9 Months

My Darling Zoe ~

I can't believe that 9 months have flown by so quickly. You have added so much to our lives and I am so glad to be a mommy to two such lovely girls. I feel a little delinquent, as this is my first love letter to you, but I know that I will have stories to share in a million different ways.

You are, by far, the most calm and easy-going baby I have ever encountered. When you started going to child care at 4 months old, it was almost an entire month before your provider, Miss Donna, heard you cry for the first time. You love playing with your toys and watching the world around you. The only thing that really upsets you is when someone raises their voice around you. Believe me, this made watching the World Series with Daddy a difficult thing. You also got upset with me for cheering for Kaylee and her soccer team last weekend. We laugh, though, because it seems so silly when you let everything else just roll off your back. I hope you always know your mind and speak up when you need to.

Right now you are just starting to army crawl around the living room. You have been rolling to get things you want for a month or so, but just finally started to crawl. My favorite, by far, is when you get up on all fours, rock yourself back and forth, and then launch yourself forward. You love to sit and play with your toys, and you love love LOVE playing in your jumparoo. You enjoy looking at books, but never so much as when Kaylee reads to you. I love seeing how much you adore your big sister already. Believe me, it is a mutual admiration society.

You are such a good eater, little love! You love your milk, and get so excited when we talk or sign about it to you. The only hitch lately has been that you're much more interested in what's going on around you than in eating. You take a few gulps and bolt upright to look around! Sometimes we even have to ask Kaylee to go play upstairs, because she is your favorite thing to watch and a huge distraction when you're trying to eat. You were a little stubborn to start eating baby food, but you're a pro now. You love all your fruits and veggies. You've just finally been able to successfully put a puff in your mouth yourself, but most of them still end up on the floor or in your lap. You love it when we give you bites of our food, too. Except eggs...you totally aren't a fan of eggs just yet.

You love to make noises and jibber-jabber. We hear lots of "ba"s and "da"s and a ton of funny grunts and giggles. When you were tiny, you would say "MA" when you cried, but we haven't gotten back around to "mamamama" yet. I keep trying, believe me. You are so attentive when we talk to you, and you absolutely love it when we sing. 

I just love watching you grow and learn every day, my love. I am so proud of you and of our wonderful little family. Thank you for completing our family in such a joyful way. I love you so very much.

Your Mommy

For Kaylee

It has been far too long since I last wrote to you, my little love. So much for my goal of writing a love letter every year on your birthday. For that, I apologize.

I'm writing to you now because I've been thinking about the ways in which your life is going to change in the next couple months. Very soon, you will go from being an adored only child to being a much-loved big sister. You are so excited to meet your baby sister, but as much as we talk about it, I don't think you realize what that means. As much as I hate to admit it, it means that your wants and needs will no longer always be my first priority. There may be times when I have to ask you to play alone or play more quietly while I attend to the baby. There may be times when you desperately need my love and attention, but my focus will be split.

Please know that my love for you is endless. You will always be special to me in a way that is only yours. You made me a mommy. You took my life before children, turned it upside down, and opened my eyes to a love that I never could have comprehended before there was you.

I love you to the end of the Earth with all that I am.

Your Momma

Let the Rain Come Down

Having just said goodnight to Kaylee, it's a good time to reflect on what a wonderful evening we've had. After an incredibly dry summer, the skies decided to open up and give us an ample amount of rain today. We spent a busy day under umbrellas, scurrying in and out of cars and buildings, trying to stay dry, but the evening told a different story.

Kaylee pulled on her polka-dot rain boots and we went puddle hopping. All three of us headed out in the cool evening rain and had fun. Kaylee hopped in every puddle she could find, from the tiniest crack in the sidewalk to where the water was collecting just in front of the storm drain. When we were finally ready to head back inside, we were all soaked from stem to stern and laughing like crazy.

Once inside and mostly dried, I turned off all the lights and we all snuggled on the couch in the dark. We listened to the rain and told stories and talked about everything and nothing. It was just so calm and relaxing and wonderful.

We have such an amazing little family, and it was so nice that we could enjoy each other so deeply for one evening. I am truly thankful for today's rain, and for my husband and daughter.

Family Day

Yesterday the stars alined and the clouds parted (and whatever other cliche fits) and we had a much-needed family day. With Mike going to school and working part time, he's almost always around in the evenings, but it's been a long time since we've enjoyed a whole day with him. I know that Kaylee and I both miss him terribly at times, but we are so proud of him for following his aspirations and working so hard for us.

It started with a beautiful day and a local festival and just kept going from there. We walked the dog and played on the swings and made each other laugh right up until bedtime. I am so grateful for my little family.

Family Pictures

Yesterday we dressed up and headed out with the goal of taking some decent family pictures. While we did end up with a few good shots, we also ended up with a lot of funny. The biggest reason we wanted family pictures was to have something to share with our grandparents. Grandparents tend to appreciate pictures in which you are smiling and looking at the camera. Here are my favorites...a little silly, artsy, and not really what a grandparent would enjoy (we did get a few of that variety, though).