Gorgeous day for the Zoo

As I've mentioned, Mel LOVES animals.  I also mentioned after last week's zoo trip that Mel is a little freaked out by animals as of late.  Especially when they get too close to her.  So I figure repeated exposure is what she needs; and so we headed back to the zoo this weekend.  She loved talking about the animals before and after, but was generally a little frightened when actually confronted by animal displays.   She didn't have a total meltdown in the dolphin exhibit like she did last week (photo above), and she sat through her first dolphin show; she perked up when she learned that Aunt Julie really likes dolphins.  She's been talking about the animals we saw ever since we left, so again, I think repeated exposure will do her some good..... :)

Baby W2 Update

As of this week, I start seeing the doctor weekly.  I'm at 36 weeks (but who's counting??)  My appointment was originally scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday), but I called today to see if I could get in early, due to some discomfort and a little pain.  I was lucky enough to get into my regular doctor, Dr. Dupler, and we were able to cover a lot of topics.  I'm not dilated at all, but I am contracting, he pointed out.  I didn't realize those tightening sensations were contractions, for some reason.  Maybe Braxton-Hicks contractions, not sure the difference, but odd that I've been having them for a while and didn't realize that's what they were....

He gave me an anatomy lesson of why I'm probably experiencing more pain and pressure than last time, and it's, of course, all perfectly normal.  He told me to take it easy and not try to "work through" the pain.  He even wrote me a note to work from home or not at all a few days a week, so I can take it easier.   I'm planning to try to work from home about two days a week, if it works out.

I don't remember being this "ready" for Melanie to arrive.  While I LOVE being pregnant, I feel like the baking timer has gone off and it's time for the baby to come out :)  I can't wait to meet him!!!!

Happy Easter!

On Easter Sunday, we headed to Frankfort after church.  Melanie had a great time playing with Molly and hunting Easter eggs.  She found a lot of eggs in the back yard and then the hunt moved to the front, where she also did a great job.  She even shared her eggs with Molly and Sam (Troyer, a 7-month-old friend of the family).  I practiced holding Sam in front of Mel; after a brief territorial situation, she seemed to be okay with it and moved to Daddy's lap.  We had a great Easter, and were blessed with great weather to celebrate!

Mel obviously takes after her Daddy when it comes to discovering what is in her Easter eggs.  It's a Doan family legend that (one of) the first Easters I brought Jeff home, he cleaned up on the egg hunt - taking home the majority of the cash that my dad had hidden around the yard.  Each year since, we've had lottery tickets instead of cash.  Mel enjoyed checking out her loot, as noted below.

Easter Egg Hunt

Mel practiced up for the Zionsville Easter Egg Hunt on Friday evening in her pajamas, in our living room.  She was all ready with her game face on - but I think the crowds and confusion dampered her spirits a bit.  She had a great time at the park, eating breakfast with Ellie (Mel had FIVE sausage links in addition to her pancakes), and running wild; but when it came time to the actual hunt, it was a bit difficult to find our footing.  We'll try again on Easter Sunday at Gigi & Poppy's!  She had a great time as long as the characters (Easter Bunny, Chic-Fil-A cow, etc) didn't approach her :)

Zoo

I had Good Friday off, so Melanie and I took the opportunity to meet Charlie, Sammie, Cory, Randy & Brenda at the Zoo.   It was a gorgeous day, and we were certainly not the only people who had the day off or had the great idea of going to the zoo!  I didn't get many photos (and none of C&S, unfortunately!), but Mel might need a few trips to warm back up to the animals.  She LOVES animals in theory and to talk about them - but whenever we got too close she got a little freaked out.   We had a great day!

Happy Birthday Ellie!

As of Mel's second birthday, she now "gets" birthdays.  She hasn't been to many parties - just those of her cousins, and Connor Doran.  So I was a bit worried that we talked hers up SO much that she would think every party was for her.  She rebounded well, knew it was Ellie's birthday, and said/sang "Happy Birthday to you Ellie" both before and after the party.  As we were getting ready to go to the party (Wednesday evening), Daddy mentioned there would be cake at the party.  Well, that added a WHOLE new twist.  This girl loves her cake. 

Mel had a great time celebrating with her friends Ellie, Aya, Grace, and Gretchen.  She's still talking about the big party.  Of the girls she plays with in the neighborhood, they all have upcoming birthdays.  Mel's was March 3, Ellie's and Gretchen's April 3, Grace's April 15, and Aya's is May 15.  Gretchen is a friend from daycare.

Another fun cousin night

Aunt Rose and Jessica were in town for about a week visiting Grandma Huck, and so we used the opportunity to get the family together on a Thursday evening in Lebanon for dinner.  Melanie was thrilled as always to see GigiPoppyMollyJulie, but also to play with Lily, a little bit of Wyatt, and see the rest of the family. 

Who had more fun - the kids or the adults?

That weekend, Mel enjoyed a fun play day with GigiPoppyMollyJulie