We belong in the ZOO!

With the weather cooling off, we saw that as the perfect opportunity to visit the zoo. One of my dear friends (and former boss/coworker) joined us with her sweet girls. They were such good helpers and we all enjoyed each others company. I love seeing Emmie trying to be one of the "big girls". They all behaved pretty well and we didn't lose anyone! And, thanks to Groupon, our whole group only paid $40 to get in! Add a picnic lunch to that and you have a cheap day of fun for a group of 6!

 

 

Emmie, Regan and Lilly. They told us which animals we're stinkier than others. Pink Flamingos were definitely one!

I was completely fascinated by this armadillo. I have never seen one alive, only dead on the side of the road. Did you know they are the only animals that can completely pull themselves inside their protective shells? Not even a turtle can do that!

Emmie and Lilly holding hands. They were so sweet together. And props to Zach who braved this trip with all of us girls. He pushed the stroller, held hands when needed and toted "the bag" all day. He is such a good dad, even to other people's kids. I love seeing that.

This made me want a new purse. Seriously, how gorgeous are those giraffes? (sorry Peta, not a purse made out of REAL giraffe. Don't get your underwear in a knot)

My sweet girl, taking it all in! She talked non-stop about all the animals!

Happy Birthday Emmie!

Photo: Southern Sisters Photography

I can't believe my "baby" is 2 years old! It really does seem like yesterday when we came home from the hospital and had absolutely no clue what to do with a baby. We held each other a little tigher tonight while I rocked you, my sweet baby. You're growing up too fast and we both know it.

Happy Happy Birthday! I can't wait to celebrate with you this weekend!

Emmie-isms

My girl is growing up waaaaayyyyyy too fast. She will turn 2 on Friday. Oh gosh, where did that baby go? She is becoming such a little person. She is funny and silly, loves to dance and thinks she is grown! Here are a few Emmie-isms from around our house this weekend:

Last night, we were having a family movie night, watching Mr Poppers Penguins (very cute by the way). Emmie watched most of it, but when she got bored she would run laps around the house. Each time she got to us, she would shake our hands and say Hello. Then quickly a goodbye and off she went. She was like a little politician!

She sat down on the edge of the fireplace yesterday and asked for presents. We told her she could open some on her birthday. She then launched into her own language...something about presents, mommy and daddy too, bouncy house, shoes, Caleb, and more presents. I think she gets that she is having a birthday/party.

While having her 2 year old photo shoot, we had to take "Purple" her favorite babydoll of the moment with us. Emmie wanted a couple of pictures with her, then wanted her to sit in the wagon and said "No Reesey Peicey Purple". We were giving her reese peices here and there to get good smiles. She wanted to make sure her "friend" wasn't going to eat them all while watching her from the wagon!

Last, but not least... the closing credits to the movie last night played "Ice Ice Baby" as it rolled. She immediately wanted to dance. Then she demanded we all dance. I tried to teach her the running man, boy I wish I had my camera!!! We only had to hit repeat 4 times so we could dance to the song over and over.

She is so much fun and such a joy to be around!

A big fat update!

Ok, I have to apologize right out of the gate. I started this new blog about balancing everything - motherhood, working, household chores, being a wife...then I up and lost my balance. It truly is a balancing act every second of the day. So, in a valiant effort to make it right...here's a little bit of what we've been up to!

Early in August, I spent a weekend at the beach with some of my favorite girls. We celebrated a bachelorette party and enjoyed each others company. We stayed up too late, laid on the beach until the rain forced us off and ate as much seafood as humanly possible in 3 days. It was fabulous!

A couple of weeks later, we packed up the minivan with the whole family in tow and headed back down to the beach for a mini vacation ending with the wedding celebration of the bachelorette mentioned above. It was great! We took the inlaws (which I highly recommend for a little cheap babysitting :) )We played at the pool, dug in the sand and walked on the beach. Emmie did great eating out so much and really took to the beach lifestyle! She even decided that she didn't want to sleep in the pack-n-play,giving me a slight heartattack. Thankfully, we barricaded her in with every pillow in the condo and kept a close eye on her through the video monitor (praise sweet baby Jesus for that invention!)

In the middle of all these exciting beach trips, we continued our gymnastics classes every Thursday night. Emmie (and I) love the class and the teachers. She learns something new each time and the teachers have made comments like "She's strong." "You need to keep her in gymnastics" and "She's a natural".

The medical school I work at started the new school year, kicking off with a busy and exciting orientaiton week. I loved seeing students come back that I already knew, seeing some starting on their way to becoming a doctor and welcoming back old work study students that I loved working with. Busy busy busy, but wonderful!

I also celebrated a birthday...the 3rd anniversary of my 29th birthday! Not an exciting one, but my family, friends, coworkers and students made it a great one. I thought at one point my hubby had forgotten, but then he up and planned a trip for us to Washington DC (tacked on one end of a business trip). I am really looking forward to that trip in October!

Up next is Emmie's birthday. I can't believe she'll be 2!!!! We're planning a "Very Hungry Caterpillar" party, complete with bouncy house. Hopefully it wont rain!

I love this time of year. When the weather gets crisp, the fall festivals are plentiful and all the fun holidays that follow. I am so over this heat. Come on fall!!!!