Mila can do it.

We've hit a new phase: independence. Well, maybe I shouldn't say it's new, let's just say she's taken it to a whole new level!

Whether it's hers or not, Mila wants it... and she wants to do it all by herself! And while it may sound like an excuse, that's a big reason why I don't get time to update her blog as frequently. Our little monster craves technology. Laptop, cell phones, remote controls... she wants them ALL!

Now, some of the independence is great. She loves to play on her own and she does a great job keeping herself entertained (as long as she doesn't sniff out that you're on the laptop or cell phone that is).

I don't know why I'm not used to it by now, but I'm always amazed at what she can reach. Recently, she's learned that she can reach into the top row of drawers and pull things out. This discovery led to a day of going through all of the top row drawers in the house. First she grabbed my make-up caddy out, then she tried to feed Tweetie his canned food and then she discovered the straws. Nothing is safe anymore. Nothing.

Below are some great photos that capture some of her latest "achievements".


This is yogurt... head to toe in yogurt.
Of course, she had to do it ALL BY HERSELF.
What a glorious mess!



Straws, fresh out of the drawer.
Notice that the cat is trying to look away
to show that he's an innocent party in all of this.



Ok, Tweetie is now in the game. It must be getting serious.



Mila finally realizes that she's been caught
and "plays cute" to get out of trouble.

Time for a string cheese snack. For both Mila and Tweetie.
Looks like this friendship might work out afterall.

Say CHEESE! Wait, no don't... you've got a mouth full of it!

Uh-oh. Tweetie took the rest of my cheese.

Wait a sec, where'd the snow go?

Hey kitty. It's nice, come on out and play!

Ok... now there's the face we love to see!

Zoo Date!

Quite a bit has happened since I posted last... a cold, a vacation, a visit to the zoo, another cold that lead to pneumonia... and a few other odds and ends. I'll start with the fun stuff.

Jens and I had our first big "grown-up" trip since Mila entered our lives. We went to Las Vegas with our friends Cherri and Derek Wilson and all the kids stayed in Iowa. Mila had a wonderful time with Grandma and Grandpa Blessington. In fact, she had such a great time that Grandma Lori said she didn't even miss us! While that stings a little bit, it also felt good know she was having fun without us. Click here if you'd like to see a recap of our trip (thank you for saving me some work Cherri!)

A week after being home, we decided it was time for another play date with the Wilsons, but this time it was for the kiddos. We both have memberships to the Blank Park Zoo here in Des Moines, so it's a great place for a little outing. While quite a few animals are still locked away for winter, the ones that were out kept us entertained. Check out the photos down below.

On a sad note, Mila had a pesky cold last week that lead to pneumonia. Luckily, we caught it early and it was treatable by a simple anti-biotic. Her fevers and cough are gone, the nose is dripping instead of running and her appetite is coming back. She's really bouncing back like a trooper!

We've got to keep an eye on Kade, he's puttin' the moves on our little lady!
Mila wasn't too thrilled to be sitting on the bench. There were so many things to look at



Mila loves watching the tropical fish. It's just like being at Aunt Jessie and Uncle Todd's place!

 

Kade loved sitting in the fish bowl. He was the only one of the three who would actually sit in there and pose for pictures. Maybe it's a boy thing?



Lazy, lazy lions! Well, at least they chose a napping spot right up front so we could see them. The big 'ol male lion was sleeping with his tongue out and keep creeping his eye open at us. Mila thought it was pretty funny.




This tiger was hungry... and entertaining! He kept standing on his back legs and stretching and pawing against the glass. He was just acting like a big 'ol kitty cat. I'm sure Mila thought he was just like Tweetie, so she stuck out her hand for the tiger to sniff. (Thank goodness for the thick window panes!)



Jens also thought it was just a big 'ol kitty cat. They took cheeky photos, had staring contests and played through the glass. He might be a cat whisperer... but he did get this fella riled up. At one point he let out a large roar that caught everybody's attention.