Zoo Fun and Canal Days

Staycation number two this year is over and complete. While the kids were sick for half of it, we were able to have a little fun too. I wanted to share some pictures from the Akron Zoo and Canal days which takes place down in Magnolia. 

The Akron Zoo is small enough that I felt safe taking the kids by myself but big enough to get the kids excited about all the animals. 

We saw penguins. 

And acted like baby chicks in this huge birds nest.

We saw some sleepy bears.

And fed some goats and lambs. This was the kids favorite part! Four crackers for two bucks and the kids went wild. There were baby goats and big goats which scared Marlee a little. She warmed up though and everyone was able to eat some crackers.... even Nicky.

We also saw a 'mommy and daddy' lion as well as explored in the aquarium. 

Last we saw some flamingos which were Marlees favorite! They were pink! So she bought a stuffed flamingo at the end. Nicky did not want anything... both kids were pretty tired at this point. 

On Sunday, we went down to Canal Days with the family. They have a parade and a small carnival if you will. The Tozzi's are always the best and served pizza and root beer floats for after the parade. The kids had a blast all day!

Marlee and Nick were loaded up with candy from the parade. I did not get any pictures of Marlee dancing but you can check out the video at my YouTube page. Seriously cute stuff. 

We had the best week together. Not even rain and sickness was able to hold us back! 

I love making memories with my family.

Marlee Through the Months

Ok one last birthday post!

I started looking back through the monthly pictures I took of Marlee and I thought of the idea of making a quick layout of Marlee through the months. 

The first one is the first day we brought her home and the last one is at eleven months. 

She has changed so much. Her features. Her hair. Her expressions. 

My love for her has never changed though. 

Perfect in every picture. 

Even the bad days, I could not wait for you to wake up and smile at me. To see those big brown eyes. To see you grow and develop into the very entertaining toddler you are.

Always my baby. My first born. My mini me. 

Love you more than you will ever know. 

Hurray Easter!

Last week was the week from hell. Without getting into too much detail; we not longer have a dog, Marlee was nicknamed Satan, and I was more excited to go to work then what is humanly possible. And it was not because I like my job.

Yet, with all the negativity going around, I decided to be optimistic.

I was able to get cheap gas, I squeezed fit into a size 10, the sun was beautiful on Easter, and I was able to catch the oatmeal before it exploded in the microwave!
I make and explode a lot of oatmeal.

Yes these are super lame to be excited over but I am old and excitement doesn't exactly take a whole lot of effort now a days.

And it's optimism people! Get on board!

Even though I had to work Easter night (which is not a paid holiday! wtf?), the day could not have been more perfect. We (well Marlee allowed us) to sleep in until 8am and we did the whole Easter basket/egg search thing. The whole things annoys me but I don't even have time to touch the edge of that topic. Marlee and Isaac were so excited though and the pictures make me smile.

"For me! Thank you!"

Isaac gave up candy for Lent so this was total bliss for him.
And of course, Marlee raiding her brothers basket.

We then had enough time to get all done up for the day - which started with church. The homily was so perfect and so fitting. It really spoke to me and made me take a moment to be grateful for the things and people in my life. Sometimes we need a quick moment to put things in perspective. We even took a couple pictures outside of church.

Hough Family 

After church, we did lunch at Grandma Farris's house and we were able to get some more pictures. Marlee crawled all over the place and enjoyed all the company. Of course, Marlee ate and ate and ate. She even enjoyed a little bit of candy. The beautiful girls of the Farris/Carbone/Hough family (minus one) were able to get a quick picture before on to the next stop.

Family is Everything

Then we headed to the Tozzi house and were able to spend the afternoon eating, laughing, and watching the boys play whiffle ball. It was a wonderful ending to the busy week we had! Marlee was a little cranky because of the lack of nap but she perked up with all the cousin loving going on. We were able to get some more family pictures that are all frame worthy!

Hough Family

Cousins Minus One

Dark Haired Cousins
Marlee was thrilled - ha!

And thank you Bri for this beautiful picture of Marlee - my heart.

So overall, the lesson learned is that the sun always comes out after a storm. Easter was definitely full of sun and it was the light at the end of a dark week. Now on to another long week and trying to stay optimistic. Luckily, I am able to surround myself with fantastic family and friends.

Weight Recheck

As previously mentioned, Marlee had to go back to the doctors to get reweighed after losing a couple ounces. We increased her solid intake and it definitely paid off! She has gained 4 lbs in two months and the doctor was very pleased. She is right back on the 50th percentile for weight and is a perfect 17.9 lbs. The doctor was also impressed that she was standing up on furniture, walls, toys, anything she can get her hands on, considering she is still only 7 months. I told him that she is one determined baby and likes to be independent as much as possible. I am going to have my hands full once she is walking...

It is starting to hit me that my baby girl is not going to be a baby much longer. I have cleaned out her drawers yet again and have another banana box sized load to pack away. We already lowered her mattress and upped her bouncer to the next highest level. She tries to feed herself and is now drinking juice like a big girl does. She takes steps with her walker and crawls all over the house. And she is hilarious! So much personality! Ugh. Someone remind me that having two under two would be crazy! 

Right?

We have been really busy lately which is why there is a lack of posts but here are some pictures to hold you over. 

Sleepy babe

Escape babe

Pasta eating babe

Trying to escape (again) babe

Pretty in pink babe

Playing with her cousin

Vintage dress babe

Diaper butt babe

 Laundry babe

Oh and Marlee is 8 months old tomorrow!