What a beautiful day to take the babe to the zoo! 15 degrees Celsius with bright, glorious sunshine all day long!

My friends and I had decided we would take our ‘littles’ to the zoo today for the first time and we had an absolute blast! My dad and step mom got Kurt and I a seasons pass to the Toronto Zoo for Christmas this year and I was so excited to get out there and start using it. The zoo is open all year round (except Christmas day) but the idea of dragging Nate (and myself) out in the winter just didn’t seem right to me so once the weather finally started turning around, I couldn’t wait to start planning our first zoo outing together.

One of my very dear friends Krissi, had her baby boy (and Nate’s future bff) almost four weeks ago so she and I made a deal that we would try to go to the zoo together as much as possible this summer since we’re both off on maternity leave. We also included our other close friend Kristin who brought along her two year old niece. It was so nice just to get out of the house and take a long walk outside. I’m not going to lie though, I was a little nervous about going out for more than an hour or two without Kurt there with me. It’s always nice to have another set of hands around who knows Nate as well as I do. It makes it easier since we both know what each of his different cries mean, whereas friends and family aren’t as familiar with them so they’re always asking “Is he hungry? Is he tired? Is he wet?” etc. I was also worried because Nate fell asleep on the way to Krissi’s house but then refused to fall back to sleep once we got in her car so I thought ‘oh great! He’s going to freak out and cry the entire time we’re at the zoo!’ But he proved me wrong! He started fussing the moment we got through the zoo entrance but I just put him in my carrier wrap and he calmed right down. He loves being carried around because he gets a better view of the world so those tie wraps are so handy! I often use mine when I’m trying to get some housework done and Nate wants to be held.

Anyways! Back to the zoo! It was so nice having Kristin and her niece there with us. As much as I love the baby stage, I realllllly love the toddler stage. I think it’s so cute listening to the things they say and how they pronounce certain words. It’s so beautiful seeing the world through a toddler/ young child’s eyes. She was so cute telling us how the rhino’s were “smelly” or how she would grab our hands when she was nervous about going up to see some animals. But as the day went on she seemed to be a bit less fearful and a bit more brave! She walked right up to see the cheetah as well as the penguins!

We didn’t get to stay as long as I originally thought we would but that ended up being just fine with me. After carrying Nate on me for just over three hours my back and butt were certainly starting to feel it and I didn’t pack any sun screen for myself so needless to say my face is also feeling it now! I manage to pack everything I can possibly think of for Nate but when it comes to me, I’d forget my head if it wasn’t attached! I just chalk it up to ‘baby brain’ now because I never used to be like that!

All and all I think our very first zoo outing was a success and we’re planning on heading back next week! Seasons passes are just the best!

Here are a few pics from the day!

^^^ I love scrunchy nose smiles!

^^^ I love that statue! Haha

^^^ Tigers are my absolute favourite animal ever! I couldn’t believe she came right up to the glass either! Every time I’ve been, it’s been the middle of summer so they’re usually staying cool inside or in their little den.

^^^ Not sure if Krissi will appreciate this picture but since I’m finally over my irrational fear of breastfeeding in public I just had to post it! haha! I don’t know why it’s taken me almost six months to feel ok breastfeeding in public. I’m not doing anything “wrong” or “dirty” and yet that’s always how I felt when I would go to do it so often I would leave the public place (like the mall or a resturaunt) and go do it in the bathroom or the truck. I’m sure some people out there will judge me for it and that’s fine! But I’m finally feeling comfortable and confident enough to do it so I’m not going to be ashamed and I’m going to post about it!

^^^ They came so close to the glass too!