My Grandpa and Grandma came to visit and...

...we played with napkin rings!

Sleepy time

A sleeping pose so cute that it was worth the risk of the flash waking her up to capture it in a photo...

Cousins birthday party, a dunk tank, and a pretty big gun!

Zoe enjoyed meeting her cousins for the very first time at their fun-filled birthday party!

Zoe yoga

"Ready class?!  Let's get into some positions that will strengthen our body and mind!"

"namaste"

9 months!

Dear Zoe,

You are 9 months old! Here is what we want to remember about you:

-You have started to go to sleep at 7:30 and wake up at 6:30....Yaaaaaay! 

-You are a pro at eating cereal puffs...and for a while you were happy to eat little bits of chicken, cheese, and other finger foods, but for some reason you are now boycotting everything but puffs and yogurt melts.

-You are getting very good at shaking your head "no"... mostly when you are eating or getting your face cleaned...but you also shake your head from side-to-side when you dance!

-You started back at school after a 2 month stay at home with Mom.  You got back into the groove like a champ and even pulled yourself up to standing during your first week...and were soooooooo proud of yourself!

-You are quickly growing out of your 9 month clothes...time for 12 months.  This means we shop in a whole different section of the store.

-You are starting to MOVE!  You easily go from sitting to your tummy, from tummy to sitting, and you get up on all fours on your tiptoes and hands and make a table.  You just don't know how to coordinate your little legs to crawl yet. 

-You love when people clap and you are starting to clap yourself.

-You started holding your own bottle and love sipping water out of a grown-up cup.

-Zoe, you are amazing!  Love you more every day.

ER

Hi Everyone,

This is Zoe.  I wanted to tell you that my Mommy cut her finger REAL bad and Daddy and I had to take her to the hospital.  First, let me say that you should always take extra care when using knives (Mommy was cutting open a bag of lettuce when she sliced her finger).  Also, if you have cut your finger 2 previous times, like my Mommy, you DEFINITELY should be extra careful with knives! 

The ER wasn't too bad...but kind of boring.  The best part was when Mommy got a shot in her hand and she started wailing and hyperventilating...it was HILARIOUS!!!  I tried not to laugh, but I couldn't help it!

I got to stay up REAL late that night and then Mommy and I were both dragging the next day.

I LOVE Mommy's bandage...it's something new I get to grab when she's changing my diaper!  I'm sure she doesn't mind...even if it DOES hurt a little ;)

Love,

Zoe

This and that...

Zoe and Daddy in Lake Michigan...notice Daddy is the only one getting wet.  It's cold in that lake!

Daddy-daughter snooze time.

Zoe has her very own swing at g.mama's house.  

One night Zoe got mad about the different textures that she was being offered at dinner.  She needed to dine alfresco after that to take her mind off of her troubles.  

 Thought it would be good to capture the chaotic scene that our home has become post baby.

"Um..... Zoe, you've got a little something on your chin there..."

Back to School Shopping

A lightweight hat is a must for those chilly Fall mornings.

 

Skinny jeans...very trendy

 

Flare jeans...a classic style

Pure Michigan

 Yes, it's true...those Michigan tourism commercials got to us and we traveled to Michigan to spend time with the Roths and Bauers. 

 

We stayed at a nice house on the North side of South Haven.

 

Zoe FINALLY got to meet cousins Heather, Tory, and Ally!

Grandma Jane stopped by for a visit too...and brought Zoe a cute onesie from Kalamazoo...

 

Grandma Jane and Dale brought their boat to take us on a ride...Zoe's first ride on a boat!

 

Safety first!  Everything looks okay in this picture, but Zoe did not love the life jacket thing.

 

First driving lesson

 

Back on land...cousin Amy was so much fun! 

  

Zoe doesn't know how to make funny faces yet, but she'll learn.

Dog or horse?  You be the judge.

 

Traverse City cherry and fudge ice cream...yuuuuuummmmm.

The Bauers and Roths...we missed you Mary!

Beach time...after the 177 steps down the beach stairs...okay on the way down, killer on the way up!

 

Uncle Chris makes a really fun jungle gym.

  

Please keep your pole dancing comments to yourself ;)

SMORES!

 

Impromptu baseball game.

 

Rainy day activity...t-shirt coloring.

Cousin Amy made a "Super Z" onesie for the Zoemeister.  Isn't it cute?

 

Zoe really looked up to her cousins.

ha ha

 

Calypso was a chill dog...really. 

Last harrah...trip to the beach for sunset...we only get to see it rise on our side of the lake!

  

Goodbye Michigan!  We'll see you again soon!