Its been a while...hope you are well

Dear Zoe and Phoebe,

Its been 4 months!  So much has happened- Christmas (and a visit from Heart the elf), we saw Frozen (multiple times), Zoe's first stitches (tear), New Years (nothing notable), we bought a house!, longest winter ever, you have a new cousin!  and so much more.  Instead of stressing out and writing an epic long post- just gonna catch you up on what is awesome about both of you right now.  Hopefully life will allow me to keep up a little better than I have been (sorry- worst mom ever).

Zoe (3 years, 5 months, 15 days).  Man, 3 is pretty tough.  I've heard that 3 is worse than 2, but I thought, not for us!  WRONG.  You are a very spirited little person with your own opinion on everything.  You don't like wearing pants.  You don't like trying new foods.  You don't like matching your socks.  You like to be in control of the radio in the car.  You don't like to nap (napping is fo babies!) and don't most days.  I chose not to fight with you most days on these things (except when its 10 degrees and you don't want to wear coat because it doesn't go with your outfit).  Most days its okay (especially when you fall asleep in the car!).  Besides these challenges- you make me laugh daily and you are a pretty amazing little person (ahem, big girl).  You love music.  Taylor Swift is your favorite at the moment- I needed a break from all things princess so I thought Miss Swift was a good segway.  You are pretty sweet when you break into "We are Never Ever Ever getting back together" and instead of "I'm really gonna miss you picking fights"- you sing, "I'm rewey gonna miss you making pies!" at the top of your lungs.  During "quiet time" (in quotes because it is rarely quiet), you like to sit and listen to music and memorize all the words- often times calling out to me "Mama, what she said?  Why is Taywore Swift mad at dat boy?" You love "spooky" movies.  We think this is thanks to your uncle D for showing you Willy Wonka.  You won't eat plain cheese, but your fav food is still grilled cheese.  I don't think you've tried a new food in about a year.  You pick up new words every day and surprise me by using them in context.  "Zoe, you want to eat dinner".  "Um....potentiawee (potentially) after I'm done buildin dis castle".

Phoebe (1 year, 4 months, 25 days).  Almost 17 months.  And still not walking.  Pretty sure you can do it- you just don't want to.  (stubborness must run in the family?) You are a champion "knee" walker.  You love your mama.  I'm not gonna lie- even though some days it is hard bc you want to be held all of the time, I kinda like it.  You are a cuddler like no other.  You say so many words- Mama, DadDEE, sho sho (Zozo), Nana, DEEEE (D), Gaga, BAW (ball), POOOON! (spoon), Apple, Up, Nonono, Down?, Elmo, Doc....goes on and on.  You are obsessed with the most random things- last month, you wouldn't leave the house without mom's hairbrush- full of hair and all.  Gross.  Most days its a spoon- your most fav utensil and a toothbrush (again, ew).  You absolutely love eating.  All of the time.  It is a joy to feed you.  I can't even list all of your favorite foods because it is pretty much everything.  You couldn't be more different than your sister.  While most of her life- I have spend trying to get her to try my food and new things, for most of yours, I am hiding in the kitchen so I can get some of my breakfast before sharing it with you.  Included in your favorite foods is anything spicy (again a trait thanks to uncle D!) You love talking to your Nana on the computer and phone- you are constantly calling for her.  And second to mommy- you are Gaga's girl- if I am not here, she is really the only one you want to be with.   You are still obsessed with your stinky piggy- in fact, we have 8 at the moment so we don't lose any.  You love "going nigh nigh".  At any given point in time, you throw yourself down on your belly and announce "nigh nigh!"  It is your own version of baby planking.

Overall- life is pretty hectic.  But at the end of each day, no matter how hard it is, I still miss you guys and look back at pictures on my phone of you that I took that day.

I'm Weady to Go mama!

What?  No guac?

xoxo, the mama

My baby is one...and has been for almost a month.

Dear Phoebe,

On November 18th, you turned one years old.  You continue to be the sweetest little munchkin- you love blowing kisses and giving hugs.  You are still a great eater - dad can't wait until you are old enough to go get wings and watch football (he's realized that he has no chance with your sister).  You stood up for the first time a couple days after your birthday and have been doing it ever since.  In fact, when we went to the doc for your 1 year checkup, she said that if you aren't standing in a few months, we would have to followup.  You took that as your cue, and the very next day, you pulled yourself up! You say a few words - mama, nono, uh oh, and you have said ball (just not consistently).  You love the Christmas tree and our elf, named Hart and love pointing them out everyday.  You love dolls, jewelry and books.  You LOVE your daddy- you are so excited when he gets home from work and you are not very happy when he is out of your sight.


We had pictures of you and your sis taken a couple of weeks ago- I couldn't be happier with the result - you look so sweet and perfect, just as you are.

Happy FIRST birthday baby girl.  

xoxo, the mama

Zoe's List to Santa

Dear Zoe,

I am not good at doing the blog so much these days.  Lifes got me busy.  However, I am eavesdropping on you at the moment writing a note to Santa and I have to get this written because it is so cute.
Christmas is right around the corner- pictures and commercials of Santa are everywhere and you have the Christmas spirit!  Your favorite thing at the moment is princesses, as seen in your note.

Here is your note (pretty verbatim).  It is pretty random and all over the place, which makes it all the more awesome.   I love how your 3 year old mind works.  I love that you include your sister, and your dad and I (you clearly know what mama needs better than your dad).

Dear Santa,

This is a note about what I need for Christmas.  I need some instraments so I can play pretty music.  I need all the different kinds.   I am really good at playing pretty music.  I need some more costumes like Tinkerbell and Jasmine and Mulan.  I need some makeup so I can play makeup with my mom.  I like doing that.

I want some more jammies too- I want Mulan jammies and Belle jammies and Rapunzul too.  I love beautiful jammies.

My sister wants a Nemo ball.  She needs a dark black pony.  She needs more stinky piggies.  She loves her piggies.  She was a good girl, Santa.  I love my sister.  Phoebe wants her own blocks for Christmas, Santa.  My mom can think about more things for her.

Back to me- I would like some more jammies.  I need some Amber (from Sofia) jammies and Sofia's mommy jammies.  I need some more princess movies.  I need Mulan, Belle & the Beauty Beast, Rapunzel and Jasmin.

Santa, mommy needs a new pair of shoes.  (ain't that the truth, baby girl) and I need some more slippers.  

And my Daddy wants some more clothes, Santa.  He needs a Grover shirt, Santa.  And one more thing- a Grover hairband.  He really needs it.

I want more Hello Kitty toys.  Daddy can buy them for you.

Love,
Zoe Ryan Teich

Princess Zoe

xoxo, the mama

Happy 3rd birthday Zoe!!!

Dear Zoe- Happy THIRD Birthday!!!  Yesterday was the big day and you had a blast.  You started the day with having chocolate chip pancakes with Daddy- just the two of you.  Then we opened some presents and talked to Patrick & Shannon, D and Nanu.  Then, we did our annual Cheesecake Factory lunch with Gaga.  You wore your birthday princess sash and got TONS of birthday wishes! You had cake and ice cream (after eating ALL your lunch!) and got even more presents.  

Your favorite things at the moment are princesses, ponies and your dress up dolls.  You love to play and have such a creative imagination.  You can be such a sweet big sister when you want to be, and your baby sister absolutely adores you.  

At 3, you have your own sense of style and already try and negotiate with me - "No mama, pants are for when winter is here.  I want to wear a dress".  We are struggling with naps, you are ready to give them up but mama is not.  Dance class is a big hit - you love going and are really into it!  I can't wait to see what else this year brings.  

This is you this year vs last year- what a difference a year makes

xoxo, the mama

Birthday Parties and Halloween!

Dear Zoe and Phoebe- 

I have been a slacker at writing you on this blog.  Life is getting so busy - Zoe, you are in dance classes, school twice a week and you have lots of friends that we try and meet up with.  Phoebe- you keep mama on her toes now that you are on the move.  

This past weekend, we had our annual costume birthday party- this years theme was the Royal Ball. Zoe was Princess Sofia and Pheebs was Snow White.  Mama was Sleeping Beauty and Dad was Prince Charming of course!  We had such a fun time playing with our friends, eating cake and playing with new toys!

Happy Birthday Zozo and Pheebs!!

xoxo, the mama

11 months old (little late, sorry)!

Dear Phoebe- 

Its been quite a busy month.  You turned 11 months (2 weeks ago), we had your 3rd eye treatment, Nana came to visit, you and your sis got sick, we had a big birthday bash, your sister turned 3 and now its Halloween.  Phew.  This mama is tired.  So, sorry this is late.  Getting you to take a pic this month was not easy- you are a girl on the move.  This was the best I could get.  

xoxo, 

the mama

10 months old!

Dear Phoebe,

Yesterday you turned 10 months.  You are such a fun age- you repeat things, you laugh (especially at Zoe), you are on the move.  You have a wicked case of the mama's at the moment- if I am in the room, I am who should be holding you.  But you are fine as long as you don't see me.

Cheese!

xoxo, the mama