Spring has arrived, and the weather has finally warmed up! The three of us took a family trip to the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere in honor of my birthday. Of course, Little Buddy’s vision is still developing, so he definitely couldn’t see the animals, but it was still an exciting milestone. Soon after we arrived, he decided that he needed to eat, but thankfully I had thought ahead and brought a bottle so we didn’t have to find a place to nurse. Mr. Handsome carried him and fed him while we walked.
By the time we reached the rhinos, he had finished eating and immediately fallen asleep.
He completely missed the kangaroo exhibit, which is my favorite. It’s pretty much a kangaroo petting zoo. You walk into an enclosure that contains about a dozen kangaroos, and if they walk up to you or are near the path, you are allowed to reach out and pet them. Most of them were sleeping, but we were able to take a picture with one that was awake (see top photo). He was standing beside the path near the exit, almost as if he wanted his picture taken. And lo and behold, everyone stopped on their way out to take advantage of the photo op.
We thoroughly enjoyed our family trip to the zoo. It had been two-and-a-half years since Mr. Handsome and I had been (remember my post from October 2016?) My mother-in-law bought us a one-year membership for my birthday, so we look forward to many more trips. As the year progresses, I am looking forward to watching Little Buddy begin to recognize the animals. Maybe by this time next year he will be naming them!
Hum my birthday was April 6.
Happy birthday!
Beautiful spring weather there and a great trip to take. What an inspired bday gift from Mr H’s mom for you! Looks like it wasn’t busy and perfect for Little B’s intro to the zoo. He looks perfectly content to be carried about while he snoozes. So cute. Happy weekend everyone! I am making my first foray into my gardening shed to reorganize and clean up for another busy growing season. Eileen
Hi Eileen! What are you planning to grow?
Hi Ellie, I am growing peppers, tomatoes, canteloupe, zucchini, lettuce, spinach, radishes, beets, pea pods, beans and I am also starting new raspberry canes and strawberry plants. I also have marigolds, nasturtiums and cosmos for flowers from seed. Spring is such a fun time. Are you growing tomatoes again Ellie? Eileen
Sounds like an amazing garden. I would love to grow tomatoes, but I might not get around to it this year. Might just be too much with a new baby. Good luck with your garden!
Eileen: have fun with your garden this summer
Love the pictures of you and yours at the zoo. Thank You for sharing. Happy Belated Birthday. Wishing you a year of happiness and Blessings. God Bless.
Joan,Marion and Marilyn
Thank you, ladies!
happy birthday ellie! glad you all had fun
Thank you, Darlene!
Happy belated birthday! Looks like your little one is so content☺
Thanks, Regina!
That’s so neat… we might have the same birthday! You didn’t say exactly when it was, and I won’t ask, but very likely! 🙂
Happy birthday, Kay! 🙂
What a nice family trip. When we get some nice weather, I want to visit Catoctin Zoo, it’s in Thurmont, Md. 40 mins. from me. It was ages the last time I visit. Now you can take a safari ride on a big truck and they let you feed the animals. I’ve been to Tennessee, and there’s lots of things to see and do there… Jane
A safari sounds like a lot of fun. Haven’t ever been on one of those!
😂😂😂😂 no changing babies in “germ filled sinks” at your church, but you take baby to the zoo? You really are not familiar with how germs breed and spread…homeschooling at it’s best….
The zoo is a great place because it’s all outdoors, is spacious, and you can walk through the entire thing without really touching anything. I do agree that it might not be an ideal place for a brand new baby, although no public place really is. As far as homeschooling goes, I attended public school through 10th grade and then was homeschooled/took college classes for the remaining 2 years. 🙂
Ellie
Jody, you need to learn more about homeschooling if you are going to comment on it. Homeschoolers on average have higher test scores than public school students which means they learn more at home than they would in public school. My children were homeschooled. My son scored a 33 on the ACT the first time he took it while also having the flu (he wasn’t feeling well but we didn’t know he had the flu until we were able to go to the doctor’s office). He didn’t take any ACT prep classes either. He has made straight A’s in college with A+’s in some classes.
Having said that, I would much rather have children that would not make unkind comments like yours. The Bible says that life and death is in the power of the tongue so choose life. Treat people the way you want to be treated, because words can hurt or help. Don’t destroy people. Build them up. Stop before posting a comment and think about how the person who reads it will feel.
Jody you should probably have gone to manners school. You sound incompetent and obviously don’t have a good understanding of what homeschooling is like.
Lol! Your tracking Ellie’s after birth, first time parenting is funny! I think Ellie was laughing at, but still serious about, her own hyper vigilance when she was first taking her baby to the Church. Just sharing a funny little story there. One thing I know from public school is the boys washroom there was the worst spot in the building. I think the little guys had some fun missing on purpose. If I were Ellie and my new baby was headed into a man’s washroom I’d be very concerned about that too. This comment is the first time in my life I have ever heard that zoos are not safe because of germs. I never thought about that at all. That would be depending on controllable factors. I think a good zoo takes responsibility and the patrons are not made to be very concerned. Whether it is public or home school a person gets out what they put in. Don’t make generic stereotype judgements. A child at home could learn a lot, so could a child in a public school. And in both cases children can fall behind the standards. To suggest Ellie is ignorant due to her schooling seems a bit snide and said without real true knowledge of her education. I think Ellie knows more than most, her extreme reading level is enviable. I think she must be a genius by now. And some of her blog posts show just what a detailed, fact full person she is. Keeping up with all these blogs takes a very hardworking smart lady!
Happy Belated Birthday Ellie!
Thank you, Beth!
I love the kangaroos
Happy Birthday! A zoo membership is such a thoughtful gift. You should take a picture next to the zoo sign with baby each time you go to see him grow.
Thanks, Ann! And that’s a great idea.
Some good food, a nice nap, and someone to carry me around the zoo, that sounds like the perfect zoo trip to me:-)
LOL. I agree!
Sounds like a cute, little zoo!
I would just walk while breastfeeding. Worked for me.
And, Jody, I always changed diapers inside our own baby buggy!!! No reason to use public washrooms. Geez, like why are we even talking about this!!!
That’s impressive! I think I would have a hard time walking while breastfeeding. I also change diapers in the stroller, to avoid using the changing tables in the the bathrooms.
Ellie
Learning to bf in a sling is life changing. If you worry about exposing yourself, it’s easy to put a cover on (I never did because I wouldn’t like to eat with a blanket over my fave!) Once you master it, it is a game changer. No stopping to feed! There are loads of YouTube videos! You can also do prosaic things like washing up whilst feeding. It’s a skill worth nailing as it makes all the difference when number 2 comes along…
That would definitely be a game-changer. I’ll have to attempt.
Studies show that it’s better for babies to be exposed to germs as it helps them build up a strong immune system. And really how often do you hear about babies getting sick from being changed in public spaces? If it were an issue public health authorities wouldn’t allow it. Having said all that it’s your baby so your choice, all about finding the balance of what works for you!
That is so cute to see him in daddy’s arms just snoozing away. Makes me long to enjoy having a baby around again 😂 And it’s nice you enjoy the simple things of life like going to the zoo on your birthday. God bless your sweet little family!
How Fun! Ellie you are looking so good!
Thank you, Elise! That is very kind. I’m working hard to get my pre-baby body back.
Zoo membership is a must with kids! Just remember to take your membership card with you when you travel because you may get free or reduced admission at other zoos!
It’s always great to start them out young loving animals!!! I love U 3!!!!!!