Lions and Tigers and Kitty Cats

Emerson had his first trip to the zoo a few weeks ago.  We had the perfect day for it and the weather was spectacular.  I'd say the trip was a success and Emerson thoroughly enjoyed himself.  Here are a few of the highlights in pictures...

Gorgeous Fall Day

Monkeys

See the giant orangutan staring at them from behind?

This moment with the tiger was by far my favorite animal moment at the zoo.  He walked over to us and stared us in the eyes for minutes.  I have never been so close to a tiger in my life.  My mother-in-law said he was thinking "lunch", but I'm pretty sure he was staring into the depths of my soul.  Maybe he was trying to get me to set him free?  I always feel like caged zoo animals want the wild again :)

How cute is this?

I'm pretty sure Emerson just enjoyed the freedom of running around, too.  The boy has energy.  The zoo was huge and we did a ton of walking.  I asked him what his favorite animal at the zoo was and he said "kitty cat".  So, I'm not sure which animal that was.  We saw many animals in the cat family, some of which actually looked very similar to house cats.  I mean, surely a tiger or monkey would be much more exciting than a cat, right?  Oh well, at least he had fun!  Our trip was a success and we look forward to going again maybe in a year or so.  Until then, good old Brody will have to do :)

Pig Sooie for Papa

Emerson has been "pig sooie" this and "razorback" that this week (we're training him young).  So, I had to capture his hog callin' during dinner tonight. 

This one's for you Papa.




Oh, yes, and many of you told me you couldn't see the video of Emerson falling asleep while he was eating in this post, and I fixed the problem.  So if you desire to watch that, check it out and scroll to the bottom :)  

Blessings

Hello Friends!  Much has happened since I wrote last.  This past weekend we visited Kansas City and Emerson had his first trip to the zoo!  I will post about that later.  But here are three big updates in our life:

One-- This sweet angel made her debut into our family.  Meet my beautiful niece Callie Ann Pierce.  It was actually a somewhat scary birth, with Callie being filled with blood, unable to breathe, and rushed to the NICU.  However, she was able to leave the hospital 2 days later, perfectly healthy.  She has been wonderful since and seems very laid back and content.  We are loving having another sweet baby around!  And we are very grateful for her life.  What a blessing she is. 

Two--  Our home is now officially open for foster care!  We could get a child any day!  We actually got our first phone call today, but it was for 2 kids and we really want to stick with one child while our family is in the transitioning and growing phase.  Sadly, when we take a child, I will only be able to share limited information on the blog as there are lots of confidentiality rules, which makes sense.  Please pray for us, that we will have an obvious nudging by the Holy Spirit about what child to accept.  And also pray for our (and Emerson's) transition into having another, older child in our home.  Pray that we can love them as God would like us to and that we will see them through His eyes.

Three--  We are now under contract for a house!  I am SO excited about this.  I will write more about it in a separate post, but it will be very suitable for our needs.  It is 5 minutes from Caleb's work and is in a great neighborhood near Gulley park.  My two favorite things are the wood burning fireplace and the giant backyard, which has 21 grown trees in it!  Eek!  We will be breaking out our rakes as soon as we move in, I'm sure. 

More to come about the house and the zoo with lots of pictures!

Bellies

Pregnant with Baby #2 at 16 weeks

Pregnant with Emerson at 17 weeks

Baby is growing!  Had an appointment today and the heartbeat was in  the 150's.  I have gained 4 pounds.  Other than that, nothing too new or exciting!  Except Emerson smashed his finger in a door while we were there, so the nurse gave him a sucker which pacified him the rest of the appointment.  Mental note: suckers are good at entertaining Emerson.  Oh, and I got a flu shot, which Emerson has not stopped talking about all day.  He thought my band aid was pretty cool stuff.

Jumping Beans

This is a video of Emerson having some crazy fun with his cousin Caeden.  This was the day Emerson learned to jump a few weeks ago.  It's a little crazy but I think they were having a good time :)



The little girl is Ella.  My sister has watched her since she was a baby.  I am excited to watch the cousins grow up together, especially as we welcome three more this year!  I know holidays will be c-r-a-z-y.  But so were mine as a kid and I look on them so fondly!  Caeden will be welcoming his little sister, Callie, into the world probably sometime this week.  You will probably see a post about that soon!

Hello, Second Trimester!

When I think about how I am technically in my 4th month of pregnancy, this thing seems to be zooming by!  When I say I'm 4 months pregnant, I don't feel as bad for having a bump as I do when I say I just finished the first trimester.  I actually didn't even feel bad about having a bump until I looked at pictures from my last pregnancy to find at that point I still had tight abs and maybe a teeny tiny bump.  I guess it's true that you show faster during your second pregnancy!!

I am feeling better.  I think I have more energy and feel less emotional and irritable.  I just feel pretty normal now.  Thank you, Lord!  I don't even know what to update you on, since not much is going on!  I guess I'll update you on baby.  Oh, wait, my baby just reminded me to tell you that I feel him/her kick now :)  I've thought I've felt it for awhile now, but at this point, I think there is no denying I feel it!

Baby is about the size of an orange and is now covered in the tiny lanugo hair to stay warm.  Baby's movements are less jerky now and are more fluid.  And baby will be wiggling his or her fingers and toes in the next week!  Baby's roof of his/her mouth formed this week.  And the intestines are beginning to work!

When I am posting this, I am almost 16 weeks, but this pic was taken at 14 weeks.  My bump is bigger now, I just FAIL at taking belly pic this time around!

Also, I am toying with the idea of not finding out what we are having.  I know, this idea has never sounded attractive to me... ever.  I am just in such a place where I would be so happy with either a boy or a girl and I think that is a good position to be in if we decide to wait.   I also think it would make the birthday of our baby even more anticipated and special because we wouldn't know until then.  What do you think?

Here are a few pics my mom took of Emerson in his adorable fall clothes.  Oh, and if you know me at all, you know I adore this cooler weather!  I've already been praying for snow.  This is how he really felt about getting his picture taken:

He just needed daddy to chase him to make him happy!

Happy Weekend, people!

Toy Chest

It took us forever, but we finally finished our toy chest!  Caleb did all the woodworking and then I did the whitewashing.  Here is the finished product:

I love it!  It definitely tidies up our living room a bit and fits a ton of toys.  When our kids our older we will probably use it to hold blankets.  I liked the whitewash look, because it allows you to see the character and details of the wood, but still lightens it up a bit.  It will be a piece that is in our family for years to come :)  That's what I love about woodworking.  Such sentimental value.  Next up, probably end tables and I'm still working on Caleb to make us a farm style kitchen table one day :)