We took you and Max to McDonalds today so you could get rid of some of your boundless energy in their play center. I have never seen you light up the way you did each and every time you slid down the slide. You are an adrenaline junkie and a dare devil! You would find the slide and just throw yourself down completely by yourself! The best part was that we never knew what direction you would be facing when you came out at the bottom. SO funny. So cute!
02.29.12Today I gave you and Max a bowl of animal crackers to share with each other. You guys did remarkably well and I was really impressed with how well you shared! The most impressive moment, I think anyway, was when there was 2 1/2 crackers left, and the bowl was in your possession. Max was anxious to get it back so I told you to just take one and give back to him. You took one, shoved it in your mouth, thought about it for a second, grabbed the last whole cracker and then handed him the bowl back. That was pretty clever Zo Zo. I was very much amused.
02.28.12You give a lot of kisses. Some of these kisses are innocent and just because you love someone, but I'd say that the majority of your kisses are given for one these reasons:
02.27.121. To get out of time out or to avoid a lecture from Da Da
2. You weren't soft with someone and you know that you're supposed to kiss instead of bite/hit/scratch... so you kiss in an attempt to fix your mistake
3. You were about to hurt someone (usually Max) and you catch yourself in time to kiss instead
Tonight while in the bathtub, Max decided to lay down and swim on his stomach. You, probably because I'm always pinching your bottoms, started patting his bum. I told you "no" and since you just assumed that you had done something violent (kind of your thing) you immediately leaned down and kissed his bottom! Oh that made me laugh! He is totally going to use this against you some day!
Tonight at dinner you and Max were gobbling down the roll we had given you. I commented to Daddy that you guys must really love my rolls! I then look over to see you start "rolling" your hands like we do in patty cake! It didn't take long for Max to catch on and he was rolling right along with you asking for more roll!
02.25.12We were at Uncle Josh and Aunt Melanie's house today and you were playing in William's room with all your rambunctious cousins. According to Abbie, you jumped off his bed and cut your top lip pretty good! You were one sad little girl. Poor thing!
02.24.12Gammy took you to Grandma and Grandpa Houdek's house to sleep tonight. You were being so crazy! When you first got there, Grandpa Houdek came up to you to say hello. You were being very shy and you weren't sure about him, but you waved anyway despite being so scared your bottom lip was quivering and you were desperately trying not to cry! Then later on you were rubbing your little bum on Gampy's head and sticking your fingers in his ear! You are such a crazy little thing!
02.21.12Today when it was time for your nap, you grabbed your blanket, completely covered yourself with it, and laid on the ground without moving... you are always trying to find ways to avoid taking a nap. I have even found you hiding in Tucker's bed when you figured out what time it was!
02.20.12You have obviously mastered the art of climbing into the bathtub, fully clothed, but I was awfully surprised tonight when I went to tell your dad baths were done and turned to see a dripping, naked little girl streak down the hallway! Apparently you have also figured out how to get out of the tub, and pretty gracefully I'm guessing since I didn't hear a thing and was only a few feet away!
02.18.12Right in the middle of Zuleka's birthday party you and some of your mischievous cousins found Gammy's stash of sewing bobbins. String is apparently your thing because you were the one caught red handed, completely wrapped up in thread, walking down the stairs while all the bobbins rolled down and completely unrolled! Gammy was not very pleased...everyone else found it fairly amusing.
02.17.12Tonight while we were watching a movie you just started kiss attacking me! They were very long and slobbery kisses all over my head and face! I'm not even exaggerating when I say I received at least 50 or more kisses in a 15 minute time frame!
02.15.12You had your 18 month check up today! You have grown 2 whole inches and not gained a single pound! The nurses there are all a little sad that you're starting to lose your baby weight. I know that Auntie Noelle and Uncle Chan feel the same way. Anyway, while we were waiting for the doctor, you demanded that wear your princess shoes. So I put them on and you looked rather ridiculous in just a diaper and sparkly shoes. But you're little so you got away with it. One nurse always tells me that she wants to steal you. Today was no exception. You're a popular little bean at the doctor's office!
02.07.12Tonight you were sitting on Da Da's lap and he was quizzing you on all the animal noises. After you successfully answered the duck, cow, kitty, puppy, dog, and monkey noises, he, thinking he was very clever, asked you what Mama says. You thought he meant monkey, since they sound similar, and made the appropriate noise (and dance). Daddy thought it was very funny. When I then asked you what Da Da says, you got a very serious look on your face, wagged your little finger back and forth and said, "no, no, no!" I about died. Funniest thing EVER! Daddy didn't find it quite as funny, he was a little embarrassed, but I LOVED it. Thank you for making my entire day!! I ADORE YOU!
02.05.12Today when the Primary President went to check on your class she asked your teacher how you were doing in nursery. She said that you were doing great, but that you were probably the most aggressive person in the room. At this moment you were too busy pulling another kid off of a chair to notice that they were discussing you :) The Primary President was kind enough to pass on this information to me. Knowing this I found it especially humorous when I went to pick you up after church and I overheard a little boy (who is significantly older than you) run up to his Dad and say "Zoey pulled my hair!" What am I going to do with you!?!? You're a vicious little bully with an angel face. The most dangerous kind.
02.03.12Oh you made your Da Da so angry today! I think it's because you are just as stubborn as he is. He gave you and Max an orange for a little snack today. You immediately grabbed to slices and shoved them into your mouth. AN HOUR later (not even an exaggeration) we found that you STILL had those slices in your mouth and you were REFUSING to swallow them. Daddy was so frustrated with you he put you in your room figuring that you would get mad and scream at us and then you would have to swallow. Of course you didn't scream, which was a first for you, and not only did you not swallow the oranges, you spit them out onto the carpet. Of course this only infuriated Daddy even more. He put the (probably fuzzy) orange slices back into your mouth and brought out into the dining room and sat you a chair so he could watch you. You spit them out again. He put the back in your mouth again. I finally stepped in and told Da Da that I could get you to swallow them without breaking a sweat. You see, after all the time I've logged with you I've learned a trick or two. So I just grabbed a cracker from the pantry, put it into your orange filled mouth, and within a minute you had chewed and swallowed both. Ta da! Problem solved. It's just too bad for you that oranges are the one thing on this planet that Tuck apparently will not eat...could have saved everyone a lot of trouble.
02.02.12You and Max were watching cartoons together on the couch this morning and when I looked over to check on you guys I found you sitting in Max's lap!! He was being very patient with you, despite the fact that he had to really crane his neck to see his show around you, and you were just happily sitting there watching TV. I know Max is bigger than you... but not THAT much bigger!!! You are such a crazy girl Zo. I love you very much.
You are T R O U B L E !! Sunday while Dad was undressing Max for a bath (and just seconds after he had assured me that he had bath time under control and didn't need my help) you climbed into the tub fully clothed. Tonight, while I was focused on stopping Max from peeing on the bathroom rug after I had undressed him for a bath, you did the exact same thing. You are ridiculous! The best part is you just proceed to play in the bath like there is nothing out of the ordinary. Even you have to notice that something is VERY VERY different!!
02.01.12You are T R O U B L E !! Sunday while Dad was undressing Max for a bath (and just seconds after he had assured me that he had bath time under control and didn't need my help) you climbed into the tub fully clothed. Tonight, while I was focused on stopping Max from peeing on the bathroom rug after I had undressed him for a bath, you did the exact same thing. You are ridiculous! The best part is you just proceed to play in the bath like there is nothing out of the ordinary. Even you have to notice that something is VERY VERY different!!
You give THE BEST HUGS. EVER. When we reach for you to come and hug us you do not hold back. You come running as fast as your little legs can carry you and throw yourself into our arms. It's adorable. We love you too.
01.31.12I let you play the piano today after I had finished practicing and you had a BLAST! I was cleaning in the kitchen when all of a sudden I heard this ear splitting screech! It was you. Singing. At the top of your little lungs. Sometimes there just aren't words. Love you.
01.30.12You are completely out of control! Today while I was changing Max's diaper on the living room floor you saw an opportunity and you seized it! Before I even suspected what you were up to you snuck up behind me, pulled my shirt up and started tickling my back with your tiny little icicle fingers!! The worst thing was that I could do nothing to stop you since I was in the middle of a very dirty diaper change! The best I could do was lean back and knock you over, but that solution only lasted as long as it took you to get back up. Oh you are so devious little one!
01.29.12When it comes to snatching glasses off of people's faces you move at a lightning fast speed! Today our friend Janet wanted to hold you so badly and you refused to go to her until you noticed the beautiful and enticing pair of glasses she was wearing. Then you immediately reached for her to pick you up. The amazing thing was that this wasn't her first experience with you, she's actually kind of obsessed with you, and even though she knew EXACTLY what you were going to do, attack her glasses, you still managed to get your little hands on them before she could stop you. Like I said, lightning fast!!
01.25.12Tonight Da Da gave you and Maxers a bath. He assured me that he had everything under control but just one minute later he called me in to see that you had climbed into the bathtub head first fully clothed. You were just happily splashing around still in your little dress and tights! You are so crazy Zo!
Pooping is very hard work for you. For whatever reason your little body always seems to be struggling! You range from the rare "normal" poop, to constipation, to acid diarrhea! You poor little thing! Anyway, when you do poop, you always lay on your tummy on the floor and turn bright red and grunt. There is rarely a surprise poopy diaper from you since you do a pretty good job of announcing it!
01.23.12You are so silly Zoey! Lately you have been insisting on wearing one little pink glove on you hand. You bring it to me and and then stick your hand out for me to put it on you. Then it actually STAYS on all day! Until mealtime of course when I have to take it off. You are adorable.
Every time Tucker barks excitedly out the window now you just assume Daddy must be home and yell, "Da Da!" Very smart...and you are normally right!
Today you were sitting on the floor reading your all time favorite book Moo Baa La La La. As you flipped through the pages you were making the noises of the animal on that page! You got the cow, kitty and duck all right! I have no idea how you recognized them, it isn't something we've been working on, unless you just memorized the pages we make those sounds...which is likely considering just how many times you have forced us to read it to you!
01.20.12Every time Tucker barks excitedly out the window now you just assume Daddy must be home and yell, "Da Da!" Very smart...and you are normally right!
Today you were sitting on the floor reading your all time favorite book Moo Baa La La La. As you flipped through the pages you were making the noises of the animal on that page! You got the cow, kitty and duck all right! I have no idea how you recognized them, it isn't something we've been working on, unless you just memorized the pages we make those sounds...which is likely considering just how many times you have forced us to read it to you!
You are learning to talk. It is so cute. A lot of the things you say are so garbled anyone but Mom and Dad would probably have no idea what you are saying. My personal favorite is when you say "I love you." I don't even know how to type what you actually say... "iwaooh" maybe?? You're pretty great!
01.19.12Happy 17 months Zo!!
01.18.12You are such a crazy girl! You are what I call an avid tummy hunter. You absolutely LOVE to tickle and find it very exciting to search for bare skin underneath people's clothes. If you catch even a glimpse, you go into full attack mode and we cannot get you to stop trying to pull our shirts up! You are also our little pick pocket. You get this very serious look on your face, which is of course a dead giveaway, whenever you see anything electronic (phone, remote) within your reach and attempt to steal them away from us. When you are successful though, the second we realize that we have been victims of your thievery, you immediately hand the stolen property back to us, feigning innocence because of course you were just returning a lost item to its rightful owner. You have totally caught on to the fact that I often hide these golden items underneath pillows and blankets when I'm sitting on the couch, so the moment I leave you rush over and tear off all the suspicious blankets and pillows in hopes of finding my loot! You have also figured out that Daddy is an easy mark since his phone is ALWAYS falling out of his pocket and when it doesn't, he tends to be oblivious enough for you to stick your little hand in and snatch it! Oh you little sneaker!!
Whenever you're on the changing table, whether I'm changing your diaper or lotioning you up after a bath, you are generally unhappy about it. So to distract you from your misery, oh you POOR POOR baby, I started teaching you the noises of the animals hanging on the wall above us. You really picked them up quickly and LOVE to proudly tell us what a puppy, cow, duck, and monkey all say. My favorite is the monkey because you feel the need to dance every time you say "ooh ooh ahh ahh" Apparently with such a fun noise monkeys must dance when they talk! Anyway, tonight you were especially upset about being on the changing table and since I was frustrated and tired I wasn't distracting you. You took matters into your own hands though and suddenly stopped crying and said, "quack, quack" in a very sad little voice which was then followed but a less than enthusiastic, "ooh ooh ahh ahh." You are so great! You found a way to comfort yourself! Daddy is concerned though that you will still use this same technique when you are 18 years old and upset...
01.17.12You are such a funny little helper bee! We commonly use you to retrieve things from Max and anything else we might need. You are always more than willing...just not always accurate in what you come back with. For instance, when I asked you this morning to bring me Max's pants, the ones he took off while in his crib and threw across the room, you brought me a blanket, a book, a toy, and another book, but no pants. You are so funny!
01.15.12We spent the night at Gammy and Gampy's tonight. After your bath you toddled out into the living room with your towel wrapped around you. Gammy told you to hold your towel very tight, and you did... until you saw your Da Da and then you threw your arms up, shrieked, and dropped your towel right onto the floor. You are a very crazy little girl!
01.14.12Today we put you and your brother down for a nap at 1:00 PM. Two hours later, at 3:00 PM, we were STILL hearing lots of happy, playful noises from your nursery... you both did eventually sleep though, for less than an hour! Needless to say, we had an early bedtime tonight!
01.13.12We bundled you and Max up today and decided to take you outside to get some fresh air! I must say that you are hands down the CUTEST little thing when you are all bundled up...I think it's the cheeks, but you are simply adorable. We held your hand as we walked to the park, you actually INSISTED that Dad hold your hand, but when we got there we let go and figured you and Max would enjoy the freedom to run wild! You, however, have very limited experience when it comes to walking on uneven surfaces, such as grass, since you learned to walk right before the temperature plummeted. You were determined though, and when we looked back to make sure you were following us, we found that you had continued to walk in the same direction we had come in, instead of turning towards the swing set. Even when we called you, you refused to change your course. I had to come back to retrieve you and figured out that the reason you weren't following us was because when you tried to walk in that direction the sun was shining in your eyes and you couldn't see! This was also why you refused to look at us when we called you! You are such a funny little thing! You were oh so happy to be reunited with your swing. You LOVE LOVE LOVE to swing! And today was no exception. On the way home we let you walk by yourself, mainly because you refused to hold anyone's hand. It took quite awhile for your little legs to get you home. Dad stayed behind while Max and I went ahead. Apparently you were going WAY out your way to walk on the snow. Dad thinks it was because you very much enjoyed the crunch of your footsteps. You were one very sad girl when we finally brought you back inside.
01.12.12You are my little helper. You are always bringing me things that either you or Max have taken that you know you are not supposed to have... sometimes even things that we have given Max but for whatever reason you do not believe he should have. You are very good at listening, most of the time, and you absolutely LOVE to help Mom. You are always eager to help put your toys away and you are usually the one to finish the job since Max generally runs away within the first few minutes of cleaning. Today when Max was getting into a cupboard and I told him to close it, he just walked away instead. So I asked you to close it for me and you immediately toddled over and obediently shut the door. You are a very good girl...when you want to be. I hope you continue to be such a good little helper! I can see that I am going to need one!
01.11.12You must think I'm not very bright... today at breakfast when I told you to put your food in your mouth you pretended to pick up an orange slice and popped that imaginary piece right into your mouth. Then smiled at me. Oh what am I to do with you? You devious little thing!
