It's a ZOO of a day!

This morning we headed to the zoo about 10.  OMG, There were buses and kids everywhere!!!  I guess everyone had the same idea.  After we renewed our membership we headed to the monkey house first.  Lily seemed quite interested in all of the animals. 

Next we rode the train.  We sat and we sat some more waiting for everyone to get on the train.  I don't think the driver or should I say engineer... was very experienced in driving the train.  We jerked around so much it was crazy.  Kids were screaming because the darn train was jerking so bad...  At the end of the ride Marley was exhausted and needed to eat.  To our surprise as soon as I started walking she fell asleep... so sweet :)

waiting for the train

After lunch we went to the aquarium.  I hadn't eaten anything yet so I got a hot dog and a soda.  While Brian and Lily were waiting for me, Lily picked up a piece of popcorn off the ground and ATE it.  How disgusting! 

Lily actually wanted to go to the aquarium first but there were just SO many people.  Turns out the crowd wasn't any better... It was so hot and loud in there, however, Marlely didn't seem to mind as she fell asleep lying in the stroller. 

After leaving the aquarium Lily kept asking for me to carry her.  I wasn't about to carry around a 36 lb girl on my hip.  I hadn't tried the Ergo on my back yet and the weight limit is 35 lbs.  I got it on and Brian lifted Lily up onto my back.  It wasn't so bad at first... We walked down the hill to see the giraffes but then of course we had to walk back up... YIKES.  She was a bit heavy! 
I think Brian was a tad impressed that I did it... kuddos for momma!

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge

I had the day off work today so we decided to make the most of it since it was so nice outside.  This morning we walked over the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge for the first time.  We have been meaning to do if for quite some time but just never got around to it. 

We decided to let Lily walk and push Marley in the stroller... about a quarter of the way back Lily started to tucker out and wanted to sit down in the middle of the bridge.  She then ended up in daddys arms...

After walking across the bridge we were headed to Gene Leahy Mall but there was a school bus there with a TON of kids so we decided to just park and walk to go have lunch somewhere in the Old Market.  We had a nice lunch at Old Chicago then headed home.  Lily was so tired I ended up letting her watch part of a Care Bears movie on the way home so she would stay awake...

Soon after I gave her the phone she started bobbing her head and the phone was falling out of her hands... it was so cute... she kept waking herself up trying to keep her eyes on the screen to see her movie.  We made it home before she fell asleep and now she is in bed snoozing away :)

Making pears

Tuesday I headed out to Whole Foods to get some fruit and veggies for Marley's food.  I purchased pears, apples, and carrots.  After dinner I made the pears.  These were a bit more time consuming than anything else I have made so far.  My recipe book said just to core and quarter the pears then steam them.  I let them cool and then had to cut all of the peel off.  This was a task... but in the end the puree turned out so smooth!

Wednesday morning Marley had cereal and fruit for the first time.  Mommy was at work so daddy took a couple of pictures.  Daddy said she did great and seemed to be a bit more content after eating. 

Comparing photos...

Here is a photo of each girl a week or so before they were 6 months old.  HUGE size difference.  Marley is quite a bit smaller than Lily... Do we look alike?

January 2009

May 2011

Fun with editing

love my baby...

so serious...

LOVE my sister...

An e-friend recommended a FREE site where you can edit your photos.  I have been experimenting a bit... its so fun!  Picnik.com

A walk to the park

Last Thursday we took advantage of the beautiful day and walked to our neighborhood park a few blocks away.  This was Marleys FIRST time in a stroller without her carseat.  I know it recommends 6 months and up but shes almost there...  Since Lily loves the stroller SO much I didn't think she was going to tolerate this well.  To my surprise she did GREAT.  She helped push the stroller and hung on to the side the whole way there!  Lily had a great time playing with a little girl at the park. 



Love, Love, Love my GIRLS!

I just LOVE taking pictures, especially of my babies!  I'm also really enjoying blogging while the girls are napping.  It's my peace time...  Marley had such a cute outfit on today I wanted to share the pictures.  Her outfit is of course from Etsy... Can't get enough of that site!

I LOVE this one!

 

Marley's shirt came from: threeloves.etsy.com

and pants are from: YasmeensCollections.etsy.com

Pumpkin Banana Muffins

I wanted to share this recipe for muffins.  I've made these SEVERAL times and they are wonderful and healthy.  I had some leftover bananas and didn't want them to go to waste.  Here is the link... Enjoy!

 

2 ripe bananas
2 eggs
1/3 cup canola oil
1 can pumpkin
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup Splenda
1 cup white flour
1 cup wheat flour
1/4 cup ground flax
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup golden raisins (optional)
1/2 cup pecans (optional)

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 2. Mix bananas, pumpkin, and eggs in food processor.
3. Mix those wet ingredients with honey and oil.
4. Mix all dry ingredients.
5. Stir dry ingredients slowly into the wet.
6. Fold in raisins and pecans.
7. Spray muffin pan with Pam or other baking spray. Fill each muffin tin 2/3 full.
8. Bake for 17 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick or knife comes out clean. Put on a baking rack to cool.
Makes up to 24 muffins.

SQUASH!

Yesterday I made Marleys squash... So easy!!!  All I did was cut a squash in half and roasted it on a cookie sheet with a little bit of water.  Baked on 375 for an hour.  Blended up so nice and Marley LOVED it!!!

1 squash filled 2 of these containers!