Gone Fishin'

Today we drove all over creation trying to find a place to take Abigail fishing.  After going to two different parts of the nearby lake and discovering that, whether we wanted to camp or not, we had to pay camping prices, (and no fishing allowed at or near the local marina!), we ended up back at our local pond.  It was just as fun for Abigail, even if Robby was slightly disappointed that we wasted all that time for naught.  Next time, he said, we will make an entire day of it and go to the lake!  That will be fun!

Anyways, Robby wanted to use live bait - worms - and it was Abigail's first time to see them.  It was HILARIOUS!!  She was fascinated/engrossed in them!  After the initial excitement, she would run back and forth from fishing to come back and check on the other worms.  We set one free and she loved watching it crawl around.  "What's it doing, Mama?"  "I no touch it, Mama.  YOU touch it!"  "Fish like worms?"  "I fishin!"  "Hailey Kay like worms?"  "I see worms!"  "Oh.  Worms sleepin."  "Open it!  Hiiiii, worms!" were the various things she said when she'd come to check on them. 

Even though it didn't go exactly as planned, it was a hoot and tons of fun.  Abby had fun with the worms and reeling in her fishing line.  Robby had fun catching THREE fish with Abigail's Dora the Explorer pole (some help from Abigail, of course).  Hailey had fun snuggling on the blanket with Mommy, and I had fun with my family. 

3 Month Comparison

Today we went to the park, and while Robby and Abigail were playing on the playground, Hailey and I just chilled on a bench and looked at people, birds, and whatever else caught our attention.  Of course, I had to take self-photos.  The photos of Hailey at 3 months reminded me so much of some pictures I have of Abigail at 3 months.  In both instances, we were sitting outside watching the birds, it was in February, and both girls had their tongues out.  Check it out!  Naturally, the self photo isn't as good as the one taken by Robby, but you get what I mean - the expressions are so similar it cracked me up!  Abby's picture is first, the other two are Hailey Kay.

Penguin Days!

In the months of January and February, The Dallas Zoo holds $5 Penguin Days; their slogan is "When the weather is cold, prices are hot," meaning that admission is only $5 per adult instead of normal price of almost $15/adult (Abigail and Hailey are free either way).  Since the weather was nice, Robby and I were looking for something to do that was inexpensive, outside, and engaging for all, so naturally, the zoo was a good choice.  The last time we went to the zoo was last July, for their $1 Day - everything was a dollar!  This time, it wasn't nearly as crowded, and WOW at the difference with Abigail.  She was engaged, knew the names of animals, talked about them, "He's jumping!" (talking about the monkey) and loved telling Hailey about them, "Look, Hay Hay, giraffes!" 

Hailey liked strolling around in their new double stroller (yes, we finally broke down and got one), while Abigail loved the easy accessibility of stroller or walking.  She rode in the stroller between exhibits, but Daddy would pick her up at each one and let her see the animals.  Hailey's favorite exhibit was the monkey exhbit, I think because they were the most exciting with all their movement and screeching, while Abigail absolutely LOVED the giraffes!  At the Dallas Zoo, the giraffes can come right up to you and you can (although signs say not to) touch them - they are so close.  We didn't touch - as most people didn't. 

There was one mountain cat, a moutain lion or puma or something, that was literally three feet away (in a cage, of course), and he was playing with the zookeeper.  She ran in front of the cage, he followed her, she stopped and jumped, and he jumped back - it reminded me of how we play with Chance.  Anyways, Abigail saw all this and said, "Mama, get him out!  Get him out!"  She wanted to play with and pet him, too.  So cute! 

OH MY GOODNESS!  I almost forgot to mention the otters!!   This is the first time - in my LIFE, I think - that I have ever seen otters be so active.  They were doing flips, playing with one another, floating down their river and their waterfall, basically just putting on a show for all us, and I LOVED every minute!  I could have stayed for hours to watch them!  This was my favorite part!  Unfortunately, I was so enthralled that I did not get one single picture. 

We also strolled over to the children's zoo, where there are animals to pet (and ride, although, thank goodness, Abigail hasn't asked to ride them yet!).  She was completely uninterested in the huge pig, loved the horse and fish tank, and was on the fence about the goats.   Robby took Abigail in the goat petting area, and the very first one she approached tucked his head and ran towards her (no horns, whew!), so that scared her a little.  Robby did a great job coaxing her to try to approach another one, and she timidly pet him.  Once we said that she could feed him like the donkeys (she loves those donkeys at Papas!) she picked up some hay and was much more brave. 

Over all, it was a wonderful day!  We had a great family day and both girls were tuckered out before 8pm, so now Robby and I are enjoying a quiet house.  :)

Their first bath together.  Sorry, just had to sneak it in.

"Hop" on Over!

Nani and Papa wanted to make sure that the girls are prepared to come visit them, so they got each of them a rolling suitcase/backpack/doll holder with removable stuffed animal.  Abigail has the frog backpack, and Hailey has the bunny backpack. 

These are sooooo cute and plush and soft, and Abigail absolutely adores hers!  She keeps alternating between rolling it around the house and wearing it like a backpack.  When she wears it like a backpack, she'll turn around and pop out her hip to show off the frog - such sass!  She made a joke yesterday when she said, "Nani, where frog?" and Nani replied, "I don't know.  Where is the frog?"  Abigail proceeded to jump/turn around and exclaim, "Here it is!" while ridiculously laughing.  Such a perfect, useful gift for a two year old!  (Hailey likes hers, too!)

Abigail posed with her backpack, saying, "Camera, Mom.  Picture."

Taking out Hailey's bunny.

Modeling the multiple uses!

Snow Day 4

I'm kind of getting used to this.  Work one day, off six (if you include the weekend!).  I am SO glad Robby works in my district now, because I love having all the same/extra time off.  It's nice!

This morning when we woke up, we had about 4 inches of snow on the ground!  This is more like what I am used to seeing whenever school/work gets canceled because of inclement weather.  Naturally, we had to take Abigail out to play in the snow! 

Last year, when it snowed about a foot of snow, Abigail was just 15 months old, so she didn't really get to play in it.  This morning, Abigail had a BLAST playing in it!  We played until our faces were red, and when we came in she cried to go back out.  Of course, when we went out this morning, it was still only 20 degrees, so we couldn't stay out long.  Also, the sun was out (it's supposed to get to 32 degrees today - oh my word, it will feel like a heat wave, I am sure!), and it reflected off the snow, so it was as bright as all get out.  I could barely open my eyes!

Abigail's favorite thing was to make foot prints in the snow and to wipe off the snow from the bushes in our yard.  She found one tiny flower (weed) sticking up through the snow and yelled, "FOWER!"  She tromped over there and plucked it immediately.  That girl loves picking flowers.

We also took Hailey out in it, just for the experience. She had on three layers of clothes plus a hat and blanket, and we were only out there long enough for her to see it. She barely caught a glimpse, though, because of the brightness.

Snow Day 3 - A Record!

Wow, three days off due to snow/ice!  I cannot believe it!  Today is a little warmer, 19 degrees outside (wind chill 4 degrees)!  We're going a little stir crazy today, since we haven't been out of the house since Monday night...I think I may even have to break out the Play-Doh for Abigail!  (Gasp!) 

To burn off a little energy, we bundled up Abigail (socks, leggings, blue jeans, long sleeve onesie, sweatshirt, lined jacket, fuzzy hat, mittens, and boots) and sent her outside for about 15 minutes of play time.  We didn't let her stay out any longer because her nose and cheeks were getting rosy red!  We put on Chance's jacket, too, and het got to run around a little bit.  Robby had fun chasing them on the ice; the snow that we did get (only about 1" and it doesn't even cover all of the yard) has frozen solid into an ice block, so it was very slippery! 

While they were outside, Hailey and I spent a little alone time together, and she was "talking" up a storm!  Of course, every time I tried to take a picture, it didn't come out right to show her really talking.  Sigh.  In time, I guess.

Look at all that fuzzy hair!  I love it!

Snow Day 2

Another day off!  The roads were still icy today and last night (wind chill -12 degrees last night!), so we got to spend today staying home, staying warm, and staying safe.  The energy consumption in Texas has been at an all time high, so they've had to initate rolling blackouts throughout the state.  Rolling blackouts in 12 degree weather = brrr cold.  We've had to bundle up for sure!  Luckily, we've only had one blackout so far today, and it has been light enough outside that it wasn't dark in our house.  The only thing we can really do today is nap again!  (Oh darn!)

Here's a picture of the girls "hibernating."

Snow Day - Slow Day

We've had the day off due to inclement weather - a snow/ice storm! - and all we've been doing today is catching up on our sleep.  It's nice to have a day just to lounge around and recharge our batteries!

Here's a picture of Abby putting Daddy down for a nap!  Whenever he puts her down for a nap or to bed, he lies down with her and always ends up falling asleep, too!

  

Of course when I went in to get a picture of sweet Hailey Kay snoozing, she was wide awake! She didn't make a peep! She's such a sweetie!

Time to Catch Up

Wow, things have been busy these past few months.  Our family of three has joyously turned into a family of four, and we have spent the past few months getting to know our new daughter, Hailey Kay Roden.  Now that Hailey is 12 weeks old (a silent, amazed "ALREADY?!" has just escaped my mouth), I figure it is time I get back to updating my blog.

I'll be posting entries about everything in between 28 weeks pregnant and an almost 3 month old baby, so new posts will be a mix of old and new.  It'll be confusing for a while, but I really don't want to miss any of the details I remember about those precious few months.  I plan on turning this blog into a book one day, and I want it all there!