Dear Zuzu will be turning 3 in less then two months. To date she is 35 lbs and over 36 inches. She loves pink, baby dolls, doing somersaults and flips on her Daddy. She absolutely has to be included in absolutely everything we do. If I tell her I have to go to work, her response is either, “Me too!” or “No- you can go back to sleep with me”. She is extremely physically active and agile. She is definitely our monkey and proud of it. Things like story time at the library are so not her speed. Things that require sitting for longer then 45 seconds and listening attentively are so not her speed. Things that involve doing what the grown-ups are doing, shopping, taking a trip, talking, dancing, laughing, playing in the water- that is her speed.

When Zuzu crawls into bed at night with us she hoards things. We might wake up with a cup, a phone, a baby-doll, a robe, a sweater, a couple blankets, her mo-mos,  knuffle bunny or a teletubbie. The latest love is a tiny book on mushrooms and toadstool identification from Kew Gardens in England. She has to “read” it until she falls asleep and will often wake in the morning still holding onto it.

She LOVES Jingle Bells; preferably Andy Williams version and will hop around until it’s over, Van Morrison, Astral weeks isn’t bad either. Also Betty Swain- Make Me Yours. She has a couple of kids music albums- one she calls Down by the Bay and one she calls Hello- that she likes too- but in terms of grown up music the others rate.

Absolutely every animal and baby doll have been put in time out in our house by her. When asked what their offense was- they usually hit or bit her.

She loves Word Girl, Curious George, Super Why, Clifford the Big Red Dog and Martha Speaks. She refers to television as a whole as PBS. If you try to sing along to the theme song with her she will hold her finger to her lips- shush you and say, “No me” and continue singing along.

She used to pretend to cook while we did- using our kitchen apparatus- you know- back when she was a little girl- now if we are cooking or washing dishes she drags a chair over and insists on helping. She’s a good mixer! When it is time for a meal she will sometimes set out gummies or goldfish for everyone.

When we are out in public and have to use the restroom, there is much discussion needed. First time she asks to go- she won’t go- she’ll just check out the scene. The second time she probably will. The first order at hand is whether it is a big or a little potty. The next issue is whether it is a loud or a quiet potty. If it is a quiet and little potty she’ll go without too much trouble. Otherwise much negotiation ensues. She usually asks me to go first and then in all her familial pride bursts out with a, “Good job Mommy!”. And will usually announce- “ewwwww, Mommy poopy”. When in fact that is not the case.

6 months into it, she is still the most excellent big sister and is utterly in love with her baby sister. The Quail is the first and last thing she thinks about each day and will frequently tell her she “yuvs” her and hugs and kisses the dickens out of her. The Quail for her part tolerates this affection and will sometimes smile back. She is good about giving The Quail a new toy as she realizes the toy she has been longing to play with is in her baby sister’s clutches. She runs to check on her if she hears a peep from her. She loves to help feed her and is pleased as punch to come tell me that, “My baby stister woke up on her own!” (uh- sure she did). She recently told my mother that we are getting more babies.- Maybe not yet- but I know she is hoping for them.

Her favorite turns of phrase of late: “It’s ok Mommy”, “Cousin I said so”, “Good bye-bye” “Good night-night”, “Probably” , “Wellllllll, actually” and calling pineapple either pumpkin or apple pie. “I’m gonna blow your crankies away- Now you happy!” “Mommie- you make people sad when you are frustrated”, “Mommie- you have to be nice to people who are trying to take their shoes off on the bed”.  And she is quick to congratulate us-“Good Job Mommy!- Good job (insert mundane task here- pumping, eating, sleeping, going potty)” “Neh-neh tastes like Heaven Mommy”,

And of course the standards- she knows her colors, shapes, numbers and ABC’s.

That’s our wildflower to date-aren’t we lucky!