Fun at Riverbanks Zoo

     We took a family trip to Columbia and went to Riverbanks Zoo!  I went there all the time as a child and hope to do the same with Emily as she grows up.  We loved seeing all the animals, had perfect weather, and it was not crowded!  Pictures below...

Goats!

Studying the animals...

Of course, we love the fish.

Petting Mr. Alligator

Watching the Elephants

Feeding the birds!

Definitely had a meltdown when we got off the merry-go-round.  I think she would have stayed on it all day if I had let her...

Easter 2012

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...  1 Peter 1:3

   

** Please keep our family and Stephen's extended family in your prayers in the coming days.  Papa (Randall Poole) passed away yesterday from cancer after just being diagnosed in January.  We will miss you Papa!

Emily turns T - W - O!

   

     Happy Birthday Emily!  You are now TWO years old.  Wow, time has flown by.  It still feels like just yesterday that we brought you home and had our lives changed forever.  You are the best part of us and bring us so much joy.  I am so thankful that this past year was filled with LESS doctor appointments and more healthy days, even though she had her fair share of daycare germs and 5 ear infections!  At two years old you weight 27.5 lbs (60%) and are 33 in tall (30%).  I didn't keep up with her monthly accomplishments like I did her first year, but to "chronicle" this age, here's a few of my favorites...

1. You still LOVE your pacifier unfortunately, you have even named it "Bobby".  
2. You cannot live without your stuffed animal monkey from Baby Gap of all places.  The first time you saw him in November, you fell in love and since he was $17, I didn't buy him (since we have tons of stuffed animals already.)  I had to go back the very next week and buy him because you wouldn't stop talking about him and now he goes with you everywhere (and I happily own 4 since he is not machine washable...)  
3. You have a very, very, very extensive vocabulary and speak in complete sentences which continues to amaze me.  You have just started to sing by yourself this past week and your favorites are "Jesus Loves Me", "Wheels on the Bus", "ABCs" and "Itsy Bitsy Spider".
4. You are in LOVE with the movie Cars, and I realized today that you have watched it often enough that you have memorized what they say.  You also love "Boo Beast" (Beauty and the Beast), "Mermaid" (The Little Mermaid), and "Doggies" (Lady and the Tramp).
5. Your favorite (and pretty much only) cartoon is Little Einsteins.
6. Your best friend in the whole world is your cousin, Chad.
7. You are still a VERY picky eater.  And your favorite food is still yogurt - which you sometimes eat at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
8. You love to go to the park and I think you would stay and swing all day if I would let you.
9. You like to put your shoes on by yourself and you love to try on clothes and tell me how pretty they are while you spin around in them.
10. You spell your name "E-M-I-Y-Z", you can count to 10 but you like to start at the number 5, and you know all your colors but still need help with some of them!

"I TWO!"

Wanted to keep blowing out her candles over and over...

Fun with Daddy

In her PURPLE Birthday Dress, her favorite Color.

Best Buds

Aquarium with the Birthday Girl!

Cake Number Two!

Fed herself with babies bottles...

Day After Birthday fun....

Emily, you make me one proud mommy and I love you so much.  Happy Birthday!  Don't feel like you have to grow up too fast...  I will miss the day when you finally stop saying "Mommy hold you"...  :)

Ali's First Shower!

     My sister-in-law had her first Bridal shower this past weekend hosted by myself, Aunt Rosalind, her future sister-in-law Amanda, and her cousin Stephanie!  It was a monogram shower held at the infamous Brick Street cafe.  We even had two mini hostesses-  Miss Emily and Miss Darcy (Amanda's daughter/ David's niece).  They are both going to be flower girls in the wedding and I can't wait to see the two of them walk down the aisle together right before I see the beautiful bride!!!  Ali is truly my sister in every way, and I cannot wait to experience this day with her.  I wanted to share some pictures since Emi looked SO cute that day in her smocked golf dress.  Can't wait for MANY more fun events ahead and especially the big day!!!  Only a little over 3 months away....  :)

Looking at the dog next door.

As Emi would say... "So Pretty..."

Nini, Emi, Ali, and Me

Stephanie and Ali

Monograms and Mimosas!

Darcy and Emi

Ali and the Hostesses!
Amanda, Me, Ali, Stephanie, and Roz

Probably my favorite picture of the day...

Sidewalk Chalk

     It has felt like Spring outside the past two days that I've been off from work, and Emily and I have been enjoying the outside weather together...

"CHEESE!!"

LOVES to swing

Check out those knees...

In Emi's Words... "Where Calk Go??"

"Derit is!"

Yep... Straight to the bathtub.

Tired baby!  Fell asleep on Mama's bed with the lights on still...