The Crazies

Zoe had a serious case of the crazies the other day. Here's the proof:
It starts off relatively calm...she is excited and happy, but calm...


But then she starts to pick up momentum...

And like the Energizer bunny...she just keeps going...and going....and going...

The Wave

Zoe has recently began waving in response to people's waves. We've been trying to get it on camera, but of course, every time we try, she doesn't do it. This is the best we could get. It's not the best wave - but it gives you the idea.

Giggly Zoe

Here's our Zoe having fun with daddy. This video was taken before we realized that her "violin arm" was her attempt at a wave. Later we realized she was actually waving when she saw us, and then later, waving in response to us.

Really Really Surreal...

If I didn't know any better, I'd think someone took my daughter to a photo shoot one day. I did a double-take at first when I saw this ad in a magazine.

Ponytails

I couldn't resist trying out ponytails the other day. Zoe's hair is so long - probably about four or five inches when pulled straight --but it tightens up immediately, so the ponytails don't look quite fluffy or full yet. Still, she looks quite adorable, doesn't she?!?

Zoe showing off her crab rattle
Looking at me inquisitively..."why is this crazy mommy taking so many pictures of me?!"
And of course...the meltdown..."no more paparazzi!!"
Even though she's crying, she kind of looks like she's smiling, too. Sometimes I really need to restrain myself from laughing during some of her mini little "not-an-actual-crisis" explosions. I love my little girl!

Bye Bye Hutchesons!

Boo! Our good friends John Mark and Karen left Chicago for Kentucky a week ago. We will seriously miss them! We met back in Louisville and moved together to Chicago last August. Even though they lived in the city and we didn't see them all the time, it was always great to connect with them and hang out when we had the chance. It's sad that we won't be able to do that anymore!John Mark is one cool dude - he's a real deal athlete - competes in triathlons, runs marathons, and was a bike courier in the city of Chicago! How cool is that?! On top of that, he's a smart cookie, a gifted preacher, a caring friend and one of the most genuine people we know. Uche says all the time that John Mark is one of his favorite people to be around.Karen is a beautiful fiery red-head who's also a smart cookie with a Phd in Clinical Psychology. Wow! Besides being gorgeous and brilliant, Karen is a ton of fun. We love her sense of humor and appreciate her passion and boldness in saying things that need to be said but that other people may be too chicken to say!

Together, these two make a great pair! From our early interactions, one of the things we have always appreciated about them is that they are comfortable being themselves and are willing to be vulnerable to let others into their lives and marriage. We really respect their boldness in sharing their hearts with us - in many ways it has been a good model for Uche and I as we seek to grow in being transparent and vulnerable with others. Finally, they love Zoe so much. There are few things as meaningful to a parent than to see people truly love their child.

We will miss you guys! Thanks for being great friends to us all!

And Then There Were Two...

..babies, that is. No, I'm not pregnant again, but I am taking care of a sweet little 6 month old a few days a week. That means I spend three days a week with two babies. So far so good (though it's only been two weeks)!

The first week was rough for Zoe. It was obvious that she didn't like sharing me. Every time I held little Anna, Zoe would instantly start to fuss and reach her arms out toward me. It was sweet, but made things difficult the first few days. This week has been better though. Every day this week when Zoe sees Anna she lets out a high pitched squeal and flashes a happy grin! So I think she is adjusting and is happy to have a playmate.

The two of them are very cute together! They are completely opposite, which I think makes watching them that much cuter. Zoe is dark and hairy...Anna is white and bald. They are both the happiest babies ever so together that makes for quite a fun little twosome. Just today real community was being built - Zoe had her fingers in Anna's mouth and Anna obliged by sucking them. Later, Anna gently pet Zoe's frizzy head of hair and then later pulled it. Ah...the bonds of friendship are being established with each new day of togetherness. It's fun to see Zoe interact with another little person. I think it will be healthy for her. Here are a few pics from that first day:

Little Anna is happy as a clam. Zoe looks devious...as if she's plotting away for Anna's ruin...
Their first attempt at sharing a toy. It goes well!
And then...it doesn't.
Two cuties
And Zoe's meltdown again. Funny how it's always Zoe who freaks out...she's such a passionate little one!!

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Hard To Get

Zoe and her buddy Zachary were hanging out the other day. We call them "Z and Z." They are quite adorable together. Zachary was a bit shy at first to show affection to Zoe while the camera was out. But eventually, he tried to hold her hand. Check out the progression:

Just hanging out on a park bench
Zoe touching Zachary but looking somewhere else. Poor guy...he's smiling but she's not really all that into him.
He reciprocates the affection with a little bit of head to head contact and a flirtatious smile
A few minutes later, they are sitting on the stairs together. Zachary is thinking: "I really want to hold her hand..."
Attempt # 1 is met with a scowl
Attempt # 2 causes the indifferent "look-away"
Zachary decides to sneak his way in during Attempt #3. Zoe is still clearly disinterested.
There's only so much one man can take. He's off, thinking "forget this girl!!" Zoe is left dazed and confused, thinking, "will he ever love me again?" Ah....the plight of young love...

Bath Time

Zoe loves taking baths. She spends most of them splashing around laughing and sucking violently on her rubber ducky. Enjoy these adorable pictures!

Happy

These pictures sum up how I feel about my life! My husband is wonderful and my daughter is awesome. I am a happy woman!

The Fam

We had a great time hanging out with my family on our vacation at the end of August. Zoe got spoiled with constant attention and she loved every minute of it! Here are a few shots from our trip, with more posted on shutterfly so check the link on the sidebar.

All of us together outside our cabin.
Mom and I look happy. Zoe is off in la-la-land.
Ah...yes...the foot. Now she is quite pleased and focused.
Trying to get a happy shot with Uncle Paul, but we'll have to settle for a sorta-smile.
Our pretty little Zoe...still not smiling. It seems that every time we actually TRY to take pictures of her, she doesn't want to smile.
Just hanging out naked with her very courageous grandma!

More grandma time. How fun!
Finally... a BIG gummy grin to sum up how she really felt about hanging out with the fam!

Fun With Mommy

I usually have to be intentional about asking Uche to take pictures of me and Zoe but this time he caught us while we were playing and got some cute shots. I just love playing with my little girl! She is so sweet and a lot of fun these days.

Golf Course

We thought it'd be cute to take some pictures of Zoe on the golf course. As soon as we put her down though, she got all glum. She looks so pitiful here, doesn't she?

We thought her friend Pigfried would cheer her up, but we got no smiles. A bit of curiousity, but no smiles.
Daddy came over and decided to play.
Daddy always gets the smiles!

Popeye

I think this is the best Popeye face I've ever seen.