Literally...the Santa Barbara Zoo! One of the things I've always dreamed of doing once we had a baby was go to the zoo. I've always liked the zoo and enjoyed seeing kids there learning and having fun. Plus, Brian and I went to the San Diego Zoo (the best zoo EVER!) when we were dating and had a great time, and we thought it would be super fun to take Luke. But that trip will probably be an over-nighter because it's about a 3 hour trip minus traffic. However, we had heard great things about the Santa Barbra Zoo, so off we went, not entirely sure how Luke would do...or if he'd even be interested.
The zoo was great! We had such a fun time. I was surprised that Luke stayed awake the entire time (I figured he'd take a snooze in his stroller), but he was so interested in all the animals and seemed to really enjoy the day...Brian and I definitely did! We took tons of pictures...here are...well...several! (I have such a hard time picking!).
The first animals we came to were capybaras. They really looked like large rats...but in a cute way. Luke was very intrigued by them and watched them for awhile.
a happy boy at the zoo!
We definitely had to stop and read about the animals that we were looking at!
Luke was so interested in looking at EVERYTHING that he was leaning forward in his stroller. So we decided it was time for the daddy carrier...a much better view!
I, of course, had to get a few pictures with the flamingos...because they're pink!
Then we headed over to see the penguins. Brian and I both enjoy seeing the penguins when we go to the zoo and Luke does too!
One of the coolest parts of the day was feeding a sheep. We wanted to pay for a cup of food to feed the animals, but the time had passed as they are only allowed so much food in one day. The lady in the shop told us that kids will often drop food pellets on the ground by accident so we looked around the store and found one. We'll definitely be going back to feed the animals again!
Luke thought it was especially fun and funny! He wasn't hesitant at all and I'm assuming it's because we have Buddy Jack at home. He's so interested in Bud that it didn't surprise us that he reached out to touch the sheep.
He also really liked leaning over the railing and looking at the bunnies. I'm thinking we'll get him a bunny one day (I've always sort of secretly wanted one...but it'll definitely be when Luke is old enough to have some 'chores'. haha!).
As we were approaching the gorillas, we came across a sign...so we HAD to get some pictures...
It was nearing time for the zoo to close and Luke was definitely ready for a snooze, so we had a family picture taken to finish the day.
It was such a fun day. Brian and I were so excited Luke had a good time too and we can't wait to go back!
We knew my best friend from high school, Vanessa, was getting married the weekend after we moved to CA. This worked out beautifully because she lives in CA! So all we had to do was drive an hour! I was super excited. The couple had requested that no children come to the wedding...uh-oh! I told her that I would definitely be there, but Brian may not if my mom wouldn't come out to take care of Luke as this was the first time we would ever leave him. Luckily, my mom was happy to oblige so that both of us could go to the wedding. A first night out without little Luke. My heart skipped a beat just thinking about it. But I knew it had to be done at some point before he goes to college, so what better time than now? And I would only trust my mom to take care of him the very first time (especially since it was an entire evening)!
So my mom came out on Thurs.to get reacquainted with Luke (which really took no time at all) before the wedding on Sun. Brian and I got all gussied up and it was time to go. I was the typical mommy leaving her baby for the first time...I kissed him about a gazillion times, looked back and I called pretty much when we were out of the driveway and probably about 3 more times throughout the night! What was funny was I had separated from Brian for some reason and called my mom. She asked why I was calling because Brian had just called! We completely trusted Mom, but we just wanted to 'check in'! It all went well (so she says! ha!) and the wedding was beautiful! I am so glad we both got to go, and truth be told, we had a great time...but we missed Luke incredibly! (I took tons of pictures at the wedding, but on my mom's camera because our battery was dead and we couldn't find the charger...as soon as I get those pictures from her, I'll post them...we were a pretty snazzy couple if I do say so myself!)
Mom stayed a week, so we HAD to go to the beach to get some pictures! For some reason they were the only pictures I got of the 2 of them...huh? I'll have to remember next time to take more! But here are some of them...
open your eyes, Luke!!!
I love my Mamaw!
Look up, Luke!!!
Then, of course, we had to get a couple of Luke by himself. I actually had ordered picture frames for grandparents day and needed a good picture of Luke for them, so we had a mini photo session!
the sand was calling his name!
this was the 'framer'
our family pic for the day!
Since Brian always carries Luke on his shoulders, I thought I'd give it a shot...
...forgetting that he LOVES my hair!
Another great hour at the beach!
Now that we're about 15 minutes away from 'town', it's so much easier to take Luke to run errands. It's also easier to just do one thing and head back home, as opposed to having to plan the day because it's a 45 min. drive into town (like it was in Fernley to go to Reno!). Another great thing is there is a Gymboree Play and Learn center right up the road. I was SUPER excited for that because I had been wanting to get Luke into a class so he can socialize with other kids as well as crawl around and work on his development...especially his gross motor skills (crawling, walking, etc.). So we had signed up for a 'preview' class while mom was here, so it worked out great because she took pictures!
observing and assessing the situation!
music time!
washing the spider out!
'tummy surfing'...aka a workout for Mommy!
It was time for 'circle' time for the mommies, so the kids introduced themselves...
hello friend!
...and played with some balls.
Oh! Hello!
It was super cute. Luke is slow to warm up, but once he does, he puts on the charm and it is so funny! Such a boy!
Then it was time to climb and crawl...
must...get...the duck!
almost there!
Then he went for a ride and really liked it!
It was time for some balls again...he LOVED the balls...so we bought some. They apparently are WAY cooler at Gymboree because he couldn't really care less about them at home! ha!
must...get...
BALLS!!!!
Then it was nearing the end of class, which meant parachute time...
We had a great time at Gymboree. Brian got to go the second time. I'll post those later.
It was a great time having Mamaw here. It was much busier than it was back in Ferntucky and there was a lot more to do, which was super exciting for all of us! Thanks for coming, Mamaw, and taking care of Luke!
It's back to the grind for me...for today anyways. I've had the luxury of sleeping in for the past few weeks (like no kidding sleeping in...I'm talking 11 am sleeping in...but staying up til 2 am leads to that!) because Brian hasn't had to go into work really except to show his handsome face and check email, but now that the squadron's back...it's all changed...for me anyways! Brian's been getting up with Luke and taking the am shift, like he did in NV, and I put Luke to bed, but now he's got to head into work around 7:30am, so we're in the process of switching duty times! Not entirely sure how I feel about that because I've gotten so used to putting the little guy to bed at night, it's sort of my down time with him. It gives me time to love on him and reflect on how blessed my life is...seriously...I really do that every night! It's hard not to when I'm rocking such a sweet little guy and the room is dark and quiet. But because Brian's schedule has changed, I suppose I've got to be flexible! We'll see how it goes!
I digress...point being, since Luke's down for his nap and Brian's at work, and I really just DON'T want to clean ;), I figured I get a little more catching up on the blog done.
So we got to CA the last week of the Cowboy's 3 week training camp here in Oxnard. We couldn't miss that opportunity! We got here Tues. am and our home goods were to be delivered on Thurs., so we headed to see the Boys on Wed. I had Mom mail us some Cowboys apparel from the gift shop at the stadium so we'd be prepared! So off we went...to see the Boys and all their glory (because they weren't losing to another team at that point!!!!)
We get into the area and, of course, there are 'pro/gift' stands there. So I go shopping! Meanwhile, Brian and Luke walk around and after I purchased my PINK jersey (woo-hoo!) I walk over to Brian paying this lady $20 for what we thought was an admission to the field to watch the practice. Brian explains this to me and the lady says, 'that's only good for you, sir'. So we fork over another $20...we assume Luke is free. So we show our official badges (to a volunteer who didn't really seem to care about them) and walk down to the field sideline.
I look around and we seem to be the only ones wearing these badges. Well, after more investigation (and reading the back of the badge) the only thing this badge does for us is gets us onto the field (exactly where we're standing) 30 mins earlier than the general public. WE WERE THERE IN THE AFTERNOON!!!! So this thing did us no good...except 10% off of purchases. Great. You're welcome, Jerry Jones, for our $40 contribution to your billion dollar empire...you're welcome! Oh, and we get buy one get one free tour to the stadium...wow! WE'VE ALREADY TOURED IT!!!! Well, Brian did get in trouble for wandering last time into unfinished parts, maybe we can tour again and see those parts! GEEZ!!!
Well, I suppose the badge served one other purpose...
...Luke entertainment! ha!
So we watched the Boys practice! Yay! And took a lot of pictures...some of which I'll share...
It was soooo much fun, Luke just couldn't take the excitement anymore....
He conked out!
While at the 'spend way to much money on Cowboy stuff' stand, I found a small helmet in hopes of possibly getting a couple of autographs as there is a section for children under 12 to line up and scream and yell and beg
Coach Campo in the 'autograph alley'
...Luke was more interested in the helmet...
it was too small, but we tried!
it probably would've fit him when he was born though!!!
So it was nearing the end of practice as noted by 'the huddle'...
...so we headed to get 'tickets' to enter autograph alley. Brian approached the lady in the ticket stand and she asked where the child was...he pointed to Luke and she said, 'no.' What? The sign says children under 12. She asked, 'can he walk in line?' Brian retorted, 'your sign says children under 12.' She replied, 'can he walk in line'. Brian replied...you get the point. This went on for a minute...I'm NOT kidding. Give a lady a little bit of power...SHEESH!!! And challenge my husband...double SHEESH!!! So at the end she says, 'we're sold out anyways'...they only sell (of course they're for sale...you're welcome Jerry Jones...greedy old man!) 75 per day. Could you not have just said that in the first place, lady??
So we walk on and Brian's disappointed. So he tells me and Luke to sit on the bleachers and he'll be back (we're still feeling the sting of being taken for the $40). Brian leaves and comes back 10 minutes later with 2 VIP passes! ha! He went and talked to some guy in his 'I'm Brian and I get what I want' talk and there you have it...we're now VIPs! So we go in the super special VIP section (with all the other 500 VIPs...ha!) and hang out and wait for the players to exit the field.
The players start walking away from the huddle and wouldn't you know...they go out another exit on the other side of where Brian's standing. So I ask if my pass gets us to that side and the man says, 'of course!'. By this time most of the players have left without signing autographs. So I take a few pictures...
Coach Cupcake!
And then, but who do I spot under the cabana hat and big sunglasses???...
...why it's Jerry himself (he must have had some work done!).
Brian and Luke have walked over by this point and we're just hanging out waiting to see if we can swindle ol' Jerry over to get his autograph. While standing there, but who do I spot???...
CHRIS HARRISON!!! (from the Bachelor!!!). So I HAD to get a picture with him! hahaha! He's actually from Dallas.
So then Jerry is standing within shouting distance and being the upstanding onlookers that we are...we began to shout! Heckle, more like it. I said to Brian...AS A JOKE...we should yell, 'hey Jerry...will ya sign my baby?'. Why oh why, I'll never know, but, leave it to him, Brian yelled it! Oh geez! So we were now 'those people'. Wow! We also yelled, 'Hey, Jerry, we paid for your stadium, will you give us an autograph?' Oh my! We at least got a chuckle from the cop guarding Jerry. Meanwhile, ol' Babe Laufenberg (a local sports reporter) was there and he was kind enough to answer our 'cat calls' and headed over for a picture and signature...
And then...behold...the man himself starting walking our way....YEE-HAW!!!
He signed our helmet! YAY!
So our day was made! This was as close as we got to Tony:
The prince rode away on his chariot!
It was a great day! It was time for dinner, so we headed to Chili's. Here's a picture of Luke in the car...shows off his newly broken through teeth...
They've come in a lot more since then. I'll try to get some pictures out soon...still trying to catch up!
Finally...just because he's so dern cute...
That's all for now! Go Boys! (at least try and win one ;)).
