The last couple of weeks have been a blur, so I haven't mentioned that Zoe seems to be walking. Or toddling, at least. She started by taking one or two steps on her own and now can take up to about 10. She's very dainty, walking on her toes with her arms held out as though she were walking a tightrope. She gets very happy when she takes several steps without falling. Sometimes she claps for herself.
She says what sounds like "mom" and "da" or "a-da." She loves music and will rock or wiggle to the beat. If she particularly likes a song, she'll squeal. Her teachers think she needs to get into a dance class as soon as she's old enough.
In parent news, we had a yard sale last weekend and cleared out the garage. This weekend we plan on doing a lot of yard work. Since Zoe was born I haven't kept up enough with all of my flower beds. Things are getting out of control. I want to catch up because so many things are blooming in the yard and I'd hate for the pretty flowers to get overshadowed by the weeds.
Also, in a puzzling turn of events, I've been having a hard time eating meat lately. I'm normally an eager carnivore, but I seem to have lost my taste for pork and this past weekend I couldn't eat a burger. I haven't had a problem with chicken yet, but I find myself ordering lots of vegetable-heavy meals and focusing on sides when I do have a meat entrée. I don't know what to make of it.
Wednesday
Friday
Zoe Will Hurt You
Maybe. When I picked her up from daycare yesterday, the afternoon teacher shook her head and said, "Zoe's gonna be a handful once she starts walking." I said, "She already is," but asked what she meant. She said, "When the older kids try to take toys from her, she stands-to." Then she did this sort of aggressive stance, throwing back her shoulders, in an imitation of what Zoe does, I guess. I wouldn't know. I don't really see her around kids her age regularly. Then she said, "And she's so little!" (Zoe is the second youngest in the class.)
Then the teacher talked about how Zoe is close to walking. She cruises and lets go of things. She also thinks Zoe is close to talking, too, because she babbles a lot, especially it seems, if someone is trying to take her toy. "Zoe stands her ground," she repeated.
It would be interesting to see her around other kids her age. I only see them during the drop off/pick up, which isn't a great time to gauge interaction. Doesn't surprise me she has a temper, though. I always suspected she would. She's going to have all of our best and worst qualities, I think.
Then the teacher talked about how Zoe is close to walking. She cruises and lets go of things. She also thinks Zoe is close to talking, too, because she babbles a lot, especially it seems, if someone is trying to take her toy. "Zoe stands her ground," she repeated.
It would be interesting to see her around other kids her age. I only see them during the drop off/pick up, which isn't a great time to gauge interaction. Doesn't surprise me she has a temper, though. I always suspected she would. She's going to have all of our best and worst qualities, I think.
Two Articles
I came across two different pieces today, both of which made me pause to think, and both are related to military service.
The first is "Battle Company Is Out There," from the NY Times. It's a wrenching piece focusing on the soldiers of Battle Company of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. While I was reading it, I kept thinking, I may have a bad day at work, but never have I had to decide if another human lives or dies. And I've never had to live with doing the "right" thing that may later result in the loss of a team member and friend. It's a brutal world they're living in, and we're back here bitching about traffic.
The second story is about patriotism and service and putting your life where your mouth is.
The first is "Battle Company Is Out There," from the NY Times. It's a wrenching piece focusing on the soldiers of Battle Company of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team. While I was reading it, I kept thinking, I may have a bad day at work, but never have I had to decide if another human lives or dies. And I've never had to live with doing the "right" thing that may later result in the loss of a team member and friend. It's a brutal world they're living in, and we're back here bitching about traffic.
The second story is about patriotism and service and putting your life where your mouth is.