Toddler Time

There are lots of ways to define the word 'toddler'. Some books say that your child is an infant until six months, a baby from six months to two years and a toddler after he or she turns two years old. Some books say that a toddler is when they begin walking, or "toddling" around. I side more with the latter. Toddlers have a reputation of developing a personality and walking (running) around. Zoe started walking a few days after her first birthday. I still would have called her a baby at that time. Let's be real though, she will forever be my little baby.

I would say that Zoe is for sure a toddler now. She is starting to show that little personality. She is beginning to say more words. She builds on her vocabulary every day. Some words include: Mama, Dada, uh oh, hello, bye, og (dog), here you go and ffle (waffle). There are more words, I'm sure. Nate and other people hear her say more words than I do. For some reason, I can't detect them as well as others. It may be that we are just together the most.

One of the other reasons that I would say Zoe is a toddler now, is that she is developing an attitude. She knows what she wants. Like most toddlers, she can't express what she wants very clearly to Mommy. This makes for frustration on both of our parts. She gets upset about people leaving out any door or closing any door. Ironically enough, her favorite game is to open and shut doors. I think she feels the need to be in control. I wonder where she gets that trait? Oops. I haven't seen her do this in a few days, but when she gets upset, sometimes she will throw down on the ground whatever is in her hands in frustration, then smile and say "Uh oh". Personality.


So much personality.


"You want me to take a nap? HAHAHAHA!"



Some people know that I am not a very pleasant person when I am hungry. I truly believe that those Snickers commercials are written about me. "Hanger" is real. Sadly, Zoe has also developed hanger. It's real and apparently hereditary. Poor Nate and his hungry, angry women.


Mac and Cheese girl. She may look like her daddy, but she is clearly my child.

Zoe is very busy and does not like to sit still. We don't mind her walking around. Someone joked with us that we should put a pedometer on her and see how many steps she is taking. She loves to walk around. This also means that she HATES sitting. Zoe especially loathes sitting in church. Lionel Richie clearly did not attend church on Sundays, especially with children. Sunday mornings for us are  about as "Easy" as the Cubs winning the World Series. As soon as Daddy starts talking, Zoe must find him. Church consists of me chasing her around the church for an hour. I'm sweating and exhausted by the end. We are working on getting some more appealing church toys to occupy her. Of course, when she is sitting with Daddy in church on vacation, she is a perfect angel.



Despite the toddler challenges, Zoe is still so much fun! Her new words and her smile make me laugh so much! She is so sweet. She loves to give kisses over video chat with family. She loves to entertain Mommy and Daddy. She loves to play hide and go seek and share with Mommy and Daddy. She is just the sweetest. All of the night time cuddles and the smiles more than make up for her toddler moments. I can't wait to see how she continues to grow and make us shake our heads, want to pull out our hair, and smile so big.


"The only difference between us and the animals is our ability to accessorize."



This face.
  



My girl.


Silly pants.


She likes to climb in things.


Our friend Sherri got her these awesome Minnie Mouse ears from Disney World.




We are currently on vacation. I will write about our summer travels soon. Hopefully.


That's all for now. God is good.