Friday, May 30, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
BUSY BEES
Dear Zoe,
You have been quite busy lately. You went on your first road trip, went to your first wedding, got your first nasty cold, popped out two teeth, and figured out how to sit up for extended periods of time without toppling over. It's amazing what you can accomplish in such a short amount of time. I think you could teach me a thing or two about time management.
It was rather unfortunate that our first trip coincided with your first teeth popping out and your first cold (yes, it was a full-fledged cold and not just a teething runny nose - this cold came with total congestion and a cough). It's no fun to be sick in a hotel, but we managed. It is also rather unfortunate that you think the bulb syringe I use to suction out your nose (hey - learn to blow your nose and we can toss that thing!) feels like someone is poking your eyeballs with thousands of pins, because it's ALL I CAN DO to help you breathe better. Really.
Still, because you're you, you were still happy and fun and fantastic in every way. I think you are magic, Zoe B.
You were incredibly good in the car. If someone had told me 5 months ago that I would be taking a 6 hour road trip with you, I would have...done something people do in disbelief. You have gone from a non-stop screaming passenger to a totally jolly little traveling companion. Cheers to you for that, little girl.
I just can't get over how happy and fun and charming you are. You are just the best thing in the history of the world, I am convinced. I love you so much I could have a seizure right here as I write this (while you sleep next to me and periodically grab your foot and play with it for a few seconds). I know this is all sappy and sentimental and if you read this when you are a teenager you will totally roll your eyes, but you are loved more than you will ever know, Zoe B. More than you will ever understand. Every night before I go to sleep I thank the universe and earth and stars for you. I am so lucky to be your mom.
Love,
Momma-sita
You have been quite busy lately. You went on your first road trip, went to your first wedding, got your first nasty cold, popped out two teeth, and figured out how to sit up for extended periods of time without toppling over. It's amazing what you can accomplish in such a short amount of time. I think you could teach me a thing or two about time management.
It was rather unfortunate that our first trip coincided with your first teeth popping out and your first cold (yes, it was a full-fledged cold and not just a teething runny nose - this cold came with total congestion and a cough). It's no fun to be sick in a hotel, but we managed. It is also rather unfortunate that you think the bulb syringe I use to suction out your nose (hey - learn to blow your nose and we can toss that thing!) feels like someone is poking your eyeballs with thousands of pins, because it's ALL I CAN DO to help you breathe better. Really.
Still, because you're you, you were still happy and fun and fantastic in every way. I think you are magic, Zoe B.
You were incredibly good in the car. If someone had told me 5 months ago that I would be taking a 6 hour road trip with you, I would have...done something people do in disbelief. You have gone from a non-stop screaming passenger to a totally jolly little traveling companion. Cheers to you for that, little girl.
I just can't get over how happy and fun and charming you are. You are just the best thing in the history of the world, I am convinced. I love you so much I could have a seizure right here as I write this (while you sleep next to me and periodically grab your foot and play with it for a few seconds). I know this is all sappy and sentimental and if you read this when you are a teenager you will totally roll your eyes, but you are loved more than you will ever know, Zoe B. More than you will ever understand. Every night before I go to sleep I thank the universe and earth and stars for you. I am so lucky to be your mom.
Love,
Momma-sita
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Super Baby!
Travis bought this awesome superbaby outfit for Zoe, but it's too small. Hence the scoop neck look. Oh, well.
Monday, May 26, 2008
We're home!
We're home and SOOO glad to be back. Zoe got sick and man, it's hard to be away from home with a sick kid. Of course, since she's Zoe, she was the happiest little sick baby on the block. Lots to report. I'll put up a proper post tomorrow, but til then here are some teasers to bring you back:
1. She sits up - on her own!
2. TEETH!
3. I have a picture of Zoe in a super-baby outfit...cape included!
4. NEVER take road trip with a baby in a Honda Element if you have ANY other option!
1. She sits up - on her own!
2. TEETH!
3. I have a picture of Zoe in a super-baby outfit...cape included!
4. NEVER take road trip with a baby in a Honda Element if you have ANY other option!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Weddin' Weekend
We're headed to Illinois tomorrow for Uncle John Mark's wedding. John married us on Memorial Day weekend two years ago and now he's tying the knot. Travis is the best man. We are very excited. Zoe is so excited she insisted I put up this photo of her modeling her rehearsal dinner outfit.
"Aunt" Martinique visits from Chicago
My good friend, Martinique, came to visit over the weekend and we had a splendid time. She and Zoe totally hit it off - cheeks were squeezed and tummies rubbed. Good times all around.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Update
So much to post! But so busy! Exclamation Point!
- Leaving Thursday mid-day for Illiopolis, Illinois, for Zoe's "Uncle" John Mark's wedding. First trip with baby - lots to (over)pack
-"Aunt" Martinique visited over the weekend - pictures to post as soon as I get them uploaded. Lots of fun
-Zoe's 5 and 1/2 months now
-Martinique found this strikingly similar blog about another 5 month old baby named Zoe B...only she's French
-Zoe put her arms out and reached for me - first time
-Aunt Jess coming to visit again in a few weeks
Promise I'll get it together and post new pictures before we leave on Thursday. PROMISE.
- Leaving Thursday mid-day for Illiopolis, Illinois, for Zoe's "Uncle" John Mark's wedding. First trip with baby - lots to (over)pack
-"Aunt" Martinique visited over the weekend - pictures to post as soon as I get them uploaded. Lots of fun
-Zoe's 5 and 1/2 months now
-Martinique found this strikingly similar blog about another 5 month old baby named Zoe B...only she's French
-Zoe put her arms out and reached for me - first time
-Aunt Jess coming to visit again in a few weeks
Promise I'll get it together and post new pictures before we leave on Thursday. PROMISE.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
The Rice Cereal Experiment
We tried giving Zoe rice cereal this evening. It was not really to her liking.
I wasn't going to start solids until 6 months, but I needed a medication delivery vehicle and the crushed up medicine in a bottle of breastmilk wasn't cutting it cause she wouldn't finish the whole thing [*she's not sick...it was the medicine we all had to take cause Jack got pinworms]. So, I decided to take the little bit of medicine/breastmilk mixture that was left and mix that with some rice cereal and hope she'd eat it. I thought for sure she would - this kid likes to eat - look at her cheeks, for crying out loud. Or, I thought the novelty alone would get her. Hey - I get to put something in my mouth that you're not going to yank back out again?
No dice. She hated it. Click the photo to see the rest of the set.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
A letter from Grandma Jackie
Zoe,
You look like the original Gerber Baby when you smile. We missed out on a month of your life while we were in AZ, so I'm trying to re-establish a bond with you. You bonded with my glasses last Sunday and seemed to find them quite tasty!
What a little cuddler you are. Your mommy is so wise to pass you around and let everyone hold you, which helps you to adapt to new situations and people with ease.
You are very fortunate to have the wonderful mommy and daddy that you have, as they are both extremely loving and wise. I can't wait to cuddle you again.
Love,
Grandma Jackie
You look like the original Gerber Baby when you smile. We missed out on a month of your life while we were in AZ, so I'm trying to re-establish a bond with you. You bonded with my glasses last Sunday and seemed to find them quite tasty!
What a little cuddler you are. Your mommy is so wise to pass you around and let everyone hold you, which helps you to adapt to new situations and people with ease.
You are very fortunate to have the wonderful mommy and daddy that you have, as they are both extremely loving and wise. I can't wait to cuddle you again.
Love,
Grandma Jackie
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Zoe's birth story - part 2
(a continuation of THIS post)
The third person who played a very important role in your birth was our doula, Vanessa. I feel quite proud of myself for deciding to hire a doula and persuading your dad to get on board (he was a little iffy on the idea - thought maybe he'd be pushed out of the process - but in actuality it allowed him to be more present with me). I can't imagine how the birth would have gone without her there.
Vanessa was truly meant to be a birth doula. She knew just when to push me and when to comfort me; what to say to keep me calm but confident; and she somehow convinced me that the birth process just works and so I learned to let go and just trust it (something that is very difficult for your mom to do). The last bit of my pregnancy was sort of scary for me - it was a roller coaster of emotions and there was so much WAITING. (Ugh. Waiting. The worst.) Vanessa helped me out a lot then, too. She has a way, this woman. I can't even really describe it, but I always came away from our conversations feeling totally sure everything would work out fine and that you were already such a lucky baby because I loved you so much from the start.
Like I said earlier, I really don't remember much of the details of your labor and birth. Funny that I didn't take the epidural but the whole experience seems shrouded in a drug-like haze. I guess those are nature's chemical cocktails working. I do remember feeling such relief when Vanessa got to the hospital. She got there shortly after the pitocin kicked in, which started at around 6 am. She did exactly what she said she would - she made sure I went to the bathroom at the right times, made sure I changed position (that was hard because it made the contractions so much worse) so things progressed, and when it was time to push at 9 am (!), she was the perfect coach. I held your dad's hand right close to my face and focused on Vanessa's directions and tried to do exactly what she said. I could feel you moving down and out, but the pain was pretty intense. At one point one of the nurses took my hand and put it on your head (full of black hair!) as you were crowning and I remember thinking, "What is she doing - I can't reach that far." I honestly felt like you, and the lower half of my body, were ten feet across the room. I expected to feel the burning of you crowning but I honestly don't remember that. I was pretty locked into Vanessa's breathing and pushing instructions. But I do remember your body coming out - what a totally. bizarre. feeling. But so amazing! I couldn't believe I did it. And I was so happy to learn you were ok and didn't have a huge red birthmark covering your whole face or both sets of reproductive organs. And you were so pretty. The best thing I've ever seen, really. I can't imagine being more happy to see someone.
One great thing Vanessa did was take pictures. Great, great pictures. You were born with the amniotic sac over your whole head which they call being born in the caul. A sign of greatness and good luck. She took some great pictures of you coming out with your little amniotic mask on, which I was so excited to see because I didn't get to see it at the time. Your Grandma Patty says that women usually feel very attached to the people who were with them during their births. That is certainly true. Vanessa will forever be dear to me because she helped us so much on such an important and amazing day.
Speaking of Grandma Patty...I don't even know where to begin. Having you has bonded your Grandma and I in a way I never expected. I hope that I get to go through all of this with you someday, if for no other reason than I think it will make you think of me as less of a wack-job.
Your Grandma Patty is a birth and babies person...it's her job and her passion. She had your Aunt Jess at home on her bed at our farmhouse in the country with midwives. I was a little worried that she would try and push her birth philosophy (everyone has one) on me and, being a huge worrier, I just knew I wanted to have medical personnel around at all times. There were several times during my pregnancy that I said I felt like moving in to the hospital just so I could be monitored constantly and feel sure that you were going to be okay. Anyway - your Grandma didn't push it on me. She didn't say anything much but, "Just explore your options and do what is best for you." She did send me a book, though, called Birthing From Within. I saw it and immediately wrote it off as hippie nonsense (hey - you're supposed to rebel against your parents, right?), but stole glances every now and then and read parts here and there. Just like I did when she gave me the "Where Did I Come From?" book - I totally blew it off in front of her face but then snuck it into the bathroom with me. Slowly, I began to think about your birth differently. I had initially wanted the standard, medical birth. Epidural included. But the more I read and the more I researched, I came full circle and I hired a doula and decided I didn't want the drugs. And for that, I have your Grandma Patty to thank.
I also have her to thank for being there with me during your birth - it was comforting just to know she was there. Because you know, when something hurts I want my momma.
And last but certainly not least, your Grandpa David. Your Grandpa has a way of always assuring me that everything will be all right. He has sort of a sixth sense. I don't even believe in that crap, but when it comes to him I do. Who knows why. He just seems to know more than he should. You'll see.
Though he wasn't physically in the room when you were born, he was in spirit. He carved me this little focal point bird out of wood. It's some kind of Native American thing. He had carved one for your Grandma Patty (though hers was a bear) for her labor with me. He made it so it would fit right in my hand and I held on to that little thing the whole entire labor (well, all three hours of it). I directed a lot of energy toward squeezing that little bird and having it take some of the pain for me. It gave me a lot of strength, having that bird that my dad carved for me in my hand.
It was such a remarkable day, Zoe B. I'll never really be able to explain to you how it felt - that day I finally met you. I'm welling up with tears now just writing this. It was the most profound day of my life. Thank you, my sweet girl. You have made me so happy.
The third person who played a very important role in your birth was our doula, Vanessa. I feel quite proud of myself for deciding to hire a doula and persuading your dad to get on board (he was a little iffy on the idea - thought maybe he'd be pushed out of the process - but in actuality it allowed him to be more present with me). I can't imagine how the birth would have gone without her there.
Vanessa was truly meant to be a birth doula. She knew just when to push me and when to comfort me; what to say to keep me calm but confident; and she somehow convinced me that the birth process just works and so I learned to let go and just trust it (something that is very difficult for your mom to do). The last bit of my pregnancy was sort of scary for me - it was a roller coaster of emotions and there was so much WAITING. (Ugh. Waiting. The worst.) Vanessa helped me out a lot then, too. She has a way, this woman. I can't even really describe it, but I always came away from our conversations feeling totally sure everything would work out fine and that you were already such a lucky baby because I loved you so much from the start.
Like I said earlier, I really don't remember much of the details of your labor and birth. Funny that I didn't take the epidural but the whole experience seems shrouded in a drug-like haze. I guess those are nature's chemical cocktails working. I do remember feeling such relief when Vanessa got to the hospital. She got there shortly after the pitocin kicked in, which started at around 6 am. She did exactly what she said she would - she made sure I went to the bathroom at the right times, made sure I changed position (that was hard because it made the contractions so much worse) so things progressed, and when it was time to push at 9 am (!), she was the perfect coach. I held your dad's hand right close to my face and focused on Vanessa's directions and tried to do exactly what she said. I could feel you moving down and out, but the pain was pretty intense. At one point one of the nurses took my hand and put it on your head (full of black hair!) as you were crowning and I remember thinking, "What is she doing - I can't reach that far." I honestly felt like you, and the lower half of my body, were ten feet across the room. I expected to feel the burning of you crowning but I honestly don't remember that. I was pretty locked into Vanessa's breathing and pushing instructions. But I do remember your body coming out - what a totally. bizarre. feeling. But so amazing! I couldn't believe I did it. And I was so happy to learn you were ok and didn't have a huge red birthmark covering your whole face or both sets of reproductive organs. And you were so pretty. The best thing I've ever seen, really. I can't imagine being more happy to see someone.
One great thing Vanessa did was take pictures. Great, great pictures. You were born with the amniotic sac over your whole head which they call being born in the caul. A sign of greatness and good luck. She took some great pictures of you coming out with your little amniotic mask on, which I was so excited to see because I didn't get to see it at the time. Your Grandma Patty says that women usually feel very attached to the people who were with them during their births. That is certainly true. Vanessa will forever be dear to me because she helped us so much on such an important and amazing day.
Speaking of Grandma Patty...I don't even know where to begin. Having you has bonded your Grandma and I in a way I never expected. I hope that I get to go through all of this with you someday, if for no other reason than I think it will make you think of me as less of a wack-job.
Your Grandma Patty is a birth and babies person...it's her job and her passion. She had your Aunt Jess at home on her bed at our farmhouse in the country with midwives. I was a little worried that she would try and push her birth philosophy (everyone has one) on me and, being a huge worrier, I just knew I wanted to have medical personnel around at all times. There were several times during my pregnancy that I said I felt like moving in to the hospital just so I could be monitored constantly and feel sure that you were going to be okay. Anyway - your Grandma didn't push it on me. She didn't say anything much but, "Just explore your options and do what is best for you." She did send me a book, though, called Birthing From Within. I saw it and immediately wrote it off as hippie nonsense (hey - you're supposed to rebel against your parents, right?), but stole glances every now and then and read parts here and there. Just like I did when she gave me the "Where Did I Come From?" book - I totally blew it off in front of her face but then snuck it into the bathroom with me. Slowly, I began to think about your birth differently. I had initially wanted the standard, medical birth. Epidural included. But the more I read and the more I researched, I came full circle and I hired a doula and decided I didn't want the drugs. And for that, I have your Grandma Patty to thank.
I also have her to thank for being there with me during your birth - it was comforting just to know she was there. Because you know, when something hurts I want my momma.
And last but certainly not least, your Grandpa David. Your Grandpa has a way of always assuring me that everything will be all right. He has sort of a sixth sense. I don't even believe in that crap, but when it comes to him I do. Who knows why. He just seems to know more than he should. You'll see.
Though he wasn't physically in the room when you were born, he was in spirit. He carved me this little focal point bird out of wood. It's some kind of Native American thing. He had carved one for your Grandma Patty (though hers was a bear) for her labor with me. He made it so it would fit right in my hand and I held on to that little thing the whole entire labor (well, all three hours of it). I directed a lot of energy toward squeezing that little bird and having it take some of the pain for me. It gave me a lot of strength, having that bird that my dad carved for me in my hand.
It was such a remarkable day, Zoe B. I'll never really be able to explain to you how it felt - that day I finally met you. I'm welling up with tears now just writing this. It was the most profound day of my life. Thank you, my sweet girl. You have made me so happy.
Friday, May 9, 2008
I don't even know me anymore
I am not a girly girl. I rarely dress up, rarely wear makeup. I let the hair on my legs grow out way too long. I was a tomboy as a child - the only reason I could see for wearing a dress as a kid was so that I could more easily pee outside.
I wasn't going to dress Zoe up in a bunch of frilly, girly, pink crap. I told everyone "no pink!" and my mother-in-law joked that I was going to turn Zoe into a butch lesbian.
I used to make fun of my friend Stephanie for being so into girly clothes for her daughters...I even went as far as to refer to her as Gymboree's bitch. I am not proud.
Especially not now.
Not after what happened yesterday. The day I went into Gymboree and bought oodles of VERY GIRLY clothes for my baby girl. I have given in because she just looks so freakin' cute in pink. I bought stuff I would have never guessed I would like or want for Zoe.
WHO AM I?
I guess the floodgates have been opened. But that does not mean frills and lace - it means clothes that could not be mistaken for a boy's. You mark my words. I'm toeing the line, but I am not crossing over into frills and lace. I still have some pride left.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Zoe's birth story - Part 1
Dear Zoe,
When your Aunt Jess was here we watched The Business of Being Born, which is a documentary about the way women birth in this country. Since you were born, I have been fascinated by the process of birth because it was truly the most transformative and intense experience of my life. Anyway, I was thinking about it and I realized I hadn't ever gotten around to writing your birth story on this blog. I am going to write about this in kind of a funny, disjointed way and hope that the whole story comes through. I think it will.
I am indebted to 5 people for their roles in your birth; you, your father, Vanessa (our doula), your Grandpa David and your Grandma Patty.
First - I could not have done it without you, my sweet girl! You worked hard, too, and I really did think of us as partners in the process. It was all about you, after all, and though some people say they don't feel that "love at first sight" feeling when they first lay eyes on their baby, I certainly did. Seeing you for the first time nearly knocked me out, I loved you so much.
Your dad really blew my mind the day you were born, Zoe B. He stayed with me overnight in the hospital the night before on one of those horrible little chair beds because he knew I'd be really nervous. (Because you were 11 days late, I caved in and decided on an induction...but my water broke that night in the hospital which meant you were probably going to come that day anyway.) I'm so glad he did because things got going earlier than I'd anticipated when I felt that water come gushing out at 4 in the morning. He was wearing earplugs, though, since I was snoring like crazy at the end of my pregnancy and when my water broke I had to throw things (chapstick, a pillow, etc.) at him to get him to wake up because he couldn't hear anything. When the nurse came in to clean me up and check things out, she said, "That's a gross rupture right there." And I remember thinking, "Well, YOU'RE GROSS, GEEZ!" I really thought for about a half a second that she meant it was gross as in disgusting and not gross as in big. Hey- I hadn't slept...I had taken a sleeping pill...I was out of it. I had dreams of frolicking pink hedgehogs if that tells you anything. Anyway - so that was just the beginning - your dad staying with me overnight.
During the labor, he was right there with me the whole time. Because most of it is a bit of a blur, I don't remember many details but I remember his face being right by my face the whole time and that was exactly what I wanted. He held my hand and kissed my face and I felt so much comfort in him being right there with me.
After you were born, he took such incredible care of me AND you. I had a small tear and I had to get stitched up so he stayed with you and held your hand while you were under the warmer. He was right there with you while they worked you over - put the goop in your eyes, put a diaper on you, clamped your cord, and on and on. Once we were both done, he brought you over to me and you nursed for the first time. You latched right on and went to town. Then he ordered us breakfast and he fed me so I could have my hands on you.
Your dad is very adept at taking care of people. He is so good when one of us is sick, or if we have guests. He always wants everyone to be comfortable. If my mom is in town and we realize late at night that we don't have coffee filters for the morning, he jumps right up and goes to the store to get them. No question. That's just part of who he is. After I gave birth, I was a little nervous that all of my organs might just come sliding out with all of the mess that poured out after you were born. He helped me with every aspect of the healing process. He helped me shower and changed my dressings and all of it. Can you believe it? We were truly in it together. I had never felt as close to your dad as the day you were born, and the days that followed. It makes me so sad for those women decades ago who were not able to have their husbands with them when they gave birth. It also makes me sad that most women don't have a husband as mind-blowing as mine is. But I digress.
Part 2 to follow.
When your Aunt Jess was here we watched The Business of Being Born, which is a documentary about the way women birth in this country. Since you were born, I have been fascinated by the process of birth because it was truly the most transformative and intense experience of my life. Anyway, I was thinking about it and I realized I hadn't ever gotten around to writing your birth story on this blog. I am going to write about this in kind of a funny, disjointed way and hope that the whole story comes through. I think it will.
I am indebted to 5 people for their roles in your birth; you, your father, Vanessa (our doula), your Grandpa David and your Grandma Patty.
First - I could not have done it without you, my sweet girl! You worked hard, too, and I really did think of us as partners in the process. It was all about you, after all, and though some people say they don't feel that "love at first sight" feeling when they first lay eyes on their baby, I certainly did. Seeing you for the first time nearly knocked me out, I loved you so much.
Your dad really blew my mind the day you were born, Zoe B. He stayed with me overnight in the hospital the night before on one of those horrible little chair beds because he knew I'd be really nervous. (Because you were 11 days late, I caved in and decided on an induction...but my water broke that night in the hospital which meant you were probably going to come that day anyway.) I'm so glad he did because things got going earlier than I'd anticipated when I felt that water come gushing out at 4 in the morning. He was wearing earplugs, though, since I was snoring like crazy at the end of my pregnancy and when my water broke I had to throw things (chapstick, a pillow, etc.) at him to get him to wake up because he couldn't hear anything. When the nurse came in to clean me up and check things out, she said, "That's a gross rupture right there." And I remember thinking, "Well, YOU'RE GROSS, GEEZ!" I really thought for about a half a second that she meant it was gross as in disgusting and not gross as in big. Hey- I hadn't slept...I had taken a sleeping pill...I was out of it. I had dreams of frolicking pink hedgehogs if that tells you anything. Anyway - so that was just the beginning - your dad staying with me overnight.
During the labor, he was right there with me the whole time. Because most of it is a bit of a blur, I don't remember many details but I remember his face being right by my face the whole time and that was exactly what I wanted. He held my hand and kissed my face and I felt so much comfort in him being right there with me.
After you were born, he took such incredible care of me AND you. I had a small tear and I had to get stitched up so he stayed with you and held your hand while you were under the warmer. He was right there with you while they worked you over - put the goop in your eyes, put a diaper on you, clamped your cord, and on and on. Once we were both done, he brought you over to me and you nursed for the first time. You latched right on and went to town. Then he ordered us breakfast and he fed me so I could have my hands on you.
Your dad is very adept at taking care of people. He is so good when one of us is sick, or if we have guests. He always wants everyone to be comfortable. If my mom is in town and we realize late at night that we don't have coffee filters for the morning, he jumps right up and goes to the store to get them. No question. That's just part of who he is. After I gave birth, I was a little nervous that all of my organs might just come sliding out with all of the mess that poured out after you were born. He helped me with every aspect of the healing process. He helped me shower and changed my dressings and all of it. Can you believe it? We were truly in it together. I had never felt as close to your dad as the day you were born, and the days that followed. It makes me so sad for those women decades ago who were not able to have their husbands with them when they gave birth. It also makes me sad that most women don't have a husband as mind-blowing as mine is. But I digress.
Part 2 to follow.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
POLL: "Which Hammerdance Rules the Roost"
So, there is some disagreement between me and Jessie about which Hammerdance video is best. Of course there is the one below that we posted first, but this one that I'm posting now is the spontaneous first video that we did. Jessie likes this version better because she thinks it's more authentic and funnier because I am almost peeing my pants and Zoe is laughing harder. She calls it "the original Hammer". I, on the other hand, think that the amateur first one is funny because we're laughing so hard, but the second one is funnier to the general public. Zoe's moves are better in the second one, though. Anyway - it's on you now. YOU DECIDE.
The "Original" Hammerdance from chelsea on Vimeo.
The "Original" Hammerdance from chelsea on Vimeo.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
A letter from Aunt Jess
Dear Zoe,
I just got back from visiting you for a WHOLE WEEK and man did I feel like the luckiest person ever. Not only did I get a chance to be around my precious sister, but I got to hang out with you everyday, which just felt like pure magic.
You have changed so much from when I last saw you! Now you can hold up your head, you can roll over, you can bend in half and eat your feet, you can grab things and everything you grab you put right into your mouth. You SMILE and LAUGH all the time and I feel like you can tell that we are best friends right down in your cute little heart. The greatest new development is this little screech you do when you are happy... you laugh really hard and then you go "eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee" like a little squeal. This little squeal will sometimes come out when you are just chattering away, I think you are learning your voice and that you think that new sound is hilarious, which, of course it is.
You and Chelsea came to wake me up every morning and we hung out for a while in my bed while I got used to the idea of waking up (p.s. that is the best way to wake up ever). Chelsea would put you right between us while we talked and you would turn your head back and forth looking at us, then you would smile and laugh and try and eat my hair. I imagine that it didn't taste good, but you just kept chomping away. I like to think that you know some baby secret about how drool is good for hair, but the truth is you put everything in your mouth. Then you would look at me and I would look at you and we would just stare at each other and I feel like I could stare at you until I go blind; you are just that amazing. Then you would do something funny before I got too cheesy and started to cry at how awesome you are. Mostly "the something funny" is poop in your pants really loudly. One morning you got the hiccups and I felt so bad for you that I could barely stand it. Hiccups are the worst aren't they? I would have them for you if I could lil' Zoe B.
Chelsea let me hold you as much as I wanted and you know, it was impossible for me to put you down. If I did put you down, I would lay you down on your blanket and then I would have to lay right next to you and watch you roll over and then we would make faces at each other and baby high-five. Other than that I didn't even want you to sit in those baby holders called inane things like "exer-saucer" and "bumbos", and you didn't want to be in there anyway, you wanted to walked around and kick it with the adults. So I would hold you non-stop and kiss on your cheeks and MAN are those cheeks cute. They are so big and round and they only get bigger when you smile and that is A LOT. Chelsea would have to hold you to nurse and to put you to bed, but pretty much all the rest of the time, you were hanging out with me. And you know what? It was so much fun baby girl!
I took about a million pictures so that when I got back to New York, I could look at your fat little cheeks and super bright eyes and be so, so happy to be your auntie, even if that means I'm far away (and yes, I cried when I left you and your momma). But now I look forward to the next visit, when I can see just how much you've grown and what new tricks you'll have up your tiny sleeve! I know soon you'll be sitting up on your own and then crawling and I know you will just RULE at those too, because you so totally own everything you do right this minute.
I just love you so much little best friend, we are soul mates that's for sure. Baby high-five!
I Love You to bits and bits and bits!!!!!!!!
Aunt Jess
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