The Raptor Center

I was getting over a virus today, so I didn't go to day care. So Gran took me to the Lake MacBride Raptor Center to see the birds. The Raptor center is affiliated with the University of Iowa and is nestled into a gorgeous wooded glen adjacent to Lake McBride, about 10 minutes north of our house. The center is dedicated to the rehabilitation and research into the birds of prey of the area, including hawks, kestrels, eagles, and, of course, OWLS!

It turns out that anyone can go visit just about any time. There is no visitor center, no security gate, no ticket booth, and no concession stand. Just a large wooden cage that allows with birds to fly around and a park ranger that patrols the area to make sure no one pokes their finger through the chicken wire to get bit off by these very beautiful but very powerful animals.

Gran and I walked to the raptor center's main cage along a scenic nature trail. It did not take long to find the first of many owls, mostly the great horned owl. I was so excited! I almost forgot the rule of not sticking fingers into the cages! The birds were majestic and absolutely fascinating.

Best of all, the center funds its work by donations and sponsorships. Get this: I CAN ADOPT AN OWL! Isn't that the coolest thing ever? Daddy will make a donation to the center and they will send me adoption papers, information, and a photograph of my owl. YAY!

Pandas!

Here's the pictures from my trip to the national zoo. I really liked the cheetah the best, but the panda was pretty cool, too.
Thanks, Gran for taking me to the zoo!
Mommy showed me peonies. They are very pretty flowers and Mommy's favorite. We have a few growing in our front yard, but no where near as many as these! Mommy says that she had peonies in her bouquet at her wedding- I can understand why.
Oh, there's the panda! He was hiding in his home for most of the morning
Gran bought me this souvenir panda from the gift shop. I picked it out from among the rows and rows of dozens of styles He is really soft and cuddly; I clutched him the rest of the morning.
It was a long, tough day at the zoo, but my panda friend will help me recover.

Riding the Magic Carpet Made of Steel

"The sons of pullman porters
And the sons of engineers
Ride their father's magic carpet made of steel
Mothers with their babes asleep
Rocking to the gentle beat
And the rhythm of the rails is all they feel"

- Arlo Guthrie, City of New Orleans

I took my first train ride today! Aunt Ada gave us a ride from Princeton to Philadelphia, where we boarded the Acela Express bound for Washington DC. There was a very nice red cap person named Rick who helped carry our baggage down to the track and waited with us until the train arrived. Then we rolled past houses, farms, and fields, through two states (Maryland and Delaware) and even got a great view of the mighty Chesapeake Bay. Daddy was so excited- he finally got to take me on a train ride that he had been singing about for a year and he also got to check off another state on the list of ones he's visited (Delaware). That means only North Dakota, Kentucky, and Rhode Island to go!

I wasn't all that impressed by the ride, but it wasn't exactly a fair measure: I was horribly constipated by the iron I am now taking and I was pretty tired too. But I wasn't too upset to meet Amelia. a very nice 20 month old girl riding the train also.

When we got to DC, we went straight to the hotel and tried to lay down for a nap. After a short sleep. we rallied and made it to Zed's for Ethiopian food. I loved it! A cuisine made to eat with your fingers- this is a place for toddlers! I was also totally fascinated by the beautiful, dark skinned waitresses- I couldn't stop staring at them!

We finally made back to the room and collapsed all night- we needed to rest up for the next adventure: pandas at the zoo!

Princeton and My First Steps

Here it is! Photos of my first ever steps! Mommy and daddy were hoping that I would accomplish this feat this weekend, since we were in Princeton, NJ for Aunt Jenny's graduation from seminary, and there would be lots of family around. I am very happy to report that I did not disappoint, taking 2 1/2 steps at 5:20 pm on May 17th in front of the Princeton campus chapel and the library. Aunt Ada thinks that I should include this accompishment in my application essay in about 17 years. "I took my first steps in my life at Princeton . . . ."
We had a great day in Princeton, including a picnic with cousins Harper and Laura. Gran was there to celebrate everyone's birthdays: Gran, Harper, and me! I also met cousin Kate for the first time (Mike and Emily's daughter). After the picnic, we all went to the campus to explore the beautiful gothic buildings and enjoy Aunt Jenny's big achievement.
Aunt Jenny gave me the cool dress I am wearing. Do you like it? I think it is really fun and kinda 60's in style. Just like my favorite music!

I can stand!

I can stand! I am not ready to perform this stunt on demand, much to daddy's disappointment, but I can stand briefly on my own. Most times, its only for a couple of seconds, but sometimes its longer. My personal record is an astounding 11 seconds! Daddy snapped this picture of me as I was standing next to mommy and snacking I was so preoccupied with manipulating the food that I forgot to hold onto the ledge with one hand (note the right hand is pulled up and away from the support). As a result, I was standing and didn't even realize it until everyone in the room started clapping and making a big fuss. So I promptly looked up and dropped to the ground.

I will keep practicing so I can show off to Gran and Ada and Aunt Jenny this weekend, plus all Grandad's family in 2 weeks. I am really close to walking and I think I will be taking my first steps soon. . . .

First Birthday!

Today was a VERY special day: Mother's Day, Gran's Birthday, and MY FIRST BIRTHDAY! The day started with daddy and I making breakfast for mommy as she slept in. I helped daddy make salmon eggs benedict and croissant french toast. Mommy was so pleased! And she loved my present- a book of pictures of mommy and me in Italy. She said she would keep it in her office and her purse so she could always have something to make her smile!

Then we got ready for my party by baking spiced pear cupcakes, lemon glazed cake, and daddy's famous chocolate chip cookies. My "twin" Soren (born in the next room 2 hours before me) came over with his parents, Jason and Kate. We also had our neighbors Ed and Mary and Grandmimi and Pam. We played catch on the living room floor and I showed Soren my cool toys like the train that plays music and has balls that roll out of the smokestack (that was his favorite- good taste).

Then we had cake- here's a short video of us being serenaded by the partygoers:

Here's another video, this is me eating my first piece of birthday cake!

I was so excited by the events of the day and the wonderful presents from Gran and Grammi and Grandmimi, that I didn't want to go to bed. Mommy couldn't understand why I was so fussy- you wouldn't want to sleep if someone filled your room with brand new cool toys- right?

Renaissance Fair

Here I am looking very Hollywood on a very fine first Sunday in May. To enjoy the beautiful weather we headed out to Amana Colonies to take in the Renaissance Fair. We wandered the park, viewing sword fights, drinking home made root beer, practicing archery, and listening to minstrels. There was even an artist who wrote my name in really pretty ink with cool flourishes. It's a perfect name plate for my door.

We got to watch jousting on horseback and I met a pet pig. I didn't know pigs could be pets- I only know that pigs are tastly food that daddy loves to eat. But this pig was very friendly- kinda like sister Denali, and the owner let me feed her. I will think twice about eating pigs now. Mommy's happy about that- she doesn't eat pigs or anything else with four feet.

The Tooth Shall Set You Free

I finally have a tooth! It's not much, but its a start. Its in the lower part of my front jaw. It's short, but broad, as if both incisors came up together. Right now, it's just causing problems becuase I bite my lip or I grab my tooth becuase I am not used to having anything in there.

But its getting much better every day and soon I will be able to use my teeth to bite things! I look forward to chomping on a whole banana like I saw my cousin Harper do. That was way cool.

My menu in general is getting pretty broad. I tried eggs for the first time last week. Not bad. My latest favorite food is dried apples. They're chewy and tasty and smell great. Any given dinner I eat bread, cheese, lentils, macaroni, water, bananas, peaches, roasted vegetables, and maybe a little chicken.

Tomorrow is the first farmer's market of the year (YAY!), so daddy and mommy and I are going to buy asparagus and lettuce and anything else that's fresh. I can't wait!