We have a 2 year old!

How is that possible?  Probably the only good advice that any parent will give someone who is about to have a baby is "blink and they'll be going off to college....they'll grow up before your very eyes."  Cliche but oh how true this is....we can't get over how our baby girl is turning into this tiny adult.  Talking up a storm, forming sentences, realizing that we have to watch what we say because she really does listen and can understand pretty much every word.  It is all so exciting.  To think that she went from this....

to this......

 UNREAL!!!

Some of Zoe's favorite things right now: applesauce (aka pureed fruit in a pouch), yogurt, any movie with a princess in it (still loves Nemo and Shrek although the princesses are quickly gaining a lead), reading books- sometimes she even prefers to "read" them to herself and will go through the entire shelf, reciting her ABCs and singing Twinkle Twinkle or Row your Boat.  She loves twirling and dancing and music, but don't you dare sing over her or she'll say "STOP Mommy!"  Her official stats are 27 lbs, 0.5 oz(55%), 33.5 inches (50%), and head 47.5 cm (50%).  So she's not quite the chunky monkey she used to be....doctor said she's probably leveled out a bit but don't be surprised if she goes through another growth spurt.  

Here are a few more pics from her princess party.  We had just a small family affair- she loved playing dress up with her cousins and thought blowing out the candle was the coolest thing ever.

 the bubble party favors were a big hit!

 I think Christmas definitely broke her in as far as gift opening went....she was a champ!

 this look cracks me up!

Zoe with her 2nd cousins, Jessie and Jackie

Happy Birthday Zoe....we love you!!!!

Christmas 2012

Christmas really is such a wonderful time of year.  It is so amazing to see it through the eyes of a child, and I just love that each year gets better and better with Zoe.  This year she could definitely open her own presents and realize what was for her, although keeping her on task was a little more difficult b/c she just wanted to play with whatever she just opened.  But we were very blessed to be able to spend time with all our families, and Zoe took it all in like a champ.

 

We started it off with Christmas Eve at VV's house.

 she loved showing off her new clothes

 

 testing out her new piano from VV

 got lots of new puzzles to play with

 

We did Xmas morning at our house just the 3 of us- opened our stockings and got to play with more toys before heading to Carter's.

 Lady and the Tramp was a big hit

 Maggie managed to step over all the presents and hide behind the tree during the thunderstorm before it started snowing

Papa Scott and Grandma Kel at Carter's for brunch

 can't go wrong with a tutu skirt

 doesn't know what to think of the snow

 

Then we ended the day at the lake

 

Trying to get our annual pj picture is proving much more difficult as they get older

 

but they had fun being kids!



Chinese Lantern Festival

State Fair Park in Dallas has a great chinese lights display going on right now.  We went the week before Christmas with the McLarty/Ferguson gang and had a great time.  Highly recommend...

 

 

 looking up at the lights in awe

 

 it took all of 3 seconds before Daddy had bought his princess this crown!

 

 Ethan likes the dinosaurs

 

Santa Pig

So our awesome neighbors Juan and Jayme throw the best parties....this year they threw a Christmas party for the kiddos, and like many people I know, their kids had already seen numerous Santas this year and the act was getting old. So what did they do....they invited over Santa Pig of course! The kids loved it and it was by far the most unique holiday party we've been to!  Thanks Juan and Jayme!

 

Breakfast with Santa 2012

The Annual Fort Worth Club Breakfast with Santa

 

 Her face says it all....

 

 You're telling me this phone calls Santa?!?

 

 Making the Xmas ornament...her favorite part of the whole day.  She's turning into one artsy little girl....wouldn't even give the petting zoo behind her the time of day.  She would have stayed at that table the whole time if I let her.

 Who is this guy???

 

 Found Nevis at the end...school buddies!

and now I'm ready to go home and crash for 3 hours!