Trip to the zoo

We took our first family trip to the Dallas Zoo today. We had planned on taking this trip during spring break for a while although previously we thought we would be able to pick a day that I was off. Since I am still working full time though I had to get someone to cover me so we picked Monday about a month ago. Of course today was the coolest day of the week.

We took drove to the DART station this morning and took the train down to the zoo. It was nice to avoid traffic and not have to pay for parking, and we got a discount on admission. It was pretty cold this morning so we had all bundled up and Jake was covered with a blanket. We quickly headed to the reptile exhibit to warm up (it is indoor), but saw a few things on the way there. We hung out with the reptiles for a little while and were nicely warmed up by the time we left. Then we saw the monkeys and listened to one scream like Jake for a good 5 minutes.

After lunch it had warmed up and we went to the Children's Zoo where Jake got to feed and pet the goats and tried really hard to play in the stream. Poor Jake started getting tired so we headed to the gorilla and African animal section. About half way through the gorilla exhibit Jake wanted to hang out in the sling (we had been going back and forth between the sling, stroller, and walking). As we headed toward the "Giants of the Savanna" exhibit, Jake just passed completely out. So he slept while Josh and I checked out the elephants, lions and giraffes. He stayed alseep until we got all the way to the train station to head home (which is quite amazing if you know him, he doesn't pass out like that and definitely doesn't stay asleep through all of that activity). Then he fell back asleep on the train.

It ended up being a gorgeous afternoon and we had a blast at the zoo! Just a few pictures from the bunches that we took (blogger is a PITA to upload and post pictures with so the rest are on facebook).

Having fun on the train

Just sat right next to the goat

Riding the wooden horse

Barely able to stay awake for a family picture

So sleepy

Busy Family

We have had so much going on around here! In the weeks since Jake's birthday we have had two baby showers (one that I helped throw), two birthday parties, and one rugby game, in addition to our normally full weekends. It has just been crazy.

Jake has been doing so much new stuff lately! He is walking everywhere, talking all the time (well except when we want him to), and attempting to break some world record for the amount a toddler eats. He will now finish an entire pb&j sandwhich, half a chicken breast, an entire banana, and an unhealthy amount of jello and yogurt. He also has decided to prove to the world that he is indeed my son and love ketchup, as in, he sees it on my plate and asks for it, eats it by itself, then asks for more so I put it on his food which he eats up quickly and asks for more ketchup. He also tries to be much more independent most of the time. When he is done being held he says down please, if we try to redirect him when he is walking to something he wants he will turn right around and try to pull you where he wants to go, and when he is done with something he says all done and means he is done.

And our child is finally sleeping through the night again! It has been over a week since he woke up in the middle of the night and it has been great! In a few weeks we are going to start working on getting rid of the paci, hopefully that doesn't interrupt his new sleeping habits.

It is so amazing to see how much he is growing and learning. He is so stinking cute and fun!

Giving Grams a tour of her backyard

Ketchup monster!

His first ashes for Ash Wednesday

(Mostly) Wordless Wednesday

We have been super busy around here between me working full time (therefore having to do everything on the weekends that I used to do on my days off) and our jam packed weekends!

We have had birthday parties, baby showers, rugby games, visiting aunts, and chasing our now officially walking toddler. So here are some pictures from the last few weeks!

Well look what we have here!

Party Pictures

We got our pictures today from the photographer that took pictures at Jake's party. She took a ton of pictures and these are just a few (there are more on facebook).

In the car daddy made

Jake's loot

Snowed In

Well not anymore, but for 4 days we were! So Jake got to hang out with daddy Tuesday through Friday since school was canceled. I made it to work Tuesday and Thursday but it took forever getting there and home. My normal 40-55 minute commute (depending on traffic) was almost 2 hours Tuesday afternoon. It at least got me out of the house for a little bit. But poor Josh was stuck in the house from Tuesday afternoon until yesterday afternoon (although I think I would have rather been stuck inside than driving on the crappy icy roads).

We didn't take Jake out in it much because it was so cold! But we got one cute picture in the snow. Wednesday and Friday we all stayed in our pj's all day. It was nice to sit at home and not worry about running errands or anything else. But I am so ready for warm weather! The roads were finally thawed out this afternoon and the snow is all starting to melt. Hopefully we don't have to deal with this weather again this season. Everytime we get this kind of weather our Hawaii plan gets closer!

After the ice on Tuesday

 Silly boy uses his mouth to carry stuff

 Eating daddy's apple

 Talking to Grams on the phone

 Plowing the driveway!

After the snow on Friday...you can see the bump from where the flowerpot in the first picture is

One Year Check Up

Jake's one year appointment was today. So we braved the icy roads to get there.

The doctor said he is doing great! She said he is talking at an 18 month old level. She was really surprised at all the words he has, she said normally it is a fight to get one word from boys at a year old. And combined with his verbal skills she said his walking is about where she would expect a 15 month old to be. (Kids typically focus on verbal and physical skills at different times so while they do one, the other takes a backseat). She was also impressed with how friendly and outgoing he is with strangers. And then she told us what we already knew...he's perfect!

So one year stats:

Height: 29 inches      26th percentile
Weight: 21lbs 4 oz    24th percentile
Head: 18.5 inches     68th percentile

He has really slowed in growth but the doctor said that is normal and she expects him to start catching back up in the next 6 months or so.

And a few pictures playing with his birthday presents from us and Grams.

Yea slide!

Reading in his chair

Cuddly baby

The kid loves ballons!