First Zoo Trip

We have been taking advantage of the time that Sins isn't working to go on some fun family outings.  Since the weather was much cooler than recent days, we took Logan to the Fort Worth Zoo for the first time. It was surreal to take our own child to the zoo, after so many years of taking nieces and nephews!
Logan absolutely loves to watch birds and recently started signing "bird".  So of course, I was excited to get to Parrot Paradise - an aviary where parakeets and cockatiels fly freely.  Logan's eyes darted everywhere watching the colorful birds fly around us.  He was able to get face-to-face with some of the little birds as we fed them seeds on a stick. At one point he reached out and grabbed one of the parakeets he was feeding!
We ended our visit with a quick train ride back to the front of the zoo.  As soon as the train started to move Logan began to clap his hands and jump up and down with excitement.  He loved the train ride!
Needless to say, as soon as we got home our little monkey crashed.  It was an awesome adventure and we are looking forward to our next visit to the zoo.

Fun times feeding the birds!

Our Baby Is Growing Up, Fast

My heart is full of so much joy as I watch Logan grow and learn new things.  The last few weeks have been so exciting for us as he has started giving kisses, taking steps, waving, clapping, giving high-fives, dancing and using the sign language we have been teaching him.  He has quickly learned the sign for bird, and has become a bird-watcher with his daddy at the kitchen window.  He has also learned the sign to brush his teeth, drink and dog.  With every day that passes he is becoming less and less of a baby, and that is breaking this momma's heart (and daddy's).  Sins and I are torn with the fact that we want him to stay our sweet little baby but at the same time we want him to grow up so we can do more things with him.  It's true what they say...They grow up so fast!

We Have A Kid That Doesn't Like Food?!

I never thought I would be the breastfeeding type, but during my pregnancy, something in me changed.  I wanted to provide the very best for my baby and as they say, "breast is best".  I made the decision to just try it out and see how things went.  I have stuck with it, but it has been more of a challenge than I could ever have imagined!  It is time consuming, demanding, physically draining, and stressful at times.  There have been days I cried a small river of tears and swore I was going to quit, but there was something in me that just wouldn't let me give up.  Even with all that, breastfeeding has been extremely rewarding and has created a bond between mother and son that is indescribable.  It is an amazing and empowering feeling to know that I have provided the nutrition that has fueled Logan to grow into the healthy baby that he has become.

Another decision I made during pregnancy was to feed Logan homemade baby food.  At four months Dr. Leffel, our pediatrician, suggested we start giving Logan rice cereal.  From the beginning, he was not a fan, at all.  After a couple of weeks of trying we ditched the cereal and moved on to avocado...he loved it!  From there we tried a variety of fruits and vegetables and of course there were things that he liked more than others.  Actually, there was a lot that he didn't like and he would have to be described as a truly finicky eater.  It was always a hoot to watch him make such dramatic faces (don't know where he gets that) as he tried new foods.  These faces made for some hilarious pictures and videos.  I have to admit that I was a little devastated that he was turning his nose up at the food I was taking the time to make for him.  At 8 months old Logan completely gave up eating his baby food.  Dr. Leffel mentioned that he may not be a fan of pureed food and thought he might eat better if he was able to feed himself finger foods.  NOPE!  Today Logan is 11 months old and has just recently started eating again but his eating habits are still completely unpredictable and he is as finicky as ever.  His daddy says that he is picky, just like his mom (sooo true).  We are hoping that one day soon he will be as interested in food as his mom and dad!

first taste of avocado...he really did like it