Smartypants

Dear Zoe - We had your 2 year checkup earlier this week - you are 24 lbs and 34 inches long - less than 25% for weight and 75% for height.  Tall and skinny.  Not too much a surprise given your finicky eating habits, but the doctor did not seem too worried about it.  You were such a good girl in your appointment- we brought your doctor kit and your baby doll and you were very prepared by the time your doctor came in- she commented on what a brave girl you were!

Onto developmental stats- the average two year old should be able to string together 2 word sentences.  Not to brag or anything- but you are speaking in 5+ word sentences!  The average two year old should recognize at least 3 numbers or letters - not only do you recognize them- but you know the ABC's and can count to 12 (sometimes skipping the number 6, but we are working on that).

Your memory and conversation skills astonish me sometimes- here are some examples of the gems that come out of your mouth that I need to remember!

Gaga- "Zoe, where did you get those slippers?"
Z- "From Target"

Looking at the baby swing downstairs that Jenny brought over for the baby-

Z-"Did Jenny left it here?  She come get it?'
Mama- "Jenny left it for the baby to use."
Z- "Zozo will use."

At the post office yesterday after a clerk named Cindy walked away to get our package-

Z- "Where did Cindy go?  Did she go night night?  Did she eat lunch?  Did she have grilled cheese?"
Mama- "She just went to get our package, Zoe, she'll be right back."

This morning when you got up for the day-

Mama- "What would you like to do today, Zoe?"
Z- "Go to target.  Get more teacups.  Mama pay for it."  Gotta love a girl with a plan.

xoxo, the mama

Happy Birthday! I TWO!

Dear Zoe, HAPPY HAPPY Birthday!!  Yesterday, you turned 2 years old.  We started the day with singing happy birthday with a candle in your waffles (which you loved and wanted to "blow candles" again and again).  Then we went to art class (where the class serenaded you again) and to lunch with Gaga to Cheesecake Factory (where you got an ice cream Sunday and they sang to you AGAIN!).  Daddy taught you how to say "I'm Two" (sounds more like I two!) when anyone asks how old you are.

We have your two year appointment next week where we find out how much you weigh and how tall you are- but I am guessing that you are pretty average for weight and still average to above average on height.  You are still not a very good eater- you HATE to try new things and don't like things that are "messy".  We can really only get you to eat grilled cheese, black beans & cheese, fish sticks and nuggets.  Not a very complicated food pallet, my dear.  You love fruit and LOVE "snackies", but aren't very adventurous when it comes to vegetables (except carrots!  you LOVE carrots).  

You are quite the talker- you speak in full sentences (5 words or more!), ask questions and your memory is impeccable (for a 2 year old).  Your favorite songs are "Happy and I know it", "Happy Birthday" (obvie), "Wheels on the bus", and "Chicken Dance" (thank you Dora).  You LOVE the color purple and your favorite book is "Purpleicious".  You love to color and your art class that we are in together.  

In the past year- you have turned into such a fun, happy and beautiful toddler (with quite the personality!)  Here is a picture from last year and one from this year- you look so grown up!!

Happy birthday to 1 year old Zoe

"I two!"

Here are some pictures of you playing with some of your favorite toys from your birthday!  Luckily today is Halloween, so the fun doesn't have to end!!

Party girl!

Playing with your new baby doll

 

Dr. Zoe

My little Picasso with her new easel

Happy birthday, sweet girl!!

xoxo, the mama

Little Miss Manners

Dear Zoe, It has been a week since your birthday party and tomorrow is your actual birthday, so....we have pretty much been celebrating you turning 2 years old all week long.  Since we didn't get through all your presents at your party (way too many!), we have been opening them gradually.  You have received so many nice things - you are so lucky!

After each present you open, you are very concerned about your manners.  You always ask "Did I say 'Thank You'?"  And then "Did they say 'You're Welcome'?" just to make sure the proper pleasantries were exchanged.

So far, some of your favorites are your baby dolls, your Minnie Mouse hair dryer & other accessories and your Zoe and Abby dolls.  But tomorrow will bring even more!

"Cheese!"

xoxo, the mama

Can you tell me how to get...

Dear Zoe,

This past weekend was your second birthday party.  I cannot.  BELIEVE.  it.  How are you going to be 2 years old?  We had a Seseme Street Costume party- what can be more fun than that?  Mama was Cookie Monster and Daddy was Elmo- and YOU were Zoe Monster!!  You had such a fun time - all of your friends came over and we had cake, cupcakes and goodie bags!

Decorations

Cookie Monster and Zoe Monster

Zoe and her friends

Blowing out candles

Zoe and more friends!

Happy Birthday to ME!

We still have MORE birthday celebrations coming up with your actual birthday AND Halloween this week - what a fun time of year!

xoxo, the mama

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