Trying to be "normal"

Yesterday Laura and Michael decided it was time to try an outing.  And guess what? The Norfolk Zoo is just 10 minutes from the hospital!  So, Michael was sure to talk it up to William.  He was all ready to see the elephants and giraffes (or so he said).

The timing was tricky with Laura needing to pump every few hours.  So we had a pretty small window of time. And it was a very hot, sunny day - so all of us pale folks spent at least 10 minutes loading up on sunscreen.  To save money, I packed a very compact lunch - 4 PBJs, some sliced apples, and chips.

The first animal we came to was the tiger.  Thankfully a zoo employee pointed him out to us, resting in the shade, or we may have missed him.  We brought William to a nice close vantage point and he looked for a bit, then pointed into the grass and said "buttercups!!"

We just knew that he would feel differently about the giraffes and elephants, with all the preliminary talk...but....William was very interested in the green poles, the trash cans, and the overhead light fixtures and the fact that they were not on.  (Michael had replaced a light bulb at home the night before).  So, we would be standing in a covered area looking out at the elephants and William would only point up and say "light off!"  That boy...

The animal he showed the most interest in was the binturong.  It came very close to us, which I'm sure made a difference.

In the end, we splurged on an extremely overpriced bowl of dip-n-dots.  Everyone was really hot, and Laura is still eating for two!

Today's outing was a birthday party.  A family that Laura and Michael met at church invited them to their son's 3rd birthday party.  Laura and Michael spent the day at the hospital, so I was to meet them at the party (in Newport News) at 4pm.  The hosts are very kind people, but I felt awkward not knowing anyone and being "Amma" and not "mommy".  When Laura and Michael arrived, I decided to let them enjoy and socialize while I made a run to Babies R Us, which was close by.  William enjoyed his time, but is still of the age where he doesn't really interact with the others.  Plus, all of his companions for several months now have been grown-ups! (and some not even young grown-ups...).  In the end, Laura, Michael, and I all agree we feel like misfits in the "real world" for now.

So, for all of you living there now.....we hope to be back with you soon :)