The Best Babysitters Part I

One of my best buds, Shelley, and her husband, Chris, were invited to attend a Halloween party this past Saturday. Mark and I got to keep their twin girls, Anna and Ashlyn, while they were gone. I have to say that they are the best behaved children (I know Shelley is about to fall over after reading this) and we absolutely LOVED having them. Honestly, we can't wait to do it again. The funny thing is they thought they were coming over to "help Ms. Courtney watch Baby Zoe." Reverse psychology is a funny thing, isn't it? Anyway, I hope you enjoy this video. I can tell you that Zoe had the best time with those girls!

Hi Papa

The title says it all....

Talking Zoe

I finally managed to capture Zoe chatting on video! Enjoy!

I Left My Princess Costume at Home

That's what Zoe's shirt says. She wore this to McKendree on Friday and she was definitely a hit at school. I had no less than four teachers come up to me and tell me how much they loved this shirt and how cute Zoe looked for school! Of course she does....if I do say so myself!

Meow and My First Boo Boo...

Pretty odd title, huh? I bought these PJs for Zoe for Halloween and she LOVES them. Of course, I had to take a picture to show everyone. They have black cats and say Meow all over. And the word Meow glows in the dark! Too cool! And, as you can tell by looking at Zoe's chin in these pics, she got her first boo boo at McKendree. Zoe is trying to run now and she slid while holding toys in her hands. My little monkey wouldn't think of dropping the toys to catch herself (remember.....that's mine) so she slid safe on her chin. Poor baby! I was going to have her picture made this weekend, but decided to wait until the chin heals. I know it would be cute and all, but if I'm going to pay for pictures, I don't want any chin burns! Enjoy!

All Dressed for School....

Our little Zoe is getting so big. I dressed her up for school the other day and thought she looked too cute. I was able to take a few pictures, but Zoe is too busy to stand still and let you snap many. So...here is what I was actually able to take. Isn't she a doll?

Can You Say Too Small?

Zoe's Papa and Mawmaw got this for her when they went to Alaska on a cruise. Anyway, it says, "that's it...I'm calling Grandpa!" I still had it in her closet and as I was changing out her clothes, I decided to put it on her again just to see how much she had grown. It was pretty hysterical. Daddy and I couldn't stop laughing.

Go Dawgs!

As most of you know, I graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. From the time I was seven years old, my father has been a season ticket holder and has taken me to their games. I LOVED having those times with my Dad and still do. I'm praying my baby will stay well enough to be able to go this year so we can pass that tradition along to her. By the way Papa, Zoe needs a new SIU outfit. Her cheerleading uniform is now too small! GO DAWGS!

Zoe's Christmas Wish List

One of my best buds, Shelley, has shown me something pretty awesome that I had to add to the Blog. (A big thank you to Shelley for taking time away from her family to walk me through this!) If you look to the left at the bottom of the page, you will see Zoe's Christmas Wish List. I've added items she would like for Christmas (hint hint wink wink Papa, Mama, Uncle Poopy, Aunt Patty). How cool is it? I'm loving this and it makes it so easy to tell everyone what Zoe would like for Christmas!

That's Mine.....

Yup. It's official. Zoe's has said the ultimate phrase......That's Mine! Sunday night, Mark and I were playing with Zoe when she took her stuffed animal (a little monkey I bought her at the Zoo) from her Daddy and said, "that's mine." She didn't snatch the toy from her Daddy or take it hatefully, etc., she simply said the ultimate phrase. Mark looked at me and said, "did she just say what I think she said?" I was like, "yup." So, the next morning I took Zoe to school and was telling her teacher about it and she said that they actually teach them to say it there. She said they want them to use their words to identify things rather than kicking, biting, screaming, scratching, fighting, etc., over toys and other possessions. I think it's pretty clever, but it's still hysterical. I know I bragged in my last post about McKendree, but the place is amazing. Zoe is actually doing sign language, too. They teach the signs for more, thank you, please and help to all infants in the nursey. Zoe has had to pick them up while in the Young Toddlers class, but she is doing it. She does them with us and it's so great. I love that my child is learning to communicate rather than screaming and crying. Anyway, just wanted to share and gush a little.

Feeding Myself

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting

Since Zoe has been attending McKendree, she is really starting to do a lot of things. At her previous day care, they were nothing more than glorified babysitters who did nothing to entice my child to learn things. At this place, there is a total difference. Before she went to McKendree, she couldn't feed herself with a spoon. We were trying at home, but you can't really reinforce things when they are only done at home and not where she spends a lot of her time. Now, we've been at McKendree five weeks and take a look at my beautiful baby girl. She just turned 16 months and is doing an amazing job! I'm so proud!