Naptime at the zoo

Since we were finally home for a weekend, we took advantage of the nice weather and headed to the zoo after church today. We've been working with Hannah on learning animals, so we thought she'd have fun actually seeing them in person. She was mildly interested, but I'm sure some of her lack of excitement was due to the fact that most of the animals were taking their afternoon naps. Turns out that they like to soak up the sun and nap in the afternoon just like we do!


Hannah liked the wallabies jumping in the grass.


If you look close, the wallaby standing has a joey popping out of her belly. Yesterday was the first day that they had been back at the zoo, so they were a little people-shy. I guess once they warm up, they hop right out to you to be petted. We're looking forward to that the next time we go!


Hannah and Daddy checking out Brown Bear, who was napping in the shade.


The only animal awake in the petting area was this goat. Hannah wasn't too sure about him.


The lion exhibit is fairly new at the zoo, so we were excited to check it out. The lady lion was hanging out in the shade right up next to the window, so we got a great view. Mr. Lion was napping in the sun up on some rocks, so we'll have to see him better next time.


The tiger in the exhibit behind us was actually on the move, pacing from window to window checking us all out. Hannah really liked him.


A few of the monkies were about the only animals that seemed to be wide awake.


Our sad attempt at a family picture.

Although a lot of the animals were snoozing, we still had a wonderful time. We're really looking forward to making more trips this summer. I'm sure Hannah will love it more and more every time we go.

Timeless

As I was going through Hannah's closet this morning to pick out an outfit for church, I came upon this dress. I've been waiting for her to finally fit into it and for the weather to be warm enough. Today was the day - it fit perfectly!

This isn't just a cute dress (although, it sooo is!), but it's extra special b/c it was my mom's dress that she wore as a baby. I can't say for sure whether or not I actually wore it, but for it being my mom's age old (I won't give it away here), I think it's held up extremely well. Plus, the style is super cute. I just love it and am so glad that Hannah finally got to wear it!

(I snapped a bunch of pictures, and these were the best. It's hard getting a good one these days!)

She wasn't too happy that I took her cup away, but I still thought it was cute!

A new pet?

Jason found this cute little guy in our bushes yesterday afternoon. I couldn't believe how calm he was.



After petting him for a few minutes, Jason put him back in his home in the bushes. He and his bunny friends have already made quite a feast of them. We may not think he's so cute if that keeps up!

14 months old

This is such a fun age. I'm loving every minute of it. She's becoming quite an independent girl with a big personality. Here are a few of the things she's up to these days:

• Her crawling days are over. She's on two feet all the time these days. Every day she gets more and more steady and is even speeding up. I'm getting quite a work out chasing after her.
• Speaking of chase, that is one of her favorite new games.
• She's saying a few more distinguishable words - JJ, ball, and papa (Grandpa, perhaps??).
• I swear she's going through a growth spurt. She suddenly seems much taller to me. We'll find out for sure next month, but she can now see out our front window without having to stretch as much.
• She's working on feeding herself with a spoon. She hasn't quite mastered scooping up the food on the spoon but is very good at taking the spoon from us and getting it into her mouth.
• She lets us know when she wants to be picked up by walking up to us with her arms up in the air.
• She can show you where her feet are when asked.
• She loves to play with her ball and is very good at pushing it back and forth with us.
• She gives wonderful hugs!
• Her favorite activies include unloading the diaper bag or Momma's purse, dropping JJ's toys through the spindles down the stairs, and cleaning out the kitchen and bathroom drawers.
• She loves to talk on the phone. She puts my phone up to her ear and says hi (ah). Unfortunately, she only likes to talk when it's flipped close, so conversations with actual people are pretty short.
• I think her molars are on the way. She's been drooling like crazy! Hopefully they pop through soon.

I haven't taken a whole lot of pictures lately, so I made up for it this afternoon. This pretty much captures a typical day at our house these days:

Turning into more of a little girl every day.


Loves to play with her shapes.



Keeping an eye on the neighborhood.



Our little tumbler.


JJ's pretty funny.

Just a little girl but such a huge blessing...

We have a niece!

After a long labor, we are very excited to have a new addition to our family. My brother and sister-in-law welcomed their new little girl this evening - Kara Morgan. She weighed 6 lbs. 5 oz., the exact same as Hannah! Mom and baby are doing great. We are thrilled to finally have her here (and know her name!).


Proud Daddy


Look at those eyes!


Another girl who has him wrapped around her finger.


We wish all of God's blessings on you, sweet baby.

Happy Mother's Day

I'm still getting used to the idea that I actually get honored on this special day. Yes, I realize that I'm a mom, but I'm so used to thinking about my own mom and Jason's mom that it's still seems strange that I actually get to partake in the tradition now as well.

Jason and Hannah actually gave me my "gift" on Friday. Hannah got to go to Jason's parents' house for the weekend, so I had Friday all to myself while Jason worked. I enjoyed a nice, long walk with my friend Sara and her precious baby Jake. Afterward, I headed to the mall where I treated myself to a few new things for the summer and lunch. Jason then surprised me with dinner reservations at a restaurant in Grand Haven right on the beach where we enjoyed the sunset, good food, and great conversation. Before turning in for the night, we stopped for a drink and dessert while listening to a fun cover band. It really was the perfect Mother's Day present.

Since our moms both live on the other side of the state, sharing the day is pretty tough, so we spent this year with Jason's mom and family. We went over to Owosso Saturday afternoon and enjoyed spending time catching up with his parents. Sunday morning, we all went to church where we met up with Jason's grandparents, aunt, cousin, and her daughter. After church, we went out for brunch and then back to his grandparents' house to visit. It was a jam-packed day but nice to see everybody and especially spend time with his mom and grandma.


4 generations


Hannah with the men (minus Jason's dad - where was he???)


Once we were home, I finally managed to get a picture of Hannah with me!

Happy belated Mother's Day to all of you mom's, especially my mom who I wasn't able to see. I can understand so much better now how much my mom loves me and how much she's done and sacrificed for me. My mom truly is a blessing to me. I couldn't be the mom that I am without having had such a wonderful example to follow. I know I don't say it nearly enough, but now I really know how good it feels to hear it from your child - I love you, Mom!

Girls-Only Day

Hannah and I got to spend a girls-only day together today, as Jason was up north with his dad. We took full advantage of not having Daddy around to do some fun mother-daughter things.



We started out the day teaching Hannah how to bargain hunt by hitting up a bunch of garage sales. We found a few things, but not as much as I had hoped. We did come away with a practically new pair of Keds for $1!



After her afternoon nap, we headed to the park for some swinging, sliding, and stick-finding.

We then picked up a ham and pineapple pizza for dinner -pizza that we never get b/c Daddy doesn't like it. We thoroughly enjoyed it! I'm hoping that one day Hannah's vote will overrule Daddy on the pizza toppings :-)

Then, as a an extra special treat, we finished up with chocolate ice cream for dessert. Even though we ate it in a bowl, Hannah still isn't convinced a spoon is necessary. Hopefully someday she'll catch on to manners!

Of ourse, all of that stickiness called for a bath, where Hannah practiced her new swimming skills by splashing nearly all of the water out of the tub. All of the day's activities must have worn Hannah right out b/c she fell almost immediately to sleep. Ahh...