Ella is dubious. Why? Dunno.
No longer “cool baby,” but “cool toddler.”
Des lounging on ma enjoying his special post-nap lollipop. He was a trooper during the morning’s extended NFM outing.
Three generations of strong women.
Grandma and the boys head to the food hall for dinner. Des discovers the foosball table, and despite being broken, happily spins the knobs anyway.
Baby’s first protest march.
Ella had a rough night with her cough and woke up with a temperature of 102. So, it was an early morning doctor visit for mom and dad.
Very fortunate to live close to family so Ma was able to watch Des for the morning. Plus, Eleanor was feeling better within a day or two.
Up bright and early for breakfast at Dixie Quicks. Clearly need to go more often, as Desmond was confused when dad suggested pancakes with the dinosaurs.
Des wanted to enjoy his pancakes and berries in peace. “No pictures mommy. No pictures.”
The main attraction: model train expo. Several hours of staring at trains, he still hadn’t had enough.
Inspecting the snowmelt
Legos and leftover enchiladas
Baby sister reaching for the elephant
Eleanor at her two month appointment with Dr. Loucks: 23.25″ (80%), 13lbs (85%), 15″ head (52%)
Despite the snowy streets, there’s just some nights you a stop at the neighborhood place for a slice and a pint.
Santa didn’t realize it, but this is the most boring present ever for an impatient toddler. Put dinosaur egg in jar of water and watch it hatch over 1-2 days and then grow for up to 3 weeks. Santa will read the directions more clearly for future presents.
Eleanor resting with mom after her infant exercises
With countless toddlers with noisemakers, we once again rang in the “noon year” at the Durham.
Des not impressed with the band
Waiting for those balloons
So many balloons to catch/stomp
And confetti!
Eleanor hanging out with Lindsay and mom
…and with Billy and the girls
Des says, “hi” to the gentlemen viewing the arrivals and departures board
Walking out on 2016
Spending the last night of 2016 with friends
High fives to the new year!
What makes getting up at school-day times worth it on holiday break? When pulling into the zoo for Penguins and Pancakes, and asking Des what we’re going to do, he shouts, “PENGUINS!”
The first time mom and dad went a few years back, they borrowed cousin Liam for their child stand-in. Lesson learned, the magic move this year was still getting the picture with the African Penguin while the line is short, then grab pancakes later.
After a stack of cakes and a few craft projects later, it was time to explore the aquarium. Another unexpected benefit was getting early access before gates opened, with very few people around.
Des had the jellyfish exhibit all to himself.
He rarely spends more than a fleeting moment at this display, but Des was entranced this time. No one quite knows the reason. Perhaps it was watching Finding Nemo and Finding Dory recently. It could be, perhaps, it was just the pancake coma settling in. But, whatever the reason, the movies or his pancakes, he stood there on this morning watching the fish.
Excited about more penguins (!)
Des doesn’t always stand still long enough for the traditional tropical fish portrait, but he kindly obliged this morning.
Look closely…
Spotted the baby Gibbon born last October
“I can get it. I can almost reach it, Dad…”
The boys happily exploring the jungle floor trail
Desmond trying out the new training chopsticks that Santa brought him (on the best pad thai in Omaha)
Practicing the slurp
Trains and poinsettias, like peanut butter and jelly
Holiday celebrations wore everyone out
Goofing around with dad’s new grabber multi-tool. In the bath, as you do
