Where did the past 11.5 months go??

We're gearing up for Zoe's 1st BIRTHDAY PARTY in just a couple of weeks and I can hardly believe it! The past 11.5 months have seemed to go both quickly and slowly all at the same time. We're certainly starting to see more "little girl" and less "baby" with each passing day. It's so fun to watch all of the new things Zoe learns to do each day. Her latest (even as I write this) is to crawl around with a toy in her mouth and pound around the living room...we think she's trying to imitate the Alli. It's hilarious!

The last few weeks have been especially busy for us. In case you haven't already heard, Chuck accepted a new position as Director of Adult Studies in Education and Assistant Professor of Education at Trinity Christian College (our alma mater) in Palos Heights, IL. So, we've spent a lot of time getting our house ready to sell. It's currently listed. We're hoping everything works out soon in terms of selling our house and finding a new place to live by this summer! We're very excited for this new chapter in our lives!

p.s. wanna buy our house? it's pretty sweet.

Here's what Zoe's been up to the last few weeks in the midst of our busyness:

• crawling everywhere, pulling herself up onto her knees, and getting into everything (she will often "cralk" as we've named it - crawling with one leg and walking with the other - a hilarious sight to see!) 

 

poor Alli usually has her food and water moved to the table when Zoe's awake...

love making messes!

 

t-r-o-u-b-l-e

Zoe loves following Chuck around when he's vacuuming!

• eating everything we do (she especially loves deli ham, spaghetti, macaroni, & pizza) - and finally starting to eat some fruits and veggies without spitting them out!

bath-time -- post-spaghetti dinner

although this picture doesn't prove it, Zoe has learned to drink from a sippy cup!

• teething - in the past month, Zoe's gotten 6 new teeth! These have made for some very enjoyable days and nights. (no sarcasm at all here!!) :)

• reading - she loves looking at all of the pages in her books and speaking the words in her gibberish language

• "talking" all the time - we have one chatty girl on our hands - watch out! She's even trying to make some new sounds that are starting to sound like "Alli" and "all done".
• singing - whenever we ask Zoe to sing or when music comes on, she starts making this really cute, cooing, singing noise. This girl loves her music - dancing, too!
• loving Alli more each day

• "showing off" her tricks to anyone who will watch her - "so big", waving, and clapping
• playing with friends - we even got to go to Holland's Aquatic Center with Jenny, Connor, and Mason (and fit 3 carseats in the backseat of Jenny's car - quite the feat!)

• behaving better for babysitters - hopefully this continues!
• getting outside for jogging & walking with mommy & daddy

 

• fighting her afternoon naps most days (boo!)

this is how she finally fell asleep after her screaming fit one day...

 

...and like this another day! :)

awesome bed-head

• sleeping a bit better at night recently -- we had 5-straight nights this week where Zoe slept through the night, followed by 2 more where she didn't -- ahh the joys. Always keeping her momma on her toes. But, hey! I loved those 5 nights; I'll take what I can get!
• just being cute & having fun...

waiting for Dad to come home from his 2-day conference in Detroit...

...still waiting!

11-months

ahh! a balloon!

snuggling. mom's favorite.

We're getting excited to meet Minnie in June at Disney World!

Happy spring! Maybe by the next time I post it will actually feel like it in Michigan...here's to hoping!