We're Back

So sorry to have disappeared from the blogosphere. I realize that many people are chomping at the bit when it comes to images of Zoe and I truly apologize. I will do better but I have to tell you the update will do a lot to satisfy your craving and get me back in your good graces. Let start with some "hangin' out" pictures.

Zoe had to try on Emma's wacky Sid Vicious wig. AWESOME!

Emma is officially a bi-ped. Way to go Emma!

We met up with Kellie (the previous and now current nanny) and Emilio at the park. So glad to have her back.

This apple slice didn't stand a chance. Totally pulverized at the end of this snacking session.


Playing after bathtime

I made the mistake of letting her taste the Popsicle and then the grunting began.

Everyone is doing well. Zoe is working on lots of new teeth and is really starting to scoot around. Sleeping through the night has been a little elusive but I'm sure poking enamel chunks through your gums is a bit uncomfortable. I can't help but comfort her with closeness. I may pay for it later but only time will tell.

Hangin With My Baby!

I so look forward to my days off. The idea of sleeping in with Zoe or taking a walk to just about anywhere or meeting up with friends. Everything is an adventure. Zoe makes friends wherever she goes: the cashier at the grocery store, the person waiting in line at the post office, someone waiting at the red light. She teaches me something new every day and I still can't believe she's my daughter.

What is this strange contraption?

Arrrrgggg!!!!

I got these great shots of her while we were waiting to catch our first M train together.
Yay, new subway expeditions!

I hope to look forward to coming home to her for the next 18 years.

Officially In My Early 30's

My birthday started off with a delicious breakfast. I took a little crap for making it myself but it was a lot of fun. We can't have our guests slaving in the kitchen, can we? After waffle boats, turkey bacon and eggs, we made our way into the city on a very sunny day.

We headed to the Highline Park in Chelsea to check out the foliage.

The infamous Standard Hotel
(apparently they like to encourage guests to display themselves sans clothes in the windows facing the Highline)

After a delicious dinner at the local sushi restaurant, we headed back to our apartment to devour some cake. No, I didn't make my own birthday cake. Debbie made it but I really wanted to decorate it and since it was my birthday, Debbie graciously conceded the task to me. Pretty good huh? Maybe I missed my calling.

Thanks for coming to visit and making my birthday a special day. We hope to see you all again really soon.

Grammy and Grampy and Sam, Oh My!

We all got quite a San Francisco treat when the McAuliffe-Schmutz family came to visit us for a few days. They had perfect timing and arrived on the weekend of my birthday. The weather was amazing and the company was outstanding. Everyone arrived on Saturday afternoon and we spent the evening in the new neighborhood. One of my favorite things about Grammy and Grampy is how much they enjoy exploring the areas in which we live. We had dinner at our favorite pizza place and made tentative plans for the weekend.

Here are some pics from the visit. You can see more of our adventures in my birthday post, up next.

Grampy got a lot of cuddle time with Zoe.

Grammy and Uncle Sam

Storytime with Grampy

Full o' giggles

How I wish the world was full of nothing but joyous children! Zoe is a wonder of unconditional love and curiosity. She loves to be with us and really asks for so little. Her presence makes me realize how much we need to change the way we deal with one another and the unrealistic and unnatural expectations we place on ourselves and others. It's time to re-focus ourselves on the things that really matter: loving and caring for others in the hopes of making this world a better place.

Heavy stuff! Now onto the goodies... enjoy!!



Zoe is hilarious.

Daddy's 33rd Birthday

So Aaron turned the big 3-3 and we celebrated with a big steak dinner at home before heading out to a concert. Debbie brought over a feast and I managed to grill the steaks without cremating them. They were delicious. I was going to make a red velvet cake but I couldn't resist the chance to buy an ice cream cake in the shape of a race car. Makes sense to me.

No birthday cake would be complete without re-lighting candles.

Zoe thought Daddy needed help opening some of his presents.
Thanks Baby Girl!!

Love to kiss and squeeze the Zo-zo!

Putting on the Ritz with Aunty Steph!

Guess who we got to see for just one evening? Aunty Stephanie from Pacifica. She was in town just two days for a conference and was nice enough to spend her limited time with us. Zoe, Stephanie and I enjoyed a beautiful walk by the river before Aaron met us in the hotel restaurant for a delicious dinner. It was so wonderful to catch up with her and hear about her exciting plans to visit Pakistan in November. Such a globetrotter.


Zoe made sure to drool all over everything in Aunty Steph's hotel room, but she is so nice she didn't mind at all. We don't know when we will see her next, but we hope it is soon. Thanks for hanging with us!

Celebrating with Will and Alice

We had such a good time celebrating the marriage of our good friends, Will Smith and Alice Stevenson. They invited us to a rooftop party in Manhattan. It was also special because Zoe got to meet her friend Sadie for the first time since she was born in May. The Livaks moved to Chicago in March and made the trip to NYC to celebrate with us all. What a treat! You can tell everyone was having an amazing time.

Zoe made great use of the carpet at the reception to push herself up to sitting for the first time.

Hugs from Natacha


Daddy better watch his drink.
This wasn't the only glass to be molested by Zoe's tongue that night.


Hi Sadie! You sure are cute!!

The Livaks

Janet and Barbara

We look forward to seeing everyone again soon. Maybe a fall brunch at our place. We'll see.

Stoop Sale

What a successful stoop sale! I love the purge and it was a gorgeous day. We started out at around 8:30 in the morning and things were booming right away. We had such a rush that by around 1pm, there really wasn't much left. GOOD!

Though it was a beautiful day, we did have to say goodbye to our cousin Lindsay, who left to take a great job in Minneapolis. Hurry back to us cousin Linds! We love you!!

Look at all the junk, I mean goodies.

Nana Debbie came to sell some of her "goodies" too. She deemed it a success when she made the money to cover the tolls from NJ. Thanks for coming!

Such a Big Girl

So sorry to have waited so long to post. Life sure comes in waves. Of course a lot has happened since the last posting. Hmmm... where to start. Zoe love solid food, especially Mum-mum crackers and fruit. She is still working on her crawling skills. We need to get a rug to help her out. She now has 4 teeth, 2 top and 2 bottom.

She has figured out how to hold onto things to stay standing and depending on her position, she can pull herself up to standing. I guess this is just the beginning of the end for us, but you can't help but be happy for her. With every bit of control she is able to have over her body, she can truly exercise her exploring skills.

Yay for me! I'm standing!

I don't know how I got up here.

The perfect teether

I totally know how I got up here.

She likes to MOVE IT, MOVE IT!!!

Boy, do we have a different baby or what!? So I thought there was a drastic change at 4 months old but that was nothing compared to the last week. In a matter of days, Zoe has taken a real interest in solid food, really gotten control over body movements and is sleeping through the night. I'm sure a ton of this is connected but I don't care too much how it all works. It's awesome and we are having so much fun. Just take a look!

Zoe really does prefer standing...

...well, most of the time.

All of this was happening on the same day (if the same clothes didn't give that away) so it was pretty exciting and was quite the event in the Deetz household.

She has put in a lot of tummy time over the last few months and I think it has paid off. Enjoy your reward, little one. We sure are!!!

Hanging with Daddy! (and a little with Mommy)

Aaron and I have been fortunate enough to have a pretty good schedule worked out where we both get a lot of time with Zoe. She has very easily integrated herself into most of our activities, especially Daddy's extracurricular interests. Good for you, baby girl!

Daddy's been brushing up on his old NES skills and Zoe is doing her best to help out. Wouldn't want that pesky cord to get in the way. Better take care of that.

Zoe and I were hanging out in Daddy's studio and Zoe got thirsty. Check it out:



Of course, she didn't drink it but it was funny anyway. So many cute growly noises!

She has really started to learn to play and entertain herself. Don't get me wrong! She still prefers we give her our undivided attention, but she seems to be a lot more content when that is not possible. She is doing a lot of giggling and is producing many different sounds these days. I hope to catch more of them on video and of course you will be the next to hear them.

Lions and Tigers and Grizzly Bear, OH MY!

This weekend marks the official end to the Pool Parties at the East River Park. Grizzly Bear was the band to close the end of a wonderful summer full of lots of awesome free music. It was a total pain getting into the park but well worth it when you consider the fantastic weather and the Asia Dogs (hot dogs with Asian-inspired toppings: super delicious).

Cousin Lindsay was able to break away from her slave-employing internship to join in the fun.

Zoe's new hat (so cheap, you wouldn't believe me if I told you)

Emma brought her daddy, Jason, to the park. She is feeling much better after another virus. POOR EMMA!

Zoe loved hanging out with all her peeps this summer and hopes that everyone can join her again next summer. Pretty please? PEACE OUT, SUMMERTIME!!!