A Way to Take Part in the Blog

...anonymously. Have you ever wanted to comment on something here but don't want to be 'noticed' or have to log into the blog in some way? Now you can!! If you'll notice, on the bottom of each post now is a section called "reaction"...all you have to do is check off the box that you want. Best part for some people? It's anonymous. Now, it's a new feature in blogger, and let me know if you have any problems (you can always email me). I HOPE it's as easy as I think it's supposed to be. :) Have fun!!

Happy 9 Months!

Can you believe it's been NINE months since our baby entered the world on that cold day in February?? She's informed us she will be spending her day playing with her friends at day care, playing with her toys, crawling, getting into the cat food, eating her food, drinking her bottles, screaming (happy screams), and talking everyone's head off. :)

For everyone's information, the good results of the drs visit the other day mean a LOT of things: 1. Zoe is in the 25th percentile in her weight (and height). This is up from the 3rd percentile when she started seeing the GI dr! 2. I've been given the okay to have soy lecithin and soybean oil (read your packages, those are in a LOT of foods). 3. Zoe is now proportionate. While her weight has increased, her length growth has slowed a bit, so she's now in the 25th percentile in each. She's still on the little side, but she doesn't look nearly as long or as thin as she did.

Zoe has enjoyed showing off for her Uncle Nick and our financial dude who both came up to visit on separate occasions this week. She's showing off all of her new skills--talking, clapping, crawling, dancing, and tormenting the cat! She even scored a cool stuffed turkey named "Gobble" from Uncle Nick.

That's all, folks. Have a great weekend!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

From our Ladybug to you....

Z had a Halloween party at day care today...she was one of *2* ladybugs there (there were only 4 kids in all!). When I picked her up, she was in a great mood...apparently she really liked hanging out in her costume and playing around in it. After, we went to Noah's office to show off, and that she did! She played with all of Noah's friends, let people hold her, and showed off how well she can sit, scoot, roll, and one other NEW SKILL.....

Z has CRAWLED. She crawled a couple of steps, twice. THEN, she crawled at home again, without the costume on. Apparently, having a padded belly made it easier to try this new skill!

We'll try to get more costume shots tomorrow, maybe even outside if the weather is as nice as we hope for. Our baby is growing up!

Just checking in!

Just wanted to check in on what our little Z is doing. She has gotten FAST with the army crawl. This morning, I was getting ready to leave for work, and I was in the kitchen. She was in the living room. The next thing I know, she's at my feet. Then, this evening, I'm in the kitchen cleaning up, and we hear Z squawking from the living room. We both look over, and where is she? UNDER the coffee table and on her way out on the side near the kitchen! What a silly girl!

Well, we never made it to Plymouth Plantation..the weather was just too gross for it. Another time! It's not going anywhere, and I'm SURE we'll be able to get there soon enough!!

Sleep has gotten better and better. Now, when we put her down for a nap or bed time, as long as she's sleepy enough, she'll go right down, with hardly a peep. Sometimes, if she isn't tired enough, she'll let us know as clearly as she can...but normally, that isn't a problem!

She continues to love going to and being at day care with Miss Laura and the other kids. I got to see what it was like to drop her off and her Daddy got to pick her up on Wednesday (I had training to go to). When I pick her up, most days, there are 2 other kiddos there....lately, they've been giving her kisses good-bye and even hugs. It's very cute to watch. They're very excited to see her come, yelling out her name, and just laughing and jumping up and down. Don't worry, Miss Laura is VERY good about keeping Z safe from these over-excited 18 month old and 2-3 year old kids...sometimes they just don't understand that Z is so much smaller and younger than they are. She, on the other hand, LOVES seeing them. She laughs, has a HUGE smile on her face, and even will reach out their faces when they get close to give her kisses (on her cheek). They don't mind. And, she can PINCH when she wants to.

What else? Zoe is getting more and more talkative...babababa, dadadada, mamamammamama, and any combination is almost always coming out of her mouth! That and the sounds that make her sound like Howard Dean making those "Yeeaaaahhhh" sound...yeah, Z's a little nutty. We'll keep her though. She's developing quite the personality!

Birthday Parties and New Skills!

Today, Zoe had her first birthday party to go to, outside of family. My friend C's youngest daughter, A, turned 4, and we were invited as Zoe B___ and family. And so it has begun...we are no longer known as Amy and Noah but as Zoe's parents. That's okay. It's a nice label to have.

But, I digress. We got there, and Zoe took a little bit to get acclimated and meeting everyone. When she was comfortable, C wanted to hold Zoe, and then G (A's older sister) got to hold her, too! I wish we had gotten a picture of that, but we forgot the camera was with us. Ah well. That just means we have to get together with them more often to get more pictures!

Zoe spent some time creeping and rolling around on the floor, playing and chomping on her new favorite snack, Cheerios, and telling everyone all our secrets! At one point, she was on the floor with a little girl who was 5 days younger than her...they played very well together and shared their toys with each other. This little girl is already crawling, but we're sure Z is not far behind that!

The newest thing that Z can do is go from laying on her belly to SITTING UP. She's done this a few times today, and has just been moving all over the place. WOW! What a big girl we have!

Right now, Z is sleeping in the spare bedroom in her Grandma and Grandpa B's house. We're here so she can show off all her new skills, and possibly get a visit to the Plymouth Plantation. It's a big busy weekend with lots still to do!

It's been awhile!

Sorry about that! We've been busy! I started back at work teaching, and Z started daycare...so we're trying to get used to a new schedule. Z had a tough time starting up at daycare, crying a bit, not eating much, and just having a hard time being away from mommy and daddy but with Miss Laura and the kids. The kids were in her face a lot because they were so excited to have a new friend, but Z wasn't so excited by that. Slowly though, she's gotten much more comfortable, and has started to eat and play more and more, and gets excited when she sees Miss Laura and the kids. The only thing we wish would get more regular is her sleep. She's managing 2-30 to 45 minute naps a day, which is not close to enough for our Little Z. The poor thing is so tired when I pick her up at 3:30 that she gets herself SO worked up when she sees me (happy, squealing, laughing, kicking her legs and waving her arms around) that when she gets home, I feed her and she just crashes by 5pm. Last night and tonight, I've put Zoe down for a *quick* nap at 5ish, and she just crashes! Last night, she went down then and didn't get up until 1am to eat!!! She went back down until 3am, Daddy put her back down, and then got up at 5:30 for the day, and to see Mommy off to work. Poor thing just needs to get used to sleeping at daycare with all the kids there!

Lots of other things going on...Z is SOOO close to sitting up. I can put her between my legs and she will just teeter back and forth from one leg to the other, but she won't sit independently yet. Any day now!!

Z will try to scoot, but instead of going forward like she tries...she'll push herself backward!

She has been getting better and better about rolling from one place to another. She isn't getting stuck places as much...she's moving toward things she wants.

She is reaching for toys and getting exactly what she wants.

Z's babbling is getting more complex. She's putting more syllables together, and putting facial expressions together as she "talks". It's cute to see her really try to tell us what's going on in her day!

We have *6* teeth...YIKES.

And, last week, unfortunately, Z had her first virus. She had felt warm (and had a runny nose) when I picked her up from her trial time at day care on Friday...so I took her temp (100.7) and gave her tylenol. She needed a nap and slept long enough for the tylenol to take effect and the fever to come down. After a couple of hours, she had dinner and then promptly threw up the cereal allllll over me. Lovely. I took her temp again, and it was at 101. It was a little too early for Tylenol, so I kept Z in her diaper with nothing else, hoping that that might cool her down a little. No dice. After a little bit, I took her temp again, and it was 102. I couldn't give her tylenol yet (still had about a half hour before it was "safe" to do so) so i just got her dressed in her pjs and we sat on the floor and played quietly. She basically just sat and played with her Octivity Octopus. Noah came home, and he took her temp again...103. Tylenol was finally given and phone call was made to the dr at that point, and we were off to the Pediatric ER aftercare clinic. After a lot of tests, we learned it was just a virus and we had to just try to rest her (how do you rest an active 6.5 month old??!), give her fluids, and tylenol if the fever got high again.

Get this, throughout the entire ordeal...Z was as happy, smiley, and good as could be. The dr commented that Z was the most energetic 103 degree baby she'd ever seen! Honestly, if I hadn't felt Z and noticed she was warm and a little flushed, I'd never have guessed she wasn't feeling well!!

Fortunately, the fever broke that night, but the runny nose stuck around for a few days...nothing more than a cold but with a temp of 103, we don't mess around.

I recognize I have lots of pictures to post. We have a lot from our travels and other things going on. I'll do my best to get some up before the weekend is up!

Have a good weekend everyone!

A Week in Review

Zoe's had a fun week. It started with Grandma and Grandpa B coming up to take Mommy and Daddy out to lunch. We know the REAL reason they came up--to see little Miss Zoe. She, as always, attracted all kinds of attention.

There are more pictures to add...Daddy will get right on it. There are lots of cute things that Mommy and Daddy caught Zoe doing. Just wait for the pictures! :)

Zoe's been shopping and getting out more and more. She's also been talking up a storm, and letting us know just how much she likes or DOESN'T like something! She's becoming quite an opinionated little lady!!

Friday, Zoe finally met Mommy's cousin and his family, and Mommy's uncle and aunt. They loved her, and thought she was just great. Mommy's cousin's daughter wants HER parents to have another baby now! Then, it was off to Gramma and Grampa C's house for dinner and some baseball. She got to meet another neighbor of Gramma and Grampa's. She's just a hit at Colliston Yards!

Saturday, Zoe had lunch with some of Mommy's friends...they all thought she was a beautiful young lady, and were surprised at how good she was! She slept the entire time, and missed a good pizza from Flatbread Pizza Company.

Milestones and other madness!

Yesterday was Grandma D's birthday. Zoe got to meet her Grandma's friends M and B, and she spent a lot of time hanging with Uncle J.



I thought I'd write some of the milestones Zoe's accomplished recently. About a week ago, she started grabbing at things, like my hair and my shirt. She also started tracking things with her eyes about the same time. How exciting! Her attention span has been getting longer and longer, too.



Tuesday, we went and got her a fun swing. Zoe didn't know what to do with it at first, but she's starting to nap in it, much to Mommy's happiness!! She likes to look at the tree frog that hangs in front of her when she's in there. She likes it on the lowest setting as well...that just conks her out!



Sunday, now that was an eventful day. She had her first official bath (sponge baths to this point). She liked it, until she didn't. If we had stopped it a little sooner, there wouldn't have been tears at all. Zoe didn't even mind having water poured over her head! She also had her first bottle from Daddy. Unfortunately, milk comes out of that a LOT faster than she's used to, so we have to practice that slowly with her.



Wednesday, Mommy started seeing a glimmer of a smile from Zoe. And, then, on Thursday morning, Mommy went to get her out of her crib, and there was a big goofy grin! No, it wasn't gas. It was a different smile than a gas one. Her eyes lit up! She did this twice, and then almost did it for Daddy right after. Later in the day, she did it again! Mommy was VERY excited. She's going to try to get it on camera, but it's SOO hard to time it right! She'll do the best she can!!

Zoe's already starting to hold her head a little more than before. It's great to see her get stronger every day! We're so proud of our girl!!

Weekly Update

As I sit here, I have Peanut on my arm rest watching Zoe very protectively, Zoe crashed out on her boppy, white pjs with pink and green polka dots on and her pink 3 eyed monster that Uncle G gave her next to her. Daddy is busy playing a video game...it's quite a sight for a Saturday morning.



Anyway, this week was eventful for Miss Z. Wednesday, Zoe went to visit Mommy's school for the first time. Of course, she was a hit. The teachers loved her, the administrators, secretaries, and even the kids loved little Zoe. We didn't get to see everyone, but I'm sure we'll be back to the school soon enough to see some more of Mommy's work friends.

Thursday, Zoe went shopping with Mommy. We went to the post office to get stamps and mail out the announcements (hopefully you've gotten yours by now!!), to Marshall's to just nose around, and then to the grocery store. I don't think I need to repeat how GOOD she was.

Friday, Zoe and Mommy took a well-deserved nap before heading out to visit with Grandma C's work friends. We went to Grandma's school, and looked around, saw all of her work friends, and even met a former student of Grandma's!! It was really fun to see where Mommy went to first and second grade...lots of changes since she was there!!!

After that visit, Mommy and Grandma C took Zoe to meet her Grand-memere, who her middle name comes from, in the nursing home. Unfortunately Zoe was not much of a conversationalist, but we were able to introduce them, and even got a couple of pictures. When I get them uploaded, I'll be sure to post them.

We went to Grandma and Grandpa C's house and spent some time with them. Grandpa C couldn't resist showing her off to the neighbors, and I heard she was very good! Zoe enjoyed spending time with her grandparents, looking around, getting tickled by Grandpa C, and even getting checked out by their cat, Sadie. Grandpa even learned how to open and close the stroller, put the car seat in the stroller and the car, and how to buckle her in. Good news for when they do the eventual baby-sitting gig!! :)

Today, we have a shopping trip with Auntie J. She needs help with her registry, and Zoe is going to help her figure out the best and latest in baby gear. What a good girl she is!!

Latest happenings!

It's been a few days, but that doesn't mean that Zoe was just sitting pretty doing nothing! :) She's had more visitors. Sunday, Grampa and Gramma C came to visit, playing with her and then treating Mommy and Daddy to pizza. We've found that she definitely has some "C" side of her...her Grampa naps the same way as Zoe!! :) Of course, as soon as he ate, he perked up quite a bit--just like Zoe!

Then, Grandma D and Uncle G came over on Monday with Chinese for us. On top of that, Daddy's friend, J, came over too. Again, more cuddling and playing abound!

Monday was also a day of gifts. Zoe received more gifts in the mail, from family and from friends. A big thank you to all of you who send/bring gifts to Zoe. It's amazing how many clothes a little baby can get, but also, how DIFFERENT they all are! Mommy and Daddy really appreciate all of the things people keep bringing for Mommy, Daddy, and Zoe.

Lots of Visitors Today!

Zoe had a lot of visitors today. She was finally able to meet two of Mommy's good friends, C and V. C brought her two girls, G and A, over for lunch and a visit. The girls ate bagels while Mommy, Daddy, and C ate sandwiches--all from Panera. The girls were a little shy, but had fun. C held Zoe for quite awhile and just couldn't stop talking about how beautiful she was. Of course, right? At the end, G did decide that she wanted to hold Zoe. We grabbed the Boppy, wrapped it around that skinny little 5 year old's body, and then C put Zoe right on the pillow with G putting her arms around her. When I get permission, I will post a picture of Zoe and G. Until then, you're just going to have to see it when we pass pictures around!

Then, a couple of hours later, V came over with her husband P and sons N and J. There is definitely a difference in how boys and girls are. The girls G and A are 5 and 3 respectively...N and J are 5 and 16 months respectively. The girls were quiet, sat on the couch, and talked with us. The boys...well, let's just say, they were able to demonstrate that our house is not toddler proofed! They are active young men!! V and P both held Zoe, with P commenting many times how tiny she was. Compared to J when he was born, she IS tiny! J was 9lbs 4oz when he was born!! While it was a much more active visit than the one with the girls, Zoe was VERY alert and good through the entire visit. I didn't get any pictures of this visit...I wish I had, but we had to hide the camera from the boys!!

Zoe had a very good day...at one point, Daddy went out and made some purchases at Target. She and Mommy had some good quality alone time. I can't share with you our talks, but they were very special! :) Then, when we discovered that one of the purchases didn't make it into the bag, Mommy went back to Target to get it. Daddy and Zoe had some very good alone time. I don't know what they did, but she was sleeping when I left, and she was sleeping when I got back. It was so weird for Mommy, as it was her first outing without Zoe, and her first time driving since Zoe was born!!

Tomorrow, we are looking forward to a visit with Grampa and Gramma C. Exciting times continue!!

Adventures at the Mall

Zoe's first trip out of the house since we got home was to the mall. We went to get pictures taken at JC Penney. Even with the appointment pushed back because the person ahead of us took forEVER to pick her pictures for her baby, Zoe did phenomenal as a model. She was dressed up in a cute Winnie the Pooh jumper that Noah had picked out--brown jumper and flowered turtle neck. She wore some tights with Maryjanes printed on the feet, complete with a little ribbon where the buckle would be. She was making quite the fashion statement.

Because we had time to kill before the appointment, we went to Sears to return something and then got her a new outfit set and socks. We walked around the mall, too. Throughout this excursion, Zoe caught the attention of many strangers who stopped and looked at her, and a few of them even asked about her. She's quite the attention grabber!

During the picture taking, she was getting hungry...remember, we had to wait a lot longer than we wanted because of the person ahead of us. She was good. She got into the poses that the photographer wanted, looked as beautiful as always, and didn't fuss too much. We picked two different poses that we think you'll all find beautiful. We spent a little extra money to get a web link so that if people want to order prints and other things, they can. When that's available, I'll be sure to post it.

After we got home, her Daddy's good friend, N, came over with dinner for Mommy and Daddy. She was a hit, again, and insisted on being the center of attention. A good time was had by all.

Today, she has her one week appointment with the pediatrician. It'll be exciting to see how much she's grown since she came home. She's been eating like a champ, so we expect that she's gained some weight since the nurse's home visit on Sunday (Zoe weighed in at 7lbs 8oz). Then, her Grandma D is coming up...another exciting day planned!!