Soaking up all I can

Im writing this post because It's a lot harder coming to terms that my little girl is turning 2 tomorrow than I expected. This 2nd year went faster than the first. Just in these past few months my little Zoey has blossomed into her personality. She does the cutest and funniest things. She is the perfect amount of sweet and sass. She is my daily dose of happiness and laughter. My goodness does she make us laugh. Somedays I wonder where she picked up on such humor. For example the other evening when we were driving to Kevin's birthday dinner I asked if she wanted to play this puzzle game she likes on the iPad. Zoey replied "ya, good idea mom." Like she was 13.

And this last Sunday at church she was playing another one of her favorite iPad games called 'doodle buddy'. It's a game where you stamp pictures and for reasons unknown she really likes the "poop" stamp. (I'm still curious why they even have that stamp as an option). It makes a fart noise every time you stamp it and she thinks its funny. I know exactly who she got that from...daddy! Anyways, during the closing prayer as soon as it gets completely quiet zoey yells, "I want the poops, I want the poops." Greg and I couldn't help but start laughing. It was hilarious. 

Two of my favorite things she does right now are one when she plays hide-n-seek and two when she counts. When she plays hide and seek she'll cover her face and yell to us, "do you see a zoey right there?!?!" When she finally pops her head out she says "keek-a-boo" and laughs hysterically. When she counts it goes something like this, "one, free, six, eight, nine, twelve, six, nine, SEVEN." Probably the cutest thing ever. 

Oh wait and lately, she's does this thing where she grabs my face ever so gently in the palm of her hands and just wants me to look at her. She also calls me her "little buddy". Usually more like, "hey whittle buddy". She has the cutest voice and I could listen to her talk all day long. 

Her little imagination started to show as she started playing with her toys...asking them questions and making them reply. 

She loves the show "world word", "Mickey mouse club house" and as of late "Sofia the first". 

She jumps, hops or skips everywhere & likes to dance in the car. 

Oh and she started singing everything. Sentences and just singing. She puts one hand high in the air and yells "ta-dah".

I could go on and on about her. She really makes my each and every day worth it. I have never known this kind of love and she's the reason I feel it so strongly. I love everything about my zoey girl and I hope I  can continue to inspire her funny, silly, sweet, kind, loving, imaginative personality to shine. Xoxo

Weaning

All my friends and family know I have struggled in the "weaning" department. Everyone I talked to and everything I read made it seem so easy & natural.  Although for whatever reason, it just didn't work for us: Zoey and I. I tried the slow weaning process/cutting out one   feeding at a time and I felt like Zoey was starving herself until she knew it was time to eat again. She was never a "good eater" & I was getting anxiety trying to get her to eat food. So I continued to nurse. Nursing was convenient and easy for both of us. I didn't have to pack much before we left the house. I knew she was getting good nutrients. It was a comfort for her. It helped her calm down & sleep at night. It was a way we bonded. And for someone who didn't know how I felt about nursing in the beginning, I'd say we did a pretty good job at sticking with it. 

For the most part, people were accepting of the fact I was a "late nurser" (according to our society). I would hear comments like "good for you for stinking with it" or something to the extent, "maybe I am just more selfish than you, i was over nursing by ___ months" or "I can't believe you are still nursing". 

Well it's as much as a surprise to me as it is to Zoey and will be to all of you reading that I'm done. I cut her off cold turkey. I wasn't planning on doing it this way or even ready for it but i feel committed and we are going for it. On Monday we told Zoey that mommy's milk was "gross" and put vinegar on my nipple. She's so smart, she didn't try to nurse but it was there just in case. I asked her if she wanted a bottle and she said "ya, sure." Something we never hear but She drank the bottle. I nursed her Monday night (out of laziness bc it was late) & Tuesday morning for one last feeding. I thought it was going to be a gradual change but I didn't know how to tell her now you can nurse and now you can't so I committed. Tuesday was a fairly easy day but It was a hard/sleepless night. Wednesday's nap was extremely hard. I felt like I was on the verge on a nervous breakdown. I was tired, engorged, and trying to stay strong. Wednesday night was a little easier but it took til midnight for her to wind down & fall asleep. Today's been good but maybe thats because she fell asleep in the car. Beside naps and bed time i would say this last second weaning is going well. Zoey hasn't even asked to nurse. Shes eating a variety of foods. And is her happy self durning the day. I know for a fact I will not be recommending this route or doing it with our future children but I felt the need to express my thoughts and experience. As for my Zoey, 

Thank you for trying to understand. 

I feel bad I've turned your whole life around little girl of mine. Ive not only changed the way you are use to eating but your daily routine. I wasn't planning on weaning you this way & I feel bad for throwing all these new changes at you. You are doing so well with it. I know it's hard. I love you and I am trying to give you all the extra love and cuddles I can. You make each day of mine meaningful. I am so lucky to be your mom. I promise I am trying my best even though I am just learning how to be a mom. Love you baby girl. Xoxo mommy 

Just another day

Making breakfast turned into making faces and a lot of playtime. We ran around the house. Tickled. Chased. Jumped. Laughed. It's days like this that make me want to bottle up every moment and store zoeys contagious personality. She is so playful. She loves to learn and is talking up a storm. Even starting to form sentences. She is my little friend. I love her with all my heart. I love how loud she growls like a lion. And how she tries to scare me when she does. I love watching her try to jump. She's quite the artist, even tries to color in the lines. Oh and yesterday she got on a surf board for the second time. She's the greatest.

On May 20th, Zoey turned a year and half. I cant believe I have been a mother for 18 months already. What a milestone she has reached. Every day her big blue eyes captured the world with such innocence and speed. She loves watching others and learns so quickly, I feel in awe 99% of the time. I feel like I want to snap a photo at every little thing she does just to remember how sweet and smart she is. A few of my favorite things she does is "patty cakes". She knows all the hand motions. She absolutely loves to color. Her favorite show is Yo Gabba Gabba. She loves to eat ice, its one of the only things she requests. Its a lucky day if she eats anything else but as of late we have been able to get her to eat yogurt, turkey and apples. She just starting making puzzles. She asks to go to the park and swings daily. She is not afraid of the water and wants her daddy to take her out. She will give anyone a good "knuckles" and or "high-five". She has a fish and named him "bubbles'. She makes us stop to pet every single dog we see. She loves dogs. She knows so many animal noises and has such a large vocabulary.
Her words:
Blanket
milk
dog
ball
eye
hand
toes
paint
circle
star
light
knuckles
high five
baby
drink
apple
shoes
no
book
bath
duck
bike
pillow
yellow
momma
daddy
nana
papa
uncle
nate
I hold you
bless you
i got you
boom
watch
walk
outside
down
bed
night
belly
rock
swing
park
beach
water
prayer
amen
eat
fish
pink
quarter
hat
cat
cow
monkey
home
surfing
pig
lion
bunny
light
kisses
jump
again
more (one of my favorites)
and so many more... If I keep writing and thinking of them I might never actually get through this post. I would say she's up to 80-100 words.
Zoey is the highlight of everyday. She makes me laugh. She makes life sweet. I feel grateful she is a happy and healthy baby. I feel blessed each day I get to be with her. She makes me want to sing. I have completely fallen in love with who she is. She makes me want to be better and worthy of her love. She's my little girl and I will do everything I can to be a good mother to her. Happy 18 months Zoey. You truly are our life.

Aloha Hello and Aloha goodbye.

April 16th, 2013
I am embarrassed that my last post was over a year ago and about poop faces. oh well. I figured now was a better time than later to start blogging again. I feel a proper "ALOHA" is needed.
 Zoey girl is now 17 months and still the love, joy and biggest delight in our lives. She is getting quite the personality. She learns and picks up on everything so quickly we have started to be more aware of our language. Yes, she said the "S" word, but I honestly think she was trying to say "shoot". I say "shoot" ALOT and I really think it just sounded like a naughty word.
Today we said good-bye to my baby sister Amanda or "MIN-A" as Zoey likes to call her. Amanda is off to a summer semester at BYU-Hawaii. Oh how I wish I could have hopped on a plane with her. My heart longs for the gorgeous scenery, warm water, incredible sun rises and laid back lifestyle that have all disappeared from my everyday. I think I am ready for a visit back to the wonderful Hawaiian islands.
We had a fun morning. We ate breakfast at the cutest crepe cafe in the heart of San Clemente. Its my new favorite place for breakfast...I'll probably mention it often. Had a gorgeous view of the pier, the sun came out just in time, and we enjoyed our last little rendezvous as sisters. Minus the fact that Bob somehow managed to splatter us all with hot sauce...???... we enjoyed giggling and chit chatting as much as every set of sisters should.

                

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                             

After Zoey and I gave our final hugs, blew our final kisses and waved our final "Alohas" we watched MIN-A depart. We cant wait for all the pleasant experiences that will come her way and for her to experience the joy of living in Oahu.

 

As for my Zoey girl, Amanda taught her to burp a couple days ago. She thinks she is the funniest girl when she tries to mimic her (as do I). Bob taught her "knuckles" just yesterday (its the cutest). She can repeat just about any word or name we ask her to say. What can I say, shes a genius.

 

Although, I think I scarred her today. I drove through one of those car washes where you stay in the car...let me just say, I have never seen Zoey cry out of fear until today. This is the first time I think she was legitimately scared. It broke my heart. I tried to give her my hand to hold but she just clutched it as tight as she could and kept trying to climb out of her car seat. As soon as I could I grabbed her out of her car seat and held her close. All she could say as the tears were drying from her eyes was "all done?" I promise I will not torture her through that ever again. It was so sad.

on a final note, I feel especially grateful for our family today; as my heart still aches for the weird day the world had yesterday. My heart still hurts for those individuals and families suffering from the tragedies in Boston and Utah.
I feel so blessed for all I have and have truly been given so much. I have the Love of a wonderful family, husband and daughter. I know I am a duaghter of God. I live in a beautiful place. My Husband has a job and we are happy. It's all I need today.

Poop faces

As many of you have probably heard, our little girl has had some tummy issues. We've had some really sad days as we have watched tears just roll down her cheeks. There is nothing so sad to a parent. Her tummy issues have led to some loud "explosions" and one night we were able to catch some awesome poop faces that we wanted to share! She makes us laugh.

2 months and growing...

Baby's asleep, chores are done, I'm showered and full...that's a successful day in my life!!!! I finally feel like I have a few minutes to post about our little girl. My goal is to write a quick blurb every month just to remember these precious moments that are already going by too quickly. I can't believe our little girl is already 2 months old!!! One thing I already miss is Zoey used to fall asleep sitting up while I would burp her...she would nestle her little head in the palm of my hand and snooze away. It was adorable. One thing I am still looking forward to is her sleeping through the night, she is getting a little better every night, but we aren't quite there yet.

Well before she wakes, this last month (from 1st-2nd month) with Zoey has been so much fun. This little girl is full of smiles. She makes us laugh everyday. She is so alert and responsive. She has found her tongue and she loves to lick, lick, LICK everything. If you aren't careful, you'll have a wet, slobbery shoulder, arm or cheek in seconds. I don't really mind it though.

We took Zoey to the beach & enjoyed a beautiful sunny stroll down San Clemente with all the Steele's during Christmas break. Zoey was asleep the whole time but hey, she was present. We kept her bundled up because once the sun set, it was freezing!
Thanks to my very talented and gorgeous sister in law Alia, we were finally able to capture some professional photo's of Zoey. Alia was able to capture those beautiful deep blue eyes that I love to stare at and also that smile that still melts my heart. Isn't she precious!!!!!

Christmas time was a special time for our family. Not only were we able to share Zoey's first Christmas but Greg was also able to give her a name & blessing on Christmas morning. It was a beautiful blessing for a beautiful little girl. I can't think of a better way to remember Christ's birth or a more special day to have a blessing. It was perfect.

(The dress Zoey wore for her blessing is the same dress I was blessed in as a baby.)

(look how I found Zoey & greg before our Christmas Eve Dinner. There is nothing sweeter than dad's with their little girls.)

 We have fallen more in love with our little peanut. She is the greatest blessing in our lives and we are so grateful for the love she has added to our family. We love you Zoey girl.