Reading Time

Zoe has liked looking at books for a while now. Now though, she REALLY likes her books. She especially loves looking a books about other babies and animals. Cartoon characters don't keep her attention, but she loves looking at real pictures of anything. She has certain books that are her favorites, and she will pick them up and look at you to read to her. When I am sitting on the floor, she will get a book she likes and back up into my lap - so sweet!

Zoe walked today!

Zoe has been so close to walking for about a month now. This week, she started taking falling leaps in to our arms from a foot away. Today she actually walked completely by herself! She took a few steps between me and Uncle David then we had her going to each of us in a circle when Daddy came (Gramma was in charge of the video camera!). She is still unsteady, but each time she tries , she gets better. By the time bed time came, she was up to about 6 or 7 steps! She even stood a few times, though standing still doesn't seem to be of interest to her:)! I'm not really sure she gets what she is doing and that she is doing it by herself yet, but this is so exciting!!!!

Taking Turns

Being a past preschool teacher I know the importance of good playskills, so I am starting at an early age to teach Zoe all the things that every child should know (and you'd be amazed at how many parents are more worried that a kid can spell his name at 3 years old than know how to share! Don't get me started!). We are working on turn taking now. She recently learned how to shake a rattle, so we use that. I shake the rattle, then give it to her, and then she shakes the rattle and gives it back to me. We go back and forth from "Mommy's turn" to "Zoe's turn" a few times. She seems so proud of herself when she does it - it's so cute!!

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck?

Apparently Zoe didn't get the memo that she is a baby person and not a baby woodchuck. She has taken to eating her crib, and at the rate she is going, all we will have left of it by the time she is two is a toothpick. Her fancy-dancy crib is supposed to turn into a toddler bed then a twin size bed as she grows, but I'm not sure we'll make it to that! Because it has rounded and curved edges it is harder to find that plastic liner you can get to prevent such chewing...I hope there is something out there to help us! I guess we don't have to worry about her getting enough fiber in her diet though...

The Biggest Playpen in the Universe!

So apparently they stopped making playpens. All they have are "pack-n-plays" which are mini travel versions of playpens. So we decided that we would make our own super playpen! It's like a whole bunch of baby gates attached together that makes like 36 square feet of baby safe play area. It's perfect! We can keep all of Zoe's big toys in there that were overtaking the house and she can play with us in an area that we all can fit. She can also be in there by herself and be safe from all of the danger and grossness that is the rest of our house! Yay!

A Classy Bunch!

What can I say...Yes, that is my husband pulling my daughter in a cardboard box. Some might make their hoity toity comments about us being trashy (gotta say it crossed my mind:). But I say that even if we were millionaires we would still have fun in as many creative ways as we could with Zoe. She will learn how to make the most out of life with whatever and whoever she has around! (and, yes that is Daddy with two broken fingers:(

Happy New Year!

2008 was a big year for us...you know, having a baby and all! But now 2009 is here and what a year it will be! Zoe will learn how to walk, how to talk, and zillion other things that will make her the person she will become. Makes all of our "big" accomplishments seem to pale in comparison. Nothing like a baby to put things in perspective for ya! I hope 2009 brings all of us lots of happiness and a greater understanding of who we really are. My inspirational quote of the year is:
Make the most of yourself , for that is all there is of you. -Emerson