Charlotte visit!

Dear Zoe, On Monday, we went to Charlotte, NC to visit with Missy, Dad, & Claire and to meet baby Christian.  Missy, Jenny and I are good friends from college and we wish that we all lived closer, especially now that we all have babies.  You and Claire are 10 months apart, the same age difference between you and Christopher.  Now it seems like there is a big age gap, but in a few years, no one will know who is older.

Claire is such a big girl!

Sweet Claire sharing her toys with you

You were a big fan of Claire's Christmas present- a new kitchen!

"Look ma, no hands!"

The mamas and their little ladies

It was so much fun!  Can't wait to see everyone again!

xoxo, the mama

Merry Christmas

Dear Zoe- Merry Christmas, little girl!  This past week we celebrated your second Christmas twice- once here in Chicago with Grandma, Grandpa & Danny and then we flew to Greensboro and had Christmas with your Nana and Da.

Last year at this time, you were just an itty bitty munchkin-

Zoe's first Christmas

This year, you are still a munchkin, just not as itty bitty- 

But oh so sassy...

You did quite well for yourself- Santa (and Grandma & Nana) brought you lots of clothes, books, blocks, your first movie, shoes and a stuffed lamb!  We are not sure where to put all of your fun toys!  Here are some fun pictures from Christmas morning...

So excited to see all of your presents!

"There is more in here, mama, I swear!"

Modeling your new coat & hat

Someone is getting the hang of Christmas!

So excited to see "Aunt Ellen" on the cover of mom's new book!

"Christmas is over?"  so sad.

We hope you had a very merry Christmas, little girl.  Love you!

xoxo, the mama

Standing Up!

Dear Zoe, Today was a milestone day.  You stood up for the first time, by yourself, totally unassisted.  You have gotten braver in the past two weeks, and today, out of the blue, you went from downward dog to standing.  In true Zoe fashion, you were utterly dramatic, grunting like a wrestler as you pulled yourself upright.  You kept doing it over and over again, but you grew increasingly tired and kept landing on your bottom.  It is only a matter of time until you become completely mobile.   Eek.

xoxo, the mama

Naked time!

Dear Zoe, At the end of each day, right as we start winding down and get ready for bed, you insist on being naked.  You pull at your shirt and tug at your pants until we remove your clothes and you can crawl around in your diaper.  Sometimes you want to wear your clothes on your head, sometimes you want to be free.  Sometimes you want EVERYONE to be naked, but we don't participate.

"Ahhh, so much better with no clothes!"

"What a day!"

"REALLY, mom?!  C'mon with the pictures!"

xoxo, the mama

Transitions!

Dear Zoe, Just the other day, you turned 13 months old.  I realized that I have not been writing to you as much because our days are just so busy!  And you, my dear, are not very easy to photograph.  As soon as I take out the camera or my phone, you try and grab it!

We are in the midst of a lot of transitions and changes.  Over the last couple of weeks, you have been resisting your morning nap- we may be on the verge of moving to one nap!  We have been trying to wean you off your bottle, but you want nothing to do with that.  You are still adamantly refusing milk out of a sippy cup, so we are going to have to go cold turkey on you.  Sorry, munchkin.  You have moved from a floating wave of the hand to a full on bend-your-fingers bye bye.  You are still not walking on your own, but you will take some steps as long as mom or dad are holding onto your hands.  You walk like a little Frankenstein on your teeny tiny feet.

You definitely want to do things at your own pace, you let us know when you are ready for a change.  We'll be watiting.  :)

"No, pictures, please..."

xoxo, the mama

Happy Turkey Day!

Dear Zoe, last week was your second Thanksgiving.  We hung out with Danny in the morning and then headed out to the suburbs to your great aunts house.  You weren't too into the food, you ate some bread, a little bit of potatoes and blueberries.  Maybe you will be more like mom and uncle Danny and prefer Mexican on Thanksgiving instead!

"We are doing WHAT today?"

"Ugh, Mom, not turkey!"

xoxo, the mama

Festival of Lights

Dear Zoe, Last night we took you to the Festival of Lights parade downtown.  That is the kickoff to the Christmas season downtown where they light up Michigan avenue.  There was a parade with Santa and Kermit the Frog.  You weren't too sure about them...but you liked seeing all the lights and the kids!

We met our friends Erin and Eric and their daughter Audrey.  It was so crowded downtown but we were able to find them!  Next year we will get down there earlier so we can have a better spot in the parade.

Here's to the start of Christmas!

xoxo, the mama

More...More..MORE!

Dear Zoe, Teaching you sign language has proved to be a mixed blessing.  As happy as I am that you picked up "more" and "all done" so well, there are times when you overuse these signs...BUT, I am glad that you are able to communicate with us.  Your sign for more has multiple meanings- more food, turn on the TV, give me that, I want mommy.  We'll work on that.  But for now...lets enjoy this weather!

"Mommy, more leaves!"

"This is a good one!"

SO happy!

xoxo, the mama

What a difference a year makes...

Dear Zoe, Last year on this day, you were a mere one week old.  Dad was still home on his paternity leave and we were giving you your very first bath...

Nov 7, 2010

About 300 baths or so later....it is today.  You are a strong willed little girl who knows just what she wants.  

Nov 7, 2011

Showing mom how big you are

Exercising those lungs of yours

"Enough, mom.  Seriously."

"Just.  Give.  Me.  That.  Thing."

xoxo, the mama

Wiggleworms Halloween Bash!

Dear Zoe, Happy Halloween!  We had a costume party in today's Wiggleworms class and for an extra special treat, the class sang Happy Birthday to you!  You immediately recognized the tune and were all smiles.  

Little Red Riding Hood & Mike Ditka

"I KNOW this song!"

xoxo, the mama

Look Whoooo's One!

Dear Zoe, Yesterday we had an owl themed costume party with friends and family to celebrate your first birthday.  Having a birthday so close to Halloween will make for many fun traditions!  You dressed up as Little Red Riding hood and Dad and I went as the big bad wolf & grandma.  I will try and do as many family themed costumes for as long as you let me.  

You were quite the hostess- even without a nap, you were so happy and wanted to give EVERYONE a hug.  You really enjoyed the party- you got lots of great books to read!  

Here are some of my favorite pics from the party.  Thanks to Danny for being such a great photographer.  

It was such a fabulous birthday weekend.  I hope that you enjoyed it and even though you probably won't remember, I can't wait to have many more like these in the future.

xoxo, the mama

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Dear Zoe, Happy Birthday!  I cannot believe you are ONE YEAR OLD.  

In 365 days, you have gone from this....

to this...

You are more fun, beautiful, smart, hilarious, and loving than I could have EVER imagined.  You are such a sweet girl.  You love to share, you LOVE to give hugs and kisses, and you are so friendly.  You are a speedy little crawler, but not quite yet a walker.  You are standing on your own now, and walking along the couch (very wobbly).  Your first words were Dada, Mama and book.  We figure you are (obviously) going to be a genius!  Your favorite things to do are read books, pull everything out of the bathroom drawer and give to mama, go to the park, and give hugs. Your best friends are Emma, Christopher, Cole, and Reese.  You love music and love to dance.  

Dad and I have been singing happy birthday to you all day today.  You love it and clap and smile when we get to the part where we say your name and then sign "more" when we are done.  I have a feeling we will be doing this all day!

"Happy Birthday to Meeee!"

Happy Birthday baby girl.

xoxo, the mama