Michael, Beka, and Emery (mostly Michael and Beka) have been very, VERY busy the past few weeks. We feel like we have not had some family time, just the tree of us, in too long. So even though we did not have a fully free day for a while, we decided to take a half day, and spend some family fun time together.
Michael had a meeting in Franklin in the morning, so Beka and Emery went with him, and they walked around while he met with some volunteers for cyt (www.cytnashville.org Go check it out! Big things are happening!). Beka LOVES the shops in downtown Franklin, and just planned on spending a few hours perusing the shops and fun boutiques. We got there at 9am, when Michael's meeting started, but the shops didn't open until 10am!!! Beka had an hour to kill, so she strapped Emery to her, and they walked...and walked...and walked...they ended up walking about two miles around Franklin. They laughed, they took photos of each other and fun houses, and had a great time getting some exercise.
Once the shops finally opened, Beka got her fill of window shopping for another hour, then after sore feet and a tired baby (Emery was wiped out too), Michael's meeting ended and we headed up to Nashville to visit our friends at Notable blends coffee shop. We had fun FINALLY being together as a Team Oakley family!
Emery has been to this coffee shop many-a-time. In fact, he came here for the first time when he was less than a week old! So he is very comfortable here, and he used that comfortability to explore his surroundings with vigor!
It did not take long on his exploring adventure for him to find Sumatra, the Notable blends mascot. They are friends.
Emery gave him a big kiss before continuing on his adventure.
All his exploring made him thirsty, so we stopped for a juice break.
After that break, we took Emery out to an industrial fan to play 'flying baby!'
He liked playing 'super Emery', and we had a great time with him at the coffee shop.
Our next family fun stop was the Nashville Zoo, one of our favorite places!
The last time we were here, Michael did not get to come, so we were very happy to all be together this time. Emery was eager to get going with the fun!
The first stop...the play place! Emery hopped on the tot lot and got to playin!
He made a friend named Violet when he was playing. He was very sweet and gentle with her. We had to keep him from smothering her with his love and hugs, but he did very good.
He kept applauding her!
He was also fascinated at the sparkling butterfly on her shirt, and wanted to know what it was. She was a good sport and just kept playing with him.
Yay Emery for making friends! Michael and Beka are always worried about him playing with other kids, but he is getting better with every encounter.
They had some pretty fun interactions and conversations. We have no idea what about, but they were full of excitement!
After the tot lot we went deep into the play place, and found Emery in the mouth of a snake!
Then Michael wanted to take him on the slide for the first time, so up and away they went!
It was a loooong way down!
To Emery it was just a long snuggle with Dad, cramped in a dark place, until he saw the sun again, so it was not his favorite thing. We will wait until he is a bit older. It was a little hard for Michael too; he is getting to big for those things.
Then we tried the infant swing. This was his first time on the swing, and he was not about it.
First off, there was like 20 straps holding him in like he was a criminal, and he was tilted back in an awkward way so that he could not lift his head without straining. Boo swing.
Look at that face...LOL! He was not in a happy place.
We even tried it on Beka's lap, but he was not thrilled with that either.
So off the infant swing we went. We were heading out of the play place to see some animals, and we stopped to say hi to the hippo....then we found out that Emery did NOT like the hippo. He didn't even want to look at it! He kept turning away and buying his head into Michael's shoulder.
Michael got onto the hippo, but weirdly that did not change Emery's fear of the giant animal.
"Mom, save me".
After the hippo, we decided to leave the play area. But then, as we were leaving we saw another swing area where a little guy like Emery was swinging. I asked the Dad with him how old he was, and he said 9 months. Emery is 10 months, so we tried it. Oh how happy we are that we did!
Immediately he was so excited! No straps, no confinement, just sweet, swing freedom!
We cannot look at these photos without bubbling with joy! He was so free and happy! Pure bliss!
Here was the little man that gave us confidence in putting Emery in the swing. Thanks little man! Look at their little man legs dangling in the swing! So precious!
Michael was having just a bit of fun pushing him. Dad moments, so sweet.
These last two photos take the cake. We cannot get enough of this boy! Oh how special he is, and oh how much joy he brings!!!
This one is pretty good too... :D
After the play place, we went and saw the lake and the small waterfall.
The lake smelled a bit, so Beka said "peeeewww!" and waved her hand in front of her nose. Emery just recently learned to copy her doing that, so they had some fun together "pe-ewing" the lake.
After all the play and "pee-ewing", Emery was pretty hot and tired. It def was time for juice.
Then, this photo (below) happened. It was not Emery's fault he got upset. Michael and Beka knew he was hungry, so we made him a bottle. Then we gave it to him, but when we did, we noticed that it was not mixed enough, so we took it right out of his mouth to shake it up more....so yeah, this face was justified.
And VERY short lived. He just wanted some bottle.
After he was appeased, we went to see the elephants. They are Michael's favorite, and we try and see them every time we go to the zoo.
After the elephants, we saw the funny Timons. Emery is almost big enough to appreciate these crazy creatures, but not quite yet.
After that, we decided we had played hard enough, and it was time to go home. We had a great time FINALLY hanging out as a family. Emery showed Beka his appreciation of the day with the best gift he could ever give her; a big kiss!
There is no better way to end the day. How sweet it is to spend time together.
Thanks for sharing in our joy!
Love,
Team Oakley
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