Bumps, Bruises and More!

Nayeli is growing up in leaps and bounds! Early this morning I noticed a tooth has finally broken through! I was wondering why her gumming on me was starting to hurt so much more. I thought her jaw just got stronger. :-P Last weekend was the princess' first visit to a zoo. She was more interested in the other zoo goers than the animals, but there was an orangatang who was very interested in her. Her big brother picked out a cute little pumkin for her and helped her color it while we were there. Afterall what fun would a Pumpkin PaZOOla be without pumkins. ;-)

She likes to mimic very much and has said things like, "bite mama." :-S She LOVES to sing. At church on Sunday there were at least three songs she kept singing even after the music had stopped. All one has to do to get her to start is hum or sing a few lahs or dahs. :-D I love her little voice!

She's been able to interact a little more when we go out lately with her newish abilty of being able to pull and hold herself up. She really enjoys interacting with other little kids. It's so fun seeing her pretty little face light up when she's excited about something. Ah, but along with the standing is falling and my poor little munchkin develops a couple new bruises everday it seems. :-S

We've been trying more and more foods and I think if she gets a few more teeth she'll be eating along with the rest of us all the time. It's fun watching the messes she makes when I give her food and let her play. It's sort of fun watching her make messes even if I don't give her something. She's such a little explorer!

Monday Ritual

Monday is Jeremy's only day off. Recently I changed my availability at work so that I was open to work Monday's considering Jeremy is willing to watch the kids. This has had a slight effect on our Monday ritual of going out to do something fun as a family. We still do something "special" together. It's just that our time frame is shorter.

Last night we all went to McDonalds during my lunch break. Jeremy had the kids dressed and ready to go when I pulled in the driveway. Nayeli was in this adorable polk-a-dot outfit and Austin was in a striped shirt with shorts that almost matched and the only shoes that could be found.

Austin ran into McDonalds when we arrived ranting about what toy he wanted. It was an excited rant. He bumped into a woman as he was running in and she said, "Excuse me," in a kind tone, he paused turned and said, "Oh! Thank you," then ran off to decide what toy he wanted most. :-)

Jeremy and I decided to try new sandwiches. He got the club and I got the BLT ranch. Mine was delicious, his was Okay. It's so fun to eat with him because he doesn't mind sharing or mixing and matching our food. It's great being able to try two meals in one visit. I think it's sort of funny, and super sweet when I like what he got better than what I got and he gives me his. :-) Such a sweety!

Nayeli sat in a highchair for the first time while we were out. She had a couple of french fry segments, pieces of my sandwich bun and some lettuce. :-D She's getting so big! Austin played with the car he got most of the time, but ate the rest after they went back home after dropping me back off at work.

Ahh, on the way out of the parking lot my soda flew off the top of the car. It's hard putting two kids in the car, thinking your going to be late for the second half of your shift and remembering to grab your soda before you get in the car. Well, at least it's hard for me. Jeremy didn't forget to grab his drink though, so I got to sip on that after eating a few more frys in the car. :-) Yay for scheduled family time. :-D

Trying Something New

Today Austin got to go to a pre-K class at a church we decided to look into. His teacher was Miss Lisa and he sang songs, did a craft, had a snack and played! He didn't want to leave when I came in to pick him up. We stayed for another two hours for a newcomers luncheon and met some other kids and moms. I even think I met a girl who may be able to babysit! She is 12 and her dad is the pastor. I talked to her mom and the kids would be at the family's house.

This Thursday or Friday there is an open gym at the church and as much as Austin loved it today I think it would be great to get him down there again. :-D

Church

Today the kids and I went to try out a church in town. Jeremy had work so he couldn't make it. We were planning on visiting a different church but a few days ago at the mall I met a woman who asked if I went to a church yet and when I mentioned this weekend I was going to try one she mentioned hers. It just so happens she's the third or fourth person I've met who has mentioned this church. I like to think I can take a hint, so I decided I would try this one first.

It was really nice. The sermon was pleasant, the music was great and I think I already love the people. Normally I am very uncomfortable visiting churches. I don't like not knowing anyone and honestly, some churches are weird and send off bad vibes.

This one wasn't bad at all, and I may be jumping the gun because I desperately want to belong to something out here, but I already feel like they're family. (To a small degree.) And I suppose that's true because we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. :-)

Anyway, Austin went to Junior Church and I took Nayeli to the main service with me after sitting in with Austin for a few minutes. We all had a nice time and attended a newcomers luncheon afterwards.

It was slightly akward but I talked with a woman named Corrie and saw another lady I felt I might click with, not to mention the woman who last invited me. Her name is Darcy and I sat with her. Her husband plays guitar in the band.

There's an open gym this coming Thursday or Friday for pre-schoolers and I'd really love to get Austin involved. There are also several other things for moms throughout the month. I'm really excited and hope that it continues to be as enjoyable as it was today! :-D

The Zoo!

Today we all went to the zoo for the "Pumpkin PaZOOla!" Kids were free with a paid adult and we only have one kid that costs anything, so it worked out nice. :-) Each of the munchkins got a pumpkin. Austin colored his at a table while we were there and he is going to color Nayeli's as soon as a find a permanent marker. ;-) He was adorable while deciding which one to get. He didn't even really want one until he saw other kids coloring on theirs. Then he decided it might not be such a bad idea.

It was Nayeli's first time at the zoo. She didn't get too excited over the animals, but she loved all the other little kids that were there. She behaved super well, we were very impressed!

Austin did a really good job walking around so much. He loved seeing all of the animals and smiled most of the time we were there. The only time he didn't smile when he was begging us not to leave. :-S He fed a giraffe, a couple of goats, and some sheep. He also got very close to a goose and a big tortoise. He loved the reptile and amphibian room with the snakes and frogs. There were some frogs in there that looked just like mint chocolate chip. It was crazy!!

I was impressed by the Indian Rhino in a barn and the huge camels. I liked the timber wolves too.

Oooh, near the end of our visit Austin got to crawl into the bear cage. He was in a little protective glass thing inside the cage, but it was awesome and he loved doing it. He went through three times!

It was a beautiful day and a fun Autumn activity! I'm so glad we got to go! Pictures will be up as soon as I can get them off my phone! ;-)

An Update in Pictures.

In my backyard.

The Gentlest Touch.

Swinging at the park.

My Sissy!

How I act when I try to be like mom.

I Like to Eat, Eat Pizza and Bananas!

Nayeli can say pizza now! And, she has said, "banananana," when I was saying banana to her and feeding her bananas. :-) She really wanted to feed herself tonight, so I let her give it a whirl. I think she enjoyed it. :-) She really likes to be up lately, so she has a few new bumps and bruises every day or so, but hopefully she finds her balance soon and that stops. I feel so bad for my midget. :-S

Below is a picture of her after she pulled herself up in her pack n' play. I heard there was some disbelief as to whether she could do this or not, I hope the photo puts all questions to rest. ;-)