Zoo Day

We had our first day at the zoo with Jackson. We caught up with his cousin Megan (and her mommy Krista) at the Fort Worth Zoo. We couldn't have asked for better weather so the animals were out and about putting on a show. Jackson was wide-eyed the entire time, well almost the entire time - he tuckered out at the tigers (see posted picture). He was so amazed with all the animals but had the best time in the penguin exhibit. He could see all the action through the glass wall that showed above and below water. They were feeding at the time we visited so were especially active. He stood with his hands on the glass laughing and yelling. I think if he could talk he would have said, "Mommy, can we have one?" Yeah right, Maggie and Gertie would love that! His second favorite was the petting zoo and he just loved the lady with the snake. I'm pretty certain now that he is "all boy" and I'll have lots of reptiles visiting us inside our home in the near future. In fact, I imagine daddy will be right there with him catching snakes, lizards, geckos, etc. We finished with an ice cream that made his day. As Maw Bush says, "He loves that ice cream and gets it honestly." I guess so...
I must admit, yesterday was one of my proudest moments as a Mother. These are the things I spent hours daydreaming about those long months we were trying to conceive. Watching the world through a child's eyes is something special, but watching them YOUR child's eyes fills your heart with so much love and pride. I haven't been to a zoo in years but this visit was a whole new experience and one I will never forget. Can you imagine seeing penguins gliding through the water right in front of your eyes for the first time, or seeing tiger cubs playing like your doggies do at home, or feeling a snake's skin and goat's fur? I guess we take all of these experiences for granted but he relished in each one and soaked it all in.
One new adventure down and many more to go - I can't wait!