San Diego: Getting There and the Zoo

Earlier this month, we took a little vacation out to San Diego. Matt went to a surgery conference and Thomas and I relaxed in the hotel room and out about town. It was Thomas first flight and both Matt and I were a little bit  lot bit nervous. I read articles, asked around, and made myself cross-eyed thinking about how to make it as easy as possible. All in all, the trip wasn't awful. We were able to fly direct from New Orleans to San Diego so that helped. Thomas didn't really nap but we still had a good time. As you can see, he's learned a new way to take pictures. He gets that particular propensity from Marla.... 

We flew over the Rocky Mountains!! This small town girl had never seen them before and I near about gave myself a crick looking out the window so much. I felt like a dork but decided not to care.

We had breakfast our first day in SD at a place called Cafe 222. It was recommended by the hotel and by a local that we talked to on our way out. I had strawberry-topped waffles. They were great. Matt had stuffed french toast which was one of Bobby Flay's "Best Things I Ever Ate." They were good, but I could make them. Bobby Flay, come on over anytime and we'll cook.

Then! We went to the ZOO!! We actually went to SD a day before the conference began so that we could spend a whole day at the zoo together. It did not disappoint!! Here are a few fun pictures.

A basilisk. I looked that that little lizard in the eye and didn't die!! Even Harry Potter didn't do that.  

Still sticking his tongue out.... 

SO pink! 

Eating the wildlife in style... 

"Stop, in the name of love before you break my heart!" 

PANDAS!!! 

Seriously, the zoo was great. The bear must have been trained to perform because when a crowed gathered in front of his cave, he'd come out and climb up on that branch. Once there, he'd go to town. He loved applause and would keep showing off as long as people clapped. When they stopped clapping, he went back to his cave.

Matt and I were exhausted when we finished, but we had a great time. Thomas did really well too. He stayed in his stroller most of the day but we let him get out and look up close to the animals several times. Now that I'm a mother, I pay more attention to how much effort business, especially family-oriented businesses, put towards babies and their parents. The SD Zoo did a pretty good job. There's room for improvement, but there always is...

The weather was perfect. I mean, it is California after all...

Next up! San Diego Part 2!

Happy Half-birthday, Thomas!

 Thomas! You have been in this world for SIX MONTHS! Gracious, time sure has flown past. So much has happened. You have changed everything. And YOU have changed. This month has been one new thing after another. You have a tooth, Thomas. A small, sharp little tooth. Your first one is on the bottom, slightly to the left. You rolled from your back to your front, but only once. You have no interest in crawling and you haven't quite mastered sitting. Your favorite position is standing. You have some strong little legs and use them to push up to a stand ALL the time. You love your jumper more than anything else right now. You've been to the beach again and out to Pensacola to see your Great Aunt Estelle again. You FLEW for the first time to San Diego. In fact, we celebrated your half-birthday in California!  Here are some of my favorite pictures from the past month.

You and your Daddy at the San Diego Zoo! 

You like your Bumbo for about two seconds.  Here though, you were looking so sneaky but adorable. 

Your first Halloween! Trick or treated at Pap and YaYa's! You were actually an ewok, but we just used the bear costume for trick or treating. You kept trying to eat your spear.... 

I get a weird little bit of fun dressing you up like your daddy. Not going to lie, it makes me smile. 

Your favorite new expression: sticking out your tongue. I'm not sure how I feel about it....