Norfolk Zoo

We decided to take a trip up to the local "Norfolk Zoo" and became members, so now we can go back as often as we want to let Abby see the animals. Should be a fun activity for her and I when Mike goes back to work. Some of our friends have memberships too, so we can meet up for "free" playdates at the zoo!

Abby's favorite zoo attraction was anything that included water! She gets so excited over water these days. Here she is squatting watching some fish and turtles swim around.

The water fountain inside the zoo entrance....it was soooo exciting!! Too bad we had to rip her away to go see the real animal attractions! Too funny.

Abby's other favorite part was the "barn animal" section with the goats! She loved being able to feed them and had no hesitation at all to stick her hand out!

Yumm....eat up mr. goat!

Walking together! Holding hands is our new rule we try to enforce

Ducks and water! Great combination according to Abby.

This cute little meerkat ran right up to see what Abby was up to.

Recent cuteness

Abby sitting on her new "Dora" couch. Her new favorite spot to read books in her play area! And it folds out into a bed, so its cute and fun!

Abby was lounging around with Roxy last night before bedtime while Mike and I played a little Guitar Hero, and we caught her teasing Roxy! Roxy loves a chance to lick!! The part that made me laugh was how she used her left hand to guide her right hand over to Roxy's mouth!

While Mike played the guitar and I was on the drums, Abby was doing her own drumming to keep up with the act!

Unpacked House Pics

Now that all the boxes are out of the house, I took the opportunity to snap some finished shots of the house! The bedrooms are still in transition! Enjoy!!

My kitchen! One of my favorite rooms!
Our new kitchen table!

Our new family room with oversized TV and all! We've come to LOVE HD programming! It has blown us away to watch HD & BlueRay DVD's on our new TV!

Abby's zone in the living room

The other half of the living room

Our backyard! My other favorite part of the house! So far we've spent a lot of time out here, so its been very worthwhile. Yesterday the pool water temperature was 80! Heated only by mother nature of course.

And our new pool fence of course! Its 4 ft tall with a self-closing/latching gate!

More Pool Fun....June

Roxy enjoys barking at us while we swim...I'm hoping this will be a short lived habit. I think she's interested in coming in and nervous for Abby all at the same time; just a protective big sister!
Anyone can float with "Dora" water wings, right?? Holding daddy's hands to jump in

Happy swimmer! She loves swimming with us now.

Yummm....salt water pool tastes great!

My two cuties!! I love them!

Abby with a huge smile while watching daddy attempt a hand-stand in the water! (Behind Abby is a quick glimpse at our new pool fence....I will post more and house photo asap!)

She LOVED being tossed in the air repeatedly! Of course she kept repeating "more, more, more"!

More air-time!

All giggles with dad!

Look everyone, no hands! These Dora wings help me swim!! Next time I am putting her in the wings with a life vest to see how self-sufficient she is with both!

Baby #2 Update!

So we just wanted everyone to know our Baby #2 status......I had my 20 week doctor appointment yesterday (June 23rd) and everything is great. It was just a normal appointment, so no ultrasound; they just listen to the heartbeat and take my stats. But it was my first appointment at he Naval Hospital (which is also where I will deliver). It is about a 30 minute drive from our house close to Norfolk.

Our BIG ultrasound is scheduled for next Tuesday the 30th @ 7:45am to find out the gender and see the baby in-utero again! He/she has been moving around a lot in the last 2 weeks, and kept me up a bit even last night.....I'd almost forgotten about this part of pregnancy!!

So, as soon as we know next week if its a he or a she, you will TOO!

Little Drummer.....Girl

Daddy just HAD to have a Guitar Hero Band system to go with his new Playstation 3, so here is Abby discovering the new "toy" the morning after he set it up! She knew just what to do with the sticks and drums right away.

First pool experience

When we first started going in the pool here at the new house, Abby wouldn't go any farther than the steps at the edge, but after 10 days, I guess she felt she was ready (and trusted us enough) to go in with us!

Here she is with her daddy on her first time "all the way" in! As you will see in future postings, she is now very comfortable with the water and loves to play!

Floor time!

Abby seems to love our new hardwood floors...(and so do I, but just not for the same reasons). She loves to plop down and lay on them as the day progresses and she gets tired....here she is fake-napping!

Coloring more!!! Propped up on the fireplace with her Dora coloring book, and sprawled out on the floor!

Childrens Museum Visit

We had a very fun visit to Portsmouth's "Virginia Childrens Museum" today. We met my girlfriend Julie there with her daughters, so Abby and Emily got to see the exhibits up close! It was a lot of fun and there was more to see than we had time for, so we'll have to go back again.

Emily & Abby....checking out the giant clock
Abby is about 7.5 dollar bills tall! (really she is 33"....got measured yesterday at the dr!)

Driving the firetruck..Abby steered while Emily shifted gears; neither could reach the pedals!

The "Bubble" exhibit....this was very cool! It had a few different bubble stations; this was one where you stand in the blue center and pull a rope down and a giant bubble surrounds you....until it pops!!

Story time.....there was even a reading room for kids to, well, read!

Abby and her "Elmo"....or as she says it...."Melmo"

TRAINS!!! "Choo Choo Trains" are Abby's new fascination the last few weeks. She knows exactly what they are and mostly what they do. We need to get her some train engines to play with at home!

The Giant Computer.....this exhibit was definitely geared toward the older kids, but cute nonetheless. It gave you an idea of what the inside of a computer looks like, as well as this giant stepping keyboard!

Abby's catch of the day.....a giant Nemo!