Off to the ZOO

Friday night Dave came up with the idea of going to the zoo on Monday. So we called Grandma and Grandpa Chupp to see if they would be interested in meeting us again - and they were. We all went last year for Father's Day and had such a good time we decided it should be an annual event. Morgan learned a new word as we were getting around that morning - antsy. Everything she did was followed by "Now can we go to the zoo?". It was so much fun to see her truly excited about what she might see when we got there. Here are some of her favorite things of the day.

I think she ended up riding the carousel 3 times - once with Dave and twice with Grandma.

She walked most of the day, holding our hands. She did however spend a lot of time in Grandpa's arms in order to see the animals. He did such a good job talking to her about what we were seeing. She was really fascinated with the animals. As you can see - we were too.

It is a children's zoo so there are lots of fun animal related activities for the kids. This is a tunnel they can crawl through to see what it's like to be a wombat. This picture was followed by "Again!?" and then "Again!?" and then "Again!?"

I think they call this the cat walk. It's basically a caged in tunnel WAY up in the air. You can see that she loved this too - and also went through several times.

Mr. Misty please

Donna says that when David was little, whenever they went to DQ he never asked for ice cream instead he would say "Mr. Misty please!" Well, we had perfect weather for a day at the zoo - warm (not hot), with a nice breeze. Despite the beautiful weather, after walking all day, we were all ready for a little break. Grandpa and Grandma treated us to some extra yummy Mr. Mistys.

Morgan loved it. She downed them without much of a break while the rest of us had to pace ourselves as we tried to avoid the inevitable "brain freeze".

The Mr. Mistys really hit the spot! The tongues tell it all.

Grandma the brave

Last year when we were here, these fountains may have been Morgan's favorite part of the day. So this year I planned ahead, bringing her suit and extra clothes. I did not however bring extra clothes for the softy who would end up playing in the water with her.

There were quite a few other kids playing in the water when we got there. Morgan was a little hesitant to play and kept asking us to go with her. Luckily I was holding Adrienne (who was a sleep) in the sling. It should not surprise those of you who know Donna, that she was the one who rolled up her pants and played with Morgan in the water.

Once Grandma was close at hand, Morgan's bravery began to grow.

Thank you Donna for playing with Morgan - she loved it. You are just what she needed to be able to totally relax and truly enjoy the fountains.

This is where we ended our day at the zoo. We all had a great time, but we were very exhausted. Morgan fell asleep in the car (which doesn't happen much anymore) and slept most of the way home. When Dave was putting her to bed the conversation went like this M "Are there any snakes here?" D "No, they are at the zoo." M "Can you climb the trees like the snakes Daddy?" D "Not as good as the snakes." M "Can Steve and Sarahbara and baby Grace go to the zoo with us tomorrow?"

One year ago ...

Last year, on Father's Day, we met Art and Donna at the Ft. Wayne Zoo for what we decided would be the 1st of our annual tradition. This is one of my favorite pictures from that trip. It's crazy for me to see how Morgan has grown in the past year.

Adrienne's first trip to the zoo

Once again, Adrienne was along for the ride. She did really good with the long day. She took several naps in the sling on me. When she woke up she would chat with us a while, look around get a bite to eat and before long she was back to sleep again.

Donna held her for one of her naps. You can see that she snuggled in and got pretty cozy with Grandma.

You can see she is still in good spirits at the end of the day. She woke up from her last nap in time to watch Morgan play in the water for a while.

Mommy moment

Bedtime often includes some tickles, giggles, silly games and kisses. The other night Morgan and I were having one of those bedtimes. We were playing a game Dave started with her several months ago where you pretend you are telling each other secrets, but you are just whispering nonsense into the other person's ear. We were having a great time with the game taking turns and giggling all the while when Morgan whispered in my ear "I love you Mommy."

No smiles for tummy time

Adrienne isn't the biggest fan of tummy time, but I try to get it in at least once a day. The smiles are few if any while she's on her belly, but once I turn her on her back they return in abundance.

She has always liked her play mat - especially the mirror. However in the last couple of days she has started batting at the toys with what seems like real purpose and control. Well, as much control as an almost 4 month old has. It's amazing the growth and development that takes place each and every day.

She's all wet ... again

We've been enjoying our 3 day weekend at home. We didn't have any real plans, just making it up as the days went by. Morgan loves to help me water the flowers. I have my watering can and she has hers. I fill hers up with water. Sometimes the water makes it to the flowers, but most of the time she has fun watering the sidewalk, grass and her toes. She likes the trail she is able to leave behind with the water on the sidewalk. I can't blame her. I'm just happy that she is so easily entertained while I am able to get done what I need to outside. So yesterday we started out watering the flowers as usual. On the last plant I watered her a little bit too. She giggled so of course I had to do it again. Before long we had put the watering cans down and I had turned on the hose.

She had a great time. Before long she was soaked from head to toe. That water had to be cold, but she didn't seem to mind.

Her squeals of joy caught the attention of our neighbors who were out playing catch with the football. They ended up inviting us over for ribs later that evening. We told them they fell for our bate ... but who wouldn't.

Big girls

I put Adrienne in the Bumbo seat this morning for the first time and was really surprised with how well she did in it. Time is going by soo fast! She isn't a huge fan of tummy time so I figure a few minutes in the Bumbo everyday is another way to help her strengthen her little body.





Both girls had firsts this morning. For Morgan, it was the first time I painted her toenails. She surprised me too by sitting completely still for me. She was really fascinated by the whole process, watching my every move. A while after they were painted she asked " Mommy can I sleep with them (nails)?" I told her she could and she beamed. "Can I keep them and show Daddy when he comes home?" So I think it is safe to say she is pretty excited about the red toenail.

Giggle Alert

Morgan has always been interested in my make-up. "What's that Mommy?" "Can I have some?" A couple of months ago when we were in Ohio Donna let her put on some powder. She thought she was pretty cool. So my make-up has become one of the distraction tools used to allow me to look somewhat put together when we leave the house. To bad for Morgan my make-up isn't too elaborate, but she is happy with what ever she can get (most of the time). So yesterday I gave her the blush with strict instructions that she was only allowed to put it on with the brush. Last time she dug in it with her fingers. Next time I looked at her she found some of my shoes (another favorite toy) and a bracelet. By the time I was ready she had a nice layer of blush on her face, hair and clothes. If that is what it takes some days for me to be able to brush my teeth and do my hair I guess I'm fine with that.

Blush and a smile

Morgan has always been interested in my make-up. "What's that Mommy? Can I have some?" Several weeks ago Grandma Chupp showed her how to put on some of the make-up - that made her feel pretty special. So make-up has become one of the distraction tools I use to allow myself a chance to look somewhat put together. Maybe it's not the smartest idea, but at this point we haven't had any incidences major enough to make me stop letting her play with it. Too bad for Morgan that my make-up selection isn't very extensive, but she is happy with whatever she can get (most of the time). So yesterday I gave her the blush with very strict instructions to only use the brush to put it on. Last time she played with the blush she dug in it with her fingers. The next time I looked at her she had put on a pair of my shoes (another favorite toy) and a bracelet. By the time I was ready she had a hearty layer of blush on her face, hair and clothes. If that is what it takes some days for me to be able to brush my teeth and do my hair I guess I'm fine with that.

Daddy - Daddy - Daddy!

Morgan greeted Dave saying Daddy, Daddy, Daddy over and over again in a very excited, very high voice Sunday afternoon. I think she might have been excited to see him. :)

Dave made it home from his trip Sunday afternoon. I'm glad they had a good time together, but I am also glad to see him home again. The girls were happy to see him too. Adrienne had big smiles for him right away and Morgan just kept jumping around. Dave brought Morgan some shells he picked out at the beach and and a stuffed turtle - she loved them! She slept with the turtle last night. Then this evening she came to Dave and I patting her hips asking "Do you hear that?" When I listened closely I could hear some rattling. I asked her what it was and she proudly showed me the shells she was keeping safe in her pants/pull-up. I calmly explained that she should find a new place to keep them since they were probably dirty. GROSS!

Well, we can't have our cake and eat it too... So we had to say good-bye to Mom this morning. We had such a fun week. I was reminded again and again this week how lucky we are to have such great families. The girls loved having Grandma here with us and so did I. This morning Morgan just kept saying "I not want you to go Dama." Thank you so much for taking time to come and stay with us Mom! You are great with the girls and I really appreciate your support. It is truly amazing what we were able to accomplish when we worked together for several days. Thanks again - we love you!

Grandma's helper

I was itching to get flowers planted so yesterday we took a trip to Lowe's. We were quite the group - 2 carts - 2 kids and not much room. Morgan was getting a bit worried as her space became smaller and smaller. We were able to get an answer from her about the color of flower she wanted. However when I would pick up a flower pot she kept saying "No - not that one - it's all dirty." So today after playing at the park we had a little time before lunch so Mom and Morgan planted some of the flowers. Morgan did a really good job putting the dirt in the basket. You can see she was extra prepared with a shovel in each hand. Mom also did a good job of being patient. I'm glad she was because Morgan loved it.

After the planting was done Morgan took a break to play in the water that had leaked out of the hose. When they gave the flowers their post planting drink, Morgan wanted to play in that water to for a bit before helping Mom with her own watering can. I have been really laid back this summer about just letting her have fun getting wet and dirty. I figure I would rather let her play and have fun even if it means changing clothes more the usual. But I hate the dirt under the nails! I try my hardest to scrub, but the toes seem impossible to get totally clean. So if you see Morgan's feet and are wondering...I am trying. :)

Adrienne and her much needed bath

Adrienne loves her bath and she needs her bath. I'm not saying we have a stinky girl. Adrienne needs her bath because it lets her know that it's time for bed. She doesn't need much of a routine during the day. She is pretty easy going and is able to sleep and eat where ever she needs to (as long as you don't try to give her a bottle) :). However when it comes to bedtime she needs her routine. I wouldn't say she was ever a bad sleeper. She started out sleeping 3 hr stretches almost right away. The problem was that if she ever did a longer stretch it would be during the day. So early on we started giving her a bath every night hoping she would learn that night time came after her bath. We have learned the hard way that she really needs the bath and bedtime routine. The few times we decided to skip the bath I paid for it, having to get extra often during the night. Now she really loves her bath. We usually lay her on a towel in the bathroom while we run her water for the bath, and if she has been fussing - she calms down once she hears the water. Once she's in the water she is either super excited cooing and kicking or she is very calm. Either way, I know that she loves her bath.