Zooey is two months old today!

I feel like a lot has happened over the last month. Ryan got a new job, so I'm able to stay home with Zooey. I cannot even begin to say how happy I am about this, how blessed I am. I thank God for His loving kindness and His sweet provision. Even though we've been on a routine since Zooey's second week of life, I feel like it's finally becoming habit and working really well. I'm back at BSF after an 8 week break; it's so nice to be back! Thanksgiving has come and gone, and Christmas is fast approaching. Before we know it, 2010 will be here!

Zooey's new talents include: grabbing a rattle and holding onto it (yesterday she actually brought it to her mouth and tried to suck on it), lots and lots of smiles, cooing when we talk to her - especially about something exciting, napping better and more consistently (thank you Baby Whisperer!) and holding her head up for a long time. She also loves to plan on Daddy's lap! He holds her in a standing position, and she tries her very hardest to balance herself. Her little face is full of concentration, but of course we're not quite there yet. :) I am proud to announce one of her biggest accomplishments -- drumroll, please...she has slept EIGHT hours the last two nights! I feel like a new woman! I think I forgot what it was like to sleep without it being broken up into 3-4 hour chunks. A little blurb about myself that I'm pretty darn excited about: as of today, I'm officially back to my pre-pregnancy weight! Woo hoo for breastfeeding!!

Zooey's little personality is starting to come out more and more. We are seeing that she is more like Ryan than just in the looks department. She is pretty mellow most of the time, very happy and content. That's Ryan to a "T." She does speak her mind when something's not right, like when she's hungry, tired or frustrated. Those little peeps can escalate into a very vocal cry very quickly. Just like....both of us. Ok, if I'm honest here, I'm probably the more impatient one in the family. :) It's fun to play with Zooey, and as I learn more about her, I'm learning her likes and dislikes. Not only is that fun, it's also very cool to know that I can comfort her or provide for her needs quicker than I could on day one or even month one.

I'm so excited to see what the next months hold! When will she squeal with delight? When will she roll over all the way? When will her cooing become more conversational? I'm also so excited for Christmas and will be taking a ton of pictures! My heart melts when I see our little baby sleeping in her crib, when I'm nursing her, when I play with her and see those smiles. My heart fills like it's going to burst when I see Ryan and Zooey on the couch together, hanging out and snuggling. I was talking to Sarah, and she put it best: it's meant to be - it feels like it's always been this way. So perfect, I praise and thank God and try to relish every moment that I can.