13 months

Zooey is definitely becoming a toddler! Although she can't walk, or "toddle," around yet, she is into everything she can get her hands on. While we've taken more of a boundary-type approach to babyproofing things that are off limits, we've started to babyproof some things that could seriously injure her. I know this will probably change soon, but at the moment Zooey usually listens to our voice when we tell her "no" or "do not touch." She is definitely starting to express her displeasure with having something taken away from her or us moving her from where she is playing when we need to. She also throws mini-fits when she's being changed and during bathtime. I think she doesn't want to sit still and she doesn't like having that control taken away from her. She is definitely a strong-willed child, just like her dad. :) ::ahem - and her mom, too::

My living room is even more filled with toys and books than it used to be, but that's ok, because it's so fun watching her explore. One of her favorite things to do right now is to take a bunch of books down and push her favorite one around the floor or hide it under the rug.

As I said before, Zooey can't walk on her own, yet, but she really enjoys pushing her dinosaur that RaRa & Uncle Rey gave her for her birthday. She's also begining to stand on her own; I don't have any pic's of that, but she can do it for about 30 seconds max right now. She's cruising more and more, and I know it'll be just about any day before she starts walking.

Zooey has become very interested in animals. She loves our animals, but she's also really begun to notice animals on TV, and her favorite books are the ones with animals. She especially loves a book about kittens, and she gets very upset if I take that one away or put it down after reading it to her. I'm so thankful we got such a gentle dog, because his poor ears are a new obsession of Zooey's. Zooey's still taking two naps a day, which I love; the girl loves her sleep.

Zooey just had her 12 month well-check last week. We were a little late due to a number of factors and being out of town, but she looks great. She's a little one, but so are her mom & dad, and the doctor said she looks great. She weighed 19.2 lbs. and is 27 3/4 in. long. Zooey also weaned herself after an ear infection, which was a bit of a surprise and bittersweet, but I'm glad she's the one who did it. That was actually an answer to prayer.

I love my girl so much, and it's incredibly fun to see her learning and exploring new things every day. I know by the end of this year she won't look like a little baby anymore, and she'll be walking and talking more; she'll be a little "kid." I cherish every day with her, and my heart just overflows with love every time I look at her.

Zooey likes:

books

Raffy the giraffe, her new addition to her crib

finger foods, especially turkey

pointing

wiggling her feet when I wiggle mine

blocks

pushing walking toys

Zooey doesn't like:

getting changed

bathtime

getting her teeth brushed