Baby Was M.I.A.

This Tuesday we headed out for a road trip to Kansas City with a pit stop in St. Louis. While there we heard they had a great, free zoo and went to check it out. It was really great and being free seemed like a giant perk. The weather was great too. It was 80 degrees with a cool breeze and it just made the day so perfect. Along the way we saw some snakes...


... and giraffes along with many other exciting animals.


We even let the girls pick a souvenir toy.


After visiting the gift shop we had one more section of the zoo and then we had seen it all. So, an hour later we were at the car loading 2 sleeping girls into their seats. A drowsy Ava woke up and asked for her baby. I looked at Jeremy and he looked at me and we knew baby was still enjoying the zoo. For those of you who don't know, this "baby" goes EVERYWHERE with Ava. She usually stays in the car when we leave the house, but occasionally we allow Ava to carry her with the promise that she doesn't ask us to carry her. When I had to look in my three-year-old's eyes and tell her that her beloved baby was gone, possibly for good, I almost lost it. We handed her another doll that she had brought and got in the car. I looked at Jeremy trying not to cry for my daughter's loss and said that the last time I saw the baby was in the gift shop. Jeremy checked the map and found that we needed to go the the North Entrance to find the same gift shop. I told him it was worth a try and he could drop me off and drive around as I went searching. As soon we got to the doors Ava said she had to go potty so I said I would take her. Before we left Jeremy said he last remembered seeing baby by the stuffed snakes. We went into the gift shop, made a right at the t-shirts and I saw the snakes. Right before the snakes was a table of random items that I wasn't even looking at when I heard, "Baby!" Right in front, behind a shark mask was baby, patiently waiting for Ava to pick her back up. I almost started crying again. I was more excited than Ava. I don't think she realized that baby was gone for good. In her mind baby was sitting somewhere waiting for Ava to come get her. I just hope baby doesn't get lost before Ava can show her to her own daughter someday.

There is a First Time for Everything

I have been very lucky to have 2 babies that really don't spit up. Ava would spit up a little every now and then but Ellie has only ever had just tiny hiccup spits that the average mom would not count as spit up. Today Ellie changed all of that. At her 10 o'clock feeding she drank 4 ounces in no time and I tried burping her for a few minutes with no success. I offered her the final 2 ounces but she kept filling her mouth and then just spitting it out so I decided she was full. I started to try and burp her again and she exploded. There was spit up everywhere! Down my back, down my shirt, on my shirt, on my pants and ALL over her front. I couldn't believe it and to make it worse I really needed Jeremy there to help out but since he is working all day and then on call tonight I was at a loss. I did manage to get both of us undressed without causing any more mess. I took my shower first and then gave her a bath. The whole time she smiling and content. When we were both all cleaned and dressed I looked at Ellie and asked her if she was ok. She looked at me and gave me this adorable smile, "Yeah, I'm ok mom."

Bowling Beauty

This week my sister Terry and nephew Jacob came down to spend a few days with us. One day we went bowling and this was Ava's first time. I thought she was really going to be into it once she figured it out. Seven frames latter she was asking to take her ugly shoes off (she didn't want to wear them in the first place). I did manage to get some cute pictures and a little video clip.

Ava really liked her bowling ball.Ava watching her ball slowly roll towards the pins.

3 Months Old

Last Tuesday Ellie turned 3 months. For both girls we have picture frames that have spots for each month until they turn one. This was our pick for the 3 month slot. It's hard not to take a picture with her mouth open and talking.

Sassy was checking Ellie out and I thought it looked quite cute.

Jeremy's Aunt Crystal sent the girls these matching tops. They look so cute!

Happy 4th of July!

As most of you know the 4th of July is also Jeremy's birthday. We usually have great weather and company but this year was different. We decided with Jeremy's busy schedule to have our own family cook out and go to the town parade. The only problem was that it rained all day. That still didn't stop us from going.

Ava and mom trying to stay dry with their small umbrella.

Daddy and Ellie staying dry with their very large umbrella.

Ellie and Ava were wearing matching shirts. Ellie's shirt said, "Daddy's little sparkler" and Ava's said, "Mommy's little sparkler."


We ended the day with a ice cream cake for Jeremy.