Mommy and Daddy night out!

We have found a FANTASTIC babysitter that Zoe adores. This allowed Chris and I to go out, just the two of us, for the first time in a LONG time (without my mom being here). There was a Junior League fundraiser that to be honest we were both feeling so-so about. WE ARE SO GLAD WE WENT!!!!! Chris and I had a blast. We saw tons of friends, had great food and wine and won some silent auction items to boot.

The best news though was that upon arriving home we found Zoe laying on her new friend and she was all smiles when she saw us (if I have ever left her in a daycare like setting before she would lose use once I came to pick her up and hold on to me tighter than ever before almost to say don't ever leave me here again) She seemed to have a great time though even blowing Molly kisses when she left. Looks like date nights will be in our future for sure!!! We meant to take a picture to prove our sans child evening but alas we had too much fun and forgot....we looked pretty good all dressed up though if I do say so myself =)

Fresh Air

Well we have been getting little glimpses of great weather again which we are so grateful for. Zoe and I took a walk on Friday and Chris met us halfway through. It ended up being a 3 hour long event which was great. We stopped for ice cream at Kilwins, windowed shopped on Main Street and let Zoe walk on the Parade Field on the Academy. The pictures below are of Chris lifting her up (1 -2- 3 Weeeeeee). Notice the bow in her hair....with both hands occupied holding Chris' hands she couldn't take it out and alas no hair in her face!!!

Once we got home Zoe decided to show off her walking skills. She is defintely walking now but only on her terms. Here is a video showing off her multitasking ability...sort of....drinking water while walking from the kitchen....

(VIDEO TO COME)

Sick of it!

I am just sick of Zoe being sick!!!! I know it is all part of being a kid but the poor thing seems to catch something about once a month and we end up staying home for a few days. I am sure this helps her to recover but it drives me batty!!!! Zoe came down with a runny nose and congestion on Saturday and we have avoided going to playgroups and story times all week because of it. Her mood hasn't been the greatest either so I have been avoiding going anywhere really. Hopefully spring and summer will find us all healthy for awhile and out and about more!

13 and counting

Saturday we walked over to the Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium to watch the Navy Men's Lacrosse Game. Chris and I had never seen a lacrosse game before. It was interesting to try and figure everything out. Zoe slept for most of it. Navy lost to Colgate but still a good time.

(Zoe asleep in her stroller in the stands....she is cuddling with her Navy Goat)

(Our view of the game)

Later in the evening when we were back at home Zoe took a stab at walking. First she took 9 steps (previously we were only up to 4) then she did 13. Of course as soon as we had the video camera out she chose not to stand up at all. Happy Sunday!

Day at the Park

Zoe and I ventured to the park on Wednesday since the weather was semi-cooperating. It was a beautiful view and Zoe seemed to have fun. Hopefully there will be many more days like this to come.

(The gorgeous view from the swing set)

(Zoe enjoyed the pebbles that were on the ground around the jungle gym and swings)

(Zoe made it into the tunnel but never wanted to crawl all the way through)

Thursday we had story time at the library which is always a favorite of Zoe's and of mine. Here are a few shots of her playing with the musical instruments towards the end of the session.

(Picking out the perfect instrument to dance with)

(Watching the other kids play with the beach balls at the end of story time)

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Catch Up

Well it has been awhile since I updated our blog so this post will be a long one. We have been keeping super busy for the past week(s). We have been so busy having fun that we had to hire a maid.....

(I will definitely try to encourage this behavior for years to come)

We went to a concert...ok it was at Pottery Barn Kids but Zoe seemed to like it

(Zoe holding and shaking her rhythm egg while the performer sang Splish Splash)

(You will not see Zoe in this picture as she refused to leave my arms or lap...but the other kids had fun dancing around)

Over the weekend we headed to the Chesapeake Children's Museum. Now I use the term Museum loosely as both Chris and I felt it was more of a playpen that you paid to get into. If our expectations had not been higher perhaps this would have been ok but after about 30 minutes we were out of there. Zoe seemed to enjoy the time we spent.....and what little we allowed her to play with (the place was a little dirty and chaos does not begin to describe)

(Zoe playing with the kitchen and table area. She mostly liked getting in and out of the little chairs)

(Notice the smile on Chris' face? We were getting ready to leave)

(Zoe reaching for the camera)

After the "museum" we headed to the mall to use our Gap coupon....woohoo for 30% off.

(I can grab my toes...future gymnast?)

Highlight of the shopping trip for Zoe was pushing her own stroller from Nordstrom to the elevator. We got a lot of comments and Chris and I were both impressed that she made it the whole way.

On Monday Zoe decided she not only wanted to be our maid but also our personal chef. Here she is demonstrating her knowledge of kitchen essentials

Last night we let Zoe feed herself pasta. She seemed to enjoy it. A bath followed shortly after dinner.

(Hey this stuff is pretty good...if only I could get some more in my mouth)

This morning Zoe continued her attempts at walking on her own. If only this was a real vacuum!!!

Well I hope everyone else is keeping busy and having fun....I will try to post more often in the future.

Weekend Fun

We had a great weekend enjoying the beautiful weather that Mother Nature was nice enough to tease us with for a few days before going back to the winter cold. On Saturday we went to Ellie's 1st birthday party. Zoe had fun playing with all the girls from her playgroup (coincidentally they are all military families which gives us a lot in common)

Even more fun then the toys and playing with friends was sitting in Ellie's chair

("Don't I look cute in a chair just my size???")

And of course after singing Happy Birthday cupcakes were enjoyed by all.

(Yummy!!!)

After all the birthday fun we headed back home and received a call that some of our Fuqua friends were coming to downtown Annapolis. We were thrilled to go on a walk to meet up with Adam, Christine and Elise Boyd. We took them to our favorite ice cream spot, Kilwins. The girls seemed to enjoy seeing each other again. And we all enjoyed some treats from Kilwins.

After our visit with the Boyds and running into Jess and Glenn on the Main Street (Academy Friends) we headed home. Zoe quickly fell asleep and slept thru the whole walk home. I guess there was just too much fun!

Durham Trip

Well last weekend we ventured to Durham, NC for the first time since we moved last July. The car ride was about 5 hours or so plus stops and Zoe was a trooper!

(Zoe playing with Chris' wallet as an attempt to keep her happy the last 30 mins of the trip)

It was soooooo weird to be back and see all of the changes. There is now a Lowes being built at the corner of Fayettville and MLK. What used to be a dirt lot at the entrance to our neighborhood is now a senior living complex. And Fuqua's entrance was done!!!

(it was raining so we took this picture from the car)

We had a great time seeing old friends and hitting some of our fav spots. We had brunch at Foster's Saturday morning with Kris, Johann, Jason and Erin Rife and my friend Suzanne from the Junior League. We stopped by the Red Hen in Chapel Hill (a great children's consignment store that also sells new items) and scored on some things for Zoe. We then headed to the Duke bookstore and bought some more Duke Apparel for Chris and Zoe. I think Chris may actually have more Duke stuff than USC stuff which is just plain wrong in my opinion. I couldn't visit Durham without stopping by Parker and Otis. Here is the meal Chris and I shared, Zoe had her own grilled cheese.

(This is my favorite on their menu!!! The Chicken Curry Salad on Sunflower bread. We also each got a deviled egg...yummy!)

Saturday night we caught up with our old neighbors at Church and then hit Q Shack for a most delicious dinner. I know, I know it sounds like a lot of food but we just couldn't choose! Before heading out of town on Sunday we actually did what we came to Durham for, pick up our generator that Johann had borrowed for Campout. We then grabbed lunch from Saladelia to go and ate in the car. Good choice as we never saw anything but fast food for most of the car trip home.

The first part of the trip was raining (as was most of the weekend) but halfway through Virginia that rain turned to the snow and didn't stop! Luckily we got home in decent time but the snow kept coming. Zoe was very happy to stay at home all day Monday and out of her car seat. Chris was happy to stay home as well...due to the snow he got the day off from work. Chris already wants to go back in the summer. I keep trying to remind him of what summers in Durham are like but I think he already misses the hush puppies and turkey from Q Shack.

(Zoe eating grilled cheese and holding her new sippy cup)

(Zoe and I at Parker and Otis enjoying our lunch)

Water for Elephants

I just finished reading Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. It was GREAT! I was told about it oh about a year and half ago but finally got around to reading it and was not disappointed. It completely enthralls you in the world of a traveling circus. There is romance, suspense, historical references and some comedy thrown in for laughs. I highly recommend you read it!!!

Here is the link to the summary on Amazon if you are interested:

http://www.amazon.com/Water-Elephants-Novel-Sara-Gruen/dp/1565124995

Misc.

I wanted to share some misc. photos that I have taken over the past few weeks that never made it to the blog. We were in Durham this past weekend and got home last night just in time for a huge snow storm (Chris actually got today off from work) I will be sure to post about the trip but for now here are some random pics...

Zoe walking while holding onto my hands

Mommy and Zoe goofing off with the camera


Zoe smushing her face with a bowl at lunch time (she thought this was hilarious probably because I couldn't stop laughing)

Yaya (my mom) finally got Zoe to wear clips in her hair...sometimes



Zoe with ashes on her forehead after Ash Wednesday services. She was such a good girl during mass (usually Chris or I have to take her to the lobby for her to crawl around and get her wiggles out but she was quiet and content the whole mass)