Christmas PARTAY!

So I never usually go to the work Christmas party. It's on a Sunday afternoon and I have to beg Aaron to wear a suit (club dress code). This year, he agreed to go and brought Zoe to Manhattan to celebrate. Mom and Whitney picked out the best dress and sent it to us in time for the party. Thanks guys. It was adorable, as you will see in the pictures.

Gerry is always very excited to see Zoe.
What is she pointing at?

Florence and Eddie


Who's this hairy, jolly guy?


Ok, guys, seriously, can we go now?


Billy


Joe


Zenia


Zoe likes to make friends wherever she goes. She's quite good at it.


Merry First Christmas Zoe!

Even after we got home, she was happy to flit around in her Christmas dress.
Eeryone thought the gold shoes were perfect.
Thanks Mom!!

We have been enjoying the holidays. Everything just seems better. Maybe that's because they are. Times may be hard right now, but we have to cling to what's truly important in life: each other.

Scootin Tootin

Zoe is officially a bi-ped. Although she cannot travel unassisted, she can put one foot in front of the other and "walk". The other day she was walking along the chairs at the dining table and all of the sudden, she grabbed this toy cart, pulled herself to standing and started across the room. It BLEW MY MIND! The three videos here show her moving through the living room.










It seems like you wait forever for them to gain control of their bodies. You watch them gradually acquire the skills to move themselves from one place to the next, to get a toy across the room, to come find you. And it really is amazing when it happens. For me, this time right now is teaching me something I will have to remember at every stage of Zoe's life: She is capable of doing more than I realize. I hope she remembers this for herself someday.

Downtime with Dad

One of Zoe's frequent hobbies is sleeping. She just doesn't like to do it in a straight shot at night. After all the activity of the day, she's gotta rest. She found a cuddly, furry person to sleep next to: DADDY!!!

Zoe is a major bed hog but she has sweet breath.

Dad just started shaking his leg and before we knew it she was out.

Zoe's Favorite Activities

At 9 1/2 month old, Zoe really know how to get around. She is a very good crawler/scooter. You see, she can't decide whether she wants to walk or crawl so it's kind of both. I have yet to get a perfect specimen for video but I'm working on it. In the meantime, I can satisfy you with her other antics.

She loves to drink out of a glass but I had no idea she wanted to bathe on it.




As much as I would like Zoe's crib to be just for sleeping, she has a really good time doing other things in that space. Check it out.




She is such an active little baby. We are so thankful Zoe is so healthy and vibrant. A true joy!

Random Zoe Goodness

So I knew that with all the good material I get from Zo-zo, I would inevitably forget some of it in a file somewhere on my desktop. There's no way I can let you all miss out on such quality pictures and footage of our little clown. Some of the pictures are from quite a while but but as you will see, definitely blog-worthy.

Zoe is such a little fish. Bath time is always such a blast. No matter what mood she is in prior to tub time, it instantly changes as soon as her legs hit the water.



So I decided to give mango a go with Zoe again. I tried it once before and she wasn't really diggin' it. I painstakingly cut the mango into strips and gave it to her. No go! Hmmm.... let's try something else. Tell us what you think of the technique.

We've been experimenting with lots of different pasta. She definitely ended up wearing more spaghetti than eating it. Tonight, I think we'll try pesto. I'm asking for it, aren't I?

This picture was actually taken almost 4 months ago. I just had to post it. Daddy decided to make some alterations to Zoe's ensemble. I want to apologize to whoever purchased this outfit. I have no control over anything that happens when I'm at work. Pretty cute though.

GOBBLE GOBBLE!!!

We had a crazy and wonderful Thanksgiving. Uncle Jim was visiting from L.A. and Cousin Lindsay came from Minneapolis to eat deep-fried turkey with us. Counting them, we had 12 for dinner and it's true: the more the merrier. A whole bottle of Wild Turkey doesn't hurt either. Here are some of the highlights:

Pre-dinner conversation

Cutey Emma! (She looks so much like her mama here. Gorgeous!)

Zoe receives some instruction on the location of the eye.

Check out the pre-dinner spread.
Note the four different kinds of hummus and stuffed olives.
Overboard and ridiculous? Yes, but so tasty!

Emma knows how to handle her liquor.
Maybe we shouldn't drink in front of the kids.
(Relax. It's emptied and rinsed)



Look how excited Zoe is to see Emma.


Rut ro! What happened? The Berry Yamallow looks like it's topped with volcanic rock.


We can fix that. Scrape and re-apply marshmallows.


The turkey is done!

16 POUNDS IN 2 1/2 HOURS!!!



Okay, so how do we get it out?


Success!!!
Just look at the juices on the tray. Everyone should deep-fry their turkey.

All set for dinner

I just have to thank Uncle Rob for giving us this table. Your family was very present with us on this day. We appreciate your gift.

We all had such a wonderful time getting to know each other better and it's in these tougher times that you realize how important family and friends are. For this, I am truly grateful. We are at our best when we love and support one another. Let's hope we can be so good to all.

Fun with Nan D

There is always something to do at Nan D's house. She loves to jump and play and sing and she's very snuggly.








After the peek-a-boo lesson, we had a great time jumping on the bed.

Of course, after all that fun, everyone needs to rest.

Zoe has such a good time with Nan D. I think being away from her is the hardest of all. She always makes up for lost time but it would be wonderful to see her more often.

BATHTIME!

Zoe was taking a bath all by herself when Lily decided to join her. So much more fun. It was just too cute seeing them both in the sink together. It's too bad we live so far away. Bath time is always more fun with a friend. It's amazing to see these little people connect with one another. They just look at each other and reach out to embrace and explore. There are definitely some disadvantages to growing up. Losing that innocence tops the list

I think they missed a spot

Don't fall over Lily

Yeah, we're cute


We're really, really cute.

If you don't believe how cute, just watch this.

A quick trip to Redding

We couldn't make it all the way across the U.S. and not visit Great Grandma and Grandpa Deetz. The 2 1/2 hour drive was a cinch and the weather hung in for us long enough to make it home. Grandma made us some delicious food and we had a really good time visiting. Zoe showed off all her latest moves and I think they were impressed.

Big kisses from GG Deetz

Hey Great Grandpa!

Thanks for feeding me lunch, GG!

That's quite a view you got there

I'll help with the pie, y'all

This is fun but I hope that pie doesn't come back up

We had a great time. Hope to see you guys soon!

Fun with cousins in Oregon

Zoe and I left Dad in NYC and went to Oregon for Veterans' Day. It was a quick trip but so needed. Everyone is getting so big. Lily is delicate little thing and Judah is a bruiser. He only weighs a half-pound less than Zoe and is 7 1/2 months old. All the other cousins are doing all sorts of new things and the oldest are doing well in first grade. Here is some of the fun.

All the babies playing together

Zoe and Judah getting acquainted

Aiden really wanted to sit with the girls

Super Cute


Judah likey yogurt....mmmm


Jon and Sammy


Ben and Sammy


Ben was really into the camera

See what I mean (oh, that's Bekah)

Abigail is getting so big. What a little lady.