Zoo Day

So today we took Lem to the St. Louis Zoo. To say he loved it is an understatement. We actually all had a great time, the zoo has changed quite a bit since the last time I visited.

The first thing we did was go to pet the stingrays. It is a new exhibit at the zoo, and it was awesome. They have this huge pool with all these stingrays swimming in it, and you can just stick your hand in. They are really sociable creatures (something I didn't know), and would swim right up to your hand to be petted. You just have to hold your hand flat and still in the water, and they will come say hi.

Lem was a little short to reach his hand in, but we figured out how to get his hand in (I hung on tight to his feet), and he was able to pet them too. The first one he petted flipped its fins up and splashed Lem in the face. He cried for a minute (he was soaked), and then wanted more. It was a really cool experience. And don't worry, all the stingrays have had their stingers removed.

And then, after that, Lem saw the train. So we hopped on and rode to the River's Edge, where all the African animals live. Lem cried when we got off, but we promised more trains after hippos and elephants.

What was really fun today is that the animals were all really active. Usually they are all sleeping or really lethargic. Not today. The Black Rhinos were awake, and boy, were they active. We got to witness a very passionate attempt at lovemaking by those rhinos. And as Win said, the saying should really be changed to "hung like a rhino." We didn't stay for the whole show.

The elephants were all out eating, and there is a baby one! And the hippos were putting on an underwater ballet show for us. I don't know what Lem thought about the hippos, but he sure loved the fish in the water.

We hopped back on the train, and ended up riding it all around the park. He and Win got a seat at the very front, and Katherine and I sat farther back. One stop was right next to the tiger habitat, and they were really active too. Lots of playing. We watched one tiger hide behind a log and then leap over onto the back of another tiger. Later, we saw them playing in the water and chasing each other.

We finally ran out of tickets and had to get off the train (Lem cried). We looked at the big cats and then headed back to the car. So we didn't even see half of the zoo, but it was a great time. I think Lem needed a day of fun, just for him. I'm sure he is dreaming of trains and stingrays right now.

I am hoping a day of walking around the zoo may have got the Grub moving. I keep praying for contractions to start ... we have three more days before Win leaves for Alabama. We still don't know if he will be able to make it back for the birth. But I think that if he can make it back from Afghanistan in time for Lem's birth, he should be able to do the same from Alabama.

My camera is upstairs, and I don't feel like going to get it, so pictures will come tomorrow. And yes, I took one of the rhinos.

End of an Era

Well, all of our stuff is currently on a boat somewhere on the Atlantic, including Beemy. (Actually, I'm not sure if that's how they ship our things, but that's how it works in my mind.) We will be reunited sometime in September, in the glorious state of Alabama.

Win arrived Wednesday, and will have a nice three-week vacation here in the Midwest until he heads south to start school. Lem is stuck to him like glue, we've already eaten at St. Louis Bread Co., and Win is currently fishing. I don't expect to see him for at least eight hours.

So life is good, even though we are in transition and have a lot of unknowns ahead of us.

P.S. Thanks to Michelle for changing our forwarding address ... Win accidentally had all our mail sent to the neighbor's.

Unconventional Potty Training?

Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say we are actively toilet training. (For the record, I have a really hard time saying the word, "Potty." So toilet it is.) But yesterday we took a trip to Target, and Lem picked out his first pairs of big boy underpants. We came home with an assortment of Thomas the Train and Spiderman. And then, of course, he refused to try them on.

Win thought I was being ridiculous when I told him it would be easier to toilet train Lem once we were somewhere he could run around naked outside. Win's exact words were, "You don't need a whole forest to potty train a kid."

Well, let me just say that within two day of being on the farm, Lem was running around naked and peeing on all the trees. And now, if he's outside and has to pee, he says, "Pee," and starts pulling off his clothes.

He also has his routine of peeing in the toilet before each bath. He pulls the stool over, climbs up, pees (or not), then throws TP in and then flushes the toilet. He's even so kind as to move the stool over to the bath so I have a place to sit.

So I guess it is starting, but like I said, I'm still not ready to say we are actively working on it. We have enough things going on this summer already, although it would be heaven to only have one bottom to clean come August.

Phrases

Lem is talking more and more. A few of the new words in his vocabulary, thanks to country living: Skunk, mow, Rudy, big bug, spider, Mama bed, walnut.

He said his first full sentence the other day at breakfast. He's finally decided he likes eggs, the hard-boiled variety. It may have something to do with the fact that he gets to bash them before eating them. As he and Oma were sitting on the porch eating, he said, "Dada eat egg." Which is very true. Of course, it was said through a mouthful of eggs.

His other favorite phrase of the moment is, "Walnut head Mama." The word "head" comes with him smacking himself in the head. The story? He picked up a walnut and threw it at me, hitting me right between the eyes. He thought it was hilarious until I threw that walnut into the trees. Then he cried his little heart out (never mind that there are a million other walnuts lying around). When we talked to Win later that day, that phrase was the first thing he told Win, and he's still bringing it up days later.

Oh, and "Mama bed"? Yeah, he wants to sleep with me now, especially during nap time. We have been fighting about that. Most of the time, I win.

Party of Five

Our one "pet" skunk has become a family of five. And a bold family. Tonight they came right up to the porch steps, and didn't even mind when I came out on the deck to take these pictures. (Maybe not the smartest idea on my part.) Last night they were having a stinky party under Mom's window. These pictures are cropped but I was well withing spraying distance.

We also have a groundhog who hangs out in the yard as well. I saw him this morning. Poor Rudy is getting lax in his old age.

It's been over a week ...

Going to see the Fourth of July parade.

The Budweiser Clydesdales.

Nothing too particularly exciting has been going on. We are settling into the swing of summer, I guess. We have nine more days until Win joins us, and we can't wait.

Let's see. The Friday after Lem's party I had my first doctor's appointment with my new OB. He is very nice, but let's just say I'm already missing my tiny Vicenza Health Clinic and Birthing Pavilion. The Grub is scheduled to make his appearance at the "baby factory." But more about that later (maybe).

Quiet weekend, and fairly quiet week followed. Lem and I had a play date with my friend Kelley and her boys. We took them to the park and they had a blast. Then the next night I left Lem at home with Oma and Grandpa, and I went for dinner at Rachel and Mike's house. They have a beautiful home, I'm jealous.

Friday was our fifth wedding anniversary. In true Army style, we celebrated it in separate countries. That makes three out of the five that we've been apart (and I think for all of them we had countries between us). My grandfather, aunt and cousin came down for lunch, and then Lem and I headed to St. Louis to spend the Fourth with Win's family.

It poured rain during the night and well into the morning, but luckily it stopped in time for the parade. It was fun, Lem and Christopher enjoyed it. Lem really liked all the cool cars and the bands. I really liked the Budweiser Clydesdales and beer wagon.

Brendan grilled burgers for lunch, then Lem and I trekked back over the river to attend a party with my parents. It was fun, but we left early because someone was worn out. So we watched fireworks on TV, went to bed, and have been taking it easy ever since.