Time for School!

Dear Zoe- Last week was your first day at "school".  It is a program for kids that are too young for the 2 year old preschool (like you) but that are ready for some interaction with other kids without moms there.  I was VERY apprehensive about dropping you off.  I worried that you would miss me too much and knew that I would miss you too!

You couldn't have been more excited, wearing your Minnie backpack like such a big girl.  I left you there for the two hour program and with the exception of panicking just a little, the teacher said that you were great!  You were so excited to see me when I picked you up- you grabbed my hand and showed me all the toys you played with and the art project that you did.  I was so proud of you!

Such a BIG girl!!

Literally running into school, so excited!!

This week, however, you remembered where we were going.  As soon as we pulled into the parking lot, you said "No paint picture! No paint picture".  I was a bit worried about leaving you but knew that it would be good for the both of us.  The teacher had to pull you away from me (heartbreaking) and after standing outside the room crying tears of my own, I left.  When I came to pick you up, you were just fine- you had a great day in class with your teacher and your new friends and even ate some of the snack this week!!

This is hard for both of us, but it is good for you to gain some independence, especially with your little brother or sister joining us next month.  You are becoming such a big brave girl and I am so proud of you!

Love, the mama.

Goebberts 2012!

Dear Zoe, Today was our second annual trip to Goebberts.  This year, one year older, you were very into sliding down the big slide by the giraffes, riding the horses, sitting in the "big chair" and picking out pumpkins.  You were very interested in the animals in the petting zoo, but not when they got too close.  We went with your bud Reecey and her little sister Claire.  Such a fun day!!

"I RIDE HORSE!" - Zoe

Riding the horsies take 2 (with Daddy this time, Mama needed a break)

Hanging out with the pumpkins

Zoe and Claire bear sitting on the big chair

Family shot - Mama, Daddy, Zozo and baby makes 4!

Now that it is the start of fall- we have so many fun activities to do!!  

xoxo, the mama

My big girl

Dear Zoe, 

Your Daddy and I were commenting this weekend how, just in the past month, your vocabulary and how much you really understand has grown so much.  I can't even count how many words you can say because you are saying more each day.  You repeat EVERYTHING you hear and you speak in (almost) full sentences.  You mimic mom and dad daily and it is so much fun to see your little mind work.  

Just this morning after having daddy home for a long weekend, you asked "Momma, where daddy is?" I told you he was at work and then when we got downstairs you say "Da-ddy, wha ARE chu?  Choo choo!"  Since you know we pick daddy up from the train everyday, you made the connection that he takes it to work - such a smart cookie.  

In just a few short months, you are going to be a big sister.  Somedays I think you are still so little and feel sad that I won't be able to give you my undivided attention like I do now.  And then other times I look at you (like I did today in this picture) and realize that you are turning into SUCH a big girl and you are going to be such a wonderful big sister.  

Zozo's "Packpack" and purse- off to berk with daddy!

xoxo, the mama

Stopping to smell the roses.

Dear Zoe, I hope that you never outgrow some things.  Others (the tantrums, not wanting to try new foods for example), I won't miss quite as much.  

However, the fact that you ALWAYS stop and smell the flowers wherever we are is so sweet and innocent, I hope you will do this forever.  Today, it was just starting to rain and we were rushing from inside of a store to the car before the rain started, but you pulled me aside (Mama- hands!) and smelled some of the potted plants on the side of the street.  It reminded me that we don't always need to be in a rush and we need to stop and smell the flowers once in a while.  The face that you make when you are "smelling" - scrunched up little nose and puffing air out your nose is pretty hilarious too.  :)

"Mmmm!"

Wanting to get beyond the bar- you don't want to leave any flower left un-smelt!

xoxo, the mama

Finally.

Dear Zoe - Since you have learned the word "No", it has been a staple in your everyday vocabulary.

Mama- "Do you want to eat lunch, Zoe?"
Zoe- "NO."

M- "Do you want to put your shoes on?"
Z- "NO."

M- "Will you please TRY this macaroni & cheese?"
Z- "NO."

See?  Always NO.  Although I am proud of the fact that you know what you want and do not have a problem expressing yourself, it can be a bit exasperating at times for a Mama.

Until today...

Zoe- "More Dora, mama?"  "Pleasthe?"
Mama- "Okay, we will watch a little more while you finish your lunch and then we will go night night, okay?"
Zoe- "Yesth, mama, yesth".

My heart beams.

xoxo, the mama

Cheesthe!

Randomness...

Dear Zoe, My blog posts have become fewer with more days between.  That is because we are so very busy and your mama is so very tired and likes to take naps when you nap.  It is most certainly not because I am lacking ideas to write about.

You are so funny and sweet.  Some of my favorite things that you say/do these days now that you are almost 21 months old (how is this possible??) are when you hand something to either dad or me you say "'Ere you go, baby".

You constantly want to know where everyone of importance is- throughout the day, you will ask (multiple times)-
"Mama- Daddy?" (at work)  "Mama, Gaga?" (at home with Gracie)  "Mama, Nanu?" (at work) "Mama, Nana?" (at home with Da)  "Mama, D?" (at work)  And then it begins all over again...


When playing in your kitchen, you like to make Mama and Daddy "cossie" (coffee).  Sometimes you even blow on it first, you are just that considerate.

I love when, totally random, you turn to me and say "Hi, mama!"  So sweet.

Today we went to visit a parents day out program- not for now, but for next spring.  I had just finished telling the teacher that I was nervous about leaving you because I have never done that before and you were really attached to me, when I turned to you and said "Time to go, Zozo, Mama's leaving!"  You turned away from your coloring and said "See ya!".  Tear.  I think it is more ME that has the separation issues.

I realize that this blog post is all over the place, but that is very appropriate at this stage of toddlerhood.

xoxo, the mama

Pleasthe!

Dear Zoe - We have been working on your manners lately since you have become quite demanding on what it is that you want.  You have mastered please- although it comes out more like "Pleasthe" with your little lisp, and every time you say it, you bend down a bit and stick out your butt...it is beyond cute.  Thank you is a work in progress and comes out more like "Tak oo", but we get it.

Just this week, you have been using "pleasthe" without being prompted.  Each time the cuteness kills me just a little more.  Today, you were watching your bud Elmo on tv and when Elmo's world is over, you turn to me and say "More Ello Mama- Pleasthe" as you stick your butt out.  A four word phrase INCLUDING please- Yes ma'am- more Ello is it!!

"Pleasthe!"

xoxo, the mama