Aside from needing to turn over a new leaf as a mom, to be happier, to get over the tantrums, to stop warring with Bruce over when dinner is, I've decided to try to appreciate the good stuff, and let the other stuff go as best as I can.
As therapy, here, I put down the stuff that Zoe does that makes me laugh/sigh.
She loves itsy-bitsy spider (the song, and the two books we have that have extended the verses).. she calls it "ee-ps".
She is now a bit bored with Dora, and is now obsessed with watching Diego (in the car, we only have two discs, but that's all she's watched for two weeks now).
She likes to give "high-5s"
We put down those foam floor puzzles of the alphabet, and I sing to the alphabet to her as she runs in circles.
Because she liked that so much, I put down the number one in our bedroom, landing strip like, and she runs up and down it while I sing numbers to her (in rising and falling scales)... they are numbered 0 to 9.. she always says "ten" when she gets to nine (I didn't specifically teach her that).
She has two cookie monster dolls, a big one and a little one, and she loves to hug them and talk to them.. it is quite cute.
She is a wonder at fastening those plastic buckles on chairs, car seats, bike helmets.. she can do it and is so careful not to get her fingers caught (has yet to happen).
She eats so dainty-ly... I give her an open face sandwich in the mornings, of cream cheese, ham/turkey, and egg... she will not put her fingers on the top of it.. she has always been careful of crackers with topping etc. But she is not careful with dip.. which she loves to get all over her hands.
Soup is now her favorite food. I give it to her in a metal measuring cup.. Sometimes she is really good.. eats with a spoon, if some spills out (noodles) she puts it back in the cup. Then I've taught her to drink the soup up after the noodles are gone. Sometimes she feels compelled to dump it out.. and says "oh no, I've made a mess". Alphabet noodles in chicken broth are her favorite.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Terrible at 20-months
I was thinking last night as I was struggling with Zoe, trying to put her to bed still at 9:30...wow.. I just can't believe how hard this is. It is not hard all the time, and no hard in the way that anyone who has not been through it would understand.. it just builds up over the day. Zoe is now at the point where she knows what she wants, but gets frustrated when she can't do it or get what she wants. It is not something where she is spoiled or badly disciplined, it is just about lack of control... she can't always get the control she wants. I understand that when I think about it. But that still doesn't help when she is laying down kicking and screaming, or pouting because she is not comfortable where she is.. it is still stressful.
For example, this morning we took our two kittens to the vet.. it turns out that they are both boys! and so we may need to rename them (consensus is that "Moonlight" is not a boy name).. well, Zoe was fine until we got into the exam room.. She freaked (fear)... it reminded her of the doctor's office and she would have none of it. We had to go outside. We sat on the bench.. she still cried, shook... there was no reasoning with her, also no blaming her.. but just being around that much upset and not being able to the other things you need (like watch and talk to the vet) was also very frustrating for me.
then there was the dinner thing... she wanted the dip, not just a spoonful of it, but the whole jar. Bruce said when I was pointing to it, picking the jar up, Zoe thought I was going to give it to her, and then I was taking it away. It is hard to see these things, no one can be expected to. She had a complete meltdown. Then I soothed her by giving her a cup of her own of yogurt.. but then I tried to clean up the old dip, so that the mess was controlled, and she started her fit again. Now Bruce is mad at me, I'm upset, Zoe is inconsolable, I haven't even gotten half way through my meal, with no sign of being able to eat.. it sucks.
But she is still the thing that makes me smile... she is very independent, a very strong young lady.. with a hilarious laugh.
For example, this morning we took our two kittens to the vet.. it turns out that they are both boys! and so we may need to rename them (consensus is that "Moonlight" is not a boy name).. well, Zoe was fine until we got into the exam room.. She freaked (fear)... it reminded her of the doctor's office and she would have none of it. We had to go outside. We sat on the bench.. she still cried, shook... there was no reasoning with her, also no blaming her.. but just being around that much upset and not being able to the other things you need (like watch and talk to the vet) was also very frustrating for me.
then there was the dinner thing... she wanted the dip, not just a spoonful of it, but the whole jar. Bruce said when I was pointing to it, picking the jar up, Zoe thought I was going to give it to her, and then I was taking it away. It is hard to see these things, no one can be expected to. She had a complete meltdown. Then I soothed her by giving her a cup of her own of yogurt.. but then I tried to clean up the old dip, so that the mess was controlled, and she started her fit again. Now Bruce is mad at me, I'm upset, Zoe is inconsolable, I haven't even gotten half way through my meal, with no sign of being able to eat.. it sucks.
But she is still the thing that makes me smile... she is very independent, a very strong young lady.. with a hilarious laugh.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Thetis Lake
We packed up and headed out for a hike this morning. It was a beautiful day. We went to Thetis lake.. 20 minute drive... I forgot how nice of a beach it has, which a shallow bit for kids to play and bunch of sand. So Zoe and I opted to stay at the beach and let Bruce and Chris do the hike around (both) lakes. Zoe played for a long time in the sand, but at some point seeing all of the kids, decided that she must get into the water, and since we had no swim suit (well, we were going hiking), she went au-naturale.
sorry for the rotational variation.. I keep forgetting that videos can not be easily turned...
and u should mention tht the water was not warm!
sorry for the rotational variation.. I keep forgetting that videos can not be easily turned...
and u should mention tht the water was not warm!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
oh the temper...
Zoe has thrown two major temper-tantrums in as many days.
Yesterday in Costco.. I wouldn't let her man handle the plastic on the raw salmon.. so when I pulled her down from nearly crawling in the case, she had a royal melt down.. throwing herself onto her back, head back hard, kicking and screaming.. I walked away.. but Bruce couldn't (I was watching her from the backside of another meat case...).
This afternoon, about the same time, we took her to buy shoes.. it was right after eating, an easy two hours before her nap.. should have been fine. For some reason, she threw several screaming fits... or perhaps one long one... I think that it started when I tried to measure her foot (must have reminded her of the Dr. Office), and carried on through her trying to try on Dora sandals 2 sizes too big.. and me trying to get the ones that did fit ... In the end, we bought the clear pink Dora sandals and a pair of pokadot Vans-like shoes Rachelle would approve of. I had planned on trying a few stores, but we only made it to Payless.
But, she is wearing her shoes now.. while watching Dora.
I'm so exhausted and she is not yet two.
Yesterday in Costco.. I wouldn't let her man handle the plastic on the raw salmon.. so when I pulled her down from nearly crawling in the case, she had a royal melt down.. throwing herself onto her back, head back hard, kicking and screaming.. I walked away.. but Bruce couldn't (I was watching her from the backside of another meat case...).
This afternoon, about the same time, we took her to buy shoes.. it was right after eating, an easy two hours before her nap.. should have been fine. For some reason, she threw several screaming fits... or perhaps one long one... I think that it started when I tried to measure her foot (must have reminded her of the Dr. Office), and carried on through her trying to try on Dora sandals 2 sizes too big.. and me trying to get the ones that did fit ... In the end, we bought the clear pink Dora sandals and a pair of pokadot Vans-like shoes Rachelle would approve of. I had planned on trying a few stores, but we only made it to Payless.
But, she is wearing her shoes now.. while watching Dora.
I'm so exhausted and she is not yet two.
more videos
This video is dated 5.17.08.. Zoe was saying "apple.. I need an apple."... until I pulled out the camera... then when I asked her what she had, she said "cammy" (ie "camera").
Monday, May 19, 2008
morning...
Zoe has been sleeping so much better... she only woke up once about 11pm and really, really wanted to nurse, but then she made it until 6:30am!! yeah!.. last night was just as good (she does wake up, I hear her, but she puts herself back to sleep).
This morning at 6:30 we nursed and I managed to get her (and I) to sleep 45 more minutes. Then she went into the bedroom, woke up her dad and said "e-mote".. which means "I'm looking for the remote so I can give it to Dad to turn on Dora". Then she new that her Dad would need to put on pants, and so she said "butt, butt"... made me laugh.
This morning at 6:30 we nursed and I managed to get her (and I) to sleep 45 more minutes. Then she went into the bedroom, woke up her dad and said "e-mote".. which means "I'm looking for the remote so I can give it to Dad to turn on Dora". Then she new that her Dad would need to put on pants, and so she said "butt, butt"... made me laugh.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
fun in the sun
We had a really, really good weekend.. We went to the Highlands Festival (Celtic on Sat., Scottish on Sunday). Saturday, we did that during the morning.. came back for the afternoon nap. Then in the afternoon we joined Panos, Tiffany and George and two other families at Willows beach. It was just a lovely day. Then Panos and family came back to our house for dinner. Panos and Zoe even shared a bath (too bad I couldn't find my camera). Tiffany and I learned one new tool.. we can discipline other people's children often better than our own. I was able to with a single look and phrase get Panos to stop banging on my windows, and Tiffany was successful at distracting Zoe from wanting to jump out of the bath when she inhaled some water up her nose (I would have had to pull her out, console her, and convince her to get back in).
Today we spent the whole day at the festival. Zoe napped in our denim beach blanket for almost two hours, pretty good considering we moved her once, and the noise (bagpipes! clapping!). Before her nap, she got really active, and I started teaching her to do somersaults. It was so cute. I also got some video of her doing her circle dance around Daddy. The weather was beautiful, breezy, clear.. which is how I ended up with a horrible sunburn. I think Zoe (with two applications of sunscreen) is fine.. but it looked like I got a little too little on one check and one leg. Too bad this mom can't take her own advice ;) I'm sure it will be a cold shower in the morning.
Today we spent the whole day at the festival. Zoe napped in our denim beach blanket for almost two hours, pretty good considering we moved her once, and the noise (bagpipes! clapping!). Before her nap, she got really active, and I started teaching her to do somersaults. It was so cute. I also got some video of her doing her circle dance around Daddy. The weather was beautiful, breezy, clear.. which is how I ended up with a horrible sunburn. I think Zoe (with two applications of sunscreen) is fine.. but it looked like I got a little too little on one check and one leg. Too bad this mom can't take her own advice ;) I'm sure it will be a cold shower in the morning.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Zoe singing...
Zoe has really started to latch onto songs and sing them.. One day last week we were watching a show after Dora, and they were singing a song about "Maggy" the whole time. After the show was over, Zoe started to sing the song, tune and all.
This morning she was singing the tune and some of the words from Dora's Backpack. Video to be posted soon.
We went to the Highlands Festival this afternoon.. they had a bouncy room and this inflated tunnel thing with a slide at the end.. (you go into the dragon's mouth, go through the belly, upstairs, down the bouncy slide)... I had to do it with her.. she was a little frightened of the wind it takes to keep a dragon body inflated.
She also got her first Balloon animal, but was not really impressed.
After all that she demanded to be nursed, and promptly fell asleep in my arms.. very tired.
Our new kittens are quite cute. Zoe likes the stripy one.. she is very friendly, and patient and will let Zoe pick her up (not as gentely as I'd like)..
I think we've finally settled on names:
"Moonlight" for the tabby and "Midnight" for the black one..
When I call them, Zoe says "Night-Night".
Zoe will also point at them and say "two Mol-Mol"; Zoe also likes to climb their cat post as much as they do.
In fact, she will climb almost anything.. I was telling her that she was a monkey, she climbed on top of a stack of tables (3 feet high) and then as she was crawling around, I asked her what she was doing.. she said "I am a monkey".
This morning she was singing the tune and some of the words from Dora's Backpack. Video to be posted soon.
We went to the Highlands Festival this afternoon.. they had a bouncy room and this inflated tunnel thing with a slide at the end.. (you go into the dragon's mouth, go through the belly, upstairs, down the bouncy slide)... I had to do it with her.. she was a little frightened of the wind it takes to keep a dragon body inflated.
She also got her first Balloon animal, but was not really impressed.
After all that she demanded to be nursed, and promptly fell asleep in my arms.. very tired.
Our new kittens are quite cute. Zoe likes the stripy one.. she is very friendly, and patient and will let Zoe pick her up (not as gentely as I'd like)..
I think we've finally settled on names:
"Moonlight" for the tabby and "Midnight" for the black one..
When I call them, Zoe says "Night-Night".
Zoe will also point at them and say "two Mol-Mol"; Zoe also likes to climb their cat post as much as they do.
In fact, she will climb almost anything.. I was telling her that she was a monkey, she climbed on top of a stack of tables (3 feet high) and then as she was crawling around, I asked her what she was doing.. she said "I am a monkey".
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Bye Bye Rachelle...
Rachelle left Canada for Springville.. we will miss her, especially Zoe who was treated to watching Dora whenever Rachelle could stand it.. which was anytime Zoe wanted ;). We'll also missing hearing Zoe use her high pitched voice to say "mommy? daddy?" and then her normal voice to say "No Chell" (Chell is what Zoe calls her).
Rachelle showed me something she wrote, and I wanted to put it here, so someday Zoe can read about her big sister at age 18.
Rachelle showed me something she wrote, and I wanted to put it here, so someday Zoe can read about her big sister at age 18.
Rachelle
not your average girl
Girls like me don't come around too often, So grasp the fact you know me and hold on tight because your definatley in for a ride.
LoVE is for fakers
Change is never easy... You fight to hold on,and you fight to let go. By the worlds standards... we will never be perfect.
I formerly reside in a little town i call S ville
I get all these ideas that lead me no where... But I always have fun finding where they go.
I'm starting to turn into a Gym rat for sure
I love to Party and have a good time
I love being crazy and out of control... JOKE
I've changed a lot of things in my life, some for the better.... but mostly for the fun of it.
I do things on the spur of the moment.... for instance moving to canada... Random enough for ya?
I tend to make things up in my head and when I say them out loud I get in trouble.
I'm in love with MOTO X
Bike of choice would definatley be a HONDA
I WISH I could teach you to think the way I do but we would both be wasting our time.
I wont pretend to be someone I'm not just to make people happy
make up is my love
I always pick the worst moments to laugh
And have the tendancy to loose my clothes
Dancing in the rain is a hobby of mine
I wear huge sunglasses to hide what I'm really thinking about you
There are so many things going on in this world and I want to see them all
I wont always tell you what im thinking...unless I trust you
My trust is earned... Not given
I hate when my sneeky plans have been discovered
I forget to keep things to my self and tend to say my rude comments out loud
Laying on the grass and watching clouds pass by is my favorite past time
I'm scared that one day I wont remember all the good times I've had so I'm constantly taking pictures to capture my memories
i worry about not having enough to say, and sometimes end up saying too much
I'll laugh at my own jokes before i will ever laugh at yours
I love braclets.. especially home made ones
Seeing boys smile gives me butterflies
I like to go people watching
I wish I could capture sunlight in a jar
Tye dye is amazing
I think a lot of people need to grow up and take responsibility for them selves
Especially me
making me smile is never hard
making me laugh is even easier
If you tell me your hungry i become hungry too
I am always drinking something, or have a drink in my hand
I wish I had my name in lights, and my hand prints in a star
Sharpie tattoos are the best
Until I figure out what I'm going to waste my time on for the rest of my life Im going to spend it doing things that make me happy. You should come join.
I get along with every one
not your average girl
Girls like me don't come around too often, So grasp the fact you know me and hold on tight because your definatley in for a ride.
LoVE is for fakers
Change is never easy... You fight to hold on,and you fight to let go. By the worlds standards... we will never be perfect.
I formerly reside in a little town i call S ville
I get all these ideas that lead me no where... But I always have fun finding where they go.
I'm starting to turn into a Gym rat for sure
I love to Party and have a good time
I love being crazy and out of control... JOKE
I've changed a lot of things in my life, some for the better.... but mostly for the fun of it.
I do things on the spur of the moment.... for instance moving to canada... Random enough for ya?
I tend to make things up in my head and when I say them out loud I get in trouble.
I'm in love with MOTO X
Bike of choice would definatley be a HONDA
I WISH I could teach you to think the way I do but we would both be wasting our time.
I wont pretend to be someone I'm not just to make people happy
make up is my love
I always pick the worst moments to laugh
And have the tendancy to loose my clothes
Dancing in the rain is a hobby of mine
I wear huge sunglasses to hide what I'm really thinking about you
There are so many things going on in this world and I want to see them all
I wont always tell you what im thinking...unless I trust you
My trust is earned... Not given
I hate when my sneeky plans have been discovered
I forget to keep things to my self and tend to say my rude comments out loud
Laying on the grass and watching clouds pass by is my favorite past time
I'm scared that one day I wont remember all the good times I've had so I'm constantly taking pictures to capture my memories
i worry about not having enough to say, and sometimes end up saying too much
I'll laugh at my own jokes before i will ever laugh at yours
I love braclets.. especially home made ones
Seeing boys smile gives me butterflies
I like to go people watching
I wish I could capture sunlight in a jar
Tye dye is amazing
I think a lot of people need to grow up and take responsibility for them selves
Especially me
making me smile is never hard
making me laugh is even easier
If you tell me your hungry i become hungry too
I am always drinking something, or have a drink in my hand
I wish I had my name in lights, and my hand prints in a star
Sharpie tattoos are the best
Until I figure out what I'm going to waste my time on for the rest of my life Im going to spend it doing things that make me happy. You should come join.
I get along with every one
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
New Kittens!
Now we are picking out names.. current list...
Scully and Mulder
Simba and Puma
Mickie and Minnie
Magic and Mystery
Angel and Buffy
Tiger and lily
Dora and Boots
Tarzan & Jane
Westley & Buttercup
Hocus and Pocus
Harry and Hermione
Nymphadora Tonks and Moony
Tigger and Eyore
Scully and Mulder
Simba and Puma
Mickie and Minnie
Magic and Mystery
Angel and Buffy
Tiger and lily
Dora and Boots
Tarzan & Jane
Westley & Buttercup
Hocus and Pocus
Harry and Hermione
Nymphadora Tonks and Moony
Tigger and Eyore
Seek A Boo
Although we haven't played many more times, Zoe does talk about "Seek A Boo" or "Hide and Seek". She is getting quite chatty.. sentences of dialogue that I can't always (often) make out..
A few facts:
* Anna said she came out of her room on her own today after her nap (a first)
* Zoe's bangs are getting so long.. I'm at the point where I really should make a decision on her first hair cut.. I'd like to just grow it out, but she will not allow me to put barrets in.
* Zoe only rarely drinks for a lidded cup, her preference is to nurse, but she will drink out of an open cup.. but what a mess that is
* She can eat her cereal with a spoon; This morning she did it with both hands, using her left more than her right. So far she seems mostly ambidextrous
A few facts:
* Anna said she came out of her room on her own today after her nap (a first)
* Zoe's bangs are getting so long.. I'm at the point where I really should make a decision on her first hair cut.. I'd like to just grow it out, but she will not allow me to put barrets in.
* Zoe only rarely drinks for a lidded cup, her preference is to nurse, but she will drink out of an open cup.. but what a mess that is
* She can eat her cereal with a spoon; This morning she did it with both hands, using her left more than her right. So far she seems mostly ambidextrous
Sunday, May 11, 2008
"Cookies..."
These videos document Zoë's sort of forced laughed.. in this case while
watching Cookie Monster... In this one you can hear her say "Cookies".. the next one is the laughter.
cast off!
Cast came off on Tuesday at 3ish... there was quite a line, but they got us through reasonably fast. When we went into the cast room, she started crying, non-stop.. I had to take her into the hall until they were really ready for us. It took two of us to hold her down. They sawed into the fiberglass, a line down each side, then used a pry-bar mini jaws of life to pry it apart. Then she cut the sock and padding, and she was free. Next a quick follow up x-ray (which she hated just the same as everything else)...
She pretty much started walking on it within a couple of hours, and still favors her formerly uncasted leg.. still limping, and still seems to get kind of tighter by then end of the day.
She pretty much started walking on it within a couple of hours, and still favors her formerly uncasted leg.. still limping, and still seems to get kind of tighter by then end of the day.
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