Memorial Day Weekend

So it was day one of the long weekend and what to do to kick off the summer... we went to the Roger Williams Zoo in Providence RI. Ever been? Me neither... and Dan has been wanting to take Evan for years (yes, Evan is only two and half years old). But we've been wanting to take in more local attractions and it's only about 45 min away. So we packed up the kids and took a drive Saturday morning.

Unfortunately, it was much warmer in CT at 9am than RI at 10am... and it was cloudy in RI but it was sunny when we left CT. So we were VERY cold... except for Haley. Although she wasn't dressed for the dreary weather, she had plenty of blankets and accessories to keep her warm.

The first exhibit we went to see were the Zebras... we were all excited to see these black and white striped animals... but our excitement fizzled when we saw the sign that they weren't out today. Guess there was a new zebra and everyone was in a bonding session. So then we were off to see the "Wildebeest". Not a pretty animal with it's horns... and apparently a scary animal to Evan. And then for the rest of the day, Evan would call every animal with horns a wildebeest... even the ox and goats.

But nothing scared Evan as much as the giraffe. Giraffes were a draw for young Evan and his family... but no one expected this... after the disappointment of no zebras for the day and the elephants were outside... the giraffes were next our our 'must see list'. And to our luck, there was once eating near the fence... to Evan's dismay, he was "too close to his face". Dan took Evan to the fence and they watched the giraffe eat. Then apparently, the giraffe turned and faced Evan and Dan and just stared at them dead straight and I heard... "MOMMY".... and my little boy had fear in his big brown eyes. I was standing back from the crowd with Haley and her travel system stroller (big and bulky). But once Evan stepped away from the giraffe, he was fine... and 24 hrs later, Evan still mentions how the giraffe was "too close to my face".

The zoo is a small zoo but perfect for ages 2-10 and parents. There are enough exhibits and animals and things to do to make any child happy. AND on this particular day, I had known it was Teddy Bear Rally at the zoo. What does this mean??? It means you bring your teddy bear and there are vets on site to exam and 'repair' your bear!!! This was an amazing coincidence b/c Evan's poor Panda had a rough week. and his neck had a hole it in and his nose (which was already bitten off once before-- and repaired by grandma) had developed an another hole and was leaking stuffing all over my house. So at the end of our zoo day and well into nap time... we went to get Panda a check up... and what a blessing...and afterwards, Evan got to make sure she did a good job...and he listened to her heart and helped in the examination.

So our day at the zoo ended slightly before 3 and the kids were spent and ready to nap...and mom and dad were looking for ice cream. And as a coincidence, I remembered that Haley wasn't tightly strapped into her car seat... so we pulled over and happened to stop at a McDonald's... and I got an old fashioned plain jane soft serve hot fudge sundae.... and Dan got an ice cream cone and ate it while driving. I just can't eat that fast!! But I enjoyed that sundae and it truly reminded me of years past... but we were pleasantly surprised to see these items on the dollar menu... nice $1 for a little bit of summer.

There are photos for our day at the zoo. Just click here: zoo photos....

Then on day two of our long weekend... we all got to sleep in until 8:30am... nice! You'd truly appreciate it if you have kids. Then it was off to a nice BBQ at Dan's parents' house. Dan's brother and his family came down from MA for the day and it was a nice HOT pleasant day. The weather was definitely a summer day. Glad I had the sunscreen for Evan b/c it was hot. There was the usual BBQ fun of hot dogs and hamburgers and nice cold pasta salad and a greens salad with fresh spinach, lettuce and red peppers from the garden... ALREADY!!! Yep, guess so...

So it's 2 days down and only 1 more day of this holiday weekend...what is in store? nothing much. Dan plans to go golfing, so I'll find something creative, low key and fun for Evan to do... and something outside to be sure to tire him out and to also get his that fresh air.

AND as the weekend will wrap up soon.... so will my leave. I'm still on maternity leave as today marks Haley being 7 weeks old (although her due date was May 24). But my body is almost 100% and there are MANY things I want and need to get done while I am home. And besides tending to and creating my own garden, there are things in the house too... so I will have my weekly "to do" list and make sure I cross out at least 1 thing a day and make sure there is also something fun on that list too... after all, I am on leave from work!!! To give you an example of things to get done this coming month: patch holes and prep walls for painting in Haley's room; order and install new light blocking curtains in Evan's room; sort Haley's clothes into proper sizes (as she' outgrowing her newborn clothes fast); figure out EBAY to put my wedding dress out there (as is); plant flowers in flower garden and weed and tend to veggie garden (and add a couple more things if there is still time); clean outside of windows of house (never done); and downsize my wardrobe as I downsize my waistline..... looking forward to getting rid of all my maternity clothes.

Well, it's approaching dawn and I'm tired (yes, I was up feeding the baby), so I'll go.... but hopefully you had a nice and relaxing and fun memorial day weekend too.

Summer is coming.....

The Bouges house can't seem to keep the germs out... must be the lack of sleep decreasing the immune system... I'm getting over some virus and battling seasonal allergies. Evan is getting over something from the weekend and Dan... is miserable with a cold... and hating it. Even Haley seems to be a bit stuffy. Who brought the germ in... we will never know just have to get it out of the house :)

So I stepped on the scale today together and it appears that Haley have reached the 7lb mark!!! And at this rate she'll be 8lbs in no time. I'm anxious for her to hit the 8 lb mark. Why? Because once she sits that weight, I can safely put her in the Baby Bjorn and be more mobile. She has her next check up in 2 wks and gets her vaccines. Then I can take her out and about and just bundle her close in the Baby Bjorn.

What is new with Haley... not much other than her weight gain. She's a great baby. She eats every 2-3 hours and sometimes waits 4 hours at night time. And requires a diaper change before and sometime after eating... and then sleeps in between. She is getting more and more alert during the day. Which is nice b/c the awake time seems to be around dinner time and the time Evan is most interested in playing with her.

The long weekend is approaching... what does the summer have to bring... What are you plans and goals. In light of the economy and my current maternity leave status, we plan to take advantage of the local attractions. After all, many people come here on vacation. So I want to see what there is do... a "staycation" I believe they call it. We definitely plan to utilize the library passes for free admission to the mystic seaport during the summer. A great place to explore and be outside for Evan. We'll go back to the aquarium and pray the crowds aren't horrific. There is always the beach and definitely a variety of beaches. What else? Parks and state parks. Last fall Evan and I went to Bluff point and that was fun.... so hopefully our stroller can handle the hiking trails at Bluff point... allowing Evan to run and I chase after him. Just have to keep him away from the water.

So whatever your plans are for the summer, try to enjoy life close to home and take in the local sites... vineyards, beaches, casinos, local festivals, church fairs and even local amusement parks... so as the summer's first unofficial weekend approaches... dream of the fun adventures awaiting you!!!

Latest Update

I've had many folks asking me to update the blog more often. And I keep saying, yeah, I'll do it... but not very much :) And then I began to think when Evan was first born and I did update a lot... and updated the photos often... and as always the first born child always gets the most photos and everything :) So I will be sure to keep this updated. Besides, it's a great reminder for me when I work on the scrapbook a year later :)

So today is day 4 of Dan going back to work. And unfortunately, it's also day 4 of me being sick... what is it... just some type of virus or flu or something. But with me nursing Haley and my recent stint in the hospital, I am limited on what I can and can not take... so I suffer in silence... or here on cyberspace. But today is a lot better than Monday!!

Haley (the one you really want to hear/read about) is doing GREAT!! She got weighed last week at the dr's office and was 6lbs 6oz and almost 20inches long. They actually said 20.5 inches but I watched... they didn't do it right... but I am sure Haley is close to or at 7 lbs by now. When she stretches herself out (which is rare b/c she loves curling up her legs), her newborn clothes are "small". YEAH!!! The good thing about summer is that the summer clothes are feetless, so we can get more wear out of them!!!

Evan is doing great. He loves his 'bay bay'. Yes, that's what he calls her. He has to say good morning to her every morning and check on her every day when he comes home from daycare. And last night Haley became a part of nighttime bedtime stories. And Evan was very particular to make sure Haley got to see the pictures too. It was very cute!! I think he's adjusting very well.

I did make an observation over the past couple of weeks and I'll let you decide. As Haley gets older (she's 5.5wks now) and as she starts to "fill out", I think she looks like Evan did but wearing pink. Check it out...

Haley

Evan

OK...Maybe you don't see it... but admittedly, we don't have a lot of photos of Haley. Not sure why... probably b/c we have a toddler to chase around. But I'm determined to have 300 photos of Haley too.... yes, we have at least 300 probably 800 photos of Evan's first year in life.

I'll be back more often to give more updates.... promise... now let's see if I can add some more photos :)

Have a Nice Day

For as long as I could remember, I'd wake up to "Have a Nice Day". It happened every breakfast and it became part of the morning. Without a word spoken, I was told to "Have a Nice Day". In fact, a day wouldn't go by without it. Of course, when I went off to college and then even living on my own, it wasn't there everyday, but I made sure I said it everyday. It brought a smile in my heart and I know that it does for others too.

Now I have my own family and my own house and now I am back to waking up to "Have a Nice Day". And will it have the same the meaning for my kids... probably not but I will continue to tell them everyday.

Today marks a day that changed my life forever... a day of sadness and a day of loss... but when I look back at my life since that day I can't help but be grateful for everything I have... I am married to a wonderful man (who certainly has his faults-- but who doesn't), I live closer to my family and share in memories with them, I have a nice home and a great job, and two beautiful and wonderful and HEALTHY children that I would die for... and I think of that day of sadness and day of loss and think my angel is with us all the time... and although I wish that day had never come, I know that she tells me everyday to "Have a Nice Day".