It's been too long since I got on here and tried to write down everything
that amazes me about you. In the last seven months you've grown so much in so
many ways, it's hard to believe sometimes. Your vocabulary never ceases to
amaze me. I love our conversations and that you can tell me what you
want/need. When you spit out sentences like "I hurt my finger" and "Drop in on
the floor"- or even two word phrases like, "diaper change", "wash hands",
"hold/carry you" and "get up"- I sometimes feel like I need to pick my mouth up
off the floor.
You're like a little sponge, absorbing everything around you...and you'll repeat anything you hear. You've learned to count to 16 all by yourself and can sing most of the alphabet without help. You're so close to learning "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and you've learned most of it from listening to the pre-recorded card you received from us for Valentine's Day. I love to hear you sing, especially, "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." You always ask about where family members are and when you'll get to see them next. You love to color and will come and ask me for crayons or markers- whichever you're feeling will be better that day. Last time I updated you hadn't started walking yet. Now you're running and you and I take walks as often as weather permits- you love to go outside, or go to the library and get books. Your love of reading melts my heart. I hope you continue to love reading as it will always be something you and I will share.
You bring so much laughter to our family. A few weeks ago, I got frustrated with you and sternly said, "Zoe!" and you followed swiftly with, "Driving me crazy!"- a phrase I guess I use too often. I was instantly laughing and all was well. It is also quite amusing to you when Dad and I laugh. When we do you always say, "Funny" or "Awesome!"- which only makes us laugh harder. You love your bunny, your frog and your blanket. All of which you have to be holding tightly as you drift off to sleep. When you wake up I'll hear you giggling in the other room. I'll watch as you hold bunny close to you and have a little conversation. You'll laugh and laugh and say, "Bunny silly!" You swear the pillsbury dough boy is a bunny, and will not be swayed from this belief. You love music, especially if it has a good beat and will move your little body and say "dance, dance" at every opportunity. You'll also ask often to play the piano. You love belly buttons and always have to know where they are. You love to sit on your new potty, and you've even "gone" a few times!
You are my little helper as you put the wet clothes in the dryer for me, sweep the floor, wipe down surfaces, pick up your toys, and the always unsettling bringing half full cups off the table or glass plates from the dishwasher to me. Every time you help you say, "thank you Zoe" because that's what I always say. Your obsession of the moment is flags. Everywhere we go you know where all the flags are located and will shout with excitement, "FLAGS!!!" as we pass them by. Your favorite is the American Flag and I hope your love of flags will evolve to a great love of this country as you grow older.
You are a very mellow child, but you definitely have a mind of your own. Recently, you've been really trying to test your boundaries to see just how much you can get away with. It's been a real struggle for me to remain calm and realize that you're just acting your age. It's hard to see you crying and upset when you want something you can't have now, or sometimes ever. It's amazing how much some things mean to you. Yet, I know that you're learning some very important lessons from your testing and I will continue to be firm because I love you...and because the world is firm and you have to learn there are always consequences to your actions and you can't always get what you want.
Mostly, you behave very well. You have very good manners, which we do take credit for teaching you, but know you've also learned your "greetings" and your "please's" and "thank you's" from all the other wonderful people in your life. You are very loving, usually giving hugs and kisses when asked and sometimes all on your own. You can say, "I love you" and say it often, usually going through the list of people that love you one by one. At night, after pajamas and a story, we'll turn out the light and you will lay yourself in my arms and say, "Sweetheart?" and Dad or I will sing "Goodnight Sweetheart" (something Daddy started) to you before we get our kisses and hugs and you lie down in bed. This is my favorite part of the day as it is the only time you'll be still and let me hold you like the little baby you once were.
While your milestones constantly amaze me, it's been a little difficult for me to watch you grow up so fast. I can't believe how quickly the time goes. It won't be much longer until you're not the only little person in this house. It makes me want to spend every waking moment soaking you up before I have to share my attention. Our lives are going to change drastically when the new baby comes. I think you might have a hard time adjusting to sharing the spotlight. At the same time, you are kind and you love babies. I know you will adjust and we will all find our new place in this family. I think, as you grow older, you'll come to enjoy having a playmate. Though you'll probably fight, I'm excited for you to experience a love only felt between siblings. You'll learn to share, you'll learn kindness, you'll learn parenting skills, protectiveness, how to respect your peers, service and selflessness.
These lessons will come in handy to you in your life, not to mention the prospect of a life-long friend. I want you to know there will be times that I can't pay attention to you, that you'll want to play when I'm nursing, that you'll be jealous of this new person. When you're feeling upset know that I cherish you. You are my first born, the miracle that brought me out of my grief, my poor guinea pig as I try to figure out parenthood, and the object of a love I didn't know I was capable of until they put you in my arms for the first time. I'm so grateful to have you in my life. I hope you always know that.
Love,
Mama
You're like a little sponge, absorbing everything around you...and you'll repeat anything you hear. You've learned to count to 16 all by yourself and can sing most of the alphabet without help. You're so close to learning "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and you've learned most of it from listening to the pre-recorded card you received from us for Valentine's Day. I love to hear you sing, especially, "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." You always ask about where family members are and when you'll get to see them next. You love to color and will come and ask me for crayons or markers- whichever you're feeling will be better that day. Last time I updated you hadn't started walking yet. Now you're running and you and I take walks as often as weather permits- you love to go outside, or go to the library and get books. Your love of reading melts my heart. I hope you continue to love reading as it will always be something you and I will share.
You bring so much laughter to our family. A few weeks ago, I got frustrated with you and sternly said, "Zoe!" and you followed swiftly with, "Driving me crazy!"- a phrase I guess I use too often. I was instantly laughing and all was well. It is also quite amusing to you when Dad and I laugh. When we do you always say, "Funny" or "Awesome!"- which only makes us laugh harder. You love your bunny, your frog and your blanket. All of which you have to be holding tightly as you drift off to sleep. When you wake up I'll hear you giggling in the other room. I'll watch as you hold bunny close to you and have a little conversation. You'll laugh and laugh and say, "Bunny silly!" You swear the pillsbury dough boy is a bunny, and will not be swayed from this belief. You love music, especially if it has a good beat and will move your little body and say "dance, dance" at every opportunity. You'll also ask often to play the piano. You love belly buttons and always have to know where they are. You love to sit on your new potty, and you've even "gone" a few times!
You are my little helper as you put the wet clothes in the dryer for me, sweep the floor, wipe down surfaces, pick up your toys, and the always unsettling bringing half full cups off the table or glass plates from the dishwasher to me. Every time you help you say, "thank you Zoe" because that's what I always say. Your obsession of the moment is flags. Everywhere we go you know where all the flags are located and will shout with excitement, "FLAGS!!!" as we pass them by. Your favorite is the American Flag and I hope your love of flags will evolve to a great love of this country as you grow older.
You are a very mellow child, but you definitely have a mind of your own. Recently, you've been really trying to test your boundaries to see just how much you can get away with. It's been a real struggle for me to remain calm and realize that you're just acting your age. It's hard to see you crying and upset when you want something you can't have now, or sometimes ever. It's amazing how much some things mean to you. Yet, I know that you're learning some very important lessons from your testing and I will continue to be firm because I love you...and because the world is firm and you have to learn there are always consequences to your actions and you can't always get what you want.
Mostly, you behave very well. You have very good manners, which we do take credit for teaching you, but know you've also learned your "greetings" and your "please's" and "thank you's" from all the other wonderful people in your life. You are very loving, usually giving hugs and kisses when asked and sometimes all on your own. You can say, "I love you" and say it often, usually going through the list of people that love you one by one. At night, after pajamas and a story, we'll turn out the light and you will lay yourself in my arms and say, "Sweetheart?" and Dad or I will sing "Goodnight Sweetheart" (something Daddy started) to you before we get our kisses and hugs and you lie down in bed. This is my favorite part of the day as it is the only time you'll be still and let me hold you like the little baby you once were.
While your milestones constantly amaze me, it's been a little difficult for me to watch you grow up so fast. I can't believe how quickly the time goes. It won't be much longer until you're not the only little person in this house. It makes me want to spend every waking moment soaking you up before I have to share my attention. Our lives are going to change drastically when the new baby comes. I think you might have a hard time adjusting to sharing the spotlight. At the same time, you are kind and you love babies. I know you will adjust and we will all find our new place in this family. I think, as you grow older, you'll come to enjoy having a playmate. Though you'll probably fight, I'm excited for you to experience a love only felt between siblings. You'll learn to share, you'll learn kindness, you'll learn parenting skills, protectiveness, how to respect your peers, service and selflessness.
These lessons will come in handy to you in your life, not to mention the prospect of a life-long friend. I want you to know there will be times that I can't pay attention to you, that you'll want to play when I'm nursing, that you'll be jealous of this new person. When you're feeling upset know that I cherish you. You are my first born, the miracle that brought me out of my grief, my poor guinea pig as I try to figure out parenthood, and the object of a love I didn't know I was capable of until they put you in my arms for the first time. I'm so grateful to have you in my life. I hope you always know that.
Love,
Mama
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