A Zoo day!

We spent a beautiful morning at the zoo and since Mama forgot to pack a lunch we shared popcorn and (dairy-free!) dip n dots. Thrilled was an understatement.

Tragedy at the Pittsburgh Zoo

On Sunday a two year old boy was killed at our zoo. To say this hit me hard was an understatement. I take my boys to the zoo all the time. Owen runs free. He could have climbed up on that exhibit. We lift him up to see better all the time.

A Mama lifted her son up to see his favorite exhibit and he fell in and died a horrible, tragic death.

I wrote a piece about my feelings over here at Kveller.com

Less than an hour after it had been posted two editors from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, the largest newspaper here, called asking to use it.

It ran in the paper and on their website where it recieved over 2,200 shares and had almost 100 comments.

People said some horrible things about this mother. Pointed fingers and placed blame. Because if you blame her for being a bad mother, maybe that means something as horrific as this could never happen to our own children. But the fact of the matter is that it could have been anyone.

I recieved an email from someone close to the family thanking me for my article. Saying after all of the horrible things that had been said and written they were so happy to have something nice put out there.

My heart breaks for that mother. It will break for her for a long, long time. I cannot bring myself to go to the zoo. That will take time too.

I can't even imagine.

Soaking up the last of a beautiful Indian Summer

We watched an elephant take a bath and spent long mornings at the park.
We walked to the library and gathered our bounty of books with delight.
We shared the biggest bowl of Superman ice cream on the planet "superhero food"
Each trip outside results in new leaves ("kites) being carefully collected and brought inside.
The yellow boots finally fit, despite having been worn for almost a year.
Our favorite snack is sliced apples - fall's perfect treat to us.
We had to pull out the sunscreen this week and I was reminded of our perfect summer.
Owen now calls any shirt with long sleeves a "fall shirt"
We color and glue and string pumpkin bead bracelets - any craft ("project") to fill the evening hours.
I am in love with this family, this season, these boys.

A boy and a shark.

Rainy Sunday afternoon brought us to the aquarium.

Brothers at the ZOO!

It was a beautiful fall day to enjoy the zoo - four weeks since we've been (last time was when I was 38.5 weeks pregnant). It was practically empty and we had such a nice visit.

Owen walked the entire zoo which is quite the feat for a 2 year old. We had a tiny bit to go and he started crying that he was so tired and couldn't walk anymore. So I put Gil in the wrap and let Owen ride in Gillen's car seat ... thankfully Owen is still small enough to (kind of) fit.

I think we might need break down and invest in a double stroller for these boys!

23 Months Old

Dearest Owen,

How are you almost TWO?! Almost two years ago you blessed us with your presence and we haven't taken our eyes off you since. Where did the time go? Two sounds too old to me, because in my eyes you are still my baby. So for this month, for this entire month, you are ONE. Just one. And if anyone asks you, you are sure to tell them - I'm ONE!

You have changed so much over the past few months. We've been enjoying a lot of down time with your Daddy and he and I have been marveling at all you do. You (finally!) started drinking whole milk for us, although you still nurse three times a day. You have dropped your baby signs and now tell us quite pointedly what you want and when you want it. We are blown away by how verbal you are and how you remember so many of the things we tell you.  A few weeks ago we were all snuggling on our bed and you said, "Kitties feet are paws!"  Daddy and I looked at each other in amazement. Yes, Owen, Kitties feet ARE paws!  Daddy came home from work and asked what we did all day and you said, "Mama ga-mooned (vacuumed) all morning!"  We had to giggle because I DID NOT vacuum that day but it was nice of you to put in a good word for me in the chores department.

You continue to be a cautious observer at the playground and in social situations, although you like to get right up close to other children to observe them. You will share anything you have with another child and your gentle spirit makes my heart swoon.

You love to listen to music and to sing songs. I've heard you sing "Itsy Bitsy Spider" "Pat-a-cake" and "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" to yourself, complete with hand motions! You request that we sing to you too, especially, "Happy Day Song!" Which while we have no idea what this actually means, you're quite satisfied if we sing you "Happy Birthday" and repeat it a million times over. We read 15-20 books a day. Mostly the same dozen books over and over but you've been letting me introduce some new stuff into our mix.

You love going to the Children's Museum and "pinting!" (painting) and you also enjoy playing at the Toy Lending Library.

We introduced the potty and you've peed in it twice, and accidentally pooped once. You should have seen your face when you tooted only to turn around and find a small turd in the pot! You looked at me and said, "Treat?" and I had to give in because technically, it counts. You still arn't sure about the whole potty thing and we've been careful not to push it with you. We'll keep it working on it.

This month has brought lots of big emotions too. Instant tears if you don't get your way or are a little too tired. We haven't started "time out" yet because we don't feel you understand the concept, but we do try to point out what you are doing wrong and ask you to apologize for your behavior. To which you reply, "Saw-yee" :) The other day you were having lots of tears over something very trivial and I heard your Daddy say to you, "Sometimes little boys have BIG feelings, and that's okay."  We're doing our best with this new stage and I can honestly say I couldn't have a better partner to weather the storm with.

You have requested an "Oh My Dinosaurs" theme for your 2nd birthday party so I'll be spending the next month working on that. I look at this picture from a year ago and I simply cannot believe my eyes! In the pictures you are so very different. So grown up and such a beautiful boy. But in my eyes and in my arms you are exactly the same as you've always been, my perfect baby Owen.

All my love,

Mama

January 2011

January 2012

Tuesday with my big boy

Tuesday was the perfect day for me and my little to visit the zoo. It was a beautiful day and all of the animals were out enjoying the sunshine.

Mr. O looked like such a big boy in his sun hat - complete with sweaty little toes and sippy cup!

The three tiger cubs were pouncing on each other right in front of the window. They are getting SO BIG!

It was the last day of Passover so Owen and I shared a Passover-approved lunch of cheese fries and ice cream (so much for organic, no-sugar eating...)

Saaaaay CHEESE (fries!)

 

Just before we were about to leave the house to go to the zoo I was brushing my teeth. Owen was in the bathroom with me, standing while holding onto the vanity. He started pointing to HIS toothbrush in our holder. I put some toothpaste on it and there we were

brushing our teeth together. 

It is amazing to me that he is a little person now and this was the first of many thing we will do together. Owen and Mama.

RIP Juma

We are very sad today because our favorite Lion, has passed away.

It is with great sadness that the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium announces that Juma, our 21-year-old male African lion, has passed away. Juma, one of the five oldest male lions living in the United States, had been suffering from age-related ailments and in the past year including feline dementia.Visitors could always catch him and his constant companion, Shiba, out during the day, lounging on their rock. “Juma would sit very still and watch the visitors stop and take photos,” says Kathy Suthard, lead carnivore keeper. “Sometimes he would roar to let everyone know that this was his territory.”

Owen and I will miss you, Juma.

One week.

In one week my baby will be ONE. I cannot believe it. Everyday since Valentine's day I have been thinking about last year, about how excited we were that we would have a healthy, full term baby. Waiting to meet him, to welcome him into this world. And now, he has been with us for almost one year. I have been a Mama for almost a year, and yet, I feel like I've been one all my life.

Today was a beautiful day, our first taste of spring. Owen and I snuck into the Zoo about an hour before closing time. We had the place all to ourselves and even got to see the animals eat their dinner! Afterwards we went on a walk to the library and for a little frozen yogurt.

I was so happy to spend today with baby O - just as I've been this entire year. I love to see the little boy he is becoming. I love everything about being his Mama.

 Mr. and Mrs. Lion came down right next to the window for feeding time!

 Yummy fish!

Enjoying a waffle that Mama packed for a snack 

(do you see the little ear curl? I am in love with this crazy hair!)

 leaning against the pole but getting braver with standing up by himself

so proud to be drinking from his cup on our walk

First Trip to the ZOO

Today was a special treat for us - Daddy unexpectedly had the day off  and it was UPMC day at the ZOO! We took advantage of a gorgeous afternoon, enjoyed a picnic lunch and took lots of pictures with our long distance lens. Downside: Owen missed a few naps and although he was an angel while we were at the zoo - he got overtired and wouldn't go to sleep until almost 10pm. Our fault - but worth it!

The physician tent had a nice picnic lunch and cute activities for kids - they had safari hats and let the kiddos take a picture "driving" a cardboard safari truck. Owen is a GREAT driver ;)

The zoo was also celebrating the baby elephants 1st birthday - there was a birthday party with cake and ice cream. You could also get your picture taken with the elephant (the REAL elephant!) but the line was WAAAY to long to wait in with a tired baby. Owen was much happier just watching the other kids from inside his stroller.

Baby Owen is sucking his bottom lip in, we have another tooth on the way

Owen tries watermelon for the first time - it was a HIT! Great for a teething boy!

I'm sure this was the first of MANY more trips to the zoo for little O. We all had a great day and can't wait to go back when it's a little less crowded.