Nu Shus

We got Zoe her first pair of new shoes today. They are totally cute!

As we rode down the escalator to Stride Rite in Sun Valley Mall, Vera holding Zoe and me pushing the stroller, I recalled shoe shopping with my Mom as a kid. We can joke about it now, but at the time... let's just say that my mother's and my taste in shoes were very different and neither of us enjoyed the experience. So, I made a mental note to really try to pay attention to Zoe's non-verbal clues and to help her actively participate in the process of choosing her first pair of shoes.

Vera and I picked out three pairs, then whittled it down to two. One was a variation on the classic white leather above the ankle lace up shoe that people used to bronze (Do people still bronze baby shoes????). The other was a below the ankle shoe with a Velcro strap, brown with pink trim.

Vera really liked the idea of the "classic first shoe". So we asked the sales woman put on the white shoe first. Zoe started screaming before we put her on the ground. She was shaking her feet frantically trying to shake the foreign things on them off. First we tried to get her to stand, she simply did not want to stand in them. Vera then put her down on the floor and she would not crawl, she just sat there and cried. The sales woman said that babies often have this reaction with their first shoes and that it can take a few days to get used to them.

I suggested we try the brown ones, as they did not come up around the ankles making them less restricting. And, voila, Zoe was obviously much more comfortable in these... She stood holding the bench and cruised a bit, and then got down on all fours and started crawling. We had a winner! It took less than 20 minutes.

So for our first shoe shopping adventure, we all left happy with the purchase (I ignored the fact that my wallet felt lighter). I hope future shoe shopping is that easy!

First Step!!!!

Zoe took her first step today. I was at work so here's Vera's account of the event (paraphrased from her telephone account to me):

Zoe was crawling away across the living room floor. I started after her saying, "I'm coming to get you!" She was giggling. She made her way over to the pack 'n' play and pulled herself up to a stand. She turned toward me, let go of the pack 'n' play, and reached her hands out to me. Then she took a step and leaned toward me, hands in the air knowing I would catch her. As I caught her, we both laughed. It was so exciting!

The fact that she took her first step on her one year anniversary of coming home from the NICU makes the achievement of this milestone all the sweeter.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

This past week Zoe seems to be going through some subtle but incredibly noticeable cognitive changes. She's talking more and more. Using more signs. Climbing on her bike. Trying to put our shoes on her feet. She's even "feeding herself" with a spoon.

Here is an example: Vera had placed a Paul Simon CD case on the kitchen table. In the photo, on the CD cover, Mr. Simon is wearing a hat. While Vera was holding her, Zoe starting patting her hand on her head. We couldn't figure out what she was doing. Until Vera looked down, following Zoe's gaze, and saw the CD case, "That's right he's wearing a hat!" Very subtle, but quite astute! That's our smart girl! ;)

Talking and Signing Like Crazy!

It's amazing! Zoe has all of the sudden started talking up a storm and using signs in the appropriate places.

She's got lots of words and signs and she seems to show that she's learning new ones every few days. She's also physically starting to try out more things. She attempts to climb up onto the "orange" chair all by her self, and can just about do it!

Words that Zoe says:
Mama
Bye-bye = the obvious, but we also think that she thinks it means car.
Boon = balloon
poon = spoon
Baw = Ball
Baby
Pa-Pe = puppy
Mee-mee = Mickey mouse doll
Ga = possibly means car, we're not sure
Baba = bottle
Uhoooh = Uh oh
Maamay = Mommy

Signs that she does (the ones that we can decipher):
Baby
Ball
Book
Dog
Eat
Brush teeth
mom
shoes
owie
please
bath
hat

This one time, at gay camp...

We went camping in Guerneville this past weekend with Zoe's friends Mackie, Enzo and Evan (we lovingly refer to them as "The Boys") and their moms Rachel and Chris, Adrienne and Colleen, Chris and Karin.

Four babies, eight moms and lots and lots of fun. It was an incredibly fun filled weekend. We swapped food, kids, stories, and laughter. Each family had a "cabin", a one room cabin with a futon bed and table. Day time fun included swimming in the Russian River, playing in the park. There was also a BBQ event for gay families at one of the local resorts. Evenings were spent with babies sleeping and moms sitting 'round the camp fire talking and playing guess the celebrity.

Some memorable moments include: Bacon and cupcakes for breakfast (for the moms); a several course meal including cous cous, flat bread, several kinds of salad, burgers, sausages, chicken, smores, bourbon and cherry soda, vodka and blood orange soda; neighboring campers singing "Super Freak", "Mrs. Robinson" and varous Stevie Wonder songs accompanied by an accordion; and all four babies in one pack n play (see clip).

STANDING!

Zoe stood all by herself today, no leaning, no support. It was long enough for Lori to take this picture while Vera watches excitedly!

A Visit from Uncle Mike

Zoe finally got to meet her Uncle Mike today. Mike, Lori's brother, finagled a business trip to San Francisco and spent the day hanging out with Zoe and Lori.

We went to Zoe's Music Together class and sang and danced. Afterward we hung around in Berkeley and Walnut Creek. Then met up for dinner with Vera (who was studying for mid-terms during the day).

Zoe enjoyed time with her uncle. Lori and Mike got to spend some quality time together for the first time in... well, in a very long time. It was a most enjoyable day!

Some photos: