Zoe's Wonderful Day

Today, Monday March 12th 2012, was a beautiful day for Rutherford, NJ and for Zoe Zarwi.  Although I can't speak for the rest of the town, I would say it was a perfect day for Zoe and the Zarwis.
Mommy's day started first, at about 430am Eastern Daylight Time....in Paris.  She took the evening flight last night to remind Europe who their President is.  Solid work, Madam President.  Here on the better side of the pond, Daddy's day started at about 7am (save for a potty visit around 530), while Zoe entered her 11th hour of dreams.  Luckily for Dad, that meant an adult-like morning of prep for work, including a shower and a shave.  As always, Zoe followed me around the bathroom and bedroom...this time at peace on the video monitor.  She finally arose on her own at 740am, just as Dad finished tying his tie and just in time for Situ's arrival.  As usual, she was full of smiles and energy at the start of the day!  Daddy's got a big kiss and hug on his way out, but not before Zoe took a couple laps on her feet around the house (she's been walking about 5 weeks and loving it).
The weather was perfect outdoor playtime.  Situ can fill in the blanks for most of the morning, but as Dad understands it, Zoe had a great time playing in the backyard until 11am nap time.  In the afternoon, it was off to the park.  Situ found a great playground near one of her favorite stores (TJ Maxx) in Riverside County Park, one town away in Lyndhurst.  Zoe strapped on her Stride Rite shoes and she was off to the party!  Zoe and Situ spent the entire afternoon at the park, playing on the swings, on the slides, and in the tubes.  She even made a new friend...or at least she made friends with someone else's sneakers (see video).
After nap #2, Zoe played some football with the neighbors next door and across the street.  Auntie Alia stopped by after work and all three of them went back to Riverside County Park for more fun.  They were out so late that Dad beat them back home!

In the evening, Zoe walked circles around the house, climbed up and over her bunny seat and enjoyed Daddy's tickles and games until dinner was ready.  All four of us sat down to a home-cooked meal by Situ, including salad, chinese sweet potatoes, broccoli, hummus, brown rice and lemon pepper baked cod.  Zoe mostly fed herself at her high chair while the rest of us also enjoyed our dinner.  She wasn't a huge fan of hummus (which must mean we simply didn't make it right this time - she's an arab, she has to like hummus!) and she had a hard time shredding the salad with mostly gums(!), but otherwise she loved her dinner.  For dessert we shared some banana and a Godiva dark chocolate filled with butterscotch.  Mmmmmmm!  We all managed to enjoy our dinner with no food falling on the floor.
After dinner, Situ gave Zoe a bath to clean the park off of her while Auntie Alia and Dad cleaned up a bit.  Zoe was perfectly distracted by Jack Black in Yo Gabba Gabba while we all dressed her for bedtime...but it wasn't bed time yet.  At about 830pm, when everyone cleared out, Dad made Zoe a bottle and we both enjoyed storytime.  Tonight it was Disney board books, including Pinocchio, The Little Mermaid, Snow White and Cinderella.  The princesses were her favorite (just like Zoe!).
Around 9pm Daddy noticed an empty bottle and some eye-rubbing, so it was almost time for bed.  Zoe loves tooth brush time though, so we made sure to scrub our gourmet meal off our teeth.  Then, it was off to bed.  With no resistance and no sound, I laid Zoe in her crib with her Violet doll, monkey and blanket, with only a nightlight.  I told her it was time to sleep, wished a good night and I would see her in the morning.  I closed the door behind me, and within 10 minutes she put herself to sleep.

Does it get any better than this?  Nikki and I ask ourselves this a lot; luckily the answer has been Yes most of the time.  Tomorrow figures to be another great day....sweet dreams, Zoe.