Playing Catch Up!

Well, here I am playing catch up on my blogging again! I won't even promise to do better this time ~ I know better!

Since my last post in MARCH :), so much has happened! First and foremost, our little girl has turned 2 - I just cannot believe how the time flew by!

It seems like just yesterday we welcomed Zoe into this world and now she is such a big girl! And what a talker! Zoe comes up with the darnedest things to say! Here are a few of my favorites...

• When told she needed to take a nap - "I no need a nap - I took one yesterday." In the same conversation, she informed me that she didn't need a nap because "she slept late."

• I wanted Zoe to see the trains when they started coming through EC, so one day on the way home from school, I saw one coming. I stopped the car, got out, and we waited for it to come by. Of course, the train was too loud and too big for my little girl and it scared her to death! She started to cry so I got her back in the car apologizing over and over to her for scaring her. I felt terrible! Once in the car, I told her again, "I'm sorry I scared you, Zoe." She promptly responded, "No, Mama, choo-choo train scare me!" I don't know if she was trying to make me feel better or not, but it worked!

• Here lately, she has gotten into the habit of saying, "I be right back. You stay here," if she has to leave the room to get something. I need to get this one on video - she points her finger at me and is very authoritative when she says it.

Not only does she say the funniest things...some times she does the funniest things. Several weeks ago, I glance into the backseat to find this...

She's such a ham! Last week, we went to one of Tyler's All-Star games. We sat on the bottom row on the bleachers and Zoe decided she wanted to jump. She'd count to 10 and then jump as high and as far as she could off that bottom row. She'd hit the ground and then turn around with the biggest smile on her face and scan the crowd to see who was watching her. It was like she was expecting applause! I think I've got a future cheerleader on my hands!

Of course, things aren't always fun and games! We still haven't gotten her to sleep in her own bed and just about all loud noises scare her. She's becoming a very picky eater. Her favorites now are raisins, Gerber's fruit strips, jello, chips and hot dogs. Going "bye-bye" is the latest thing - she is constantly wanting to go, go, go! If it was up to her we'd never be home!

Speaking of never being at home, we have been on the move a lot lately. In April, we had Dylan's Birthday party, Easter, the WCYF Cookoff (Cottonmouth Cookers got 2nd place in brisket!) and we spent some time at the fair with Cheyenne and Tyler. In May, Jeff and I enjoyed a weekend away in New Braunfels for Memorial Day. Zoe stayed at our house with her Memaw. They had a blast. The next weekend was her birthday and we celebrated with a combined party for Zoe and Riley. In June, we traveled to Cape Carancahua for Popo Tom's 70th Birthday party. We also spent the 4th of July weekend there as well.

Here are a few pics of the past few months!

Jeff & Zoe at the Wharton County Youth Fair.

The Birthday girls!

Amie and I were so proud of ourselves for pulling off a pretty decent birthday party at the last minute! May was a busy month and neither one of us had much time to plan, but the party was a success and we all had a great time.

Zoe with her Mema and Popo at Tom's 70th Birthday Party.

Me and Zoe watching the Parade at the Cape on the 4th of July. One of the fire trucks honked their big, loud horn just as Jeff took the picture! This was when Zoe decided that "me no like fire trucks!" Later we went down to the park to watch fireworks which Zoe took to mean fire trucks - she wouldn't get out of her car seat. She kept telling us she didn't like fire trucks and wanted to go bye-bye! You try explaining that fire works are not fire trucks to a 2-year-old!

Our first trip to the library!

Zoe loved it - of course, they had puzzles! She loved the "puppy" in this picture and wanted to take it home!

Matagorda Beach

Jeff, Zoe & I were invited by Aunt Cindy & Uncle Mike to stay with them in their travel trailer down at Matagorda for the weekend. We took them up on the offer and drove down Friday after work - and had a blast!! Mike & Cindy left on Thursday morning and stayed through Sunday - this was at the new RV park that just opened at the end of Beach Road. This park is wonderful - the lot was right on the river and was the closest the pier. Perfect for fishing and therefore perfect for Jeff!!

Of course, as soon as we got there Zoe headed for the water! She is definitely her mother's child - a water baby through and through! We got in just as it was getting dark. Jeff set up his lights (after much frustration with the wind!) and Zoe & I visited with the crew (George & Darlene and their bunch were only 3 lots down). George and Stephanie made an awesome etouffee which in itself would have been worth the drive! Jeff fished most of the night. He caught one flounder and thought it wasn't a keeper. Turned out it was - that's what he gets for not having his trusty little book handy!

On Saturday, Zoe was up bright and early at 7:30 am. I was surprised because she didn't sleep well and at one point (around midnight) I thought I was going to have to get up with her - she wanted to go fishing with Daddy!

After breakfast, Adisyn arrived (with Mark & Tina, of course) and it was play time after that! We took all the girls (Zoe, Adisyn, Bailey & Karolyne) to the playground. Zoe loved the slide! The steps were built for little people and she could climb them herself! Our daughter is fearless! We had a blast - with Tina posted at the top of the slide and me at the bottom acting as photographer! Jeff even took a break from fishing and once he arrived, Zoe wouldn't go down the slide unless her Daddy was watching!

Jeff did catch one sand trout which he showed the girls. Adisyn loved it. She wanted to hold it and kept going back to the bucket to see it. Zoe wanted to see it, but took one little touch and pulled her hand back saying, "Ewww!" Hopefully she will grow out of that!

Later, we walked down closer to the beach so that the girls could play in the water. We found a nice little spot where the water wasn't deep. It was freezing (by Mommy standards), but the girls didn't mind a bit! They splashed and played, but neither were adventurous enough to do "under water"! After awhile, both were shivering, but neither wanted to get out of the water to head back to the campsite! While we were there, we gathered some shells and got to watch a hermit crab "walk".

We left Saturday evening. One day was enough to wear us all out, but what an adventure. It was fun just to watch Zoe discover all the new things that only the beach can offer. Seagulls and pelicans, sand and seashells, "big boats" and real live fish. This trip was a blast and now I can't wait to go back! I am really looking forward to summer!

Happy Birthday, Adisyn!

Today is Adisyn's 2nd Birthday - I cannot believe our little girls are growing up so fast! It seems like just yesterday we were all crowded into the labor and delivery room at GCMC waiting for her arrival! I didn't think you could fit that many people into one little room! Christine and Mark had Adi's party at Cindy's. It was a "Princess Party" complete with a Cinderella cake decorated by Mark himself! Happy Birthday, Adisyn!! We love you!

After the party, Amie brought Riley over for a sleep over! Our friend, Perri, got married and Amie and David went to party with the newlyweds. Riley is the perfect baby. She sat and watched Zoe, played with some toys and only cried once (and that was only because Zoe threw a toy at her!!) Zoe tolerated having a "baby" around pretty well. You could tell she was jealous, but other than the one throwing incident she played with Riley and even "read" her a few books! When I went to rock Riley at bedtime, Zoe had to join her on my lap! I told Amie that we'd babysit any day for her. Riley slept from 9 at night to almost 9 the next morning and woke up happy and talkative! It was fun to have a "baby" around again. I'd forgotten what is was like to have to make a bottle and spoon feed a little one!

First Zoo Trip

Zoe's first trip to the Zoo was an adventure to say the least!! I thought that this would be a great age to take Zoe on her first Zoo adventure, but as it turns out, she didn't have the great big awe reaction that I had imagined. She enjoyed walking around on her own and the trees and flowers more than the animals themselves. It didn't help that while we were making the rounds, it was nap time for most of the animals so there wasn't much excitement going on! I was hoping that she would get to hear the big animal noises (an elephant trumpeting, a lion roaring) - maybe next time! She liked the zebras, the aquarium and the sea lions the best. By the time we'd made it around to the gift shop, she was tuckered out. I picked out a stuffed elephant for her and she loves it! I think we will be going back to the Zoo, but probably not until next year!


Zoe checks out the ducks in the Children's Zoo.

Zoe loved the aquariums! She even got to see her favorite Disney characters...Nemo and Dory!


Zoe and her new elephant.

Wee Lil' Yankees Fan

My friend, Dory, submitted her daughter's picture to the Victoria Advocate's Seen on the Scene last week and it was published on Friday. So, of course, Zoe was jealous and made me submit hers! It was published yesterday!!! Here is a scan of her picture in the paper. It can still be viewed online at http://community.victoriaadvocate.com/home/ViewPost/33146.

Quality Time With Dad

Jeff hates to be filmed (as you can tell by the last few seconds of this clip), but I just couldn't resist catching them together Tuesday night! Zoe loves to be read to and that night, only her Daddy would do!

First Hair Cut

Zoe got her first haircut on Feb. 8th. The whole family went to Expressions by Cathy for "Cuts for Cancer." Zoe did really well. At first she wasn't so sure about Cathy, but Cathy was great and Zoe warmed up to her! We only had a little bit of the back trimmed up and had her bangs done (they were getting into her eyes). Amazingly, now her hair in the back is a lot curlier!!

Sleeping Arrangements for Two

As if Jeff and I needed any more reason not to have another baby...

Adisyn came over for our first sleepover a few weeks ago - and even a king size bed isn't really big enough for me, Jeff and two little ones! Although I did enjoy being the center of attention for two little angels for awhile!

Has it really been 5 months???

Five months has gone by since my last post! Where does the time go? Here are a few pictures from the last five months...

Mark & Christine's Wedding

October 18, 2008

A trip to the timber. Zoe is showing off the quarter her Uncle Paul (Blumrick) gave to her.










Christmas Morning! Zoe's first Christmas was more memorable than her first...She loved opening her presents and was excited about the new stuff she got! I can't wait for next year!

Zoe's Rocks

I just have to take a few minutes to write about Zoe's Rocks.  My daughter is addicted to rocks.  She has to pick them up every where we go.  If we show up anywhere there are rocks present (especially Paul & Laurie's driveway), she immediately heads to the rock saying "Rocks, rocks" over and over.   I have started a little collection of them for her.  I'm trying to get a least one from each of her scavenges. 

This picture was taken on a trip to Matagorda that we took with David, Amie and family in August.  We were at a playground just off the beach and as usual, Zoe was picking up small rocks from the playground area.  We were just heading out to leave when she spotted these off to the side of the playground.  You should've seen her eyes - they got big and round just like you'd expect from a kid on Christmas morning!  She was very upset that she could not pick these rocks up and I had to finally pick her up and take her away!

I'm not sure where this obsession with rocks comes from.  She'll have 3-4 crammed into each little fist and will still try to pick up more.  She used to give them to either me or Jeff like a kind of present, but no more.  Now they are hers and you better not try to take them away.  Now the only time she gives them up is to collect more.

Hurricane Ike

We recently had a brush with disaster when Hurricane Ike narrowly missed our part of the country and hit Galveston/Houston head on.  With the projected path predicted to hit Matagorda Bay, we decided to leave and headed to San Antonio.  Our convoy, consisting of me, Cheyenne and Zoe in our car, Jeff in his truck, and Jeff's Mom and nephews, Wesley and Caiden headed out on Thursday (Sept. 11) - my birthday!  Happy Birthday to me!

We met Mike and Cindy and Amie, Tyler and Riley at the hotel.  We stayed close to Michelle's apartment where Mark, Christine, Adisyn and Mark's brother, Adam were staying.  One big happy family of evacuees!

Ike moved onshore missing El Campo and so we all headed back on Saturday morning.  All in all the trip was uneventful.  We did learn that Zoe does not like being cooped up in a hotel room and that she loves the swimming pool!

She is also getting really good at saying Amie (Mamie), Cheyenne (Shy), Tyler (Ty) and Riley (RiRy).  This morning (Wednesday the 17th)  she moved up from Mamie to what actually sounds like Amie!

Zoe was awesome in the car on the way there and back.  She played with her books and toys and watched out the window most of the time.  Never once crying or fussing to get out!  She didn't even need the DVD player I installed for her.

We have a lot of family now in Houston with no power including my Mom, Lisa and her family.  The damage on Galveston and surrounding coastal areas is hard to fathom.  Pictures and videos are terrible to see.  We cannot count our blessings enough that we were spared and I am reassured that my plan to leave for any storm predicted in this area is the right one.  I cannot imagine staying with no power, water or sewage.  Yuck.

Repeat After Me...

It is finally here - the age that I have been dreading.  You know, the one where your child suddenly learns to repeat everything that you do.  The day before yesterday, I was changing Zoe and talking to Jeff.  Of course I was being a smarty pants and said something followed by a very exasperated sigh. And what does my girl do?  Repeat after me!  Not the kind of thing you want coming out of the cutest little girl in the whole world's lips!  

Now we are on red alert to watch our language and every little move!  

On the other hand, she's picking up lots of new words.  Socks, shoes, pink, purple and she is working hard to say names!  Mimi instead of Memaw...Mami instead of Amie.  She's getting there!  

Random Memories

This post's soul purpose is to provide a place for me to jot down random memories that come to mind...

One evening, sometime after Zoe's first birthday, we are at home alone.  I was playing on the floor in the living room with her just wrestling around like we sometimes do.  Zoe likes to be picked up and flipped around.  At one point, she happened to be laying on my stomach with her head near my belly button.  Next thing I know, she pulled up my shirt and blew a giant raspberry on my belly!  I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants.  We spent the next few minutes laughing and blowing raspberries on each other bellies.  I genuinely think that it was the most fun I have ever had!  Sadly, she hasn't done anything like it since that day.  But what fun we had!

Zoe's first steps were taken in her playpen on the front porch of our rent house in Wharton.  I happened to catch them out of the corner of my eye and asked Jeff, "Did she just walk across the playpen." He agreed that's what he thought he saw, too.  A few days later, she took two steps in the kitchen of the same house.  I was very excited to have my daughter learn to walk, but once she started walking, she no longer wanted to just hang out in the playpen! This picture was taken that same day. We didn't catch these first steps on film!

Guilt of a Mother

For the first 6 months or so of my daughter's life I was dedicated to journaling her every move.  What she ate, how much she grew, what she did - every milestone was recorded.  Then came the ear infections.  

Sleepless nights, doctor's visits and killer antibiotics.  We were all miserable.  Finally our pediatrician recommended PE tubes and 3 weeks later we handed our baby girl over to a nurse who vowed "to take good care of her." Two weeks after that, life could not have been any more different.  We finally got to experience sleeping through the night on a regular basis again and my husband and I were able to claim our bedroom back!

That's not to say there were no happy times during the ear infection phase.  Zoe learned to crawl, pull up, cruise and walk all before her tubes were put in.  But none of those milestones (the big ones!) were recorded in such a way as the ones before.  And I cannot tell you how this weighed on me.  So badly that I couldn't pick up the pen again.  I would tell myself "It's been too long."  She won't understand all the time that has gone by.  I'll just hide that first journal away and she'll never know!  

Today, I read a blog on a parenting website and thought what a great way to pick up the habit again.  So, from today forth, I am putting away my guilt and starting over.  Going backwards is harder than recording in the moment.  Details are lost - but the big picture remains.  I think that is all that is needed to let my little girl know that she is loved.  That the events in her life are monumentally important to both myself and her Daddy.  To let her know that she is our world!