Yesterday was Zoe's one-year wellness check up and all is well.

Here are her stats:

Birth: 9lbs, 6.6 oz, 19 inches
Discharge: 8lbs, 14 oz
One week: 9lbs, 1.8 oz
Two week: 9lbs, 2.9 oz
Third Week: 9lbs, 5.6 oz
Four week: 10lbs, 8.3 oz, 21.75 in, Head Circumference: 14.7 in
Two-Month: 12lbs, 3.2oz, 22.75 in, Head Circumference: 15.4 in
Four-Month: 13lbs, 8.2oz, 24 in, Head Circumference: 15.6 in
Six-Month: 16lbs, 8.6oz, 25 in, Head Circumference: 16.7 in
Nine-Month: 17lbs, 15.1oz, 26.75 in, Head Circumference: 17.3 in
One Year: 19lbs, 8oz, 28.25 in, Head Circumference: 17.9 in

Caleb's stats at one year were: 22lbs, 5oz, 28.75 in, and Head Circumference: 18.5in

So, she's still a peanut compared to Caleb and that's fine with me. After all she is a girl

She had three shots yesterday: Varicella (chicken pox), PCV (Pneumoccoal) and HepA. She did really well with the shots, what she didn't like was being held down. That's what made her cry. Also, she had to get some labwork done. That was to check her CBC and lead counts. We should be ok with that. 

The blood draw was the worst though. She was already tired to begin with, but the phlebotomist did a great job and after three pokes we finally got what was needed.  Within five minutes of getting in the car, baby girl was fast asleep and by the time we got her in her room, she wound up sleeping for three hours.

Busy day for our big girl, but she got through it A-OK.

Zoe's Baby Forecast: Napping

My baby girl has turned one.

I remember at this moment, 6:10, I was starting to feel more and more contractions, but they were still bearable, and I was still thinking that they were Braxton Hicks. Turns out, by 7am, they were for real and by 8am we were calling the doctor.

This year has gone by so unbelievably fast. I don't remember it going by THIS fast with Caleb. Maybe, it's because with having two kids, the time just goes by faster because you're doing more and more running around. Or, maybe it's because I'm getting older and from this point in time in my life, time is going to go by fast. LOL

Over the past month, Zoe has been surprising us with what she really knows - rolling over from back to front, army crawling, hands and knees crawling, standing on her knees, standing on her feet, taking a few steps while holding on to her hands, and now, starting to climb the stairs. 

My baby girl is growing up SO fast. 

We will have her party later on today after church. I made the cake this year, which turned out so cute, and we'll be having a lunch/dinner. Going to be a big day. I just hope we can squeeze a nap in there for her somewhere.

Pictures will come sometime tomorrow I'm sure.

Zoe, you won't read this until you are older, but I want you to know that you (and your brother), mean the world to me. I couldn't even imagine what our lives would be like without you. You are my baby girl, and always will be. 

I love you with all my heart and all my soul. I can't wait to give you snuggles and kisses when you wake up this morning.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL. MOMMY AND DADDY LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!

Zoe's Monthly Forecast:  Many children take their first steps sometime between 9 and 12 months and are walking well by the time they're 14 or 15 months old. But don't worry if your child hasn't let go of the coffee table yet. It's also perfectly normal for kids not to take that first step until they're 15 or 16 months, or even later. (Learn more about when kids walk.)

Encourage both cruising and walking by giving your child lots of opportunities to move without help and by not picking her up and carrying her too often. You can encourage a tentative walker by arranging furniture so there are safe and convenient handholds all along her path. Remove any dangers she might grab on to, such as a dangling tablecloth or electrical cord.

If your child is trying to toddle, she might feel more secure if she can hang on to one of your fingers, or if she puts her hands in the air and you walk behind her, holding her hands. A push toy provides walking practice, too. Just make sure it's stable and has a wide, secure base.

Two walking aids you don't need: walkers (the American Academy of Pediatrics says they're unsafe and actually discourage kids from learning to walk) and shoes in the house. Bare feet, socks, or the popular soft-bottomed "baby shoes" help a beginning walker practice balance and coordination. Reserve real shoes for protecting your toddlers' feet outdoors.

You can prepare for your child's 12-month checkup by anticipating some of the questions the doctor is likely to ask, such as these:

• Sleep: How much is your child sleeping at night and during naps?
• Eating: What kinds of solid food is your child eating? How's her appetite? Does she enjoy feeding himself finger foods?
• Teeth: How many teeth has your child cut?
• Developmental skills: Is your child crawling well? Pulling up? Cruising or walking? Pointing? Making eye contact and responding to his name?
• Vision: Have you noticed frequent squinting or eye rubbing, or a tendency to hold toys and books close to his face? (Read about other signs of a vision problem.)
• Hearing: Does your child turn toward sounds? (Learn other signs of a hearing problem.)
• Speech: Does your child imitate sounds, babble, or say any words?

Time to add a new appointment to your child's schedule: a first visit to the dentist. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association recommend that you establish a "dental home" for your child around this age. They point out that about 40 percent of children have tooth decay by age 5, and that the rate of tooth decay in baby teeth has not declined as it has in permanent teeth over the last 30 years.

This first visit offers a baseline look at your child's mouth and reveals any problems that your child's doctor may have missed. It also gives the dentist an opportunity to offer pointers on caring for your toddler's budding teeth, preventing cavities, and ensuring the right intake of fluoride. You can stick with your own dentist or choose a pediatric dentist – a specialist with a child-friendly office who's an ace at keeping young children comfortable and relaxed.

At home, continue cleaning your toddler's teeth. You don't really need to use a toothbrush until the second molars (the ones farthest back) come in, typically between 20 and 30 months. Until then, simply wipe the teeth clean before bedtime using wet gauze or a washcloth and water. (To distract your child while you do the job, try giving her a toothbrush to hold.)

You don't even need toothpaste. You can use a fluoride-free baby toothpaste if you like, but don't add fluoridated toothpaste to the routine until at least age 2.

Cow's milk is probably becoming a big part of your child's diet now that she's passed the 12-month mark.

Whole milk is usually the beverage of choice at this age because toddlers need fat to fuel their growth and their considerable energy needs. (Possible exceptions: If you're overweight or obese, or have a family history of obesity, high cholesterol, or cardiovascular disease, your child's doctor may recommend starting with reduced-fat milk.)

At 24 months, your little one can safely switch to low-fat or even nonfat milk.

When consumed in moderate amounts, cow's milk has many nutrients a growing toddler needs. Nutritionists recommend that 1-year-olds drink at least 16 ounces of milk a day – but not more than 24 ounces.

Some kids love their milk and the challenge for parents is not to go overboard. A child who drinks more than 24 ounces may fill up on milk and miss out on other foods that are important for a balanced diet.

At the other extreme are toddlers who turn up their nose at cow's milk, at least at first. After all, it has a different texture, taste, and even temperature than breast milk or formula. Parents of reluctant milk-drinkers can try mixing whole milk with some breast milk or formula at first (say, one part whole milk and three parts of his usual stuff). Then slowly increase the amount of milk to 100 percent.

Find out more about introducing cow's milk and what your options are if your child can't or won't drink milk, or if you'd prefer to give her other calcium-rich beverages, such as fortified soy milk.

It's an exciting time when, after months of babbling, your child begins to form recognizable words. It's not an overnight process, and the pace varies significantly from child to child. One thing is sure, though:She understands far more than she can say. Some things to watch for now:

• Gestures that speak louder than words. Your toddler may be a girl of few words but speaking up a storm in gestures, like raised arms for "up" or a pointed finger for "What's that?" Children who learned sign language as babies are especially "fluent."
• Words with many meanings. An early word like "joos" may mean "I'm thirsty for milk," "No, I want water," or "Hey! I dropped my bottle!" Listen to the inflection. She'll say the same word in different ways and using different gestures.
• Words from everyday life. Perhaps not surprisingly, your child's first words probably relate to things in his immediate life: "Mama" and "Dada" and other favorite people or pets, or words having to do with eating ("baba" for bottle), sleeping ("nite-nite"), possessions ("ba" for bear), or desires ("up").

Your toddler's pincer grasp is probably well developed by now, so she can pick up small objects between her thumb and forefinger fairly easily. She may enjoy practicing this skill on any little thing she finds on the floor, which is a lot closer and more visible to her keen eyes than it is to yours.

Be extra careful about small but potentially dangerous little items that fall to the floor without adults noticing, such as vitamins and other pills, pieces of food (and pet food), pushpins from the bulletin board, tiny toy parts used by older siblings, and so on. They could end up in your child's mouth.

Your child is watching… everything… you… do. Toddlers love to copy the behavior of the people around them, especially their parents. It's how they learn basic behaviors.

You may see your child trying to brush her hair, wiping a counter with her bib, pressing buttons on your cell phone, or trying on your sunglasses. Eventually she'll pick up on your words and speech patterns, too.

Imitation has a downside, too. Your child may watch you take vitamins or pills and later, when you're not looking, decide to do the same herself. So be vigilant about safety. Use child-resistant caps on medicines and vitamins, and store the pills out of reach. Don't let her see how you open child-safety latches – she'll be eager to work them just like you do.

Worried that your little one isn't lurching around on two feet yet? There's probably no need for concern. The normal range for reaching this milestone is very broad, and some children don't walk until 16 or 17 months.

The 12-month mark is a good time to remember that each child is unique and meets milestones at her own pace. What's important is the progression – in other words, that she's continuing to develop and learn new skills.

Developmental guidelines merely show what your child has the potential to accomplish – if not right now, then soon. Trust your instincts, and don't hesitate to bring up concerns with your child's doctor if you're worried or want to know what to watch for.

Check out the video!

Yep, she's got piggies!!

Here's a video we got last night. She's just a little excited :)

Zoe's Baby Forecast: Napping

Yep, that's what Zoe has got to be thinking around the house. She's not fussy, crying or anything like that because Caleb is gone, but you can tell she's kind of looking around wondering what's different around the house.

Baby girl, it's called quiet. LOL.

But for sure, Zoe is getting some mommy time for sure, and she absolutely LOVES it. She's more out-going (with daddy), laughing more,  and becoming quite the little ham as of late. It's cute to watch. I just hope that she continues this when big brother Caleb comes home. I'm thinking that she will.

Caleb talked to Zoe a little bit on the phone this morning when he called. She looked stunned, almost like she was freaked out that he was in the phone. LOL. She started to pout just a little bit, but she started to smile towards the end. She didn't say anything though.

She's standing up more and more, and yesterday, she actually took one step while holding on to something. So, she's getting there. I still think she won't be fully walking until 15 months though.

But, she could prove me wrong!

Zoe's Baby Forecast: Napping

Yep, she started picking herself up and standing this weekend while we were in TX. Could hardly believe it when she did it. She did it the other day in the bathroom, but I thought it was just a fluke, but nope, she's standing, which means cruising comes next, then full-fledged walking. :)

She's a growing girl for sure.

Zoe took the trip well down to TX. She got a little tired about an hour out going and coming, but otherwise, she did GREAT!! So, happy that she did well.

She met her grandparents essentially for the first time this past weekend. She met them before, but she was so young still. But she did well with them. Normally, she's timid with strangers and new situations. She didn't want to go to them at all, and pretty much hugged me or tried to grab me if I sent her to one of them, but she did well, nevertheless. It's kind of one of those things, you just need to do it and they're fine, kind of deals.

Here's a video of Zoe from today:

Zoe's Baby Forecast: Napping

She done did it.

She fell down the stairs. Caleb did the same thing, however, Zoe wasn't clever enough to stop herself by grabbing on to the railing. She went down the whole flight, and landed smack on the ground. But, her going down the stairs wasn't all that bad. The thud at the end of the stairs was the worst, and the wailing cry. UGH.

She grabbed on to me and never let go for about a good 10 minutes. But, after the few snuggles we had, she got back on the floor and started playing. So, it scared her more than anything I think. I checked her over after her nap, and new bruising, so that's good.

So, the right of passage has now been forwarded on to Zoe. Guess I'll really need to work on getting her to come down the stairs properly now. I started, but she had no interest at the time of going down the stairs. Now, it's time. LOL

Zoe's Baby Forecast: Talking to daddy

Well, it was actually yesterday, but I was at a seminar all day, so I wasn't able to blog.

In just four short weeks, our baby girl becomes a toddler and hits the big O-N-E! This year certainly has gone fast, and I wasn't prepared for that too much. I figured it would kind of be slow, like it was with Caleb, but not the case this time. Chances are it's because I'm busy being a mom of two, doing things outside the home for the first time in my life, and being the domesticated housewife that I've become as of late. And I love it!

Let's see, what's been going on as of late with Zoe.

Well, she's officially crawling now on hands and knees (but she still army crawls now and then), she's now pulling herself up on her knees, and teeth 3-5 are coming in. Yep, she's got three teeth coming in. One on the bottom (which makes the grand total to three), and her two top teeth. She's been an EXCELLENT teether. No fussing, no excessive drooling. It's been a wonderful teething experience for her AND me. 

I can still remember Caleb though. LOL. But those who were around him know what I'm talking about there. This kid drooled buckets, and that's not exaggerated either. LOL He had a bad time of it. He cried a lot when he had his teeth come in. 

Oh, she's babbling more and more now. This girl can talk when she wants too. And, she gets a little dramatic. LOL 

She's officially eating table food at all meals and loves every minute of it. This morning, I started the slow transition to cow's milk. One week, I'll do one oz of cow's milk, next week, I'll do half and half, third week, she'll get more milk than formula, and hopefully, if all goes well, by the time her birthday rolls around, she'll be on cow's milk totally. 

Have I asked yet where this year went to?

Zoe's Daily Photo

Zoe's Monthly Forecast: Words and word-like sounds are now spilling out of your baby, and she's able to use them meaningfully. As her brain continues to develop, so does her ability to reason and speak.

Encourage her interest in language and her understanding of two-way communication by being an avid listener and responding to her sounds. To polish her memory skills, play games like patty-cake and peek-a-boo.

At this age, your baby can probably imitate word sounds and inflections. She may be able to follow simple one-step directions, such as "Please bring me the ball" or "Pick up the spoon." Help her learn by separating multistep commands into easy-to-follow single steps, reinforcing them with gestures.

Remember to cherish this brief but remarkable period when your baby's communication skills are emerging: They're perhaps her most important skill!

Your baby probably enjoys looking at books and leafing through the pages, though she won't always turn them one by one. Indulge in great picture books, like Anno's Journey, by the great Japanese artist Mitsumasa Anno, Tamara Hoban's Is It Red? Is It Yellow? Is It Blue?, which introduces primary colors through photos of everyday objects, and The Snowman, by Raymond Briggs, a full-color cartoon book about a snowman who comes to life. Or stick with sturdy and inexpensive board books that can stand up to small fingers.

To add variety to your baby's reading time and to find out what appeals to her the most, try your local library or the kids' section at a family-friendly bookstore.

Your baby has probably been wrestling with bouts of separation anxiety during the last several months. This is natural: She loves and depends on you, so she's distressed when you leave.

To ease departures, make them short and sweet. Be matter-of-fact when you leave your child at daycare or with a babysitter at home, and don't prolong the agony with extended goodbyes. Your baby's tears will subside soon after you're out of sight.

You can help your baby feel more independent by not hovering over her all the time. Of course, she still needs to know that you're around and dependable. So if she toddles to another room, wait a couple of minutes before following. If you go to another area of the house, call to her when you're in the next room — but don't come running every time she squawks.

Though at this point her vocabulary likely consists of only a couple of words besides "mama" and "dada," your baby can probably babble short, fully inflected sentences that sound like she's speaking a foreign language. Act as though you understand.

Your baby may be able to respond to simple questions and commands, especially if you give him some clues with hand gestures. For example, ask "Where's your mouth?" and point to it. Or try "Hand me the cup" and point to the object. She may even answer you in her own way, using her own gestures, such as shaking her head for "no."

Because she's receptive now, it's a good time to begin to teach your baby how to help out. Emphasize "please" and "thank you," and make toy cleanup time fun by turning it into a game. Though she probably won't get the idea just yet, it's not too early to start. Break the task into very small parts. At this age, she'll need you to work with her by her side.

It's up to you to help your baby make connections between objects and their names — the more you do, the faster your child's vocabulary will grow.

Keep talking to your baby and labeling things. Count stair steps as you climb them, and point out the names and colors of the fruits and vegetables at the grocery store. Read your baby a picture book and ask her to point to or name familiar objects.

Solicit her opinion once in a while: Ask her if she'd like to wear the red or the blue socks, or if she'd like to play with her blocks or hier stacking rings. Give her only two choices — both of which are right in front of her. She may not answer, but then again, she may surprise you.

If your baby isn't walking already, she's likely to take her first independent steps soon. (If she doesn't, don't worry. Some perfectly normal babies are 16 or 17 months old before they start walking.)

You can encourage your baby to walk by standing or kneeling in front of her and holding out your hands. Or hold both her hands and walk her toward you. If she's like most children, your baby will take those early strides with her arms out to the side (for balance) and bent at the elbows, her feet turned outward, and belly out in front while her bottom sticks out behind (for balance).

As always, make sure your baby has a soft, safe environment in which to hone her new skills. Follow standard childproofing guidelines and never leave your baby unattended. Most important, keep the camera ready!

You might feel like it's mean to make your baby part with something she's grown so fond of, but experts say now's a good time to start weaning her away from her pacifier.

The longer your baby uses a pacifier, the harder it can be for her to stop, but another reason to make the break now is that it's the beginning of an exciting speech development phase. Your baby may be less likely to chatter away with something in her mouth all the time.

Taking away a pacifier can be tough. Go gradually: Limit daytime use and then work your baby up to not using it at night. You can also try exchanging her pacifier for a stuffed animal or toy.

Around now your baby's play will probably start shifting from mastering her fine motor skills (she's got that thumb-and-forefinger grasp down pat) to exercising larger muscles. Some children this age have an attention span of two to five minutes for quiet activities — though your baby's favorite games may not be all that quiet.

Your baby probably thinks it's fun to push, throw, and knock everything down. She'll give you a toy as well as take one, and she likes games where she can put things in containers and dump them out again. This works well with blocks in buckets or boxes and with pots and pans, which she can nest inside one another. She'll thrill to the loud sounds of those pots and pans banging together, too.

Yesterday, Zoe made her first trip to a water park in the area, Schlitterbahn. She didn't do very much, but get into the wading pool and even then, she wasn't having it. Mostly because she was tired and needed a nap. LOL.

But, when she did have her nap and she was up, she really enjoyed watching the people, being in the shade and to her, that was a good time.

Even with the sunscreen on her, she got a little color as well. I go the highest SPF that is on the market, but when you think about it, you're going to get some sun whether you have it or not. It just protects you from getting the bulk of it.

We plan on going again today. I get a little irritated with my mom though because she has no desire to go into the pool because she's afraid she'll drown. The water debth is 3 feet max, but she won't want to do anything with the rides. So, she stays with the baby while we do our thing. I'm grateful for that, but she should be able to get in the water as well. And my dad hates the water, so of course, he won't help out and stick it out with us so that she can enjoy the water. So, he stays home and does "stuff".

Sorry, had to do a little vent there.

So, yeah, anyway, Schlitterbahn we go today. Looks like we'll be at 92 degrees, so it's going to be an awesome day for going!

Zoe's Baby Forecast: Screaming (literally)

All the pictures from May vacation are finally up! Took me two hours to go through them all and pick the rights ones to go on the site.

So happy!

Here's the link . Scoll down to May 7 to begin and work your way up to June's pictures!