Birthday Zoo

So, since Devin is in love with all kinds of animals, we decided we wanted to take him to the zoo for his birthday. We did go once last December for Zoo Lights, but he didn't get to see a lot of animals, so this was more like his first trip.
We invited our families to come along and most everyone came (we missed Sirie, Kayley, Paul, and Glenn!) We did the cake and presents first and then as a big group wandered around the zoo, looking at all the animals.
The little zoo train went right past where we were sitting and every time it went, Devin would get so excited and he would stop whatever he was doing so he could watch it go by! So of course we had to take a ride on it!

So here is my attempt at a creative cake.
The one on the left is like a moon for Buzz and the aliens. The one on the right is a cowboy cake (those spots are supposed to be cow spots, not pies! hehe!) I used the toys we gave Devin for his birthday as cake toppers.

Getting ready to blow out his candle!

Here is a video of Devin blowing out his candle.


Devin got spoiled with Toy Story paraphernalia! Bags, wrapping paper, shirts, pajamas, toy, kleenex box, dishes, shoes, and wall stickers galore!
This is Devin's sign for Buzz Lightyear (hand straight up in the air) b/c of when Buzz says, "To infinity and beyond!"

Here we are on the train. You can't tell by looking at him, but Devin had fun! After we got off, he had a big smile on his face!

Devin really liked the rhino statue! I love the picture in the bottom right!

We stopped near the carousel to put sunscreen on Devin and suddenly Devin wanted to take a ride! So Grandpa graciously bought him a ticket! This is about how he looked during the entire ride; he didn't smile or wave! But as soon as he got off, he came running up to us, just smiling and acting so crazy b/c he was excited!

I can't remember what these or the next animal are, but Devin had fun seeing them!

I had Morian go up with Devin to see how they "measure up." At first Devin just stood there and then we tried to get him to put his arms out and his arms shoot straight up in the air! Finally, someone behind the camera demonstrated how to put his arms and he got it! He's almost the size of a juvenile gorilla.

This is how Devin felt at the end of our adventure
(after spending almost 5 hours at the zoo, during his nap time!)

Devin fell asleep almost immediately in the car as we left and took like a 2 1/2 hour nap! He was exhausted! But I think he had fun!

Happy Birthday Devin!

Today is Devin's birthday. He is 2 years old. I can hardly believe it! Technically at this time 2 years ago he still wasn't even born yet (7:40 PM baby) but it's the day right?! Where has the time gone?
We are doing a family celebration on Saturday, but we still wanted to do something for Devin on his actual birthday. So, after he woke up, he got a present to open!

The Birthday Boy + his present

Once we showed him what to do, he took over and did a great job unwrapping his present!
(I took a video of most of it, so this was like the only picture I got)

"Hey, those guys look familiar!"

Devin is very much into Toy Story, and especially Buzz Lightyear right now. So of course he was pretty excited to find Buzz and had to point him out!

Here he is showcasing his present; too bad he doesn't smile on command!

But he really was super stoked for his present!

Of course, Buzz and Zurg had to fight! And Zurg always seems to win...this is how he played with them all morning!

Also, in conjunction with his birthday, we upgraded him to a "big boy" bed. We figured if we did it now, he's got about 6 weeks to get used to it before the baby comes. Morian's mom had bought some Toy Story sheets and comforter a while back and we thought it was perfect for his new bed!

Here is Devin with all his Buzz's. (Notice the small toy one near the bottom left.)

And here is Devin sitting on his new "big boy" bed. So far he likes it! He crawled right on up and was having a good ole time matching up the toys with those on the comforter and playing with them.

In honor of his birthday, Devin got a coupon for a free kids' Grand Slam from Denny's, valid only on his birthday. We actually have one not too far from us, so I decided to brave the 20 minute or so walk there with Devin in a stroller and my huge belly for some breakfast for lunch! Devin got chocolate chip pancakes with a piece of sausage and a piece of bacon.
He had a few bites of pancake (mostly around the edge where the chocolate chips were!),

sausage (he ate his and like 1 1/2 of mine!)

& bacon!

I was quite surprised when he grabbed the meat and started chowing down on it! I just never know what this kid is gonna eat! He also had a few bites of lunch, which was called Bananas Foster French Toast Skillet, and oh my goodness! That was the best stuff ever! French toasts covered in a caramel sauce with banana slices. Yum-o! Devin really liked it too! (Better than his pancakes!)
Devin fell asleep on our way home (it was nap time) and so he was pretty out of it when I laid him down on his new bed. But he just rolled over onto his tummy and went back to sleep and going strong! At least we know it's comfy enough to sleep on, but who knows if he'll be able to fall asleep on it on his own!
I am so glad that Devin is my son (still kinda weird to say that sometimes!) and feel so blessed to be a part of his life! What an enormous responsibility it is to care for him, but I wouldn't want anyone else to do it! Even though he's been working on the "Terrible Twos" for a while now, and I seem to have an especially small amount of patience with him (as I get bigger, it gets shorter!), I love him to pieces and am amazed at all he does!
Happy Birthday Devin! Mommy and Daddy love you!