Yet another Thanksgiving picure...

probably one of the favorites...It's rare to get Unka G from THIS side of the camera!

Can't wait for turkey!!!!

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Originally uploaded by dRfruitLOOP

Just before we let her dig into some turkey! "Turkey for you...turkey for me." Thanks, Unka G, for the pictures!

Turkey Day!

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Originally uploaded by dRfruitLOOP

Hmm....Just learning how to use her new work bench. When she got the hang of it, Z quickly went PRO!

Waving to the Rays

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Originally uploaded by dRfruitLOOP

Here's some more video...Thanks Unka G!

Aquarium Video

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Originally uploaded by dRfruitLOOP

As promised...Unka G posted the video, so we're adding it to the blog. Apparently, the fish bring out the raspberries in Z!

"Walk with the animals..."

Sunday, Noah and Zoe went to visit with some family. As much as I would have liked to have been there, I was home sick with the flu (still am!). Noah's Aunt Susan and Cousin Jenna have come up to visit colleges in the area, so Grandma, Grandpa and Unka G got together with Susan and Jenna, and invited us along. Apparently, Unka G got some nice pictures and video, and as soon as he posts them, I'm going to add some to the blog.

First, there was the trip to the Hard Rock Cafe. Zoe did her normal restaurant routine of charming the pants off of everyone and playing her favorite game "let's see how many times I can get Daddy to pick up my rattle".

Then it was off to the Boston Aquarium. Apparently, Z liked the sharks the best. Noah said she had a blast hanging by the big tank and looking at all of the animals swimming by, and when something was particularly exciting, would say so with a "Woooo". She ended the day with some nice new toys from Aunt Susan and Cousin Jenna (bath toys and a "clacker" book in the shape of a fish, which she LOVES), and a towel to keep her legs warm (someone will have to clarify who gave her that) because we forgot to pack a blanket for her, and a stuffed shark finger puppet from Unka G.

The trip exhausted her, but she seemed to have a great time, and shared all her goodies with me when she came home. She wouldn't stop jabbering away about her fun!!

As promised...

Pictures from apple picking, courtesy of Grandma C...

Apparently, we weren't too excited to get pictures taken before picking apples...
Cousin Jacob was SUPER excited, as you can tell.
Z was too busy munching on her apple to pose with Mommy and Auntie J...
LOOOOOVING those avocadoes!
Saying bye! It was a lot of fun, and we'll have to do it again next year when the babies are running around!!

Anyone for some apple pie??

Or at least apples in a mesh feeder?

Zoe has something that we picked up. You can put pieces of food in it, and because it's just mesh, she can chew on it all she wants and get the taste of it, but we don't have to worry about her choking. Her first taste of something in it was a piece of apple..fresh off the tree. She loves apple sauce and apple juice, so I was sure she'd love this, and I was right. She sucked on it so much that it shrunk to half its size!!

Zoe decided that it'd be fun to take her Grandma and Grandpa C, Auntie and Uncle J, Cousin Jacob, and us apple picking today. We went to the Nashoba Valley Winery (where we got married last July) and had fun trying to find the PERFECT apple. That was particularly difficult to do this year because the apples had a run-in with some hail earlier, so a lot of them got damaged....but I think we found some winners. After, the adults enjoyed hunting around the wine shop, and we even got to see a wedding underway too! Zoe did a great job supervising us in her overalls and chewing on a piece of apple.

This morning, before we took off, we discovered that Z has 2 more teeth...not the ones I THOUGHT she'd get, but two more on the bottom. That makes 4 on top (with the eye-teeth threatening to pop through) and 4 on the bottom....she's not even 8 months old and she already has 8 teeth! I know kids who don't have any teeth yet and they're Z's age!!! Craziness!! Other than a little more drool and not really taking much from a bottle last week, we really had no idea she was getting teeth...they don't seem to be bothering her as much as some babies (thank goodness!!).

I'd like to point you to the right side of the screen, under the section "Blogs and Stuff". I added a link to Noah's Flickr site where he's uploaded all of the pictures and videos. Please take a look there! And, if you want to order any pictures, you're welcome to do so.

More pictures to come....we didn't manage to take any pictures of Z picking apples...but Grandma C is never without her camera, so she managed to get a LOT. Maybe she'll be kind enough to share them with us so we can post them!

Oh, and an update on the week?? Z still loves day care, gets excited when Noah drops her off, and just has a ball. She's sleeping much much better, including putting HERSELF to sleep (without us rocking her). The last few nights, she's slept a MINIMUM of 12 hours and WE have even had to wake her up before I go to work to nurse her! WOW! She's growing up before our eyes...when you look at those pictures on flickr, you'll see a huge difference!

What else? She's scooting everywhere, rolling where she can't scoot, and has begun to get onto all 4's. We saw it today...all fours and starting to rock for a few minutes and then slips back down onto her belly. Soon enough, I'll be making dinner in the kitchen, and she'll be playing in the living room, and I'll find her near me, I'm sure!!

Happy Sunday!

So, I looked back and realized that we have some 'peats and repeats of pictures. But that's because they're SO good! :) AND, I was experimenting with loading them from Flickr rather than directly from the computer or the camera.

So, Z has started to lift her body OFF the ground. Ahh! She was up on all fours for about a second and then slipped down. I think, if she hadn't had cloth on her knees and been on the carpet instead of the hardwood floor, then she might not have slipped. She's working SO hard to do this. So hard, she ends up pushing herself backwards and moving that way. She'll try to go forward, but it's SO much easier to scoot back!

We either have more teeth or growing or both coming shortly. I've seen the bumps for her eye-teeth, she's been drooling up a storm, AND she's been chewing and sucking on her fingers like crazy. And, she's been sleeping like crazy this weekend. She might be getting up early (*yawn*) but can only manage to stay awake for about an hour before falling sleep again!!

Yesterday, Z got to experience the Rainforest Cafe for the first time. We weren't sure how much she'd like it with the noise and the lights, but she was okay with it. She just looked around, and as long as someone was holding her, she was fine! Then it was off to shop with Mommy, Daddy, Grandma B, Grandpa B, and Unka G...of course she got some new things!

Today was a lazy Sunday...perfect for the wet yucky day that it is!

picture overload!

These have been a long time coming! Here's Z fooling around with her Daddy. What a goof!!

At her first Red Sox game (it was the Futures at Fenway games where we saw the Lowell Spinners and the Pawtucket Red Sox!).
Swimming with Auntie D in Z's pool AT the beach...the water was perfect! The ocean? Not so much!
Z's reading "It Looked Like Spilled Milk". She loves the book! It's captivating and has lots of action! ;)
Her new spiked 'do. She loves her bath time!
She scooted herself over to the cat toys...apparently, they're more fun than hers??

Oh, how fun a wet paper towel is!

In her newest toy--an exersaucer! It converts to a walker that she can push around later! It doesn't look it, but she LOVES it!

Visits from the Vineyard

Zoe would like to let everyone know how much fun she is having on the Vineyard. She has tried to put her feet in the ocean again, but it's still too cold for her. She's been in the hot tub and LOVED it. We did take a kiddie pool to the beach, filled it with ocean water, and Zoe liked it MUCH better.

Zoe has been to the Agricultural Fair....she got to see alpacas (getting a small stuffed one from Unka G), donkeys and mules, horses, bulls, oxen, geese, cows, pigs, bunnies, and llamas. She had fun trying to taste my humus (getting it on her fingers), watching Unka G play a quarter game in the carnival section, and was overcome with excitement watching the people riding the rides. She fell asleep in the front pack and slept for over 2 hours!!

Zoe has had fun shopping with Grandma B, Auntie D, and me, getting some cool things in the process.

She has gotten toys (including a ladybug that moos--yes, I said moo), books (a favorite has become a cloth book called "Where did it come from?"), and clothes. She made friends everywhere she went, including dogs!!

She had fun playing on Grandma's computer, getting up early, singing and telling everyone jokes, watching the dogs play catch, and dancing. Unka G's and Auntie D's birthday parties were especially fun times for Z.

Zoe also met her great-aunt M, who she hadn't been able to meet the first time she came to the island.

All in all, Z's had a great time, and we're not done yet. Tonight, if she gets up from her nap in time, we're going to venture out to a beach (away from the crowds) and watch the fireworks. Then, tomorrow it's a quiet day at the house, I think, and then off-island to meet up with Auntie D before heading home.

I promise pictures when I get home! I forgot the cord to my camera to upload pics to the blog...Grandma B and Unka G got some pics too...maybe I can snag some of those too!!

The World Traveler is at it again!!

Z is spending the week, with us, of course, on the Vineyard. What fun! It's Unka G's 21st birthday, Auntie D's birthday (we'll be polite and not share which one!) too. It's also the Agricultural Fair, so we're going to be able to see cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, bulls, horses, and that's just the people (just kidding). It'll be exciting to see the different things at the fair, and see how Z reacts.

So far, we've done just a little bit of fun on the island (we've only been here for a day!). We've gone to Nancy's (a local hot spot) for dinner, the beach to watch Unka G and others kayak in his new kayaks, met a dog named Larry (a Portuguese water dog), went in the hot tub, and played with Grandma B, Unka G, and Grandma's friend, Auntie J.

Z's had a LOT of fun already, talking to everyone, and showing off what a comedienne she can be! We DID have to back off on sweet potatoes, unfortunately. Something, we think, didn't agree with Z, and she was spitting up more when we gave them to her. So...we're giving her body a couple of days to adjust, and then we'll try something else, probably squash.

We have lots of excitement coming this week! We'll get on when we can, and post pictures when we can!

Reviews Ahead!

Today was an eventful day for our Z. She went to visit her new day care, and met 4 other young kiddos, as well as the boys of our new provider, Miss Laura. Everyone was VERY interested in spending time with Zoe, but she was less enthused, apparently. While Zoe had fun listening to the music the kids played, watched them play on the porch when everyone went outside, watched a little t.v. when some of the others napped, AND got a 1 hour nap herself in, she spent a good chunk of time crying and wouldn't take her bottle AT ALL! Good thing I only left her for about 4 hours, and had fed her before I dropped her off. I'm sure when she gets used to being there, she'll settle in nicely and eat for Miss Laura. We have more days that will get planned very soon, depending on Miss Laura's schedule (she can't have too many kiddos at a time right now because of the state restrictions). It wasn't all tears for Zoe, but she was certainly glad to see me when I came to pick her up! I was also very glad to see Zoe, too!

On a much more positive note, Zoe tried sweet potatoes for the first time today. She LOVED them. She didn't even scrunch up her face when she had her first taste....she opened her mouth RIGHT up for more. If all goes well in the next few days, we'll be introducing Z to something new soon! YAY!

Acrobatics!

Someday, Zoe may kill me for putting the first picture up, but c'est la vie! :) Zoe's rolling has gotten crazy. Now, even when we're trying to change her diaper, she's been on the move! Many times, those stuffed animals people have given Z have come in handy to keep her still long enough to change her!

Today, she rolled a bunch and got caught in the table leg. She wasn't hurt, and she wasn't mad, but she was trying as hard as she could to move that leg. We tried to get her to move the other way, but no dice! Soon enough!

Yesterday was her Mommy and Daddy's first anniversary. Saturday, we had gone to dinner at the winery we got married at, and Grandma and Grandpa C babysat. She was SO interested in them that she just didn't want to sleep for them! That's okay, because we were home early enough! But today, we were going to have a nice dinner at home, after Z went to bed. Apparently, during the day, she thought she didn't need to nap, and then when it was time for bed, she wanted in on the action! Ah well...it was still a nice night!

Our World Traveler!

Zoe before the trip...she had plenty of toys to keep her busy!
Checking the water out in the pool....Seems to be just like her bathtub, only bigger! :)
Zoe with her Great-Grandma B and Cousin A. What a set of beauties!

I know, I don't have pictures. I left the camera at the hospital visiting Cousin Jacob...I have to wait until Grandma C brings it when she baby-sits Z Friday. However, Z has turned into quite the traveller the last few days. After a trip to visit Cousin Jacob, we were off to Grandma and Grandpa B's so that we ALL could drive down to Viriginia to visit with Grandpa B's side of the family for a good old fashioned family reunion. It was great to see everyone and for Z to meet everyone for the first time! Of course, everyone thought that Z was quite the beautiful babe (as IF anyone would think anything different!!).

Z's experienced quite a bit in this long weekend! She went on her first VERY long car ride. It took us from Massachusetts, through Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and then into Virginia. She got to stay at the Presidential Suite of the hotel because we got our rooms bumped (we got there a little late and the hotel was overbooked). THAT was quite the treat! Z went swimming in the heated outdoor pool at the hotel, and LOVED it!! She got a taste of Daddy's Gelato (cookies and cream, if you were wondering, and yes, she liked it!). Z went to the National Zoo and saw all kinds of animals (some of them were even in cages and had homes in the Zoo!). She was a trooper the whole time. She's still fighting with teething, as those two top ones just WON'T come through. Z napped as well as can be expected and was a charmer to anyone who'd look at her, never mind those who actually TALKED to her and PLAYED with her.

Zoe got to spend some quality time with her big Cousin A and Auntie B. I think a good time was had by all!!

We had Z's weight check today...it wasn't the news we were expecting. Our skinny minnie is just that. She is now exactly 12lbs. No more, no less. She grew a quarter of an inch longer and only a few ounces in the last few weeks. While it's a little early for her to level off in her weight gain, the doctor thinks she might have, but was still concerned. Her growth curve is continuing to decline and he wants to figure out what is up. He thinks she is a "pokey gainer", but still ordered a bunch of lab work. Z was a trooper getting blood drawn. She had the attention of THREE lab techs--one to draw, one to hold her arm down and distract her, and another one helped distract her. I got to hold her, and console her after, and she quickly stopped crying after they got what they needed. The doctor called me a few hours later, and while he still doesn't seem concerned, he did notice her liver enzymes are slightly elevated. So, to be sure that it's nothing, he's sending us to see a specialist. Noah and I appreciate this attentiveness and are SURE it's nothing, but it is still something we are concerned with, being Z's Mommy and Daddy. We want the best for our daughter.

We'll keep you posted!

Welcome to the world, Cousin Jacob!!

Sorry the last two pictures are sideways...I'll fix that when I upload the pictures to my computer itself. I just wanted to get the pictures up right away! :)

We want to congratulate Auntie and Uncle J for their brand new son--Cousin Jacob Dylan! I just got permission to use his name in the blog. :)

Jacob came into this world at 1:48pm today, weighing a WHOPPING 10lbs 1.5oz and 22 1/2 inches long. He's a BRUISER. He's adorable, with some reddish brown hair, blue eyes, and HUUGGEE hands and feet. Seriously, his hands are bigger than Z's. To compare the kiddos--Z is only 12lbs and 24.5inches long. She's in the 10th percentile in her weight, 50th for height...J is in the 90th for ALL measurements. WOW!!!!! Like I said at the hospital, she may be little, but Z is SCRAPPY. So, Cousin J--watch out! :)

We are all very proud of the new family, and wish them the best. Please, join me in celebrating the new life and newest member of our family. We are all so very happy!

Oh, and yes, it did make us miss Little Miss Z as a newborn...:)

latest happenings!

On the Island Queen ferry to Martha's Vineyard...
Testing out a high chair Grandma B got Zoe...Mommy and Daddy think we're going to get the same one for home (It's the Fisher Price space saver one, if you're wondering!).
First experience at the beach. Zoe didn't like the water so much, but she DID like the feel of the sand between her toes! Right after a nap at the beach...the waves just lulled her to sleep!
"I think I like the beach!" I see more trips for this beach bunny in the future!

Zoe had a fun-filled weekend at Martha's Vineyard. Unfortunately, she is cutting her upper two teeth (her gums are so swollen and red--looks like they hurt so much!), so she didn't have *quite* as good of a time that she could have had. However, she did have fun at the house, sitting out on the deck, and looking at all the trees, birds, and other beautiful things there! She made it to State Beach for the first time EVER, and while Zoe didn't like the water so much (it was cold!), she did like the sand. We had to keep cleaning her toes off so she wouldn't eat it!!

Grandma B got her a high chair to keep at her house and on the Vineyard, and while Z isn't eating solids yet, it was fun to sit and play with her toys in it. It seemed to fit her to a T, and she seemed quite comfortable in it! We liked it too!! We're going to have to get one, and we may get that one to save room in our small kitchen!

Z got to meet Grandma B's good friend J and her husband (also a J!). She had fun rocking in J's lap and talking with her.

Z enjoyed being on the ferry, both there and back. She loved to watch the waves in the water, clouds in the sky, and the seagulls flying by!

Monday, Z got to meet one of Mommy's BBC friends for the first time. This friend lives in Tennessee, but was visiting another friend of hers in MA, so Mommy and Karen decided to meet up! Zoe now has her first boyfriend, Karen's son Tyler....as soon as I get pictures from Karen (I forgot my camera!) you'll get to see how much they got along. Zoe and Tyler hugged and liked to touch each other on their faces. They tried to hold hands at one point, and generally just liked to look at each other! We may have to watch those two in the future!! :)

We also got great news that Z's cousin to be, her Auntie J's baby, is coming on Wednesday! Yep! Be on the lookout for a post and pictures!!! We can't wait to meet him!!

Long time no post!

It has been awhile since Mommy has posted. That does not mean that Zoe has been sitting pretty doing nothing, though!! She's been a busy lady. There are pictures to post (Daddy finally uploaded them), she's been on visits, and visited by others.

Mommy forgot to tell about Zoe's visit to Daddy's work! On the Friday we went to Mohegan Sun, Mommy and Zoe went to visit Daddy at WSI. He showed Zoe off to all of the people at work. We met his new boss, some of the other people on his team, and lots of other ladies at work. Of course, Zoe was wonderful and a hit at the scene! :)

Now, to catch up on things from the last post! If I forget something, forgive me...Momnesia has officially set in.

On Wednesday, Zoe was visited by her cousin Taylor, his Mommy and his aunt. We all had lunch, and played a little bit.
As you can see, Taylor was a little more excited about Zoe than she was of him! It's hard to believe that they're about 14 months apart!!

Saturday, Zoe's Uncle and Auntie Js came over. She got a new outfit for the summer, her first set of capris, and her Auntie and Uncle spent a lot of time just holding her, talking to her and playing with her. After, the adults had pizza while Zoe allowed them to (she rested in her bassinet!!). A lot of fun!

Sunday, Zoe's older cousin, A and her Mommy, Zoe's auntie B, came down from Syracuse to visit. Zoe's Grandpa B brought them, and they were in utter awe over Zoe (as if anything else was possible, right??). They held her, played with her, and just spent time with everyone. It was nice for Mommy and Daddy to see B and A, since they hadn't seen them since August.

Monday, Zoe and Mommy went to lunch with Auntie D and Grandma B. We all went to Not Your Average Joe's for lunch, and then we walked over to the Gap and Old Navy. Of course, Grandma B couldn't hold back and got Zoe some of the latest in fashion, including her very first bathing suit. She got a two piece. The top looks like a t-shirt with a flamingo on it. It looks very VERY cute, and Mommy can't wait to take her swimming in it!

Currently, Mommy is making plans to take this social butterfly to school and bring Zoe to Grandma C's school, visit her Grand-Memere (Great Grandmother who Zoe got her middle name from!), and her Mommy's aunt, uncle, cousin, and his family! She's a busy little lady!!

Mommy will work on getting the latest pictures posted. It's time for Zoe's lunch!

Family Visits

Today, we had an eventful day, and Zoe was welcoming everyone as only she knows right now...sleeping and looking as adorable as ever.

First, her Grampa C came over with food for Mommy and Daddy to help us with these first days home. He makes some good food, so it's great to get that from him. We'll be enjoying meatloaf, chicken, and pork loin, as well as Creme Brule! YUM. He spent a lot of time cuddling with Zoe in her pjs and talking with Mommy and Daddy...She had lots of fun, but wasn't much of a conversationalist! After, she spent some quiet girl time with Mommy before her next visit.

Then, her Uncle G, Auntie D, and Grandpa and Grandma B came up and had a nice visit with us. They brought us some groceries, lunch, and spaghetti and homemade meatballs (thanks Uncle J), some diapers, wipes, burp cloths and bassinet sheets, a stuffed animal, and some onesies...Everyone got to hold her and ooh and ahh over her and her cute outfit. Pictures will be uploaded soon and I'll add them to the post. Zoe did look quite dapper in her white sweatsuit, green onesie, and green socks. She had her matching cap on for most of the time, but it kept sliding off. What a cutie!! Lots of pictures were taken. Lots of conversation was around talking about Zoe, to Zoe, and with her. She had such a good time, she just had to sit back and listen as relaxed as she knows--SLEEPING! She was so relaxed sitting with Uncle G that Mommy had a hard time getting her to wake up to eat her dinner!

At this point, Zoe is sleeping in her Boppy. She had so much fun that she just can't stay awake. Here's hoping she'll wake up so Mommy and she will get more sleep later tonight!