Monterey Bay Aquarium

Once again, I'm on the late train. I've been meaning to post some pictures from our visit to the aquarium but with everyday duties and keeping up with my sweet, precious, loving, bossy, throwing tantrum daughter, I tend to forget a lot of things. I'm actually describing her behavior in a polite manner. Awwww, the joys of parenthood. We had a great time at the aquarium minus the few tantrums. We really enjoyed taking a walk afterwards on Cannery Row. I went a little picture crazy but I promised my sister. This is one of my favorite pictures of Maddie. I can never catch her in the moment without looking in the camera.

Jon and Maddie did a little rock climbing and ended up on this wall where you can get a good view of the ocean.

Another one of my favorite pictures of my 2 favorite people. Jon and Madison took some beautiful pictures down by the beach. I couldn't go down too far because I was afraid of slipping but I was able to get close enough to take good pictures.

This was one of their awesome fish exhibits. Maddie kept covering her head while laughing because she thought the fish were going to get her pony tails.
Here's our family shot including by baby bump. It was nice how all the doors let outside to view the ocean.

Maddie loved this exhibit because she got to play with different kinds of starfish.

Thank you Grandma for taking us to the Aquarium. They were visiting the penguins but their favorite exhibit were the Sea Otters.

Here she is sitting in front of some fish tank that was in the Sting Ray exhibit.

It's a,...........

Today, Jon, Madison and I found out the sex of our sweet baby who is scheduled to arrive on July 25. We cannot believe that time has flown by and the baby will be here in 4 months. We are beyond EXCITEMENT!!!! About 3 weeks ago, I had a stat ultrasound done because my doctor thought the baby was too big. I think I had a little influence on that because I was very determined that the baby is big. The size of my tummy now is the size I was with Maddie when I gave birth. But the baby is normal size and we're right on track. Since Jon was sick with the flu that day, Maddie and I went to my appointment. She behaved like an angel (surprisingly enough) and the staff were so nice to her. She got to sit on the bed with me and put jelly on my tummy. Both ultrasound techs were so amazed at the fact that she is only 2 1/2 because she was asking a ton of questions and was interested in what was going on. They were nice enough to hold her to the screen, point to all the baby body parts and took the time to explain things to her. I didn't think she would be that interested. Towards the end of the ultrasound, Maddie asked if she was going to have a brother or a sister. The tech looked real quick and said the baby was in a weird position but gave us a guess of the sex. I didn't think too much of it because it wasn't a sure answer. Overall, I was happy the baby was alright and Maddie walked out with a cute color book and crayons.


So, Jon and I decided to schedule another ultrasound, which was today. All I have to say is that our little one is very active. That's the first thing that comes out of our techs mouths. Maddie used to turn her back to us and fall asleep in the middle of all her ultrasounds. She definitely didn't want to be bothered and was very shy. After a while, the tech began to tell us that the baby is lying face down and is unable to tell us the sex but gives us her guess. So I began thinking that we have another Madison on our hands and we're not going to know until they're born. As she is telling us to come back in 3 weeks, the baby suddenly rolls over on it's back, opens their legs and our tech, Kara, announces that we're having, .................. A GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She is with no doubt a sweet little girl. Kara said there is no plumbing in between her legs and is 200% a girl. The guess I got 3 weeks ago was correct except that I was a little bummed then and told the techs they were lying. That was awful of me to say that. Then I began to think about the cute dresses with matching ballet shoes, bows, ruffled socks, tights,.... that I used to dress Maddie in and began to have a change of heart. I'm just glad that our baby is healthy. Jon was excited when I told him and even more so when we found out today. Maddie had no interest today because our appointment clashed with her nap time. For weeks Maddie has been calling her Emma (a name she said she thought about and chose all by herself) but we have a few other names in mind as well. This little girl is definitely a soccer player. I have been feeling her move for weeks but Jon and Madison were able to feel her kick earlier this week. Madison's expression was priceless. Her little eyes opened wide and the baby would kick wherever she put her hands. The baby moves like that for Jon, too. We're anxious to see what she's going to look like and we can't wait to meet her. Overall, we're all doing great. My bump is all baby and I feel awesome!!!!!
Since Maddie is the potty queen, Grandma Ruthann is rewarding her with a trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium tomorrow. She is so excited. Yippee!!!!