Hunter helping Dad with his scooter this summer.
Big brother and little sister. Summer 2010

Grandpa Fossil snoozing with Z Monster.

Playing dress up in Flagstaff on our road trip.

First trip to the beach!

In case we lose her...lol

My little monkey...with her little monkey.

Ummm...sorry dear! 20.5 more years!

Diaper Diva!

Mom and Dad at the Bravo Co. Christmas party in 2009...you're in my tummy, Z!

Learning to spell our name.

Marriage Retreat ~ San Diego

We spent last weekend in San Diego for the Army sponsored marriage retreat they do for us annually. I was a little anxious to see how Miss Zoey would do on a three hour car trip, especially since we had to go through a mountain pass topping out at 4181'. I wasn't sure how her ears would handle the altitude, but she slept the whole way! We got about 15 minutes out from the hotel and hit traffic. Zoey woke up a little pissed that she was still strapped to her carseat, wet, and hungry! She actually sucked on her pacifier (NEVER, ever does that!) for about 10 minutes, which helped soothe her for a little while. We were down the street from the hotel when I decided to just get out of the car with her and walk to try and calm her down. It worked! We got checked into the Marriott in downtown San Diego, and they had a bassinet all set up for us and a gift bag full of toys for Zoey! We ordered pizza in because it was so windy and chilly outside...we didn't want to get the monkey out in the weather. We took her to Extraordinary Desserts, where they have the BEST dessert ever! Of course, she just slept while we indulged in our heavenly treats (we took half of our portions home for later!). This is sort of a tradition for us.

The next day was our first session, and Miss Moon slept through the beginning, waited until the break to wake up and go potty, then she ate and went back to sleep. Such a good baby! Everyone loved her...some people didn't even know she was there...lol After the session we all had lunch and then went and got Zoey a bathing suit. The one she has just doesn't fit quite yet. I wanted to get a photo op in at the beach even though it was overcast and a little windy. When we got to the beach, I had her wrapped up tight in a heavy blanket...underneath wearing nothing but her suit and sunglasses!!! We walked to the shore and Bryan got some video and pictures. She was sooooo adorable that we were dying laughing the entire time!!! I set her feet down in the sand (the water was way too cold), and she immediately lifted them up and made a face. Too funny! After we got done, it actually felt nice to us, but the wind was blowing so we got the monkey wrapped back up, fed, changed, and strapped back in for another car ride to REI...where I bought her another set of sunglasses (with daisies on them!). Funnily enough, we ordered pizza again because we just wanted to chill out in the room; so different from pre-baby Zoey! LOL We watched this amazing show on the first people to travel the Nile...made us really excited to think about starting our adventures back up when Zoey gets old enough to take backpacking!

On Sunday, we headed to Oceanside after the session to spend the night with our good friend Dirty Jimmy. Poor Zoey must've been feeling under the weather because she had a little projectile vomitting that night and was fussy, but when she fell asleep (finally) she slept like a champ all night. She was a smiley baby again the next morning! We headed out of town after getting some breakfast...and Bryan had just enough time to throw on his uniform and head to work. Zoey and I spent the evening snuggling (we always miss daddy when he works nights) and catching up on our Zzz's and a little tv on hulu.com. It was an awesome weekend! We feel like the marriage retreat sessions didn't give us any new insight into our marriage...but it reinforced the things we are doing really well and made us re-appreciate our strong bond. Plus, they showed some funny videos, and that's always a good time! All in all, it was just so nice to get out of town, hang out without worrying about unpacking, cleaning, and work, and take Zoey to the beach...we can't wait to take her when she's old enough to run around, build sand castles, play in the water...so much to look forward to. But, for now...we'll just enjoy today!

My First Mother's Day

Bryan and Zoey made my first Mother's Day spectacular! They got me my fav: chocolate truffles! Plus, I got two plants...a Gerber Daisy and an Orange Star...both are so beautiful (Gerbers are one of my favs, too!). Bryan also watched Zoey ALL DAY long so I could do whatever I wanted...and I chose to clean and unpack. LOL I did get a lot done, though, so it felt really nice. Last, but not least, they got me an hour long massage at the spa. Ahhhhhhhhhh...THAT was awesome! I haven't had a massage at a spa in years (yeah, I couldn't believe that, either!). I got the massage done two days later, and it felt wonderful. I actually missed Zoey, though, all day, so I helped out with her some. I get withdrawals from her even if she's right next to me!!! Thanks Bryan and Zoey Moon for making my first Mother's Day so memorable! And thanks to everyone who sent me cards!!!

042010 ~ I know...we've seen this pose how many times? I just can't help it...she's adorable.
BIG yawn! 042010

Finally! Some pictures of her awake! 042010

042010 ~ I love the blanket that Bette Barber sent us!

Going for a car ride! She's infatuated with the WARNING label on the car seat! 042010

Fergie actually jumped up into his arms!!! She has been really wanting more attention lately. 042010

...so has Kitty... LOL She is used to sleeping right next to my head and getting smothered with my kisses. Lately, she's been a little curious as to why she hasn't been getting as much love, so she snuggled up with us on the couch. 042010

042810 ~ Smiling

042710 ~ Stretching

042510 ~ Snoozing

042410 ~ Playing "Patty Cake". Later we sang "YMCA" - she LOVED it!

042410 ~ Oh...my...gawd... So sweet!

042410 ~ This NB sleeper is still too big!

042410 ~ I love this face... "Whatchu want?"

042410 ~ She actually wiped her mouth after eating. On purpose? No. But it was still funny.

...see, even Zoey agrees! 042410

042410 ~ "Seriously, mom, how many of these are you gonna take?"

042310 ~ This Friday was a very busy day! Zoey and I attended MOPS, which I haven't been to in a couple of months. We had such a good time visiting with all our friends! And, we got to play hot potato baby because there was another newborn there; Leia brought baby Tully...he's a doll! She had him in his pirate BabyLegs...sooo cute!

After MOPS, we took Zoey back to the doc to double-check the little rash she has. The doc wants us to wash her in Selsun Blue twice a week for two weeks to help with the dry skin. Poor little girl. I don't think she's got sensitive skin as bad as Bryan, but newborn skin is sensitive enough on its own...so who knows. It seemed like the bumps would clear up but leave behind a yellowish crust like pus, so that's why we took her in. Nothing to worry about...just have to do the bathing thing. I also keep baby oil on her scalp so if there are flakes, they don't fall on her skin; that can cause it to spread. I've been using California Baby Calendula Cream, and my friend, Leia, gave me some Angel Baby cream for rashes. I think it just seems worse to me and Bryan than it actually is! LOL

After the doc visit, we had just enough time to run home, replenish the diaper bag, eat dinner, and head to the VFW post for a friend's going-away and Follies night. They used to hold Follies at the Cactus Cafe on post, but they were ripping them off...so they changed to the VFW post. And I bet those old-timers LOVE having these young guys in their establishment once a month! I admit...I felt a bit ghetto bringing my baby to a bar. But, two things: First, it was outside. I would never subject a kid to a building full of smoke. Second, she was snoozing and had a full tummy and a clean diaper...and had no idea where she was! lol As a bonus, we know everyone there, so they all understand. Bryan and I were laughing, actually, reminiscing about our childhoods and how we both had grown up in VFW posts and Eagles lodges... Ahhh, the days of entertaining yourself and your sibling with an Atari, darts, a deck of cards, and a stack of quarters for the video games.

We all slept well that night!

We love this nightie: it has a zipper! 042210

She will start off resting with her head high on your chest...then she'll shimmy her way down into this position. 042110

We went to a little hole-in-the-wall chicken joint by our house to check it out. It's rare for us to eat out, but we were both just in the mood to get out of the house. Food was great! Reminded me of Texas... Here's what Zoey did while we chowed...lol Aunt Sarah gave her the monkey. 042110

...another pose... 042110

"So...three babies crawl into a bar..." Miss Moon chatting away to Mrs. Flower and Miss Butterfly. Must be telling a joke she learned at the VFW...hehehe 042110

I caught Daddy singing KISS to Zo-Zo...lol He was a little red. I have video, too, but I want to live. lol 042110

This makes me think she's either dancing...or giving a speech. Zoey Moon for President! 042010

Little Doodle Bug ~ We were sending Daddy pictures at work ~ 042010

"...may I help you?" 042010

042110 ~ waking up

The Noodle

Mommy & Zoey Moon discussing the day's events ~ 041910

Are NB socks supposed to look like knee highs? hehe 041910

When she laughs in her sleep, you just MELT! And it's like there's some secret inside-joke she's giggling about that you wouldn't understand...lol We can't wait until she laughs on purpose while she's awake! 041910

The smirk says it all: I don't smell anything! 041910

The smile says it better! 041910

...more talking... 041910

I swear I don't pose her! She's just too precious doing these little things! 041910

Mommy's Noodle. She just fits so perfectly! Well, she WAS custom made... 041910

Talking in her sleep... 041910

1 month old video

Happy 1 Month Birthday!

Happy 1 Month Birthday, Zoey Moon! We went to the doc for Zoey's 1 month checkup, and she is doing terrific! The only issue we're dealing with is baby acne, baby eczema, and a bit of a heat/sweat rash. Really, her skin just seems to get really red and bumpy if she spends a lot of time with her cheeks/ears against our chests, but it gets better within a few hours of us letting her "air out"...lol I saw my doc, too, and got the go-ahead to resume all my normal activities. Yea! I have a goal of running a half-marathon before the year is up.

Zoey is spending a lot more time during the day awake, so we're spending more time playing and doing tummy time. She's getting stronger and more interested in things around her. It's amazing watching her grow and change so quickly! She can hold her head for several seconds now, and she will follow an object or our face from side-to-side. We have a mobile above her changing table with a moon and stars, and she loves staring at them! She's starting to make little noises that sound like syllables, too. We love to read to her, and she's probably the only person on the face of the Earth who enjoys our singing...at least for now before she knows any better! Bryan sings 80's hair band music to her, which is awesome...she's got to learn the "classics" somewhere! Enjoy these pics taken on her 1 month birthday ~ 041810.

This is what Zoey said when I told her "Happy Birthday"...lol Typical female response to birthdays!
...and one, and two, and three... Baby pushups!

Diva...mmm-hmmm!

Her little hat is just way too big for her! haha But, she's still so cute in it...

I think I prefer the monkey hair to the hat...

Zoey Moon playing with the Mozart lights on her play mat.

Neener-neener-neener, Mr. Giraffe!

She really likes the purple elephant with green spots...King Elephante!