Up close and personal with Mickey the Elephant...

Yesterday, Sage and I had quite the experience - we were able to have a meet and greet with a 9,000 pound elephant named Mickey. Sage and I bared the 100 degree heat to visit Grant's Farm with my mom and nephew, Noah. I haven't been to Grant's Farm in many years, so I thought it would be a fun, quick trip. And, it was.

Every guest of Grant's Farm has to first ride the tram through the wildlife preserve which was interesting. Sage, of course, was more interested in entertaining the other riders on the tram with his smile and bounce. But, Noah loved to see the various animals (deer, elk, donkeys, turkeys, wild mustangs, ostrich, etc.).

After we got off the tram, we fed the goats - well, attempted to feed the goats. Noah kept getting swarmed by the VERY aggressive and hungry goats. They must have about 50 goats in the pen and most of them were about the same size as Noah. So, when he tried to feed them with the bottle of milk, they would jump on him and practically knock the poor kid over. Even though Sage and I didn't have a bottle of milk, the goats didn't care, they still swarmed us and tried to eat our clothes! Sage touched the goats, but didn't really seem to care for them nibbling on his fingers.

We walked through the rest of the animal pens, feeding some chickens along the way to the elephant education show. That is where we met Mickey, the 9,000 pound elephant. Mickey flapped her ears, showed us some tricks, and wowed the audience when she reached as tall as she could (18 feet) to get a ball. After the show, most of the audience left, but a few of us paid the $5 per person to do the VIP meet and greet.

First, we toured the elephants' home (they have two elephants there). It was pretty cool to see the giant home these elephants live in. The most interesting thing about that part was when we were told to look up at all the elephant poop on the ceiling. Our tour guide said that's because the elephants don't like birds. So, when the birds fly into their home, the elephants use their trunks to fling poop at them. =) I thought this was pretty funny.

After the tour of the house, we met Mickey up close and personal. Of course, she was behind bars, but it was definitely the closest I've ever been to the front of an elephant. The tour guide showed us how to feed Mickey some carrots. Each of us took turns feeding the elephant, feeling its trunk, and taking pictures with it. Sage even had a turn feeding Mickey, and in the process got a lot of elephant snot on his little hands! Noah absolutely loved feeding the elephant and fed Mickey as often as the tour guide would let him. It was definitely worth the extra money for the VIP elephant tour! I highly recommend it the next time you're at Grant's farm.

After the elephant tour, we finished looking at the other animals, fed some camels, and toured the horse stables. Grant's Farm wasn't as big as I remembered it being when I was a kid. But, it was still a great time! The admission is free - you just have to pay per vehicle for parking. So, I recommend piling into a car and heading over there for awhile - maybe not on a 100 degree day, though!

Pictures

While I was at my mom's house yesterday, I downloaded some pictures from her camera. These are pictures that capture moments that I thought were lost (along with one of our cameras)...


Sage loves his Uncle Adam!

Some pics from our trip to Kirksville in May for Ella's dance recital:

Sage the Swimmer!

Thursday evening our air conditioner went out. Of course, this was on the hottest day of the year (so far) - 105 with the heat index. Sage managed to sleep in our house which was between 80 and 84 degrees overnight. I was WAY too hot to sleep, but since Sage was sleeping, we didn't go somewhere cooler. The forecast says temps in the mid-90's for at least another week, so we headed south to the parent's house early Friday morning.

At my parent's house, Sage had his first swim in a real pool. He LOVED it!!! We had him in a baby float, but he didn't want to stay in there. He wanted to splash and swim in the water while we held him. Sage was literally swimming - he had the doggy paddle down. Of course, we didn't let him go, but he was amazing! Jared said he thinks Sage may swim before he can walk. He didn't even mind when his face went under water. He just had a blast.

Fortunately, John fixed our a/c Saturday morning. But, Jared, Sage, and I stayed down south for the rest of the day hanging out with family. We went swimming again at Jared's dad's house and Sage just had a ball. Looks like we have a fish!

Here are some pictures. Also, while I was at my parent's house, I downloaded some pictures from my mom's camera. So, scroll through the old posts to see some new pictures!!!

Crazy man...

Let me in!


Feeding himself with the spoon...

"Mama" - He said it...or did he?!

First, let me say how much I have LOVED being able to spend more time with Sage since school is out for the summer! It's true that I'm still working, but only two or three days a week. It's been so fun to be with Sage all day.

Yesterday, though, I did have to work - all day. About half way through the afternoon of the dreadful data training I was attending, Jared sent me a text message saying, "Sage said his first word." So, of course, I had to know what Sage said. Jared and I traded text messages, but he wouldn't tell me what Sage said saying, "I'd rather say it." I stepped out of the training because I had to know!

I called Jared and he said Sage said, "Mama." Can you believe it?! The first time he says "mama" and I'm not even around to hear it. I wouldn't have believed Jared at all except for that fact that Jared's dad was at the house playing with Sage and verified that Sage really said it.

So, of course, I rushed home as soon I finished the training and tried all night to get Sage to say "mama" again. But, to no avail. =( He hasn't said it since either. Guess I'll keep trying!

9 month stats

Sage had his nine-month check up at the doctor's office this morning. Dr. Ortiz said he's a "happy, healthy baby." She also said he "has a look" that she thinks he is going to be a climber. Based on our experiences, we're in agreement.

Sage weighed 20 pounds, 12 ounces and was 29 inches tall. He is in the 75th percentile for height and the 55th for weight. Sage was brave today - he didn't cry at all when they pricked his finger and barely cried when they gave him his shot. He does have an iron deficiency - so he's on iron drops twice a day for six weeks to see if that corrects itself.

Other than that, Sage is growing and developing as expected. He's crawling on all fours instead of on his tummy pretty consistently now. He pulls himself up with ease and even attempts a few steps standing.

Baby #2 and mom had a check-up last Friday. The heartbeat was at 155. The nurse was "waiting for the baby to settle down" to get a good heart rate. I don't think baby #2 ever settles down! It is one active baby - always kicking, punching, rocking and rolling. Jared got his first feel of the baby moving the other night. He said he came to bed and put his hand on my stomach and "whap!" a swift kick to his hand. Only a few more months and baby will be here!

Backyard Summer Fun

Here's Sage enjoying his baby pool and some water from the hose. Sage loves water!!!

Summer Fun

Sage enjoyed an afternoon with mom and Grandma at the Botanical Gardens. The children's area there is spectacular! Sage particularly loved the sand, music and movement area, and water play.

Sleeping Angel...

We love to take naps together!

snuggling with mommy and baby #2...

Daddy's turn for some snuggles.