Saturday, December 19, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Happy Birthday, Zoe B!
You're 2 years old, I can't believe it.
Here you are two years ago...
...and one year ago...
...and now! Crazy!
Last night we had your birthday party. We had your grandparents over (minus G'ma Patty, the Michigan Grandma who was busy in the snow up there), a bunch of friends and their kids. You were totally into it - we'd celebrated my birthday last month and I guess you took notes because you knew just what to do. You clapped along as we sang Happy Birthday and you blew your candles out like you'd been doing for at least a decade. I'm glad you're getting the message that birthdays are a big deal. We celebrate the crap out of birthdays in this family, kid.
One of your favorite presents was a box of plastic princess shoes (for the love of God!) from your friend Gabby. They have inspired you to take up tap dancing. See below. [*requires sound*]
In November we took a short little trip to Omaha, Nebraska. I never in my life thought I'd type that sentence. But I wanted a little weekend trip that would get us out of town but without having to go to far and people kept saying Omaha was great, so I decided to give it a try. Who knows, the midwest is full of surprises. And crazy religious people. But that's beside the point.
The zoo in Omaha was actually really pretty incredible. The weather was an astounding 60 degrees and sunny and you were really excited to see all of the animals - your favorite being a tiny little gorilla baby who was being held by one of the zookeepers. He was even wearing a baby diaper. You were VERY intrigued.
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You are talking up a storm and you're very articulate. Today Jack came up to your Dad and said, "Zoe can almost say dictionary!"
The other day you were sitting at the table with your little rubber stamps and ink pad and you couldn't get the monkey the right way up and you said, "Oh shoot! What the heck?!?" You have also started saying, "What the?!?" and if someone corrects you (you said Happy Halloween-days instead of Happy Holidays, for example), you say, "Oh, Happy Holidays, that's right!" I knew once you started talking you'd bring the awesome. And boy, do you ever.
And...best of all, you have started to say "I love you, Mama" without me even MAKING you do it! Or even asking nicely. It is the best thing on EARTH. The absolute BEST THING.
I love you, Beanie. You'll never understand how much. Maybe when you have a child of your own...but I doubt it. Because I love you more than anyone has EVER loved anyone or ever will. So take that.
Mama
Here you are two years ago...
...and one year ago...
...and now! Crazy!
Last night we had your birthday party. We had your grandparents over (minus G'ma Patty, the Michigan Grandma who was busy in the snow up there), a bunch of friends and their kids. You were totally into it - we'd celebrated my birthday last month and I guess you took notes because you knew just what to do. You clapped along as we sang Happy Birthday and you blew your candles out like you'd been doing for at least a decade. I'm glad you're getting the message that birthdays are a big deal. We celebrate the crap out of birthdays in this family, kid.
One of your favorite presents was a box of plastic princess shoes (for the love of God!) from your friend Gabby. They have inspired you to take up tap dancing. See below. [*requires sound*]
In November we took a short little trip to Omaha, Nebraska. I never in my life thought I'd type that sentence. But I wanted a little weekend trip that would get us out of town but without having to go to far and people kept saying Omaha was great, so I decided to give it a try. Who knows, the midwest is full of surprises. And crazy religious people. But that's beside the point.
The zoo in Omaha was actually really pretty incredible. The weather was an astounding 60 degrees and sunny and you were really excited to see all of the animals - your favorite being a tiny little gorilla baby who was being held by one of the zookeepers. He was even wearing a baby diaper. You were VERY intrigued.
.jpg)
You are talking up a storm and you're very articulate. Today Jack came up to your Dad and said, "Zoe can almost say dictionary!"
The other day you were sitting at the table with your little rubber stamps and ink pad and you couldn't get the monkey the right way up and you said, "Oh shoot! What the heck?!?" You have also started saying, "What the?!?" and if someone corrects you (you said Happy Halloween-days instead of Happy Holidays, for example), you say, "Oh, Happy Holidays, that's right!" I knew once you started talking you'd bring the awesome. And boy, do you ever.
And...best of all, you have started to say "I love you, Mama" without me even MAKING you do it! Or even asking nicely. It is the best thing on EARTH. The absolute BEST THING.
I love you, Beanie. You'll never understand how much. Maybe when you have a child of your own...but I doubt it. Because I love you more than anyone has EVER loved anyone or ever will. So take that.
Mama
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
23 months and counting....
Dear Zoe B,
Last week you turned the big ole 23 months - I hope you enjoy the last weeks of your 2nd year and prepare yourself for your third. I think it's going to blow your mind. Or at least it will blow mine.
I mentioned in my last post that I thought September would be known as the month you learned to accessorize. If in September you LEARNED to accessorize, in October you took that knowledge and RAN. You don't mess around. You even accessorized the hell out of your Halloween costume.
Speaking of Halloween....I was optimistic early in the month when you graciously agreed to try on several costumes and told me specifically that of the two you tried on (monkey and butterfly) that you preferred the monkey. I became less optimistic when, after purchasing the monkey costume, you refused to put it on and told everyone you were going to be a butterfly. You refused to put the costume on for the Kindermusik Halloween party and then flat out refused to go to Kindermusik at all. My hopes for Halloween began to plummet. But - somehow on the day before Halloween when it was time to go Trick-or-Treating at your Dad's office, it all came together for you. All along the costume just needed something...it wasn't complete and therefore you didn't want to wear it. It needed....flair.
With your pink boots and your mardi gras necklaces and your Hello Kitty sunglasses, the monkey costume was perfect. And you ROCKED IT. And my shy girl TRICK or TREATED! You didn't say anything, but you knew what you were doing and you collected that candy very diligently. I was so proud.
Earlier in the month we went and visited Grandma Patty, Uncle Colin and Sammy in Michigan. I was terrified of the flights because our experience flying with you to NYC in June all but made me take an oath that I'd never fly with anyone under 4 again. But you were like a different kid this time. What a difference 4 months makes in the life of a toddler. You had your own seat and you played with your Dora and Diego sticker books and drank your juice and were an all-around star traveler. Nice work, dude.
You had a great time with your Grandma and Sam and Uncle Colin even built some train tracks with you when he wasn't sleeping or....sleeping. We played outside and went to the pumpkin patch and you helped Grandma make blueberry muffins and took Sam for walks. Holy crap do you love Sam. Just don't get any ideas, we are NOT getting a dog. Never in a hundred million years. Just don't quote me on that because I never thought in a hundred million years your Grandma would get a dog and look at the current state of affairs at HER house. Hmmm.
And in our daily lives we are still enjoying hanging with Grandpa, GabbyYiz, and you are totally enamored with your brother and sister. Not long ago when we were driving to their school to pick them up, you started singing, "Jack and Jo Jo love me!"
I almost crashed into a field of goats it was so cute.
I am, as ever, completely and totally head over heels for you, kid. Don't ever question it.
Love,
Mama
P.S.
I just told you it's time for lunch and you said, "Nooooooo! I don't like food!"
Last week you turned the big ole 23 months - I hope you enjoy the last weeks of your 2nd year and prepare yourself for your third. I think it's going to blow your mind. Or at least it will blow mine.
I mentioned in my last post that I thought September would be known as the month you learned to accessorize. If in September you LEARNED to accessorize, in October you took that knowledge and RAN. You don't mess around. You even accessorized the hell out of your Halloween costume.
Speaking of Halloween....I was optimistic early in the month when you graciously agreed to try on several costumes and told me specifically that of the two you tried on (monkey and butterfly) that you preferred the monkey. I became less optimistic when, after purchasing the monkey costume, you refused to put it on and told everyone you were going to be a butterfly. You refused to put the costume on for the Kindermusik Halloween party and then flat out refused to go to Kindermusik at all. My hopes for Halloween began to plummet. But - somehow on the day before Halloween when it was time to go Trick-or-Treating at your Dad's office, it all came together for you. All along the costume just needed something...it wasn't complete and therefore you didn't want to wear it. It needed....flair.
With your pink boots and your mardi gras necklaces and your Hello Kitty sunglasses, the monkey costume was perfect. And you ROCKED IT. And my shy girl TRICK or TREATED! You didn't say anything, but you knew what you were doing and you collected that candy very diligently. I was so proud.
Earlier in the month we went and visited Grandma Patty, Uncle Colin and Sammy in Michigan. I was terrified of the flights because our experience flying with you to NYC in June all but made me take an oath that I'd never fly with anyone under 4 again. But you were like a different kid this time. What a difference 4 months makes in the life of a toddler. You had your own seat and you played with your Dora and Diego sticker books and drank your juice and were an all-around star traveler. Nice work, dude.
You had a great time with your Grandma and Sam and Uncle Colin even built some train tracks with you when he wasn't sleeping or....sleeping. We played outside and went to the pumpkin patch and you helped Grandma make blueberry muffins and took Sam for walks. Holy crap do you love Sam. Just don't get any ideas, we are NOT getting a dog. Never in a hundred million years. Just don't quote me on that because I never thought in a hundred million years your Grandma would get a dog and look at the current state of affairs at HER house. Hmmm.
And in our daily lives we are still enjoying hanging with Grandpa, GabbyYiz, and you are totally enamored with your brother and sister. Not long ago when we were driving to their school to pick them up, you started singing, "Jack and Jo Jo love me!"
I almost crashed into a field of goats it was so cute.
I am, as ever, completely and totally head over heels for you, kid. Don't ever question it.
Love,
Mama
P.S.
I just told you it's time for lunch and you said, "Nooooooo! I don't like food!"
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
22 ass-kickin months
Dear Zoe B,
You really turned it up a notch this month, kid. Seriously. Look at you.
The other day you were playing around in the living room with your Daddy and all of a sudden you stiffened up and moved your arms slightly and said, "I'm . A. Ro. Bot." That was a moment that I hope I never forget because it was like we had been waiting for you to do something like that without really knowing it. It was like you learned to ride a bike or something. We were practically jumping up and down. Yes, we are that lame. As I'm sure you know.
Since then there have been a few times that you've put up a fight going to bed and you pulled that out of your bag of tricks. You stood up on the bed and did your "I'm a robot" thing and then I'm laughing and you know what that means. That means Zoe takes the lead. Another good one you have in your bag is to be nursing all quietly and peacefully and suddenly put your hand up and go, "High five!"
I think September 09 might go down in history as the month you learned to accessorize. You started wearing hats. All the time. And Band-Aids. All the time. And your "pack pack".
And then...there are the things you say.
"Hold ya" - you say this when you want me to pick you up or if you want me to carry your baby. It's adorable.
We put up our Halloween paintings and one of them is a grave that says "RIP Here Lies Seymour Butts" and you look at it and say "MORE. BUTTS!"
When we tickle your belly and point to your belly button we say "Belly But-tau" like we're French. Don't ask. But, you have adapted this to "Beh Ta Tau!" It almost makes me want to get a French AuPair so we can hear you say more things that sound French. That would be the kind of "going to extremes" thing that made me a bit of a legend in my twenties. But that is neither here nor there.
As always, you are nothing but a pure delight, my little love. Every day is more fun than the last though I never think it's going to be possible.
I sure love you, rascal face.
Mama
You really turned it up a notch this month, kid. Seriously. Look at you.
The other day you were playing around in the living room with your Daddy and all of a sudden you stiffened up and moved your arms slightly and said, "I'm . A. Ro. Bot." That was a moment that I hope I never forget because it was like we had been waiting for you to do something like that without really knowing it. It was like you learned to ride a bike or something. We were practically jumping up and down. Yes, we are that lame. As I'm sure you know.
Since then there have been a few times that you've put up a fight going to bed and you pulled that out of your bag of tricks. You stood up on the bed and did your "I'm a robot" thing and then I'm laughing and you know what that means. That means Zoe takes the lead. Another good one you have in your bag is to be nursing all quietly and peacefully and suddenly put your hand up and go, "High five!"
I think September 09 might go down in history as the month you learned to accessorize. You started wearing hats. All the time. And Band-Aids. All the time. And your "pack pack".
And then...there are the things you say.
"Hold ya" - you say this when you want me to pick you up or if you want me to carry your baby. It's adorable.
We put up our Halloween paintings and one of them is a grave that says "RIP Here Lies Seymour Butts" and you look at it and say "MORE. BUTTS!"
When we tickle your belly and point to your belly button we say "Belly But-tau" like we're French. Don't ask. But, you have adapted this to "Beh Ta Tau!" It almost makes me want to get a French AuPair so we can hear you say more things that sound French. That would be the kind of "going to extremes" thing that made me a bit of a legend in my twenties. But that is neither here nor there.
As always, you are nothing but a pure delight, my little love. Every day is more fun than the last though I never think it's going to be possible.
I sure love you, rascal face.
Mama
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
21 MONTHS
...and I really am starting to lose track of these months. I have really started saying, "she's almost 2" or "she'll be 2 in December" when people ask Zoe's age.
Dear Dzoy (this is how you say your name),
Last month when I wrote your letter we were in Michigan enjoying summer, which is something that most Kansas Citians can't fathom. This summer happened to be a pretty mild summer in KC, so they lucked out. Still, they were lacking a giant freshwater lake. You had such an amazing time there, I am so glad we were able to go for a whole month.
That said, you were still very glad to get back to your Dada, Jack and Jo-Jo, your Gampa (Grandpa David) and your buddies Gobby (Gabby) and Yiz (Liz). All your toys were like new toys again and SOMEHOW, even at the end of August, the weather decided to be nice to us and mellow the fuck out. I know I shouldn't be swearing in a letter to a toddler, but I really do picture you reading these when you're like 25. I know you'll probably read them before then, but it's not like you won't have heard these words before and you know what? You need to know who I am. As a person, not just as your mother. As a person, I swear. I just do.
You are absolutely, hands-down huge fans of the following things:
1.) The Gee-Gone. This is how you say playground and you.are.obsessed. You love to climb and slide and swing and I have yet to hear you say that you want to go home from the gee-gone. I ask everytime...sometimes even after 2 hours and you always say no, you don't want to go home. Almost everytime we drive or walk away you say, "Gee-Gone! Fun!"
2.) Shoes. You la-la-love shoes. Hello, Mini-Aunt Jess. You put shoes on FIRST THING OUT OF BED. And a lot of times you insist that I also put shoes on. So we hang out in our jammies and shoes for the first hour of the day.
3.) Diego, or "Liego". I don't know how it happened but you are absolutely nuts about Diego the animal rescuer. Elmo used to be your true love but you have forsaken him for a little Hispanic kid who swings on vines in the jungle rescuing animals with his sidekick Baby Jaguar. It seriously CRACKS.ME.UP. You sing, "go liego, go liego, go liego, go liego!"
You also love broccoli, bike-rides, lunchboxes, taking baths, video chatting, playing with your Grandma Jackie's accessories, your play kitchen, your rocking horse and reading books.
The other day when you were tired and ready for bed, I was changing the sheets and you were growing impatient. You started to sort of fake cry and fuss and I kept telling you that we'd go to bed and nurse and snuggle your blankie when I got the bed made. You just kept at it and I finally said, in a very exasperated tone, "Why are you getting so mad!?!" and you looked at me and said, "I laughin'," with a little smirk. "You're laughing, huh?" I said. And you said, "Ha! YEAH!!" Like - I got you, lame-o.
I think you've got my number, kid.
You are SO verbal. You are talking ALL THE TIME, more and more every day. In the middle of the night last night you sat up and said, "Mama, water please." When I gave you the water you said, "Tink yoo." Sometimes when you say "Tink yoo" you go ahead and say "Welcome" right after. I think to save me the trouble. You're so thoughtful that way.
You also have started calling me "mom". I thought I had at least a few years of "Mama", but nope. Sometimes when you're nursing you let go and look up and say, "Hi, Mom." or if you're doing something amazing (which is always), you'll say, "Watch! Mom!"
One of my favorite things you say is "Ready up!" You say this in the morning after we lay in bed a bit and nurse and you're just done with it all and are ready to get up and play. "READY UP!"
I know I'm forgetting all kinds of things - every month this happens. I think of a million things I need to write and then when the time comes I blank out. Looks like you might be putting your old mom in a home sooner than you think, my love. My memory is GOING. That is, unless your Dad's theories actually pan out and medical science finds a way to extend our lives past the 200 year mark. I have yet to be convinced.
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In short, you are the light of my life, my sweet girl. Really and truly, I love everything about you. You're rascally and fun and sweet and cuddly and adventurous and daring and funny and light-hearted and just so happy all the time. I hope you are able to find joy and happiness all throughout your life the way that you do now. Unless that joy comes from becoming a right-wing christian conservative nutjob.
Just kidding. Sort of.
I love you, my sweet. Every night before I fall asleep I look forward to waking up to your smiling face.
Love,
Sappy Mama
Dear Dzoy (this is how you say your name),
Last month when I wrote your letter we were in Michigan enjoying summer, which is something that most Kansas Citians can't fathom. This summer happened to be a pretty mild summer in KC, so they lucked out. Still, they were lacking a giant freshwater lake. You had such an amazing time there, I am so glad we were able to go for a whole month.
That said, you were still very glad to get back to your Dada, Jack and Jo-Jo, your Gampa (Grandpa David) and your buddies Gobby (Gabby) and Yiz (Liz). All your toys were like new toys again and SOMEHOW, even at the end of August, the weather decided to be nice to us and mellow the fuck out. I know I shouldn't be swearing in a letter to a toddler, but I really do picture you reading these when you're like 25. I know you'll probably read them before then, but it's not like you won't have heard these words before and you know what? You need to know who I am. As a person, not just as your mother. As a person, I swear. I just do.
You are absolutely, hands-down huge fans of the following things:
1.) The Gee-Gone. This is how you say playground and you.are.obsessed. You love to climb and slide and swing and I have yet to hear you say that you want to go home from the gee-gone. I ask everytime...sometimes even after 2 hours and you always say no, you don't want to go home. Almost everytime we drive or walk away you say, "Gee-Gone! Fun!"
2.) Shoes. You la-la-love shoes. Hello, Mini-Aunt Jess. You put shoes on FIRST THING OUT OF BED. And a lot of times you insist that I also put shoes on. So we hang out in our jammies and shoes for the first hour of the day.
3.) Diego, or "Liego". I don't know how it happened but you are absolutely nuts about Diego the animal rescuer. Elmo used to be your true love but you have forsaken him for a little Hispanic kid who swings on vines in the jungle rescuing animals with his sidekick Baby Jaguar. It seriously CRACKS.ME.UP. You sing, "go liego, go liego, go liego, go liego!"
You also love broccoli, bike-rides, lunchboxes, taking baths, video chatting, playing with your Grandma Jackie's accessories, your play kitchen, your rocking horse and reading books.
The other day when you were tired and ready for bed, I was changing the sheets and you were growing impatient. You started to sort of fake cry and fuss and I kept telling you that we'd go to bed and nurse and snuggle your blankie when I got the bed made. You just kept at it and I finally said, in a very exasperated tone, "Why are you getting so mad!?!" and you looked at me and said, "I laughin'," with a little smirk. "You're laughing, huh?" I said. And you said, "Ha! YEAH!!" Like - I got you, lame-o.
I think you've got my number, kid.
You are SO verbal. You are talking ALL THE TIME, more and more every day. In the middle of the night last night you sat up and said, "Mama, water please." When I gave you the water you said, "Tink yoo." Sometimes when you say "Tink yoo" you go ahead and say "Welcome" right after. I think to save me the trouble. You're so thoughtful that way.
You also have started calling me "mom". I thought I had at least a few years of "Mama", but nope. Sometimes when you're nursing you let go and look up and say, "Hi, Mom." or if you're doing something amazing (which is always), you'll say, "Watch! Mom!"
One of my favorite things you say is "Ready up!" You say this in the morning after we lay in bed a bit and nurse and you're just done with it all and are ready to get up and play. "READY UP!"
I know I'm forgetting all kinds of things - every month this happens. I think of a million things I need to write and then when the time comes I blank out. Looks like you might be putting your old mom in a home sooner than you think, my love. My memory is GOING. That is, unless your Dad's theories actually pan out and medical science finds a way to extend our lives past the 200 year mark. I have yet to be convinced.
.jpg)
In short, you are the light of my life, my sweet girl. Really and truly, I love everything about you. You're rascally and fun and sweet and cuddly and adventurous and daring and funny and light-hearted and just so happy all the time. I hope you are able to find joy and happiness all throughout your life the way that you do now. Unless that joy comes from becoming a right-wing christian conservative nutjob.
Just kidding. Sort of.
I love you, my sweet. Every night before I fall asleep I look forward to waking up to your smiling face.
Love,
Sappy Mama
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
20 months
Dear Zoe,
In just 4 months you'll be 2 whole years old, which makes sense because you seem to have reached all of your 1 year old milestones. You walk, you run, you talk, you say fuck, what else is there to accomplish as a 1 year old?
You are really enjoying your Michigan summer. And your Michigan sand. Man, do you love that stuff. There is sand EVERYWHERE. In bed, in your hair, in your carseat, in your shoes, in your toys. Everywhere. If only I loved it as much as you do, we'd be sitting pretty.
You are pretty much in love with your Grandma's animals, you traitor. We are not dog people! We have already lost your Grandmother to Team Dog and now it seems you've crossed over as well. I have to admit, though, it is RIDICULOUSLY cute. And I do love how curious you are about them. I just can't stand it when the dog gets all excited and knocks you over. Your dad likes to call Sam a big hairy retarded kid. Hmm-mmm.
Right now your Aunt Jess and her boyfriend, Michael, are here from NYC as well as your Great Aunt Eileen and cousins Kieran, Michael and Brian. It's a zoo and you are having the time of your life. This means there is always someone available to find rocks with you at the beach, read you "The Wheels on the Bus" 5 times in a row, and so on. I've said this before but I'll say it again - I love seeing you with my family. It makes my heart swell to 4,000 times the size.
And, guess what? I love you. I love you so much that today when I was getting a massage I kept thinking, "This is awesome, but I'm excited to get back to my Zoe B." I had been gone exactly 46 minutes.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Mama
In just 4 months you'll be 2 whole years old, which makes sense because you seem to have reached all of your 1 year old milestones. You walk, you run, you talk, you say fuck, what else is there to accomplish as a 1 year old?
You are really enjoying your Michigan summer. And your Michigan sand. Man, do you love that stuff. There is sand EVERYWHERE. In bed, in your hair, in your carseat, in your shoes, in your toys. Everywhere. If only I loved it as much as you do, we'd be sitting pretty.
You are pretty much in love with your Grandma's animals, you traitor. We are not dog people! We have already lost your Grandmother to Team Dog and now it seems you've crossed over as well. I have to admit, though, it is RIDICULOUSLY cute. And I do love how curious you are about them. I just can't stand it when the dog gets all excited and knocks you over. Your dad likes to call Sam a big hairy retarded kid. Hmm-mmm.
Right now your Aunt Jess and her boyfriend, Michael, are here from NYC as well as your Great Aunt Eileen and cousins Kieran, Michael and Brian. It's a zoo and you are having the time of your life. This means there is always someone available to find rocks with you at the beach, read you "The Wheels on the Bus" 5 times in a row, and so on. I've said this before but I'll say it again - I love seeing you with my family. It makes my heart swell to 4,000 times the size.
And, guess what? I love you. I love you so much that today when I was getting a massage I kept thinking, "This is awesome, but I'm excited to get back to my Zoe B." I had been gone exactly 46 minutes.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Mama
Friday, August 7, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
MICHIGAN!
Zoe B,
We are in Northern Michigan for a whole month! That's a long time, baby girl. We arrived Thursday after two days of driving (you watched more Elmo and Signing Time than any child should EVER watch) and man, you are eating this place up.
You are absolutely infatuated with the animals here - Sam the (freaking giant) dog and Tansy the cat. You were very unsure about them when we first arrived and would scream and shake when they got close to you, but now you're warming to them. You're happy with them when it's all on your terms, but if they come to close to you when you're not ready you scream a little and say, "HONEY!" or "NOOOOOO!". The "honey" is disgustingly cute. I think you say honey in times of distress because I call you honey when you're out of sorts/hurt/sad/etc. I told my mom this morning that I think Sam is rocking your world. A few times since we've been here you've startled awake and immediately cried out, "SAM!"...and one of the first things you do is look for that huge dog (pony?) when you wake up in the morning.
Here's a video of you "throwing" (might be a bit of stretch to call it throwing) the ball to Sam.
You can't get enough of your Grandma and she obviously loves you to pieces. She feeds you cookies for breakfast and takes you out for walks under the stars at 11.30 at night.
A word about nursing: you're too busy to eat much these days so I'm so glad you're still nursing. When you want to nurse you say, "NURSH-AH!" and when you want to switch sides you say, "bitch, mama." instead of "switch, mama." Ah, you and your filthy mouth. I actually had written a whole post about how you began to use a few swear words but then had to hide it due to your older sister Josie wanting to show someone your site. I'll dig it up again later so we'll have that story here as well.
I love you, Michigan Bean!
Mama
We are in Northern Michigan for a whole month! That's a long time, baby girl. We arrived Thursday after two days of driving (you watched more Elmo and Signing Time than any child should EVER watch) and man, you are eating this place up.
You are absolutely infatuated with the animals here - Sam the (freaking giant) dog and Tansy the cat. You were very unsure about them when we first arrived and would scream and shake when they got close to you, but now you're warming to them. You're happy with them when it's all on your terms, but if they come to close to you when you're not ready you scream a little and say, "HONEY!" or "NOOOOOO!". The "honey" is disgustingly cute. I think you say honey in times of distress because I call you honey when you're out of sorts/hurt/sad/etc. I told my mom this morning that I think Sam is rocking your world. A few times since we've been here you've startled awake and immediately cried out, "SAM!"...and one of the first things you do is look for that huge dog (pony?) when you wake up in the morning.
Here's a video of you "throwing" (might be a bit of stretch to call it throwing) the ball to Sam.
You can't get enough of your Grandma and she obviously loves you to pieces. She feeds you cookies for breakfast and takes you out for walks under the stars at 11.30 at night.
A word about nursing: you're too busy to eat much these days so I'm so glad you're still nursing. When you want to nurse you say, "NURSH-AH!" and when you want to switch sides you say, "bitch, mama." instead of "switch, mama." Ah, you and your filthy mouth. I actually had written a whole post about how you began to use a few swear words but then had to hide it due to your older sister Josie wanting to show someone your site. I'll dig it up again later so we'll have that story here as well.
I love you, Michigan Bean!
Mama
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
spaghetti sauce face
Zoe likes to spread her spaghetti sauce ALLLLLL over her face and then she blends right in with the orange wall in the dining room.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
19 whole freakin' months
BEAN!
Sometimes I worry that these letters to you will all be basically the same - some variation of me saying, "God, Zoe, could you be any more awesome? This month you were awesome in ______ way and super awesome in _______ way. You are, in a word, awesome."
But who cares because at least it would be true.
This month your Dad and I took you to New York City to see Irene and FJ get married. You were quite skeptical of the whole affair, but I think that is because you finally realized that he was tying the knot and that you WEREN'T the bride. Ah, such is life. Still, you looked lovely. There were donuts instead of cake and pigs in blankets and your Grandma Patty and Aunt Jess were there doting on you.
You took NYC by storm - giving everyone, everywhere the stare of death. You would just stop in your tracks and stare at people in the most, dare I say, AWESOME way. It's like you're going to shoot lasers out of your eyes. Or like you're reading their thoughts and having to sift through a bunch of junk to get to the good stuff. Aunt Jess took you into a pizza parlor and the guy working there said, "Why is she doing that to me!? She's givin' me the business!" People say, "she's so serious!" which is kind of funny because geez, you're not serious. You just don't know why they exist and they need to get out of your way, clearly.
This month we also painted a wall in our house with chalkboard paint. It's really cool. Adds a lot of character to our very beige house. You love it and are always wanting people to "cogor!" (color) with you.
You're talking all the time, learning new words every single second and growing up right before my eyes. You have an awesome little sense of humor (you will say, "please, baby please!" and dance around when you're asking for something) and you smile big, huge smiles. Of course there are also times when you aren't getting what you want and you shriek like a mermaid and try and shatter all of the glass in the house. But, whatever.
In a few weeks we are leaving for Michigan for a whole month. You were there last summer but let's face it, you were a baby and spent most of your time just eating sand. Now you're a big girl and we're going to swim in the lake and walk on the beach and build sand castles and eat ice cream and wonder how Grandma Patty ended up having a giant dog living at her house. It's going to be great!
Ah, I love you sweet girl. Tons and tons and tons. You are EVERYTHING.
Love,
Mama
Sometimes I worry that these letters to you will all be basically the same - some variation of me saying, "God, Zoe, could you be any more awesome? This month you were awesome in ______ way and super awesome in _______ way. You are, in a word, awesome."
But who cares because at least it would be true.
This month your Dad and I took you to New York City to see Irene and FJ get married. You were quite skeptical of the whole affair, but I think that is because you finally realized that he was tying the knot and that you WEREN'T the bride. Ah, such is life. Still, you looked lovely. There were donuts instead of cake and pigs in blankets and your Grandma Patty and Aunt Jess were there doting on you.
You took NYC by storm - giving everyone, everywhere the stare of death. You would just stop in your tracks and stare at people in the most, dare I say, AWESOME way. It's like you're going to shoot lasers out of your eyes. Or like you're reading their thoughts and having to sift through a bunch of junk to get to the good stuff. Aunt Jess took you into a pizza parlor and the guy working there said, "Why is she doing that to me!? She's givin' me the business!" People say, "she's so serious!" which is kind of funny because geez, you're not serious. You just don't know why they exist and they need to get out of your way, clearly.
This month we also painted a wall in our house with chalkboard paint. It's really cool. Adds a lot of character to our very beige house. You love it and are always wanting people to "cogor!" (color) with you.
You're talking all the time, learning new words every single second and growing up right before my eyes. You have an awesome little sense of humor (you will say, "please, baby please!" and dance around when you're asking for something) and you smile big, huge smiles. Of course there are also times when you aren't getting what you want and you shriek like a mermaid and try and shatter all of the glass in the house. But, whatever.
In a few weeks we are leaving for Michigan for a whole month. You were there last summer but let's face it, you were a baby and spent most of your time just eating sand. Now you're a big girl and we're going to swim in the lake and walk on the beach and build sand castles and eat ice cream and wonder how Grandma Patty ended up having a giant dog living at her house. It's going to be great!
Ah, I love you sweet girl. Tons and tons and tons. You are EVERYTHING.
Love,
Mama
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
18 months!
Dear Zoe,
Yesterday you turned 18 months old - now you're officially 1 and 1/2. Crazy crazy crazy how much you've grown and changed in the last little bit.
I don't know when it happened, but it seems like suddenly you could understand everything I say and are miraculously able to talk right back.
Here are some snippets of our everyday exchanges:
ZB: "Sha-da? Sha-wa?"
CH: "You want to take a shower?"
ZB: "K." (and then you head into the bathroom and start taking off your clothes)
CH: "Can I have a kiss?"
ZB: "No."
You always say no now. Rats. But you can usually be talked into a high five.
ZB: (grabs shoes and walks to door) "CAR?"
CH: "You want to go somewhere in the car?"
ZB: "K. CAR!!"
ZB: (standing by the front door) "Ow-SIIIDE!"
CH: "Don't you want to eat your breakfast?"
ZB: "No. Side."
You're such a big girl, and boy do you have some strong feelings about things. There are many days where you will stand by the door and say "side!" or "ow-side!" until I give in and go out with you. You're not as easily diverted these days...I can rarely lure you away from your quest to break out of the house with a banana or a wadded up piece of tissue paper the way I could when you were, let's just be honest here, a BABY. Nope, you know what you want. It's a good thing, Zoe B.
You have started singing - I hope I can catch it on video. You sing the Elmo's World song...but in a way more awesome way than Elmo does. You say "la la la. la. la la la. ELMO."
You love the pool and have the greatest time jumping into my arms and climbing (with assistance, of course) back out up the ladder. Good thing we got pool passes!
As always, you love love love your brother and sister and every car on the road is driven by your 'da-da' and you frequently go over to the computer and say "Jesh!" or "Buppa!" You and your Buppa have a special bond, I think. He says that you want up in his arms and once there you just stare into his eyes for the longest time. (I think understand this - his eyes are the most striking ice blue. Either that or he is transferring his special powers to you. Probably both.) We spent the day in Lawrence today with your Grandma Jackie, Grandpa Russell, Aunt Jill and cousins Sophie and Dominic. You had a grand time with Aunt Jill and Grandma Jackie trying on all their jewelery and learning to say things like "ring" and "necklace" because lord knows you're not going to learn those words in this house. Ha!
You are super rascally, but in a great way. I love it (most of the time!) when you do stuff like paint your chest with mayonaisse or toss your dad's cheez-its into the pitcher of water. Cracks me up. Lightens the mood one might say.
I was thinking about trying to night-wean you a few weeks ago. You were waking up a ton at night and I was having to nurse you and nurse you and nurse you and I thought maybe you're big enough now to not nurse at night. But then I didn't figure into the equation how much it melts my heart to hear my sleepy girl say "nursh" in the middle of the night. It is so cute that I completely ditched my night-weaning plans. That and you started sleeping a lot better not long after that plan was hatched. So, forget that crappy idea. You might be a toddler now, but at night when you're all cuddled up to me nursing with your little tiny feet resting on my hip you really still are my baby. And you always will be.
I love you my sweet bean.
Mama
Yesterday you turned 18 months old - now you're officially 1 and 1/2. Crazy crazy crazy how much you've grown and changed in the last little bit.
I don't know when it happened, but it seems like suddenly you could understand everything I say and are miraculously able to talk right back.
Here are some snippets of our everyday exchanges:
ZB: "Sha-da? Sha-wa?"
CH: "You want to take a shower?"
ZB: "K." (and then you head into the bathroom and start taking off your clothes)
CH: "Can I have a kiss?"
ZB: "No."
You always say no now. Rats. But you can usually be talked into a high five.
ZB: (grabs shoes and walks to door) "CAR?"
CH: "You want to go somewhere in the car?"
ZB: "K. CAR!!"
ZB: (standing by the front door) "Ow-SIIIDE!"
CH: "Don't you want to eat your breakfast?"
ZB: "No. Side."
You're such a big girl, and boy do you have some strong feelings about things. There are many days where you will stand by the door and say "side!" or "ow-side!" until I give in and go out with you. You're not as easily diverted these days...I can rarely lure you away from your quest to break out of the house with a banana or a wadded up piece of tissue paper the way I could when you were, let's just be honest here, a BABY. Nope, you know what you want. It's a good thing, Zoe B.
You have started singing - I hope I can catch it on video. You sing the Elmo's World song...but in a way more awesome way than Elmo does. You say "la la la. la. la la la. ELMO."
You love the pool and have the greatest time jumping into my arms and climbing (with assistance, of course) back out up the ladder. Good thing we got pool passes!
As always, you love love love your brother and sister and every car on the road is driven by your 'da-da' and you frequently go over to the computer and say "Jesh!" or "Buppa!" You and your Buppa have a special bond, I think. He says that you want up in his arms and once there you just stare into his eyes for the longest time. (I think understand this - his eyes are the most striking ice blue. Either that or he is transferring his special powers to you. Probably both.) We spent the day in Lawrence today with your Grandma Jackie, Grandpa Russell, Aunt Jill and cousins Sophie and Dominic. You had a grand time with Aunt Jill and Grandma Jackie trying on all their jewelery and learning to say things like "ring" and "necklace" because lord knows you're not going to learn those words in this house. Ha!
You are super rascally, but in a great way. I love it (most of the time!) when you do stuff like paint your chest with mayonaisse or toss your dad's cheez-its into the pitcher of water. Cracks me up. Lightens the mood one might say.
I was thinking about trying to night-wean you a few weeks ago. You were waking up a ton at night and I was having to nurse you and nurse you and nurse you and I thought maybe you're big enough now to not nurse at night. But then I didn't figure into the equation how much it melts my heart to hear my sleepy girl say "nursh" in the middle of the night. It is so cute that I completely ditched my night-weaning plans. That and you started sleeping a lot better not long after that plan was hatched. So, forget that crappy idea. You might be a toddler now, but at night when you're all cuddled up to me nursing with your little tiny feet resting on my hip you really still are my baby. And you always will be.
I love you my sweet bean.
Mama
Sunday, May 31, 2009
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