Dallas World Aquarium

The DWA was really really fun! I am so glad my parents thought of it because I didn't even know about it. It is new since I lived here. Anyways, the girls had a great time! A small hornbill even landed on my back while we were in the jungle exhibit (the jungle exibit is pictured above). They had much more than just fish. It had everything from monkeys, birds, bats, snakes, and even a panther, in addition to aquatic life of all kinds. It had a shark tunnel where you could walk through and see all the sharks swimming around you. I loved how all the animals were mixed in together like they would be in the wild. My dad took some great pictures:

Mimi and the girls are looking at sting rays, ducks, and turtles all in one exibit.

The girls are in front of one of the big tanks with all kinds of fish and one giant manatee!

Here was their favorite thing...the lively otter. The otter kept diving in and swimmimg up right in front of them. They loved it!

Here they are in front of the flamingos. The girls even tried to imitate them by standing on one leg.

Lessons only grandparents can teach

Well, it all started when Hannah and I were playing in the kitchen and she fell. She fell on her bottom and hands on the tile which could not have merited the crazy dramatic response that it got. Since I was involved in the fall, she starts wailing for Mimi. Mimi rushes in and takes her away. At the same time I got Genna out of the high chair and she ran in to follow them only to discover that Mimi was giving chocolate to Hannah to make her feel better. So I walk in, and say, "What! Are you kidding me?! What's the chocolate for this time?" My mom sheepishly admits it is to make her feel better since she fell and was crying. Genna then starts doing this weird squat thing. When I asked her what she was doing she said, "Genna wants to fall down." That is impressive for a 21 month old! She learned very quickly how to get some chocolate in this house. I think I am going to have to confiscate all the chocolate in the house for the duration of this visit. This is getting ridiculous!

Family Gathering

We had a little get together at my family's house on Saturday morning. Here is the group picture. There were a lot of missing people due to illness, but we still had a great time!

The promised video of the girls in concert!

A fun weekend...here are the pictures!

Aunt Kristen and Hannah after Aunt Kristen curled her hair and painted her nails...I think she may be trying to make a clone of herself!

Poppa Boat and the girls

Aunt Kristen and Genna

Aunt Kristen and Hannah act silly

Leah teaches Genna how to use a camera

The girls try to share the rocking chair I had when I was a little girl

Poppa Boat and Genna come back from getting the mail

Aunt Kristen and Hannah share a lemon

The littlest Smith makes some noise!

I felt mystery baby #3 kicking for the first time last night. He/she was kicking away for a good 45 minutes while I was sitting and talking with family. I am so happy! I have been waiting for this for a week because I started feeling Genevieve kick at exactly 16 weeks, and I am 17 weeks and a few days now. This is one of my favorite parts of being pregnant because it makes me realize how amazing it is to carry a growing baby (with a personality already) inside of me. I can't wait to see what this baby will be like. Hannah was a wiggle worm who never stopped moving and trying to shove body parts out of my tummy...a mover and a shaker from the get go! Genevieve was so laid back moving a good amount, but never pushing hard or stretching out to much. She was in a little ball most of the time. A sweethearted girl who has loved to cuddle and sleep all along! I love how unique my little gifts from God are!

Genevieve's surprising everyone, even me!

I have been so surprised how social she has been on this trip. Normally, if there's a large group or new people talk to her she clings to me until people don't notice her anymore. Since coming to the states, she has been very quick to open up to people. She seems to have a soft spot for Poppa Boat. Today she asked me for more grapes (her absolute favorite food in the world!) and I said, "After you eat some more peas." She didn't miss a beat and turned straight to her Poppa Boat saying, "Poppa Boat, may I have some more grapes, please?" I guess she figured out that he has a soft spot for her as well!

She is also much more aware of what everyone is saying than I thought. I knew she understood, but I didn't know she listened as carefully as she does. The other day, Hannah got scared during a game of monster with her Unlce Kent that was initiated by her. She was crying in Mimi's arms when Poppa Boat asked Genna if she was scared too. Genna said, "No Genna's not scared; Hannah's not tough." Oops! That may be a direct quote from Mommy. I probably shouldn't say that anymore! Bad Mommy!

Genna is continuing to wow everyone with her long intricate sentences and her cute answers to "Why" questions. She has actually been out talking her sister lately which I would never have dreamed would happen. My only problem with that is that I LOVE quiet, and the way things are looking I may not meet my quiet quota again until my kid's are out of the house!