Martin's first trip to the Memphis Zoo

Welcome to the Memphis Zoo

We took Martin to the zoo on Saturday, and had a great day!!  He slept some, but was a happy boy all day long.  I think he is working on another tooth, so I was very relieved that he was happy all day.  He watched the lions, loved the sea lion show, saw some birds, but most of all enjoyed people watching!  He rode in the stroller, but really preferred to be in the Baby Bjorn.  Who cares if you look silly as a parent, kids love them!!!  And, let's face it, when you become a parent, it doesn't matter how cool you look anymore does it?  It is all about the baby.  It was a nice day, and a perfect day to be at the zoo.  Bryan's parents went with us.  We got to see the new Teton Trek part which was pretty cool.  They have grizzly bears, elk, and some other animals too, but the grizzly bears were my favorite.  There was one playing in the water most of the time we were there.  It was neat to see just how big they are, and then to see them enjoying the pretty weather was pretty entertaining.  Martin really enjoyed himself!

Martin, Mama and the Giraffes

I conquered my first nursing in public experience.  I am sure some of you are laughing now....but it really is a bigger deal than you realize.  Martin HATES the nursing cover, and pulls it off, and waves it around like a flag "hey people, we are breastfeeding over here".  So, the fact that it went well was a small miracle.  We found a table at lunch that was kind of out of the way, and I just turned around and fed him.  Went well!  Check that off the list.  I know lots of people nurse all over the place.  But, I really feel like most people don't want to see that.  You know what I mean?  Can I get an Amen?  

Looking at the Cats

He was so curious about this particular cat.  I don't remember what it was specifically, but it looked like a large house cat that would like to claw your eyes out.  They were gorgeous, and were really close to the glass, so Martin really like watching them play.  I think it helped that they were making a lot of noise to get his attention.

The Benton Family

Enjoying the Pandas

Grizzly Bear Waterfall

Then came the sea lion show.  We were able to sit out of the way of most people, and Martin enjoyed the show.  He really liked jumping on our laps more than anything, but he watched some!  I really thought the aquarium would be great, because he could see the fish moving.  So, I guess it is very fitting that he slept through the aquarium part.  Picture a big room with lots of 50 gallon fishtanks.  Not exactly an aquarium, but I will let it slide since I was so impressed with the grizzly bear habitat!  Not everyone can have an aquarium as nice as the New Orleans Aquarium or the Atlanta Aquarium, right?

LOVING the sea lion show

More Sea Lion show with Pops

Funny Boy!

I love how Martin is cutting his eyes in this picture.  He does this a lot....but you rarely catch it on camera.  We leave for the beach in one week, and I absolutely cannot wait!!!  Ready to get my toes in the sand and see how much this little baby loves the beach!  Stay tuned, lots of pictures to post, I am sure.

Happy Birthday Mamie!

Happy Birthday To You

Happy Birthday To You

Happy Birthday Dear Mamie

Happy Birthday To You!!

Martin helping Mamie blow out her candles

Yummy cupcake icing....he wasn't really a fan

My mom came to see us for the weekend.  It was kind of a last minute thing, and we were so surprised and excited!!  Martin and Mamie got to spend lots of time together.  Mom got Martin up this morning, and Bryan and I got to sleep in a little....ahhhh......I feel so refreshed!  We celebrated with Muddy's Cupcakes Saturday after dinner for Mom's birthday which is Monday.  Happy Birthday Mama!  She taught me how to be the Mama that I am today for Martin.

Taking a nap with Mamie

I cannot believe all of the things Martin is doing.  He has started pulling up too, but is very unstable once he gets up.  My baby boy cannot be old enough for this.  He was so talkative all weekend.  Saturday we went to grab Subway for lunch, and the lady at the table behind us had to get up and take a look at Martin because "he is just so talkative and loud".  Please look closely at his face in the very last picture....this is the face he makes when he is really concentrating.  Pretty funny, right?  I certainly think so!  He is an absolute mess.

Big Boy with his sippy cup

Pardon Me....

Pardon me, but do you know where my little baby went?  I swear a had a tiny, quiet, precious newborn around here somewhere!  But, this morning when I woke up, I realized he isn't tiny, and he certainly isn't quiet!  But, I am loving every minute of this journey.  He has always been a jabber mouth (no surprise there--he gets it honest).  On Sunday he said Da Da Da all day just to make Mother's Day super funny for Dad.  But, on Tuesday he started saying Ma Ma.  Don't tell me he doesn't know that is my name.....I am fully aware of that.  But, he says it ALL.THE.TIME.  Pretty cute.  I know in 2 years I will want to change my name, and will wish he would forget my name, but right now it makes me melt to hear those sweet sounds.  He talks all the time, and loves to make motorboat noises with his mouth.  Maybe he is practicing blowing bubbles for the beach.  Who knows?

Is my child the only child on the planet obsessed with anything that hangs or dangles?  Tags, strings, and especially hair!  He loves to pull my hair while he eats, isn't that just so sweet?  NOT!  He laughs all the time and is always into something.  He is going to keep me on my toes, I can tell!!

7 Months, Already??

No, I can't believe it either.  Baby boy is growing so fast too fast.  I think I put off posting this because maybe if I don't post it to my blog, then it isn't really true??  I cannot believe Martin has already been here for 7 months!!  He is such an absolute joy for us.  And, he is currently napping, so I thought I would take advantage.  He is doing so much more at 7 months than he was doing at 6.  He is now VERY mobile.  Still army crawling most of the time, but that little thing is FAST!!  He kicks and uses his toes.  I will try to get a video sometime this week--but for some reason I have a tough time uploading videos to the blog.  Hmm....who knows?  He gets his knees up under him a lot, but still would rather army crawl.  He has figured out how to sit up on his own.  He has been staying sitting up for about 2 months, but now he knows how to go from flat on his back, to sitting up.  Talk about scary--he is NOT old enough for this.  And, it makes naps a little tricky too.  I just know before I realize it he will be (gasp) walking!  No no no, this can't be true.  Where did my little baby boy who was so quiet, and took amazing naps, and stayed where I put him go???  This age and stage is truly SO FUN, but I sometimes miss the early days just because I can hardly remember him being that small.  He is into everything, and full of himself!!  He says Da...Da....Da....Da....Da.  I will look at him and said ma ma ma ma ma, and he just smiles and says dddaaaa, dddaaaa.  Not funny--even though Bryan thinks it is!  But, for the record, he cries Ninny when he wants to eat, and has for about a month and a half....and that is totally ME!  So, there--take that Bryan!  He loves solids....big people food is great.  I am still making my own, and am loving every minute of it.  How many people can say their 7 month old likes mango and avocado??  That is what I thought, not many!!  We are on Week 3 of Couch to 5K, and I have decided I must be all couch....because my knees are killing me.  I was a runner in high school, apparently that is all gone, and I must have done some damage to my joints along the way, because these knees are screaming.  Oh well.  I will stick with it, and buy lots of Advil and Ice.  Am I getting old or something?

I had a GREAT Mother's Day.  My two boys (Martin and Bryan) brought me breakfast in bed, and we watched my new TV for my bedroom.  Martin approved, he said he enjoyed nick jr. on the new tv!  He thinks being in our bed is such a fun treat.  He does great at night, and has pretty much kicked the pacifier habit at night.  He still gets it during the day whenever he wants it, or whenever I want him to have it (MUTE)....haha!  But, he doesn't really need/want it at night.  He really is getting to be a big boy!!  We worked in the yard a little, got a little sun, and then I made some curtains for our game room, and hung some pictures up there.  Slowly but surely, our house is getting close to finished in the decor department.  That is good since we have lived here over a year and a half.  Oops!  Pictures to come soon....if you are interested.  I will post LOTS of pictures of Martin, and of the flower beds that I have been working on. 

Happy Spring!!

Flower Beds

Flower Beds

Bonsai Bend




Happy Boy playing in the garden

 

Sitting on the rocks

I LOVE playing with Dad

Sitting in the grass

Happy 7 Months

Bathtime Fun!

Martin loves to Skype with Mamie and Papa John (yes he tries to crawl into the computer)

Hi Mamie!!  I see you.

Looking out the window in his room