I miss Zoila already. Last week’s episode had a lot of mixed opinions in comments. I just want her back, but I know that is not going to happen and it is for the best. Maybe she will be at the christening on this episode.
Jeff has decided that Monroe can no longer run the house. She cries when they change her diaper or brush her hair or whenever things are not going her way. Not a normal baby cry, the baby velociraptor shriek. It’s horrific to hear even on the TV. So Jeff Lewis is going to lay down the law. Good luck with that, Jeffery. He can’t even keep the cats from biting him. Those cats are extremely dangerous for Monroe, by the way.
The dads are going to have Monroe baptised so Jeff and Jenni go to meet with him prior to the ceremony. Gage was apparently too busy celebrating Zoila’s departure or something. Father Davies is quite the character. He has a huge dog that has his own chair in the study of what I guess is his home. He’s very… um…interesting. So Jeff of course loves him. Jeff warns him that Monroe is very spirited and will likely scream to the … er…high heavens during the baptism. Jeff suggests there may need to be an exorcism. Father Davies tells Jeff that some priests, but not him, believe that the louder the baby screams, the more devout they will be in the Catholicism, because the screaming is all the wicked coming out.
Heather’s house seems to be taking forever to renovate. I need to renovate my kitchen and I cannot wrap my mind around how I could accommodate that, even if I could afford it. My refrigerator is very near death. Like it’s on life support. And the reason I haven’t replace it yet is I really need new flooring in the kitchen. I am not even sure that makes sense.
Jeff asks Chaz Dean to be Monroe’s godfather. Erica, of The Voice fame, emailed me the other day that Jeff said on his radio show that Chaz sends an endless stream of presents for her and he joked that Monroe is the future heiress of the Chaz Dean empire. Chaz was very emotional. Jenni is the godmother. She cries too. Jeff says that he chose Jenni because she’s one of his closest friends and she is religious so she will take the responsibility very serious. He picked Chaz because he is the richest guy he knows.
Monroe had a photoshoot at Lea Black’s house because Jeff was on the cover of Parenting OC with her. I remember writing that post and wondering why Gage wasn’t in the magazine. Also, if you click the link, the interview that Jeff gave the magazine doesn’t mirror at all what we’ve seen on the show. Monroe did a great job with the shoot and didn’t scream much at all! Jenni and Meghan and the photo all went nutso trying to keep her entertained and it resulted in some cute photos. Jeff also shared that he realized that Monroe had a closer bond with Gage so he suddenly started doing more feeding and nurturing. Because, it’s a contest.
One of Jeff’s tall beautiful employees, Kat is quitting because her husband has a new job in Atlanta. Then Jeff suddenly realizes that Jenni will be out on maternity leave very soon. He’s starting to panic. He’s trying to ask, believe, receive Vanina into coming back. I haven’t seen the house manager this episode. With Zoila gone they seem to be just down to the housekeeeper, so what’s to manage? Oh wait, I just saw her. She’s working on a computer. I genuinely do not understand what she does. What are they going to do with that fancy super long shared desk space they just bought. Even Meghan is traveling for the summer. When Jenni goes on maternity leave, it will be just Jeff, Gage, and Nancy “the house manager.”
Why is Lea Black on every single fucking episode?
Chaz comes over before the christening with a baby gift from Tiffany. Monroe lets Chaz hold her without fussing at all. Both dads are worried about Monroe’s behavior at the baptism. Gage says he feels like if there are two dads with a baby and it’s screaming people are secretly thinking, ” See, she needs a mom!”
The dads were both nervous wrecks on the ride over to the church. Gage seems really concerned that the thirty people invited who are all close friends and family will be judging them. The baptism went off without a single peep from Monroe. She was a perfect angel. The interspersed footage from her birth and I randomly started crying, because, The Crazy. I did not see Zoila there.
Afterward, there was a lovely brunch at a fancy restaurant. Jeff tells us he is the happiest he has ever been and he’s obsessed with Monroe. He’s already mentally preparing for when she leaves for college. Gage is ready for the next one. More than once in this episode Jeff’s age has been mentioned as a reason to get going with some siblings. Jeff says Valley Vista will be where they live by the time Monroe is ready for school, because that is the school district they want to be in. He also seems to be slowing down with the business. I think he has decided not to hire new employees because he is going to stop taking clients entirely and just flip houses.
It wasn’t until about halfway through the episode I realized this was the finale. I am sad this show is over. On the bright side, I can now watch Project Runway in something closer to real time. If you are looking for something to fill this time slot, click the link for all of CJ, and her sidekick, Leslie’s hysterical and very knowledgeable recaps.
Are you going to miss Flipping Out? It was one of the few fun things on TV right now.
I didn’t see Gage when Jeff asked Chaz and Jenny to be godparents. Was he there?
No he wasn’t. I feel bad for Gage. Jeff gets all the credit and Gage does all the work. Zoila must of left on a bad note for her not being at the Christening or even mentioned by Jeff she why she wasn’t there. Super sweet episode. Monroe is a doll. Loved her shoes.
I was surprised Zoila wasn’t at the Baptism or even the after party. The way they left things, I thought she would be somewhat involved in the baby’s life. I wonder if we were privy to all that was going on behind the scenes with Zoila and their parting wasn’t as amicable as it appeared. Then again, maybe she was just on vacation!
Zoila was likely in Nicaragua.
It’s obvious from the photo above that Jeff adores their little girl. She’s a beautiful child, and with the love from two dads who will always put her first, she has a bright future ahead. I’ll miss the show, although here were times Jeff was such a an old crotchety-balls that he tried my patience. I do realize though that everything he did was because of his great passion for his work and his family. I don’t know if it was just editing, or if he really was as rude to Gage as it sometimes seemed, but I’m glad Gage hung in there. I wish them all the utmost happiness and hope they have some kind of show in days to come which will let us know how they’re doing.
Oh I’m sure we’ll get more seasons, that was just the season finale, not the series finale.
I loved this episode! I love Jeff and Gage with Monroe. They just adore her, and in their lives now, “what is best for Monroe” always takes priority. As it should! I was all teary in the birth-to-baptism montage, too.
For the birth of my first baby, a friend sent me a congrats card that had one line from a Beatles song on it: “All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arrive.” Still gives me chills! Because no one can tell you how much you are going to love your baby. I love them all so much, it freaks me out! I’m glad my Jeff (and my Gage! Boy, has he grown on me!) is able to experience and enjoy this.
Yes, I’m going to miss Flipping Out! I loved this season.
I used to watch but had enough of Jeff. Missed the first of the season but caught up last week. Love seeing how Monroe is changing the dynamics of this family. Think it was the right time for Zoila to leave. Surprised she wasn’t at the christening, maybe she is punishing Jeff for having Gage and Monroe. Jeff seems to be softening. Better for everyone.
He was on Heather MacDonald’s show and said Zoila spent several weeks with family in her home country – Guatemala? – after she left his employ. She lives with her daughter in California, now. Jeff said he misses her, but that she was ready to retire and deserved a rest.
I didn’t even notice Zoila’s absence at the baptism until I read the recap. Her absence was very odd and deserves an explanation. Why would the producers allow that to go unanswered.
I was GLAD Jeff decided tontake over the AM feeding and was concerned about developing a bond with Minroe now. Know a couple of guys who were of the attitude that thwy couldbworkbon it when they’ve gotten older. I loved that he appreciated the kind of nurturing she gets from Gage, and that she will get something different but as important frim him.
I also love that we’ve consistently gotten to see Jeff’s dad. He looked so happy at the church, and CLEARLY Jeff got his sense of humor from him, as evident by the shot to the ribs he gave Chaz (Chaz opened that up after mentioning paying for college when Jeff asked him ti be the godfather. Also, dis anyone catchbthat Jenni’s little Ariana went straight for him, to be lifted upbin his arms?
Oh and SQUEEEEE! I have fame! 😉
I noticed it and thought it was so sweet !!!
I hope that Gage…and Jeff realize that gay or straight, people will always judge your parenting.
The Episcopalian priest was hysterical.
They are great dads and Monroe is a very blessed little girl to have so many that love her.
Seriously you don’t think two dads are judged more harshly than if there was a man in the picture. Naive much?
@Charlie: I am not naive. I have lots of gay and straight friends that are parents. My point was that everybody judges everyone’s parenting. It is not gay or straight specific. One of my dearest friends has had her husband’s family make her life a living Hell always being critical of her parenting. Her kids have turned out great, but that did not stop the family.
God…help us all:
Gage: “How do single Mothers do it? Oh, I know. They have nannies.”
Wake up…and see the world around you….Daddy.
His comment was about working mothers, not single mothers.
One in the same more often than not, Jen.
There are plenty of working mothers who aren’t single.
Was Gages parents at the christening?
Father Davies was a hoot!! I’d love to be at a dinner party with him, and his dog. The staredown between the pup and Jeff was great.
Gage is really good with Monroe, and I find him very normal for voicing his fears of judgment.
This episode showed a living group of people with respect and love can create a long lasting family of love.
I enjoyed how Jeff said Gage and himself talk about everything Monroe, they agree on parenting and goals. How Gage has turned into a partner on jobs instead of employee and that has brought a balance. How they chose Chaz and Jenny, great insight.
Where did you buy that response, boys? A Hallmark card from Ralph’s?
Why do you feel the need to beat up on her because you don’t like/disagree with j\her response?????
Most of what she said were topics Jeff discussed in the episode.
Her?
In Zoila’s defence oftentimes it is hard to disengage when you believe no one to be worthy of the wild seed you’ve taken care. Nurture naturally.
Best Bravo show in my opinion. Sorry to see this season come to an end.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph Tamara. Thanks so much for this post. You see. And tell. And make me cry laughing while you do it (though I thoroughly agree that Monroe needs more alert parenting pronto.)
Blessings, always.
A fan for life…..
Why is this already over and RHOC seems like it has been on for months???
I still cannot figure out Jeff’s and Gage’s relationship. I know there is a lot of editing, but there just does not seem to be any chemistry between them.
Zoila was not at the baptism or brunch. This seemed really strange to me. I wonder if more happened between Zoila and Jeff that we are aware of.
I hope that this wasn’t the end of Flipping out.
Flipping Out is only 10 episodes. I think RHOOC is 18 plus the reunion this season, so there are three left.
When Zoila quit, Jeff flew her down to Nicaragua to stay with her family I think she was there for like six months before she came back. There was probably quite a bit of time between her quitting and the baptism. I’m sure that she would have been there if she were in town. Jeff is still looking after Zoila.
Ohhh… thanks for the explanation about the # of episodes. I was really surprised that we were already at the finale. I think I also kind of dismissed the whole waiting for the baby part as if it was prequel. They did that flashback thing that made me feel like the season hadn’t started.
I hope we get to see Heather’s house next season! I’m looking forward to seeing Jeff & Gage working together more too.