Another Friday, another baby/mom get-together. It was our turn to host this week – so Zoe and I threw down some blankets and welcomed over Miles, Zander and their moms. The babies had tons of fun sitting up, rolling around and playing with each other’s toys – but they weren’t so interested in cooperating for the camera. We did manage to get some fun pics, though; a few are below.

-M

Zoe has become quite a jumper in her older days…

Check her out in this video.

Jon Q

Zoe is a pretty happy baby, but she’s not *always* smiling. Below are a few pictures that capture her more serious moments.

-M

Michelle posted a really cute picture of Zoe just after birth. Here is one from today just after her bath. Doesn’t she make a pretty flower?

Jon Q

We found out at Zoe’s six-month check-up today that she’s 26.5 inches long and just about 17 lbs. She’s still above average (75 percentile for girls) in both the length and weight categories, and I can’t help but marvel over that healthy 10-lb. weight gain. Babies grow so fast, don’t they??

I can barely remember when Zoe was this small:

-M

We haven’t given an update in a few days, as it’s been a pretty busy week. Zoe did really well with the trip home and adjusting to the time difference, but it took a few days for the three of us to get back in the swing of things here.

Elena seemed really happy to see Zoe on Tues., and she said she looked bigger (longer). She also noticed how big of an eater Zoe has become. (Zoe is eating more solids than she was just one week ago.) Elena also told a funny story when I came by that afternoon: she was feeding Zoe bananas when she stepped away from the high-chair to answer the door. Zoe, who is normally Ms. Smiles, showed her great displeasure by wailing and demanding more food – and Elena had to rush back over. I have to laugh that Zoe seems to be taking after her mom, who also gets super cranky when denied food.

In other news, Zoe has a doctor’s appointment tomorrow. The bad news: she has to get more shots. The good news: she’ll also be weighed and measured, so I can report back on her progress here!

-M

PS- Grandpa Larry was discharged from the hospital yesterday. We’re all relieved to know he’s (slowly but surely) improving!

Well, we made it back from Madison – and I’m happy to report that my dad is getting a little better each day. (As is the case with most major surgeries, it will be awhile until he is completely back to normal – but the doctors seem pleased with his progress. He was sitting up and doing a bit of walking before we left yesterday morning.) It was difficult seeing him just after the surgery (in so much pain), but I’m so glad the three of us were able to be there – for him and my mom. I’m also glad we chose to fly in a few days before the surgery, because we managed to squeeze in a lot of fun before our days in the hospital. (It helped that it was nice and warm our first two days there. Our outside adventures reminded me that nothing can beat the Midwest in the summer!)

Q already posted a few pics, but I thought I’d put up a few of my other faves. (The cute blonde is Zoe’s cousin Tanner; the adorable dog is Aunt Sandy’s Coco.) I’m glad to have so many happy memories from a trip brought on by a not-so-happy event!

-M

As Michelle mentioned below, Larry had a pretty big day yesterday. We are all happy to see him sitting up today and talking up a storm. Below are some fun pictures of Zoe and Grandpa. I call it a full day of Zoe!

Playing with Grandpa Larry just after waking up:

Going down the slide after our afternoon walk:

Zoe relaxing on the porch on a hot Madison day:

Oh, is the camera there? I didn’t see it:

Time for bed…here Larry gets to play with his little doll:

Jon Q

As mentioned below, Zoe (and her parents) flew to Madison last Tues. Zoe spent a fun few days at her grandparents’ house: going down the slides (and celebrating her half-birthday) at the park, laughing at Coco’s bark, and playing with her cousin Tanner. (Wait until you see the videos!) Then yesterday, the not-so-fun part of our trip began: Grandpa Larry had heart surgery early in the morning, and we all spent the entire day at the hospital. The good news: the surgery (which had been planned for several months) went really well, and my dad is on his way to recovery. The bad news: The three of us are leaving tomorrow, and I know Zoe will really miss her grandpa. (Of course – I will too!!) We’re planning to come back later this summer, though, so that gives us all something to look forward to…

We have tons of videos and pics, and we’ll post later this weekend.

-M

As Michelle just wrote, today is Zoe’s one half birthday! I remember when it was my half birthday and my mom used to make me half cupcakes. Zoe is too little to have cupcakes this half birthday, but she isn’t too small to go play. Today, she got to go down her first slide at the park. Doesn’t she look like a pro?

Jon Q

Today Zoe hits another milestone: she turns a half-year old! This is really a great age; Zoe is always doing something to make us smile or laugh – and most of the time, she’s smiling or laughing herself!

Zoe likes passing time by grabbing for – and putting into her mouth – various objects (toys, books, really most anything). She is more aware of – and interested in – her toys than ever before; a current favorite is a bright green Lamaze dinosaur (which we’ve named Dinah). She loves listening to music and being sung to; sing the “Wheels on the Bus” verse about the wipers going “swish, swish, swish,” and she’ll likely shriek in delight. (Another shriek-inducer: when people make animal noises. My speciality is the pig, Q’s is the dog.) She also loves spending time bouncing in her Exersaucer (and munching on all the attached toys) and the Johnny Jumper.

Another of Zoe’s favorite things to do is eat! It took her only a few nights to catch on to the chewing/swallowing thing; she quickly grew fond of her rice cereal with bananas and (later) oat cereal, carrots and applesauce. As soon as she is placed in her little eating chair – the Bumbo – she usually flails around her arms and opens up her mouth very wide, in anticipation of the spoon. (And if you don’t feed her fast enough, she jams one of her fists in her mouth and starts slurping.)

After a relatively quiet couple of weeks, Zoe started talking a lot again. While she favored the “a-yee” and “a-goo” sounds in her 4th month, she has moved on to saying (almost spitting out) her b’s – and she especially likes chattering right after eating or when lying in her crib for a nap. Her new thing also is to laugh or squeal – for no apparent reason – when she’s lying down. It’s so much fun to listen to – and much better than the crying that she *could* be doing.

In terms of physical achievements, Zoe is able to sit up unassisted for small stretches of time. (It helps to have a toy right in front of her.) She has also gotten quite good at raising herself up on her arms when she’s lying on her stomach, and – unlike when she was very small – she doesn’t mind hanging out on her tummy. (She still prefers to sleep that way, despite our attempts to keep her on her back at night.) She started grabbing her knees a few weeks ago; more recently, she discovered her toes.

Zoe remains on a nice eating/sleeping schedule, and she usually greets her mom and dad with a smile around 6:30 or 7 in the morning. On occasion, she has put in a 12-hour night – although 10-11 hours is the nightly norm.

It’s hard to believe Zoe has been with us for six months now. It’s been quite an adventure, and we can’t wait to see what the next half-year brings!

-M