Peacocks and Penguins

My Mom (affectionately referred to by the grand kids as "Grandma Bubba") and I took Malachi and Avery to the zoo last week.


I was starting to get really uncomfortable and having 1-3 braxton hicks contractions every hour, along with lots of pressure and lower back pain... so my mom wasn't sure about us going, but I wanted to.  I was getting sentimental about our limited time with just Malachi and Avery... and I figured the worst that could happen was that I would go into labor - I was fine with that. :)


Though we have a membership, we honestly hadn't been to the zoo in quite a while.  The heat this summer was enough to keep me away.  I couldn't handle it.  I was so excited for the weather to cool off (to 85*) so we could enjoy a day at the zoo!


We always stop and see the flamingos first.

When we headed onto the bridge to let the kiddos feed the fish, this guy followed us quite closely.  Apparently he likes fish food.  I had some in my hand, but I was watching Avery and Malachi... this guy started eating out of my hand!  Cute, you would think... well, not so much.  He pecked and pecked at my hand - it hurt!  I was trying not to show it so I wouldn't scare the kids.  Ha.  My mom loved how close she could get for a pic when he was eating from my hand, so she kept asking me to do it again.  Ow! :)

Lions are a favorite, of course.

Even more fun - lion statues!

Avery started giving a concert (every thing is a stage).  Malachi wanted to join her, but apparently she didn't want to share the spotlight.

Tigers always leave me in awe.  They're so beautiful.  So majestic.

Grandma Bubba pushed the double stroller pretty much the whole time, and kept up with the kiddos as I got slower and slower... ha.

The penguins had to have been our favorite exhibit of the day.  My mom hadn't seen them yet, and the kids just went nuts.  They loved watching them swim (SO FAST!) and dive.  They would run alongside the glass, asking us to get pictures.  Seriously, those penguins were too fast for us to get a good pic!

Pardon the largeness (almost 35 weeks) and the sweaty-ness... I wanted a pic with my girl. :)

We had a wonderful day at the zoo.  The kids did great.  I have to admit, by the end I could barely walk/shuffle/waddle to the car... but it was worth it. :) I'm treasuring these last few weeks with just Avery.  I am also looking forward to taking TWO kids to the zoo!