The Zoe Chronicles - 1.5 years old

Dear Zoe,

You're practically a lady. You're so grown up now! I'm still amazed on a daily basis at the things you can do, have I ever mentioned you are a baby genius? You are so smart, and you are such a funny girl. You are our daily dinner entertainment, frankly our lives were B.O.R.I.N.G before we had you. Your dad and I would just sit around and just stare at each other blankly, but NOW we have YOU! You will wave your fork in your mouth. You like to "cheers" us. You'll giggle and show us your mouth of food. You'll stuff copious amounts of food in your mouth despite our pleading not too. Then, you'll clean your face and the tray, and the floor. You rock. We LOVE our little anal retentive baby. A chip off the ol' block you are. (notice I'm not mentioning which block)

We just went down south camping with Pete and Linda and you were a star! You were unsure of them at first, but hopefully they didn't take it personally. You are shy with everyone now! Even the moms in the mothers group that you have known and seen weekly your whole life! But, by the end of the trip, you and Linda were best mates. You were even opting to hold HER hand rather than mine. I understand though. Linda is F.U.N. There was even a loud wedding on the night that we were camping, and the horrible 80's music was blaring until 1am, and although you tossed and turned, you never woke up. This is so admirable, frankly, I think you're a super hero. The whole campground was awake except for you. Zoe the Wonder Babe. Zoe the Amazing (ok, that's more magician than super hero). Zoe the One Who Sleeps Through Crap 80s Music. I can see Universal picking up the movie rights already.

You and daddy are enjoying your time together. You are still having a 2 hour nap around lunchtime, but you guys manage to get out lots before and after. The library is a frequent visit, and you'll have read all the books by the time I'm on my mat leave again! You go to the beach, go for bike rides, play in parks, catch up with the other moms and babes, and daddy even takes you shopping here and there! I know he's loving his time with you, and we're lucky that we could swing this arrangement!

Things you love to do:

* dancing whenever you hear music

* lug Wolfie around wherever you go

* taking your shoes off (and then trying to chew on them when we're not looking)

* SAND! can't get enough of the sand and the ocean

* keys with the window locks

* puzzles! and, by god, you can DO them all!

* cleaning (ahhhh, that's my girl!) -- you even put the toys away at the library after all the other babies went home!

* patronize Pasha. you love following her around to give hugs and kisses.

* running to mommy and daddy. this makes you giggle all the time.

Love you Squirm. You'll be such a great influence on Maxwell the 2nd. You'll be such a great older sister, hopefully you will enjoy that too.

Hugugugugug,

Mommy and Daddy

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A Pigeon Pair!

I'm pregnant again! And, aparently that's a term used to describe "one of each"... have you ever heard of it? Vote now to let me know!

I'm 3 months now, and we found out this week that we're having a boy. That opens up a whole new world of shopping, since we only have buckets of girlie fluffy pink stuff. We went for the 13 week ultrasound and at the end I asked if she could tell us the sex of the baby and she just plopped the thing on my belly and said "best guess is a boy". Now, it was quite quick, so I don't know if she had "seen" things early in the ultrasound or if, indeed, she could see weeny boy parts. I know some don't find out in the 13 week scan, so anyways, there's still a chance that it could be a girl (albeit the same odds as a female being president of the united states) but it's a very small chance.

I haven't been feeling sick at all, which also is consistent with my own theory that it is a boy. However, I was TIRED for about 3 weeks. And, I mean, pop-9-sleeping-pills-after-4-beers-and-watch-golf-on-tv kinda tired. I know RJ was starting to wonder if it would ever end. He was such a legend -- totally taking care of Zoe and the household 24 x 7. I was even starting to think I was missing out on Zoe's childhood. Alas, the tiredness ended and I've got most of my energy back.

Another thing that came quicker than I expected was my I'm-3-months-but-look-6-months pregnant belly. I'm convinced it's all baby and not the french fries that I have been consuming on a bucket-load basis. And, the jelly donut. That was good. Oh yeah, and the daily milkshakes (it's been HOT OK?).

Here's a little pic of the bub... we'll call him Maxwell the second (my first bump was nicknamed Max).

Enjoy the rest of your week -- we'll keep you updated.

The Zoe Chronicles - Our little slave

I was sitting on the couch and RJ was on the ottoman giving me a foot massage. Zoe climbed up on the couch beside me (consequently the climbing is something she just mastered a few days ago) and so RJ gave her a baby foot massage.

Then, she got down. Climbed up on the ottoman. And proceeded to give me a foot massage.

I love my little slave. She didn't even ask for money!!!

Next is a pedicure. I can trust an 18 month old with nail polish, right?

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RJ went out drinking with a friend...

...and came home a little giggly.

RJ: I don't think I can hold my liquor anymore. I only had 2 pints.

Me: RJ, dude, you haven't been a 2 pint man in a looooong time.

Me: In fact, you're more of a 2 bottle boy.

Me: Yup, you're my 2 bottle boy.

RJ: Does it bother you that I can't drink like I used to?

Me: Baby, I'm straight edge. And, anyways, if you were passed out drunk in my garden, naked, I physically wouldn't be able to lift you up.

Me: And, we're on one salary. It's actually convenient that you are a cheap date.

RJ: Why would I be naked?

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