At The Zoo

Today we went to the zoo. Jackson was so excited to see the hippos and "Simba Daddy Lion". It was such a good day to go... We spent 3 1/2 hours there. It was sunny with a lovely breeze. I think we saw every animal in the zoo.

Of course, Jackson's favorite animal was the hippo.



But I think the monkeys may have been a very close second. There were three little guys...and when Jackson came up to the window, they all three stopped, stared, and one even came really close to check him out.



We took a break in the children's area for a quick snack and to run around and explore. Jackson was fearless, crawling through tunnels and climbing on nets. I was so proud of his courage, but he made my heart stop a couple of times, too. It was my first real sense of him and his developing independence.





Jackson walked 75% of the time. Up hills, down hills... when he saw the giraffes he asked "Is that Melman"? (From Madagascar...) He also kept saying "I go in there, Mama". I told him that when he grows up if he wants to work with animals, THEN he could go in there.


And this Baby Giraffe statue was "Samuel's" because "Samuel baby, too".


Samuel enjoyed it, too. He had a constant smile plastered on his face. He thought all the animals were funny.


Until he fell asleep.


It was a wonderful, beautiful day spent with my wonderful, beautiful boys.

Famous First Words

All of a sudden on Monday night, Samuel said "Jackson"...over and over again. And hasn't really stopped. Sometimes it is clearer than others. He'll say it multiple times an hour. Or a minute. Until Jackson pays attention to him. Like this morning...in the car...on the way to daycare...
SAMUEL: "Jackson."
JACKSON: singing the ABCs
SAMUEL: "Jackson."
JACKSON: singing Row Row Row Your Boat
SAMUEL: "Jackson."
JACKSON: "Yes, Samuel?"
SAMUEL & JACKSON: giggles

This is the happiness of life.

Crawl

It's a big day here at our house!

Because...


SAMUEL'S CRAWLING!

Watch out...nothing is safe anymore...much less Jackson's toys (though Jackson has been pretty awesome at sharing with Samuel lately).

Samuel likes to pause for a little downward dog...


...before crawling again.

When You're Smiling

To my sweet Samuel:

Today you have officially lived in the outside world longer than you lived in my inside world.



You are such a happy baby.

You smile most of the time. MOST of the time. You don't like it much when Jackson gets in your face.

But you love your brother. And he loves you a lot, too.



Much to Mommy's delight (and relief), on Monday September 5 at 37 Weeks 5 Days old, you started sleeping through the night.

(What I think happened was when I stopped feeding you during the night, you figured there was no reason to wake up anymore. In any case, thank you. I appreciate the longer sleep).
When you wake up in the morning, you play happily in your crib until I come get you.

You love to roll around and get up on your hands and knees. You haven't started crawling yet, but you can get where you need to go by scooting backwards. You recently learned that you can stand on your own if you hold on to something. You'd stand for hours if I'd let you.



I gave you your first hair trim last week. It was just a little trim, but your hair doesn't get in your eyes anymore.



You love to play with toys. Your favorites are your links, your car seat toy, and the blocks. You like to bang the blocks together.



This week we went to the park, and you got to play on the swings for the first time. At first you weren't too sure.


But when you got the hang of it, you flapped your arms and legs because you were so happy!



You like taking baths now that you get to splash around unhindered.



You love eating. I make all of your baby food for you. You don't like premade baby food in a jar except for prunes which you eat every Wednesday night. You like Pumpkins and Pears the best. Mostly you prefer finger foods. You really put those two front teeth to work! Your favorites are Baby MumMums, puffs and Cheese Curls. When you want more, you tug on my sleeve.



You are so curious about everything. I really have to watch what is in your reach because you will grab for anything close.



You started going to daycare full time (except Thursdays) on Sept 5. You have done great with the transition! I am told you take all your naps without hassle and drink your bottle like a pro. I am so happy I get to come and nurse you during my lunchbreak, though! It is nice to see your smiling face during the day. You love going with Jackson to Brandy's to play.



Your schedule is:
7:30ish - wake up and play in your crib
7:45 - nurse and change clothes/diaper
8:30 - breakfast of barley, pears and cinnamon (and some puffs)
10:00 - nurse (or bottle of expressed milk if you are at Brandy's)
10:15 - nap
11:15 - wake up and play
12:45 - nurse
1:00 - nap
3:30 - wake up and play
4:30 - nurse
6:15 - dinner of a vegetable and fruit as well as Baby MumMums, cheese curls and a few animal crackers for dessert
7:15 - bath
7:45 - nurse
8:00 - bedtime


You are wearing 6-9 month/9 month clothes. You don't have a Doctor's appointment until next week so I'll have to record weight/height stats then, but I suspect you are over 20 lbs now. I don't know if you like the Colts, but I do, so all three of us wear our Colts gear on game day (even though they aren't great this year). You seem pretty happy to do so.



You grunt. It makes you laugh when people play your game and grunt back. You also laugh when I give you Eskimo kisses. And you are ticklish on your neck and chest. I love when you laugh. You eyes light up and your laughter is so contagious. You are such a good-natured, happy baby. You brighten my every day, and I love you so much!

Happy 9 Months, Samuel Wrye!

Love, Mommy

Yo Gabba Gabba

"Watch Gabba Gabba on the Pad?"

It's the new favorite. For both boys.

St. Louie

This weekend we took an overnight trip to St. Louis to see a Cardinals vs Reds game. It took me 3 hours to pack myself and the boys...for one night...wow.

We started off Saturday morning with our usual boboball breakfast.


The trip there was pretty uneventful. Samuel slept most of the way, and Jackson watched Madagascar, half of Finding Nemo and then took a nap.

When we got to the hotel, we rested for a bit before heading out to dinner.


We ate at Outback (which coincided nicely with Australia's Father's Day - Happy Father's Day, Daddy!)...


...before heading back to the hotel to swim. Jackson was a little fish as usual, and Samuel enjoyed splashing around. We mostly stayed in the hot tub as the pool was a bit on the chilly side.




Jackson, Samuel and I went to bed fairly early. They slept...I didn't. Why? Jackson is the wiggliest little guy! He was wigglin' everywhere! And where at home I would let Samuel fuss a bit before going in to him, I didn't want him to wake up Jackson so I popped up quickly...just three times...but between him and Jackson's wiggling, I hardy got any sleep. Samuel slept in the hotel crib until 5 when I brought him to bed with Jackson and I. At about 6:45 Jackson started talking in his sleep ("Myles two juice"...yeh...dunno) and Samuel woke up, started cooing which woke up Jackson. For a while we just laid there snuggling and talking. It was so lovely. When Jackson got a bit more active, I turned on the TV and the boys watched a bit of Disney.


It was so nice having a lazy morning with them.


Eventually, Holly and Dad went off to the find the donut shop and the biggest red bull they could get their hands on (I needed it badly!), and we got ready for the game.

Aunt Holly brought back a gigormous chocolate frosted donut with M&Ms for Jackson.

I had to take off his clothes for him to eat it. I knew that thing would make a mess, but he ate every bite and loved it but more so his aunt for bringing it to him! We'll just skip right over the ensuing sugar high...

and move on to...


THE GAME!

We got there super early (thanks Holly) and had time to walk around, shop and get something to eat. I carried Samuel in the sling while Jackson preferred to walk most of the time.



We had GREAT seats (thanks, Dad) right on the first base line. Here is a picture of the field without zooming in or anything.


It was a great game and the weather was gorgeous. There was a homerun by the Cardinals in the bottom of the first. It went into extra innings. But we lost in the end.



The boys had a great time. Jackson got to try a soft pretzel, cotton candy (Samuel got a SMALL taste of cotton candy, too) and cracker jacks along with a huge cup of lemonade.


Samuel sat on my mom's lap for most of the game and slept (she has this magic leg shake thing that puts him to sleep in minutes)...



...while Jackson didn't fall asleep till after the game was over.



While Jackson slept, Holly, Dad and Myles got in line so Myles could run the bases.


Myles ran so fast around those bases...


...and was on the big screen when he crossed home plate.



By that time it was 6:00 so we headed home. The trip home wasn't as peaceful as the trip there. Samuel was over being in a carseat and screamed for about 45 minutes. He finally fell asleep (Jackson didn't...Madagascar...again...did I mention that is the new favorite movie).

My favorite picture of the entire trip was taken by my sister of Albert Pujols (first baseman)...picking his wedgie. HAHAHAHAHA!



It was a wonderful trip. We had so much fun! Can't wait till next time!


Take me out to the ballgame!