Swings and Baby Dolls

Before our trip to Texas for the West Family Summer Christmas and Grandma Thomas' 80th Birthday party; Jeremy and I took Zoe to the park to play. It was hot and sunny but we still had a fun time. I held Zoe in my lap while we swung back and forth. Each time we would swing forward, Zoe would laugh and giggle. I guess from the air rushing past her. I have a video but I'm having all kinds of problems getting it to load on youtube. Here are some pictures and you'll have to imagine her laughing. And the last one makes me laugh. The expression on her face is so funny! We then put her in the baby swings (which are still a bit big for her) and she enjoyed swinging in those as well. Then I decided we had to try the slide. Zoe was so not impressed with the slide. It could've been that she was getting sleepy but the slide was a non-event to her. I realize I'm too big for the slides now. I then wanted to get some cute Mommy and Baby shots but she wasn't having it. And the trees all had "T" painted on them for some reason. I'm guessing it stands for Tree but no idea why it would need to be painted? I have no idea what was going on in this picture but at least both of us have strange expressions. I really wish Zoe was looking at the camera in this picture because the lighting is great and for once my camera shot a clear picture. And the T Tree picture I was able to finally get one video to load. (Before you read this please ignore the mess in the background. This was taken the day Zoe and I got back to Oklahoma and everything exploded in the living room. You've been warned. Back to the video...) Zoe's Greatgrandmother West got Zoe her first baby doll for her summer Christmas present. After Zoe's lunch, I took the doll out of the box and showed it to her. Her reaction to the doll is too cute...

An Ordinary Day

Dear Zoe, Thank you for being such a blessing in our lives. We had such an ordinary day today but you made it special and wonderful just by being there. You slept through the night and had a normal wake-up routine. Our car ride to drop your Daddy off at work was normal also. When we were at Ms. Rita's to drop you off for daycare, you reached out for me for the first time. Usually you go to Ms. Rita and are excited to see her. Today when I handed you to her, you immediately leaned back towards me with both arms reaching out for me. Daddy and I both had long frustrating days at work. The impending launch of the iPhone 3G means lots of work for Mommy and many confused, frustrated customers for Daddy. Daddy went to pick you up from Ms. Rita's and said that you were in a good mood the entire ride back to work to pick me up. It took me about 10 minutes after you and Daddy got there for me to wrap things up and go out to the car. Daddy said you were happy and playful while you were waiting. You were a joy in the car; smiling and flirting with me. Once we got home, all three of us laid down in the bed to nap and you were insistant that you were going to play and roll around on the bed before you napped. You and I played hide and seek. You were snuggled up in my arms next to me and I covered our heads with a sheet and whispered to you, "Shhh. We're hiding, be quiet and don't move." You would stop what you were doing and just look at me. I would pull the sheet off our heads and say, "Here we are! No more hiding" and you would squeal with delight. You finally fell asleep nursing and I let you nap for about 30 minutes. I gently woke you up and went into the kitchen to get your dinner ready. I went back in the bedroom to check on you and Daddy. Both of you were snuggled together with your eyes closed. I laughed and said there was no doubt that you are your Daddy's daughter. Daddy said it best, you and I bonded with breastfeeding; you and Daddy bonded by napping together! I was playing chase with Bella while I was waiting on you and Daddy to roll out of bed. You and Daddy came in the kitchen during the middle of the chase game. Bella barked at me and it startled you. You laughed out loud. It wasn't a normal chuckle, it was a deep Ha, ha, ha laugh. Thinking about it now, it sounded just like your Aunt Sharon laughing. It was such a surprise to hear it come out of your little body. I ran to the store to get some ingredients for dinner and you stayed at home with Daddy. While I was gone, Daddy said he fed you and then took you into your room to read a book to you. He said you enjoyed looking at the pictures and listening Daddy make the animal noises. When I came home, as soon as you heard me, you clapped and squealed. When I came around the corner, you started your jazz hand motion (I thought this was you practicing waving but we've decided now it means you want to be picked up) and started your excited breathing (sounds like you are going to hyperventilate). It was wonderful to see you so happy to see me even though it had only been half an hour. After dinner we played for a while in the den while Daddy was chopping jalepeno for the nachos. You were having so much fun playing with the ball. You figured out how to hold the ball in one hand and bang it with the other. It was bathtime next and it was a short bath since I got water in your face while I was washing your hair. (I don't think there's as difficult a task as washing your hair and keeping water out of your face!) You were very upset with me for getting water in your face and you wanted out of the tub now. Daddy took you out of the bathroom to dry you off and put lotion on your skin. While he was rubbing the lotion on your feet and legs, you 'told him off'. While chomping your mouth up and down and showing your gum, you spouted nonsense at him in a very loud demanding tone. It was so funny and you immediately laughed with us. While Daddy was dressing you in your PJs, I played peek-a-boo with you. I think you've got this game figured out. You now know that I'm still behind the towel when I hide my face. But, if I change how I peek out at you (above instead of from the right side) you giggle and laugh since I surprised you. Then it was bedtime. You nursed in my lap in our glider while Daddy read a chapter from To Kill A Mockingbird. You were almost asleep when you suddenly opened your eyes and did your excited breathing and jazz hands at the fan. After about 20 seconds of excitement at the ceiling fan, you snuggled next to me and closed your eyes to go to sleep. Your Daddy and I talked after we put you in the crib. We are so lucky and blessed that you came to us. After a long day at work, we both felt refreshed and happy to spend so much great time with you. Every day we look forward to seeing your beautiful face and spending a few moments with you. Your growth each day amazes us and we can't wait to see what comes next. We love you Zoe. Mommy and Daddy

Several new videos!

It's been a busy few weeks since I posted last. Zoe had her 8 month appointment at her pediatrician's. She is 28 inches tall and weighs 18 lbs 10 oz. She is in the 85% for height and 65% for weight. She's a healthy happy tall girl! About a week after her 8 month visit she developed a sudden high fever. Another trip to the pediatrician told us it was a virus and that there was a good chance she'd develop a rash as soon as the fever went away. Sure enough, after enduring 3-5 days of 103 degree fever, little spots showed up on her face, chest and back. She had a case of Roseola but now that the rash has gone, she's back to her happy self. During her fever, we tried to distract her and make her as happy and comfortable as possible. I put some water in the tray of her high chair and let her splash around. She also enjoys being outside. She loves watching Bella play fetch or watching the birds fly into the trees. About 3 weeks ago during our photo session, sitting up seemed to finally click for Zoe. Since then she's perfecting sitting up and has even mastered reaching for something while sitting up. Now she's working on crawling. She can stick her bottom up on the air and push herself around with her legs but the arm coordination with the legs hasn't happened yet. She can stop rolling over in her sleep and waking up startled anytime! And your last video is one I took Saturday morning when I went into the nursery to start our day. She's such a happy ray of sunshine! This video is a dark since it was still early outside.

June 1, 2008

A year ago today we found out that our baby was a little girl. Memories... This week Zoe is 36 weeks old. She's now been outside me as long as she was inside me! This is me 36 weeks ago: How time flies! Last week Zoe turned 8 months old. She's becoming such a little person! Proof below on how silly she is: First a video of her wiggle dance. She's started doing this when we try to dress her. It cracks us up! And a video of her eating blueberry apples. So messy! At the end of the video she gags a little bit. That's what happens when she plays and forgets to swallow. She was fine- no worries! Now a pic of her enjoying her watermelon. And some pics of her playing with the pots and pans. She's started kicking her feet on the floor when she's in the bumbo. She has too much fun doing this! More pics, videos and stories to follow. Our internet is dragging and it's taking too long for everything else to load. Stay tuned!

She likes watermelon

Yes, you read the title right, my daughter likes watermelon.  I guess this means she didn't get the recessive watermelon-hating gene.  (I did try eating some again, I've heard tastes change after being pregnant.  Yuck.  Still.)  But, Zoe likes it so she and her daddy can enjoy it together.  She also likes the homemade applesauce I made today.  Spinach isn't one of her favorites but she'll eat it.  She's a great eater and makes the funniest yum, yum noises while she's eating.

No more progress on sitting unassisted or crawling yet.  She's is grabbing everything within reach; Mommy's hair, Daddy's glasses, picture frames hanging on the wall, forks, spoons, cups, everything!  Her other new skill is banging things.  She'll take a rattle or something in her hand and bang it against the floor or her leg.  

She's not saying any words yet but she does a ton of babbling.  She does say a da, da, da, da noise that might be her saying Da, Da but I'm not sure about that.  Here's a couple of videos of her Saturday morning.  After Daddy went to work, I brought her into bed with me so we could be lazy in bed.  She was in a wonderful mood and was kind enough to share her mood on camera.  Watch for her toe sucking, fake coughing and lots of silly babble!

And here's a short video of her in her jumperoo! She likes jumping and wiggling around

Swimming!

Last Saturday, I had a date planned with some girl friends to go meet for a Ladies Day and baby shower at Inspirations Tea Room. I had a wonderful time discussing grown up things and talking about babies already here and babies yet to come. While I was away, Zoe was able to spend the afternoon with Grandma Linda and Grandpa Gary at their house. Grandma Linda and Zoe had a great afternoon together. Grandma Linda carried Zoe around in a snugli carrier and they did yard work and then had lunch. After the baby shower, I went back out to Grandma Linda's to pick Zoe up. Before we went home, we had to make sure to let Zoe try 'swimming' for the first time. Grandma Linda had a cute little duck floating seat and the hot tub was the perfect warm bath temperature (the pool isn't ready yet). So, Zoe got in her swimsuit and they hopped in the hot tub. I'm not sure what I was expecting. Delight, horror, crying, laughing, anything.... Zoe was so unimpressed. Just floated in the water, looked around and kicked a lot. I (of course) have video but it's 3 minutes of Zoe floating around looking pretty nonchalant about the whole thing. And a couple of still pictures as well: After about 5 minutes, Grandma Linda pulled Zoe out of the floaty to see if she would react to being in the water more. Nope! It just made her sleepy. I need to do a full 7 month update. Hopefully I'll have time this weekend. We are all looking forward to a quiet weekend spent at home with no activities planned! I can tell you that Zoe loves her solid foods. She loves bananas (probably her favorite), peaches, pears, apples, sweet potato, carrots, green beans, & peas. She'll tolerate her meats if they are mixed with something else; turkey, chicken, beef, and ham. Squash and avacado have to be mixed with something really yummy or she won't eat them. We are trying leeks and white potatoes this week. As soon as the summer crops come in, my plan is to go to the farmer's market and get some fresh organic fruits and veggies for her. I'm still making home-made baby food for her with the exception of meats. The meat thing just doesn't work well at home. But, I found a good commercial baby food that just has meat and gravy. No additives or chemicals. She did roll from her back to her tummy but neither her Daddy nor I saw it. We both walked out of sight getting ready for dinner and when I stepped back in a few seconds later, she was on her tummy! She hasn't done it since then but I know she's smart enough to realize that rolling from her back means she'll end up on her tummy. She's not really crawling yet but she's trying as hard as she can. She can stand for about 3-5 seconds before her little legs collapse under her. Still not sitting unassisted but getting closer each day. She's still blowing some razzberries but not as much as when she first learned how to do them. Her two new 'words' are blah-la-la and ma-ma-ma-ma. Don't think that ma-ma-ma-ma is her saying Ma-Ma, it's just her babbling. Her new trick is to open and close her mouth like she's chewing something but there's nothing in her mouth. Her Daddy taught her this and he gets a kick out of seeing her do it. Finally, we have a set bedtime routine that is working well. Once she starts the eye rubbing, Daddy and I go into the nursery. One of us holds her and rocks in the glider while the other one reads. It usually only takes 10 minutes before she's out. Oh, and the WONDERFUL thing is that she's pretty much sleeping through the night now. She does wake up still at odd hours but for the past few weeks most nights she makes it until 5 am or later before waking up.

Peas

Quick and short post tonight. Zoe decided 5am to 6:20am was prime play time this morning so I'm exhausted. I'm hoping she sleeps better tonight. I think I've figured out she's cold natured and sleeps much better if it's a little chilly in the house. Last night when she woke me up at 1am for a feeding, I checked the thermostat and it was 80 in the house. We tried leaving the windows open but it seems that Oklahoma only provides a breeze when it's 30 degrees or 95 degrees, not when it's 68 and humid. Anyway, it was a rough night last night for me and a long work day so you are getting a short post. Be sure to check the Flickr pictures, I uploaded several tonight. Here's a short video of her enjoying her peas. So messy! And, I don't think I've blogged this video. Zoe playing on the floor making all kinds of noises. Excuse her outfit, she normally matches but this was the day of non-matching stripes!