Laughter...

...from a baby is a wonderful sound. :) Z laughed when I was making a funny noise today. Not just a big smile, but actually had noise and laughed. Of course, I tried all day to get her to repeat it, but, try as I might, it just wouldn't happen!! Oh well!!

"Roll over...Roll over"

If you can think of the old childhood song that THAT is from, you are good! Anway, at 11:20am today, Z rolled from belly to back! She did not cry, and I think she finally got upset enough just to DO it. She hates being on her belly, so you'd think she'd do it more. :) We're not going to be rolling across the room anytime soon, but it's coming!! Z is moving more and more, and it's so exciting to see her reach those milestones!

Teeth!

Yep, that's right, teeth. She got ahold of one of my fingers and chomped down, and there was something sharp in Z's mouth. So, I checked, and saw a couple of white buds on the bottom gums. WOW!! No wonder she was so droolly lately!!

PICTURES!

Z had her three month pictures taken last week Here's a preview...and if you'd like to order, click here. Then you can type in my first and last name and order pictures if you want. :)

This proud Mama is happy to report...

that at 11:15, completely unassisted (I was in the kitchen, Z in the living room), Z rolled from back to belly! Of course, she didn't know what to do after and started crying, but she did it! Isn't it supposed to be harder to do back o belly than belly to back? Since that one time with her arm wedged under, she hasn't rolled from belly to back! Figures she does the harder thing before the easier!

What a smart baby!

Happy Monday!!

My mind seems to just forget EVERYTHING lately. On May 8th, I think, Z went to her first concert. She went to see the Barenaked Ladies with me at Barnes & Noble in Framingham. They were having a free concert for the release of their new kids CD, Snacktime. It's really a cute CD. As for the concert, Z LOVED it. She got to listen to 4 or 5 of their songs from the CD, but LIT UP with a big smile when they sang "One Week." I was so proud!

Z has really begun to interact with her toys more..she's grabbing things when we put them in front of her. She particularly lights up with her froggy rattle and a stuffed horse her Grandpa C got her. She will mouth them and gum them. She's drooling up a storm and chewing on anything that comes close to her mouth!

This picture was taken yesterday...I found bows that clip into Z's hair--so now, even though her car seat and stroller are PINK, no one can call her a boy! How adorable, huh?

After breakfast today, Z was just looking so sweet, we couldn't resist this shot. She's starting to really sit like a big girl! :)

And, she just fell asleep in the swing. Look at her with her friend!

Sleepy Z

This picture is a few weeks old, but it's the last one we took of Z sleeping. We started swaddling Z again at the suggestion of the ladies at the BBC message boards. Z went from sleeping 5-6 hours before waking up at the most to sleeping 7.5 the first night, 8 the next, and 9 the next two! Wow! She'll then go back to sleep for an hour and a half. I wonder if the alarm clock is what gets her up. And I've been able to get her to nap a little better too...at least 45 minute stretches 3 times a day. She might doze off here or there at other points, but it's only 10 minutes here, 15 there. We're getting a nice bedtime routine going on. Who wouldn't enjoy getting a fresh diaper, a massage with lotion, someone putting clean pjs on you, swaddling tight in a Swaddle Me, read two stories and then get rocked to sleep? C'mon, we all wish we could get that kind of pampering!

Littlest Member of Red Sox Nation

As you can see, Zoe's taken quite a liking to watching baseball...look carefully at the tv screen in the second picture, and you'll see the defensive positions being listed for the Orioles. I show this only to illustrate what I found when I came back from the bathroom. I'd been cuddling with Z on the couch but needed to put her down. She had been on the floor but next to the tv, parallel, with her feet facing the front door of our house. I come back to this. She had been a little fussy when I put her down but she was as calm as could be when I got back. What a good girl to know what to focus on! Now let's hope the team doesn't cause her as much frustration as it does every other Sox fan!! BTW, if you close enough, you can see her baseball rattle she had had next to her. In her travels, it ended up between her legs!

Mother's Day

So this is a little late. I wanted to do this one the big day but it was very busy. First, I need to mention something though. Blame it on momnesia! On Thursday, April 24th, Z took a trip with Mommy and Grandma C to see Grandpa C at his work. Grandpa was so excited to show off his new granddaughter to everyone he worked with. Z really enjoyed herself and wanted to thank everyone she met who said such great things about her. She loves the attention! After, Grandma, Grandpa, Mommy, and Zoe went to lunch. Grandma, Mommy and Z went shopping at the Mall of NH after and bought some really cool outfits! Z is decked out for summer now!!

Anyway, my first Mother's Day was a bit surreal. It was weird to know that I get to be celebrated. After all, for the last 31 Mother's Days, it was a day to honor MY mother and grandmother. Because it was going to be so busy on Sunday, Noah and I decided to celebrate on Saturday. Originally, I had wanted to go to the zoo, something low-key but family oriented. However, due to cicumstances beyond our control with our new hot water heater not working, we needed to stay home and wait for it to be fixed. That's okay. We hung out in our pjs all day and took it easy. Daddy made breakfast of french toast, sliced cantelope, biscuits, coffee, and OJ. Then I got some nice gifts. Before, I had roses from Grandma and Grandpa B and Uncle G. I also got cards from some people. Daddy gave me a mother's necklace--gold with diamond chips. Zoe gave me 2 books--Mommy's Hugs and The Grouchy Ladybug. I love reading the books to Zoe, and as she's gotten older, she's able to look at the pictures and listen to the rhythm more.

The next day started with a HOT shower with hot water from our new hot water heater! Then it was off to Grandma and Grandpa C's for brunch with Uncle J and Auntie J. I got more flowers that I can't wait to plant with Z. Auntie couldn't resist getting Z a new purple ladybug outfit. Then it was off to visit with Grandma and Grandpa B, Uncle G, Auntie D, and Uncle J. We went to a very nice restaurant. Z slept in her carseat for the beginning--on the floor because they just didn't have baby accommodations. Oh well. She did end up sitting like a big girl on Mommy's lap, then Grandma's, and then Auntie's. Dessert was at Uncle J and Auntie D's. It was a long day that unfortunately got longer because every highway we took home had night construction! Zoe was great though and slept through it. While she was a little out of sorts Monday, it wasn't like it was in past weekends when it's a long weekend. What a trooper!

Being a mom is a wonderful experience. Yes it's the hardest thing I have ever done, but I love it. It's the one job I've always wanted. Z's smiles make it all worth it. Even a 3am, I can smile when she looks up at me with her beautiful blue eyes and gives me that big toothless grin, it's hard to resist! Like her Daddy says, those grins and eyes have such happiness in them. They have such innocence, love and joy. I love to hold Zoe, watch her sleep, listen to her breath, coo, and talk. Even when she's throwing a tantrum, when I can take a step back and not take it personally, there is some humor there. Zoe is something that no one can take from me. Her father and I brought her into this world full of love, and I know the two of us will do whatever it takes to keep her happy. I know we aren't the only ones either. I know Mother's Day is to honor mothers, but I feel honored to be Z's mom. She helps me to be a better person. I feel like I need to honor her in some way.

Thank you, Zoe, for helping me be a better person. Thank you for being my daughter and allowing me to be a mom. It's all I've ever wanted.

You like?

Ready for an outing with Mommy...The hat came from a student of Mommy's.

Can you believe this is first thing in the morning? Zoe's much more of a morning person than Mommy and Daddy!!
Playing after breakfast so Mommy can have hers.
Before Auntie J's baby shower...

Chillin' in Mommy's lap and suckin' her thumb... Just before going to meet Grandma and Grandpa B...Looking COOL in her ladybug shades, on her way to Mommy's school. Those middle schoolers have NOTHING on Z...

I hope you all like the video. I took a lot of time making it on www.onetruemedia.com. That's partly why there hasn't been a post from me in a week. I've been working on the video! Also, I was waiting for Noah to upload more pictures. :)

So, here are some more amusing pictures of our Zoe, if you haven't seen them on snapfish. Just let us know if you want a link to see them all.

Something Special

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We're all Good!

Zoe continues to make good progress. Tummy time is proving to be very beneficial. Every day, she can hold her head up more and more and when you hold her, she can sit more upright and less like a sack of potatoes.

Zoe has discovered the "baby in the mirror" as my Mom says. We play this game often and she smiles and coos. She also loves playing Peekaboo and just talking to you. Just listen and you can hear her say some truly inspiring stuff.

Most recently, Zoe has discovered her thumb. For awhile, she'd suck on her fist, suck on her thumb and first finger, or suck on her pinky. But, the other day, she discovered her thumb, left one to be exact, and hasn't looked back. She likes to suck her thumb with loud sloppy sucks, and keeping her fingers straight and open. Too cute. If I can catch it with the camera I will. :)

Yesterday, while doing tummy time, she was rolled onto her stomach, with one arm under her, and the other out. She rolled over onto her back! We haven't seen a repeat performance yet, but it's coming!!

Right now, we're working on Zoe becoming more independent when napping. She has started to develop a bedtime--around 8 0r 9pm. Takes awhile to get her down, but she's able to do it! Now to getting more quality naps in!

I'd like to point out.

that Zoe has been sleeping consistently at least 5-6 hours a night. Some nights have been 7+, but they are usually consisting of 5-6 hours. This is considered THROUGH THE NIGHT! The other night, she slept 8, but I think that was because of the vaccinations.

Speaking of which, she had a slight fever yesterday, but it's gone. She's back to her normal self--fighting me with naps, getting fussy when she doesn't get her way right away....and lots of smiles in between.

Before I go join her on the floor to watch the Red Sox beat the Angels, I'd like to direct you to the bottom of the page. There is a ticker to count up to her first birthday. How'd Mommy do??

2 Month Check Up--9 1/2 weeks old

We have a "string bean" as her Daddy called her today! She is 24 inches long and 10lbs 12oz for weight. I thought we had passed the 11lb mark, but I guess not! I guess she just wants to be in her 0-3month clothes throughout her 0-3month time! :) This is why Daddy called her a string bean--50th %ile in weight, but 90th %ile in length!!!! Oh my goodness!! Then, when the doctor looked at her head circumference numbers, she got concerned because it looked like her head shrunk (apparently, Zoe visited a witch doctor when we had our backs turned?), but the doctor re-measured, and she is still in the 75th %ile in that. I don't have the number written down, so I don't remember what it is, but I'm glad the number is still where it's supposed to be!

Zoe had her 2 month shots today. She got a vaccine for Rotavirus, DTaP, Hep B, and a few others I can't remember off the top of my head. One liquid and 3 shots. She cried so hard she turned bright red and tooted! Mommy cried a little with her, but after it was over, Mommy picked her up right away and she settled right down. When we got in the car, Zoe fell asleep before we were even out of the parking lot! She slept long enough for Mommy and Daddy to have lunch, then woke up long enough to get some baby Tylenol for the pain. She fell asleep, woke up an hour later for her lunch, and then fell asleep again. At almost 4pm, she is still sleeping. This is common when babies get their vaccinations. Mommy and Daddy are just there to keep Zoe comfortable. Mommy took her to Target, and she doesn't think Zoe even realized she was out!

This weekend was a very busy weekend in many ways. Saturday, Uncle J had Passover dinner for us. Zoe thought that Uncle J and Auntie D's dining room was SUCH a fun place! She spent dinner in her car seat smiling and laughing at the walls and ceiling and Daddy. What a good little girl!! Sunday was her Auntie J's baby shower. She was just a great hostess!! Zoe helped keep all kinds of people occupied, from her Auntie P, Auntie D, to her Grandma B and Grandma C. Auntie D and Grandma C each got to feed her a bottle! Auntie J got lots and lots of toys for Cousin J...Zoe was eyeing them, but found a striped gift bag much more fun than the boy toys!!

Zoe just reminded me that last weekend, Grandma B came up and kicked Mommy and Daddy out so she could baby sit and Mommy and Daddy could go on a date. It was hard, but they left for two hours and went to dinner and did some shopping. We knew it'd be hard, but it was worth it. They needed to spend some time JUST them. There will be more dates, and I'm SURE more baby sitters will be needed! We've had plenty of offers!!

Best Smile Pic to Date

Caught this with my cell phone yesterday...beautiful!!

More pictures!

Mommy just loves this picture of Zoe and her!

Daddy caught Mommy and Zoe in a nap!

We caught another smile from Zoe. She smiles all the time, HONEST! We just can't seem to get it when the camera is going!

Zoe loves her ladybug mobile!

Posing after a diaper change. The onesie says "Princess"...it says it all.

Great-Grandma Doris with Zoe. We picked up her car to replace Mommy's car and visited with Great-Grandma for awhile! THANKS for the car!! :)

This was the day she left the hospital, and the next is the last time Zoe was able to wear the same outfit, two months later. What a difference! What a big girl!!

More Milestones to Report!

Zoe has made a couple of good milestones recently. Mommy has been bragging away to anyone who will listen!

• Zoe has grown out, completely, of her take home outfit. When Daddy uploads pictures, I'll be sure to put comparison pictures to show the difference! It's amazing when you look at that! That red jumper just looks so different on her now than she did that first day home from the hospital.
• Zoe has begun to notice more inanimate objects and showing pleasure from them. She's starting to smile at them. Specifically, she smiles at her ladybug mobile when she's in her crib. Zoe's really able to show us how happy of a baby she is. She smiles more and more every single day, with big grins, open mouth smiles, and just cute little devilish ones.
• The most fun accomplishment is that she LAUGHED for the first time this morning. Mommy said hello to her and she just laughed. :) Of course, we haven't heard it since, but I'm sure it was the first of MANY laughs for Zoe!

Today, Zoe went to work with Mommy. Mommy was asked to help with some work, as a consultant, for the teachers. Of course, Mommy couldn't leave Zoe for what would have been about 5 hours, start to finish, so Zoe came to school! She met more of Mommy's friends, more of her students, and was just a golden angel. She slept most of the time, and when she didn't, she would coo and smile at Mommy. She only cried when she was hungry!

Zoe's also discovered the idiot box known as the T.V. Mommy and she were playing on the floor in the living room, and she discovered the T.V. on with the Red Sox. She was mesmerized. Is this is a good thing? Well, it does help keep her distracted, but it probably isn't a good habit for her to develop now! Eh, we'll work on this!

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.

Thoughts from a New Mom

Last week, while I would be driving around with Zoe, running errands and seeing people, the radio station I keep on in the car, Mix 98.5 (yeah, hold the commentary, I know what some of you think of that station!) was having a radiothon for Children's Hospital in Boston. They call it Mix Cares for Kids. While listening to the radio, you'd hear remixes of songs that had stories from kids, parents, and other family and friends of those who are at Children's or have been patients there. There were all kinds of things that were encouraging, exciting, heart wrenching, and downright depressing.

If you know me, you know how sappy a person I can get when I hear that kind of thing. I always have...however it was so much more now that Zoe has come into my life. I would look at her by way of the mirror and be so thankful for what I have. I look at her now, thinking about what I'm writing, with her snoozing in her jungle swing, so peaceful and content, and just think, "wow, I'm so freakin' lucky." I hope we never need to use Children's Hospital, but if we do, I'm so glad it's there. I'm so glad it's nearby, it's easy to get to, and that the doctors, nurses and other people do what they do. I'm so happy that Zoe is a happy and healthy six and a half week old baby, with no signs of anything wrong with her. I am so happy to know that she is my daughter, that she was brought into a happy, healthy, loving family, to two parents who are so head over heals in love with her, they don't know how lucky they got....we definitely feel blessed and very lucky.

I could go on and on about this...I don't write this to be a sad post, I write this to celebrate the good we have. We didn't find out about Zoe until we were almost done the first trimester. In that time, I went through my normal coffee drinking, wine drinking, and taking the medication I had been on. Thankfully, the medication I was on was not a high dose, and not anything I needed to be on...but it was still a concern for a first time mom. I didn't drink gallons of coffee OR wine, so that wasn't a concern..but I still worried. I think it's only natural to do so. Of course, everything is ALL right. Everything is NORMAL. She is perfect in every single way. This is why I feel so very lucky. Zoe was not planned. She was not expected. But, she is the best thing that has happened to us and we wouldn't change the course of events for anything in the world.

Zoe is a smart baby, she's reaching all of her milestones, she's doing all the right things, and she is loved by everyone who comes into contact with her. She has this uncanny ability to have those who you wouldn't expect to fall in love with her...to fall head over heals for her in a way that I don't think anyone would expect. She's a doll, she's our little angel, and our perfect little love bug.

Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say, I'm so happy for what I have, for what is available to us, and hope we never need to use those resources that are available. If we do, though, I know we're going to get the best care in the area at Children's Hospital...to those who work there, THANK YOU. To those who've used it, I'm so glad it was there for you. And to those who don't need it, hug your children just a little bit closer. Love them just a little bit more. And, kiss them just a little bit more. I know that's what I've been doing with Zoe.

Snapshots of Zoe's new skills!

By the way, the previous blog has been updated with lots of photos! Enjoy!!

Zoe's first bottle with Daddy. What a good little girl she is!

Hugging Mommy! No, we didn't pose her! :)

Daddy and his two girls! Peanut's grown quite fond of the Boppy. We usually have to push her off so Zoe can use it!

Tummy Time! Look at her lifting her head! Zoe doesn't really like it on her Boppy. Mommy and she like to do it on Mommy's chest. It's much more fun that way! She's getting stronger and bigger every day. We're so proud of her!