Life's a Zoo

What a gorgeous day in Santa Barbara, perfect for the zoo.  I took this shot of the elephant for two reasons.  #1- Rob loves the pachyderms and #2 to show how beautiful that zoo is!  What a perfect setting.  The hills on one side, the beach on the other, and perfect weather almost every day.

Lauren loved her day at the zoo.  It was  her second visit, but this time she was really able to soak it in.  She was silent, just staring intently for the entire time. The animals were OK, but all those people!  Especially little people who were stroller height.  She was in Heaven.  The only thing she didn't like was wearing her hat.  She pulled it off every time I put it on.  Thank goodness for sunscreen.  Most of the time she stayed under the shade on her stroller, pulling herself forward toward the snack tray, so she wouldn't miss a thing.

Jack is practically a professional "zoo goer" by now, but he was so thrilled to have Daddy join us this time.  They did everything together, nearly attached at the hip.  Jack was excited to share  his picnic lunch, especially the Pop Rocks candy that crackled and crunched in their mouths and then made them both laugh hysterically. 

We even got to watch the new kids' show on the lawn after lunch. And let me tell you, that dinosaur was so cool that Jack even hid behind Rob for part of the show, just in case it was real.

Counting Blessings

Is it possible that I NEVER posted this video on the blog?! It was all such a blur for the first few weeks, but I am shocked that this isn't on here. I'm sure we sent it to everyone via email, but just in case (and because we LOVE this and it makes us tear up every time) here it is. Isn't life amazing and aren't we blessed beyond comprehension?

Swinger

Lauren has not enjoyed her swing for quite some time now.  So much, in fact, that I put dismantling it and taking it to Goodwill on my "to do" list.  Well, this morning I put her in it for a minute to run outside (totally expecting her to scream in protest) and this is what took place.  She decided it was fantastic!  She was so absorbed in the act of swinging that she couldn't focus enough to do her two favorite tricks, saying DaDa or waving bye-bye.  Go figure :-)

Best Buddies

If you thought your Friday night was fun, you got nothing on Jack and Lauren.  SpiderJack was playing peek-a-boo with Lauren and she was shrieking with delight!  They had so much fun and we were cracking up too.  I can see the great fun they will have as they grow up together.  Lauren ADORES him and he is adorable with her.  I couldn't be happier than when they are playing together.  Win, win, win!

DaDa

Who?  Me?

Guess who is saying her first word?  Miss Lauren says, "DaDa."  Over and over and over.  Even after I ask her to say MaMa.  Or Brother.  Or Dog.  No, she says DaDa.  I have devoted the last two years of my life to her from fertility treatments (Rob just had a hand in it), to pregnancy (and all the fun complications), and every minute of her life (she is just shy of 9 months old now).  But does she say MaMa?  Nope.  Rob sweeps in on his white stallion every night for 20 minutes of cuddles before bed and HE gets her first word?!  *sigh*  Well, when I DO get a "MaMa" it'd better be accompanied by a big smile and maybe a hug.  In the meantime, her sweet, sleepy cuddles on my chest will have to suffice....and oh do they suffice :-)

Chillin' in the Crib

Jack decided to join Lauren in her crib after her nap this morning.  She was very surprised to have company in there!

Another big milestone...Lauren's first tooth FINALLY came through!  YEA!  After teething for months and months, and suffering with swollen, tender, red gums we can finally see some relief.  While I know this is only the begining of many more teeth, it is a step in the right direction.

Happy Saturday

We started our morning with a yummy breakfast today.  Fresh baked croissants and fruit salad.  If you have not tried Trader Joe's croissants, do yourself a favor and go get some today!  They are frozen, but you leave them on a cookie sheet at room temperature over night to rise and then pop them in the oven when you get up.  They only take about 20 minutes to bake and are one hundred times better than those soft, mushy croissants at the market.  These get super crisp and flaky.  They also have chocolate ones.  Great treat!

Miss Lauren loved our fruit salad.  She had mangoes and nectarines in her new feeder.  It is a mesh pocket with an easy to grab handle.  I put fruit inside and she can suck it out through the mesh.  I don't have to worry about her choking and she is totally entertained.  She is becoming more independent all the time, and easily frustrated when she can't do things by herself.  So this is a great gadget for both of us.  I plan on freezing some watermelon to try later.  She is teething SO BAD (I can see the tooth pushing through her swollen gums, but it still hasn't cut all the way through) and I think the cold melon might feel soothing and taste yummy too.

And finally, Captain America is Jack's latest alter ego.  Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Parlor (or "Batman-Robin" as Jack calls it) is featuring Captain America ice cream as their flavor of the month.  Since Jack took a good nap yesterday we treated him to ice cream after dinner.  He got the very last scoop of Captain America in the building!  It was delicious, if you are three years old.  Now he can use his shield to protect himself from Baby's drool.
Have a great weekend everyone.