4 birthday!

Dear 4 Year Old Zoe,

Wow, I just typed that. Weird.

How are you FOUR? HOW, I ask?

It feels like just a few months ago I had a little tiny cry that I weaned you at a little over 2. And only a few months ago that you learned to walk. Holding up your arms like a little ape.

Time flies, kid. You don't think so now but holy shit time flies. You'll see.

The 4 year old you is delightful. You're not as defiant as you were at 3.5 and you're sassier than you were at 2. You're spunky and sweet and hilarious and so much fun to be around. The other day you told your dad he smelled like armpits and then smiled at him with your sweet little cherubic face - as if you'd just told him he'd won father of the year. Atta girl.

You have learned to write your name (still have a little bit of trouble with the Z - sometimes it looks like ...well, not exactly a Z) and you can write out words if I help with spelling. It's amazing. One day you could suddenly do it. Funny how that works.

Your 4 birthday, as you called it, was SO much fun. You were so into it this year and we celebrated the crap out of it. Three big, huge celebrations for your birthday. We decided to forego the "kids party" after last year's Chuck E. Cheese debacle and opted to take you and Gabby to the mall to do lunch, Build A Bear, carousel rides and ice cream. You guys had a BLAST.

For your family party, we had Grandpa David, Grandpa Russell, Grandma Jackie, Aunt Jill, Uncle Mark, Sophie, Dominic, Jack and Josie and we did a Hello Kitty pinata, pizza and pumpkin pie. Pumpkin pie is your new favorite dessert and you requested it in lieu of cake. 

Since your birthday was on a Tuesday, both of the OTHER celebrations took place on the weekend so we celebrated AGAIN on your real birthday. You took cinnamon bread to school (your choice) and we had lasagne for dinner and cupcakes for dessert. You only ate the frosting. 

We are having so much fun. We're all going bananas with excitement over Christmas (everyone's coming here this year). You have a preschool Christmas program on Thursday in which you'll be singing Christmas songs - only you can never seem to remember which ones. 

I love you so much, my peanut. These last four years have been the best of my life. I am so lucky. 

Love, 

Mama

Zoe B, preschooler

Hi Kiddo! Time is flying by - I'm sorry that I'm such a slackerific blogger these days but we have been BUSY. First, you started freakin' preschool, dude! Look at you!

I was more than a little nervous about the separation because it's an entirely new experience for you to be away from a family member or close friend but YOU ROCKED IT! You just went right in and did your thing and didn't even look back.

Your teacher's name is Mrs. Hawkins and she is VERY nice. She's got that magic preschool teacher thing going on - she got you to open up right away. Your classroom is called the Elephant Room and right now you have 3 other girls and two boys in your class. Today is actually your first show and tell, I can't wait to hear how it goes.
(Speaking of the word ACTUALLY, it is your new favorite word - you say it ALL THE TIME. "It's not dessert night, ACTUALLY.")

I'm SO proud of you. Also a little teary because I can't believe my little bean is already in preschool, but mostly I'm excited for you. Life is full of new adventures and you're diving in. That's the best way, pumpkin.

We spent three awesome weeks in Michigan and you loved it, of course. You cried when we left and it just cemented for me that we need to spend at least a month there in the summer. It's part of who I am and it's becoming part of you are, too. Hooray for Michigan!

We also just got back from a whirlwind trip to NYC for Aunt Jess's wedding. You are such a good traveler. You hang right in there with early morning flights and subways and all of it.

You were the flower girl in the wedding but you hated it. I don't blame you. Not only did you not know what to expect, it was a lot of the stuff you hate; people making a big deal out of you. You and Grandma P walked in and everyone starting hootin' and holleriin' and you burst into tears. But later Aunt Jess said it took some of the pressure off, so there was a little added bonus to your little meltdown. You had a great time after the ceremony, though. Especially with the photo booth - check this photo out.

You're digging being in charge of the camera, Junie is drinking beer, and I look exhausted. So perfect!
I love you, beanie. You're such an awesome little human.

xxMama

zoe b walker

Big kid!

Zoe's turned into such a KID! I guess that's what happens when I let weeks go by without updating this blog.

I'm pretty sure only KIDS decide they'd rather climb ON the dollhouse, rather than play with it the traditional way.



She has also become very interested in imitating her siblings. Josie taught her how to rev her little bike. See below - watch her little hand on her handlebar when they stop.




She is getting to be a pro at standing up unassisted. She has taken ONE step so I'm sure she's not far fromt his walking business.



She has also learned to shrug her shoulders, which is ridiculously cute. She does it quite a lot - which makes us think she's just not sure about anything, really. She just has to get the "mmm...I dunno" expression down.



Zoe and I leave for Traverse City tomorrow after lunch. The big kids go back to their mom's after they open Santa presents here and we jet off for the frozen north. Merry Christmas!

First Haircut

Zoe got her first haircut today. I agonized over this decision because I didn't want to commit to her having bangs, but then I felt like kind of an ass for making her crawl around and play with hair in her eyes all the time (of course she pulls every hair-holding device out within minutes).

The stylist was great and the place was the hair salon version of Chuck E. Cheese. I can't say she thought it was fun, but at least she didn't cry.



And look how cute she looks!

FIRST BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA!

Zoe B is 1 year old! Hooray!

Here she is demolishing her cake.

Dear Almost 1 year old Zoe

ZOE B!

This post has been a long time coming, but you won't let me near the computer for any length of time these days. You love the computer. Unfortunately it's an "Of Mice and Men" kind of love...you love it so much you rip the keys right off the keyboard. Right now I have no B key, for example.

So much has happened in the last few weeks. Your Grandma Patty came to visit for a week and we were astounded by how many new things you did while she was here. It was like you were saving up all of your new tricks for her. You initiated a game of peek-a-boo, which you had never done before. You pointed to a bear in a book when asked "where's the bear?". You crawled all the way down the stairs backwards. You ate yogurt. Need I say more? I know your Grandma misses you like the dickens, so it was extra awesome of you to wait until she came to pull all of these tricks out of your hat. She was blown away!



We were both a little nervous that you wouldn't remember her and you would think she was a stranger. Pfft! You took to her immediately AGAIN and you were inseparable the whole week. She gave you baths and changed all your diapers and made you yummy food and read to you a ton. You were bosom buddies (by that I mean "fast friends" as opposed to men in drag, like in the Tom Hanks sitcom).

You are very expressive lately - you look at books or videos of yourself and make the best noises and facial expressions. It is making me so anxious for you to talk - I can't wait to see what you'll say. I have been doing some baby sign language with you since you were about 6 months old and you haven't done even one single sign. I imagine you thinking, "Mom, I'm not deaf, quit with the sign language. I'll learn to talk here in a minute." Which is fine, really. We understand each other just fine.





I am planning your first birthday party. I can't believe you're almost 1 year old. It's so bizarre that it seems like yesterday you were a little tiny baby yet I can hardly remember my life without you in it. Life is a trip.

You continue to be the light of my life, little Bean. I love you to bits.

Love,
Momma

Zoe B. Talking Points

Zoe said her first word today - BALL. I had to fight back the tears. I was kind of hoping for "OBAMA" - but ball will do.

standing!

standing!
Originally uploaded by chelseahilton

Zoe pulled herself up to standing today. Hoorah!
(this video requires sound)

OOH! Almost forgot!

On Thursday when we were leaving Tobi's house, Zoe waved goodbye to her and said "ba-ba"!

That's big.

Also - this child hates to sleep. Bedtime has been RIDICULOUS lately.

She's CRAWLING!

I know I am a big dork with too much time on my hands (well - I have to occupy myself with SOMETHING when I'm ignoring the messy house and the laundry). I'm just learning iMovie so forgive what an amateur I am. (make sure you have the sound on)

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

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?

News Flash

We here at Chez Zoe have been BUSY. BIZZ-AY. Things are happening, Zoe is growing and changing every day and her Mama can't keep up. Here are some highlights:

This last Sunday, Zoe and I were the first ones up. While everyone else in the house slept in, we decided to run up to Price Chopper (affectionately referred to as "the choppa") to get some donuts and juice. While I was checking out, Zoe sat happily in the cart eating my keys. As is fairly standard, a few of the women who work at the choppa came over to ooh and aah over Zoe. We were ready to head out and one of the women leaned over and waved goodbye to Zoe and said, "Bye, sweetie!" and Zoe presented her sly little half grin and waved back! The check-out lady said, "look how little she is and she's waving!" I just thought, "DUH. She's a prodigy. Move over, Doogie Howser."

Zoe has been taking shrieking lessons from her brother Jack. Jack screams and squeels when my dad wrestles with him and it drives all of us crazy. Now Zoe shrieks and squeals when she's happy, mad, tired, hungry or trying to gobble up a friend. The other day at Stephanie's house, she grabbed Alexandra by the hair, pulled her toward her and started to eat her nose...all while shrieking like a pterodactyl.



Our dear Erik came to visit last weekend and he and Zoe hit it off big time. I think Erik was happy to help me make my cookies for the Barack Obama bake sale since he got to take breaks and play with Zoe in between batches. If Obama wins, he has Zoe to thank.


Zoe and I are headed to New York City on Friday to visit Aunt Jess and Zoe's east coast fans. We can't wait!

6 month check-up

Zoe is a healthy little rascal - weighing in at 18 lbs, 15.5 oz and measuring 27.5 inches. She's in the 90th percentile for weight and the 95th for height. Here she is making mischief while waiting for Dr. Fisher.

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

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!

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.

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.

Leaving you hanging

Slow on the posts, I know, but I'm trying to "slurp" this blog into a book (hope to do 4 a year) and it's a lot more work than I thought it would be...and of course it has to be perfect. I have spent a great deal of time on that these past few days and haven't had time for much else. You should see my kitchen.

Zoe can chew on her little toes now, so that's good news. She's also doing some impressive things on the floor...definitely on her way to mobility. Yikes!

Still rolling over in her sleep and not happy when she gets there, so I'm not getting much sleep. I have really attractive bags under my eyes. But, whatever. She'll only be a baby for such a short time that I just don't care that much. I don't want to wish this time away just because I'm tired.

I promise I'll take some new pictures tomorrow. She got an awesome little Mr. Rogers-ish cardigan that needs photographing!