Dino Exhibit at Union Station & Father's Day Weekend in Omaha

I honestly envisioned us doing a lot more baking and cooking together this summer, but I found that Rowan just really didn't have the patience yet.  Here's a picture of him helping with one of the treats we did enjoy making together- Oreo Truffles.

Dino Exhibit at Union Station

The Dinosaur exhibit was very neat- bravo Union Station!  But, the combination of the surround sound roaring and the dinosaurs actually moving had Rowan pretty scared.  He decided he liked the baby dinosaurs the best because they were cute and didn't make as much noise!

He found a corner to pout in when we told him he couldn't play on the vintage fire truck that was on display.  Gotta love the "I'm mad" face!

Father's Day Weekend

Josh is the most difficult person to buy for- he never wants anything! The only thing he ever wants is for us to all do fun things together. So I planned a weekend trip to Omaha.  I had no idea it was also the weekend of the College World Series, which is evidently their biggest event of the year.  Luckily, it didn't interfere with our plans too much.  We left KC Friday morning and arrived at our hotel at 2.  

  

Omaha Children's Museum

After checking in and getting unpacked, we headed to the Omaha Children's Museum.  We had a couple of hours to spend there before they closed and it turned out to be just the right amount of time. Rowan's favorite room by far was the Hydraulic Room, where everything was powered by him either turning wheels, pushing and stomping on buttons, or covering the openings of tubes with his hands.  He loved feeding the balls through all of the different tubes and cages.  We also went upstairs to check out the Clifford exhibit.  

Downtown Omaha- "Old Market" District

The Old Market was just a few blocks from our hotel.  We got changed and started walking.  We decided on Zio's Pizzeria for dinner- Voted Omaha's Best Pizza.  Yum!  We walked up and down the brick-paved streets- I went into boutiques while Josh and Rowan watched street performers and made friends with the carriage horses.  We had dessert at Ted & Wally's- Voted Omaha's Best Ice Cream.  Highly recommend the flavor "Quit Your Job and Eat Chocolate."     

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo

In one word- AMAZING!  The stadium that hosted the College World Series shares a parking lot with the zoo, so we were a little worried about parking.  But the zoo had planned ahead and blocked off spaces right up front for zoo-goers only.  The weather was perfect- cloudy all day which really cooled things down.  We rode the Skyfari, an open-air chair lift, round trip above the zoo.  Rowan wasn't the least bit scared, which was more than I could say for Josh!   

Eating Lunch w/ the Giraffes

Josh Holding a Butterfly

Petting a Tiger Fur

Counting to Make Sure He Has 8 Legs!

Shark Swimming Overhead in the Aquarium

Jellyfish

Some of the Biggest Fish Rowan Had Ever Seen!

Pushing the Water Ball

Inside the Desert Dome

Crossing the Bridge in the Rainforest

Rowan's Favorite Zoo Memory:

Petting the Snake!

Petting the Penguin

Rowan's Favorite Animal of the Day: The Elephant

Feeding the Giant Koi in the River

Rowan and this gorilla were fascinated with each other!

Posing w/ the Gorillas

Still in the Parking Lot at the Zoo After a Long 5 1/2 Hour Day!

Back at Home...

On Sunday we had a relaxing day at home.  Josh and Rowan enjoyed some Tom & Jerry and playing in the pool/sprinkler.  Perfect end to a great weekend!  

How We Celebrate Summer...So Far!

We've been on summer vacation for a week and a half so far and it's been the best!!  We've found out we're definitely having a girl, spent a day in Sedalia, visited Deanna Rose, gotten out the new pool, planted some new bushes, been to the River Market, babysat Sloane, and celebrated my 29th birthday.  Rowan seems like such a big boy this summer compared to last. He actually turns 2 1/2 tomorrow.  He loves reading, animals, babies, walks, his bike, and being our #1 helper any chance he gets.  I wish I had his energy- he goes and goes and is just the happiest little guy ever.

We went to Deanna Rose last Saturday with Stephanie and Sloane while Josh had to go in to work.  Last year Rowan was too scared to pet the animals, but not this year.  He was disappointed that we couldn't seem to find the pigs and that he couldn't ride a horse (you had to be 3) but he happily fed the chickens and goats and couldn't believe how big the cows were.  He could've walked in the "woods" on the nature trail all day!

During a big afternoon of gardening, Rowan fell asleep in his swing. He had been a really big helper and was exhausted enough to sleep through me getting him out of his swing, carrying him inside, and laying him down under the fan.  

Yay!  My 29th birthday and I got the laptop I'd wanted for so long!  To get it and have Rowan sing Happy Birthday to me made everything perfect!

21 weeks pregnant and definitely showing more than I was at this point with Rowan.  I'm high enough to still be able to wear regular jeans, but not sure how much longer that will last.  Rowan is still obsessed with my growing belly and poking my belly button.  He loves the idea of a baby being in there and likes to check on her constantly!