As Mark was going through his computer looking for old photos he came across this video from 2010. We had our great nieces Nadine and Zoey over for the weekend. As you can see Nadine couldn’t last much longer. I bet she heard the first time uncle Mark read Nils All Alone but then fell fast asleep. While little Zoey was ready to go all night. Most of the family referred to her as the energizer bunny, this kid would fight sleep. Mark had already read this book to them three times, each time Zoey would try and repeat or converse about the story. After the third time I had to pull out our Flip recorder, and am I ever glad I did. This video never gets old to me. I just burst with love at every little gesture she makes. I look at that little person as she tries to communicate and it’s the sweetest thing.
At the time of this video she was 29 months old. Zoey is now 6, and boy can she talk, and she is now reading books to us. To this day she still is a night owl and is always finding ways to stall going to sleep. I love to watch her in this video and see how she starts twirling her hair around and biting on her blanky. That was always a sign that she was just about ready to settle down. Now I know why in the morning when she would wake up her hair would look like a firecracker went off in the bed. I miss that little girl, but it has made me realize how we have to cherish each stage in a persons life. She has become quite the entertainer for our family, which really doesn’t surprise me. Seeing this makes me feel so happy to be alive to watch all of our nieces, and nephews grown into the people they are today. Now after seeing this I know it’s time for us to have another weekend with them real soon before they go on to not wanting to be around us old folks.
Amy and Mark, I just had to tell you we had so much fun watching the video of Mark reading to Zoey! Bill , Brad, Nadine, Zoey and myself watched it with much delight! I forgot how she would try to talk to us , but most of it was jiberish! To funny. We laughed and laughed and asked Zoey if she remembered this time in her life and she said no, but she watched it three times on my iPad! So precious and I realize how time goes so fast and that we need to cherish the moments now before her and Nadine and Emma grow up. Love you guys and thanks again. PS Brad wants to know if you have any other videos of the girls through the years that you could share with us! Love Bill, Marianne, Brad, Nadine and Zoey.
Marianne,
I am so glad that you got to experience seeing this with Zoey, Brad and Nadine. I have always thought of how special this video was and wanted to make sure to share it with at least all of the family if not everyone around the world. Like I said it never gets old. We are so very fortunate to have our three little babies in our lives. They all are truly a blessing. Thank you and Bill for bringing your wonderful son’s into our lives so we get to enjoy their daughters. I love all of you in my family so very, very, much.
Amy
Mark can read me a story anytime
Yeah Linda, Mark is pretty good at reading. I have to say I am not always as captivated as Zoey was, I usually end up like Nadine. :-)
Amy this is so adorable. My daughter is a total night owl too and has been ever since she was a baby. You’ve inspired me to dig up some old, now defunct mini cassettes and videos and get them converted as a gift for her adoption day this year. She’s nearly 13 now!