Zoe's First Christmas!

Our First Christmas Tree at Our New House

"Mommy, I am just trying the cookie to make sure it's yummy enough for Santa."

"Oh, is this supposed to hang from the tree?"

Shaun and I were so excited about our first Christmas as a family of three. We decorated and prepared all month long (see the post before this one). We ended up with no real plans for Christmas Eve, except to go to church if we didn't have anything else going on, so we invited Grandma and Grandpa over for a quick dinner before church. Zoe was checking out what was under the tree with Grandma and examining the packages. And it is only obvious that a baby would go after the tree and ornaments. We were lucky because Zoe didn't like the pointy needles on the tree so much, so she pretty much stayed away. We got Zoe ready for church and she was a bit confused because it was close to her bedtime. She was so good at church and received a little goodie bag. When we got home she got to open one present and set out cookies and milk for Santa. She helped me pour the milk and put the cookies on the plate...BUT she wanted to try the cookies first to make sure Santa would like them. I definitely did not see that coming and I totally cracked up. Of course she was in heaven...SUGAR!!!

Zoe's Stocking

"All this is just from my stocking!"

Zoe's First Football

Grandpa helping Zoe and cousin, Zach.

What a trooper! Despite how tired Zoe was, she still smiled.

Zoe's First Cell Phone

Christmas morning was so fun! Santa visited and left Zoe a ton of stocking stuffers and a load of clothes. She loved the silver tissue that was in her bags and had such a big stocking, she could fit in it! Shaun and I had a blast with her and then put her down for a nap before the next round at my parents' house. We had Christmas morning all over again with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Greg, Auntie Heather (and the twins), and cousin Zachary. Grandma made a feast for brunch and we opened presents for the kids, for what seemed like hours. Zoe got a whole bunch of toys and clothes, so did cousin Zach. They finished opening presents and played together with some of their toys. It is so fun to see them interact. After that, we had a brief visit with Papa and YiaYia, and yes...more toys and clothes. We will spend more time with them after the crazy holidays. Last we went to my uncle's house to celebrate with my side of the family and Nana. Of course Zoe got more presents and played a little with my cousins Kristine and Karen, but she was so tired. It was such a long day, but so worth it! Shaun and I cannot believe it's all over and thank everyone that helped us spoil Zoe on her first Christmas. We are already thinking about what Zoe will be doing and getting into when Christmas rolls around next year. In the meantime, we are still enjoying every little moment, especially when Zoe cracks herself up. It's too cute!

Zoe's First Christmas Preparations and Much More!

I can't believe that it's been almost a month since our last blog. That must mean that it was super busy because of all the preparation that went into decorating and getting ready for Zoe's first Christmas. She had a couple holiday outfits for everday wear in the month of December and we were able to get a few snapshots of her in them.

She hung out with her friend Jasmine (who lives next door) while we finished decorating outside. I will post a few other pictures of Zoe and Jasmine from one of their first "real" playtime together. It was a little while ago, but we had to get permission from Jasmine's mommy and daddy, before we posted the pictures.

Grandma got her a really cute hat and mittens for the winter, so of course we had to try them out. Once it's on her head and hands, she doesn't mind it. She also likes her grandma and grandpa's dog, Maddie. She just her size!

We met Zoe's cousin, Zach, to take pictures with Santa. Zoe wasn't too sure about Santa. We learned how hard it is to get kids to look in the same direction for a good picture. They were cute as always and they are starting to notice one another more and more each time they see one another. Zoe is helping prepare her cousin for two new babies to play with. We are trying to teach Zoe to be "gentle" also, so she doesn't clobber the twins either :).

Shaun and I had our last day of school on the 18th and our students had a breakfast party in the morning, so Shaun and I decided to take half days and go to Disneyland before the blockout dates on our passes. This was Zoe's third visit to Disneyland. We like to take short trips there for now, otherwise it is way too stimulating. It was her first time to visit California Adventures because she was able to visit with Santa again. BUT with Disney's strict rules, Zoe was not allowed to sit on Santa's lap, so Daddy had to hold her. She got to see all the holiday decorations, at both parks, all lit up and she LOVED the parade at Disneyland. We found a pretty good spot to watch the parade and she was so focused on it, even when Shaun turned toward me, so I could get a picture of them. How dare we! Anyways, as you can see, she cranked her head around so she could still see.

After I wrapped some gifts they went under the tree and Zoe seemed to scoot toward them every time she was playing. Imagine that! She also really liked the jingle bells on my tree skirt. Shaun's goal for our break was to clean out the garage, so Zoe was sporting her shades because it was sunny and very warm that day. She had some pretty fun jammies for Christmas, including the jammies that said "What Santa doesn't bring me, Grandma will!" And of course most of the presents under the tree were for Zoe.

She is getting the hang of scooting and stays stationary in the crawling position pretty good now. We went to our neighbors house the other day and she stood by herself for a few seconds and she was so proud of herself. In addition to her growing and moving around, she is starting to get more hair! Yipee!!! Maybe she will have enough hair to cut by the time she's five ;).

Zoe's First Thanksgiving

Zoe and Uncle Todd

It's getting more difficult to get Zoe to pose :)

Zoe's First Turkey Dinner

Wow! This time of year gets crazy, but even more so with a little one! Shaun and I have been busy with school report cards, so life has just been passing us by. Zoe's Thanksgiving went really well. Zoe was a bit overwhelmed by everyone together at the same time, but she came around. Leading up to Thanksgiving, Zoe had a bit of a cold with nasal congestion...later to learn from her nurse that it may be teething. Anyways, Zoe was able to give thanks this year with Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Heather, Uncle Greg, Cousin Zachary, Nana, Uncle Todd, Great Grandma, Great Auntie Debbie, Great Auntie Diana, and the Kwans. The only thing that would have made it the best would have been if Zoe's Papa and Yia Yia could have celebrated with us. They were celebrating with Zoe's cousin Khloe in North Carolina. Turkey dinner wasn't quite ready when Zoe was ready to eat, so we went with chicken with sweet potatoes and the next day she had turkey with a little chicken broth. She loved it and gobbled it up!

In addition to having her first Thanksgiving...she started scooting!!! Shaun and I have been in a little bit of denial, but about three weeks ago, she started scooting backwards. We would put her down on her playmats and somehow she managed to get on her belly and scoot backwards off her mats and onto the cold tile. Yeeeesh! Then just the other day Shaun and I had to double take while she was playing on the floor because she would scoot forward just a little bit. Today I put my ring on the floor and got her attention and sure enough she scooted forward and grabbed my ring. It was so quick that I had to grab her hand, so she didn't put my ring in her mouth. Shaun tried it with the TV remote and boy, can she move! We are preparing ourselves to be constantly on the run.