Our Little Shopper

***To my family and friends (if you're still out there): I'm sorry this blog is so grossly outdated. Life is busier than ever for some reason. Rather than catching up, I'm going to "keep up" and work on Zoe's old monthly posts as time permits. Now, on to the post...***

Zoe enjoys pushing things. Chairs, her stroller, doors, whatever. If it can be pushed, she's pushing it! We recently visited a grocery store that has small grocery carts to be pushed by its smallest of patrons. Zoe had a blast pushing her grocery cart. She had a few crashes along the way (which she acknowledged by saying "boom"), but there was no stopping her....until we got to the bread and candy aisle. Zoe does not eat candy, but she was determined to place three bags of chocolate in her cart. When we removed said bags from her cart, she politely picked them back up and returned them to her cart. LOL. I think a toy shopping cart of her own will be added to our toy "wish list" for Zoe. (We're trying to pace ourselves so our home doesn't become a mini toy store, but it's hard to do with so many cute toys on the market) Zoe also enjoyed pushing the cart against the shelves. Price tags were flying off left and right, but Zoe, being the sweet heart that she is, made sure to stop and pick up the debris she was leaving behind. As a friend aptly pointed out, pushing the cart against the shelves probably helped her keep her cart going straight; good point. Zoe's one smart cookie!

Zoe also enjoys riding in the shopping carts that have little cars attached to the front. She's so proud to "drive" the basket around the store. If the car has two steering wheels, she takes great pleasure if driving with both steering wheels. That's what I call talent!

Zoe returning her chocolates to her cart:

Zoe "driving" through the store:

Our Budding Artist?

Zoe started her first "art" class on June 14. The class is called Dri.bbles and Scri.bbles and is offered at the children's mus.eum. The program theme for the summer is "Carnival of Animals." Each class starts with a quick story time and ends with music and instruments. The toddlers are exploring different animal shapes using different art media. Unfortunately we had to miss week #3 because Zoe wasn't feeling well, but in the first two weeks we've used finger paints, regular paint using brushes (at the art easel), paint dotters and painting with toilet paper rolls (who knew?). Each week Zoe creates a new piece of art and is supposed to add something to her personal canvas. At the end of the eight week session, she will have a canvas that contains a sample of each art medium used. Although this is supposed to be Zoe's art class, it feels like Mommy and Daddy are taking art classes because we're doing more art work than Zoe. Go figure! (But Zoe is personally adding to her canvas (except for a few dots from Daddy during week #2), so it'll be fun to display her art in her future play room) This class is confirming that Zoe, at least up to this point, is a girly girl because she does not like getting paint on her hands. It's pretty funny.

After each art class, we spend time playing in the children's mus.eum. I was able to convince my dear friend, Julie, to enroll her daughter, Kendall, in Zoe's art class. It's so fun watching Kendall and Zoe explore and play together.

Our Budding Artist

(Zoe loves spending time at the easel)

Week 1 Masterpiece (plus Zoe working on her canvas)

Scribbling with the "dotters"...Zoe wouldn't "dot" the paper.

Distressed by the paint on her hands.
Relieved to be washing her hands.

Week 2 Masterpieces

Playtime at the children's mus.eum

Zoe and Kendall...notice that Kendall actually looks like she's been to art class...I love it!

Zoe enjoyed squeezing the cow's teats at the museum's little farm

Standing at the silly mirrors....look at those legs

Zoe's First Birthday Party

Zoe's first birthday party is in the books! I always said I’d never throw a birthday party for a one-year-old, but I guess the old adage “never say never” really is true. As Zoe’s birthday started approaching, it only seemed appropriate to celebrate her big day in a special way, especially because our families are spread throughout the state and country. Rather than having an adult get-together, which is commonly what a first birthday party becomes, it was important to us to celebrate Zoe in a way that she could enjoy, so we hired Kin.dermu.sic to come to our home to conduct an age-appropriate music activity for all the kids to enjoy, and we tried to invite mostly babies. Initially, we were going to use a Baby E.inst.ein theme for Zoe's party, but as the decorations and party ware started arriving at our home, the theme suddenly felt too masculine for a girl's party. After some deliberation and searching around, the party morphed into a "cupcake" theme for the sweetest little girl on Earth! We had a blast!! The party was beyond perfect! Below are some pictures from the party. We hired a photographer to take pictures so we could focus on Zoe and be fully present for her party, which was well worth the money because we literally have hundreds of special pictures that we’ll treasure forever. I wish I could post them all here, but that's impossible.

The Birthday Girl

(I fell in love with this pettiskirt outfit, complete with a fluffy "cupcake" shirt)

Welcome Song - Everyone Sang Hello to Zoe

The Party Animals
(This picture cracks me up ~ a whole range of emotions going on and some of the babies refused to wear their hats...lol)

Our Little Family
Group Photo

Zoe's First Cake!!!
(She wasn't very impressed)

Zoe Loved Sharing Her Cake with Mommy and Daddy

Zoe was the First Baby to Leave her Party

(Zoe was pooped! She missed her nap due to all the excitement leading up to the party. It was hard for her to unwind in her crib, so she ended up napping on Mommy's chest as we said good-bye to our guests.)

Decorations
(I had fun with the decorations (and I had some made). My dear friends from Houston and San Antonio, and my sweet husband, helped me decorate into the wee hours of the morning)

Each baby received a favor bag with a cupcake shaped magnetic picture frame (duck frame for the boys), mini maracas, a Kin.der.mus.ic CD, and bubbles). Each family took home a box of gourmet cupcake mix.

This door tag greeted our guests. It says "Zoe's Cupcake Factory."

12 Months Old

Dear Zoe,

You're one?!?! Although this is such an exciting milestone, it's also a little sad for Mommy. I guess the appropriate phrase to use is "bittersweet." It amazes me that you've been with us in the flesh for a year. I can't believe that one year ago today I held you in my arms for the first time. I'll never forget that moment or when our eyes first met. What a special time, what an amazing day! This morning, before busying myself with preparing for your birthday party, you and I had some quiet time in bed. (Daddy was at work for the morning) Of course, you had no idea what today was, so you were just playing and doing your own thing. I talked to you and told you how special you are and how very much I love you. As I expressed my love to (and for) you, I could only cry. I must have cried for at least 15-20 minutes as I reflected over our first year together. Being your Mommy has been amazing and such an honor. You are such a blessing, Zoe!

You're doing so many fun things now. The most exciting to report is that two days ago you started....WALKING!!! Yay Zoe!!! Mommy was working from home the day you started walking because you had your first little cold. I was in the office working and daddy called me out to watch what you were doing. I was amazed as I watched you take those first steps. I'm so thankful that I didn't miss this milestone! Although you're definitely walking, you are still getting steady on your feet, and you still have to learn to stand back up when you fall. Mommy and Daddy just marvel at you, Zoe!

You now have two bottom teeth, and you're quite efficient at using them. You can now wave "hi", and you love squealing as loud as you possibly can for no apparent reason. You say "Dada" like crazy, but you're still working on "Mama". You have started eating a lot of finger foods as you gain independence, but one of your favorite foods of all time, which requires spoon feeding, is plain yogurt (sometimes we mix in a fruit puree). You'd eat yogurt all day, every day, if we let you. Speaking of food, you absolutely love sharing your food with Mommy and Daddy. You even shared your birthday cake with us! :-) You are super busy exploring the world around you, and with each new discovery or accomplishment, you stand and clap for yourself. Of course, Mommy and Daddy clap, too. Your favorite game is quickly becoming "peek-a-boo". You've started to learn how to cover your own eyes (sometimes you get close to your eyes, other times you don't, but you don't know or care...lol). You also love pulling Mommy's or Daddy's hands off our faces for the "boo" part of "peek-a-boo". You love climbing over things and people (mostly Daddy) to get from one item (or side of the room) to another. You're so playful and light-hearted. You're truly a sweet little girl.

What an amazing first year, Zoe! Mommy and Daddy love you so very much! You're an amazing little girl. You're beautiful inside and out. You're affectionate, happy, funny, loveable, kind and so much more. You're just perfect. Happy Birthday, Zoe!!!

My love ALWAYS,
Mommy

The Birthday Girl!

Happy Birthday, Zoe!

Our sweet Zoe is one! I cannot believe it has been a year since we first held her. Where has the time gone?! We celebrated Zoe's first year with a super fun cupcake-themed party. Pictures and a first year post to come soon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ZOE!!! Mommy and Daddy love you!

Zoe's First Cold

Today Zoe started showing symptoms of a cold. Runny nose, watery eyes and a slight cough. I breaks my heart to know she's feeling a little crummy. I wish I could just wish the cold away. Trevor and I prayed over Zoe, and we hope this cold will run it's cold very quickly. Feel better soon, baby girl. :-(

Our Little Helper

Zoe loves helping Trevor and I do things around the house. Whether it be loading (or unloading) the dishwasher, putting clothes in the washer or dryer, or putting laundry away, Zoe is right there eager to help. I hope Zoe's this eager to help out when she's a teenager. Here's our sweet Zoe in action:

Is this what you need Mommy?

Helping Daddy load dishes

Putting away groceries

Helping put laundry...away?

Putting clothes in the dryer