A special 15 month post

Dear Zoe, You are 15 months old today!  In my monthly Baby Center update on what I should be expecting from you this month, it said that "your child will have an intense desire to interact with you" and "will do just about anything to get your attention".  Um, yes.  That is you, to a tee.  There are times when I am talking to Dad or to Grandma, and you just yell or start chanting "Mmmmmama, mmmmmama" until I look at you.  Often, you have nothing to say once you get my attention, but you just want to make sure that I am giving it to you.  All. The. Time.

In just twelve short months you have gone from this tiny little nug who is barely holding up her head..

to this smiley, mobile, opinionated cutey pie- 

New & Noteworthy things about Zoe:  

Walking EVERYWHERE.  In what it seems like a few short days, you have gone from taking a few steps at a time to walking ALL THE WAY from the car in the basement to our condo!  Mom can carry the bags without the help from her old lady basket!  Woohoo!  Sure, it takes about 10x the time and you get distracted by everything from the dog poster in the lobby to our neighbors doormat, but whatevs.   

You have the teensiest little tootsies.  You are still wearing your size 0-6 months Roobies shoes!  Most of the hard soled shoes that I have found come in size 4 as the smallest size, which is still too big for you.  You have some fancy sparkly Toms that Grandma got for you, I am hoping you fit into them soon!

"Reading" on your own.  Books have been one of your favorite things (and one of your first words) and just recently, you will pull down a book and speak in your own little language while reading aloud.  You even laugh at some parts you think are funny.  

Reading your Fancy Nancy book to mama

Wearing clothes/blankets on your head, and playing "peek-a-boo".  Around 6pm each night, you start pulling at your pants & your shirt and want them off.  Immediately.  You then pile all of your clothes on your head or your blanket and sit there while I ask "Where's Zoe?"  Sometimes you sit for 5 seconds and sometimes....like 5 minutes.  You like to build drama.  But then, you pull off your pants/shirt/blanket and reveal your cute little face and laugh like it is the best game ever.  And it is. 

"Where is Zoe?"

Hilarity ensues...

Watching videos/looking at pictures of who else?  You!  There are times in the day when nothing works.  You don't want to read a book.  You don't want to watch Mickey.  You don't want to play with your blocks.  But when all else fails, I can pull out my phone and put on a slideshow of all of my pictures.  Of you.  You are such a vain little girl, but why wouldn't you be?  You are so fun to look at.  

Thanks for all of the laughs, Zobot.  Can't wait to see what the rest of this year brings! 

"No problem, ma!"

xoxo, the mama

Happy Zoe, sad Zoe

Dear Zoe-  Tantrums are starting.  When you don't get what you want or I don't know what you want, you get frustrated and get upset.  I know this is because you just can't get out the words to say what you want.  

However, when you are happy, you are so very happy.  Your smile and laughter is contagious and is music to our ears.   My favorite time of day is right after you wake up all smiley and so excited to start the day.  I love the fact that I know exactly how to make you laugh- a big deep belly laugh.  

The many moods of Miss Zoe

Having fun with the mama

xoxo, the mama

Ellen!

Dear Zoe- You are developing an extensive vocabulary - among your words are book, ball, mama, dada, cheese (sort of), ho ho (for santa) and Ellen.  As in DeGeneres.   One of our daily activities is to watch and dance with Ellen and you love it...so much so that you don't want to wait until 3pm to watch.  Sometimes as soon as you wake up, you point to the tv and say "Lellen!".  Makes mama smile everytime you say it.

"Lellen!  Lellen!" - Zoe at 9am

xoxo, the mama

Mommy OUT

Dear Zoe, this weekend, Mom went to NYC for a fun weekend with some of her girlfriends.  You and Daddy hung out at home and had a great time.  I was a bit worried/sad to leave because I have never been away from you since you've been born, but I knew that you would have so much fun with dad, and you did!

In fact, he said that the only time you cried was when you saw my face on the phone when I tried to call and see you.  Thanks for being such a good girl!  Here are some pictures that I got while I was gone-

This was the day I left, notice all of the muffins scattered on the floor?  

This was day two.  Daddy did such a great job with your hair!  

Having so much fun with Daddy!  Mom should do this more often...

xoxo, the mama

Technology!

Dear Zoe, You are into everything with buttons!  Remote controls, cell phones, Ipods...anything that you can get your hands on, you want to play with.  You are quite savvy for a 14 month old, you can turn the tv on and off, slide through pictures on our phones and change songs on the ipod.  

You like to walk around listening to the ipod, and at bedtime, when we have it all set up and we are ready for storytime, you like to turn on the music and add a little mood music.  Just like your uncle Danny, you like to be in charge of the playlists!

"Lets see whats on..."

"Check this out ma, Pacey from Dawson's Creek is on Ellen!"

"No, lady...I got this..."

xoxo, the mama

I'm Walking

Dear Zoe- This has been a BIG milestone week for you.  Not only did you drink milk out of a sippy cup (very randomly), you took your very first steps.  We were not able to capture it the first time, but luckily Danny was over yesterday and caught it on film.  And... he did some creative editing.  We are so proud of you (and you are of yourself).

xoxo, the mama