Shhhhhhhh.....

Whenever there is a book about someone sleeping, or she lays her baby doll down, or we go in the bedroom when Daddy is sleeping, Zoe makes this gesture. She doesn't quite say "shhh", but kind of breathes/snorts in and out of her nose a few times for added effect. She also likes to play this game where you pretend you are sleeping and she will do this and then she thinks it's funny to wake you up by pushing your head up. Oh, the things that pass my day!

Do you hear what I hear?

Whenever I hear a loud noise I put my hand up to my ear and ask Zoe if she can hear it too. I talk about how we hear with our ears and label whatever sound it is. Zoe started trying to imitate me, but is a little off the mark. Every time she hears a loud or familiar noise she will put her finger on her cheek and open her mouth. When it is something she knows, she will also try to say it ( so far is pretty good at saying "lawnmower", and really tries to say her favorite thing - "motorcycle"). It is so cool seeing her intitiate conversation and make observations like that!

And they call it Puppy Love....

So Zoe and Boston are getting much closer these days. A little too close for comfort as far as I'm concerned! They have taken to licking each other - on the mouth! Gross! Boston had snuck in a few licks when passing her by after she ate (obviously because he liked the taste of whatever leftovers were on her face at the moment). Zoe thought this was hysterical and started licking him back. Now she thinks it's a game they are playing and it is very hard to get them to stop because they both seem to think it's great! Agghh!

Topsy Turvy

Daddy got a Topsy Turvy tomato grower and he is very proud of it.:) He loves showing Zoe the new baby tomatoes and can't wait to pick one of her favorite veggies for her to eat! Since I never got to my garden this year, I'll take what I can get!
I just love watching moments like this - when the two of them are just so into each others' world. It just melts my heart and amazes me at how much I actually love these two beings and how I can't imagine my life without them.

Happy Father's Day

Zoe and Mommy got Daddy a new bike with a baby seat for father's day this year. I'm not sure who is going to like it more - Zoe or Daddy! Can't wait to get us all at the park for a ride and a picnic... Happy Father's Day to Zoe's bestest Daddy!

A Nice Afternoon

The other day the three of us were home and decided to go up the street to the local playground and hang out. It's a great place because there are horses, chickens and ducks to see. It was a nice family outing that will become more of the norm now that Daddy is around so much more often! Speaking of Daddy - did I mention that he is an official Nurse now????!!!!!!! He passed his state exams so it's now 100% legitimate! Yay Daddy!!!!!!!!

Big Girl Table

Zoe is finally big enough to fit into a little set of her own table and chairs. Right now she'd rather push the chairs around the house than sit, though. She does like to sit in the chair ( you can tell she feels like a "big girl" when she does becasue she gets this proud look on her face!), but that usually only lasts a few seconds until she is off and pushing the chair down the hall!

Magnetic Personality

Zoe's new favorite hobby is playing with the magnets on the fridge. She slides them around, takes them off, puts them on, and carries them around the house. She also has been experimenting on which other things in the house they will stick to - so far she has figured out the dishwasher is magnetic. It's cool to see her so focused on something - really investigating the different properties and just having a really good time all by herself!

My two new favorite words - "Mother's Helper"

Last week I had one of the most amazing Motherhood moments! I got a Mother's Helper! A daughter of a friend of ours is around 10 years old and has some free time this summer. We thought we'd have her come over a few times and play with Zoe while I clean or work and see how it went . It worked out perfectly! Zoe was in heaven, the little girl had a fun time and I was just smiling from ear to ear the whole time I was doing the dishes, packing for our trip , and doing laundry! We will DEFINITELY do this again! This is the best idea EVER!

Zoe and Momma's Summer Vacation

We went to Myrtle Beach with our friends Ms. Kris and Crosby for a long weekend. We stayed right on the beach and swam in the ocean and the pool everyday. Zoe was all over Crosby, as usual, and this time at least , he didn't run away screaming:). (He just kind of made a grossed out face every time she went to hug him). The kids did pretty good about playing near each other. Crosby was more toy/independent play oriented and Zoe was more interested in making friends with everyone who walked by her. She would go up to anyone under the age of 15 at the beach and try to hold their hand. You'd be surpised at the amount of children that are totally freaked out by that though (it got to the point of kind of pissing me off - I don't want those rude kids to dampen her spirit!)! The few that obliged her just totally made her day! She would beam from ear to ear and just be so happy for the few moments she'd get to be close to them.

It definitely was a handful with the two kids and being pregnant. But it was a GREAT time! After the first day we got the kids on the same nap and bed scedule which made things a lot easier! After bedtime, the moms got to chit chat about Mom stuff before we passed out from exhaustion too. It was sooo nice! It really helps me to chat with other (sane) mothers and hear that my crazy Mommy thoughts are no more crazy than theirs! It also helps me loosen up a bit and get over some silly things as well!

This week I finally did something I had been worried about for a while now. I dunked Zoe under the water. And she was fine! I jumped her off of the edge of the pool a few times and she actaully asked for more! Yay! No tears and no screaming! Watch out swimming lessons - here we come!

THis really was a great and needed vacation! We were so lucky that Kris invited us to join her. I hope we can get together like this as often as possible because we always have a great time when we do. Here's to Summer Vacation!!!!

Say Cheese!

Today was the first time Zoe actually posed for a picture. I took out the camera and she sat down right away and smiled this huge smile for me. What a cheeser!

Operator?

Zoe loves talking on the phone! Before she just liked pushing the buttons, but now she actually holds it up to her ear and in a really high pitched voice says, " 'Lo?". I think we all almost fell over the first time we realized that was what she was doing! She walks around the house with the phone (or a remote control or a magnet or anything else shaped like a rectangle) pressed to her cheek and blabs in this sing songy voice. It is hilarious! Does this mean the teen years are coming early???!!!

Do you see the resemblence?

As most of you know, we are due with another baby on November 5. We just found out yesterday that Zoe is going to have a baby SISTER! I was very nervous for this doctor's appointment, because for my last pregnancy, this was the visit we found out about all the problems with Zoe and they put me on immediate bedrest. This time everything looks great, though! The baby is a perfect size, everything seems to be connected properly and she seems to be active and healthy! Phew! We are so happy! Now it's time to pick a name, so we are taking suggestions - just remember to think "out of the box" - we are looking for that perfect, unusual name! We won't make the final decesion until she is born, but we need some good ideas.

It'll be interesting with TWO babies in the house!