Zoey is FOUR

Our spunky, sassy, sweet, and sensitive girl is FOUR years old!  I went back and read her THREE post and while emotional, I found myself nodding because so much of it is still true despite her being a year older.

Height: 38 inches

Weight: 33 lbs 2 oz

- Loves to sing (loudly) and dance, perform, and tell stories

- Very interested in imaginative play with her dolls and Barbies, all of which she calls "dollies"

- Took several sessions of ballet at the YMCA and performed in their spring recital.  She looked absolutely beautiful, danced wonderfully, and loved being on stage

- Finally (finally!) potty trained after a good 10 months from when we started.  Her stubbornness (thank you, Ryan), and a new baby brother derailed us but she finally got it about 6 months ago.  The silver lining was that once she "got it," she was able to stay dry day and night

- Is about to complete her first year of preschool with Ms. Tiffany

- Best friends are Madalyn, Liberty, Emily, Grady, Logan, and Jack

- Tells me at least five times a week that she is going to marry Jack.  Jack also calls her a "beautiful princess" and she calls him her "prince."  Lord, help us

- Is showing herself to be a perfectionist in a lot of things and gets frustrated if she can't or doesn't do something right (sorry baby girl but you get that from your mama)

- Is such a girly girl.  Loves to play dress up, change her outfit 17 times a day, accessorize, wear dresses, play with make-up, and have her nails painted

- Even though she is a girly girl, she can hang with the boys for sure.  She is still fearless and wants to do anything and everything her Big Bubba does

- Had her top left, front tooth pulled after the dentist discovered it had been impacted by her fall out of the shopping cart a few years ago.  While I'm still adjusting to her smile (and in a way mourning the loss of that sweet little baby tooth), she smiles with pride and is always asking when the other one will come out

- We say a nightly affirmation to each other.  "I am kind.  I am smart.  I am beautiful.  I am important."  Then, I ask her who she is and she says (yells), "I am Zoey Grace Peters!"

- Attended her first Daddy Daughter Dance with Ryan and it was pretty much her best day ever.  She wore a beautiful dress and shoes, I curled her hair, applied a little makeup, and Daddy brought her a corsage

- She became a big sister to Baby Bubba and absolutely adores him.  She is my biggest helper and I hope she'll be a great little mama someday

My Zoey Grace.  I am so lucky to be your Mommy.  Everyday I feel grateful to have a daughter like you that teaches me grace, patience, and understanding.  You bring so much joy to our family and anyone you meet.  I find myself expecting a lot from you, and often - more than I should.  But it's only because you are an amazing little girl who is destined for big things.  I hope you are always true to yourself and remember that your are smart, beautiful, kind, important, and so very loved.  I love you to the moon and the stars, my little peach.

Take Luck,

LP  

Zoey is THREE

Our little firecracker is three years old and you guessed it - I cannot believe it.

Weight: 28 pounds 6 ounces (28th percentile)

Height: 35.8 inches (22nd percentile)

She is still this petite little thing, but I promise you that there is so much life and exuberance packed into every inch of her.  Her three-year well check sounded a lot like her two-and-a-half-year well check: she's tiny with above average speech and below average bowel movement frequency.

- Favorite songs to sing (aka belt out at the top of her lungs) are "A Million Dreams" from The Greatest Showman, Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus, and Crazy Girl by The Eli Young Band

- Favorite show is still Bubble Guppies and she is always requesting to watch "Hall-weeeeen Gubba Guppies"

- Favorite movies are The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast

- She's started the bedtime stall tactics and those have only increased since she's now sharing a room with Bubba.  My favorite is when she says "but Mommy, I just want to touch your hair."

- Asks so many questions and most of them start with, "but why, Mama?"

- Loves gymnastics and has transitioned really nicely from the tots class (with a parent down on the floor with her) to the regular toddler/kids class

- She tried ballet for one class but it was too slow for her style

- Still a fearless little thing.  As evidenced in gymnastics when she barrels down the tumble track and then leaps into the pit

- Not only is she fearless but she is tough!  She just wants to keep up with her big brother

- Potty training is super hit and miss.  She shows a lot of interest but not enough to be consistent.   I know we need to push this more but she's pretty stubborn so I am treading carefully

- Asked for a squirrel for her birthday.  A live one.

- Best friends are Grady, Liberty, and Logan

- Still a great eater.  Her favorite things to request are popsicles and "pirates booties"

- Very into princesses, dress up, and accessorizing with earrings, necklaces, bracelets, crowns, shoes, and purses.  Her favorite princesses are Belle, Elsa, Ariel, and Rapunzel.  She's also perfecting her curtsy.

- Loves to have her "painnails" (fingernails) painted

- Is becoming more particular about what she wears

- Wears 3T tops, 2T bottoms, and size 7 shoes

- Is an amazing combination of sweet and sassy

- Will say "I'm a nice friend" when she does something nice or thoughtful for me

- Nicknames include Zo Zo, Ladybug, Little Bear, Sissy/Sis, and Peaches

My Zoey Grace, you keep us on our toes.  I am so lucky to be your mommy.  You have the sweetest heart that is sometimes full of sass.  I hope you are always a strong willed creature.  You bring us so much joy and laughter with your funny and dramatic personality, your animated expressions, and your love for the most ordinary things.  You truly are a one-of-a-kind.  Always remember that you are smart, kind, important, and beautiful.  I love you to the moon and stars, my little peach.

Take Luck,

LP

Zoey at 2.5

Sweet Jesus, she's two and a half.  I seriously swear that she just turned two and cannot, cannot, cannot believe she's on her way to being three.  It's also crazy to me because this is how old Cam was when she was born, so I'm feeling lots of feelings right now.

Weight: 25 pounds 4 ounces (13th percentile)

Height: 35 inches (38th percentile)

Head Circumference: 18 inches (5th percentile)

Her 2.5 year well check up went something like this: she's tiny with above average speech and below average bowel movement frequency

- This tiny thing is fearless. 

- Seriously loves to sing.  Favorites include ABCs, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Tomorrow (from Annie), and Let it Go (from Frozen)

- Favorite shows are Bubble Guppies, Team Umizoomi, Mickey and the Roadster Racers (especially Minnie) and Puppy Dog Pals

- Favorite movies are The Little Mermaid, Tangled, Moana, Annie, and Finding Dory

- Loves playing with her baby dolls and calls them all "baby sister"

- Loves gymnastics and is perfecting her forward roll

- Sleeps in a big girl bed and does mostly very well.  At times I catch her out of bed - laying on the floor, covered in blankets, "reading books" to her "friends"

- Favorite people in the world include daddy, papa, bubba, Uncle Joshy, Uncle Ryan, and Chris

- Loves to say "Mommy guess what... I got a surprise for you" and then usually tells me it's an (invisible) cake pop

- Still a (mostly) good eater and far more willing to try things than Cam was (or is).  Also prefers to eat off other people's plates even if it's the exact same food on her plate

- Can out-eat me if we're having spaghetti for dinner

- Loves chocolate milk and popsicles

- Steals my La Croix

- Still puts all the things in her mouth.  I'm really waiting (impatiently) for her to grow out of this trait

- Wears almost all 2T clothing except for pants - 18/24 month bottoms fit her best.  Although, her little badonkadonk makes bottoms a challenge at times

- Has so much sass, attitude, and drama in her little body

- Flo is her soulmate

- Still has her Kiki (binky) but will be losing said friend at the end of December when I'm off of work for a whole week and can deal with her wrath and any potential sleep deprivation

- Learning more colors

- Loves to play dress-up

- Went to Santa Cruz, California for the first time and loved it

- Obsessed with "whipstick" (lipstick), juice, brushing her teeth, and "glubs" (gloves), gymnastics, and swimming at the YMCA

- Can tell you her name is Zoey Grace Peters

- Does not shy away from strangers and is always telling people, "I Zoey.  I fwee (three)."

- Best friends are Grady and Liberty

- Nicknames include Zo Zo, Beautiful, Little Bear or Baby Bear, Peaches, Little Peach, Drama Llama, and Sassy Pants

Zoey Grace, you rock our world.  I am so lucky to be your mommy... Even when you're yelling at me and telling me that I'm bad.  You have the sweetest heart that is sometimes full of sass.  I hope you are always a strong willed creature.  You bring us so much joy and laughter with your funny and dramatic personality.  There truly is no one like you.  Always remember that you are smart, kind, important, and beautiful.  I love you to the moon and stars, my little peach.

Take Luck,

LP 

Zoey is TWO

Zoey Grace is two and I can hardly believe it.  Time is flying by and I am way more emotional about her turning two than I was about Cam.  Probably because when he turned two I was newly-pregnant and so I knew we'd get to do this again.  Now, I'm almost fairly certain that this is our last go-round and so I'm a blubbering mess of feelings.

Weight: 24 pounds 1 ounce (35th percentile)

Height: 32 1/2 inches (30th percentile)

Head Circumference: 17 3/4 inches (6th percentile)

- This tiny girl is like a switch.  She has one speed - on or off.  She is fearless, has so much energy, into everything, and constantly pushing the boundaries and limits

- Talks very well for her age, which is nice because she can tell us what she wants but is also not nice because she can tell us what she wants

- Wears mostly 18-24 month clothing and 2T tops.  She's like her brother and longer on the top half than she is the bottom half

- Sassy doesn't even begin to describe the attitude that's packed into this little body

- Flo is still her soulmate and she grows more and more attached to Kiki (her elephant binky) every single day

- Gets immense joy from breaking crayons with her teeth and chewing up the tidbits

- Favorite movies are Moana, Trolls, and Frozen

- Dances and sings like nobody's business.  Her favorite songs to sing are "Let it Go," "Twinkle, Twinkle," "ABCs," and pretty much any song from Moana

- Can count to 14 or 15 - depends on the day and her mood

- Can identify the colors blue, orange, and pink

- Loves to put on clothes that aren't hers and loves to accessorize with necklaces and bracelets

- Is a much better eater than Cam ever was (or is).  She'd eat an entire container of berries if I let her

- Has a flair for the dramatic and has become quite the sympathy crier

- Is still a little snuggle bug and loves to give hugs and kisses

- Has become quite possessive over Mommy and Miss Bree (a daycare provider and babysitter)

- Went to Disneyland and Michigan for the first time

- Is obsessed with "shnapstick" (chapstick), juice, sticking out her tongue, brushing her teeth, wearing "glubs" (gloves), and going swimming at the YMCA

- Hates the moment in between a shirt or sweatshirt going over her head and after her head pops through the hole

- Had her first major injury when she fell out of the shopping cart at Home Depot and hit her head on the concrete floor.  She very briefly lost conciousness and we took an ambulance right to the Emergency Room where a CT showed that she had a concussion and fracture in her skull 

- Favorite people in the world include Mommy, Daddy, Bubba, Grammy, Papa, Ray Ray, Chris, Miss Bree, and Uncle Joshy

- Best friends are Grady and Liberty

- Nicknames include Zo Zo, Beautiful, Little Bear, Peaches, and Little Peach.  Sometimes I call her "little asshole" or "little shit" under my breath but I wouldn't count those as official nicknames

Zoey Grace.  Words cannot describe how happy it makes me and how grateful I am to be your mommy.  I have loved seeing you grow into the sassy and sweet little bug that you've become.  You truly are a joy to be around (at least most of the time) and your daddy, bubba, and I simply adore you.  My greatest hope is that you grow up to be a strong woman, who believes that her worth is not determined by what is on the outside - but on the inside.  Watching you grow is incredibly bittersweet and I can't wait to see what you have to offer this world.  You are a force to be reckoned with.  Always remember that you are smart, kind, important, and beautiful.  I love you to the moon and stars, my little bear.

Take Luck,

LP

Zoey - 18 Months

Time is a jerk.  And a thief.  Zo Bug is 18 months old today.

And she's just as thrilled about it as I am.

Weight: 21 pounds 5 ounces (34th percentile)

Height: 31 1/2 inches (41st percentile)

Head Circumference: 17 inches (1st percentile)

- She is so busy.  I thought Cam was busy at this age, but man.  She brings the energy.

- Super, duper chatty and says mama/mommy, dada/daddy, bubba, papa, gaga, Flo, thank you, please, hi, bye, milk, book, outside, shoes, uh oh, ow, ouchie, kitty, doggy, yes, no, bath, potty, poo poo

- Wears mostly 12 month clothing, with some 18 month items thrown in the mix

- Still a happy gal, but sass and a little attitude has started to show itself

- Climbs on all the things despite our repeated attempts to tell her not to

- Managed to climb out of her pack and play at daycare just this week

- Her favorite toy is still her lovey, Flo, and whatever else Camden is trying to play with

- Her favorite book is If Animals Kissed Goodnight

- She is all about watching Finding Dory right now

- Continues to be fearless and a tiny destructor

- Puts all the things in her mouth

- Stands on her tip-toes when she's trying to poop

- Started "tots" gymnastics class

- She dances like no child I've ever seen

- Tries to sing "Let it Go," "Try Everything," "ABC's," and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"

- Has 12 teeth

- Prefers to eat food off other people's plates instead of her own, even if it's the exact same thing

- Loves ketchup, sour cream, and ranch dressing. So much so that she doesn't care about eating actual food with the condiments.

- Gets really, really, really mad when it's time to get out of the bath

- Loves to take showers with Mommy

- Can count to 10

- Likes to sit on the potty even though she doesn't do any potty business

- Tells us when she's gone poo poo

- Loves to give kisses, hugs, high fives, and fist bumps

- Loves to dress up and put on clothes, shoes and accessories

- She adores the men in her life - Camden, Daddy, Papa, Uncle Joshy, Chris, and Jason

- Knows she's adorable and funny

We're in trouble with this little firecracker.

Zo Zo, I love you so.

Take Luck,

LP

Zoey - 15 Months

It goes without saying that I'm in a bit of denial over this 15 months business.  She just turned one, right?!

Weight: 19 pounds 3.4 ounces (21st percentile)

Height: 30.5 inches (49th percentile) 

Head Circumference: 17.5 inches (19th percentile)

I am a terrible mother and didn't document Cam's 15 month stats, but something tells me he was bigger in all aspects.

- Wears mostly 12 month clothing.

- The happiest of the happy babies.

- Has discovered running.

- Continues to climb on everything despite being told not to.

- Favorite toys are balls, baby dolls, Flo, and anything that Cam is trying to play with.

- Has no fear.  Of anything.

- Destructor of anything in her path.

- Is a dancing queen.

- Has eight sharp teeth.

- I swear her hair grows inches overnight.

- Loves to eat and steal food.  She also loves to feed anyone within arm's length and Sonny.

- Is super vocal and chatty.  Says mama, dada/daddy, bubba, papa, gaga, Fo (Flo), thank you, hi, bye, wa dat (what's that), outside, ball, shoes, uh oh, ow, ouch, kitty, doggy.

- If you say "one, two..." she will say "eeeeeeee!"
-Can point to her head, nose, and ears.

- Really loves to give kisses and neck-squeezing hugs.

- Loves wearing hats, jackets, and shoes.

- Is drawn to boys/men over girls/women.

- Shakes her head "no" when she doesn't want something.

- Points to the refrigerator when she wants milk.

- Waves to any and all strangers.

- Genuine heart-melter.

- Adores her big brother more than ever.  Seriously, their relationship is beyond adorable and I am trying to cherish every minute.

Take Luck,

LP 



Zoey - 12 Months

And just like that.  My baby girl is ONE.

Weight: 18 pounds 4 ounces (26th percentile)

Height: 28 3/4 inches (35th percentile)

Head Circumference: 17 inches (10th percentile)

For comparison, Cam was 19 pounds 8 ounces (8th percentile), 28 inches long (6th percentile) and had a head circumference of 18 inches (32nd percentile) at 12 months.

- Still rocks 9 month and 6-12 month clothing.  I tried to put her in a 12 month jacket the other day and it nearly swallowed her whole.

- Up until this past week has been the happiest of the happy babies.  Teething is kicking her sweet nature to the curb and left us with a crab.

- She is officially a walker.  We were counting her steps for awhile but once we got to 15... We stopped.

- Climbs on everything, and does not stop moving.
- Goes from sitting to standing (without pulling herself up on something).
- Bear crawls.

- Favorite toys are her push car, picnic basket, and baby doll.  And whatever Cam is playing with.  And Flo.  Cannot forget Flo.

- Still finds incredible joy in splashing in Sonny's water or tipping it over entirely.

- Climbs the stairs like a cheetah.

- Had her first sinus infection.

- Has four a half teeth.  I say half because one on top has almost totally poked through but is taking it's sweet ass time.  I think the bottom two are next.

- Loves to eat, though she seems to be getting pickier.  She deliberately picks through her food to eat the fruit before the veggies and/or meat.

- Is super vocal and her little voice just melts my heart.  She says "hi," "uh oh," "ow," "mama," and "dada."  Sometimes I swear she says "thank you" and "kitty."

- Shakes her head no, but I'm pretty sure most of the time it's just for fun.

- Blows kisses by putting her palm to her mouth and then repeatedly smacking herself in the face.
- Gives super enthusiastic high fives.

- Waves "hi" and "bye" with both hands facing toward herself.

- Covers her ears or brings her hands up to her face when you tell her "ah ah" (no).

- Does not like it when Sonny barks incessantly and will scurry to the nearest adult to be held and snuggled.  She is also scared of the vacuum.

- Likes to feed people and steal food off of your plate.

- Loves to wrestle with Cam and sometimes is the instigator.

- Loves to "try on clothes" by putting them over her face, on her head, and around her neck.
- Is seriously a water baby.  She tries to swim out of my arms at the pool and sticks her face underneath the spout in the bathtub.

- Has lots of little eczema patches on her back and chest that come and go no matter how much eczema lotion I apply.

- Adores her crazy big brother.  She doesn't care that I come to retrieve her in the morning.  I pick her up and she immediately peeks around to look for him.

Zoey Grace.  Words cannot describe how happy it makes me and how grateful I am to be your mommy.  I have loved getting to know you this past year and seeing you grow into the spunky and sweet little bug that you've become.  You truly are a joy to be around and your daddy, brother, and I simply adore you.  My greatest hope is that you grow up to be a strong woman, who believes that her worth is not determined by what is on the outside - but on the inside.  Watching you grow is incredibly bittersweet and I can't wait to see what you have to offer this world.  I love you to the moon and stars.  You are my littlest love.

Take Luck,

LP

Zoey - 11 Months

I literally feel as though I was just typing out Zoey's 10 Month post.  April flew by and I am not super happy about it.  The countdown to her first birthday has begun.

- The petite princess still wears the crown.  Last week her weight was 18 pounds 5 ounces but I have no idea how long she is.

- Fits into 9 month and 6-12 month clothing.  We still roll a lot of pant legs.

- Happy and chill until you take away her toy or keep her from doing whatever naughty thing she was doing. Then she's not very happy and really quite dramatic.

- Pulls herself up on everything, climbs on anything she can, and cruises along the furniture.

- Can stand unassisted but mostly has no interest in taking any steps.  I say mostly because she has taken a few steps in the last few days.

- Is crazy about the push car and loves to walk behind it and scoot herself along while sitting on it.

- Is crazy busy.  Her favorite activities include getting into the dog's water bowl, climbing the stairs, climbing into the entertainment center, and putting anything she can find into her mouth.

- Being told "ah ah" (no) only makes her crawl faster towards whatever it is she shouldn't be crawling to (i.e. dog's water bowl, the stairs, the entertainment center).

- Had pneumonia for the second time and was not at all interested in having her breathing treatments.

- Still has only four teeth (two on top, two on bottom) but I think the next top two will be along soon.

- Hasn't met many foods she doesn't like and most of the time eats as though it's been days since she was last fed.

- Has started head butting and this is my least favorite development.  Usually my nose or my mouth are the recipients and she thinks it's a hoot.

- Puts phones, remotes, and the baby monitor up to her head and says "hi."

- Claps when you say "yay" and has very recently started waving hi/bye.

- Has discovered her tongue (as evidenced in her official 11 month portrait).

- Signs "all done" when she is done eating.  Or when she was over her breathing treatment.

- Loves to dance.

- Wants to do whatever Cam is doing, play with whatever he's playing with, and eat whatever he is eating.  You can tell she thinks he's the best thing ever.  And he thinks she's obnoxious.  They do have some sweet moments together and when they make each other laugh it is the sweetest sound I've ever heard.

- Sister is going to be a tough cookie thanks to her big brother.

Oh, Zo Zo.  I love you so.

Take Luck,

LP

Zoey - 10 Months

We've entered double-digit months and I am feeling all the feelings.  This is such a fun age, but I would honestly be OK if this next month dragged a little tiny bit.

- Still a petite little peanut.  And I cannot tell you how many strangers say, "is she small for her age?" I can never think of a sassy rebuttal so if you think of one - please let me know.  I'd guess she's somewhere between 17 and 18 pounds.

- Slowly fitting into her 9 month and 6-12 month wardrobe.  We roll a lot of pant legs.

- Speaking of wardrobe.  I am having a lot of fun dressing her.

- So happy.  And chill.  And wins "favorite child of the day" almost daily.  Just kidding.

- Has two crawling speeds - leisure and turbo.  The difference is what she does with her head.  If it's up, she's in leisure mode and if it's down, she's gone turbo.

- Pulls herself up and climbs on everything.

- Will sometimes cruise along the furniture.

- Uses the little push car to "walk" but hasn't figured out that her knees bend so she looks a little like a young Forrest Gump.

- I thought having a girl would mean a more sedentary baby (compared to Cam) but I was very, very, very wrong.  In fact, she might even be busier than he was at this age.  And he was walking.  So, that's frightening.

- Now has four teeth - two on the top and two on the bottom.

- Overnight sleep and naps continue to be good.  Every once in awhile she will protest her afternoon nap.

- Is loud.  She is constantly babbling and letting you know that you are in her presence.  

- Says "uh oh," but not really.  She repeats us by saying "ah ahhhh" and does the inflections with her little voice without actually saying the words.

- Puts all the things in her mouth.  Paper, rocks, chalk, twigs, beauty bark, dog food, grass, whatever.

- Other than hard boiled eggs, she hasn't met a food she didn't like.

- Baths are her love language.

- Has earned the nickname "bootylicious" because girlfriend has junk in her trunk.

- If you take something away from her, she will dramatically put her head face down on the floor.

- Finds Camden absolutely hysterical and wants to do whatever he is doing.  Despite our demands that he be gentle with her, he can get quite rough.  She tolerates it because it means he's paying attention to her.  

Oh, Zo Zo.  I love you so.

Take Luck,

LP

Zoey - 9 Months

Another month here and gone and I continue to only come to this space to update on Zoey.  Some things don't change much around here but Miss Zo Zo sure does.  I cannot believe we are entering into the last quarter of her first year of life!

Weight: 16 pounds 12 ounces (26th percentile)

Height: 26 3/4 inches (19th percentile)

Head Circumference: 16 1/2 inches (8th percentile)

(For comparison, Cam was 18 pounds 10 ounces (23rd percentile), 27 1/2 inches long (29th percentile) and had a head circumference of 18 inches (66th percentile) at 9 months.

- Still wearing 6 month clothing and swims in anything that's 6-12 months.

- Is just as happy as could be.

- Progressed from army crawling to full blown crawling.

- Is pulling herself up to stand on everything she can - the couch, coffee table, dressers, drawers, her crib.

- Has discovered the joys of pulling the DVDs off of the shelf.  And splashing in the dog's water bowl.

- Still only has the two bottom teeth but I don't think the top two are far away.

- Overnight sleep remains really good and I am still enjoying it while it lasts (see above).

- Naps are still overall really good and she consistently takes two a day.

- Might be spitting up less (finally)?

- Had pneumonia that required at-home breathing treatments.

- Is very vocal and a constant babbler, saying "dadadada," "mamamama," and "nanananana."  Not that she associates those with Ryan, me, or whatever "nananana" means.

- Has a serious attachment to her lovey, Flo.

- Gives very slobbery, very open mouthed kisses.

- Laughs when I brush her teeth/gums.

- Squeals and kicks her legs when we go in the bathroom for bath time.

- Loves "swimming" in the pool at the YMCA.  I think I need to start wearing goggles because of how much she splashes.  She seems very natural and relaxed in the water and even lets me lay her on her back to back float.

- Adores her big brother.  Cam can get pretty rough with her and she still just smiles and laughs and thinks he hung the moon.  Even when he's laying on top of her.

- Hasn't seemed to meet a food that she doesn't like.  We rely heavily on her Munchkin food net and she loves it.

Zo Zo, I love you so.

Take Luck,

LP