Fun for everyone at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium #lovepgh #zooforall #yyzlovespgh

A week ago today we were just starting our road trip vacation through Pennsylvania. Our first stop was Grove City for shopping, and then we headed to Pittsburgh. The first stop in Pittsburgh was the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium - and we ALL loved it. In fact, my Mom has declared this stop her very favourite out of our whole trip, and my Mom has visited Zoos all over the world, so you know this one is impressive.

If you're road tripping it to Pittsburgh, the Zoo has you covered with free parking. It was about a 20-minute drive from our hotel downtown.

Honolulu Zoo (#hnlbambina)

I was in love with the Honolulu Zoo. And the animals at the Honolulu Zoo were in love with Chris' camera, he got lots of great shots (it was really hard to determine which ones to post).

Again, before we went my Mom warned us the Zoo hadn't gotten the best reviews online. I have no idea what these people expect for $14 admission, but our trio (and our free baby visitor) were quite impressed.

It's not as big as the Toronto Zoo, and there's no huge hill to check out the animals who are indigenous to the island (thank goodness). The exhibits are big and beautiful (although slightly odd when you can see a Waikiki hotel towering in the background), but they aren't so far apart you feel like you are walking for days until you reach one animal from leaving another. We saw everything the Zoo had to offer in about three hours.

There are more than 1,200 mammals, reptiles and birds that call the Honolulu Zoo home. There are elephants, lions and chimpanzees. Hippos, tigers and meerkats. If the animal showed up to Simba's introduction in the "Circle of Life" in the Lion King, you can most likely see them here. Like one of the dolphins at Sea Life Park, Hannah attracted many of the animals to come close so she could get a better look.

With all the controversy surrounding the elephants at the Toronto Zoo, I think their new home should be the Honolulu Zoo. And I think for coming up with that idea (although, not offering to foot the cost to fly them to Hawaii - perhaps Bob Barker could do that?), I should get a free trip every year to visit said elephants in their new paradise home.

Located quite close to the Waikiki Aquarium and across from Waikiki Beach, the Honolulu Zoo is a must for all visitors - with or without children.

YYZ Bambina is tagging all Hawaii-related posts #hnlbambina.

© 2012 YYZ Bambina. All Rights Reserved.

Due date has come...and is almost gone

So with six hours and change left of Jan. 26, 2012 I feel pretty safe in saying she has not arrived by her due date.

After my obstetrician appointment yesterday, the bf and I walked for about five hours at the Toronto Zoo. Since walking is supposed to induce labour, we thought it might help. Alas, it did not. But it was nice to spend an afternoon as two before we become three. And some of the animals were surprisingly active whereas others were huddled together to keep warm. I can't say I blame them, even with their fur coats.

If the baby hasn't arrived by Tuesday I have an ultrasound scheduled and then my obstetrician and I will discuss next steps.

The spontaneity of going into labour is what bugs me the most. I am a planner. In some ways I'd rather just have a date knowing EXACTLY what was going to happen and how. But even induction seems to be tricky and affects each woman in a different way. I guess it's just one of those "It will happen when it happens" life cliches and I should just accept it. Although I am happy in that hopefully by next time this week she will be here or at least I may be in the hospital awaiting her arrival!