Monday, July 28, 2008

In Michigan

Dear Zoe,

We are in Michigan visiting your Grandma Patty and actually enjoying summer, which is something we can't do in Kansas. I grew up playing in Lake Michigan and in Grand Traverse Bay...doing mermaid dives, rolling in the sand and skipping stones. It's the only way to do summer if you ask me. Summer anywhere else just isn't summer.

Yesterday was your first day at the beach. We took you to Good Harbor, one of my favorite beaches here. You LOVED it. You kicked and flailed your arms around when you saw the waves come in and you stuck both of your hands in the sand as soon as I set you down. You ate sand by the handful - I tried to get most of it out of your mouth at first, but the gave up. Guess you need extra minerals. You played in the waves and splashed around and loved every minute of it.




Being at the beach totally wore you out. I think you were asleep in the car 45 seconds after we left. You LOVE LOVE LOVED it, baby girl. I knew you would.

Love,
Momma

Warming up in our beach tent

New kick ass beach shade

Thursday, July 24, 2008

MICHIGAN!

Tomorrow we leave for Michigan for three glorious weeks.

I'll try and post as much as possible!

Friday, July 18, 2008

Death by Cute



Dear Zoe,

Well, I guess you're trying to kill me.

Um, who said you could be this cute? I'm not sure I can survive it. Seriously. Sometimes I look at you and feel like I might liquify. Anyway. I won't start that again.

The above picture is a perfect display of your new closed-mouth smile. I LOVE it. Everyone loves it. I'm just so glad I have a picture.

We are having the most fun together, my little love. To quote Grandpa David, "You are such a happy little character." You laugh and smile and say "bwah bwah bwah bwah" and I just feel so lucky that I get to spend every day laughing with you. This is the life, I'll tell ya.

You are getting so big, Zoe B. You got a new high chair and have your own place at the table now. You have started sleeping in your crib, which amazes me. It's right next to our bed and you probably sleep in there about 1/2 the night and usually for one nap a day. You seem to think it's some kind of playground. If I put you in there and you're not almost zonked out, you will perk right up and start kicking your legs and laughing. I think you are proud that you have your own bed all to yourself. You are also getting 4 new top teeth right now. 4. All at once. They work, too. You bit my cheek today and man, those things are sharp.

We're leaving for Michigan in a week - we're going to spend 3 weeks up in Traverse City. Hooray! I can't wait to introduce you to the beach. I wonder if you'll eat 3 lbs of sand on the first day. Probably. It's going to be so much fun. But then again, everything is fun with you, little girl.

I love you.
Momma


Asleep clutching headphones

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Miracles never cease

This photo is dark and grainy because my iPhone doesn't have a flash
and its dark because Zoe is ASLEEP IN HER CRIB.

We moved it down out into our bedroom next to our bed because she's figured out how to do rollovers and that wasn't working out for me at night. I can't sleep while getting kicked in the face. And everyone suffers when I don't get sleep.

I didn't think she'd want anything to do with it. Shows you what I know, I guess.

Anyway, what a big girl! What's next, applying for colleges?

Friday, July 11, 2008

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Kewpie Doll

A letter from FJ

Dear Zoe:

Today, Irene and I received card in the mail with a big Z on it. We knew immediately who it was from and opened it within seconds. I have to say, it was lovely, not just for what you wrote, which was touching, but how, at 7 months you have amazing handwriting and a well-developed talent for writing witty and funny cards. You are your mother's daughter.

As always, you continue to impress me and I have a feeling you will be doing so for many years to come. You bring great joy to our lives every day through pictures, video and stories from your aunt and play by plays from your mom. Whenever I feel down, I look at your blog or Flickr and the world suddenly becomes better. I hate when your mom does those long letters to you and doesn't add any new pictures. This time she added video, which was smart. Your leg warmers are cool. I love you.

Your pal,

F


P.S. I am sorry you got a shiner from the puzzle Irene gave you! xo

Thursday, July 3, 2008

7 months

Dear Zoe,

I can't believe it, but on Sunday you'll be 7 months old. I don't understand how this has happened. I think you're going to have to accept that your mom will always probably look slightly stunned at how fast your life is going. Is it possible that my little tiny baby is 7 months old, nearly 20 lbs and is popping out her two front teeth?

In a word, NO.

Not possible! But, still it's happening.

You are growing so fast. It makes me feel sort of weepy that you're no longer a little tiny baby but it's so much fun to watch you grow and make new discoveries. You are considering movement...you act like you want to figure out this crawling business and you give it a little bit of a chance but usually end up exasperated with your head face down on the floor. You'll figure it out, baby girl. I am trying to deal with the conflicting feelings of wanting you to crawl because it will open up the world to you (and I can't wait to see how delighted you'll be) and the not wanting it to happen because of the end-of-my-life-as-I-know-it-ness.

My favorite Zoe-ism of the moment is this fanning thing you do with your wrists. You pick up a toy or piece of fabric or paper and start fanning it, like you're an old southern lady, or you're playing the tambourine. See below. It seriously cracks me up. Sometimes while we are driving in the car I will look back and see you with one arm up and the other arm up and shaking your rattle in that fanning motion and I just bust out laughing. You are the MOST FUN, Zoe B.


Fanning herself like a southern belle from chelsea on Vimeo.

You're still not much for the food, but you did eat peas when we were in New York visiting Aunt Jess. I have tried avocado, strawberry, and refried beans with no luck. Maybe you're waiting for something really delicious like cake to introduce you to the world of food, in which case I wouldn't blame you. Cake is good stuff. You do like to suck on ice cubes through your little mesh thing that your Grandma Patty made fun of me for buying. I think it must feel good on your choppers.

You were such a good traveler on our trip to NYC. I knew you would be. You have patience, which must have come from your Dad's family because my family doesn't have any of it. I'm glad for you, Zoe B, because having patience will make life a lot easier. Anyway, your Aunt Jess was so glad to see you and had a great time showing you off to all of her friends. You're pretty much famous there. As we were waiting in line for the plane at La Guardia and no one was letting us through, I thought of saying, "Don't you know who this baby is? THIS IS ZOE B. She's practically a celebrity. Now kindly let us through." The people at that airport are total dicks. But, never mind. Doesn't matter. What matters is how spectacularly charming you were to everyone we met.

Since I promised myself I wouldn't cry while writing this, I must now sign off before I start getting all emotional. It's just that I love you so freakin' much, kid.

Ok, going.

I love you. Way too much.

Love,
Momma