Zoe is TWO MONTHS OLD!

This past month has flown by even faster than the first, if that can even be possible! Our little girl is getting bigger by the moment, and I treasure these baby days so much! She is now 11.5 pounds, and measures 22.25 inches long.

Other milestones...
-Stares at your face directly for as long as you'll look at her it seems.
-Is just beginning to experiment with a little chuckle-laugh...it's a different kind of coo, but I know it will turn into a very recognizable laugh soon!
-Is still in 3 month size clothing for the most part, but moved up to size 2 diapers!
-Tracks objects in an arc with her eyes almost 180 degrees.
-Can hold her body up in a sitting position for a couple of seconds!
-With propping, will sit up in the exersaucer and turn to look around.
-Is making pursed lip faces and blowing bubbles on purpose!
-Will side crawl...literally! When she's lying on her side, she can scooch herself all the way over to me - a foot or so away! (When she's hungry and has the motivation, that is!).

Other fun observations about Zoe...
-Has a definite preference for the swing...going side-to-side. It's also a favorite place, she smiles in recognition of the mobile when I put her in it!
-The baby wrap is her napping tool - almost without fail, 5 minutes after being put in the wrap, she's out like a light!
-Really wants to face out and see everything! She really likes to move around a lot on your lap and change positions!


The older she gets, the more she seems to be a calm and calculating one...content to take things in, but when they get quiet, more determined to see what's going on.

She loves to lay and watch her brother trying to entertain her, and it is exciting to see the bond developing between them. I know Ian is completely in love with his sister, and you can see his protectiveness of her already. She is beginning to acknowledge him with smiles that are unique between them...and I can't even explain, it's just something you have to see to believe!

We're enjoying every moment with our little girl...and the chance to watch another person grow up is so amazing! :)

Ian is TWO YEARS OLD!

Wow...two years ago today, Matt and I were staring at our brand new baby boy! We say again and again how quickly time has flown by...and that little baby is now 34.25 inches tall and weighs about 27 pounds!

Ian has developed in so many ways over the past year. Day by day his personality and independence blossom into a little man that is loving, determined, playful, and stubborn!

His language is so developed that it would be hard to make a list of all the things he says. Besides, he comes up with new additions almost daily! It's so funny to hear him putting together his own sentences, generate names for things he doesn't know, or babble completely unintelligibly with what must actually make sense to him!

Physically, his growth has been no less impressive. To watch him on the playground now is a wonder...going down the big slide all by himself, climbing up and down, and trying to swing. We can see that someday soon he'll be outrunning us, something Matt is still in denial over. He can open just about anything with those agile fingers...he'll zip and unzip, unscrew, pry, and manipulate with gusto! And, what a water baby! His swimming skills are beyond any expectations we could have for him at this point. Holding his breath under water for longer and longer periods, and becoming more coordinated with his arm and leg movements, we know he'll be swimming before long.

Watching him learn is the most amazing opportunity! He's begun experimenting in new ways with objects, and trying to use others beyond his skill level with determination. Puzzles are getting easier for him, as he's learning to match up patterns as well as shapes - so he can complete not only simple object to object puzzles, but also simple pieced ones. Reading is also developing as he tries to memorize books we have read and then repeat them back to us.

Obsessions with cars, Wall-E, balls, Little Einsteins, blocks, and the infamous Little People have come and gone as his preferences change constantly with his development. Some things have remained a constant...his absolute passion for books, the simple joy of pulling (or pushing) around a little wagon, taking apart anything with pieces, and collecting similar items in piles or any container he finds (including laundry baskets, bags, and the dog dish).

That's Ian...the boy that seems to have energy that is limitless, a curiosity to match, and is truly the most loving little boy I know. I'm so thankful for having such a wonderful son that has taught ME so much these past two years. Of course, that's another story for another day! Happy Birthday, Ian! :)

**(In progress is a list of snippets of his current interests/development! Post will follow when we return from our trip! We gotta hit the road!)**

Strawberry Pickin'!

From 05.2009 - MISC

Here we are on our MOPS "Moms on the Move" trip...with Ian, the Strawberry picking master! As you can see, Zoe also dressed for the occassion and wore her little strawberry hat!

At first, he wanted me to do all the picking for him...but Zoe had other ideas. When I turned from taking care of her, Ian was well down the row, picking like a pro! (He even threw away rotten ones, proclaiming, "Ew! Yucky! Yucky!").

I can't believe how much he looked like a little man, stooping down, pushing the leaves aside, and finding the little red treats! Of course, he quite often would pick one, eat one...but hey, I did too! At one point he even sat down in the middle of the row with his basket and had a little snack before moving on to collect more!

From 05.2009 - MISC

His little basket stayed full! As he walked down the row, reaching over to pick new ones, more would fall out of his basket and on the ground. He didn't notice they kept falling out, but kept filling the basket. I walked behind him to gather all the ones that fell on the ground. (His little strawberry trail!) He picked enough to fill FOUR baskets! There were only a few that I had to toss, most were beautiful, sweet, red strawberries!

At the very end, he started to slow down just a little bit...but still didn't want to leave even though it started to sprinkle. He loves to be outside, and apparently is a little farmer in the making!

It was a great adventure, and we'll definitely be back for more as the season progresses! He's passed out taking a nap now! :)

It's the littlest things...

...that give meaning to life! Here's some little observations of Ian's love for his sister that have made our hearts smile!

*Ian continues to say, "Want hold you," when he's feeling snuggly, and reaches his arms out to us with the sweetest expression. He even extends this want to Zoe - such a sweet boy!

*I do believe that if Ian did anything to hurt Zoe, it would be smothering her with kisses! He loves to get right up to her face and kiss, kiss, kiss! (Or nuzzle her nose!).

*It is very upsetting for big brother when someone other than mommy or daddy takes Zoe out of his sight..."No! Zoe! Come back!" He is very interested in keeping her with the family!

*When I put Zoe down to sleep, a concern of his is that she is covered. "Want bank! Want bank!" (He calls a blanket, "bank").

*Zoe's cries are often met with a brother's translation. He has come up to me several times to tell me, "Zoe hurt. Tummy hurt. Hungry." Unfortunately, he even joins in on the crying if I'm not responding soon enough! I do believe he's learning empathy on some level!

*As much as he obviously loves his sister, he's still not going to share his toys! He continues to show them to her briefly, or even try to get her to hold them...but as soon as she does, "No mine!" and they get yanked back! Oh well, all in due time...

*It is so cute to hear Ian say Zoe's name - but even more heartwarming to hear him proudly say, "MY sisser."

I think all of these moments are totally overshadowed by what happened earlier, though. Ian walked over to Zoe (who was "playing" on the floor), hugged her and said, "I love you." My heart melts even now thinking about it. :)

Baby bottles!

A miniature celebration is taking place over at the Gayler household...Zoe takes a bottle! :D

This may not seem like a big deal, but Ian wouldn't take a bottle for anything! In fact, when I returned to work for a whole week, he essentially starved himself ALL DAY, and waited for me to feed! Of course, he turned out all right, but babies are definitely happier when they're willing and able to eat!

Zoe didn't even struggle with it at all, just popped the bottle in her mouth and she ate like a champ! It was so neat to watch daddy have a turn to feed his little girl! Thank God for small victories!

It's definitely going to make life easier when it comes to date night! :)

Gearing up!

We're settled enough that I can make a long overdue post! It's going to be a very busy summer around here...so there will be lots going on, and lots to write about (when it settles down enough for me to get to it, that is!)! Just a preview of some of the activities we'll have coming up:

*My grandmother (my mom's mom) is turning 90 this month! We're driving down to wish her a happy birthday and visit some family we haven't seen in ages!

*Kate made valedictorian, and we're going to hear her speech and celebrate her amazing accomplishment and acceptance to Georgetown!

*I'm taking on the job of MOPS coordinator for the 2009-2010 year, and I'm very excited to have the opportunity to work with such an amazing group of women! Within MOPS itself there will be trips to the park, Bible studies, and even a strawberry pickin' day! :)

*Playdates! We look forward to playing with our friends Bella and Paul (and you too, Anna and Marcus!) and other friends we're sure to meet along the way.

*Training program 2009! June 1st is the kick-off for my training program that will hopefully lead up to running the Atlanta Half Marathon on Thanksgiving Day. It's my absolute FAVORITE race, and I'm hoping Matt's work schedule will allow us to go, and for him to join me!

*My sister is getting married June 12th, and we'll jog over to Georgia again for the wedding!

So...if there's a lapse in blog posting, please forgive me...we're packing as much as we can into the warm days ahead! :)

Zoe - ONE MONTH OLD!

Wow, time flies when you're having fun! It's so hard to believe that this time last month, we were holding our precious little 7 pound, 9 ounce bundle who was only 19 inches long! She is now around 10 pounds, and measures 22.5 inches long.

Other milestones...
-Stares at your face directly for 2-3 minute stretches.
-Is recognizing mommy with a smile!! (I'll catch this on camera soon!)
-Sleeps 4-6 hour stretches at night!
-Is in 3 month size clothes for the most part, but still has a little head!
-Will pull on my shirt when it's time to nurse!
-Turns her head to look towards voices!
-Tracks objects in an arc with her eyes for approximately 90 degrees.
-Looks like she is trying to crawl...she lifts her head up VERY well when on her tummy, and kicks her feet against the floor! She's even moved about an inch!
-Holds head up for 1-2 minutes at a time!

Other fun observations about Zoe...
-Tries to suck on her arms and knuckles when she is hungry.
-Really loves bath time! She gets quiet and very alert! I even saw a smirk!
-Is not a lap baby...she wants to be moved around when you're holding her, and gets "bored" of a position after a few minutes.
-Enjoys the bouncy seat, especially when brother comes by and acts out his "puppet shows"!
-Does not like the bassinet! Will wake up within a few minutes of being in it, and won't stop fussing.
-Getting used to the swing, and stares intently up at the mobile.
-LOVES to be in the sling, and looking out at the world...but also will grab a little nap while she's in there!

I could describe a lot more, but these are the big things!

Zoe reminds us a lot of Ian at this stage*...ready to go-go-go, but definitely has a personality all her own! It's such a blessing to watch all her different preferences come out, and watch her growing! :)

*For those of you who are curious, Ian's "one month" post can be found HERE. And, for the record, I'm not holding Zoe up to any kind of standard, but it is amazing to notice the difference and similarities between our two kids! It's reinforcement of the journey of life common to all of us, but with the unique footsteps we leave behind!