My Favorite People at the Park

Wild Thang

Last weekend's trip to the zoo...

So glad that we decided to go ahead and let Aliyah ride the carousel on our way in instead of waiting until we left the zoo...

We were making our lap around the African area of the zoo when a frantic zoo keeper rushed over to us and asked if we would please follow her as she unlocked a back gate. We followed as she explained two male gorillas had gotten out of their cages and asked if we could all walk a little faster. WHAT?

I knew I shouldn't have worn my new shoes! We took a muddy path back to a primate holding facility. Before we were allowed in we had to step in a solution (my new shoes!!) to insure that we weren't bringing in anything that could contaminate the primates.

We waited in the kitchen area for about an hour while the zoo made sure that it was safe for us to leave.

We kept hearing things on the zoo keeper's walking talkie like, "We are taking the marshmallows from the elephants to try and lure the gorillas back into their cage." and "We are sending every covered vehicle to the gorilla area" and "The vet has been called with the tranquilizers"

All I could think of was, "Great. Now the elephants are mad that their marshmallows are gone!" There were bathrooms in the kitchen area we were waiting in, although I don't remember anyone using them. There were lots of kids and I do remember some singing - my aunt tried to start a round of "Row Row Row Your Boat"

We were obviously really worried... You can see the stress on our faces:

We all got a free tram ride when it was clear for us to go. The zoo did a great job of keeping us safe a calm. Eventually they got the gorillas back in their cage by spraying them with water. Here is an article about the big event: Visitors Quarantined after Gorillas Loose at the Zoo

17 Weeks!!!

Welcome back my sweet little bump!

It's good to see you again...

Need a Little Laugh?

Oh this little dumpling of mine! She seriously has me laughing non-stop over here... what else to do in situations like these but to laugh? Aliyah is exploring her world, figuring out how things work and learning about her boundaries. Here is a look at my last few weeks...

After our super bowl party,  I didn't put the black sharpie away that we used to write names on plastic cups... OOPS!! I was very surprised that it came right off her chin with a baby wipe. Those things clean up everything!

Who knows when this was taken, because silly faces in the mirror happen at least once a day. She will talk and sign with her reflection - blow kisses, sing and make silly faces. I love it!

 I hope this one is not TMI but I thought it was hysterical. I was getting ready and looked over to find Aliyah doing the same. She was so very proud of herself.

RED fingernail polish!!! My back was turned for seconds before I turned back around and found this lovely lady. She has been able to unscrew lids (I know that is SO not normal) for months now, but I never thought she would be able to unscrew the tight lid of my fingernail polish. She had the wand in one hand and the bottle in the other dabbing red on her chin. I have no idea how there was only one small spot on the carpet. I guess the rest ended up all over her!

I got the polish off her hands and face but left her tummy the way it was. All day she kept lifting her shirt and showing everyone. "Lolish" she would say proudly. The rest all washed away after her bath that evening, but she will still sometimes lift up her shirt and look for "lolish" (polish).

Road Trip

Love, Love Here We Are

We try our best to celebrate the themes of Valentine’s day every day. We try to say I love you often. To leave kisses on cheeks and lips. To show our gratitude for one another in gestures big and small. So in a lot of ways, Valentine’s day feels like all the rest, except for a few extra red hearts.

Tyler completely surprised me Sunday, waking me up with a beautifully wrapped shoe box. In it was a cute pair of brown wedge heels I have had my eye on! Does he know me or what?! We dropped Aliyah off with her grandparents (after a wonderful valentine play-date at her friend Lilly's house) and Tyler took me shopping on the Plaza for a dress to match my new shoes - I'm.In.Heaven.

He then took me to Avenues Bistro in Brookside for dinner & dessert. It was fantastic and we both cannot wait to go back to celebrate our anniversary. We highly recommend this place to anyone in KC!

Yesterday I taught a valentine themed sign language class at a local preschool (I absolutely adore my new gig teaching again and sharing the benefits of American Sign Language. You can see more about what I do at withsign.com). My mom helped out by watching Aliyah so Tyler met us at my parent's house after work.

Tyler and I have created a tradition of eating Popeye's on Valentine's Day to avoid crowds - and who doesn't love fried chicken & champagne?! Well... no champagne for me this year. We all decided Popeye's sounded like a good idea and enjoyed dinner together. I wouldn't say it was romantic but it was special. We talked and laughed and ate.

The grand finale - pink cupcakes, ice cream and kisses for everyone. Aliyah gets the biggest smile whenever Tyler and I kiss in front of her. It seriously tickles her to no end. Who can blame her though, she comes by her love of smooching honestly.

Hope your Valentine’s day was just as sweet!

Aliyah

Here's to the wind that blow

and the ship that goes

and the girl that fears no danger.

An Apple A Day...

So glad everyone in our house is back to being happy and healthy after last week's cold trickled into last weekend. Thank you all for the helpful suggestions, support & prayers. I thought I would share a couple of great tips I received in case you find yourself with a sick babe in the house:

1. A friend from college (who happens to be a nurse) suggested this awesome website from Children's Mercy Hospital. I will definitely be bookmarking this page for the future!!

2. We heard about this great tip for keeping little noses from getting chapped due to constant wiping when they’re sick - we rubbed a little Lasinoh cream (the lanolin ointment women use for breastfeeding) under her nose a few times a day... it’s waterproof and super emollient and kept her little face from getting sore and irritated!

I love learning tricks like that and helpful websites... just wanted to pass it on!

100 Days...

PREGNANT!!!