Boxed In

The plan for today was to run a few errands and then attend 5 o'clock mass. For all of you church-goers, you may be thinking, "5 o'clock mass on a Sunday?" Yeah. I told Michael that the 5 o'clock mass was on Saturday nights, but he swore that his co-worker, who has attended our new church for years, said that the Saturday mass is in Spanish, and the Sunday evening mass is in English. So, even though I was a bit skeptical (because I had checked mass times in the past), I followed his lead. 

HItchin' a ride through Nordstrom Rack

When we pulled into the church parking lot at 4:45, we noticed that it was almost empty... I knew something wasn't right, so I pulled up the church website on my phone. Sure enough, there was an English mass on Saturdays at 5 o'clock (!!), and the Sunday evening mass, is a Youth Mass! And, it's at 5:30, not 5! Grrr. Is it wrong to be upset in the parking lot, steps away from God's house? Because I was! We (I) have been trying to become steady parishioners for a while now, and even though I am have been at fault for some of our misses, I was really looking forward to tonight. I knew I should have stuck with my gut, or at least checked the parish website a lot earlier!

So, not only did we have a lot of time to kill, but we started bringing up all kinds of reasons why we shouldn't attend a Youth mass. Really, it was just a few of the unknown (and the "dodged that bullet" attitude of my husband), which eventually led to us burning rubber right out of there...right as Father was pulling in! Good grief, now we're never going to be welcomed in and allowed to have Zoey baptized! (I know that's not true, but it sure feels that way!). I really want to start setting a better religious example for her and it's just not working out the way I'd like. 

We'll get there..someday.

She looked so cute in her church outfit, too!

Kisses for Monkey

Mmmm, more beef for dinner.

(Her poor hair clip!)

Before starting our nightly routine, Zoey had some extra playtime while I scarfed down my dinner. 

There are few things cuter than a baby in a box!

"Alright! This box is awesome!"

While lying with his head in the box, Michael stuck one of Zoey's toys in, 

and she went in after it!

Celebrating the toy retrieval! Yay! :)

Big Girl Bath

Let me start off by saying that, since yesterday, I have wised up on the whole TP situation! The roll now sits on the back of the toilet; not pretty in the way of bathroom decor, but it works!

I swear, I can't take this child anywhere! ;)

Now, when I open the fridge with her on my hip, she grabs at whatever she can reach. At least she's going for the good stuff; my Sweet Cream coffee creamer.

Ever since Zoey became big enough to take a bath outside of her pink baby tub, I have made numerous excuses as to why she wasn't ready. I needed a tub mat, so she wouldn't slip and/or slide around... I needed a faucet cover, so she wouldn't hit her head or get burned... I was too tired to clean out the tub, so it wasn't "ready" for her...

Well, before her last bath in the baby tub, I promised her that I'd have the big tub ready for her next bath. It's funny how making a promise to a baby, who doesn't even know the meaning of it, makes you want to follow through, just as if you'd made it to a comprehending adult. 

So, tonight, Zoey took her first "Big Girl Bath"! (I'm pretty sure I called her first bath without the newborn hammock, a "Big Girl Bath", too! So, this was a "Big[ger] Girl Bath" ;)

She did a great job! 

She was extremely excited to get in! She kept peering over the edge and smiling :)

I think she was a little intimidated once she got in

It wasn't long before she stood up and started bopping up and down!

Inspecting the Rubber Ducky faucet cover. 

I tried my best to keep her seated, but there were just too many cool things to look at!

I am so glad she likes the tub, but I fear she may like it too much! I gave her plenty of play time, in the hopes that she'd then sit still and let me wash her. No such luck. She slipped once, due to excessive squirming, and my heart nearly stopped. Hopefully, with some practice, we'll both learn how to have a fun and safe tub time!

Toilet Paper

What is it with babies and their fascination with toilet paper rolls?? I have accepted the fact that it will be a while before I get to go to the bathroom by myself, but it has been made even more difficult to go, now that Zoey has her heart set on pulling all of the toilet paper off of the roll. As soon as I get her seated on the floor, with a rinsable toy to keep her occupied, she quickly abandons it, crawls toward the TP and goes to town on it! At first, she does her best to unravel a couple feet. Then, she flashes me a sweet smile before shoving a piece into her mouth. Ever tried pulling toilet paper out of a babies mouth? It's not an easy task (that stuff sets on the tongue like Modge Podge, in seconds!). Now, would I rather her cry and scream at the top of her lungs because I left her locked in the baby gate? Hmm, I think I'll continue punishing myself (and the TP) for a while longer...

You guessed it!..Dinner-time Scrunchy Face :)

(I blame Michael for this one. He kept coming up behind me and making the face over my shoulder. On cue, Zoey made it right back!)

Beef..uh..Soup? 

Like I said, doesn't look very appetizing, but the flavor is not bad at all.

Right before she threw an "I'm done, now let me out" fit!

She still had carrots in her mouth, so she was let out of the seat, but not set free.

"What do you mean I can't get down until I swallow it?! No fair!"

Pumping Iron

This afternoon, Zoey was crawling around my feet saying "Uh-oh", over and over again. I couldn't help but think, it's cute now, but it won't be when she actually means it. I can see it now...she's unraveled a whole roll of toilet paper...or gone potty in a corner...or splashed in the dogs' drinking water, soaking her clothes! "Uh-oh" is right! (Hope I didn't just jinx myself by thinking those thoughts out loud?)

Maybe she was saying "Uh-oh" b/c she had plans to do something naughty?

Who knew she could even reach the mobile?!? Scary!

Exploring her new barn

Dance party at our house!

We rocked out to the CDs Granny gave Zoey for Christmas.

(Caspar Babypants -awesome-, Raffi -a classic-, and a CD where they sing "Zoey" into all the songs!! -so cool-)

Lovin' the blue hair bow from Granny!

She gave us so many different colors, there should be one for every possible outfit now!

For dinner, Zoey got the VIB (Very Important Baby ;) treatment! I cooked up some grass feed ground beef that Michael picked up from Tacoma Boys, and then ran it through the blender with a little water. I will admit, the final product looked less than appetizing, but Zoey sure loved the taste of it (as did I; I stole some crumbles before they went into the blender)!

Doing my best to soften the ground beef.

(Next time, I will only blend it a little, and use way less water, if any.)

Mmmm, Iron: does the body good!

Random thought of the day:

Boy, do I love a pretty, well fitting pair of baby jammies! All babies look so adorable in footy pajamas! Zoey looks like such a big girl in these. She's no longer swaddled like a baby burrito, or swimming in a snuggly sleep sack.

Sportin' the pretty pink (12 month!!) jammies, also from Granny :)

Finger Food

This afternoon, Zoey and I had a nice visit with my dad. We were able to exchange gifts and he gave Zoey a cute little Fisher Price, rotary dial, toy phone! It's on a string, so she can pull it behind her as she crawls, and eventually walks. It also "rings" when you turn the dial! Super cute :)

Enjoying her Baby Einstein Ocean Orchestra turtle

Scrunchy Face!

Did I mention that she does this a lot..and we love it..so there's lots of pictures of it?? OK. Just checking! ;)

Here in the Lubovich house, we've been working on finger foods! Zoey is doing a pretty good job picking the food up (either with a rake grasp or an occasional pincer grasp), but getting it into her mouth is still the tough part. Once she gets a piece of food in her hand, she looks at it curiously, closes her hand, and forgets all about it! I tend to uncurl her fingers and guide her hand to her mouth, or just shovel a few pieces in for her, while she plays with what's left on her tray.

She doesn't seem to be too fond of the texture of carrot chunks. They are such a tough veggie, that it takes a long time to get them really soft. She does OK with the super soft pieces, but if it's got a bit of a bite to it, she shoves it to the side of her mouth and tries to forget about it!

Not loving it

Moving it all around, but not actually chewing it!

"Maybe I can put a stop to this if I scrunch up my nose? They always seem to like that!"

It's so fun watching her explore and learn.

She has a piece in her left hand, but has no desire to put it in her mouth. On to the next piece...

Practice makes perfect; we'll get there!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!

I can't believe we're celebrating Zoey's first Christmas, as well as our first Christmas as homeowners; so exciting! 

There are a bunch of pictures, so I'll just get right to them! 

In her Christmas jammies!

Check out that crazy hair; someone slept well last night!!

Trying some pineapple (juice) for the first time.

She loved it and kept leaning in for more.

Our pretty tree and all the loot!

We are so blessed! 

(Granny did what she does best, and spoiled us!)

Opening her present from our friends, Micah and Shannan.

It's a cool Baby Einstein musical turtle!

It is seriously awesome; can't wait for her to learn how to use it.

Granny was kind enough to bring the dogs presents.

(We are terrible doggy parents and didn't even really think about getting them anything!)

Zoey gave Granny a "Grandma & Me" picture frame to put their picture in!

Enjoying some wrapping paper!

Her present from Mommy and Daddy! 

She seems to love it already :)

Michael gave her an adorable, and ultra soft, stuffed monkey.

She hasn't really taken to it yet; she likes to throw it down! Lol

I gave her the recordable storybook, All The Ways I Love You. I was a huge sap and started crying as she read/listened to it! The story is really sweet and I'm glad I found one that tells her exactly what I want her to know. (I am now a recordable storybook addict! They make such special gifts.)

Me, way to excited about receiving Elf!

I had been complaining because Nextflix doesn't have Elf, and I love watching it every year.

Mom, equally excited to receive The Carol Burnett Show, Limited Edition, 7 DVD collection!

Modeling her denim jumper dress and headband from Granny

Mom my is known for her great stocking stuffers! This year, she didn't disappoint!

Snowman Poop!

"I hear that you've been naughty,

So listen, here's the scoop.

I'm all out of coal this year,

So here's some snowman poop."

She knows the way to my heart: a Starbucks GC, a Nordstrom Rack GC and scratch tickets!

Pumpkin Bread, made form scratch!

I had also planned to make my first apple pie, but didn't leave myself enough time. 

Next year!

We had an amazing Christmas! Great family time, awesome gifts, yummy food and lots of LOVE!

Happy Holidays, Everyone! May you have a blessed New Year!
Love: M, D & Z