Gentry Zoo Trip

Sunday morning, we went on an adventure to the Gentry Wildlife Drive-Thru Safari and Petting Zoo.  We went last April too.  Maybe it will be an annual April event.  It rained on us both times, so perhaps we should pick another month. ;)  Anyhoo...it's an easy little 45 minute drive and a great excuse to get out of the house.  Mills is really into zoos and anything involving animals lately, so she had a blast.  And of course, she loved getting to drive!

Millie called him "Shere Khan" from the Jungle Book

absolutely loved it

Syd...not so much.  It was her nap time though...

Last year when we came, Mills wanted no part of going near the animals.  This year, she was much braver.  She touched some goats...

 ...and chased a lot of rabbits (see kangaroos lounging in the background).

She got distracted with some dandelions..."make a wish!"

A nice worker there gave us some lettuce to feed the giraffes.  This setup is a bit sad, but they do have access to a bigger yard outside.  I can't decide how I feel about these places.  I love animals and would never support any place that isn't trying to do right by them.  Most of these animal refuges are formed from a need to house exotic animals that would otherwise be put down...they only run on donations and entry fees.  So I feel like we are helping in a small way by going and paying the entry fee.  Plus, it's educational for Mills...

...she was very concerned about this pig possibly having poop on it.

I love watching these two...best buds.

Oh, hai!  A fun morning outing...

Currently

Auntie Midge sent us this awesome potty-themed book, and it's pretty hilarious.  However, about 24 hours after this pic was taken, I threw in the towel (which was no fault of the book).  I just couldn't do it anymore.  Mills was becoming increasingly defiant and started wetting her pants again.  I thought we had that one down!  Ugh.  The last straw was when she purposely peed on Syd's chair; when I asked her why, she said "cuz I wanted to".  It has been a much needed break from potty training, and since I made the decision, it has been so lovely around the house.  No more tension or grumpy mommy.  I guess we'll wait a month or two and try again this Summer.  

Big news: Syd's finally decided to give the sippy cup a shot!  She likes the straw ones, but I have yet to find a leak proof one.  Frustrating, but I feel better that she's starting to drink some water.

We've really enjoyed the new swing set this week!  It has a little play house area on the bottom with three little seats.

It's been fun to take Mills out on her own when Syd is napping.

It's finally been warm enough to show off these beautiful legs ;)  

sharing puffs

Mills showing me how tall she is...

Mills is so sweet with Syd, most of the time.  I can tell she's going to be an encouraging big sister.

chillin' in the wagon

chillin' in the swing...she'll happily sit in the swing the entire time we are all the neighborhood playground

happy when she is allowed to be bossy...here she's forcing me to slide with her ;)

I used to only make pancakes on the weekends.  However, Mills has been requesting these sprinkle pancakes every day lately.  They are delicious whole wheat pancakes and I add sprinkles: recipe here

She doesn't even need syrup or honey on them.  I consider it a win....

...especially since Syd loves them too!

bull-riding

not quite 8 seconds

I almost gave up on my plans to do the color run in Tulsa yesterday.  However, after a long week of working with Syd on bottle feeding, I was able to leave for a whole 8 hours!  It was glorious.  And fun.  I ran with a group of neighborhood girls.  So glad I went!

Plus, it was fun to prepare for the run...we had a couple of meetings to get together and make our tutus and matching outfits (and consume wine).

We did it!

The girls didn't even know I was gone...

Happy Easter

Papa came over early this morning to hunt Easter eggs with Mills.  It was so nice of him to come out and bring Easter baskets for the girls.  We had such a good time; Millie was in heaven.  Plus, JKK finished the swing set this weekend, so it was super awesome to break it in!  Such a beautiful day.  And when Papa told Mills he had to leave, she told him no.  He wasn't allowed to leave. ;)

11 Months Old

11 months is the cutest...We Love Syd!

one week old:

one month old:

two months old:

three months old:

four months old:

five months old:

six months old:

seven months old:

eight months old:

nine months old:

ten months old:

eleven months old:

EAT:

Nothing new since her 10 months post, except more fingers foods.  She wants only finger foods now, yet she still has zero teeth.  It gets tricky.  I have to find new ways to get her to eat the pureed stuff now because she screams and just wants finger foods.  None of us can eat in front of her now without getting yelled at because she wants some.  She will eat anything in finger food form: small bits of whole wheat bagels, yogurt melts, puffs, black beans, peas, corn, carrots, apples, mango, avocado, pears, blueberries.  She's also had a couple of bites of donut this past weekend to keep her quiet. :)  I've been adding in some dairy to my diet, and since it is going so well, I'm slowly starting to add some to hers as well.  She had cheese for the first time tonight, so I hope it doesn't hurt her.  I really haven't seen any signs of the milk protein sensitivity this past month...no spitting up and no diarrhea.  I'm dreaming of an easy transition from breastmilk to whole milk sometime in the next few months.

The bottle feedings are going okay, as long as it is breastmilk only.  I tried for several days in a row to add in an ounce of formula and she wouldn't take it.  Even when I would let her get really hungry...WOULD NOT TAKE IT.  Have I mentioned how stubborn she is?!  She's also still on sippy cup strike.  

SLEEP:
Pretty much the same as her 10 months post.  She's been consistently waiting until around 5am to wake up and eat, then she usually goes back down for a couple more hours.  I guess I'm okay with this 5am waking...gives me a really long stretch and she's quick about eating and going back down.  Plus, she's cute...so what am I gonna do?!

She did let me rock her the other day...a rarity.  I loved every minute.

PLAY:
She's everywhere, all the time now!  Walking everywhere.  She loves to do laps around our house...through the kitchen, living room, entryway, dining room, and back to the kitchen.  She'll just walk in circles for the longest time.  Millie likes to walk with her and pretend they are going places together, like the store.  Syd likes to be chased by Millie, and she'll laugh and speed up when she hears Millie coming.  Syd also likes to chase Millie in the pink car.  Millie thinks of it as keep away.  Sometimes things get a little crazy and someone ends up hurt.  I'm just hoping this makes her a tough kid because there's not much I can do about it.  She received this awful looking cut/scratch/shiner thingy last week when she tripped and plowed into the sideboard of our bed.  Made me so sad.  Look at those amazing cheeks.

She's started patting when you pick her up...little lovins.  It makes me smile.  She'll play peekaboo a bit, but she usually doesn't get the cover over her face.  She puts it by her ear, like this pic below, then brings it down quickly.

She clapped for about 2 days at the end of March and won't do it again.  I guess she doesn't see the point.  No waving either.  Meh.  She does still like to dance though.  She loves to swing at the playground.  She loves to ride in the shopping cart, which is brand new!  She had the best time last week looking around at everyone.  She's so easy to please. ;)

Around this age, Millie went through a planking phase.  Syd is doing the same thing, except she keeps laying down on her belly instead of her back.  She'll stay for awhile, just looking around.  She'll usually start giggling if Mills comes over to investigate.  I love watching them interact.

Mills loves to push her in the swing; Syd loves when Mills pushes her <3

Dear Syd Pid,

You're such a doll with the softest skin and big blue eyes and feathered hair.  You're still such a little angel.  I'm constantly amazed at your patience (except when it comes to eating) and ability to entertain yourself.  You've been saying "hi" a lot lately, and I'm sure you don't mean it in the correct way, but it still cracks me up.  We always say "hi" back to ya.  Eleven months is such a fun age, and I've really enjoyed doing more with you this month....taking you places and letting you experience our outings instead of keeping you in the Ergo carrier so much.  You like to be down and walking, and you're ALWAYS trying to eat things off the ground, so it is a full-time job.  I'm not sure why you like the taste of mulch so much. ;)  I'm looking forward to seeing you go to town on your birthday cake next month!  Can't believe my Syddles is going to be one.  Sweet sweet sweet baby of mine, you are loved more than you'll ever know.