A Few Milestones

Last week Zoë decided to show her sweet smile for the first time. Her Nonna was here to see as well, and vouch for the smiles not actually being gas or some nerve reflex. She crinkled up her little mouth and gave us the cutest smile I've ever seen. Today however, she gave me the first of a series of smiles which just melted my heart. There's no better combination then smiles from your baby, mixed in with the little coos they make as if they are trying to talk to you. She was waving her hands around as if telling me a big story she's been saving up! I captured one of her multiple smiles on my phone as she was moving her head around, talking to me in great detail about some secret.

It's totally ironic that as I write this post Zoë is not smiling, but rather writhing on her bouncy seat screaming in agony for me to pick her up (the little lady can really belt it out when she wants)! I basically have to hold her ALL OF THE TIME that she isn't sleeping, which has forced me to forget worrying about all the other chores around the house that need to be done (or at least try). That has been pretty hard for me to do actually. My OCD nature does not allow me to see dishes in the sink, and toys all over the floor without wanting to clean or pick them up. It's been REALLY DIFFICULT trying to remember that holding her and taking care of her and Vince is just what I should be doing and everything else can go on the back burners. I still haven't gotten the hang of how I can try and calm Zoë down while simultaneously reading a book to Vince. He seams to want to do something with me or do some activity that I need to help him with at exactly the point that Zoë is freaking out and needs to be held/fed/burped/rocked. He's started some new phrases like "Mom, let's read a book you and me", or "Mom, come play with me in the sun room". Then he'll take my hand and lead me to what he wants me to do. It's so cute I can't stand it! It breaks my heart to have to tell him to hold on because I need to tend to the baby. Sigh... I'll get the hang of this someday. Vince is doing better adjusting to life with a little sister overall so that's good.

Vince has had a milestone of his own as well! He did some poops in the potty (I spared the picture). This was actually about 2 weeks ago now. Our friend Naomi gave Vince an awesome Pirate Potty Book for us to read to him whenever he's on the potty. It has a pirate hat that he wears, and if he goes pee or poo while on the potty he gets a sticker for his pirate potty hat. He loves that part. Here's Vince in action on his potty with his pirate potty hat and Nonna reading the pirate potty book. It's all a pretty ridiculous production but it appears to be working so we'll go with whatever works.