Day at the Zoo

Pictures from our day at the zoo with our friends the Strouses. We went Monday and spent a few hours looking at the animals and having a picnic lunch. We saw the other side of the zoo from 2 weeks ago when I took Will and Emma by myself, and we still haven't seen all the exhibits! I remembered it being listed as one of the best zoos in the country but was vague on the details, and a conversation with Jered's mom today about zoos prompted me to look that up again.

Apparently, it's listed either #1 or #2 in the nation, depending on which list you look at (San Diego competes with Columbus, OH for best in the US), and is historically considered the most innovative and modern as far as contemporary zoo keeping and conservation. San Diego Zoo has over 4,000 animals and 880 species and is the first zoo to use "cageless" exhibits. The Giant Panda exhibit is one of only 4 in the world. The San Diego Wild Animal Park is also on some Top 10 lists. How blessed are we to visit anytime we want?! I was surprised to see on a couple Top 10 lists the Houston, San Antonio, and Ft. Worth zoos, which is pretty cool. I didn't realize they were among the top 10 in the country also! Go Texas!



Also some cute pictures on here of Emma sitting and standing, and Will holding Emma in his lap, so make sure you click through all of them!

Mandy's 29th Bday

A couple of days ago, we celebrated my 29th birthday. I got to go shopping for 4 hours - by myself!! It was lots of fun. Definitely a big change from my usual routine with both kids in tow. While I was gone, Will asked Jered, "Where's Mommy?" Jered said, "shopping," and so of course Will said "for food?" He couldn't fathom why else mommy would be shopping. This week I also took the kids to the zoo after we couldn't find parking for free Museum day at Balboa park. Will was really looking forward to seeing the train museum, and when we had been looking for a parking spot for almost an hour, he told me "we're just disappointed Mommy." Couldn't let that happen! So we used the zoo membership passes Abby got us for Valentine's Day and walked around for 3 hours. Next time, I will NOT take the double stroller unless Jered is there to push it. 2 kids + stroller + backpack = 100lbs! I was a little sore to say the least. This week we also ate out a lot so I wouldn't have to cook (yay, no dishes!), so I've had mexican at Miguel's, hamburger at Red Robin, and Chik-fil-A. Yum yum, I'm spoiled...although I did make a fresh spinach salad with chicken last night O:-)

Today we are registering Will for pre-K! I can't believe he's old enough for school already and will turn 4 the week after school starts...it has gone by so quickly! I can't have asked for a better helper and little buddy though. Will helps me all day, sometimes without me even asking, from feeding and letting the dogs out to potty, to entertaining Emma. He also does little things that I don't even think about, but are helpful. He uses the potty totally on his own, doesn't ask for help wiping or washing hands, and even puts his own things in the hamper if he has an accident and puts on clean clothes! At least 50% of the time, he puts his dishes in the sink and throws away his trash before I say a word. He doesn't make messes or trouble and is very good when we're out. He uses his imagination and it's rare for him to "be bored" or not think of how to entertain himself. I've really been blessed thus far in my "stay at home job," having such a sweet boy to look after.

Emma will be 9 months in 9 days. She's still babbling a good bit - yesterday she was rolling around playing during nap time, blowing raspberries and saying "mamamama." She's trying to get to the sitting position by herself, but still falls over right away if you place her down to sit on the ground. At her 9 month check up, I'll ask about physical therapy as sitting is usually mastered by 7 months at the latest. However, she scoots pretty well and by rolling and scooting can move around the room to get toys, but no crawling yet. Overall doing very well for the hurdles she's had to overcome. She is enjoying baby food, but I have to watch what foods she eats. Some of the more acidic foods make her reflux act up, something I haven't had to deal with before. So I got a list of the acidity in various baby foods, and I'm trying to be conscious of it. Emma also LOVES the little melt in your mouth Puffs and Mum Mums, and I plan on giving her yogurt melts and baby yogurt soon too. I haven't tried any crackers since she just got the hang of baby Puffs, but we will probably try some crackers soon too since that was one of Will's favorite foods 7-12 months. She loves eating (only time she gets cranky is when she wants her food now!), and so far has been game for any food we've given her, although she's not a big fan of fruit (they are acidic anyway). Her favorite person is still mommy, and gets anxious when I'm not in sight. However, she lights up and squeals loudly when Will plays with her, and holds her arms out to Jered and waves wildly when he gets home from work. She waves for all her might, says "bawawawa!" and starts squealing if he doesn't say Hi back right away. Adorable!