Rock and Roll and Rubber Duckies!

Keith let me sleep in this morning (yay!) and when I woke up this is what I found in the bathroom. Good thing Daddy is not in charge of haircuts!

Family Heirlooms

I love it when people make things for my children! Grandmothers have made blankets for the girls, aunts have made sweaters, cousins have made hats, and friends have even made dolls! It is so nice to have something that someone took the time to make especially for someone they love. It is one of the sweetest gestures I can think of. Thank you to all the people who have made such beautiful things for my daughters - they will be cherished for generations! (I know this because I still have things that people had made for me when I was a baby!) The cute sweater in this picture was made by Zoe's Aunt Margaret...:)

(and PS - this is the FIRST picture EVER that I think I might see a little bit of me in Zoe's face- finally!)

Fall Fun

We went to the local plantation for some fall fun activities today. Zoe went on a hay ride, sat in a real fire truck, pet some goats, jumped in a moon bounce, and even rode on a pony (I was very torn about taking advantage of the ponies like that, but she was really excited to do it so I couldn't say no! I'll discuss animal exploitation with her when she is a little older, maybe 2 years old! :). But I think Zoe's favorite thing of the whole night was watching the other kids run around and have fun!

Just like Momma

Since Zoe is so young, we haven't really tried explaining to her about the new baby, but we have started mentioning it in passing lately. We talk about the baby's room, the baby's crib, and the baby in Momma's tummy. If you ask her where Momma's baby is she will point to my stomach and says "shhhh" (implying that the baby is sleeping). Today I put her baby doll in her shirt and jokingly said something to the effect that she is now like Momma with a baby in her belly. She kept that doll in her shirt all afternoon and would even come to me for help if it fell out! She was so proud of herself! So funny... (if you look closely you can see the baby doll feet hanging out of her shirt!)

Getting Ready

Keith put together the new baby's crib yesterday (thank you to Papa and Gramma!) and as you can see by the background of the picture, we are still working on getting the nursery together. Zoe has been in her new room for about a month now and seems to understand that her old room is now the "Baby's Room". I have been sorting baby toys, organizing diapers by size, folding blankets and swimming in baby clothes up to my ears these past few days. I have begun "nesting" big time and have a "TO DO BEFORE THE BABY COMES" list that keeps getting revised and lengthened ~ and Keith is so excited about that:)! I hope we are ready because I think she is coming sooner than we think!

The Last of the Only Child

Lately it has really been hitting me that Zoe will not be an only child anymore. It makes me sad. She will no longer be the only sparkle of my day or the only love of my life - she will have to share those roles with her sister. I was an only child for four years and I think it had a lot to do with who I am today. I was able to be the one and only only one to my parents and grandparents for a good portion of my early childhood. I felt very special because of all of that. When my brother came, you would think all of that would have changed, but I never felt second best or that I had to fight for attention (thanks Mom and Dad!). So that is what gives me hope that Zoe will always feel that she IS the love of my life AND the sparkle of my everyday! Thank you Zoe for bringing such love into my life!

Baby Tea Party

Four generations of Tea Party Girls!

The diaper "cake" Gramma and Mommy made for the centerpiece.

Family heirloom tea cups!

Gramma and Zoe hosted a Baby Brunch Tea Party for the new baby today. It was so nice! We used my great grandmother's tea cups and crystal and had lots of yummy food. Zoe got dressed up in her new shoes and her best tutu for the occasion. The best part though, was spending time with old and new friends! Zoe and Gramma made a great hostess team and made sure everyone was well fed and had a good time. It was a truly lovely afternoon and I am so thankful to Gramma for doing it for us! (and a special thanks to Daddy and Papa for helping so much with all the behind the scenes work!)