of it. It's also amazing how you can have so much love for someone so instantly. Aaron and I have been trying hard to get him used to not being held 24-7. We've been trying out his swing and bassinet, but he's so cute it's just so much fun to hold him. I love him!

Breathers

So I have been able to take a short breather while Nicole is at a free Feeding Clinic at the Hospital. It has been enjoyable so far, but as you can tell I am constantly thinking about my new little son. I have been setting up slideshows and such on my many distracting blog/profile type sites - like this one. So I absolutely love being a dad! I think my favorite thing so far is letting Zachary fall asleep on my chest while his Mom takes a needed nap. There is nothing like watching the two people you love most in the world take the rest they need! We made it through one night with each other and I think we will be just fine! Z is eating well (though maybe too much, he spit up a bit last night. This is one reason that Nicole is at the clinic today) and he seems real mellow aside from the times he has to get his diaper changed and we need to wake him up to feed him. I know many may disagree but we have the greatest looking kid on the planet. I think that may be a fatherly thing, but I don't care. So I hope to continue posting like this from now on. I think this is the best I've done yet.

Finally...

Welcome to the world Zachary Ryan Bishop! Nicole and I could be no happier than we are right now. We just brought home our new little addition to the family! On April 19th at 8:48pm he weighed 6 pounds 11 ounces and was (for his weight)a lanky 21 inces long. Nicole was amazing during the labor and we were only in the delivery room from about 3pm until 11pm, when they moved us to the recovery room where we spent the last two nights. The staff at Northern Colorado Medical Center was amazing and I would rate the Monfort Family Birth Center as second to none! Z' was given a clean bill of health and released today (with his two loving parents) and is now sleeping in the arms of my beautiful wife Nicole. I am super exited to begin life living as three, and I know that the addition of little Zachary will only intensify the love we share between us!!

Lady in Waiting...

Still here, no baby, and I think the belly is expanding. Aaron said he can't stay in there until he's 18 years old, but I'm beginning to think otherwise. I know that God will bring him into this world when the time is right, I just wish it was now!

News from the belly...

Ahhhh yes... I have been uncomfortably counting down the days until we get to meet our new little Bishop! We are so super excited. It's so hard to imaging there's actually a real person inside my belly! I am sure to tell him everyday that he can come out anytime though. Aaron and I have about 7 days to go, but every day feels like forever. Everyone tells me I'll be glad to have this extra time but that's really hard to believe when you're waiting on the best little surprise ever to show up!

Ready for Fatherhood

Nicole and I are just about to burst. Well she is anyway. T minus 9 days and counting until her due date. Zachary could probably come just a bit sooner if he wants to though because I think Nicole is going slightly insane. It is so odd that a child that is not even born yet can capture so much of our attention and love. It is very neat to see God bless us in such a way and I can't wait to meet our little guy. I hope to post some pictures very soon and fill everyone in on what he is doing in our little corner of the world.

Ends and Beginnings

So I am a terrifically bad blogger I have 4, all of which have suffered greatly over years and are still lacking in substance. I have decided, since I am soon to be a dad, that this will be a blog that I will try to post on frequently and that it will contain the happenings of our life so that others may be able to track our progress from far distances. This is the beginning of sooo many things and the end... well, more like a continuation, of other things. So let it start...