On Wednesday, Kev and I had the privilege to head for an overnight at Tree Lodge.  We took our computers and got some much needed work done in the day, but the goal was to rest and just get away for a bit.  Serena and Sierra watched Piper and Andrew so that we could go on this lovely overnight. 

Upon arrival at the lodge, Diane told us, "So we have a new baby giraffe that was just born a few days ago."  I had heard from Jerry that one of the giraffes was expecting so I was excited to hear that she had delivered.  Kev said he wanted to go look for it, but rest was on my agenda and I didn't quite feel like walking or driving around hunting for a baby giraffe that I probably wouldn't see.  Instead, I rested......that's what I came to do, and that's what I did! :)

On Thursday morning we woke up to a horrible flat tire so when the group left on the truck to find the baby giraffe, Kev and I missed it.  I still thought to myself, "Oh well.....it's just a giraffe, not like I've never seen one of those before!"  I still get excited to see animals here, but after living here for 6 years I don't get quite as excited as I used too.  (Now if there is a lion or other cat around......watch out, I can hardly contain my excitement! :))  After getting our flat fixed we decided we should head back home.  Erin loaded up with us and we decided to drive around a bit to see if we could see the giraffe.  (The Lodge property has 7) After driving for an hour we didn't see it. We did see some Gemsbock, Impala, Zebra, Ostrich and various other deer like animals.....yes, I get them all confused. :)  I thought, "Oh well....no biggie".  Just as we were getting ready to pass through the gate to leave, I spotted them.....giraffe.....the whole heard!  We knew the baby had to be close but that the heard was probably really protecting it.  Kev off roaded a bit and we saw it (still not sure if it's a girl or boy as the umbilical cord is still attached and they couldn't tell yet)........
 

This sweet baby giraffe (pics courtesy of Erin Adams)

I've never seen such a small one before so as I stood their watching it I realized it was pretty rare to see a giraffe that was just a few days old.  It still stood every bit of 6ft tall and as I looked at the others I wondered how in the world the momma carried such a big baby.  Doug (the Lodge's manager) said that he watched it being born and it was quite amazing as it comes out feet first and then it just drops a good 4-5ft on the ground when it's born!  Can you imagine!? 

The others did a good job of shielding it from us, but we sat for awhile to just watch it and the others.  I sat in the stillness......hearing the birds and the sound of Erin's camera clicking away and had a moment.......at "pinch me I live in Africa" moment.  All this just 20 min outside of where I live.....seriously!  Crazy!?! I guess I really did care about seeing that little baby after all and we were so lucky to catch it just on the way out. 

Get ready for a totally random post! :) Sorry, there is no hidden meaning, just random and life with a toddler....never  a dull moment!

So about once a month I clean out Andrew's toy chest as well as move our couch and pick up all crayons and various toys that have gotten lost under it. I've determined that this is Andrew's favorite thing to do with me as he's hot on my heels and lights up like a Christmas tree when I find a long lost toy!  Usually the long lost toy is a Lightening McQueen die cast car that usually ends up rolling under the couch, never to be seen until I get the energy to move everything.  Sure enough today "Speed" was the first toy that came out and Andrew exclaimed......."Oh Speed!!!! There he is!!!"  He then proceeded to play with his beloved Speed for almost an hour.  I'm sure in a few more days he'll end up back under the couch.  Andrew loves his cars, trucks, and tractors so much.  Often times our floor will look like a used car lot with all types of modes of transport laying around.  However, I've noticed one thing.....Kids are hard on toys....or maybe it's just Andrew.  Often times his trucks are missing a wheel or what not.  This doesn't seem to phase him.  He still plays with them all and has his favorites!

Last Friday as I was bathing Piper, Andrew decided to take Kev's phone and throw it in the tub with her!  Thankfully it wasn't a fancy phone and it was honestly time to look at getting Kev a new cell phone anyway, but still. Well low and behold Kevin.....yes, my husband is now sporting a Blackberry!  Seriously!  You see it turned out to be a blessing in disguise because the Mission had a contract phone that needed to go to someone and it just happened to be a new Blackberry 900.  Kev was the next in line as a director so he got it!  So now he's got this fancy phone and I'll be honest.....there is a bit of jealousy in me. ha! In all honesty, I hate phones but this little gadget does everything.....really fun!  I still have to shake my head at the odds of it all.  I am thinking maybe Andrew should throw my laptop in the bath tub and maybe I'll get a shiny new macbook?  (Kidding....I know I'll get one one day, but that is not how I want it to happen! :)) 

Kev's taking Andrew shoe shopping tomorrow morning.  Andrew only owns croc type shoes which is good for here, but I am thinking for school he should have something a bit more sturdy for running around.  So, Kev's taking him shoe shopping for school shoes!!  Oh Monday is going to be a day of many mixed emotions for this mommy. 

Speaking of school....I've been trying to prepare him a bit this week.  We've worked a lot on our Please and Thank You's.  He's long got the thank you down, but the please has been harder.  Well, I think we got it now! I started with "What do you say?", but my little parrot just repeated me so I had to resort to a look.  Now when he asks for something I turn and look and you can tell his little wheels are going and then he bursts into a smile, "Please Juice!"  Of course we clap and say Yeah when he gets it right and well that's just the funnest thing to him.  We've also worked on the potty this week as this is another thing they will be teaching him.  He was all into sitting on his little potty, but as soon as his little bare fanny hit that seat he bolted off of it and said, "No Potty Mommy....Diaper!"   Oh man.....I think it's gonna be a long road. 

I will have mornings with just my Pipes while Andrew is at "school" and I am looking forward to it!   I just love her to pieces.  She's just so sweet and content.  I love that she can lay in her bed for awhile and just entertain herself.  (Hands seem to be the new thing right now....she loves to look at her hands! :))  I also love that she's getting interested in Andrew.  Today I have no idea what he was doing, but she was giggling.  When I tried to do what he was doing she stopped, but as soon as he started in she started giggling again.  I don't know......maybe it's there little thing?  None the less, I loved it. 

Well I think that is about as much randomness as one post can hold.  BTW, our rainy and cold weather has left us.  It was nice while it was here.  It's still chilly, but the rain is gone now.  Who knows though.....I suppose it could come back! 

Toodles!

Get ready for a totally random post! :) Sorry, there is no hidden meaning, just random and life with a toddler....never  a dull moment!

So about once a month I clean out Andrew's toy chest as well as move our couch and pick up all crayons and various toys that have gotten lost under it. I've determined that this is Andrew's favorite thing to do with me as he's hot on my heels and lights up like a Christmas tree when I find a long lost toy!  Usually the long lost toy is a Lightening McQueen die cast car that usually ends up rolling under the couch, never to be seen until I get the energy to move everything.  Sure enough today "Speed" was the first toy that came out and Andrew exclaimed......."Oh Speed!!!! There he is!!!"  He then proceeded to play with his beloved Speed for almost an hour.  I'm sure in a few more days he'll end up back under the couch.  Andrew loves his cars, trucks, and tractors so much.  Often times our floor will look like a used car lot with all types of modes of transport laying around.  However, I've noticed one thing.....Kids are hard on toys....or maybe it's just Andrew.  Often times his trucks are missing a wheel or what not.  This doesn't seem to phase him.  He still plays with them all and has his favorites!

Last Friday as I was bathing Piper, Andrew decided to take Kev's phone and throw it in the tub with her!  Thankfully it wasn't a fancy phone and it was honestly time to look at getting Kev a new cell phone anyway, but still. Well low and behold Kevin.....yes, my husband is now sporting a Blackberry!  Seriously!  You see it turned out to be a blessing in disguise because the Mission had a contract phone that needed to go to someone and it just happened to be a new Blackberry 900.  Kev was the next in line as a director so he got it!  So now he's got this fancy phone and I'll be honest.....there is a bit of jealousy in me. ha! In all honesty, I hate phones but this little gadget does everything.....really fun!  I still have to shake my head at the odds of it all.  I am thinking maybe Andrew should throw my laptop in the bath tub and maybe I'll get a shiny new macbook?  (Kidding....I know I'll get one one day, but that is not how I want it to happen! :)) 

Kev's taking Andrew shoe shopping tomorrow morning.  Andrew only owns croc type shoes which is good for here, but I am thinking for school he should have something a bit more sturdy for running around.  So, Kev's taking him shoe shopping for school shoes!!  Oh Monday is going to be a day of many mixed emotions for this mommy. 

Speaking of school....I've been trying to prepare him a bit this week.  We've worked a lot on our Please and Thank You's.  He's long got the thank you down, but the please has been harder.  Well, I think we got it now! I started with "What do you say?", but my little parrot just repeated me so I had to resort to a look.  Now when he asks for something I turn and look and you can tell his little wheels are going and then he bursts into a smile, "Please Juice!"  Of course we clap and say Yeah when he gets it right and well that's just the funnest thing to him.  We've also worked on the potty this week as this is another thing they will be teaching him.  He was all into sitting on his little potty, but as soon as his little bare fanny hit that seat he bolted off of it and said, "No Potty Mommy....Diaper!"   Oh man.....I think it's gonna be a long road. 

I will have mornings with just my Pipes while Andrew is at "school" and I am looking forward to it!   I just love her to pieces.  She's just so sweet and content.  I love that she can lay in her bed for awhile and just entertain herself.  (Hands seem to be the new thing right now....she loves to look at her hands! :))  I also love that she's getting interested in Andrew.  Today I have no idea what he was doing, but she was giggling.  When I tried to do what he was doing she stopped, but as soon as he started in she started giggling again.  I don't know......maybe it's there little thing?  None the less, I loved it. 

Well I think that is about as much randomness as one post can hold.  BTW, our rainy and cold weather has left us.  It was nice while it was here.  It's still chilly, but the rain is gone now.  Who knows though.....I suppose it could come back! 

Toodles!