First Trip to the Zoo

A couple of weekends ago we went to the Hogle Zoo with Travis' family. We had a good time despite the cold, the wind, and the rain. Travis and I had fun explaining to Jackson what he was looking at even though he slept most of the time and probably doesn't quite understand what the zoo or animals are yet. We can't wait until he is old enough to truly enjoy the zoo experience!

Gazing at the monkeys...or the sky light?

It may not look it...but he was really excited about the giraffes!

We decided that this would be a zoo photo tradition....it may be more difficult when he is 17 :)

2 months old!!

It is so hard to believe that Jackson is already 2 months old! I understand now why people say "just wait until you have kids...then time REALLY flies!"...it's so true. We went to the doctor for his 2 month check-up and the dreaded shots...which turned out to be a BREEZE compared to having to suck out his nose with the nasal aspirator the week leading up to the appointment (he had caught his first stuffy nose) Anyway, we now have documented proof that our baby is growing....he weighed in at...

11 lbs 1.5 oz (45%)
22 inches (20%)
15.25 inch head circumference (25%)

...that was 1.5 lbs more than what Jackson's doctor was expecting him to gain! Don't worry...I am pretty sure that all that extra weight is going straight to either his cheeks or his thighs!

Every day is a new adventure with our little boy...he has become so much more interactive cooing, smiling, and squealing with delight. He has also found his little hands and they have become is new favorite thing to chew/suck on. He is sleeping for 6-7 hour stretches at night in his OWN room which translates to more sleep for Travis and I (yay!!)

Yesterday, I went back to work from my maternity leave. There were definitely tears shed, but once I got to work and got going it actually felt good to be back into the swing of things. I am so glad that I will still get to spend a couple of afternoons a week at home with Jackson.

We love this little guy SO much and look forward to each and every moment and memory! :)

Mmmmmmm black bananas!

We had some over-ripe bananas that needed to not be in our kitchen anymore and so the logical solution was to make some bread. We weren't all that fond of the banana bread recipe that I have been using so I found a new one for us to try...and it was F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!!...it only took us 12 hours to finish the loaf and we were sleeping for part of that time :) I honestly think that next time I am at the store I will buy some black bananas so that I don't have to wait for them to turn into bread making material! Here's the recipe for your baking pleasure...

Yummy Healthy Banana Bread
1½ hours 20 min prep
SERVES 6 -8

1/2 cup sweetened applesauce
1/2 cup white sugar
4 very ripe bananas, mashed
1 1/2 cups plain flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
cinnamon and brown sugar (for sprinkling)

**i also sprinkled some chopped walnuts on top

Preheat oven to 325 F. Grease 7X7" tin or a 9X5" bread tin. (7x7" cooks faster)
Mix applesauce and sugar in a bowl. If using unsweetened applesauce, add about 2 tablespoons of sugar extra.
Add bananas and mix. Add flour, salt, vanilla essence and baking soda. Mix quickly but thoroughly.
Pour into tin. Sprinkle with some brown sugar and cinnamon powder. Put into oven immediately.
Bake until a knife inserted in the centre comes out clean (A little mashed banana on the knife is ok as there's so much fruit. If in doubt, taste to see it doesn't taste of raw flour). *The pan I used was a darker metal 9x5" loaf pan and it took approximately 55 minutes to bake*

Auntie Meg comes to visit

We had another eventful weekend at our house! One of my BFFs from childhood, Megan, came to visit us from Seattle. It was so great having her here with us for a few days! Jackson took an immediate liking to Megan and loved every last minute of his cuddle time with her. It was great of the weather to cooperate with us over the weekend and we were able to spend lots of time outside. We took Jackson up one of the canyons for his first picnic, went for walks, and of course a trip to the ice cream parlor that has become customary whenever we have company. The evenings we spent hours chatting, watching movies, and playing Scrabble. Here are some pictures...

Jackson (8 weeks) and Megan

Our little family during Jackson's first picnic

Megan and I...BFF's for over 20 years and counting!

Thank you so much Megan for coming to spend some time with us! We had a blast and can't wait to see you again soon! :)