Hhhmmm?

Dear Zoe,

Sometimes, when I ask you a question, you will look at me and say "actually" and then press your pointer finger to your lips and say "hhhmmm". Sometimes that is your whole answer... and sometimes you will give a "real" answer.

Where in the world did that come from?

You make me giggle.
Mommy

Night and Day, I Love You, Too

Dear Zoe,

Today was a bit of a rough day. Not odd... you're a toddler. You had moments of wonderful behavior and moments of meltdowns.

An example...

When we went to dance class at the YMCA you walked all by yourself, like such a big girl. You held your umbrella for the rain and walked right next to me all the way to the door.

When we left dance class you were a different child. You dilly dallied down the sidewalk. You stopped right in the middle of the parking lot. I had to drag you kicking and screaming to the car. You cried and kicked all the way home.

Night and day.

Sometimes it's hard to ride the roller coaster with you. It makes for long days.

But then tonight... tired and ready for bed... with no coaxing from me... you came over to me, hugged my lap and announced "I love you Mommy. I love you." And each time I would answer "I love you Zoe" you would respond with another "I love you Mommy".

What a way to end the day.

I love you Zoe!
Mommy

Fashion Statement

Dear Zoe,

Sometimes the little things you do make me laugh. You come up with things... and I wonder where the ideas came from.

Today we were just finished getting showered and dressed. We about to go downstairs and get our shoes on. Ready to go for lunch with Alex and Larisa at their house. You had been opening and closing your drawers... seeming interested in finding something... just very busy.

I finally called out to you from the top of the stairs, "Zoe, are you ready to go?" You called back "OK Mommy, I ready!" Out you walked... with one of your old baby bibs planted flat on top of your head. (There is a small drawer full of them... just a drawer I've never emptied). I asked "What's that on your head?" You answered "Hat!" and gave me a look as if to say "Duh! Silly Mommy."

You wore that bib on your head all the way downstairs, all the time we were putting on shoes, all the way out to the car, for the entire short car ride, and then into the house. There it stayed until Alex asked you what it was. You answered "Hat!" then took it off and put it on the floor. It was like your mission was accomplished.

You sure do keep Mommy busy wondering what you'll do next.
Love you,
Mommy

Cousins

Dear Zoe,

Right now you have 4 cousins: Larisa is 5, Avery is 4, Alex is 3, and Nina is 6 months. You have had your very own version of each of their names. Not one of them was "correct" for you in the beginning.

Larisa = Issa
Avery = Wavery
Alex = Ax
Nina = Eena

You corrected yourself on Alex a couple months ago and now actually say Alex. Issa turned into Risa just a couple weeks ago. And just yesterday you said "Nina" for the first time. Just another way your language skills are growing!

In January we will be adding a new cousin to the list. Can't wait to hear what your version of the new baby's name will be!

Love, Mommy

More Words

Dear Zoe,

More and more words. You use full sentences now (sometimes). You answer "yes" and "no" and mean it (usually). I can go through a list of snacks and you can tell me which one you want. You can ask for a specific book you want to be read. There are still times you struggle with getting your point across... times when we frustrate you by not quite understanding... but we're getting there.

Some of your new interesting words (and some that have been sticking around)...

Noodle = nuddle (like puddle)
Butterfly = bu-fly
Mickey Mouse = E Mouse
Kitty cat = E cat
Robot = oo bot

You also have a few things you say that you've kind of worked out as your way to say things. Like when you want to be picked up and carried you will say "carry you?" and reach your arms up. I think you just picked this up since I will ask you if you want me to carry you. Before I pick you up to do the stairs, or walk across the grass I will ask "Should I carry you?" I think you just figure the process is called "carry you" because it's what you say every time.

You've also started saying "my try?" I think it's a combination of "my turn" and "can I try?" You use it exactly for those things. If you want a turn on a swing... "my try?" If we're eating something and you want some.... "my try?" If we're using a pen and you want to write..."my try?" If I'm drinking ice coffee and you want a sip..."my try?" And, it it's something you can't really have a turn with (like scissors) you get quite angry and repeat over and over "my try, my try, my try?"

You have also claimed the outside. You will bang on the door and yell "my outside!" Usually it means you want to go outside... or you're upset that we've made you come inside before you were ready. It seems you like to make sure everything is yours.

You've also really started copying everything we say quickly. The other day Mommy got her new Harry Potter book in the mail. I showed Daddy and said "Isn't it just so exciting?" You've been saying "o exciting" at random times now. You also picked up the word "amazing" although I'm not sure when we said it. And I've heard you say "cute" and "cool" a few times.

We really have to watch what we say around you now... you're like a little sponge, absorbing every little word. It is so exciting to see you learning new things every day. We can't wait to hear what you say next!

Love, Mommy

Weeee!!!

Dear Zoe,

Mommy and Daddy decided that it was time that we both got bikes. Today we picked them up from the bike store. You were so excited you couldn't even wait for Daddy to get Mommy's bike home. While we waited for him you sat in your brand new bike seat and I made all the seat belts the right length and hooked you all in. You sat there and waited for quite a while. You've never ridden on the back of a bike... but boy, did you know what that seat was for.

Daddy finally made it back and we hooked your seat onto my bike. You were ready to go... and were thrilled to have your helmet on. I have to say I wasn't quite as excited. I was a little nervous. I hadn't ridden a bike in quite a while... so I was really hoping I wouldn't fall or crash with you on the back.

Guess I was worried for no good reason. We rode around the neighborhood... and Mommy didn't crash once!

The whole time we were riding around you were yelling "wee! wee!". When you weren't expressing your glee... you were waving at people and yelling "HI!"

Those bikes were a little expensive... but they were worth every penny.

Can't wait to ride again!

Love, Mommy

Happy 2nd Birthday!

Dear Zoe,

You are 2 years old today. 2 whole years. Where did that time go? How have you become such a big girl?

It really seems like just in the last week you've really outgrown being a "baby". Someone, somewhere, flipped a switch... and you're a big toddler girl now.

You're really talking. I mean, you've been "talking" for a while. But all of a sudden we can really understand almost everything you say. You have figured out that you know what you want... and can ask for it. I don't know about Daddy... but when you ask Mommy for something, I sure do have a hard time saying no. Guess I'll have to work on that. I can't be giving you cookies for breakfast just because you can suddenly say "cookie peese?"

And, after trying to let you have lunch while sitting in a chair instead of your high chair, I realize it's not quite a good idea yet... even when you do say "no chair Mommy, other chair". You even climbed up all by yourself and did a pretty good job. Doesn't work too well though. More pizza ended up on the floor than in your mouth.

You're newest question is "my try?" This seems to be your combination of "my turn" and "can I try?" This request has been pretty easy so far. Usually it's when you want something, like to write with a pencil, or look at a book... but sometimes it's because you want the scissors, or Mommy's iced coffee. You are so persistent. Repeating "my try, my try?!?" Guess I'll need to find some safety scissors for you... and maybe start drinking decaf (maybe).

You walked down the stairs all by yourself for the first time. Usually I walk in front of you... or you hold my hand. Sometimes we bump down the stairs. This time you told me "no Mommy" and pushed me back away from the stairs. You walked to the railing, held on, and went for it. You did such a good job. No falling for you. You took a second to check back and make sure I was still waiting at the top. When you got to the bottom we cheered and you announced "OK Mommy" and off you ran.

You're doing so very many things. So many new things you weren't doing just last week. So many things that I know I won't ever be able to write them all down. Hopefully I'll be able to jot down enough. Write down the things that really stand out.

You're getting so big.
Too big, too fast.
I have to remember you're not a baby anymore.
I'll try to keep up.

Love,
Mommy

Snack

Dear Zoe,

I was reminded of something today.

A month or 2 ago we were all (Grammy, PopPop, Daddy, Mommy and you) sitting in the TV room. You suddenly got up, without a word, and left the room. That wasn't unusual. You're definitely starting to have your own mind about what you're doing and when you're doing it. We all sat and listened to see if we could hear you. It sounded like you were playing in "your kitchen drawer" and then it got quiet. A minute (maybe) passed. All of a sudden you're standing in the doorway holding the box of strawberries. You held it up, said "bay-yees", and we all laughed. It was just so surprising. The first time you got it in your mind that it was time to snack and just helped yourself. I think if you could've gotten the box open we would've found you sitting in the kitchen covered in berries.

Today this was brought into my mind because you did it again. This time you told Daddy and I ahead of time. You just suddenly said "snack?" After repeating it for us a couple times you lead me to the kitchen (another new thing... you grab my hand and lead me to things you want). You opened the refrigerator and looked around a bit. You finally made your decision and as you grabbed the container of leftover noodles you announced "nuddles" (said like puddles). "Nuddles, nuddles, nuddles." You ate almost the whole container.

You're just becoming such a big girl.
Love,
Mommy

Smartie Pants

Dear Zoe,

Sometimes you shock me with the things you come up with. I'm not sure how your brain works, or how you process things to remember what you do. You're not even 2 years old and the things you think amaze me.

This morning you were in your crib and I was pulling your clothes out to wear for the day. I opened the shirt drawer and picked a shirt. I put it on you while you were still in the crib (you just love to run away when we try to dress you!). Before I could close the drawer you started yelling "Ina! Ina's shirt! Ina's shirt!" It took me a minute to figure out. But, there in the drawer was your new ladybug t-shirt. The one I just bought you that you hadn't worn yet. The one I also bought for cousin Nina (in the matching onesie version). The one she just wore at their picnic on Saturday. That was 5 days ago! You saw her in it for a couple hours! How did you remember that??? Such a smartie you are.

Oh, here's another thing that surprised me. You have been saying your "ABCs" and "counting" for quite a while now. I can't even say for sure when I first heard you chanting them. I can tell you that you can count to 13... and this is because we have 13 stairs that we count each time we go up and down them. Sometimes you miss a number when you do it on your own. Or you skip "1" (Why don't you like 1?). Or you start at 8. But, sometimes you count straight from 1-13. But you surprised me this week. You counted in Spanish! I know that on Fridays in school Franklin (one of your teachers) has a little "lesson" with your toddler class. I know you've said "hola" quite a few times. But you counted in Spanish!!! No prompting. Just suddenly felt the urge to count in Spanish. You blow me away.

I know lots of moms think their kids are smart... but, boy Zoe, you're just the smartest!

Love you,
Mommy

More Words

Dear Zoe,

Daddy and I are now jotting down words and things on a notepad on the fridge whenever something strikes us... or when we remember something you've done in the past. It is just so fun to experience new things with you.

When something has been too hard for you to pick up you've always made sure to show us how you struggle. Exaggerating your lift and grunting, even if you were only pretending to try so hard. Now you've added the word heavy... only you say "heaby". You'll pull and pull, then look at us and just say "oh, heaby" and keep trying until we help.

Along with "heaby" you also learned to say "reach it". You do your same struggle... but with arms in the sky. Usually it's about something on a high shelf, or the kitchen counter. Anything too high for you to get. You just stretch and stretch and finally say "reach it, reach it". I have a very hard time not giving you something when you make such an effort. Luckily it's usually something of yours that you want.

Grammy recently gave you some stickers. Oh were they fun. You were so excited and told everyone who would listen "my stee-kahs". Now I just love to give you sheets of stickers so I can hear you say "yeah, stee-kahs!"

A favorite "game" of yours has been to pretend to sleep. The first time you did it you were on Daddy's and my bed. You put your head on the pillow, motioned for help with the covers, looked at me and said "sleepies" and closed your eyes and started to snore. It was so funny. It made you giggle so much when I did "sleepies" with you. Since that first time it has become a rather regular game. Sometimes on our bed, sometimes on the couch with a pillow and blanket. Sometimes in random places. Always you will announce "sleepies" and then close your eyes and snore. You also expect us to join you. We have to lay down, pull up the covers, close our eyes, and snore. At that point you'll always yell "ee up Mommy!" or "ee up Daddy!" Your version of "get up!"

The newest thing you do to me is ask if you should eat something. You'll hold up whatever it is and ask "Eat it?" And then you wait for my response. Usually whatever you find is food. Something you've had for snack. A cheerio, a golf fish, a piece of cracker. You're pretty good about responding to my answer too. I'll say "yes" if it's something you just ate... and you pop it in your mouth. I'll say "no" if I have no idea how old or where something came from. When I say "no" I'll usually offer you something else and you accept it as a fair trade. Occasionally you're not too happy about giving something up though. The most recent "eat it?" upset was a boogie (eeww). Finger in the nose, boogie out. You looked at it, looked at me and asked "eat it?" I guess you expected a "yes"... because when I said "no" and took it with a tissue you had a regular meltdown. I have to say, I was quite impressed that at 23 months old you thought to ask before just popping it in your mouth (again, eeww)!

Love you bunches,
Mommy

Commands

Dear Zoe,

Sometimes you are a very demanding little girl. I'm sure one day soon we will mind that you think you can tell us what to do. But, for now, it's kind of entertaining.

You especially like to tell us when and where to sit down. The very first time you did this was in church. We were all standing up, but I sat you down on the pew. (You're getting very heavy!) You pulled at me, then patted the bench and said as clear as day "sit down, Mommy, sit down, Mommy". Since then you let everyone know when you'd like them to sit by you. It's something you say very clearly. No one questions what you are saying. You put great emphasis on each word.

You also have picked up saying "come on". When we go somewhere and you are walking, I will usually try to keep you moving by saying "come on Zoe, come on". Now you say that to everyone and everything you want to come your way. (And, as you say it you use this sweeping arm motion. So funny.) We've heard "come on Mommy" and "come on Daddy" numerous times. I know Grammy has gotten it quite a bit too. My favorite though, is when you use it on things. "Come on, boo-yeahs" (when the wind is blowing bubbles away from you). "Come on, bee" (when the carpenter bees are at the roof line). "Come on, kitty" when the neighbors cat is across the street. "Come on, baby" when you're ready to take your dolly up for a snooze. Who could say no when you say "come on"?

Hopefully as you get older your "commands" will remain as sweet!

Love,
Mommy

Words

Dear Zoe,

Part of the reason to start these letters was to remind you (and ourselves) of some of the cute ways you said different words. It will be difficult to write them down in the way you pronounce them... but I'll do my best. Every day you say new things... some very clearly, and others in your own way that we have to decipher.

When you first starting saying "Mommy" it sounded very similar but with "nn" for the "mm".
Mommy = Monny

For "Daddy"... it was similar... "b" was in place of "d".
Daddy = Boddy or Bobby

"Where are you?" always sounds like one big word. It has slowly become more clear... but still one big word.
Where are you? = whe-ah-yee?

The same is true for "here you go". One word.
Here you go = ee-ya-go

Other simple words are...
Doggie = Dough-gie
Bubbles =boo-yeahs
Berries = bay-yees

That's my list for today. I'll try to add more as I think of them. Listening to you chatter is one of my very favorite things.

Love,
Mommy

Beginning

Dear Zoe,

You are constantly amazing us. Every day you seem to say something new, or do something we haven't seen before. For months and months Daddy keeps saying "we really need to write these things down". I always agree with him... but just haven't taken the time to make notes. I'm just so busy watching you grow, and I never want to miss something. You are just getting so very big so very quickly. Weren't you just born yesterday? How is it I'm starting to make plans for your second birthday party??? You will be 2 years old in just over a month. 2 whole years!

I have a lot of notes to catch up on. A lot of things we want to remember, so we can tell you how you would keep us laughing... keep us smiling... keep us on our toes... keep us amazed. So, this is how I've decided to do it (or at least try to). I know I won't be able to write everything down, but I'm hoping to capture some highlights. All of the things that make us love you so very very much.

I love you sweet girl,
Mommy