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

Party in the Bath!

Dear Zoe - I am sure that someday you and Christopher will be mortified that Jenny and I had you in the bath together - but you both didn't seem to mind at the time.  And we thought it was adorable.  In fact, we thought that these photos would be great as engagement announcements someday in the future.  No pressure.

A couple weeks ago, your bud Christopher came over with his parents for a bbq- you guys played in the yard, got a little (more than a little for C) dirty and needed a bath.   What is more fun than two babies in the bath??

xoxo, the mama

YUCK!

Dear Zoe - You are turning into a very particular little girl.  You like things YOUR way and you have not quite mastered the art of compromise.  One of the traits that you have developed (and possibly inherited from your mama) is your extreme dislike of being dirty.  Or eating things that are burnt.  Or broken.  Or doing anything remotely messy.

We had your friend Christopher over this weekend and he was happily playing in the dirt and eating mac and cheese (not at the same time, of course)- two things that you would NEVER consider doing.  The moment dirt or chalk or crumbs pollute your dainty little hands, you start waving them, telling me "Yuck! Yuck!". 

We were at the park behind our new house today and it is basically one giant sandbox, something that you are NOT fond of.  A few grains of sand got in your sandals and you stopped dead in your tracks, started flapping your arms, yelling "Mama, yuck!  UP!!!"  I thought this was the end of this park for us, until you discovered a water fountain that you could wash your hands in, one of your FAVORITE past times.  OCD, much, little girl?

"Don't you make me tell you again, mama- NO burnt chips!"

"Stop with the photos!"

xoxo, the mama

Poool!!!

Dear Zoe - Last week, we got a pool for you for our new backyard.  You had just gone in Emma's pool a couple of weeks ago and loved it, so we thought you would be excited when you got your own.  You. Were. ECSTATIC!!  You ran to the door and just screamed "Pool!  Pool!"  Every time we got a visitor at the house, you were sure to show them your latest obsession.

Your favorite things to do in the pool are splashing and pouring water into your cups.  You still haven't spent much time actually sitting in the pool, but you will get there.  Here are some pictures from the weekend-

"OMG!  There is a POOL out here ma, did you see this??"

Cups!

Testing out the water.

xoxo, the mama

Zoe's New Digs

Dear Zoe -

It has been a very busy couple of weeks.  We are all moved into our new home in Evanston and you LOVE it here!  I was a bit worried that you would need a little time adjusting and that you would miss your old room, but you didn't miss a beat.  You are so excited about having more space and having a backyard - you run to the back door every morning pleading with me to go play ("Side! Side!").  I am so glad that you are having so much fun here and am looking forward to a fun summer!

Baby girl couldn't be happier running out in the yard!

Our first official BBQ of the summer!

Sidewalk chalk in pails- serious business

xoxo, the mama