Summer Treats in Rochester

We are having one of the more delightfully mellow trips to Rochester that I can remember. We've been able to stay close to the city thanks to so much of my family coming to ME this time!
The result is, we've been able to take in the zoo, a family reunion (not pictured) and... well, first things first.
The Seneca Park Zoo is always a good time.

Miles wants to know what we're looking at here.
The sea lions, because of the viewing experience, were probably his favorite animal sighting of the day.

I can feel my blood pressure drop when I watch these guys swim around. They seem so deeply happy with their lives.

Miles was pretty enthusiastic about them.

We didn't mind the air conditioning in here, either.

Agape at the apes...

This orangutan's got an impressive chest, eh? He thinks so anyway.


Today we hopped up to Charlotte Beach. I don't really know why I didn't spend more time here growing up. I might have been *once* before. We just didn't do the North Side for some reason, but I loved it!

Miles was highly suspicious of sand as a sensory experience. This is how we got him into the water: him clinging to our legs, feet on our feet.

He got over it only gradually. Eventually he was convinced that the sand would not harm him.

Taking it in... this is pretty wild.

The water's allowed to go in my shorts??

I got to use my maternity suit. Woot.

Here's my beach boy!


Thanks for the swimming trunks, Benzendes!


Charlotte is a great bet for kids, despite a few shortcomings as a beach :-) Among the attractions is the antique carousel!

Organ still works!

Miles got to ride a cat, to his extreme delight. Note the fish in the mouth of his mount.

I like this next one because it looks like the lion is lunging at him.


Rochester, what else do you have up your sleeve? Wish I had time to find out!


He was enjoying himself, I promise!

We're all sleeping well on these active days. It really feels like summer, now!

Splendid Birthday to Miles!

We have a two year old! Though, it's felt like we've had a two-year-old for quite some time now (The tantrums have ARRIVED). Nevertheless, Miles officially turned two on Friday and we've stretched out his birthday celebration over the whole weekend, beginning with a candle in his cake at breakfast in Lancaster, then continuing with this Saturday family party yesterday:

Here he is playing with his beloved 'rain, a gift from great-grandma Dorothy.

And here is the CAKE! Brought to you by Grandpa Jim and Morai.

He was WAY more excited about the cars than about the cake.

But he obliged us by blowing out his candle...

And consuming a bit of cake, when we could distract him from Elmo and Ernie.

Time for Grandpa Jim and Morai's Big Gift! What is it??

It's a BOX! Just what every toddler wants!


Haha! I got a cave, a spaceship,

and a costume!

No, wait... the real gift is finally assembled! It's a TRIKE!!!

The pedaling is happening, but not to a degree that he can effect forward motion. We'll get there!

In the meantime, there's a nifty handle. This will improve the quality of some of our walks!

Two and ready for anything! Go get 'em, baby!

Why we're going to love our new Zoo pass:

Friday:
We sprang for a season zoo pass to the Mill Mountain Zoo, which, incidentally, is also a zoo pass to, among others, the Seneca Park Zoo and the Baltimore Zoo! We'll probably be taking most advantage of the Mill Mountain, however, as it's only 45 minutes away.
Here's Miles, wearing his chosen zoo-going shirt and grinning like a maniac because I told him where we were going today!

You should come visit us in the Blue Ridge Mountains sometime! A view of Roanoke, VA from the top of Mill Mountain:

Miles is extra happy because he now recognizes the word "Zoo" when he sees it.

See?

This was probably Lissa's favorite animal encounter:

Look at those FEET! We think he resembles Grendel.

The prairie dogs furnished a lot of giggles today.

The boys check out the white leopards, as seen below:

The playground is a perfect break. We're experiencing a large amount of willful toddler behavior, but when given frequent opportunities to pursue his fancy, we can usually stave off major meltdowns.

Miles says "Wheeee!" when he sees these pictures.

Another shot of the surrounding landscape. The view from the playground:


Here I am, 19.5 weeks. I'm not even HALF way. People can't believe it when I tell them I'm not due till Thanksgiving.

Miles wishes this was a real specimen:

Probably Miles' highlight: a ride on the Zoo-Choo.

He was beside himself. Why is this so appealing? Does anyone remember?

We stopped by the Discovery Center outside the zoo before we left. It's a kind of mini-nature center. Very entertaining, and AIR CONDITIONED.
Oh, and Miles gets to dress in one of their bee costumes while exploring.

We're so glad to be able to get some novelty so close to home (relatively speaking). Especially good, since I'm a stay-at-home mom for the next month! (Pray grace for us BOTH).

Pictures from within the womb

Oh Hi!

This is our darling little one, whom we finally saw on Tuesday. We wanted to spend a little time as a family getting used to seeing this one before we showed everyone else. Selfish, not at all.

But anyway, here are some pictures of Pockets:

Isn't she precious!

When we got back from the ultrasound and lunch, we took Miles to our room so we could tell him that he would have a baby sister, and he came out to tell his grandparents "Baby Girl!" We'd have him tell you, too, but he's not always camera-cooperative.

We're very excited to have a daughter, and we want you to share in the excitement with us. But we're not telling you any names. But Melora isn't high on our list. Neither is L-a, which is pronounced "Ladasha."

Happy Pentecost!

We made Holy Spirit headbands in Sunday School today!! She is welcome in this house.


Also, look what Mummy and Papa got me at the zoo yesterday!

I only like to wear them for about 30 seconds at the time. But I still think I'm pretty cool for having them. I put them on and say "Hey baby!"- and dash them back off again.
Wish you were here- the weather's fine in my boat!

Okay, a belly shot, then

I'm going on 16 weeks, so I suppose I'll post a belly shot. Last pregnancy, I didn't post one earlier than this because there wasn't a belly to photograph. For example, here is me at 15 weeks last time.

This time, though, I just feel like 16 weeks is far enough that I can publicly admit to having a belly. But seriously, I have looked quite pregnant since about... 9 weeks.
I don't think the picture below does justice to what I'm actually lugging around; the black is too slimming. You'll just have to trust me.

The maternity clothes are here.

Meanwhile, Miles continues to be a whole lot of fun. He saw my necklace and wanted to wear one too. Here's my little hippy :-)

Popped into the doctor's again this morning. I'm a paranoid doppler addict. The nurse found Pockets' heartbeat the moment she placed the device on my belly. It's a lovely way to start the week.

Memorial Day in Maryland

Okay, I'm a little late in reporting back. But we were in Maryland for Memorial Day for the best possible reason: Our friends, Josh and Melissa, FINALLY got to bring their baby home! I may have mentioned them to you before; they have been waiting what seems like FOREVER to meet this little boy. We all go to great lengths for our kids, but how many of us have to wait for years and then travel to Korea?? Sweet baby Thomas is home in Maryland now and has been baptized by his daddy.
He had such a good attitude for a jet-lagged, confused, sleep-deprived little mite! As long as Mama and Daddy were near, he was pretty happy.
...
Another happy family. Prego hormones combined with this visit made me rather teary this weekend.

I was rather bad about taking photos this trip. Too busy experiencing life? We got to visit Kinderfarm Park on Saturday with the Browns and the Sutters (well, minus their Pater Familius). So, three babies, one five year old, five friends, animals, and no pictures. Go me. We had a splendid time, however, including animal visiting, giggling kids, the playground, a picnic, ice cream and a group participation project to break into Marijke's car! Good times!

A couple shots: Miles always LOVES playing piano, with our without help. Here he requests the alphabet song (over and over and over). He impresses me with his efforts to match pitch!

Yay Ma-mah!

Miles poses in Annapolis with Kunta Kinte. We had just had a lovely coffee, getting caught up with old friends downtown.

And you can see how enormous I already am! More on that later...