pictures from Grammie

Talk about playing hard...Z crawled up to Grammie and fell asleep like that!!
Playing in a window after lunch..."Listen here, Jacob!"
"Who's looking at me?!?"
"Jacob!! I said, LISTEN!!!"
"Whaaaa, Zoe??"
"C'mon peeps....I got places to be!!"
"Um, Jacob...what's so funny??"
Hanging with Grampie...
Apparently, there's something either really dull or REALLY interesting here...
"Ohh, that tree's not REAL!?!?!?"
"HA! I got your nose!"

Listening to something very important!!! (BTW, look at their sizes...so hard to believe that Zoe is 5 months older!!)
"Oh, Zoe...it's okay!"
"Shhhh..We're telling secrets!!
"hahahaha!! Very funny, Jacob!!"
Yeah, YOU'RE the funny one, you know!!

Sleepover at Grammie and Grampie's

Zoe had her first sleepover at Grammie and Grampie C's last night. Apparently, she had a lot of fun walking, crawling, being carried down the hallway, played with a VERY fun tree, tormented their cat (good for her!), played her little fanny off, and slept well. Apparently, she played SO hard in the morning, she crawled up to Grammie, Zoe put her head in Grammie's lap, and fell asleep face down!

There are pictures, and we'll update with a picture as soon as they're sent. It sounds like they had a VERY good time, and we all look forward to more sleepovers (as soon as Grammie and Grampie recover! They're not used to running around with a 1 year old!!).

Growing like a Weed...

Yes, Z continues to grow like a weed. For Christmas, we got Zoe lots of 12 month (and beyond) clothes...most of what she got for her birthday was 18 month clothes. I thought, regarding the 12 month clothes, "wow, this will be good for her in april"....Um, they fit her NOW. While I know she's 12 months old now...you have to remember, her first 6 months, she was in 0-3month clothes!

I was telling Grammie and Grampie C that this week, especially, Noah and I have noticed that she's just GROWN. Not just comparing from when she was a newborn, but just in this week!! It's incredible. I am not sure WHAT the change is, but I look at her toddling around, and she's not a little little baby any more. Is it that she's walking? That she's a year old? That I know she's starting to bust out of some of her clothes again and needs a new size? That she's talking and picking up language? That she's pointing to everything and demonstrating that she wants to learn? That she is repeating everything we say in her own way (she's quite the mimic!)? That she responds to some requests?? I don't know. I just know that my little baby is growing up SO fast.

An example of this happened today. I saw Z was playing with the dog she is sometimes skittish with...petting it and poking it in the mouth. So, I ID the tongue and mouth that she was looking at. Then, I said something like, "Zoe, doggies bark. A doggy says, 'woof'. What's a doggy say?" I had to repeat it a couple of times, and then she started saying, 'oof' when I asked. we repeated the "woof" "oof" a couple of times, and then Noah came home. After a few minutes of him holding her, I wanted to show him. She did it again! Even if she doesn't understand what all of that is, I'm still very proud!! If I can get her to repeat it, I'll try to get it on video!

Speaking of video...I took some cute video of her walking even better, trying to sneak around the kitchen table, and getting ready for baseball. I'll have to post it tomorrow (it's a little late now!). I tried to get video of Zoe enjoying her new horsie, but as soon as I pulled out the camera, she started crying (she was really tired at this point!). Ah well, another day!

A Budding Picasso in the House!! :)

Can you SEE the creativity in the drawing?? :) If you look closely, you'll see the small, light marks that Zoe made ALL BY HERSELF (in between trying really hard NOT to eat the tempting crayon!!). The darker marks, she made with Miss Laura's help at daycare. This was done a number of days ago, but Daddy just got it scanned into the computer. We have the original with the date and all other pertinent information!

The BEST NEWS!!!!

We just got a call from the nurse at the pediatrician's office....

Her stool is CLEAN!!! We can continue the dairy!!!! YAY!!!!!! We get to continue weaning to whole milk!! YIPPEE!! So, in as little as a week, she can be OFF of Neocate!

We are still going to stay away from soy protein and egg until we see the dr in April...but this is FANTASTIC news!!!

Vocabulary time!!

Zoe can SAY: hi, uhoh, mama, daddy, dat (means that), kitty, yeah, various repetitive consonant-vowel combos like nanana, yayayaya

Zoe seems to understand what hi, uhoh, mama, daddy, that, kitty, and yeah mean. However, "hi" gets used for "hi" and "bye". That's okay :) She also says that when the phone rings! :)

Milk Mania

We're continuing our experiment with milk. Z seems to like it, or at least hasn't seemed to notice a change in her bottles. It also doesn't seem to be bothering her, causing her pain, or whatnot....well, no change except a little gas (phew!). We have to test her poop, and as long as it is all clear (well, you know what I mean) we can continue!

Sooooo...I guess what I'm saying is, Zoe's doing well! We'll know for sure in a couple of days!

1 year stats...WOW!!

Just got back from her 1year appointment...

born: 8lbs 3oz and 20 inches long.

today: 20lbs 10oz and 30 inches long....if this is accurate she gained a POUND since last monday at the GI drs AND an inch!!

Percentiles:
Weight: 43rd percentile (YAYAYAAY!)
Height: 78th percentile
Head: 84th percentile

I mentioned to the dr that she's just going to keep that melon head....she said, "Oh, it is probably genetic". Don't we know it! HA!!

Fun times!!

It's a little long, but the end includes a commentary by Zoe on why she does what she does. :) Enjoy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZOE!!!!!!

I snagged these from Grandma B....Here are the first pictures of Z and her FIRST BIRTHDAY!!

Zoe had a great day, and really really enjoyed the cake, as you can see. She had fun playing with her cousins Jesse and Megan and Jacob, and her friends Grace and Abby and Michael. She wants to thank EVERYONE for being there and helping make her day so great, and all the cool new gifts she got. She got lots of clothes, toys, shoes, and books. She was, of course, also very interested in the tags, envelopes, wrapping paper and tissue paper. An early favorite is the handheld radio (looks like a toddler version of an ipod) Grammie and Grampie C got her!! I'm sure she'll enjoy all the other things when we bring them upstairs and set everything up for her!

I'll be sure to post more and share more about the big day soon. We're all very tired from a long, but very fun, day.

Let's All CHEER!!!

We had a FANTASTIC doctor's appointment today!! Zoe weighs in at 19lbs 10oz and 29 inches long!!!!!!!

Best part??? Zoe had another clear (as clear as a dirty diaper can be!) diaper and the dr gave us the go ahead to start some milk/dairy. We're starting VERY slow (1tsp at a time) and we have to check her diaper in 2 weeks. Of course, if we have any symptoms, we stop. But this is VERY VERY VERY encouraging news!

Zoe had her first taste of whole milk today...sorta. She had a teaspoon of it in her bottle of neocate today. :D

Miss Mini's Milestones

Sooo...it's been awhile, I know.

As you saw in the video, she's a walking machine. This weekend, she spent more of it on 2 feet than she has in past days. Noah and I couldn't stop talking about how quickly she's learning that walking on 2 feet is more fun than on her hands and knees! She's SO brave and shows NO fear. She walks with her bottle in her mouth (clenched with those teeth of hers) or a sippy cup, waving a toy or piece of clothing around, waving her arms to us, it doesn't matter. She's on the MOVE!!

Another thing Zoe's found fun is to push the kitchen chairs around. The problem is, she gets stuck after a short time....so we pulled out the walk behind toy she has, and she LOOOOVES to move with it. I was afraid that she'd push it too fast and face plant (it is NOT slow) but she is SOOO fast. She came zipping in from the kitchen to me in the living room in about 2 seconds flat! Trying the other way is a little more difficult though....going from the living room to the kitchen there's a small lip going UP that she hasn't figured out how to get over yet with the walker. Whoops!!

What else is our little monkey up to? Oh, she LOVES to look at things and point to them. We've been trying to label everything we think she's pointing to. :) It's easier when we open a book and she wants us to read. She's able to sit more and more to listen to a story, and really enjoys looking at the pictures. Most of the time, I'd say, we sit there and just describe the pictures!!

Favorite toys lately? Her Laugh and Learn Home (more specifically the radio on it that she likes to play and dance to) and her Laugh and Learn Stage. She just sits there and "plays" the band and dances away. I'll have to try to get video of her playing it. She'll shake her head and say "yeah"...just like a rock star!

This week's events include the drs visit from the previous post and getting ready for Zoe's first birthday! We can't wait! She will also have a small birthday party with her friends at day care. I'm going to make a special treat for the kids and Miss Laura. It should be a lot of fun for her! Oh, and I nearly forgot! Daddy gets to spend the day with Z on Friday because daycare is closed! I'm sure they'll be up to no good!

Time to Weigh In

Okay, everybody, it's time for another game of "Guess Zoe's Weight". Monday, we go to see the GI dr for a check up. They'll be weighing and measuring her, so we're VERY excited to see how big she's gotten in 3 months!

Don't worry, this is just a routine check up. As long as the diapers are "clean" (meaning there is no blood), then we can discuss the possibility of introducing dairy or soy (or eggs, for that matter) into Z's diet in a few months.

Sooooo...what do you have to do for this game? Just put your guess in the comments section. :)

For a frame of reference, Zoe was 17lbs, 12oz and 28 inches at 9 months.

Here's the Proof...

She walks!

These Boots Are Made for Walkin'....

and walkin' is what she'll do...

Zoe has been getting MUCH better at her walking.  Normally, she takes 3-4 steps and then falls on her bum and crawls.  For the last few days, she's been doing that more and more and more.  Today, our Z took about 10 steps before crouching down, picking something up and then sitting ever so gently on her bum.  What was so funny was that as I was cheering wildly after, she looks up at me as if to say, "What?!?  What's such a big deal??"  :)

Love that girl!

We're Happy to Report..

Z is feeling better. Well, at least the fever is gone! She woke up with a fever of 100.2 at 6:30 this morning, and we gave her more Motrin (that stuff is the best!). And, by day's end, I think she's feeling better...the mystery of baby fevers!

She must be feeling better! She only managed a 45 minute nap this morning, and would NOT nap for me later in the day, although she really needed it. The girl just would NOT sleep! Oh well...she IS sleeping now!

Instead of 1 day off this week...

Zoe wants me to have 2! 

When I picked up Zoe from daycare today, she was a little fussy, had pink cheeks, and felt a little warm.  When we got home, she was screaming, pretty much, and was NOT our happy Z...She was burning up.  I took her temp, it was 102, gave her motrin, and then just swayed with her.  It took awhile, but she calmed down and actually fell asleep on me.  She hasn't done that since she was a newborn!!  I put Z in her crib and she slept for an hour, woke up cranky, downed a 6oz bottle, showed little interest in the cheerios I gave her, and tried to put on a happy face for her Daddy. 

That didn't last very long, unfortunately.  When we brought her back up to bed about an hour after she had been up, Noah took her temp again (this was about 2+ hours after the medication), it was 102.5...She's been sleeping, but not all that well.  If she still has that temp tomorrow, it's off to the drs we go! 

The Mysterious Case of the Slacker Mom and Monkey Girl

Apparently, I've been a slacker.  I haven't updated this in quite awhile...well, for me, anyway! 

We've been busy!  Since the last post, I had a birthday (where I got a VERY nice new wallet to match my new bag from Christmas from Z and Noah).  Last week, Zoe decided she didn't want to nap much at day care, only managing to get 1 nap in and wanting to play with the kids instead! 

Zoe has been trying new foods, and definitely telling us her first impressions!  Today, for example, I was cutting up vegetables for chili, and Zoe was eating her dinner.  I gave her a piece of celery.  She was definitely intrigued.  So, I gave her a stalk of celery..she started eating it like an ear of corn!  Then, when she was done with that, I tried a piece of bell pepper.  She put her tongue on it, made a really funny face, and threw it on the floor.   I don't think she was as impressed with the pepper!!  :)

Zoe is becoming quite the monkey!  She has discovered that the bottom step, just before the gate on the stairs, is a great place to play.  It's really really fun to drop things in the space between the TV cabinet and the wall and then get really upset so we have to go and fish them out.  She's also learned how to climb up that step, stand there holding onto the gate, and then stepping down (without causing me to have a heart attack in the process!).  Not only that, but she is trying to figure out how to climb over the box we have set up to hold her books downstairs.  Zoe loves to climb on Noah and me, and says "up" when she does that.  Does that mean she knows what that means?  We're not sure....because she says "up" almost all the time!  :) 

Oh, I nearly forgot!  While I cook, often, Zoe will open up the bottom drawer near the stove and pull out the table cloths...She pulls them ALL out and then will often just wave them around the floor (Who knew that William Sonoma sold baby toys!?).  Well, yesterday, while I was cooking dinner, Zoe did this.  But, she added a little twist.  She decided that THAT would be a great place to sit....IN the drawer.  Now I wish I had been able to get a picture of that!

3...

steps...

Yep.  Just now...7:16pm, Zoe took *3* unassisted steps.  She stood up, after taking a lap, crawling, around the kitchen table, and took three steps. 

Oh boy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY!

Today was Noah's birthday, and Zoe was able to help him celebrate in style. She got him 2 books, one to read to her, Me and My Daddy, and a book for him to read that celebrates daddies and little girls :). She let Mommy sleep in until 7:30 and then we got up and let him sleep in a little longer. We went to lunch at La Carreta's in Nashua (Mmmmm...mexican), and Zoe spent lots of time entertaining us all!

Zoe had her first taste of salsa, but snubbed her nose at the refried beans. Ah well. She'll get there. The funniest part was when she took a taste of my lime from my drink. She made some good faces!!

Zoe wanted to tell me that she hopes that her Daddy had the BEST day. She thinks (and I think so too) that he deserves it because he's the best daddy in the whole wide world. She loves him SOO much and wants him to get all the things he dreams for!!

Skills Check!

At this point, Z is doing SOO many things!

• "Soooo big!" (or as Uncle Jeff taught her, "Soooo much!")
• waves to EVERYONE
• seems to understand hi and bye
• stands assisted and unassisted
• walks with assistance
• says mamama and we THINK she knows what that means
• says "UP", dadadadada, gug gug gug, blah blah blah, ah ah ah, ha!, and various screeches
• will give you things when you ask for them
• will try to feed you
• self feeds just about everything but her oatmeal and applesauce....she does NOT like it when we try to feed her things anymore!
• "mean face"
  
• dances to anything, even the songs in her head! :) She bobs her head, sways side to side, taps her foot, bounces her body up and down, and shakes her head "no"
• She calls the cat "teetee" or "keekee" depending on her mood
• cat food is a delicacy
• the toilet is fascinating, as is the toilet paper
• she plays peekaboo allllll the time. Dresses are especially fun for that!
• Zoe bangs on ANYthing.
• She has figured out that buttons on toys mean they make music and sound.
  
• She laughs soo much!
• She's starting to get ticklish on her neck and under her arms.
• She definitely understands "No!" but doesn't always listen!
• She is SO fast crawling it's crazy!
• New rule in our house--the gate is ALWAYS up and the bathroom door is ALWAYS closed when Z is awake.
• She's becoming such a big girl she can sometimes make it with one long nap rather than 2 all the time (I love 2 naps though :) and only reserve this for days like today when it's impossible to get the second on in!)
• Zoe "talks" in her sleep
  
• Zoe, more often than not lately, has been going to bed smiling and giggling, and not fussing at bedtime!

Favorite foods lately?

• homemade waffles
• pasta
• bread (i'm sensing a theme)
• oyster crackers
• blueberries and cherries
• pretzels
• applesauce
• ham

Things she tried and really liked?

• salsa
• tomato sauce
• oranges
• limes (this one was funny to watch!)

Time for an Update!

I know it's been awhile. It's been a busy place in the land of Zoe!!

Last weekend, Zoe's daycare provider, Laura, had gone away for the weekend. Because she was leaving Friday and wouldn't get home until Monday, we were without daycare. So, I took Friday off and spent it with Z (lots of fun!) and then Monday, her Auntie Darcy took very good care of her. Because Auntie Darcy lives an hour and a half away, this meant that Zoe got to have her VERY FIRST SLEEPOVER. We were initially a little apprehensive when the day came because for the first time in forEVER, Zoe hadn't slept through the night...She was up 3 times. So, we were worried she'd have a hard time with Auntie Darcy and Uncle Jeff, being in a new place and without Mommy and Daddy for the first time. *WE* were the wrecks. Zoe was fine. She slept through the night, tormented the dog and cat as any good 11 month old should, kept people laughing, and did what she does best, be good :) We were very happy to hear that she had a good time, and fully appreciated the updates that Uncle Jeff sent us. We met up for dinner to take little Miss Z back and got treated to an early birthday dinner for Mommy and Daddy by Auntie Darcy and Uncle Jeff. Thank you!

This week was quite busy! Monday, Zoe had spent the day with Darcy. Tuesday, she goes to daycare feeling fine. Noah got a phone call in the early afternoon from Laura, and Zoe had had a very difficult time, screaming and pulling on her ear. Soooo, off to the pediatrician we went where he diagnosed her with an ear infection. She was given antibiotics, ear drops, and motrin for the pain. After sleeping lots and lots, she was feeling better. Wednesday, she stayed home with Daddy to rest up and let the medicine do its job (she is not a fan of taking it though!). Thursday it was back to normal at day care. She also went to a meeting with Mommy that day...an all district staff meeting. *fun*

Saturday was spent with Mommy's side of the family. We met up with HER cousin Chris and his family, and her aunt Ginny. We did Christmas there, finally, and then went out to celebrate Mommy and Daddy's birthday with Auntie Jill, Uncle Jason, Cousin Jacob, and Gramma and Grampa. LOTS of fun was had by all! She showed off her latest moves to everyone!

SPeaking of which, Zoe is >< this close to walking. She stands ALL the time, with and without support. If you're holding her and then put her down, more often than not, she puts her feet straight down, wanting to stand. She loooves to walk with you holding her hands, and is getting better and better at doing it with only one hand. This morning, she was standing and slid her left foot forward, stopped, then did it again (and then fell on her bum). I swear, she'll be walking before her first birthday!!

Recent pictures!

Mommy and me...just before bed.

I'm emptying my TOY BIN! YAY!!

OH MY GOD!!! PAAAAAPER!!!!

This is the newest way to brush your teeth...and yes, she does have a real toothbrush!!

Trying to climb the stairs...

I'm not doing ANYthing wrong!

Somehow, I think they're a little big...

Um, I dunno, Daddy...are you SURE??

Look! No hands!!

The bath is SO much more fun now!!

Um, I think I'm ready to come out!

Momma, I said OUT!

Finally, the "mean face"

SO big!

"SO big!" AND the mean face!

LOVE this face!

This just in...

There are now at LEAST 13 teeth...if not more. 

No wonder Z's sleep's been a little less than desired at the moment and she hasn't wanted to eat much other than hard animal crackers or frozen blueberries!

I promise, there are new pictures coming...just gotta upload them first!

Let's get a little political for a moment...

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-thrift2-2009jan02,0,2083247.story

This is an article that was posted on my mommy message board I frequent.  It's about a law that is supposedly going into effect on February 10th.  Read the article....it's a short article and won't take long.  It's interesting reading and I'll let you form your own opinion on it.

Now that you've taken a second to do that, think about what this will mean for children's clothing, toys, books, second hand stores, thrift stores, home school companies, yardsales, libraries, and even your own closets.  In an effort to expedite this bill, they worded it VERY strictly, and it includes DVDs, CDs, books, clothing, everything.  Do you think kids' clothes are expensive now?  How much more are they going to be after the companies have to do the lead testing?  Do you think the small mom and pop stores are going to stick around?  What about those consignment stores that cater to kids' clothing?  Those will be out of business. 

I'm all for keeping lead out of my kid's toys and clothes and things, but c'mon!  This is a bit overboard.  I want her to be safe, but the sweater she's wearing today is NOT going to expose her to deadly levels of lead.  The lambie she sleeps with...I highly doubt it has toxic levels of lead in it...give me a break.  I'm all for increased testing for the toys.  And, there are some watchdog websites that have posted risks for toys (I'll have to find the one I've frequented before and post it).  But, honestly, do we need to extend this to clothing? 

What do you think?  Do you think I'm being to lax or do you think this law is too ridiculous?? 

ELEVEN!

teeth, that is...

Yep...11. At this rate, Zoe's going to have a full set in her mouth by her first birthday!! She's a teeth making machine!! She has the 4 on top in the front, the same on the bottom, and then skipped the incisors. She has the next teeth going in on the bottom, and the one on her left on the top of the same spot (next to the incisor)...

Unfortunately, she's discovered it's much more difficult to get around with those teeth than it is without...she's actually bit her lip a couple of times, poor baby. Fortunately, she likes to suck on wet face cloths, so we've been keeping those handy just to fix the boo-boos!!

Zoe vs Blueberries...

And, i'm not sure who won...Zoe has apparently not met a blueberry she doesn't like. The blueberries? Well, I think they need to run for the hills...she's deadly! They have a great self-defense mechanism, though...their juice. Zoe squeezes, juice stains. She insists on squeezing them so the juice runs everywhere, put it in her mouth, eat, and then spread the juice around. MMMM

What you've ALL been waiting for...pictures!

Meeting Cousin Taylor for the first time (he's Lil T's uncle!).

Our very own Jerry Lee Lewis!! Great balls of fire!

Ohhh yeah!! She's a piano playing FOOL!!
Christmas Eve morning opening gifts with Daddy and Mommy...She had a ball ripping the paper off the gifts!
Among the aftermath...The boxes, paper, tags, and tissue paper were the BEST GIFTS EVER.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Zoe decided to ring in the new year by staying up late...9:30! I think it's because her sleep schedule's been slowly changing due to Noah and me being home, and not having to get up so early in the morning. Oh, and more napping always helps that out.:) However, the last few days, Z's only managed one nap a day...are we headed to dropping a nap?? (say it isn't so!!)

We have lots of pictures to post, and even some video of Zoe dancing to a pointsetta (yes you read that right..). She loves that thing, and we'd like to *thank* Grammie and Grampie C for that...Yeah, it's a blast.



Pictures in another post!

Playing in the SNOW!!

Oh BOY! This is exciting!!
The snow comes up to my knees!!
Uh oh! Help me out here, will ya?
Oh, FUN!!
This was NOT what I bargained for...who pushed me in the snow!?!?
Ahh...much better in the warm house!

Z had her first experience in the snow today. It wasn't the first snow fall of the season, but the first one we'd been able to get her out into. She liked it well enough, until she fell face first into the snow. WOOPS! Guess she whitewashed herself!

Merry Christmas and milestones...

Merry Christmas (a little late) from Zoe to you! And, if you can believe it, we're not even done celebrating the big holiday!! Grandpa C has been sick with some nasty bug (HE wants you to know he was on his death bed) and didn't want the little babies to get sick (Z and her cousin, Jacob) so we are holding off until next weekend.

The weekend before Christmas brought us to Auntie Kate and Uncle Eric's house for their annual party and then down to Plymouth for a family party...Z was quite the ham. :) She wore her special Santa outfit for the family party and tried so hard to play with her cousin Taylor....he was not quite so forthcoming in the beginning!!

Christmas Eve morning, we spent the morning together having our Christmas. Santa was good, and changed HIS plans to accommodate us and bring us our gifts early. Zoe loved her Fisher Price Sing and Learn Stage and her talking teddy bear. She was such a good girl this year, she got lots of good toys, books, and clothes.

Then, Christmas Eve night was spent at Grandma and Grandpa B's house, with Unka G, Auntie Darcy, and Uncle Jeff. Z enjoyed the family time and was all about giving people raspberries and talking up a storm. We stayed over (and had to alert Santa to the change in plans) and had a great day at Auntie Darcy and Uncle Jeff's house. Zoe got to meet her older Cousin Taylor, and got to spend some time with her Uncle Richard, Aunt Marney, and Great-Grandma, as well as the rest of us!! She got some really cool things from Santa. I think her favorite is the pink piano. It was actually a toss up between that and the activity block.

Since, we've just been home, hanging out here and playing with the new toys. Pictures are coming, as soon as I get a chance to upload them!

Milestones! How could I forget!? Zoe stood, by herself, for a couple of seconds for the first time on Christmas day at Auntie Darcy and Uncle Jeff's house. She's been increasing her time bit by bit since. I feel the sharpness of ANOTHER tooth (that makes number 10, btw) and feel the bumps for at least 2 more!! CRAZY!

Weirdness

The last couple of days were weird for Z. She was great, and went with the flow, even though her normal schedule was a bit off kilter.

Thursday, we got a phone call late from Zoe's daycare provider, Laura, who said she was too sick to take the kids. It was too late for me to take a day off and call in for a sub (we have to do it by 6am). So, Noah took the opportunity to work from home. Then, he brought her to school just before the end of the day where Z got to meet some of my students and then walked around the school meeting some of my friends at work before going to PAAAHHH-TY at my holiday party down the street from our school. Zoe was decked out in a striped red and pink dress Auntie Darcy had given her. We couldn't have asked for better behavior. She hammed it up with the workers, socialized, played, ate dinner with us (including chowing on a breadstick from my dinner), and just had a great time with my co-workers. Zoe was complimented on her behavior SO many times. She would talk and play with anyone who looked at her, didn't have a problem with anyone holding her, and didn't have an issue with the noise, closeness, or anything else. Zoe was WONDERFUL! She had SO much fun, and she was SO tired, she fell asleep before I was even out of the parking lot and then went down when we got home without a fight.

that was at about 6:30 (when we got home). She didn't wake up until 8am Friday morning!!!!!

Today, she managed one nap. That was probably because she slept in so late (for her). And, she isn't feeling too well. She has one red cheek (probably just dry skin) and a runny nose. She was originally going to spend another day home with her Daddy, but Laura called and said it was okay for her to come for the morning. Only the morning because *I* had an early release. Why would I have a random early release? The upcoming snowstorm, of course. Picked up Z, and she was falling asleep in her carseat in the 5 minute drive home. Again, I just put her down (she should have had lunch, but when she couldn't keep her eyes open with me holding her, I knew tiredness was winning out) and not an argument from Zoe. She slept 2 1/2 hours and woke up NOT HAPPY...that's what happens when you sleep that long and wake up hungry!!! She was MUCH happier after eating a little somethin' somethin'.

This weekend is going to be a full weekend. We have a party at Kate and Eric's (annual holiday party) and then a party at Grandma and Grandpa B's house! That includes some gingerbread house making!!

I have more pictures to post, and will, after the weekend festivities!!

Can you believe??

We have ANOTHER tooth.  That makes *9* teeth! 

In other news, Z pulled up today and tried to stand by herself...for about a second and then fell forward into me.  She's trying!

Oh, and if you are planning on having Z around anytime soon, be sure to move anything you don't want her touching that may be 3 feet off the ground or less.  She'll get it, try to eat it, or otherwise do something you might not want with it (rip, crumble, throw, slobber)...Just a warning!!

Pictures and Development update!

Look ma, I'm standing...ALL BY MYSELF!


Oh NO! Can't let go yet, I guess!


This is MUCH more fun!


So you like my new helmet??


See how cute I look??

Btw, that "helmet" is the bowl the hospital gave us that they used to sponge bathe her with! She just recently discovered it and after Noah put it on her head a couple of times to just fool around, she tries to put it on...or gives it to us to put it on her! It's actually come in handy a couple of times. A couple of times she'll fall and actually hit her head (not hard, don't worry) on the side of the coffee table, and with the "helmet" it's kept her from getting upset. Do the same thing without it on her head, and she cries!

Zoe has been on a tear lately! She is crawling fast, everywhere, and is getting into EVERYthing. She's helping us "clean" our house, by pulling everything off the shelves and tables! Zoe has been pulling up on every piece of furniture and us any chance she gets, and is starting to figure out that thing called cruising. It won't be long now where she won't be so timid and does it ALL the time. She's even attempted to let go of things, but she usually just falls at this point. OH, and we're SO glad she's figured out how to "fall". She sticks her butt out and just tries to crouch as low as she can, and then lets go. Good girl!!

What else is she doing? If she scratches or pinches us, it hurts...we've been saying "ow" even if it doesn't, and Zoe will repeat it...too cute.

Oh, the biggest news? We HAVE to get the gates this weekend. Zoe has been able to pull up on one step, but this morning, pulled up on two and got onto the landing between steps...and tried to go up further! Yikes!! She has NO fear.

Food wise, she's eating all kinds of new things. Zoe has discovered ham and hot dogs (all beef Ball Park Franks, no dairy/soy in them), loves peas, chick peas, bread (When Pigs Fly sourdough), blueberries, oyster crackers, and rediscovering old favorites in the form of finger foods. She's decided she doesn't like for US to feed her, so finger foods it is! She still loves her oatmeal, and if we can't get her to eat a puree, if we mix it in there, we can usually get her to take it that way. What a big girl!!

Oh, and she's been telling me how EXCITED she is for Christmas.

Santa!

Santa took some time out of his busy schedule to come visit Zoe and Cousin Jacob at my parents' house this weekend.  We had matching Santa outfits to show off for Santa.  The babies did great!  Zoe was tired, Jacob was hungry, but they were troopers. :) I think Zoe looks like a little elf!

Zoe was quick to show off her new skills--pulling up and telling jokes.  She's quite the ham, and let's you know it!  She was also trying to "play" with Jacob, but I don't think he's as receptive as she is to it.  She did offer to try to help him roll over from his belly to back by grabbing his pants.  Too bad we didn't get a picture of that!

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!!

Anyone for Bowling?

I just put Zoe's head circumference into a growth chart percentile calculator on BabyCenter...

Our baby has a head circumference over the 95th percentile! Soooooo...her weight is in the 25th, height is in the 50th. How does this girl get her head off the ground? No WONDER her torso is so strong!

Although, if you think about the family, it's no real big surprise. Yes, I'm talking about her Daddy, Unka G, and Auntie Jill.

Imitation is the finest form of Flattery, right?

Then, I'm SO flattered. Zoe has been imitating, but nothing new lately. However, she JUST started imitating when someone says "ow" (her daddy thinks she's making fun of me!). She's also started waving a little more when someone else waves. :) VERY cute, indeed.

New sound? Breathing in and making a sound at the same time...kinda like screech but not too loud.

New discoveries? the bathroom and all of it's fun spots. We are keeping that door closed more often than not these days.

New love? Watching the weather on the news. She could be knee deep in her toys and as soon as this comes on, she STOPS and stares. Maybe she has a thing for Pete Bouchard. Who knows!

Puuulling, Sliding, Tapping, Turning, too...

That's the first line of one of Zoe's favorite toys, a Fisher Price tool bench that Auntie Darcy got her (you can see a picture of it in the Thanksgiving pictures). Anyway, she LOVES this thing and "dances" to it by bopping her head up and down and tapping her foot on the floor. She'll also drag it around the floor flipping it so it's face down on the floor. Good times.

BIG NEWS! Zoe pulled up today. YIKES! She's been pushing up when she's on her knees so that her feet are flat on the floor but that she's still got her hands on the floor too. But, today, she got on her knees, put her hands on my leg (which was on the floor), pushed her butt up into the air and then grabbed onto the top of the coffee table and was standing alllll by herself. Of course, she needed a little help getting back down, but that's okay.

So, I think we're going to finally put the mattress on the lowest setting this weekend.

Our baby is growing up!!

Drum Roll, PLEASE!!

Zoe had her 9 month check up today (at 9 1/2 months old). First, she did WONDERFULLY! Second, we found out from her GI dr that it would be okay (even with the possibility of an egg allergy) for her to get a flu shot (it's cultured in an egg culture, so those with egg allergies need to be aware!). She got her flu shot, and I think she was more upset at being put on her back than getting the needle! What a good girl!!

AND the big news!! Ba-du-bump, ba-du-bump!! (that's my attempt at typing a drum roll!)...

17lbs 12oz (25th percentile)
28 inches long (50th percentile)--this makes her no longer proportionate, but that's okay!
45.1cm head circumference (I don't know the percentile, though)

WOOOHOOO! The dr was VERY happy...from weight check at the pediatrician's (this does not count GI dr visits), she has jumped from the 10th to the 25th percentile in her weight! WOOHOO!

No WONDER she isn't fitting into her clothes and busting out of everything we put on her!!