Weight for it...

And yes, I did spell it wrong on purpose! :)

Zoe had an appointment with the GI specialist today. It was just a follow up for adding the milk in. The poop continues to be clear, we got the go ahead to start soy (if we want, but what will that really be? Not much!) and we can add egg in. WOOHOO! If her poop remains clear at the next appointment, we have NO MORE APPOINTMENTS.

Zoe was a HAM today at the drs office. She had the nurse in hysterics with her laughing, giggles, looks, and talks...oh and she managed to pee on the scale and got great lift-off (the nurse says she only sees that on boys!). The dr and nurse were both thrilled with how Zoe looked--chunky cheeks, thighs, and a nice little belly!!

Okay, for the most important news....

At her last GI drs appointment(February 9th), she was 19lbs 10oz, 29 inches long. Today, she measures in at 22 lbs, 8.4oz and 30 inches long!!! This is excellent news!! The nurse looked back, and at Zoe's first GI appointment in August, she was barely tipping the scales at 13lbs...so she's gaining QUITE well, and caught very very well. We're SO pleased.

You must know, that although the weight gain is great, the most important part is the clean stool. We're just thrilled!!

Please take a moment out of your busy day...

and think about, wish for, pray for, wonder, whatever you choose to do when you know someone isn't well, and want them to be well.

This little boy, Stellan , is very ill. This is not someone I know, but someone who's blog I follow. Her son has a very serious heart condition, and was flown from across the country to one of the best hospitals, Children's Hospital in Boston, earlier in the week so that he could be with some of the best pediatric cardiologists in the country. If you read the post "transparency" you'll see that this young kiddo has even made it to the big screen at Fenway Park.

I ask of you to take a moment and to think about what this family is going through right now. From what I can see, Mom is in Boston with Stellan, Dad is home (where ever that is) with her 3 other kiddos. I think her father is out there with her, helping support her with her son.

As a parent, you have to think about what would happen if this were me and my child?? Would I be as strong, would I fight as much, would I be able to hold it together for my child when they needed me the most? Of course, you hope to never be in this situation, and you also hope that the answer to those questions would be unequivocally YES.

Help us support this Momma...in whatever way you want.

Wordle

Ever see something like this?? The words are supposed to change as the words get re-used...the more they're used, the bigger they are...the less they're used, the smaller they are. I got this made at www.wordle.net, and then changed the color and font around.

I think I'm going to put it to in the toolbar here ----->

Vocabulary and favorite things...

Zoe says:
Hi!
Kitty
me
bye
momma
mahhhhhh-meeeeeee (I love this one)
dadda
peepee
poopy
jacob (she has repeated it since easter)
uhoh
Laura
Ella
Jack (I have yet to hear this one)
baby
up
shake
YAY!
whaddat
(yes, she has quite the vocabulary, doesn't she?? I'm SO proud of her!)

Zoe understands all and sooo much more:
down
dinner (runs to the high chair when we tell her it's dinner time)
the garage door opening (she knows her daddy's home from work)
bedtime
loving___ (insert stuffed animal, Daddy, Mommy, etc)
lambie
froggie
ball
dance

And there's more!!

Zoe is now in love with the following:
Wheel of fortune (she claps when someone wins and says "YAY!!!!!"
Her lambie, turkey, and baby (it seems that her new lamb she got from Auntie Darcy and Uncle Jeff is getting lots of love time too!)
moving furniture
playing in the cat food
loving her "Kitty" (Kitty, learning to tolerate Z)
Peeps
sitting in her chair
dancing (chair dancing lately)
Laugh and Learn singing stage
pictures of herself and other babies
standing on the bottom stair and s-l-o-w-l-y sliding down to her bum
trying to get into those cabinets
dragging blankets and clothes around
Emptying various drawers she has access to
Rocking her baby

Happy EASTER!

I know it's been 10 days since the last post..I'm SO sorry about that. Lately, I've been so straight out busy with portfolio stuff at school (I have 9 math portfolios to submit to the state by May 7th) so I've been a little tied up! Phew!! I can't wait for those to be over.

Onto bigger and better things...ZOE! I'll post pictures in another post, but suffice it to say, Zoe had a GREAT Easter. She was an absolute angel both on Saturday and Sunday, and just LOVED the attention. She wants to wish everyone a happy Easter as well! :)

On Saturday, she spent the day with my side of the family...her Gramma and Grampa C, Auntie Jill, Uncle Jay, and Cousin Jacob. For those who are interested, 9 month old Jacob most likely outweighs Zoe, but Zoe is still taller! She showed everyone her newest dance moves, walked and walked and walked all over the house, emptied baskets, looked for eggs (she's very good, btw), hammed it up, and decided that throwing a chocolate bunny was better than eating it.

You read that right, she wanted NOTHING to do with her chocolate bunny! We were ready....Gramma and Grampa got her a Lindt bunny, we stripped her down to her diaper, had the camera ready, and I got as far as being able to bite a piece off and give it to her, and Zoe wanted NOTHING MORE to do with the bunny! Ah well...that means there's more for Mommy and Daddy, right?? Seriously, though, is she really our daughter??

Zoe had a fun Sunday morning. It started immediately with an Egg hunt finding the cool eggs that the Easter Bunny left behind (they had bugs all over them, and filled with Zoe's favorite animal crackers...great shakers!). She found ALL the eggs, mostly on her own, too. I'm not sure she understood what she was doing, but she had fun getting those eggs. Then there was a cinnamon roll for her to eat...she's had them before, but this time, Zoe just wanted to throw them on the floor! *sigh*

After a good nap, it was off to Plymouth. Zoe was a trooper with the traffic that extended our drive, but then hammed it up for the relatives. In addition to Grandma and Grandpa B, Great-Grandma Doris, Unka G, Auntie Darcy and Uncle Jeff, Zoe was finally able to meet Daddy's cousin Kevin and his wife Julia as well as his Uncle Brad. Zoe quickly warmed up to Brad, showing him what a kitty is in her books, and how well she can pet a kitty! She also enjoyed perusing the restaurant with Unka G and Auntie Darcy...apparently, a bird is known as a "kitty". :)

Some time was spent back at Auntie Darcy and Uncle Jeff's house. Their newly finished downstairs is SO much fun for Zoe to run around in, and perfect for Unka G to chase her. All in all, a good time was had by all!

I'll post pictures tomorrow. I know it doesn't take much, but I'm pooped myself!!

Quiet time...

Reading...I don't know if you can see, but the book is actually upside down. It's a MUCH better plot that way! ;)
Ohh...lemme put that book down. I'm going to get up.
Nah, nevermind...playing with this shoe is MUCH more fun.

Now, tell me, how comfortable is it to crouch like that?? I think my knees would explode!

Peek-a-boo!

I see you!

Mahem and Destruction...

Zoe thought Peanut might prefer the food on the floor, rather than the bowl (this took all of about 0.02 seconds!).
This is what Peanut preferred!

Since Peanut didn't really care for what Zoe liked...
she thought she might try spreading all her bibs around. And, yes, she did pull that drawer out all by herself!

However, after the bibs were put away by Mommy, Zoe wanted to continue her fun!
...diaps or pants...pants or diaps...
And, the diaps have it!

Let's Sing and Dance!

Just sitting there...get ready, set...
GOOOO!!!!
YAY!!!!
YAY!!!

Wordless Wednesday: Peanut's Thoughts..

(quick explanation...a blog I post on does this. "Wordless Wednesday" posts, just a picture...I thought it was kinda cool. What do you think?)

Weekend Update

Zoe showing Gramma how to play the xylophone...
I really like this one of the two of them.
Zoe is intently watching...
Grampa rocking it out on Rock Band! Not bad for a first timer!!

We had a fun-filled weekend. Saturday was spent with Gramma and Grampa C...we met up for lunch and then came back to the house to play. Zoe thoroughly enjoyed the treat Grampa brought her (Fig Newtons--a favorite of his, and boy is he happy that she likes them too!). She also enjoyed walking around the mostly empty restaurant. She met a new friend (her name was Ella, probably 2 or 3 years old?) and showed Grampa what she likes to do best...walk in circles! :)

Back at home, she showed everyone her dancing skills, how well she can play her instruments, and her incredible reading skills. ;) She loved watching Daddy and Grampa rocking it out with Rock Band, dancing and singing along. Zoe really enjoyed her quieter cuddling with Gramma.

Sunday was a Daddy and Zoe day. I had a spa day (oh the bliss, the fun, the content and relaxation) and they hung out together. From what I was told, they played and played, cuddled and read. Zoe enjoyed a nice grilled cheese sandwich (quickly becoming one of her favorites!) made by Chef Daddy. His friend, Uncle John, came over to get some homework help, but Zoe managed to stay the center of attention.

We think that Zoe may be headed, or in, another growth spurt. She's eating and drinking more and more, sleeping more and more. This morning, she didn't wake up until 7:30, the lazy bum! ;) Not that we're complaining...we LOVE it!!

New 'Dos..

Zoe's hair is getting long enough to put ponytails in...Today, I experimented with pigtails. She wasn't too happy putting them in, but as you can see, she survived! :)Right after...I had to wet her hair to keep control of it!

At the end of the day today...I'd say it held up pretty well! I love this picture of Zoe!

This was Friday, before going to daycare for the day!
Done with pictures...Why can't she smile when WE are!??

Quality time with Daddy??

Check out what's on the screen!
Uhoh....I did something wrong!
Mamma, leave us alone. This is Daddy and me time.
Reading the news.

Are you causing trouble??

"noooo..."

Common answer from Zoe these days...and to just about anything you ask her. Sometimes it's "yes", but most often it's "no". Tonight's conversation about bedtime went something like this:

Me: Zoe, do you want to go to bed?
Zoe: No (and shakes her head no)
Me: Zoe, are you tired?
Zoe: (thinks for a second) No (and shakes her head)

Of course, we know she is...but it's just cute to see her do this. :) And to know that shaking her head side to side goes with the word "no"? Genius!!

Rockin' it to the Bone's Theme Song....

Zoe LOVES the theme to Bones. This is from the syndicated show, so the theme music is shorter for some reason...I knew it was coming on, so I got the camera ready for the action. She does this ANY time she hears the music!! Enjoy it as much as I do!

Dancing Queen!

Here, our dancing queen is dancing with her Daddy. He had just gotten home from work tonight, and she was SO excited that he was home, she started dancing...and there was no music! This makes us laugh so much!

I knight you, Sir Teddy...

These were so cute, they deserved their own post. Don't you think so too?? :)

Pictures from the week...

sitting pretty, new ponytail!
"do you really need to take my picture, Mommy??"
"I don't want my picture taken!!"
Pretty girl!
Grandma and Zoe...pretty pair!
Look at how thick her hair is getting!!
Playing with Momma's scarf!
Wearing out from playing hard...
Sitting so nicely on her new chair..reading and listening to music. :)
Playing NOT so nicely, our little troublemaker!

A week in review...

From our Z...

This week has brought lots of good things. Zoe has now discovered that she can use the word "no"...and does use it appropriately sometimes. I have asked her if she wants milk, and if she doesn't, she pushes away her cup, and says no. Sometimes, she still says it if she really means "yes", but it's coming along! :)

Speaking of which, she has kicked the bottle to the curb! Noah and I were talking about weaning her from the bottle, but since she takes milk just fine out of any sippy we've given her, we figured we'd offer her the sippy and if she didn't take to it, then we'd give her the bottle. Well, this went SO well. We talked to Miss Laura, who just gave her milk in her sippy at day care. Zoe hasn't had a bottle since Friday morning, and doesn't seem to miss them! YIPPEE! We've gotten a couple of insulated cups, and that's made life easier when we're out and about. The milk stays cold for hours there!

Zoe also seemed to be fighting some tummy bug (we'll spare the diaper details!) but is doing much better as of today!

Vocabulary? Zoe's consistently saying hi, no, dada, mama, yeah, up, hey, eeeeyowwww (we haven't figured out what that means, though...kinda sounds like meow for a cat), kitty, Jack, Ella, Laura, and lots of nonsense words. :) She's said what sounds like turkey a couple of times (she has a stuffed turkey, compliments of Uncle Nick!), poop (Daddy heard it once), and a couple of other things. She also says, "whadat" and "whodat" a lot when asking what something is.

Understanding?? She understands a lot of things, but doesn't always listen when we tell her no or sit. She got a new chair that makes music, but is also small enough to climb on...she seems to think that it's GREAT for that. Um, yeah, we have said "no" and "sit" about 2401834089340293785 times.

This weekend we had a great time in Plymouth visiting Grandma and Grandpa B, Unka G, Auntie Darcy, and Uncle Jeff. Grandma B had her birthday, so Zoe had her first experience at a japanese restaurant...right up where they cook the food in front of you. She was afraid of the fire at first, but got so used to it, she didnt' seem to notice at the end!! We went to visit with Great-grandma Doris, visited Auntie Darcy and Grandma B at their stores (and got some new clothes in the process!!). All in all, a GREAT weekend! We have a great little traveler! Zoe showed off her mad skills (dancing, walking, almost running, talking, and never ending supply of energy to chase and be chased), showed everyone how to baby-proof a house, and fell in love with a moose...

A Day at the Park and Some Observations...

Blogger isn't being too helpful right now...they've uploaded all the pictures in reverse. THIS one is the end of the trip to the park....she was a little tired, but was still having fun watching the big kids!

Liking the swing, for a minute.
Not too sure about this thing!!
C'mon Daddy...let's go!!
I'm such a big girl!!
Oh, BOY!!! The park is FUN with the grass, hills, slides, and swings!! Oh, and those big kids are the BEST thing to look at!!
Apparently, practicing her karate moves here?!? Maybe it's Tai Chi?!?
Yanno, Mommy, this ground is a LOT more bumpy than the floor at home!!
OOOOH, sooo much fun!
Momma...let me GO! I want to PLAY!
First trip on the slide!
I think she likes it!

Can you believe this is the FIRST picture of the bunch, right out of the car??? She really was wide awake. I think I caught her blinking. :)

Zoe had a BALL watching all the big kids playing...I don't think she's seen that many kids in one place before! She really liked the slide, but the swings? Not so much! Ah well! Her favorite part? Just getting a chance to walk around in the grass. She LOVED it. When she fell, which was often because of the bumpy ground and hills, she laughed. :) Her clothes got dirty, but who cares...she had fun, and that's all that mattered!

Now, some observations...Zoe has learned that she can walk backwards. Every so often, we'd see her taking a few steps backwards, just because she can, not because she needed to...very cute! Zoe has also become quite the daredevil monkey...she is starting to climb on her toy chair we just got her (it plays music when she sits on it). When I mean climb, I mean, STAND on it. Yeah, we're working on it! She's not so careful when she gets down that one step that she can climb where the gate is...that has resulted in some falls and tears, but nothing that is lasting! She also tries to climb from me to the coffee table (um, I don't think so, kiddo).

We've also noticed that she is FINALLY cutting those incisors we've been talking about. I've seen the bumps for months, and they're FINALLY cutting through. I saw white teeth buds where they are. Hopefully that means cutting down on some drool! No, I have NO idea how many teeth she has now....anyone want to put their finger in their to count FOR me?!? I'd surely appreciate it!