Up to 3 months

At one month I was lucky to get a photo with Zoe's eyes open.  

At two months of age Zoe was starting to show the signs of being a mover and shaker (not really a surprise, considering she is part Zach).  She began to show interest in her feet, and was continually grabbing for them.  Although, was not successful at apprehending them until the weekend before Christmas. 

Upon her birth Zoe was practically rolling herself back and forth, and came close to flipping herself over on several occasions.  At one month of age she flipped herself over a few times when she was sat next to me in the bed.  I was pretty sure most of these incidence were accidents, and the slight slope that my divot created in the bed helped to assist her to accomplish this task. 

However, during her second month of life Zoe began to show a desire to purposefully roll herself over from back to front a task she hasn't fully mastered.  I predict this will be accomplished within the week after watching her today.  

But, it was New Years Eve, just a few days before she turned three months that she accomplished flipping belly to back.  The entire next day Zoe was on a flipping roll. : )  

I am so glad that I've been taking these Month by Month photos. It is amazing to see her progression side by side.  I know she is developing, but I never realize how much she has actually developed until I look back at these photos. 

In the three month photos you can tell how much of a mover and a shaker she actually is.  These photos were a challenge to take.  Which is why the blocks in many of the photos were not as in focus as I would like them to be.  But in many ways that's what I love about them.  They show her personality, and interests.  Just look at this last one...She is staring so intensely at her foot. Or the one above where the blocks captured her attention.   The environment around her is beginning to become so exciting and interesting.  

On another note I think the pacifier is going to be a thing of the past...Zoe has found her thumb.   All that time Zach spent teaching her to put a pacifier in her own mouth, and she wont  even use that skill any more.  OK, so she never successfully put a pacifier in her mouth on her own, but it was pretty amazing to watch her try.  She would bring the pacifier from her outstretched hand to her face and usually hit her nose instead of her mouth, but I was impressed. Her developing motor skills lead me to believe I may have an artist on my hands.  I'm already predicting that Zoe will be a lefty.  She seems to be more apt to hold things in that hand.  So many things to learn and explore the future is so exciting. 

I think it's time to start baby proofing.  

13 in 13

This list is inspired by one of my close friends, Diane Flood.  Every year she creates a bucket list for the year. Now that I have a little one of my own  I've been planning all the fun stuff I want to introduce Zoe to this year or at some point during her life. I've already been running through in my mind all the things I am going to do with Zoe this summer.  Yes, I understand that she will be under the age of one, and wont remember most of it, but I'd like to think she will at least enjoy these experiences.

1.  Take Zoe to the Georgia aquarium.

I already know that Zoe will love the Georgia Aquarium.  We have a salt water fish tank in our home, and it has already proven to be one of Zoe's favorite things to look at. When she gets a little fussy the aquarium serves as a great distraction for her.  Zoe was also given a jelly fish mood lamp for Christmas by her Aunt Christi.  The Jelly fish have already seemed to catch her interest as well. I can already image how much she is going to love the Georgia Aquarium.

Now that I am back and at work.  I am already looking forward to summer so that I can spend lots of time with Zoe again. Part of looking forward to summer I have been envisioning all the things I'm going to get to do with her.

2.  Because I could go on and on with activities I wanted do second on my list is buying an Atlanta City Pass.  Which targets number one as well.   With the city pass Zoe and I can go to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, the Zoo, or even the High Museum of art. What's even better is I envisioned including Diane and Stacy (fellow new Moms) in these excursions  and guess what Diane has a couple of these items on her bucket list as well.

3.  Take a class to improve my artistic skills.  Most likely some type of photography class, but I always like learning new things.  Especially if I can take it into the classroom.

4. Go to the beach, and play in the sand with Zoe

5.  See Cirque Du Soleil.  Can you believe it I have never seen Cirque Du Soleil?  Zach probably would have taken me last year if I didn't wait to mention it until after the show was already here.

6.  Read 13 books this year.  I actually achieved this goal last year.  However, with a new baby and being back to work I'm not sure how much time I'll have for reading. Regardless, I am going to try my best to read the book of the month for book club.  And if I have time for books of my own as well, then that is a plus.   I am actually pleased with myself that I made it through so many books last year. 

I've always been a slow reader to the point where in previous years it took me months just to make it through one book.  I think a lot of this was due to my choice of books.  I never seemed to do a good job choosing books I like.  But last year thanks to book club and friends I found many books I enjoyed reading.  The other thing that increase my reading last year was the Kindle that I bought my husband for Christmas.   Let's just say the Kindle quickly became mine...oops. I know there are many people out there who prefer actual books to the digital version.  I am the opposite I prefer the Kindle. It is easy light weight, and I can slip it in my purse, and have it most anywhere to read.

7. I've been debating about if this is the type of thing that should go on my bucket list.  However, this is one of my biggest goals for the year. The reason I'm hesitant to put it on my list is because I don't want to put to much pressure on myself.  I don't want to put myself in a position to where I beat myself up if I don't achieve it.  I'm already dangerously close to beating myself up if I don't achieve it.  However, I realize that I just have to take it one day/ or week/month at a time.

And the goal is to feed Zoe breast milk until the age of one.

I need to be proud of the fact that I can say Zoe has been exclusively breastfed for three months.  Many people don't make it that far. And so far I seem to be keeping up with the supply fine (thanks to my freezer stock)  My biggest problem is that I worry about things that haven't even happened yet.  I dwell on the "what if". (Every extra day of breast milk I give her is an extra day, and that much better for her. I need to remember that I have made it this far, and that is a success...Just reminding myself again. :) And if I can make it to 4 months then I made it to 4, and once I make it to 6 she'll start adding food into her diet, and if I make it to 8 I'll have all summer with her.)

Fortunately, I have a practical husband who gives great advice.  I just need to learn to follow and trust his advice.  The only thing that worrying does for me is cause wrinkles.  Instead I need to deal with the problems when they occur rather than worrying about the fact that they may occur.   When I take things one day at a time they usually work out just fine, and the way they are suppose to.

Breastfeeding is so important to me because my husband has A LOT of allergies, and although it is not guaranteed breastfeeding is suppose to help prevent allergies.  But again one of those things I shouldn't worry about. Maybe I should make that goal 8.....

8.  Learn to handle things as they come.  Stop worrying so much about the "WHAT IF".

9. Scuba Dive again

10. Create two new paintings/drawings

11. Begin and finish Zoe's Baby album.

12.  Enjoy a girls night out.

13.  Sew something

I'm surrounded by people who sew.  Zoe is a very lucky girl.  She has many hand made items, which is awesome!! I love hand made stuff, and I would like to try my hand at making something myself as well.  Here's to 2013 and the new adventures of Motherhood. : )