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