Our Very Own Picasso

Grandma and Grandpa got Zoe an easel for Christmas and with all the hussle and bussle of the holidays we didn't get around to putting it together until about a week ago. It is pretty neat because it can turn into a desk too. We will get her a little stool to go with it, so she can do her "homework" at her desk. Zoe absolutely loves painting, she is quite the Picasso! She even asks me, "Mommy, what should I paint?" I always suggest animals, but am always open to see what she comes up with on her own. It is so nice that we have all of this stuff in place before Kylee arrives, so we have enough to hopefully keep Zoe entertained and continually learning.

Dancing into the New Year

Cheers!

Happy New Year!!! On New Year's Eve, Zoe danced the night away...just like last year. She finally knocked out close to 10! She had so much fun dancing to the Chicken Dance and Hokey Pokey. She twirls around like a little ballerina.

It is going to be such a busy year for us. Kylee will be arriving early in April, along with Zoe's 3rd birthday, and of course all the other events that make life busy. I am definitely showing way more than I did with Zoe and apparently that is the trend for second pregnancies. I am just about ready for maternity clothes full time and I think I made it up until the last month with Zoe before having to wear maternity full time. Bummer!

The next step for the baby is to get her room ready. That takes quite a few steps because we have a couple of household projects that need to be worked on first, prior to painting her room. It will be gray and a focus wall will have pink, small black, white, and gray horizontal stripes. I was able to pick out some bedding for her and we decided to hand down all of Zoe's furniture to her. Zoe got a new dresser and nightstand, so she could give the other furniture to Kylee. She happily did so after learning she would get new furniture.

All of our new adventures will keep us super busy I am sure! It is an exciting time to look forward to, and we hope that all of our family and friends have just a wonderful of a year as we plan to have. Happy New Year!!!

Playtime with My Cousins

Auntie Heather brought the kiddos over to play on Friday. Zoe wanted them to see her new swing set. The kids loved it and had a good time playing outside. Then we went inside and we showed Zach, Zoe's big girl bed. That was too cute! They all wanted to get in her bed and they started rolling around together. That is another reason it is fun to be off for vacation, so we can hang with the cousins more.

A Trip to The Zoo

Checkin' out the Elephants

Sliding with Daddy

Woohoo!!!

On Thursday of last week, Shaun and I took Zoe to the Santa Barbara Zoo. She really likes it there and is now able to spot the animals even if they are not right in front of her. We didn't ride the train this time, but we saw most of the animals up close and most of them were awake and active. That makes for a good day at the zoo. Also, the fake grass hill makes it fun too. Zoe got the hang of it after quite a few trips down and she started putting her hands up toward the end. It is nice to be on vacation and spend a lot of time with Zoe. Unfortunately, school starts again on Tuesday.

NO MORE PULL-UPS AT NIGHT!!!

Yeah!!! We have made it through potty training! We were very lucky that Zoe was very willing to potty train. In the June, we began the training and she had an accident of each kind the first day, and since then, she has done soooooooooo well. At night, we continued to use pull-ups because going potty at night for little ones seems harder. I am happy to say we wasted money on pull-ups...a whole box of them! She has not wet a pull-up in months, so we told her after we run out, she is going to wear panties all of the time. We counted down the days and she knew that last night was the first night of panties. She did so well!

The SWING SET!!!

Waiting Patiently (Daddy was finishing the swing set.)

Sliding with Wendy

Ready, Set, Go!!!

Lovin' Hangin'

Pumping Her Legs

Oooooooooh! Shaun and Jeff finished putting Zoe's swing set together. Thank you to Nana, Papa & YiaYia, and Uncle Todd for gifting this to Zoe for Christmas. We are sure that she will share many memories on this set with us and eventually with her little sister. This has really opened Shaun and my eyes to see how much our little girl is growing up, taking more risks, and becoming more independent. She loves hanging from the trapeze swing and is learning quickly how to pump her legs back and forth on a big kid swing to get going on her own. In the back of my head, I am thinking that learning how to swing is a pre-kindergarten gross motor skill. Holy cow!

Merry Christmas!

Whoa! Santa Came!!!

Santa Brought Pink Truck Keys

The Stocking (It is still bigger than Zoe!)

First Princess Baseball Glove/Ball

Oooooh! A Lalaloopsy!

Barbie Pool

Reading

Grandma Helping Jadyn

Alvin (the dog) and Zach

More Princesses!

Barbie Laptop

Alvin (the dog) and Jadyn

Hiding in Grandma's Bucket

Merry Christmas everyone!!! We are so blessed to have such great family and friends. Zoe is so LOVED and LUCKY. We had such a fantastic Christmas this year. Zoe did so well with the overwhelming amount of presents she got from Mommy & Daddy, Santa, her grandparents, all of her aunties and uncles, and cousins.

First thing in the morning Zoe opened her presents from Santa and Mommy & Daddy at her leisure. Before going out to see what Santa got her, she was very hesitant to get out of bed. A look of worry spread across her little face. She wasn't sure about this home visit from Santa and thought that he may still be in our house. After a little convincing that he had to move on to other houses, she jumped in Daddy's arms and they walked out to see. Her face was absolutely priceless!!! She got a new wardrobe, scooter, baby stroller, many Lalaloopsy dolls, an ironing board, cash register, puzzles, games, Barbies, a Barbie pool, a Barbie car, and a whole stocking of fun stuff from Santa. She had a blast trying everything out and couldn't leave all of her toys home when we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house.

She was allowed to bring only one and she chose her new baby stroller, but of course the baby stroller couldn't go without the pink truck keys in her mini purse. Whatever! It was Christmas and that was a very small battle. Before we went over, she had to take a nap. She was good about going down, but didn't sleep very long. Needless to say, we thought we may be in for a rocky one. We actually faired very well! We got to Grandma and Grandpa's house and she munched on shrimp for a late lunch, then got to start all the present opening on her own. Shortly after, Zoe's cousins, Zach, Ryder, and Jadyn joined her. Zoe needed one break from opening, but then got right back to it and opened all of her own presents. She got a new Barbie laptop, learning game, Leapfrog Storybook Pad, a couple of new outfits, a variety of painting supplies, and a new easel. Zoe enjoyed her "chicken" (really turkey ;) ) with gravy, potatoes and green beans for dinner. She must be on another growth spurt because she ate sooooooo much "chicken".

We stayed until everyone had left my parents' house and then stayed to watch them open their presents. Zoe helped and was such a trooper! She lasted all the way home (maybe a mile...) and when Shaun went to get her out and she began to just pass out. We got her in the house and to bed. In the morning, Zoe asked if Santa came again. We told her that he only visits once a year and he will be back next year. She accepted that answer and moved on to talking about playing with all of her new toys. In addition to the presents she received on Christmas day, she was blessed enough to get others...more clothes, new shoes, jammies, an iron, toaster, stuffed plush, games, and a new swing set :). (Swing set pics to follow...)