zoo

Josh had the day off work yesterday, so all 3 of us headed to the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines. Going to the zoo all together was one of my summer bucket list items. Our good friends Todd, Megan, and Troy met us there...and it was a great morning to be outside! Keatin and Troy had lots of fun looking at and even touching some of the animals.

Keatin checking out the penguins...

Keatin and Troy looking at the giraffes...

I tired to get the kids next to each other for a picture. Keatin immediately put her arm around Troy...Troy wasn't so sure.

Ooohhh - then I think Troy started to like it...

And then Troy leaned in for a kiss!! :) Oh my!

Daddy and Keatin checking out the giraffe ...
Megan, Megan, Keatin, and Troy by the fake elephant. :)

Keatin wasn't so sure about touching the turtle...

But Daddy convinced her to touch the slimy lizard thing...

Keatin liked feeding the goats...until one nibbled a bit too hard on her finger. :)

We are still struggling with sleeping at our house. Keatin has been sleeping in her crib, but doesn't matter - she still gets out when she wakes up in the night. And she is getting up for the day pretty much by 6 am. It is certainly frustrating to me...something she was SO good at and I rarely put a second thought to...now is a big challenge. Urgh... But these last couple days, I have been TRYING not to let my own exhaustion and frustration get the best of me...and spend more time truly appreciating the AMAZING little girl I get to call my daughter. She is talking like CRAZY and in the past week, I have noticed she babbles little conversations to herself...it is cute. :) This morning, after I had pulled her up in the bed with us at 6 am, she had her head resting against mine, whispering to herself - "shhh...baby is sweeping" and "a tiga - rooaaww". I know these 2 things don't even go together, but it gives me a glimpse into her little brain. Last Saturday when we were at a wedding, I was holding Keatin in my lap and she just grabbed my cheeks and gave me a big kiss! Josh said at the supper table last night - "you know, she really is a good girl." :) Brings tears to my eyes...because she really is...even in the times when I am too tired to see it...we are SO blessed. :)