Zoo #2

Continuing my quest to enjoy the beautiful weather and spend time with my baby girl, I decided to go to the Zoo this week. The weather at the beginning of this week was beautiful. The kind of days you don't want to waste. My friend and I took our sweet baby girls to visit the animals.

We arrived at the Philadelphia Zoo right around lunch time, and we stopped to feed our girls. The zoo was crowded so it was nice we found a nice table to sit down and have lunch. After lunch we stopped to change diapers and then we were on our way!

The girls are starting to take after each other. Look at the matching foot hold poses! They loved strolling along looking at the animals. We saw some lions, tigers, and bears... and giraffes, pink flamingos, monkeys, and apes.

See the tigers wandering in the background?

Kay especially loved the otters!

Addie and her mommy!

As we were wandering through the zoo, I started hearing people on their cell phones saying things like, "I didn't feel it here. Did you feel it?" "They say it started in Virginia." "The animals were acting stir crazy." Finally, we stopped by the bald eagle to check our cell phones, and I had so many messages from my family informing me there was just an earthquake! An earthquake! Can you believe there was an East Coast earthquake and I didn't feel a thing!?!!? I didn't even know it happened until a few hours later!

As I started hearing stories from friends and family, I was so disappointed that I didn't feel anything or see anything out of the ordinary. We were trying to figure out what time it happened so we could think exactly where we were in the Zoo. We were bummed!

Kay's second time at the zoo was just as wonderful as the first, and it was great enjoying it with friends.

Anyone Wanna Go For A Ride?

She loves riding around the patio. Backyard summer fun makes my day. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Beach Bum

I love the feeling of my toes in the sand, staring at the water, sitting back, reading a good book, and taking a snooze. I am definitely a beach bum. Too bad, it looks like those days are long gone! I have one explorer on my hands who likes to be entertained.

Simply preparing to get to the beach is hard work. I pack her lunch, sunscreen, hat, toys, water bottle, diapers, and a million other things. Then, I find myself wandering around the house seeing what else I can throw in the bag, checking and double checking if I have forgotten anything. Then, it is time to get dressed. In a haze of white sunscreen, I apply, reapply, and reapply once more until my little munchkin is covered in disgusting white specs and slime. Then, try getting her bathing suit up on her slimy body. Not an easy task.

It is all worth it though. The memories we are creating are well worth the hassle of packing and prepping a baby for the beach. Watching her excitement as the water hits her toes, watching her crawl in the wet sand, or watching her fuss over getting her hands dirty are little moments in her life that I will never forget.

This weekend we were lucky enough to spend our holiday down the shore. The baby is getting used to the beach, but it is a lot for her. She gets so tired from all of the excitement! I am sure hoping that she enjoys it as much as we enjoy taking her. Aside from my anxiety of worrying if she is happy, hot, scared, eating too much sand, drinking enough water, etc. I wonder if all this momma worrying is normal?

One thing I know for sure, this sure looks like a happy beach bum to me!

Baby Kay's bonnet was purchased at Happy Baby boutique in Cape May, NJ. You can find the bonnets here. So cute and chic!

Independence Day

Happy Fourth of July! Do you love the red, white, and blue as much as I do? From barbecues to fireworks, the Fourth is one of my favorite holidays. Today, our country is busy hanging flags, eating, and partying. Take a look at these top 4 fun facts...

1. When the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, an estimated 2.5 million people lived in the new nation. Today the country’s estimated population is 311.7 million.

2. $486,026 worth of U.S. flags exported in 2010. The leading customer? Mexico, our neighbors to the south, bought $256,407 worth.

3. In 2007, U.S. manufacturers’ shipments of fireworks and pyrotechnics (including flares, igniters, etc.) valued at $231.8 million.

4. 81 million Americans said they took part in a barbecue in 2010.

Fun Facts courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau for a full list visit here.

Splish Splash!

Boy, did I wish we had a pool yesterday! It was the most beautiful day I have seen in a while. Blue skies, warm sun, light breeze ... I loved every bit of it. It was so amazing that I didn't want to waste it. Baby Kay and I decided to spend the day doing some fun things (after I got rid of the pain in my chest from not being at the beach on a day like this)!

You may remember one of my favorite summer spots from last year- Stella's Farm. Baby Kay and I went to check out the homegrown produce. I practically squealed with delight when I saw the tables of fresh jersey corn! I was hoping for peaches and tomatoes, but I have to wait 2 more weeks for those. It is quite alright because I stocked up on Jersey fresh sweet corn, basil, zucchini, and blueberries.

When we got home we made pesto and delicious zucchini bread! After we whipped up these yummy treats, we took some time to cool off and play outside before nap time. I filled up Lexi's baby pool for Kay. She  is getting so used to the water. She really likes to crawl in it and splash. I tried to lay her down, but she wasn't quite ready for that. I am really looking for a Mommy and Me swim class, but I can't find one anywhere. I know there are infant swim classes... anyone know of one?

After we played, we relaxed a little. For some reason, she is enthralled by Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. This kid has good taste. Who doesn't love a high pitched mouse with red shorts and big yellow shoes!? I love Mickey and the gang.

All around it was a great day. Exactly what you would expect from a momma and her baby on a nice summer day. I can get used to this, but first I get to have a girl's spa day with Angela!

Gymboree

Summer mode is in full effect! Boon-frickin'-yah! We are adapting to our new summer schedule of waking up a little later. Daddy and I have been getting out of bed a little before the 7 o'clock hour, and this is a nice change from the 5:30 wake up call we were getting! Even if Baby Kay wakes up earlier, she chills in her crib quietly and plays. Amazing. We are eating a little later, napping a little later, and just flying by the seat of our pants. Lunch dates, shopping, playing at home, visiting Grams ... we are pretty much doing whatever we want.

Our new summer schedule consists of a weekly play date at our local Gymboree! Today was our first class, and Kay and I had a great time. She loved the songs, movement, and exploration. She loved the big mirror that she could stand on and bang balls on. Her biggest obsession of the day was another child in the class. She just wanted to crawl right up to her and get right in her face. She  is still nervous to really touch another baby, but when she gets over that fear, I am sure she will be a bruiser.

I loved learning new things and news ways I can interact with Kay. A few of the things I never thought to do on my own like blow bubbles at her or create a little tent or tunnel for her to crawl through. Now that I have the ideas, I probably don't need to go to the class, but I love that Kay gets to socialize with new people. It is helping her learn to adapt and be open to new situations. I can't wait for Kay to go to a class with her BFF Addie!

What kinds of things do you do with your babies when you play and teach them new things? Anyone have any good toys or music recommendations?

Lions, Tigers, and Bears ... Oh My!

What a gorgeous weekend! We were lucky enough to have beautiful, warm days with very little humidity, and it was so enjoyable to be outside. Daddy and I spent two days loving life and family time. Today, we decided to head to The Philadelphia Zoo after nap. We debated going all morning, but I am so glad we went because we had a great time.

I haven't been to the zoo since I was a kid, and I loved it. I felt like we were still kids as we kept nudging our way to the front to get a good look at the animals.  It was big, clean, and the animals looked great! Baby Kailyn loved it. She loved watching the otters swim and dance, and she LOVED the Polar Bear tank. It must have been the blue water because she squirmed trying to get out of our arms to get to put her hands up to the glass. She laughed and giggled when she looked at the blue water.

It was an incredible day. Daddy and I had such a great time. We never got a map. We just wondered around and looked at everything.  Sometimes flying by the seat of your pants creates the best memories, and today was the perfect example. 

Like having a peacock walk right over your toes at lunch!

You can't really see it, but there is a jaguar in the corner! Amazing!

I hope everyone had a great weekend! What did you do?

Home Sweet Home

We just came home from 5 days at the shore. We had a blast even though we didn't have perfect weather. We had perfect company and perfect relaxation. We were able to get 3 beach days in, and the other days we shopped, walked, played, and swung! 

This little girl was too small for the swing, but she liked it for her first time.

Look at Lexi getting a chance to wander and sniff!

Daddy's parents have a house in Ocean City, and we are grateful to them for letting us come and go as we please. We were able to kick off the summer with a getaway, and it was much needed. The house is perfect in every way. With seashore paraphernalia everywhere, you instantly feel happy and at ease when you walk through the door. What is it about the shore? The smell of the ocean as you drive in, the sky lit up from the Ferris wheel on the boardwalk, the happy people actually stopping for you to cross the street, and all of the pleasantries exchanged with the dog walkers that you pass. It is such a happy place, and I LOVE it! I think this little cutie likes it too!

Baby Kailyn had a great week. We battled a little bout of constipation, but other than that this baby is a rockstar. She simply adjusts so well to new situations and new surroundings. 

iPhone beach pics!

She is 8 months old now, and she is starting to get a tiny bit shy around strangers. A few times, a woman or a couple would stop us on the beach to look at her and tell us how beautiful she is (of course), and she would hide and bury her face in my chest. So sweet!

iPhone beach pics!

This baby amazed us on our last beach day. She sat in the wet sand, and she actually played. She smiled and touched the sand. She splashed a bit in the water. We even let the water come up and wash over her legs...she loved it. She got so comfortable that she actually started crawling!!! She raked the wet sand with her little fingers and kept feeling the texture. It was amazing to watch her brave a new situation. 

iPhone beach pic!

I am happy to be home. Our time at the shore was fun, but we are tired. After we got home tonight, I put the baby to bed an hour early. I can't wait to cuddle up in my bed with some DVR. I plan on enjoying some lazy days around the house with my little girl this upcoming week. Who knows what we will do?

Happy Summer

A happy summer filled with this smiling face. A happy summer filled with lazy days lounging around. A happy summer filled with busy days buzzing around. A happy summer filled with doing whatever we want whenever we want! A happy summer filled with creating ever lasting memories.

Happy summer has begun. I couldn't be happier or more excited!

Have a great weekend!

Sunday Funday

My favorite thing to do in the summer is spend a day with Dudes. In the summer, we go exploring and last summer we found a new favorite spot, Stella's Lake (aka Big Sandy). Usually, our adventures include my mom and her two dogs, Stevie and Sixy. This Sunday, we enjoyed our last perfect summer day, but without the rest of our gang. After going to work for a few days last week, Dudes was feeling a little bummed. We spent all summer together so she was upset that she wasn't getting any action.

I decided to take her for one last adventure. She LOVED it!

My dudes runs like a crazy woman, up and down the trails (usually Stevie would be right on her tail). Her favorite thing of all is swimming...she is OBSESSED with her flappy and she will stop at nothing to get me to throw it in the water.

Oh Mommy, please throw it, please please please!

To finish off our perfect day, we stopped at Stella's farm market. 

It is my all time favorite place in the summer. They have the best peaches, tomatoes, and corn I have ever tasted. I wanted to stock up because summer is coming to a close, and I wanted to cut the peaches and freeze them to use throughout the fall. They are so good in smoothies and muffins. I want to freeze some fresh corn for soups and stews this fall too. There is nothing better than Stella's sweet corn.

Just picked and getting unloaded!

Look at all of these wonderful tomatoes! They are so good. It was a perfect day and I am so sad that it was one of my last days like this until next summer! I can't wait to bring our baby girl next summer!