5 months old!

Dear Zoe-  You are 5 months old today!  This has been a big month for you.  This month, you -

• went on your first plane ride
• visited 2 new states (North Carolina & Virginia)
• met Dad's entire family!
• found your voice and you use it often
• started grabbing things
• found your toes and you try to put them in your mouth all the time
• spent the day at Grandma's while Dad and I looked at houses

Can't wait to see what 5 months brings!

xoxo, the mama

Yay for 5 months!!

xoxo, the mama

Zoe Jumps Around

Dear Zoe, You are such a good jumper!  About 10 minutes after I took this video, you were passed out cold.  It was quite a workout. 

xoxo, the mama

Dear Nana...

Dear Zoe - You came down with your first cold this weekend.  Just the sniffles, but it makes me so sad to know you are not feeling good.  :(  You don't seem to be acting any different, in fact, you are your usual happy little self. 

You had something to say today -

Happy Birthday, Nana!

xoxo, the mama

I love...

Dear Zoe, Love these beautiful blue eyes!!

onesie courtesy of Jay Secrest

xoxo, the mama

5 month development

Dear Zoe - You will be 5 months old next week, baby girl.  I can't believe how fast time is going.  This past month, you have been developing a lot.  It is so fun to watch you grow and learn new things.  Some of the new tricks that you have develop include throwing your paci and toys across the room, out of your stroller, and out of your crib.  Hours of fun for both you and me.  :)
You are grabbing toys, the phone, the remote, my hair, my glasses, my lunch as the waitress puts in on the table, all sorts of things!  You are pulling your pacifier out of your mouth and trying to figure out how to get it back in.  You definitely have figured out how to work those hands of yours.
I can't wait to see what month 6 brings!

Ready for my trick?

Wrong way...

Lets try this way...

Maybe my finger will help..

Just missed!

Hmmm...

Think I got it!

Success!

Yay for Zoe!!

xoxo, the mama

March Madness!

Dear Zoe - Today we had our own version of March Madness - a visit from Todd, Tara, Gavin, Reve, Neo and Kai!  They came down to the city to celebrate Tara's birthday and stopped by to meet you.  You had a lot of fun hanging out with your cousins and you were worn OUT when they left.  Here are some pics from their visit -

Kai and Zoe, "Cheese!"

Neo and Zoe chillin in her chair

Kai joining in on the fun

Gavin and Zoe

xoxo, the mama

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Dear Zoe, Happy St. Patricks Day, baby girl!  Today is the day where people all over eat corned beef, drink Guiness and wear green.  You, my dear, will only be doing one of those things today!

Today also happens to be the warmest day of your life!  It is 60 degrees today!  We are going to celebrate by going on a nice, long walk and getting a lot of fresh air.  Hopefully this is a sign of lots of walks in our future.  :)

Wait, it isn't always freezing here?

You've been holding out on me, mom!!

Reflecting and looking out the window

Aw, I can't stay mad at cha, mama

I'm sleepy.

xoxo, the mama



Exhausted!

Dear Zoe -  Playtime is HARD.

xoxo, the mama



You found your voice!

Dear Zoe - The last couple days, you have been exercising your vocal chords quite a bit.  You have learned how to yell and scream.  It is quite hilarious, because you are not really yelling at anyone in particular, just experimenting with your new found talent.  It makes me laugh everytime.

AHHHHHHH!

xoxo, the mama

Great Grandpa's Party!

Dear Zoe - The final event in our whirlwind trip to North Carolina was your Great Grandpa's 80th birthday party.  We drove to Rocky Mount, Virginia on Sunday to celebrate with him.  It was great to meet even more family!  It was the first time in 20 years that all of your Nana's brothers and sisters were all together.  What a special event. 

You were lucky enough to spend some one on one time bonding with your Great Grandpa -

"Really, Great Grandpa?  Tell me more..."

That was it, Zobot!  The next day, you, Dad and I got on a plane and headed back to Chicago.  I must say, you couldn't have been better on this trip.  You were so happy and such a good sleeper.  You travelled well by both plane and by car!  You made your mama proud!

xoxo, the mama

Baptism Day

Dear Zoe, Saturday, March 5, 2011 was your baptism day.  It just so happened to be Dad's 32nd birthday as well, which made the day all the more special.  We had your christening at Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, the same place where your Dad went to school.  Even more, your Da baptized you!  Jenny and Uncle Patrick flew in to be your Godparents. 

So many people came out to meet you and to celebrate your special day.  Family and friends from all over wanted to share this occasion with you.  We headed back to Nana and Da's house after the ceremony for a little party.  You were so happy and content and everyone fell in love with you.

Beautiful baby girl on her Baptism Day

OLG Church

Mom and you meeting so many people

Jenny and Uncle Patrick

Da doing a great job!

Such a good girl, not a tear!

After the ceremony

It was such a great day and it was so wonderful that everyone came to see you.  I hope that we go back to North Carolina soon, you really liked it there.

xoxo, the mama

Visiting with Nana and Da

Dear Zoe - We were lucky to be able to spend a few days hanging out with your Nana and Da before your baptism last weekend.  We hung out at the house, you got to meet your cousin Malcolm and aunt Sarah.  Malcolm really enjoyed playing with you.  We went on walks, and Dad and I went out to run some errands while you stayed back at the house.  It was such a nice visit.

Tummy Time with Nana

On a walk with Malcolm.  You are zonked out.

Playing with Nana

Hanging with your Da

Body slamming Billingsworth, your duck

xoxo, the mama

First Airplane Ride

Dear Zoe - Last weekend, we flew to North Carolina for your baptism and your great grandpa's 80th birthday.  You were such a fantastic little traveller!  You were very interested in everyone at the airport, smiling at all the other passengers.  Luckily, it wasn't a full flight and we got a row all to ourselves, so you got to stretch out.  You slept and had some conversations with dad-

Once we got to Raleigh, we had about an hour drive to Greensboro, and you were great in the car!  So proud of you, little girl!

xoxo, the mama

Dr Visit

Dear Zoe-

Today was your 4 month doctor visit.  I was very nervous, considering what happened last time.  But you were so brave!  As soon as you got your shots, you curled out your little lip and began to cry, but I swooped you up and we danced around the doctors office and you calmed right down.  Such a tough little baby girl.  I am so proud of you!

Your stats continue to be impressive.  You are now 15 lbs!  This is double what you were when you were born, I just can't believe how big you are getting.   You are in the 90th percentile for weight.  You are 26 5/8" long, this is the height of the average 7 month old!  I am baffled by your height since neither your dad or I are very tall, but you are just a healthy little lady.  Finally, your head circumference is 16 3/4, again in the 90th percentile.  We all know how that happened though.  :)

Next time we go to the doctor you will be SIX months old and we will start you on solid foods, I can't believe it!

xoxo, the mama

My brave little lady