Almost here.

I love my doctor's office. Anytime they do an ultrasound for any reason, I get pictures. Since there is a little less than a month left, they did an ultrasound measure fluid levels and to determine the baby's size. Everything looks good and they estimate she is about 6 lbs 5 oz, meaning she could easily be over 8 pounds at birth depending on when she decides to make an appearance.

First face shot. Can you see her fingers too?

After seeing this picture, it has made me more excited to meet her. I guess there is a little more pressure to figure out a name too.

Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo...

We love the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and thanks to my awesome sister, we have a membership pass there. Although it's a bit of a drive, I don't think that will stop us from visiting because we love it so much. More zoos should be like this.

Jake's favorite part of the zoo. Ellie can't choose between the giraffes and the carousel. I love her giggle in this video.

The last time we came to the zoo, the bird house wasn't open so this was the first time we were able to feed the birds.

Can't you see the happiness in her face? I love kids.

What a lovely smile Ellie has.

We had a melt down at lunch because she had seen the carousel. Daddy was nice enough to ride with her after we finished eating.

The hardest part about this zoo is it sits on a mountain side so it is all hills. Walking around the exhibits on hills was a little hard on the pregnant lady. Although I do enjoy that most of the large cats, bears and other similar wildlife have natural habitats simply surrounded by fences.

I love this picture. It really is worth a thousand words.

We are ready to go anytime anybody wants to come with us. 

Making Hair clips

We found a cute dress for Ellie for Easter but she didn't have any hair things to go with it so I decided to hit the craft store and make some. These are the ones I have done so far.

Luckily they also go with other outfits that she has as well. I thought she was too cute in her St. Patty's clothes (not specifically for St. Patty's day just green) on such a warm day that I had to take her picture. I love that she still smiles like this.

Just for reasons like this, I love having girls. 

Fun Times

Ellie and I have been able to do some fun things lately. A few weeks ago we went to DMNS on a free day and were able to see the Lizards and Snakes exhibit. Ellie really likes lizards and snakes for some reason so she really enjoyed walking around and seeing these. After they take your picture like with the dinosaur exhibit. To see Ellie and I with Bo the Constrictor, check it out here.

A little bit after that, Ellie's friend Kate invited us to go with her and her mom to the zoo. Those to girls are 2 peas in a pod. I don't know what will happen when one of ours families move.

Swinging on the bars by the "ponguins" as Ellie calls them.

Of course we had to ride the Merry-go-round

The 2 peas.

Hiding in the ponguin cave.

That day we actually started working on our tans too. I could feel the heat in my arms. It was so nice.

Since that day, we have had great weather the majority of the days. We even went to the park for playgroup the other day as well.

LDS.org Children

While playing around online and trying to find something fun to do with Ellie and still do a small Family Home Evening, I found this website for the Friend magazine. There are so many fun little things for kids. We watched a few of the Book of Mormon Scripture stories, which have been made into recorded slide shows. Ellie was so excited to hear more stories about Lehi.
We then watched a few of the new Bible Videos, which she really seemed to enjoy. She asked questions about the Good Samaritan. It was a great teaching experience.
I am so excited to have found this and wanted to share with others.

She can be taught.

I had one of those proud mother moments yesterday during and after church. For Christmas, we gave Ellie a little hard book of simplified Book of Mormon stories. Normally when we read it, she is more excited about the camels, jungle trees and other pictures. In sacrament meeting, we pulled the book out to help keep her quiet and she turns to me and says, "Read about Lehi?" Why, yes we are.

Then after church, I was asking about what she learned in Nursery. When I showed her the picture she colored to remind her, she replied that was "Ellie's paper. E is for Ellie." Then I asked what the picture meant and she said, "Ellie is a child of God. And Gavin. And Kate." (Gavin and Kate are 2 of her friends.) Today I spoke with the nursery leader who said that's how they ended the lesson, by pointing to each child, saying their name and telling them they were a child of God.

She is learning. It was so nice to receive that reinforcement.

What does that mean?

Funny random story. I was in this little outlet bakery near our place. Ellie was being a big helper by finding all the kinds of donuts she wanted me to buy. As we are checking out, the old lady behind the counter comments about what a good helper Ellie is and then notices I am pregnant. She then says, "Oh, and you're pregnant too. Good for you."

Really? What's that supposed to mean? How do you respond to that?

DU Law School and Hockey

Jake's boss couldn't use a set of his tickets to a DU Hockey game and was nice enough to let us use them. We tried to find a babysitter but no luck so we decided that Ellie could just come with us.

Earlier that day, I asked Ellie if she wanted to go to a hockey game. She responded, "Yes, and eat pizza." So we decided to make a night of it. We grabbed some pizza at the local Beau Joes pizza and then headed to the school. Jake wanted to take us on a tour of the law school. Ellie loved this idea as she had been pretending to go visit Daddy at school by putting on her shoes and backpack then walking to the front door and telling me she was going to school.

Every ride in the elevator and walk down a hallway, she had the biggest small on her face. It was fun for me to see where Jake spends all of his time.

We then walked across the street for the game. Ellie has found her shadow and thought it was funny to watch it move as she ran passed street lights. Daddy couldn't help himself once in the arena. Ellie received a foam finger although I'm not sure if he really bought it for her or for him and she just took it over.

Entering the arena.

She was so excited to watch them skating.

Our view from row 2, right behind the glass.

She was the most interested in the skating during warm-ups but watched bits of the game. Part of the problem was the match started at 8:00 which is normally about her bed time. She did just fine staying up late but wanted to walk around. Luckily but unfortunately DU wasn't playing their best so we left halfway through the 3rd period.

I had never seen Ellie with a smile that big on her face. She really enjoyed going out and spending time with mommy and daddy, especially with daddy.