Zoë is Two...and a half!

Zoë, this day snuck up on me... you are 2 1/2 years old! Here's what you're doing these days:

Pretty in purple on Zeke's 6th Birthday

- You count to 12 pretty easy, although you often miss '6'. You know your abc's pretty well and went through a phase of really enjoying your nursery rhyme book, especially "Baa, Baa Black Sheep". Naomi has a book of a few nursery rhymes and you like to "Jump over the moon" like the cow. Your little voice says, "See, Mama? See Mama?" followed by a giggle as you lift your leg to the sky. You also like for me to sing you "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" when you see the star in your "Hoot" book and I tickle you at the end. And at night you often ask me to sing "I wish..." which is "How Far I'll Go" from "Moana."

Your recent discovery of the delight of chocolate makes me smile

- You like to take sips of my coffee and seem to zero in on me whenever I'm eating chocolate. You are a pretty good eater, still drinking a full cup of juice when you wake up and eating breakfast rather slowly. I've started to leave it on the table and you finish it between 10-11 AM. Some of your favorite things to eat are hummus, chocolate, cookies, cuties, chips, turkey lunch meat, honey nut cheerios and the broth from all the soups I've been making this winter.

- You typically sleep from about 9 pm - 8 am and take a nap from about 1:30-3:30 pm most days. At night when we say prayers, you always want to pray for "Zekey and Marshall and the chickens and the birds." I'm not sure why you started thinking of the birds, but it has become a part of the routine. I enjoy our nighttime routine together, with you chatting away and "painting" books with your baby bottle, while I read or sing to you and feed Naomi and we enjoy having us three girls together. 

- You love your brothers and sister so much! When Zeke cries you often give him hugs (even if it was you that made him cry ;)). You follow Levi everywhere and copy most everything he does (for better or worse); you see him eat a certain way at the table, you do the same. He runs around growling? So do you. Sometimes you call him "Bubby" and every once in awhile you are referring to him as "Levi." You are very protective of Naomi, whom you lovingly call "No-mee". If she's not in the room at night, you ask where she is. You tell me when she's crying and needs help. You sometimes hold her, but not for long.

One of my favorite pictures of you, EVER! <3 

- You love to spend time outdoors, just like me. You like to run over and slip on your brown boots from Miriam. You are very independent and do your best to get yourself ready as much as you're able. Sometimes when I try to help you, you push my hand away and say, "Stop it!"

- I'm enjoying doing your hair. You got your first brush in your stocking for Christmas and you love it! You're so proud to go get it when I ask to brush your hair after bath time. Your hair is mostly curly, but on these less humid, winter days, it straightens out so I've braided it (once) and we put in barrettes and ponytails. You found your bows recently and have started putting in your pink one every day. You LOVE to accessorize! You received several sets of bracelets for Christmas and wear most of them, daily, as well as your my little pony watch. You also received a peacock necklace which you like to throw into the rotation every once in awhile.

- You are NOT a fan of brushing your teeth and I have no idea why. You are potty-trained! I began in October with you so you could be done before Naomi arrived. You are doing very well and can almost do it all by yourself most days unless your pants are a little too tight. You don't mind having Levi or Zeke help you if I'm not able to get there to do it.

Levi's fall soccer games were mostly chilly

- You enjoy going out with Daddy in the mornings, even if it's cold, to help with the chickens and take care of Marshall. You said just the other day, "Look Daddy, four chickie eggs!" If I ask, you'll put on your slippers and go to the garage and get food for Dora. Although if I forget to turn on the light you wait because it's "creepy" out there if it's dark :o)

Finding cats at Aunt Heather's is your favorite thing to do upon arrival

- I painted your nails for the first time in September! We've only done it a few times since then, and I think I enjoy it more than you do. But we still had fun. You have purple and pink polish so far.

- When I was purchasing school supplies for Zeke, I also got an activity book for Levi and an animal coloring book for you. You have taken it on as a loving possession. You didn't embrace it at first, but now you carry it everywhere with a pink marker and add to it throughout the day when the boys are doing their work, or even when they're not. The front and back covers are ripped off by now, but it's full of your scribbles and colorings and stickers. I think you're proud of your "workbook" and I love that you're enjoying it! 

My darling girl, what a treasure you are! A bright spot in our lives. You laugh loud and dance with sass. You've started to proclaim, "I love it!" to various items we ask you about and sing along to the Doxology with us before supper. You have lots of energy and jump well on the trampoline in the toy room. You are strong and coordinated; your big, blue eyes make everything you say and do seem more emphatic. I love this stage of life you are in and hope I can remember at least a few pieces through these pictures and words. Love, Mommy