Zoe’s birthday is tomorrow, of course – but I kind of feel like it’s today. The holiday will forever be tied to Zoe’s arrival, and all I can do this morning is think of what we were doing last year at this time (namely, watching football and counting contractions). It also makes me smile to read what Q posted here a year ago:

“Well, it is Thanksgiving and we have plenty to be thankful for – Michelle has had a pretty easy pregnancy and our little one will be arriving soon. Michelle woke up early today with some “practice” contractions, which is a good sign that things are going well. Maybe after some turkey and stuffing, the baby will be ready to come… My guess is Sunday, so I hope she takes some time to digest the turkey before arriving!”

Q’s guess was off, and none of us got any turkey. We’ll make up for it this year, though.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

-M

It’s been almost impossible not to reminisce this past week. Our neighbors reminded us yesterday about their annual pre-Thanksgiving party (held tonight), and we couldn’t help but think about what happened at last year’s: we went, I ate tons of pie, and my labor began five hours later. We’ve also been busy preparing for Thanksgiving dinner here, and I’ve found myself trying a few times to remember how we celebrated last year’s holiday. Oh, yeah, that’s right – by having a baby.

Anyway, the birthday count continues (just two days away now) – and Zoe is already getting birthday wishes from loved ones. She especially liked the cards from her Safta and PopPop and Grandma and Grandpa, which happened to come on the same day. Doesn’t she look excited??

-M

As mentioned many times before, Zoe loves food. One of her favorite fruits is the banana, and she recently learned how to hold it and feed herself. It’s pretty messy, but also terribly cute – and it makes her super happy. See below for the evidence.

-M

When you talk to doctors and read baby books, the one-year mark clearly sticks out as a major milestone. A one-year-old can do so many things that a younger baby can’t: eat a wide variety of food, drink cow’s milk, sit forward-facing in a car seat. And at one year, a baby’s risk of SIDS is dramatically reduced – so blankets can be brought into the crib (and the parents can sleep a little easier at night). These changes probably won’t be a big deal to Zoe – who turns one year a week from today – but they’re certainly a big deal to me and Q. He’s most excited about introducing Zoe to chocolate and being able to see her better in the car, while I’m most fixated on the introduction of whole milk – which will bring on a real lifestyle change for me. (Again, I don’t think Zoe will know the difference – she eats and drinks whatever we give her!) Part of me is happy to phase out my feeding responsibilities, but a (bigger) part of me is nostalgic over months past. And I can’t help but think (as I’ve thought many times before): where did my little 7-pounder go??

-M

Zoe has seemed a lot more playful this past week (maybe she knows her birthday is coming up?) Well, whatever the reason is, here are some fun pictures from the past week…

Jon Q

This past weeked Zoe got to spend some time with her good friend Jack Flanzer. He has lots of fun toys for Zoe to play with and they had fun sharing. Here is a picture of the two of them in action…

Jon Q

Despite her overall happy mood, the last few nights have been a bit rough for Zoe. We’re not sure if it’s more teething (did we mention that her top two teeth finally poked through?) or another culprit – but something is waking and keeping her (and us!) up at night. I feel like I’ve been walking in a fog these past few days, and I keep wondering: how did we do it when Zoe was so small? How did we wake up so many times in the night and still manage to function the next day? I’m not sure; all I know is that I’m ready for Zoe’s typical sleeping-through-the-night habit to return.

-M

UPDATE: Zoe did indeed sleep through the night last night. She put her head down at 7:30pm and didn’t wake us up until 6:30am… -Jon Q

Zoe has been in a particularly good mood lately, and she seems the most happy when she’s eating, bathing or doing something she’s not supposed to (like taking out her diaper wipes, one by one, from their container). Check out a recent picture from one of her happier (and goofier) moments.

-M

I looked at the calendar this morning and could hardly believe when I saw Nov. 10 staring back at me. That date was such a significant one in 2006: it was my last day of work before maternity leave – and a date that I spent months daydreaming about. I remember leaving work a year ago today, thinking “oh, wow, this is it.” I knew that when I returned to work my life would be completely different – but I couldn’t understand exactly how. “I’ll… be someone’s mom – and I’ll likely have thoughts and feelings that I can’t even fathom right now,” I wrote on this blog. “It’s all pretty hard to imagine.”

One year later, I’m back at work – with a smaller stomach and a fuller heart. I am indeed someone’s mom, and I couldn’t be happier. And I think seeing Nov. 10 on the calendar will always remind me of that.

-M

Zoe loves to play; among her favorite things to do: throw around balls, play peek-a-boo, and climb up on someone to hang out or fly through the air. (Note that her dad is involved in all these activities.) Check out three recent pics of some playful moments.

-M

PS- That third picture could be one of my all-time faves. Even if she does look a bit boyish.

Zoe had a great weekend with PopPop, but had to say goodbye Sunday night. PopPop did get to see some milestones as Zoe now stands on her own and can walk around while only holding on to one hand. I am sure Zoe will be walking on her own soon, but looks like PopPop enjoyed lending her a hand.

Jon Q

One of Zoe’s favorite new things is to sing an excerpt of “Old McDonald” – with or without the music. Ever since I picked her up from daycare on Thurs. afternoon, she has been singing (almost non-stop) “Ee-i-ee-i-o.” (Well, she doesn’t always get the “o,” but she certainly has the first part down.) Elena told me that a new little girl at daycare constantly sings the song – and I guess Zoe liked the way it sounds! (After all, this is the age in which kids imitate everything.)

As for other new tricks, Zoe very much likes to high-five. (She still doesn’t clap or patty-cake much, but she loves to stretch out her hand for this particular trick.) Check out the pic below.

-M

Zoe thought it would be fun to take her PopPop to the playground yesterday – and the two of them, along with Q, Dan, Jenny and me – wound up going to three different ones! Zoe did lots of sliding, swinging and climbing, and she played in sand for the first time. By the time the day was over, Zoe was tired, dirty – and extremely happy.

-M

Zoe got a surprise yesterday when PopPop showed up for the weekend! She has been on many adventures with PopPop so far, and we’ll post plenty of pictures soon. But for now, we’ll just show a snapshot of their time together…

Jon Q

Zoe learned a new trick on Halloween that she wanted to share with you all. Here she is doing her best monster impression!

Jon Q