Zoe is becoming quite the conversationalist! Here she is after the birthday cake! (For some reason I couldn't get both videos to work on the same post! Grr.)
Returning Sheepishly
I know it's been a long silence. I'm happy to report that I'm better...things are better. The troubles are not over, but they have settled for now...enough that I can think of other things. I'm not trying to be cryptic, it's just private. Anyhow, I decided it's high time I get back to writing.
Recently, I started working from home. The first week was extremely overwhelming. I often found myself wondering why I thought it would be a good idea. Suddenly Zoe's naps, that had formerly been my time, became work time and all my rest and house cleaning went out the window. Well, ok, maybe not out the window. If you asked Love he'd say it was pretty clearly strewn about the house...but you get my drift. After the first week I figured out that I could accomplish things when Zoe was awake and still make time to play with her and be attentive, I could ask Love for some "Me time" when he got home, and I could do this. Why? I am now (except for one day a week) a "stay-at-home" Mom. This is something you all know I've been wanting since Zoe was born. It's not quite what I thought it would be, but it is what it is and I couldn't be happier to be home with my sweet baby girl.
Speaking of my sweet baby girl...she is about to be one. You don't have to remind me that I've been a total slacker and haven't posted a monthly update in ages. I promise it's coming. Right now I'm super busy working and trying to soak up the last two weeks of her first year of life. I find myself tearing up some days at the thought of how fast and how much she's grown. Yet I'm so proud to be her Mother...to see her day to day accomplishments...to make her laugh...comfort her sadness...and cheer her on. I'm also trying to plan a little family/ close friends party. This is not as easy as one might think. Any advice on this subject is welcome.
I'm looking forward to a few things. My Sis and her Husband are coming up to visit us on the 4th of July weekend! My Brother is going on a mission to Carlsbad, CA in a little over a month- he got his mission call when I was home for my Little Sis's wedding. I get to go home in a little less than a month to see my family. I'm not thrilled that he'll be gone for two years because I'm really going to miss him...but he's doing an amazing thing and I'm so proud of him.
I know it's not a thorough update, but it's late and I need to hit the sack so I can start again tomorrow. More to come...and thanks for sticking around. Your comments meant a lot to me.
And just because I know a couple people who are dying to see her...an updated picture of Zoe to swoon over. :)
Recently, I started working from home. The first week was extremely overwhelming. I often found myself wondering why I thought it would be a good idea. Suddenly Zoe's naps, that had formerly been my time, became work time and all my rest and house cleaning went out the window. Well, ok, maybe not out the window. If you asked Love he'd say it was pretty clearly strewn about the house...but you get my drift. After the first week I figured out that I could accomplish things when Zoe was awake and still make time to play with her and be attentive, I could ask Love for some "Me time" when he got home, and I could do this. Why? I am now (except for one day a week) a "stay-at-home" Mom. This is something you all know I've been wanting since Zoe was born. It's not quite what I thought it would be, but it is what it is and I couldn't be happier to be home with my sweet baby girl.
Speaking of my sweet baby girl...she is about to be one. You don't have to remind me that I've been a total slacker and haven't posted a monthly update in ages. I promise it's coming. Right now I'm super busy working and trying to soak up the last two weeks of her first year of life. I find myself tearing up some days at the thought of how fast and how much she's grown. Yet I'm so proud to be her Mother...to see her day to day accomplishments...to make her laugh...comfort her sadness...and cheer her on. I'm also trying to plan a little family/ close friends party. This is not as easy as one might think. Any advice on this subject is welcome.
I'm looking forward to a few things. My Sis and her Husband are coming up to visit us on the 4th of July weekend! My Brother is going on a mission to Carlsbad, CA in a little over a month- he got his mission call when I was home for my Little Sis's wedding. I get to go home in a little less than a month to see my family. I'm not thrilled that he'll be gone for two years because I'm really going to miss him...but he's doing an amazing thing and I'm so proud of him.
I know it's not a thorough update, but it's late and I need to hit the sack so I can start again tomorrow. More to come...and thanks for sticking around. Your comments meant a lot to me.
And just because I know a couple people who are dying to see her...an updated picture of Zoe to swoon over. :)
I Know
I've been quiet. I promise to post at least two posts this month. I know I owe you two months of Zoe updates. :) Anyway, the major thing going on in my life right now...the thing that plauges my thoughts...makes me cry...makes me scared...makes me worry...well I can't talk about it here. So that's why I'm quiet. Please give me some time to sort things out and I promise I'll be back...so don't leave for good. Thanks everyone.
Proof of Zoe's Mobility
Ok, so I admit it. Now that she is finally crawling, she gets into everything, her sleep has been disrupted, and she's not as easy to keep track of...but how cute is that?
Also, we do actually dress her...it's just that most of her videos are done in the morning or at night!
Hello World
I know I haven't been on here in a while. Truthfully I wasn't sure what to write. I'm still not sure. I really should write Zoe's 9 month post...but wonder if that undertaking isn't more than it's worth sometimes. Maybe I need to find a new way to go about it that doesn't create novel posts. Anyhow, you're not getting that one today. I've been thinking a lot lately about life. A couple weeks ago my Grandpa C- my Daddy's Father- passed away. While it wasn't completely unexpected, it felt sudden. Rushed. When my Mom's Daddy- Grandpa L passed away a couple of months ago, I got to say my goodbye to him over the phone...and I was sort of hoping he would leave this life...just so he could be at peace. His health had been slowly deteriorating for so long that, even though we would miss him, we knew it was time for him to go. After the beginning of the year my Grandpa C started going downhill. He has been suffering from Dementia for a few years now. It was hard on all of us- his family- to watch his mind deteriorate. I knew the day would soon come that he would leave us...I just thought I'd have more time. I guess that is the way of many of us in this world. We always think we'll have more time. We keep placing agendas on tomorrow's to do list until we eventually run out of tomorrows. Anyway, the day my Grandpa passed away- March 22nd, I was sad, but he hadn't eaten in days and was completely bed ridden and so I was a bit relieved. On the day of the viewing, I fell apart. It didn't really hit me until I was there that he was gone. I will miss him greatly. I'm comforted by the knowledge that he is in a better place. I'm sure he's up there teasing and joking with our relatives gone before him- the way he did with us growing up. Still, his passing has been harder on me than I thought. I think it has something to do with both of my Grandpas leaving me so close together. I worry about both Grandmas and hope they know how much they are loved and hope they can find comfort now. I suppose with both of my Grandpas I have a bit of regret lingering. I called often, but could have called more. I wish I could have been there more. The more I think about it the more I let these things go. I know that they both know how much I love them. I know I will see them both again. I guess what you could conclude from my ramblings is that I'm missing a couple of wonderful men from my life...and it's caused me to think more about what I'm doing with that life. I'm still not sure other than my role as a wife/ mother/ daughter/ friend. Other than that, I'm still thinking.
7-8 Months
Dear Zoe,
One thing you will learn from your mother, if you haven't already, is the terrible knack she has for procrastination. In fact, I procrastinated so much this time that I must combine two months into one post. So as to not bore our dear readers, I will attempt to keep it simple and full of pictures.
You spent the beginning of your seventh month in a new place. As I mentioned in your 6 month post, we went to New Mexico to stay with Great Grandma so we could go to Great Grandpa's funeral. We were able to spend a couple days there and a couple days at Grandma N's house. When we got home you got sick pretty quickly and were a very unhappy baby. Also, you decided you didn't want anything to do with your poor Dad after being away from him for a week. Dad even bought you a cute penguin toy- more about him later- as a welcome home present and you were scared to death of it! To be honest, January was rough. I didn't think you would ever get better. Double ear infections are evil. The doctors gave you this "bubble gum flavored" antibiotic that you detested. You even managed to knock the whole bottle off the table onto the brand new carpet. Mom still hasn't been able to get that stain out. All the sickness and changes and travels made January a rough month on everyone around you, but we got through it.
Great things about month 7 included first, learning to sit more independently. Around Christmastime you began to sit on your own. For a few weeks following Christmas you spent most of your time sitting like this:
This was more for my sanity, but I think we skipped out on some head bumps because of it. With sitting came the big bathtub- which you tried for the first time at Great Grandma's house. Mom was so nervous that first time, but you did great. Soon, you were playing on your own- with Mom an arm's reach away, of course- with your new-found bath toys. Suddenly bath time is a wonderful thing.
I'm hopeful we don't have a fight later in life about posting pictures of you on the Internet in your birthday suit.
Not long after mastering the bathtub you learned of the most wonderful existence of independence- A.K.A. finger food.
At first you weren't too sure about these new textures...but it didn't take long for you to decide feeding yourself was great fun- you are still learning though. Another form of independence you learned was to reach for things just out of your grasp- something you are now a pro at.
Shortly after turning 7 months you caught another virus which gave you yet another ear infection. Since these infections were so close together, they gave you a stronger antibiotic. Unfortunately, that antibiotic gave you thrush and a yeast diaper rash (I think that's what it's called) and possibly caused more trouble than it was worth. However, you were back to your old self within a few days and life got a bit easier.
When you got better, Mom decided to take you on a walk one day because it was sunny and warmer than usual. You loved to be outside. I thought you might break your neck trying to look at everything!
Also, you made friends with the penguin.
Last month you celebrated your first Valentine's Day. We went out as a family to Rodizio Grill. It was delicious and you were an angel!
What I have enjoyed most about the past two months is watching you explore your independence, listening to you talk- especially when you say "Mama" or "Dada"..."though you tend to say "Dada" more!)- celebrating each successful reach for a far away object, rejoicing as you find your mouth with a finger food. You are truly a joy to be around.
We love to be near you and are constantly watching to see what you'll do next.
Something you hated, but Mom was thrilled about:
Getting your hair into a ponytail! I had to cut your bangs because they were getting in your eyes though. :(
Look at that face! I swear you look more grown up with each passing moment.
I thought I'd document what you learned most recently:
You make me smile every day. I'm so grateful to have you in my life. I love to watch you learn and explore the world around you. I know you'll be crawling any day now. Part of me wishes you were still newborn and helpless...until I rejoice at you getting your knees up under you. It's true the time passes too quickly for me. I'm sure it always will. Yet the joy I experience in your triumphs is worth every minute of time that goes by. I love you my darling.
Love,
Mama
One thing you will learn from your mother, if you haven't already, is the terrible knack she has for procrastination. In fact, I procrastinated so much this time that I must combine two months into one post. So as to not bore our dear readers, I will attempt to keep it simple and full of pictures.
You spent the beginning of your seventh month in a new place. As I mentioned in your 6 month post, we went to New Mexico to stay with Great Grandma so we could go to Great Grandpa's funeral. We were able to spend a couple days there and a couple days at Grandma N's house. When we got home you got sick pretty quickly and were a very unhappy baby. Also, you decided you didn't want anything to do with your poor Dad after being away from him for a week. Dad even bought you a cute penguin toy- more about him later- as a welcome home present and you were scared to death of it! To be honest, January was rough. I didn't think you would ever get better. Double ear infections are evil. The doctors gave you this "bubble gum flavored" antibiotic that you detested. You even managed to knock the whole bottle off the table onto the brand new carpet. Mom still hasn't been able to get that stain out. All the sickness and changes and travels made January a rough month on everyone around you, but we got through it.
Great things about month 7 included first, learning to sit more independently. Around Christmastime you began to sit on your own. For a few weeks following Christmas you spent most of your time sitting like this:
This was more for my sanity, but I think we skipped out on some head bumps because of it. With sitting came the big bathtub- which you tried for the first time at Great Grandma's house. Mom was so nervous that first time, but you did great. Soon, you were playing on your own- with Mom an arm's reach away, of course- with your new-found bath toys. Suddenly bath time is a wonderful thing.
I'm hopeful we don't have a fight later in life about posting pictures of you on the Internet in your birthday suit.
Not long after mastering the bathtub you learned of the most wonderful existence of independence- A.K.A. finger food.
At first you weren't too sure about these new textures...but it didn't take long for you to decide feeding yourself was great fun- you are still learning though. Another form of independence you learned was to reach for things just out of your grasp- something you are now a pro at.
Shortly after turning 7 months you caught another virus which gave you yet another ear infection. Since these infections were so close together, they gave you a stronger antibiotic. Unfortunately, that antibiotic gave you thrush and a yeast diaper rash (I think that's what it's called) and possibly caused more trouble than it was worth. However, you were back to your old self within a few days and life got a bit easier.
When you got better, Mom decided to take you on a walk one day because it was sunny and warmer than usual. You loved to be outside. I thought you might break your neck trying to look at everything!
Also, you made friends with the penguin.
Last month you celebrated your first Valentine's Day. We went out as a family to Rodizio Grill. It was delicious and you were an angel!
What I have enjoyed most about the past two months is watching you explore your independence, listening to you talk- especially when you say "Mama" or "Dada"..."though you tend to say "Dada" more!)- celebrating each successful reach for a far away object, rejoicing as you find your mouth with a finger food. You are truly a joy to be around.
We love to be near you and are constantly watching to see what you'll do next.
Something you hated, but Mom was thrilled about:
Getting your hair into a ponytail! I had to cut your bangs because they were getting in your eyes though. :(
Look at that face! I swear you look more grown up with each passing moment.
I thought I'd document what you learned most recently:
You make me smile every day. I'm so grateful to have you in my life. I love to watch you learn and explore the world around you. I know you'll be crawling any day now. Part of me wishes you were still newborn and helpless...until I rejoice at you getting your knees up under you. It's true the time passes too quickly for me. I'm sure it always will. Yet the joy I experience in your triumphs is worth every minute of time that goes by. I love you my darling.
Love,
Mama
Sneak Peek
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