Project 365

I'm so sick of New Year's Resolutions. At one point, I thought making "goals" would be a better way to frame it. But, they all just kind of go down the tubes. And has any resolution I've ever made really improved me or my life? Enh, can't say that they have.

But, I wanted to do something new to a) kick up this blog a bit (lack of time and inspiration have totally turned this into a saccharine, run of the mill mommy blog) and b) improve my photography. I mean, BJ and I spent plenty of money on this rockin' piece of equipment, and have picked up some more bells and whistles, so we better put it to good use.

Therefore, starting tomorrow, I will be completing a so-called "Project 365", inspired by Photojojo, their tips, and this. Every day this year, I will be taking a picture. I'll be hauling around the old Rebel and attempting to catpure a highlight of that day. I'll place them in this Flickr set, but occasionally I will post the photo here with a brief entry.

So, keep checking back! It should be fun . . .

9 Months

Dear Zoë,

When I think back to my life 18 months ago, I never could have predicted or expected any of this. I was anxiously awaiting your arrival, but I really didn’t know (couldn’t know) anything about you. Anything except that you thoroughly enjoyed kicking and stretching against my sides. I thought I was tired then – Ha!

Over the past month, you’ve continued to grow into this willful, independent, funny little person. I feel absolutely grateful that I have been home with you the past week, albeit completely wiped out and ready from a real vacation. You learn something new every single day. It’s amazing. I had no idea that this is what it would be like to be a parent watching your child grow up.



My biggest joy, though, is when you sleep. Over the past month, Dada and I have had to come to terms with the fact that you are rapidly becoming a toddler. If anyone ever asks me how to train for a marathon, I’m going to tell them, “Take care of Zoë for a couple of days.” You have more energy than any of us know what to do with (that I knew from carrying you). And you’ve got to use it up now, “Before it runs out, Momma!” You’ll crawl if there’s no other choice, but you’d really love for us to hold your fingers and run you around the house. Most recently I’ve discovered that if I say, “Go Zoë! Go, go, GO!” you scurry your feet as fast as they can carry you.

Oh, my aching back!

The sleep, though, is great all around. You usually fuss a little bit when we leave you, but you quickly settle yourself down (sometimes after playing a bit with your mobile or crib mirror). When you wake up, you are almost always smiley and happy to see us. Just yesterday when I came in to get you from a nap, you were playing with your mobile (you’ve learned all about the buttons to turn it on!) and so eager to show me what you could do. “Look Momma! I can turn it off! And on! And off, again!”



I think the biggest change we’ve seen in you, aside from quickly learning how to motor around independently, has been how engaging you are. You’re discovering the world for the first time, and now you want to share it with us. Or anyone who’ll listen! “Hey, look at that!” Or, “What is this?” When we carry you around, your finger is constantly pointing at something – anything. You point at pictures in books, hand me toys or objects you’ve picked up, and smile and babble at strangers in restaurants.



You are still absolutely fascinated by other children. At Christmas, you thought your second cousins were the neatest thing since single-serve cottage cheese. You were crawling all over them to give them kisses, and trying to help them with their presents. I’ve started taking you to Gymobree, and the first day you followed around this little girl (about 3 months older than you) who was the fastest crawler I had ever seen. You watched all the other babies play and climb and toddle around. In fact, anytime we are anywhere you see another kid your eyes are glued on them.

I think that’s how you learned to climb the stairs.



We are in so much trouble.

Love,
Momma

She's on her way . . .

Thanks Santa!

A Letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

I would start this letter in the clichéd manner of “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth,” but, really, any teeth would do. I don’t know how things are going between you and the Tooth Fairy these days, but if the two of you could work something out, I’d be grateful. This is getting pretty ridiculous. The other babies ‘round the Gymboree are starting to point and whisper behind their hands.

Also, I would be interested in having a functioning cell phone of my own. I don’t know who they think they’re fooling, but this “real” hand-me-down Mom and Dad have given me just isn’t cutting it. I’ve got social business to conduct here! I promise I won’t go over my minutes.

If you go over your file footage, Santa, you’ll see that I’ve been an exceptionally good little girl this year. I know I cried a lot at first. But, seriously – is it my fault they couldn’t understand me? You can’t hold that against me. Besides, I’m even cuddling with Mom and Dad, now. See how good I am? And how good I’ll be? So, if you could see it through to granting me my Christmas wishes, I’d be eternally grateful.

Plus, there’s some awesome avocado and cottage cheese snacks in it for you. Better than stinky old cookies any day. I’ll leave them on the hearth.

Thanks Santa!

Love,
Zoë Lee Lippoldt

New design!

Hooray! No more purple text!

Apologies

I'm having major template problems. You know I would never, ever purposefully make my font color purple. Ever. It's horrid. But, ever since I updated the layout for fall, I've had unexplained technical difficulties that continue to pop up. Randomly. Without any modifications on my part. So, it's about time for the seasonal face lift at which time, hopefully, we can be done with this awful purple. And messed up sidebar. And screwy banner.

I'm so sorry. Ugh.

Snow Day!

Yeah! We actually got a snow day! Granted, I was already up and dressed for work before I heard the phone ring . . . and, Zoe decided she needed to be up and at 'em, too . . . but I didn't have to go in to work. And that's what matters.

We have not had a good snow storm like this for at least 5 years. It's awesome! What a way to start December. Snow is really the only way I survive winter with some semblance of sanity. So, you can imagine, in a region that tends to be bitterly cold, windy and gray with very little true snow, that this is a god-send. I love it! Zoe and I watched it fall for a little while - it made her smile. This is her first snow, so it's all new to her. Experiencing things for the first time with her is enough to bring tears to my eyes. I'm a sap.

After they plowed our street (2:45 in the afternoon, thank you very much) we went to Target to get snow pants and snow boots for her, along with the 20,000 other Oswego residents. We got the very last pair of 12-month pink snow pants. Those of you who know me know that I had sworn off buying pink for Zoe. 1) You try not buying an adorable little girl trendy baby clothes that don't have pink. 2) It was pink, navy blue, or black. Her coat is brown with red, green, white and pale pink embroidery. What's a chic mother to do? Buy the pink pants, of course!

I pulled Zoe around the yard in her little toddler sled for about 20 minutes. It was horribly tiring, trudging through knee-high drifts at a jogging pace. But, she was giggling and grabbing at the snow . . . so totally worth it. I can't wait until she's old enough to help build snowmen.