More Cuteness...

Baby It's Cold Outside

Well, not so much anymore...but it was last week and so Zoë and I stayed holed up during the day.  I got some cute, snuggley winter pictures of the little lass while we were hanging out at home.

For the most part, everyone insists that Zoë looks like me.  But, I have to say she inherited this look from her Daddy!  I've seen it more than a couple of times on that man I married.

I never get tired of seeing them snuggled up together.  This is my bliss.

Ok, I had to include this one because it is classic.  Penny knows she can't get away with this with either Kit or me...so she totally takes advantage of our guests!  And Aunt Kristen was MORE than happy to oblige! ;) 

What I've Been Doing...

What I've been doing instead of blogging:

1) Staring into Zoë's beautiful eyes.

2) Changing lots of diapers.

3) Making difficult decisions.

4) Pumping breast milk.

5) Occasionally showering.

6) Cooking.

7) Lots of laundry.

8) Giggling with Zoë.

9) Passing out while watching movies with Kit.

10) Trying to remember to take lots of pictures & video of this growing girl.

So, forgive me for my silence...this mom stuff is serious work! ;)

2 Months

Dear Zoë,

As of yesterday you are 2 months old.  And to say that time is flying by is a serious understatement!  You did very well at your 2 month pediatrician appointment today.  You now weigh 11lbs 11oz (I guess that's your number!) and you are 22 1/2 in long.  You had to get your first vaccination shot and you were not happy. :(  To hear you scream in pain broke my heart into little pieces!  I don't look forward to having to do that again every couple of months.  But I am so pleased with the way you are growing and staying so healthy!

This month has brought us many, many lovely smiles from you.  You are also just starting to coo.  Mornings are the best time to catch you in a good mood and that's when you do the most smiling & talking.  Your specialty right now is big full body smiles where it's like you have to have your arms and legs involved in order to make it good.  So cute!  A few things that you love: your tongue, blowing bubbles, your fist.  You won't have anything to do with a paci...but, you are desperately trying to find your thumb!  You love to shove that little fist of yours in your mouth and suck away.  Yep, I think we're going to have a thumb sucker one of these days.

I pulled out your play gym this week.  I wasn't sure when exactly you would be interested in it...but, it was definitely the right time!  As soon as I put you under it you started kicking your legs and shaking your arms in excitement.  It was so cute!  Now it's one of your favorite places to be during your playtime.  You're still enjoying your swing, too.  And as you can see from the pictures you are rockin' tummy time!  You are starting to enjoy getting your diaper changed and you *love* bath time.  And, thank the Lord, you finally like riding in the car!  

A couple of weeks ago you got your first bottle.  This was a bittersweet moment for Mommy.  While I cherish the thought of being able to go out and stay gone for more than 2 hours...I was a little sad that you took to the bottle so easily.  Not that I'm complaining!  It just made me feel like maybe you don't need me as much as I like to think you do.  Oh, who am I kidding...of course you need me!! ;)  But, I'm also glad that Daddy is a champion bottle-giver.

Last week you also started taking naps in your big-girl crib.  I took this picture after a particularly good day of naps.  On this day you actually put yourself to sleep lying in your crib.  This was a first!  Usually, you insist on being rocked to sleep.  Unfortunately this little trend hasn't stuck and we're back to rocking.  But it was a good day and hopefully a sign of what's to come.

And speaking of sleeping...girl, we really need to have a discussion about your sleep habits.  You've had several nights of going 6 hours between feedings starting in mid-December.  But, you rarely do more than two nights of this in a row.  And lately it's like you've regressed and you're back to waking every 3 hours to eat.  No ma'am!  Now, I know you can do it...and the pediatrician assures me that your tummy is big enough to go 6 hours at night.  So, can we try to make this a habit?  Please...you love your mommy, right?

Here are some of the names that we've taken to calling you.  I assure you they are all said in love...

Zoë B

Milk-face

Zo baby

Baby girl

Zed-face (This one's all the way from London!  You'll have to ask your Aunt Sarah about it.)

Fat baby

Oh little Zoë, you sure are making life sweet.  You keep growing and we'll keep lovin' on you.

Love,

Mama

Heaven

Sometimes a pop song hits you right when you least expect it.  Zoë and I were home alone today and I was watching a music documentary.  Well, I really just had it on in the background while I was doing stuff around the house.  I was washing dishes when I heard Bryan Adams performing his song "Heaven" with only him, an acoustic guitar and a violinist.  I have to admit it was beautiful.  I've always loved that song...but, mostly in an 80's-childhood-memories kind of way.  When I heard it today I was touched...and as embarassing as it is, I was moved by this old pop song.  I heard the words to this classic rock ballad in a completely new way.  As my eyes slowly filled with tears, I picked up my baby girl to share a dance.  We danced around the room to the song that once held only a place for junior high romance.  We danced and tears streamed down my face as it hit me just how much I feel that I am in "heaven".  I thought about the past year and all the tears I cried wishing she was here.  And I cried new tears of complete gratitude for finally holding my angel.  We danced and I sang along...I held her tight and meant every word...

Oh, once in your life you find someone

Who will turn your world around

Bring you up when you're feeling down

Now nothing can change what you mean to me

Oh, there's lots that I could say

But just hold me now

'Cause our love will light the way

Baby you're all that I want

When you're lying here in my arms

I'm finding it hard to believe

We're in heaven

And love is all that I need

And I found it there in your heart

It isn't too hard to see

We're in heaven

I've been waiting for so long

For something to arrive

For love to come along

Now our dreams are coming true

Through the good times and the bad

I'll be standing there by you