Family Day

 The weather has been amazing the last couple of weeks. So perfect for this maternity leave because we've had lots of opportunities to be outside and play and I haven't had to worry too much about getting the baby out. Not too hot, not too cold.

We spent last Saturday at the zoo. I thought this little guy would love the special event.

 He was excited.

 It was...a little disappointing. They had 2 superhero in a tent that we had to wait in line for. I was expecting it to be more disney world style where the superheros would be scattered around the zoo. So we waited in line for an hour, saw these 2, then continued our visit. Also, I didn't know that they had 2 different super heroes on Sunday, so we missed out on seeing spider-man which is Gavin's most favorite.  Oh well, now we know.  Probably not worth the trip for this particular event again. Lesson learned.

Gavin was totally fine with captain America, but a little more nervous around iron man. He gave him a high-five but wasn't interested in standing next to him for a picture.  Oh well

After seeing the superheros we saw a couple animals then it was lunch time.

 The penguins are a favorite of these 2.

 They have a neat area where the birds will sometimes come and land on your hand/arm. Jason tried to lure the birds over so the kids could hold them.

 One finally landed, but kept flying away anytime Jason moved his arm over to the kids.

 Emerson slept the entire time! We woke her at lunch time for some food and a clean diaper. Then back to sleep she went.

Such a fun family day. I'm excited to go back soon, so glad we have our season passes!

Family of 5

Reegan and Gavin meeting Emerson for the first time may have been one of the best moments of my life. It was amazing. Telling them they had a little sister and seeing their reactions was exactly what I hoped it would be.

 My dad spent the night with the kids while the rest of us were in the hospital so this was his first time meeting baby too.

 Our first picture as a family of 5!!!

 We saved the first bath for when the kids could watch and they were such big helpers.

 Emerson had many visitors her first 12 hours of life. Dalton and Lisa came to visit

 Clean, pretty girl!

 Wearing the same hat Reegan wore her first day of life.

 Arriving home from the hospital

 So happy to be home and all together again!

Emerson Jaye

This picture was taken at 39 weeks pregnant. At this point I was wishing baby to arrive any time he/she wanted but also reminding myself to relish in these last moments. Life could change any moment.

 In the early morning on March 8 (2 days before our due date), our little GIRL arrived.

After contracting off and on for 2 weeks almost, Jason and I went to bed on Saturday night and within minutes I had the strongest contraction yet and my water broke at 10:59pm. Huge gush of fluid all over our bed. The ironic part was many nights I went to bed wondering if this is when labor would start because I had so many contractions during the day. This day labor didn't cross my mind because we had plans for the day on Sunday! I should have known... of course baby would arrive when we had stuff planned.

 My friend Michelle came in for delivery. She was so amazing! I am so glad to share this experience with her.

 Mom was there

 My mother-in-law was also there

 I had minor contractions at home, but since I was already dilated to a 3, Jason was nervous to stay home for too long. We arrived at the hospital at 12:05 and baby arrived at 4:58 (daylight savings was that night so really should have been 3:58). The whole night flew by and start to finish was 5 hours. Not bad!!!

 She's amazing and we are so in love!!

Emerson Jaye Heine arrived Sunday March 8 at 4:58am. 8 pounds, 6 ounces and 20.25 inches. She is perfect.

Crown center

Crown center does a great job of bringing in a new children's exhibit every couple months (for free) and the kids and I always try to check it out. This winter it's fairytales. We say Jack and the giant beanstalk, three little bears (pic below), snow white, sleeping beauty, and many others. It tends to get very crowded even during the week, so we didn't stay too terribly long and had to fight some crowds. It was a fun morning, my kids were well behaved so it was all worth it!

 Reegan was Elsa

 Cinderella carriage

 Entrance to crown center

 We then walked over to union station for the train exhibit (another free one)

 Finished with lunch at Fritz'. Definitely not my favorite lunch spot, but the food is cheap and is delivered via a train. My kids love it!

 On the way home, both of them fell asleep so it was a total win of the morning in my opinion!!!