Is she unspeakably adorable or what? Shout out to Caspar Babypants responsible not only for this song but for the beloved “Monkey River” mentioned in the previous post. Check him out, the music is quite fab.

On Monday we had the great pleasure of going to the zoo with a friend of mine, Trista (not to be confused with my sister), and her son Draven. Draven is seriously the happiest, most good-natured baby I have ever been around. How did she get so lucky? Ali, take note please!

The weather was to die for, we went early before it got too hot- or too crowded, and both kids did amazingly well even when we ran over naptime. Both also promptly crashed on their respective car rides home.

This was Ali’s second foray to the zoo. This same zoo, to be exact. Last time was in August (13ish months old) and boy what a difference eight months can make! The girl was excited for days, seriously had trouble falling asleep the night before, was generally just pumped. While the animals didn’t prove to be as interesting as it seemed she thought they would be, the zoo itself was quite a hit.

In the gift shop we let her pick up a toy and she hose a tiny stuffed monkey that has since been named “Monkey River” after one of her favorite songs from her favorite CD. She’s been sleeping with MR and taking it everywhere. Which is not unusual, we have definitely entered a “lovey” stage, though the object itself rotates from week to week. For better of worse, I totally encourage it, asking her if she wants to bring a “friend” when we leave the house. It’s just so adorable.

See the whole album!

Yes, we have an update. For the record, there have been one to two attempts that have gotten deleted and, well I get frustrated and step away. For like a week. And the longer the hiatus grows the harder it is to return. This better make it to see the bluish light of a computer screen other than my own.

We are amazingly well. Loving the city. Loving the beautiful house we are blessed to call home. Loving being near family and friends. Loving the weather and the time of year. Loving the funny, sweet, big/little girl Ali has become. Yesterday it was over eighty degrees here! Warm enough that we brought out the kiddie pool and let the girl have a ball.

Just for the record, some new set-up has been rigged in an attempt to keep me from losing aforementioned posts. And I can’t see whether the pics are working or not or how they’re sized, so please bare with if it’s awful!

More, more, more pics of the adventure! And hopefully more of others’ to come.
Life is very good.