Zoe has changed so much this month; I actually can’t think of another four-week period in which we’ve seen such development. She’s much more like a real person now; she has her own little personality, she talks all the time, and she is very animated when she tries to get a point across. She adopted what seems like her own little language this month, and she has also started saying some real words. She says “Daddy” and “Mama” all the time, and she uttered her first (non-parent) word – “good” – a few weeks ago. We hear that, along with “hi” and (what we think is) “yeah” a lot now.

Zoe also seems to have a more complex understanding of words and concepts. She understands “no” now – and, as reported here a few weeks ago, she routinely shakes her head when she hears that word (or starts to do something she knows she’s not supposed to). If you put out your arms, she’ll race over to you be picked up, and if you ask her to hand something to you, chances are good that she’ll do it.

Along the same lines, Zoe copies many of the things she sees and hears. Her dad often shrugs his shoulders and throws up his hands, for example, and Zoe has started to do the same. (Then she looks really confused when we clap or praise her.) This past weekend, I lifted Zoe up and said “wheee…” and she said the same thing immediately afterwards. (Obviously, we need to be really careful what we say around her now!)

In terms of physical developments, Zoe still races around all over the house, but she’s not content doing just this. She now often pounces (like a rabbit would) when she starts to move, and she routinely pulls herself up on furniture to bounce or grab things. (Babyproofing has been a real priority for us this month, needless to say.) One of her favorite things to do is to “climb” up the bars on our bed’s headboard, and, as mentioned in a recent post, she recently stood up on her own and even took a few steps. We know that walking can’t be too far away.

As for temperament, Zoe remains a happy baby overall (Elena, her babysitter, is always telling me she’s one of the easiest baby she cares for). Yet Zoe’s sassy side has flared quite a bit this past month – she’ll often throw little fits if she doesn’t want to be held or changed, for example. She also knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it – as was evident a few weeks ago when she was on her little rocking-horse. I was using the handles to bounce her, and when I took a little break, she grabbed my hands and put them right back on the handles. (“More, Mom!” was what she seemed to be telling me.) And if you don’t feed her fast enough, watch out! She’ll grunt and groan and scold you – and then pull the spoon towards her.

Zoe is becoming more like a little girl and less like a baby every day. Soon we’ll have a little toddler in our midst, and I can’t wait for the fun that comes along with that…

-M