Big fat numbered post...

Okay so there has been a TON going on around here. We are busy bees with a crawling, talking (mama and dada) little babe. These moments are unbelievably cherished as she is sprouting her own personality right before my eyes... sigh.

1. We are buying a house! Not just house hunting, which, by the way is the most exhausting thing. I did it for one day. I've had enough of it. But, luckily, the last house we went to see was the perfect one, and we are ecstatic about it.

2. Before house hunting, Emma and I had some errands to run and while in the grocery store I realized it was passed her lunchtime, but I still had some shopping to do (avocados this time of year just call to me) So, I bought one of those organic baby-spoonless-a little odd squeezable baby food package. We've never bought them as I don't think that using these will teach my little how to eat with utensils and that there are proper times to eat a meal. (breakfast-lunch-dinner) But I went for it anyway. (yolo mindset)

I gave it to her in the car on our way home, I didn't hear a peep - I figured, job well done, mama.

Dude, I was wrong. I opened the backseat to this-

So.. I don't think we are ready for squeezable food.

3. We are now obsessed with the computer. I know, It's a really amazing technology and all.. but I swear, if I turn my back, shes over to it in a second banging on the keys like a pro pianist. 

Shes going to be a genius! ;)

4. We love to climb up drawers now. I actually read an article on the 'what to expect' website that says letting babies stand holding on to drawers and letting them take the clothes out to explore is great for stimulation! (supervised, of course.) Go figure! So I let her at it -

  

 I let her in Daddy's drawers... sorry, daddy :)

5. We went to the Zoo! It's a small zoo, family owned, near our home. Heather and I decided to make an impromptu trip and take Emma on Saturday. We were skeptical because the skies were looming a bit, but it turned out to be a fabulous day. 

Heather has voulenteered at the Lynwood Park Zoo in the past, so she was our tour guide for the day. This particular zoo is different though, dusty, dirt paths, tree roots making their way to the surface. I loved its uniqueness and although its not very large, it was very inviting. We had a blast feeding the animals with the little sack of corn that they provide when you enter the zoo.

 Emma & Miss Heather <3

 Heather made a friend... to whom she fed clovers ;)

The goats were my favorite (I think) They are super friendly (wonder why?!) and the babies escape the pen and go play in the fields and under the trees. It is ADORABLE! The staff and voulenteers keep a close eye but the kids always manage to go out and play.

 Photos of Emma & I courtesy of Miss Heather :)

 Si Robertson * of the Lynwood Park Zoo!!

The most wonderful people work here!! Seriously, I wanted to hug them the whole time. So knowledgeable and loving of these animals. They were kind enough to bring out other animals for us to get to know, and also to teach us a few things as well.

 These tortoises live until they are like 160 years old!! This guy is still young!

 Showing us how to tell the age of tortoises.

It was a wonderful decision to go. If anyone is in the area of Richlands, NC and need something to do - support a local zoo.

So much to say & So little time. So enjoy the photos while I get caught up in life :)

Good Stuff

So... There's been a whole lot of nothing going on around here. By nothing I mean house hunting, teething baby, take your child to work day (from which I do NOT have pictures from and this makes me super upset) bonfires and silly games, and some early season beach goin'. Okay I guess there's never nothing going on.

We've been on the house hunt. We would like to buy, and I would really like a place that is just our own. But more about that later.

Emma went to 'Take your child to work day' with Billy on Thursday. This is pretty much the first time ever I didn't wake up and make her a bottle in the morning. I didn't say have to because I now know this is something I enjoy very much. I may not be saying that at the crack of dawn when shes standing in her pack-n-play yelling towards our bed letting me know, shes bored now, seriously come get her so she can climb all over you and give you morning kisses, but I know one day these moments will slowly fade, so I drink them up, no matter how tired I am. So back to their day. Daddy said Emma was a little angel the entire time. Taking a military work day as it comes. She made new friends and let some people hold her. Shes a bit particular. Seeing as everyone was dressed like daddy, probably made the whole thing a lot easier. Like I said I don't have pictures. Billy forgot his camera, and his phone is in 'full' status. I don't want to talk about it. To sum up - they had a great day and I was happy to see them both when they got home. 

Friday was a bea-utiful day. So, during the golden hour before sunset, we set out to have some fun. Such good, yummy faces from her. I could eat her up.

 She was not too sure about the grass... so she kept her hands in this funny position. cutest thing ever.

 If this isn't love, I don't know what is.

 Mommy & Emma photos courtesy of daddy.

I think this is my favorite. And daddy loves it, of course.

We have been itching to go to the beach since abouuuuuut February. Actually - Heather, Emma and I did go and visit Onslow Beach to gather sea shells in the beginning of March, but it was a little frigid. Emma wore a scarf :) So yesterday, we visited Emerald Isle for some much needed sun and sand. It's still early season so along with uncombed beach and double tides, you are allowed to drive on the beach this time of year! (We did not, Billy was upset about it.) Anyway, Emma has been to the beach before but hasn't really experienced it. Today she got to dip in the ocean water, feel the sand between her toes, and watch the doggies on their afternoon walks. She fully enjoyed it. She got some experience for what is to come in the summer months. It was some good stuff.

I must say, Eastern North Carolina is just simply beautiful. The beaches, the people, the water. Its mesmerizing. When we moved to this little corner of the world almost three years ago, I honestly thought all it held was a few marine bases and some abandoned shops on the side of the road which, if you don't look closely will fool you into thinking they are still open... (this embarrassingly happened to me when I first moved down. I pulled into a Subway, made it all the way around the drive through just to find that it was indeed, shut down.) But, it is so much more...

I've been to beaches like this, dunes untouched, no dug up paths, shackled beach houses, or litter surrounding the wooden bridge that divides the road from the water. I've been to Cape Lookout, which, if you didn't know existed... you wouldn't miss it. But now that I do, I dream of it a lot. Camping on the beach, not a soul in sight. (no electricity either, but that is a whole other story.) And I've been to the heart of downtown New Bern. The magic in that place - timeless. The old churches surrounded by low hanging branches and Spanish moss, trinket shops, locals having their afternoon walks by the water, enjoying another day at home. I've gotten off topic here, it's just that there are SO many little spots in this place that have made me fall in love, made me call it home.

Beach

And apparently I'm not able to upload the rest of them... but that's okay, you get the jist. It was a great day. Seeing her excited smile when the wind blew, and hearing her laugh when the water tickled her toes just made me fall in love with her all over again. Yeah man, that's the good stuff. great stuff.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend like us.

-T