Happy Summer

So much has been happening and I haven't had time to write about it. The girls are both napping again. I'll try to give some highlights and post some new pics.

Zadie is 6 months!
Ms. Zadie Zoo turned six months old on July 31st. She is getting so big and has quite the personality these days. Her doctor visit went well. She is 17lbs 11oz (~75%). Zola was 18lbs 3oz at her 6 month checkup. I think Zadie is too distracted to nurse these days and is missing out on calories to observe her sister playing and to push herself all around the room. She is really doing the pre-crawl rocking back and forth and even does downward dog now. All she really wants to do is use your hands/arms/anything to pull up to standing. She needs a lot of help with this but is super happy to be walking all around the room. Early walker/crawler/mover? I think so. She is definitely not content any longer just hanging out!

Zadie loves her binky. I think it is her favorite toy, next to the plastic slinky or any type of spoon. Her wild hair is displayed below. She actually got her first official hair cut today and it looks, well, she looks like a little boy. I will post a new picture soon.



My Zola
I recently sang with the Appalachian Gospel Choir during the Old Town School of Folk Music's Folk & Roots festival. It was a quick half hour of singing on the staff stage. The whole family came to see. Zola wasn't so hot on the idea of me singing on stage and her watching in the audience. She wanted me to come and watch with her. Many tears later, I just decided to hold her during the performance. A couple of songs later she was fast asleep on my shoulder. I don't think she's done that since she was a baby.

Zola is really growing into a little girl. She surprised me this week by being fearless in Lake Michigan during our day trip to my Aunt's in Indiana. Luckily Auntie Beth was there to supervise her exploration. Whenever I talk to myself (or other drivers) in the car in hushed tones she says from the back seat "Mommy, what are your saying up there?" On our way home from Indiana Monday evening during the fierce storms she remained super calm, almost adult like, as we pulled over to the side of the road to wait out to storm. It was blowing our little car across the road and we decided to just pull over to be safe. She just kept reassuring me by repeating my reassurances, "We are just waiting for the storm to pass, and when it stops raining we will start driving again" and "Our car is too little to drive now, we will wait until the storm passes, but those other big cars can keep driving." Zadie on the other hand decided to scream the whole way home just to add intensity to the white knuckle drive.

Come and hang out and then you will really get to see Zola in full force. My sister Julie experienced it this week. Zola "read" a book to us and then sang some really really loud songs. I am not quite sure why her voice increases by 20 decibels when she decides to serenade people but it is quite amusing and did I mention, VERY LOUD!

Zola asleep in my arms

Polly and Leah at the "breakfast bar" (aka my breast pump)

Homemade smoothies make summer yummy

Fresh squeezed lemon juice

Lemon juice in a shot glass (yes, she drinks it straight)

Zola watching Cubs game w/Cracker Jacks

Cubs game with Woody & my cousin Rachel. Zola made it about 4 innings

Contemplating her navel on the couch

If/when the condo ever sells we will miss this sky. Woody is right, we do take for granted that we have an awesome view any time of day in any weather.

Woody's sky