Made by Memilyrae

We went to Lagoon yesterday (Novell picked up the tab) despite the overcast weather and occasional sprinkling. We made it in time for dinner and knew we wouldn’t get to do a ton since we had both of the kids with us. Spencer wanted to do a few rides, but as we stood in line he’d change his mind. We finally convinced him to go on the swings and I assured him I’d be in the swing next to him.

He wasn’t happy at first but then I offered my hand and he ended up liking it. We thought after he did the swings he might enjoy others but he’d end up chickening out. We all rode the train together whose tracks went through a small zoo with tigers, cougars, an eagle, llamas, camels, etc. There were a few claps of thunder that were really loud and really deep but we only saw lightning once.

We decided to try the carousel – we even got the dragon dog (or so that’s what it looks like) that he wanted to ride. He cried even though Steve stood next to him and Evie and I were on the horse next to him. Once it started he calmed down and enjoyed the rest of the ride. Spencer got really grouchy and the rain and wind picked up so we decided to leave.

I think next time we’ll try a city carnival before driving 1+ hour to get to Lagoon just to stay for a short time.

Last night we decided to finally get our first family pets: fish. 🙂 Steve had fish when he was younger (and mini sharks or something like that) and has been wanting them again. My first choice was a kitten but our apartment won’t allow cats or dogs. So, we bought 7 Zebra Diano (or Dianos ?) They are schooling fish, grow to 2 – 2.5 inches, are tropical fish (water temp between 78-84 degrees), and are peaceful fish. So, we’re starting with the Zebra Dianos and we’ll eventually get an algae eater or two and maybe a few others. We’re starting slow. Spencer loves feeding them. He and Evie and named 3 of them. Spencer’s choices were “Boots” and “Dora” (surprise surprise!) and Evie’s choice was “Ega” (sounds like “egg uh”) 🙂 We’re pretty excited to have them. Now when Spencer and I play school we get to feed the ‘class pets’ 🙂

So, thanks to Target’s Dollar section, Spencer and I set up a little “school” in our living room. This week we’re talking about the letter “A” and about “Feelings” (new letter and theme each week). He’s such a smartie pants! Today I was showing him how we write the letter “A” and said “Up, down, across” – he’d try to write “A” and would say “Up, down, across” almost every time. Then he colored a picture of an Airplane (yesterday he colored an Apple). We also sing the alphabet song (he tries sometimes) and then either “If you’re happy and you know it” or “If you chance to meet a frown” (he sings them both in nursery). We’re having so much fun “playing” school.

So, I just noticed that Evie’s first tooth just broke through the gums! We’ve noticed her canines on top pushing out but they haven’t broke through yet. She just woke up from her nap and as I was holding her she put my finger in her mouth and wah-lah…she has a tooth! It’s her bottom right tooth, just barely through. yahoo!

Today we were able to attend the Temple Endowment session with John. It was a wonderful and spiritual experience! I couldn’t remember the last time I went through an Endowment session…I’m sure it was before Spencer was born…actually, I believe I was pregnant with him doing my Grandma Black’s endowments. It was so wonderful being inside the Temple again. I need to make sure I don’t wait so long to go next time. I tried to remember the first time I went inside the temple and wondered if that’s how John felt. The spirit is so strong inside and having the love and support from family and friends increased that spirit. You can really feel how much Heavenly Father loves you.

I remember telling Steve what a great experience it was and how much I loved being there with him to support John. I even pointed out that this was one of the first times since we’ve been married that we didn’t have a little fight before…usually over being late and needing to hurry. But not this time…and it felt great!

After the session we took pictures outside with all those who attended. We’ll have to see what’s next for John…only a little over a month and a half and he’s off to the MTC. 🙂

K…I had to just laugh out loud! Spencer is just becoming more and more funny all the time! He covered his legs and said “My foots gone!” I played along, “Oh no! Where’d your legs go? I guess you can’t play soccer anymore!” He just laughed. Then he said, “I take Evie’s legs!” What a silly guy!

We went to the zoo yesterday with our neighbors, the Shelleys and the Sterziks. Spencer was very excited. We rented a double stroller from the zoo (one day I’ll have my own!) and started on our way. It was overcast and it sprinkled a tiny bit so it was cooler than it has been for the past month, plus the zoo wasn’t as crowded so that was great! We saw the monkeys, elephants, rhinos, bears, zebras and a few others and then we decided to have lunch. We watched the bird show which was really neat – Spencer and Ayslind danced to the music before the show started. We got great pictures of the birds in the air, plus some of the fun tricks they trained the birds to do…like one bird had a coke bottle with some water in it, the bird drank it, dropped it and another bird picked it up and put it in the recycling bucket. It was pretty neat. Evie fell asleep after the show so I put her in the double stroller and used my backpack to keep her from rolling. (later we saw a Lynx or Puma…can’t remember which…sleeping in the same position Evie was!) We saw the rest of the animals (cats, wolf, giraffes, etc) then finished off with a train ride. The clouds went away by the afternoon so we were all really hot…you could especially tell on Spencer…pink cheeks and all! Both of my kids were fast asleep on the ride home.

Well, today was Evie’s 9 month check up. She was 27.5 inches (50%), 19.2 lbs (75%) and 44 cm head circumference (50%). Dr. Zollo was glad to see she’s eating well, crawling, standing, and cruising, saying “ma ma” and “da da”, etc. They didn’t give her any shots but they had to prick her toe to test for anemia. Unfortunately the in office test said she was low so we had to go to the hospital to draw blood so they could test it. Imagine this…Evie on my lap, my leg crossed over hers to make sure she didn’t kick, my arm crossed over her chest holding one arm and trying to kiss and sing to her to make her happy. The nurses doubled up…one holding her ‘blood’ arm, the other drawing the blood. They stuck her once…she hated it. It didn’t take, so they wrapped the rubber around her other arm. They couldn’t find a good vein so they went back to her left arm. She was so mad…crying, making the ‘motorboat’ sound, spitting, and saying “da da da da” the whole time! They got a good vein and started drawing the blood. They filled a syringe…it looked like a lot but I guess that’s what they needed. She was much happier once I was able to stand up with her…she stared at the nurses…kind of like she was saying “don’t you come near me!” Poor doll…she was exhausted!

By the way, the results came back and she is anemic. They added iron supplement to her fluoride so we just add it to her juice every day.

I just love Target’s clothes but they’re always too expensive. Well…thanks to Annette I now know where their Clearance racks are (baby and toddler clothes hiding in the boys clothes! Sheesh…what are they thinking!?) I got a few shirts for Spencer and a few for Evie. I thought they looked cute so I wanted to share. 🙂

It finally came! John (Shaw) got his mission call. The post office called Steve’s parents to let them know that the call was there so they went to the post office to pick it up at 7:30 am. John was still sleeping. We all got calls and headed over to their house. John realized why his parents kept urging him to get up and shower. We got the cousins and Steve’s Aunt and Uncle on the phone then John opened it. He started skimming through it – at which we said “Out loud!” He began reading and WHAM! Mongolia Ulaanbaatar! What a shock! Steve joked about John getting sent to Siberia and he guessed the closest! Mongolia! Wow.