The Zoo!

We have been the zoo 2 times the past couple of months and I am just now getting around to posting pictures!  So this a mix of pictures from both visits.  The funny thing is Emma is wearing the exact same outfit each time!  Oops! 

This was Emma's first carousel ride.  It started off good...

...but ended like this.  Jared is really happy that she is screaming!  hehe :)

The birds were a little scary at first.  Only because one landed on top of her head!

But Emma quickly warmed up and LOVED the lorikeets!

This was the second visit to the zoo.  Emma wasn't scared at all of the birds this time and even tried to get close to one!

Birds love my hubby.  Not just because he had nectar here- they are just naturally drawn to him.  His neighbor in college had a bird that would sometimes stay outside and she would wander over to his door and peck at it saying "Roxanne!" (that was the bird's name).  Seriously, birds just have a thing for him :) 

The kangaroos are always fun to see and they have a little "mine" that the kids can go in.  Here is Emma putting on her mining hat.

Emma loves big kids.  We went to the zoo with some friends and their 5 year old girl and they had so much fun together!

Petting the goats was another one of Emma's favorites.  She did such a good job being gentle.

We also rode the train during the second visit, but Emma was not a big fan.  She clung to me the entire time.  Maybe we'll wait a while before trying the rides again!  Overall she had a great time.  We are looking forward to going back soon and playing in the water fountains!

Dress Up

Emma is all-girl these days and I am loving every bit of it!  She has been trying to put on her clothes by herself, usually getting one leg in one pair of pants and the other leg in a different pair.  She will also bring me a dress to put on her when she already has clothes on, and has become quite a fan of hats and sunglasses too.  It was only a matter of time before she discovered jewelry.  I don't wear much jewelry- not because I don't like it, but I just always forgot about it.  I got out some old bracelets and necklaces the other day and let her play dress up.  We even got out the tutu from her birthday last year.  Look at this girl!  All dressed up and playing tea with baby dolls.  I'm not going to know what to do if we have boys!

Here are some other silly pictures from last week.  Emma found a bag of her bows and brought me each one saying "bow. hair.", leaning her head down for me to put a bow in.  And another.  And another.  So that is what we did and I think she felt "pretty" playing outside with her tutu and a head full of bows :)

Dancing with Daddy.

Yea!!!

Coloring with sidewalk chalk.

Emma loves playing outside so much.  She will say "side" (outside), "more please".  It cracks me up!  That is how she knows how to ask for more food, so I guess she figures it will work for going outside too.

Azaleas

More details and a Gender Poll

Thank you all for the sweet comments and prayers!  We appreciate them so, so much.  We had a doctor's appointment today and everything is going great!  We heard the two heartbeats again, loud and clear this time.  There are not many things sweeter than the sound of a tiny baby's heartbeat.  It is so reassuring to hear, and it puts a big smile on my face every time we hear them.  I quickly realized after posting my last entry that there were so many details I forgot to include.  A lot of these are things that I'll probably forgot, so I want to write them down so I'll remember later on.  Here is some more info on the little miracles:

• Our "due date" (a full 40 weeks) is October 31. Yes, that would be halloween.  However, twins are considered to be full term at 36 weeks, so they will most likely arrive much earlier.  Hopefully we can make it to 36 weeks, though.  I would love for them to stay in there as long as possible as long as they are thriving and doing well (well, I say that now... but ask me in a few months and my answer may have changed :).
• There is a good chance that I will have a c-section, but I am hoping that they will both be in the perfect position to deliver vaginally.  However, I am trying to really prepare myself mentally for a c-section since it is very likely with twins.  It will be fine either way.  I've just heard the recovery from a c-section is really hard.  All that really matters is that they are born healthy.
• The babies are fraternal, or non-identical, twins.  Which means my body released 2 eggs that were both fertilized and implanted in the uterus at the same time.  I think that is pretty amazing.  So we could have a girl and boy, or two of the same.
• We are definitely finding out the genders of these two precious babies!  With twins we will have a lot of planning (and purchasing) to do, so I can't wait to find out!  Honestly if we were only having one we would still find out what we are having.  I just can't wait!  No, I'm sure I could, but I'm impatient :)
• We will (hopefully, if they are in the right position) find out the genders of Baby A and Baby B in exactly 4 weeks from today- June 2.  I'll be 18 weeks.  I'm going to put up a gender poll to let everyone take their guesses as to what we are having.  I think it will be fun to see :)
• I have been craving tomatoes.  Tomatoes.  Oh my goodness, I went through about 5 of those cartons of Campari tomatoes in a week (when they were on sale at Publix, because normally they are expensive!).  Oh, and that was by myself.  Anyone growing tomatoes this summer?  Wanna share? :)
• Nausea was not too bad in my first trimester.  I felt a little sick, but it was nothing like it was when I was pregnant with Emma.  I was throwing up every day with Emma.  I find it strange because they say that usually your symptoms are exaggerated with multiples.  I have been very tired, though.
• I'm definitely showing already.  I'm 14 weeks and I think I look like 18 or 20 weeks already.  Whew, I'm going to be huge!!
• We've been telling Emma that there are babies in mommy's tummy.  So she points to my belly button and says "babies".  She also points to her belly and says "babies".  So funny!

Here are a couple of random pictures of Emma swinging at the park.  I love this sweet girl so much!