Unfortunately, it's rare to get the three of us together at the same time, in the same space, so when we are we try to get a family picture. When Keith is working/schooling, it's usually just me and Zoe, and when Keith is around it's usually the two of them hanging out while I run around trying to get things done that I can't do when I have her. When we have guests and are on official "down" time and can all just relax, it's great to be together! I truly love you two, more than I could ever imagine!
When Aunt Sandy (from Canada for those who don't know) was here when Zoe was about a month old, she gave her this cute tiny hat. At the time it was way to big for her even tinier head, but now it fits! So cute!
Zoe is a great help with Momma's "chores"! Well, maybe not a help, but at least good company:). She'll sit in her chair with her toys while I do the dishes, sweep, dust, vacuum, fold laundry,cook dinner or whatever else I'm doing to try to "earn my keep" around the house. It also makes me work a lot faster because she doesn't have the longest attention span, being only four months old and all! (and yes, that is actually an apron I'm wearing, folks- hey, those things are handy!)
Zoe and I had a photo shoot this morning and this pic was one of the results. After a little editing, I thought it looked pretty artsy, so I guess I won't tell anyone it was a total accident!
Cousin Juston stopped by with his fiance Lauren on their way to a wedding. What a family reunion! This house has never seen so much family before Zoe was born...hopefully it won't take another baby until we get more family visits! Cuz Daddy is DEFINITELY not ready for that discussion yet...;)
Zoe got to meet Uncle Jamie and Auntie Sue this weekend. She took to them immediately! They are expecting their own little bundle of cuteness in September, so this was good practice for them. We don't know if it will be a boy or girl, but we can't wait to meet Zoe's first cousin! And is it me, or does anyone else see a big family resemblence between Zoe and Jamie???
Zoe got Daddy a Baby Red Sox book for his very first father's day. They are so cute looking at it together! She also even "signed" the card she got him - she really liked holding the crayon and "writing" on the paper (and then of course trying to eat the crayon, and then trying to stick it in her eye). We love Daddy and are very glad he chose us to be his family! Keith, you are a great Daddy and I can't wait for Zoe to be able to tell you that herself! By the way - Happy Father's Day to the rest of our Daddys: Poppy, Gramps, and Papa John!
Zoe is starting to like her baths in a different way now. Instead of just liking the water poured on her while she lays there, she will try to sit up and splash in the water. She will be happy in the tub for a long time and is often not happy when we have to take her out. A friend of ours invited us to their pool and I think I will have to get over my no-chemicals-on-my-baby rule (yes folks, a pool is nothing but a vat of chlorine!) and let her splash around in the pool this summer. I think she'll love it!
Zoe discovered her toes today. I truly believe she had no idea they existed before this. She was sitting on my Mom's stomach and the angle they were sitting caused her feet to be at arms length. She was amazed! She spent the first half hour staring intently and trying to grab ahold of them, then the next half hour holding them and wiggling her toes still staring like it was the coolest thing she ever saw! The "singleness of purpose" was hilarious! Now whenever she see's them she stares in awe and tries her hardest to figure out how to reach them again.
Poppy really earned his stripes with Zoe this visit! He walked laps with her in restaraunts when she was fussy, told her stories in the car when she didn't want to be in the carseat, fed her when she was hungry, made her laugh when she was crying, and danced with her when he thought no one was looking:) Yay Poppy!!!!! He doesn't get to see her very often and I know he wishes he could see her more. But she fell in love with him instantly and just gazed at him, smiling and babbling most of his visit! I even think I saw him beaming when some ladies stopped him and talked to him about how cute his granddaughter is. I wish he could be around more, but until then I will settle for the visits I get, as long as he lavishes my baby with as much attention and love as he did this time! Thank you Dad, for loving my baby as much as I do...
Poppy and Grandma Joyce came to visit! We had dinner with them last night and lunch today. Zoe had lots of fun getting to know them again! She hung out, sat in laps, asked for lots of walking around time, and ate constantly:) It was so nice to see them because we won't see them for a very long time because they are moving to Texas. We will miss them dearly!
Gramma thinks this baby is the most beautiful baby in the world, and tells her every morning!
So Zoe will only nap in her swing. She sleeps perfectly fine (somebody knock on wood - quick!) at night in her bassinet, but for some reason during the day, she will only sleep for no more than 15 minutes at a time if I lay her in her crib or bassinet. The only way to get her to take a full fledged nap is to put her in her swing. I know - we have created a monster! But it seriously doesn't work any other way! Trust me, I know a million reasons why the swing-nap is a bad idea, but there are some days that we just have to clean, make phone calls, work, or just flat out rest for a minute and NEED her to take a nap!
At my baby shower, all the guests made onesies for Zoe. I always thought that was the best idea ever - thanks Holly! It's cool to have so many one of a kind outfits for her to wear. This is just one of the many that she has:) It's so funny to see her in these clothes, because when they were made, I couldn't even imagine what my baby would ever look like. Now I can't imagine her any other way!
When I worked at an early childhood development job, I learned that it is never too soon to read to babies, and that it actually helps them learn to read and speak sooner if you do.We got a gift card from Barnes and Noble (thanks Mr. and Mrs. Baggetta!) and bought as many baby board books as we could. Most of the books are talking about how much we love her, because you can never tell a child that in too many ways! I figured she would listen to the words, but I never thought she would be as interested in the pictures as she is. She'll sit and listen to each book a few times, all the while scanning the pages as we go. My Mom instilled a love of books in me by reading to me early on, and Keith loves to read as well. Hopefully, Zoe will catch the book bug too!
