Dallas Zoo Adventure

Locke Lord (Eric's firm) provided our "Dallas Zoo Adventure!" Karen gave us a backstage tour starting with the Penguins... Don M. Glendenning, Managing Partner, paid for the Penguin exhibit!!

Attius had a rough start and didn't want to go. I knew he would have fun, he just needed to warm up. Thankfully, once we met a cute littlel Penguin and got to pet her, her perked up.

 

 

 

 

Chunk was very curious about these little guys!

We learned some pretty cool stuff about them... like, one of the reasons the exhibit has so many fans going is not just to keep them cool but to also keep the mosquitos away!!

My sweet boy! He's being so brave, but bless his heart, he just doesn't feel good.

The Giraffe exhibit is when he really started to get excited...

Isaac wasn't so sure about them :)

 

 

I love this picture. He's been pretty attatched to Grandma her last few trips out!
 

In honour of "Atticus Hansen Week" we all wore our Pediatric Cancer awareness shirts!

His scar is healing really well and doesn't bother him a bit!

 

He was super excited to see the cheetah's!

Chunk was too!

You may be surprised at what animal really kept his attention...

The WARTHOGS... He thinks they are super awesome!!

This is one LOVED little boy!

Eric is such a good dad! He is gentle tender and patient with Atticus. I love watching them interact together.

Meet Jenny the Elephant!

OK... Seriously, this was AMAZING and Atticus was in HEAVEN!! He had SO much fun. They let him feed her (toss food her direction, you cannot cross the yellow line) and he loved it. Jenny's trainer would let him grab an apple pear or carrot from her pail and let him toss it to her. After a few tosses she put the bucket aside. Atticus whispered in my ear, "Mom, ask her if I can feed Jenny some more!" So she gave him the whole bucket!! Then he later whispered, "Mom, aske her how elephants sleep!" He was loving this!

He tossed Jenny the entire bucket full and if the food tossed in front of her, but she found the food anyway, he would cheer her on, "Good job Jenny! You found it!"

These animals are incredible and so much bigger when your up close!

 

Jenny's trainer (Im sorry I can't remember your name) asked Atticus if he wanted to see her do a special trick. He of course said yes. So, they got out the paints and Jenny the elephant became an artist!

She was a wild one, definitely an abstract painter :)

 

Atticus thought it was AWESOME and laughed and laughed. Jenny got a big crazy with her art work! Atticus whispered in my ear, "Mom, ask her if I can keep the painting!" He of course did!! It will go right next the Elrod's painting! It's not every day you get a painting done by a Sea Lion AND an Elephant!

 

The trainer got the elephants to make their "noises." Isaac wasn't sure about it!

THIS is how we roll.....

Karen was the sweetest thing and so patient as we stopped to change Atticus' medications 3 different times. She really was incredible. We are so grateful for her time an thoughtful planning!

Atticus flipped when Karen told him he could hold a snake!

Cute Isaac was more interested in trying to get the cupboards open and couldn't care less about the snake.

 

He seriously loves snakes and acts like it's no big deal!!

I however, think it is a VERY big deal, but I promised him I would be brave.
Why do we mother's do that? Promise stupid crazy things...?!

He was very proud of me!

 

If you look closely, you can see a little smirk on his face! He felt so cool/brave with this snake in his hands!

I don't know why I love this one, but I do! He has absolutely NO FEAR.

 

Meeting the Guinea Pig...

 

A mini opossom...

 

Chunk trying to wiggle his way out of Pop Pop's arms to squeeze the life out of that poor little opossoum!

A Red Eyed Tree frog...

 

And last but not least, Goats... who tried to eat the tag on his wheel chair!

Karen had set up for Atticus and a parent to ride on a camel but Atticus wasn't feel up to it and was ready to go home.

Im pretty sure Isaac is the happiest baby in the world. He is a true blessing.

I miss him. I know that right now, my focus needs to be on Atticus, but its hard. Hard finding the right balance between the boys. Atticus requires so much attention, not in a bad way, Im happy to care for him. More than happy. Honored. It's just with medications, his inability to move on his own, and just plain not feeling well, he really just wants to cuddle all day long and gets pretty emotional if Im not close by. Hence, the "I miss Isaace" business. I wish I had more energy so that when Atticus naps I could focus on Isaac. I try, but Im just so dang tired I end of falling asleep with Atticus. On one hand Im grateful Isaac is so little with all this happening, so the chance of him being scarred for life is less, but on the other hand, I hate that he is so little because he won't have any memories of his older brother, aside from pictures or course.  Lifes tricky and complicated, but we're doing it. One step at a time. The moments I get with Isaac I love. I love him. I love how happy he is. That no matter how sad I am about loosing my first son, looking at my second son brings a tender happiness to my heart and a sense of, "Im going to be ok." Not a day goes by that I don't thank Heavenly Father for my Isaac. For his "go-with-the-flow" attitude. He sweet face. His chubby feet that are carrying him all over the place now. His snuggle bug hugs and loves. I know that Heavenly Father sent me and Eric Isaac so that we wouldn't give up. And we won't. I will be the best dang mom possible for him, like I have tried and am continuing to try to be for Atticus.. Sorry, that was kind of a mouth full!

 

So, back to the "Zoo Adventure" It was AWESOME! Thank you Dallas Zoo. Thank Don Glendenning. Atticus was very excited to put another check on our Adventure poster!