Quick kid update

#3

We'll find out what this baby is on Oct 23. Eee! In the past, I have always felt that the gender sonogram is a turning point for me. Until I know what gender this baby is I have a hard time imagining him/her or feeling really connected. I'm. so. pumped.

Speaking of feeling things, I can feel this one now! Too subtle for others to experience externally I think, when I lay down at night I can without a doubt feel this little one showing off. So fun. Especially the sweet bubble stage - much prefered over the giant alien resident stage in which the baby cuts off breathing/eating resources and when they roll over you feel like your stomach is going to roll right off your abdomen. 

Still feeling good. I've finally got my exercise mostly on track re: operation please don't gain 40#. I've been ellipticaling pretty consistently and my new maternity swimsuit came in (thank you bank CC reward points turned Old Navy gift card)! I love it. Having clothes that FIT you during pregnancy helps a lot in terms of keeping your attitude positive. And this swimsuit is perfect. And so, I add swimming to the exercises.

#2
Whoa. Language explosion!!! This girl can basically knock out any noun that she encounters in every day life. "Mermaid" "Pajama" "Diaper" "Waffle" ... She is talking! She also has added a "see you soon" to her good byes which is my *favorite* thing she does/says right now. It comes out like "z you ooon"
She has mastered the art of "mama" - employing it at all the proper times, even whipping out an "I want mama" when she means it bad. "dada" exists too. She simultaneously gained words for both Tia and Zoe. She calls Tia "tee-ta" and Z is called "sis-e" - probably because we mostly refer to Zoe as "sister." She mimics words well, but she won't mimic Zoe because if you try to get her to say it, she'll just say "sis-e"
Oh yeah - and Ana climbs everything all the time without stopping even if she falls down like a crazy maniac toddler.
She also sings songs! So sweet to hear her singing. Favorites include "Fuego, Fuego," "You are my sunshine" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider."

#1

Working on reading! She is just starting to get the hang of how to sound out words with short enough sounds to actually make it sound like the word. She correctly sounds about 10 letters (we haven't taught them all yet). Her lessons are sometimes awesome and sometimes she isn't interested. I don't push it - I figure she is more than making a head start - but she is REALLY eager to learn to read when you explain the end goal. She. Loves. Reading. 

She is also a really good big sister and spends most of the day wanting to play with Ana. Ana is just about the only one of Zoe's friends that will tolerate her holding her hand - Ana doesn't fight it at all - and I think that means a lot to Zoe because she is constantly trying to hold friend's hands! I think Pooh/Piglet/Christopher Robin put the idea into her head. 

Oh, Zoe also randomly became a big girl about a week ago and now successfully uses the big potty (puts on the seat, climbs up), flushes, washes her hands (with soap!) and gets re-dressed all without us needing to be there (unless, ya know..). This has revolutionized my life. This is the REAL potty trained bc it requires basically no effort on my part. She also brushes her teeth and rinses her toothbrush/mouth by herself. I don't know what happened - but she is HUGE. 

Babies!