Weekend Review: Lake Geneva

HELLOOOOOO BLOGGER WORLD!!! It feels good to be writing again.

In a couple of hours, I will be dropping Jordan off at my mom's house to catch up with writing, run some errands, and hopefully nap. Sleep, I miss you.  I used to feel guilty dropping her off somewhere in order to get some things done and take a nap, but after some time I realized that asking for help makes me a better mother.  I pick her up refreshed, and she is a happy baby after getting ALL THE ATTENTION FROM EVERYONE IN THE HOUSE ALL DAY LONG OMG SO GREAT. Right now, Jordan is currently taking a long morning nap (probably because she refused to sleep last night). So that means this mama gets a head start on blogging.

Tim had a rare three day weekend with a day off from the FD. So after packing enough baby supplies to go on a month long vacation, we made our way one hour north... for a three hour trip to the zoo. I know that Jordan is much too young to take interest in the zoo, but she loves going outside and being in her stroller.  Seriously. Take this girl outside and watch her head constantly turn to take in her surroundings. She goes so quiet and so content and so relaxed. So I knew she would like the zoo, simply because she would be outside.

And I was right. She gave absolutely zero cares about the animals.  She even gave exactly zero craps about all the noise from the waves of school children on their last field trip for school.  These kids were ravenous.  They were out for blood.  I've never seen so many frantic adults chasing kids, little ones being knocked over, and and overall disregard for human space. We picked the wrong day to go to the zoo, for sure.  Jordan hates loads of noise, but that day at the zoo she just kinda looked at me... eyes wide open... then it was all "whatever, I'm outside."

And then she fell asleep. The. Whole. Time. Nothing like a stroller induced nap, huh?

So I bring to you... Jordan's first trip to the zoo, starring Jordan and the Baby Jogger City Select (and some zoo animals, but you know, whatever).

"OMG MOM I LOVE THE ZOO.  What's the zoo again?"

"Mommy, no one can see my zoo outfit with my bib on! But everyone can see your bra strap. EW GROSS."

Sad. My baby is asleep.

Like a boss.

"Hi, animals!"

"Mmmmm, yummy thumb!"

So gross. 

So scary.

She is clearly thrilled with the giraffes.

Animal print for the zoo!

One of us is excited.  Can you guess who?

I want to bring them home.

Daddy and baby. 

Her stretching face.  Someday she will scream at me for taking this picture... and then posting it on the internet.

I like their gum. Remember the 5 seconds of awesome flavor you got from it before it ran out?

So sweepy. 

We also took a trip to Lake Geneva this weekend.  Hey, did you guys know that when you have a baby, you can't really do stuff on vacation - like zorbing, renting wave runners, ziplining, binge drinking, laser tag, or even just playing beach volleyball for fear that your crappy volleyball skills will result in a volleyball in your baby's face while she sleeps in her stroller? I actually had quite the baby friendly weekend planned out until we found out the orchard/winery was closed for a private event.  Fruity wine for parents and apple picking with Jordan would have been perfect in the 72 degree weather we were having. But maybe it was just as well. Jordan was more alert at Lake Geneva, and you should have seen this baby's frantic head turning back and forth looking at all the scenery.  She was nothing but smiles and laughs all weekend long.  We shopped along main street (new octopus wubanub for Jordan, books for the boys and baby girl), ate too much (home made ice cream AND frozen yogurt in a four hour period. perfection), walked along the beach, stopped by the park, and just spent some relaxed family time together. It was just what we needed.

"HEY MOM!!! Look at that sign!!!"

View from resort room

She's yummy.

 No way am I gonna let daddy nap!!!

All this candy, but nothing is as sweet as me!!!

One of many food stops. I'm paying for it dearly.

Lake Geneva

Perfect 72 degrees, sunny with a slight breeze

The morning we left for Lake Geneva, I stopped to talk to Conner and Benjamin.  We have been on trips, both long and short, since we lost them.  But this time was different.  This time was with their sister.  A family vacation, without our two boys. I told them that they should tag along with us.  I really hope that they are with us wherever we go, especially during family time like this.  Tim, Jordan, and I took a picture in front of the beach.  The man who so kindly took our picture smiled and said, "what a beautiful little family."  It took a lot from me to not say that we are actually a much bigger family, but no one can see that.

It doesn't matter, though.  Because we know we are a much bigger family.  We are a family in our hearts.  We are complete with them. And no matter where we go, we take them with us.