Fun With Glass Doors

I don't know that I'm going to start blogging regularly again (i may try to start it up but the risk of failing again is too great...). I had to post this video though. I took it with my camera and not the Flip, so the file is too big to email. I can post it here though, for your enjoyment. Here's a glimpse into how fun and funny Zoe can be. We love this little girl!

Zebra Zoe

Here are a few cute pics of our little Zebra Zoe. Isn't she just adorable?

At Stacey's house with some other little kiddos:
Finally getting a smile out of her (because Daddy showed up!)
First (and only) attempt at trick or treating at Miss Stacey's house
Getting so close....Finally! She got her Twix!! (and mommy got to eat it! sweet deal!)
Incredibly preoccupied with her candy

Some Recent Pics

Since I've been a slacker in posting albums, I thought I'd share a few recent pics here on the blog. The rest are coming...eventually! But here is a glimpse into life with Zoe these days.

Hanging out with Winnie the Pooh
Crawling around in the kitchen, her new favorite place
Sporting her yamaka
All smiles while hanging out on the balcony one warm day
Chewing on daddy's hoodie strings...a new favorite past time
Mini pony tails
About to get into trouble...with only one sock on, of course
Looking at herself in the mirror - she does this all the time and can be endlessly entertained by seeing her reflection and laughing at it.
And the face I just can't resist

Um...Zoe...Your Pants?

The other day I turned around and saw Zoe playing on the floor. Her pants were falling off! It was hilarious, as she was completely oblivious and carried on with business as usual. Eventually she crawled them off and she was simply in her onesie and socks. So cute. :)

Too Funny

Some of you know of my husband's annoyance with noise. Yes, noise. Little sounds bother him. All the time. I love the man, and he is rarely like this in any other area of life, but when it comes to noise, he is anal. He even has a pair of headphones that he wears IN THE APARTMENT, even when there is no noise to be heard. The other day he walked into the office holding Zoe and had her wearing them. It was too funny.

Fall

A few weeks ago we went to Morton Arboretum and enjoyed some time outdoors while taking in the last of the fall colors. We tried to get Zoe to enjoy participating in picture-taking, but she was tired, and would therefore (as you can see) have nothing of it.

I also love this one of her staring down the white pumpkin. If looks could kill...

My Smiley Happy Girl

I love this face!

Standing

No, she doesn't get up on her own quite yet, but this girl LOVES to stand. Since Zoe was only a few weeks old, she would constantly tense up her legs, to the point where I can't really remember a time when her legs buckled beneath her. She has just always wanted to plant her feet somewhere firmly! I've been putting some toys up on the chair to see if she'll pull herself up. So far, she just enjoys playing with them if if I've set her up that way. She still needs assistance because she'll fall if she's not holding on/leaning well, but I think she enjoys doing this "new" thing and getting a "new" view of life from this position.
I love this one of her cute little bum in her blue jeans. Check out the headband...not quite on right anymore!!

The Shake

Since Zoe's started crawling, I find myself saying "no" a lot. Lately I've noticed that she's begun shaking her head "no" at random times. It's really cute. I think she must have picked up on it while watching me do it, though she doesn't seem to know why she's doing it. She continues to randomly just shake her head for no reason. I'm trying to teach her how to nod "yes" but she seems to prefer "no" right now.

Here's some footage of her doing this while in the middle of nursing. (don't worry...this is G-rated, folks).

On The Move 2

Here's Zoe in action a few weeks ago when she was starting to master the scoot/crawl.

On The Move

Fair?

I'll let you suck my finger...

And pull my hair out.

And I'll just smile and hang out with you if that's ok

Hilarious

A few weeks ago I was washing dishes and Zoe was playing on the floor in the living room. At one point, she was scooting around so I couldn't see her, but I could hear her. She was giggling and cooing and basically having a great time. Suddenly things went quiet. Then I heard a frustrated cry and a faint thump. I turned the corner and saw this:

Zoe was stuck underneath the coffee table! Somehow she had scooted backwards and couldn't get back out. The thump was her head banging on the table as she was trying to get out! It was hilarious and I had to grab my camera before rescuing her! I love the expression of concern on her face. Poor thing!

A few days later...she did it again...too funny!

It's Been a While

I haven't posted in a long time. Life has been busy getting into the nanny groove and the weeks seem to be flying by. Zoe is changing every day. She now has two teeth, and is crawling! I've started having to say "no" because she's interested in everything - especially things she shouldn't be into. So we're in a whole new parenting stage! I'm excited about it, though. It's so fun to see her grow and gain new skills. It's still surprising to me to turn around and see her at my feet. She never used to be able to get there without my help! All in all...still enjoying my little girl. I've posted updated pics from this past month (check the sidebar) and will share a few highlights in the coming posts.

The Crazies

Zoe had a serious case of the crazies the other day. Here's the proof:
It starts off relatively calm...she is excited and happy, but calm...


But then she starts to pick up momentum...

And like the Energizer bunny...she just keeps going...and going....and going...

The Wave

Zoe has recently began waving in response to people's waves. We've been trying to get it on camera, but of course, every time we try, she doesn't do it. This is the best we could get. It's not the best wave - but it gives you the idea.

Giggly Zoe

Here's our Zoe having fun with daddy. This video was taken before we realized that her "violin arm" was her attempt at a wave. Later we realized she was actually waving when she saw us, and then later, waving in response to us.

Really Really Surreal...

If I didn't know any better, I'd think someone took my daughter to a photo shoot one day. I did a double-take at first when I saw this ad in a magazine.

Ponytails

I couldn't resist trying out ponytails the other day. Zoe's hair is so long - probably about four or five inches when pulled straight --but it tightens up immediately, so the ponytails don't look quite fluffy or full yet. Still, she looks quite adorable, doesn't she?!?

Zoe showing off her crab rattle
Looking at me inquisitively..."why is this crazy mommy taking so many pictures of me?!"
And of course...the meltdown..."no more paparazzi!!"
Even though she's crying, she kind of looks like she's smiling, too. Sometimes I really need to restrain myself from laughing during some of her mini little "not-an-actual-crisis" explosions. I love my little girl!

Bye Bye Hutchesons!

Boo! Our good friends John Mark and Karen left Chicago for Kentucky a week ago. We will seriously miss them! We met back in Louisville and moved together to Chicago last August. Even though they lived in the city and we didn't see them all the time, it was always great to connect with them and hang out when we had the chance. It's sad that we won't be able to do that anymore!John Mark is one cool dude - he's a real deal athlete - competes in triathlons, runs marathons, and was a bike courier in the city of Chicago! How cool is that?! On top of that, he's a smart cookie, a gifted preacher, a caring friend and one of the most genuine people we know. Uche says all the time that John Mark is one of his favorite people to be around.Karen is a beautiful fiery red-head who's also a smart cookie with a Phd in Clinical Psychology. Wow! Besides being gorgeous and brilliant, Karen is a ton of fun. We love her sense of humor and appreciate her passion and boldness in saying things that need to be said but that other people may be too chicken to say!

Together, these two make a great pair! From our early interactions, one of the things we have always appreciated about them is that they are comfortable being themselves and are willing to be vulnerable to let others into their lives and marriage. We really respect their boldness in sharing their hearts with us - in many ways it has been a good model for Uche and I as we seek to grow in being transparent and vulnerable with others. Finally, they love Zoe so much. There are few things as meaningful to a parent than to see people truly love their child.

We will miss you guys! Thanks for being great friends to us all!