All play on Labor Day

This Labor day was the first time since before I started working that I had Labor day off. That's just how it goes when you work retail. You have to work when everyone else wants to play.

My parents wanted to get the family together and go do something. We were babysitting my cousin Tara's son Jayden and we thought it would be fun to take him to the zoo.

It had rained a ton the night before and all morning so we didn't get there until about noon. The rain had stopped and it was overcast and very nice outside. It was the perfect day to be there. It wasn't crowded at all. I had forgotten how much I love watching animals. Teagan would look up from his stroller when the animals would move around and he smiled up at them. He seemed to like watching the animals. Jayden also had a great time seeing the animals. He said he liked the "pink ones" the best. I later realized that he meant penguins. The penguins were swimming around in the water and were very entertaining.

My favorite animals have always been the odd shaped ones. I love elephants, girrafes, and hippos. It is also really cool to watch the monkeys. We saw a young orangutan that was so curious and was swinging and playing in his cage. He finally came up to the glass window and stuck his tongue out at us. It was like something you'd see on a movie.

After the zoo we went bowling. Devin, who had to work earlier and missed the zoo, met up with us. Garrett worked that night so he missed out but we still had a good time. We kept changing each other's names while the other person was up bowling. I went from Rachelle to Rashizzle to Darth Vador to all kinds of names that my siblings thought I would hate. We had a lot of fun. It was really refreshing to do something out of the ordinary. I lost my camera but Ste got some good pictures and I am just waiting for her to email them to me. I guess I can add them later.

Bath time!

Teagan LOVES taking a bath. He has enjoyed sitting up in the bath lately and splashing the water everywhere. After a diaperchange disaster, I decided to give him a bath in the kitchen sink. (It was the closest thing I could get to and I scrubbed it out afterward.) He really had himself a good time. He tried to eat the bubbles and splashed everywhere.



He found something interesting on the other side of the sink.


He isn't asleep in this picture he just looked down right when I took it. He slid down into the water and kicked his legs. It was adorable but this was the last picture I took before the camera battery went dead. (Also, the bubbles are a lot higher than the actual water level. No babies were harmed in the process.)

The cutest little bumblebee

Teagan started eating baby food a little over a month ago. He hated it at first and wouldn't eat it. I know it's hard to imagine my little chunk not wanting to eat anything, but it's true. I was persistent and it finally paid off. He is now a good eater and gets excited when you put him in his high chair. It's funny.

His latest thing is paper. It all started with the doctor's office for his 6 month check up. He was laid down on that paper they put over the beds and he loved the crinkly sound. He rolled back and forth and kicked his legs. He was so happy. Well after that, every time he sees paper he dives straight for it. He tore apart the entire newspaper about two weeks ago. I sat and watched him do it, so I obviously wasn't upset over it, but I was excited to see him explore something new. He loves any kind of paper. Napkins, newspaper, magazines, etc. I realized that he shouldn't be given paper so he won't want to tear up everything. My little brother Garrett tore up my scrapbook with most of my baby pictures in it when he was little and I don't want Teagan to do the same sort of thing, but how do you take it away when he loves it so much?

He has reached an age where he is so aware of his surroundings. (Even more than before.) I took him outside in the back yard on Monday and though he has been outside several times, he acted like it was the first time he had seen anything out there. He looked at the birds and trees with such wonder. It was so fun to see him experience things for the first time.

He has such a cute personality. It had been so fulfilling to be a mother and teach him things and watch him grow. (Even though it happens so fast!)I can't believe it's been seven months already. It seems like yesterday I was miserably pregnant and counting down the days. (I am certainly glad that is over.) I am so lucky to have the family that I do. I couldn't be happier. Darryl spoils me and Teagan is just the perfect baby. I feel very blessed.

Olympic Spirit

I love the Olympics. It's good that it only happens every two years (I love both winter and summer games) because I am glued to the TV for the entire duration. I love the spotlights they do on the athletes. Who wouldn't want to know what Michael Phelps eats for breakfast? Thankfully we have Bob Costas to tell us these things. I stayed up way to late watching Nastia get her gold. I was intrigued by the drama surrounding the French swimmer who is competing against her ex-boyfriend's current fling. I love it all. I feel so patriotic cheering for the U.S. athletes. I really love most of the events. (not crazy about water polo)

I get excited about the promising athletes and have high hopes for them. I have been a Phelps fan since his Olympic debut and was disappointed to hear about the Hamm brother's injuries. I love the spirit of the Olympics. It brings the world together in a peaceful, non-political setting and allows America to show how much we dominate! China's proved a tough competitor this time but we still have them on the total medal count. It never gets old watching the pride and honor the athlete exudes when the flag of their country is raised and their anthem plays.

If I had realized my love for the Olympics years ago, I would have picked a sport and dedicated my life to it just to be able to compete in the Olympics. Preferably a sport less people are interested in, so I had more of a chance. If backgammon is ever an Olympic event, I would take the gold. It's the only thing I get competitive over. I better start training just in case they make it one. Anyone wanna play?