July 31, 2008

I love making the girls birthdays a special day! It's as much fun for me as I'm sure it is for them! I made Hayden her favorite breakfast...Eggo Waffles! I would cook her something if she wanted, but she loves Eggos! We went out to Pam's for her birthday photos in the morning and then we took the kids to my parents pool. Papa joined us...which was a treat in itself! After a great big day of swimming and playing, we came home and rested up for a fun evening. Hayden picked Red Robin for her birthday dinner (what's new?) and Memaw and Papa met us there with birthday balloons. We gave Hayden her gift, a new camera and Memaw and Papa gave her a new iPod shuffle!

She had a great night, capped off with an ice cream sundae. Next up, a super special birthday party on Saturday night!

Five Years Old!

We went over to Pam's house this morning for a photo shoot! She did an amazing job with Hayden's 5 year pictures. Thanks sooo much sister!I will attach a link at a later time to kodak gallery to see the rest of the proofs.

Happy 5th Birthday Hayden!

On Thursday, July 31st at 6:31pm....we finally got to meet Hayden Catherine (or Hayden Cate --as I affectionately call her)! Our lives forever changed in that moment!

Conal and I have both learned so much, as we've grown up with Hayden. She taught us a new kind of love. She's taught us patience and compassion, she's given us strength and ambition. Hayden is a very unique girl. She is tender and kind, she is funny and serious, she is shy and very loveable....she is definately one of a kind.

On this day, I cannot help but to think how fast five years have gone by, yet, how she seems to have been our lives forever. Conal and I cannot remember what our lives were like prior to having her. She's fulfilled us so greatly and we are so blessed for that. Happy birthday Hayden, we love you so much!

HaYdEn'S FiVe yEaR oLd FuN fAcTs (as told to me by Hayden):

Favorite Food: Mac-N-Cheese, Crab Legs, Spaghetti, PB&J and Waffles w/ sprinkles

Favorite Drink: Milk and Capri Sun

Favorite Color: Pink

Favorite Movie: Air Buddies, Fox and the Hound

Favorite Song: Breaking Free, Hannah Montana's songs

Favorite Books: Fancy Nancy and Pinkalicious (aka to Hayden - PinkDelicious)

Favorite Activity: Craft Projects, Swimming in Memaw's Pool, Swinging

Favorite TV Show: Disney Channel (apparently she likes them all!)

Weight: 38 lbs
Height: 46 1/2 inches

Hayden also likes to play hopscotch and draw with sidewalk chalk. She loves to make pictures of nature and play hula hoop. Likes wearing nailpolish and sleeping with her Disney character stuffed animals. Hayden gave up the bunny a couple of months ago, so Mickey Mouse and friends have taken over her full size bed! She loves to play outside and Disneyland is her favorite place to vacation, she has been there three times! She has her first loose tooth, which made Mommy very sad and Hayden very happy! She will be attending pre-k five days a week this Fall and is excited about learning and making new friends!

Fancy Nancy

Hayden was recently gifted the latest Fancy Nancy book, Bonjour Butterfly. We've never owned a Fancy Nancy book, but we did check one out at the library awhile back. Since she got that book a week ago, Fancy Nancy is like a celebrity in our household. Hayden has really taken a liking to the story and all the frills that go along with it! That sassy, well spoken little Nancy with her fancy words, clothes and attitude is quite the character. I recommend if you have a little girl and haven't read it, you must do so!

The Dark Knight

I planned a last minute, surprise date with Conal when he got home from work today. My mom picked the girls up for me on her way home and kept them for a few hours. We've had a span of tough luck lately and I've decided that today was going to be a turnaround day (not that it's in my control)! We have both been wanting to see The Dark Knight, but we rarely ever get to go to the movies. A couple of hours in the cool quiet theater, not having to think or function was the perfect rx!

I'm not a big comic book-movie-girl, but goodness, I loved this movie. I thought it definately lived up to the hype. Heath Ledger was an absolutely incredible Joker, he was a remarkable actor, at least in this role. I thought the theatre would be empty since school is back in session, but to our surprise, at the 4:20 matinee, there were quite a few people there. We over indulged on soda, popcorn and candy and thoroughly enjoyed the time off! Thanks Mom and Dad for helping us out with the kids today. We really appreciate it and the girls had a wonderful time at your house, as usual!And, here's my new Hollywood crush. Totally worth seeing the movie :)

Get Well Soon, Nana

Nana sure has had a rough go of it lately. On Thursday, she had a mini-stroke. She was released from the hospital on Saturday and was feeling pretty good earlier Sunday when Conal talked to her. While she was in the hospital, Grandpa Ed had to go down to the ER with chest pains. Turns out it was from stress and he was released.

We got an email from Bill Sunday evening informing us that Nana had slipped later in the day and fractured her foot in three places. Not good and no fun. In addition to all of this, Nana had surgery on her shoulder just 3 weeks ago. Poor Nana....she needs to catch a break! Get well soon, Nana!

Nana and Grandpa Ed with a newborn Taylor, circa May 2006

Outer Space and Stars and Skies

Tuesday night after Bill and Gigi left, my girls were wound tight. Very hyper from a fun and exciting visit from their grandpa and there was no immediate settling in sight. They needed to burn off some steam so, we threw them (figuratively) back outside and told them to run it out of their system before they came back in! They generally go to bed around 8:15, with the wind down starting at 8:00. Well, it was now 8:30 and they were still having fun running crazy, playing in the sprinkler, drawing with chalk and watching themselves dance in the sliding door reflection (we even had to tell them to turn the radio down, they were blasting it!). At that point, Conal went to bed and told me I was on my own!

I noticed around 8:45 that they'd quieted down and I couldn't find them. So, I went out in search just to find them in the corner of the patio lying on a pile of chair cushions. They made a little fort and were minding their own business. So, I came back and let them be. I went back out at 9:30 and they both jumped up! Taylor pointed upwards and started telling me "space, skies, stars. black and night and airplanes, mommy". It took me a second to realize what she was saying. So I asked Hayden and she said that she was teaching Taylor about outer space and stars and skies so that when she gets to preschool she would already know all that stuff, then she could just play!

I thought that was too cute. These little sisters just love each other. I know one day, we're sure to face some type of rivalry or something, but as for now...they are the best of friends. We're so lucky and it makes me so grateful that they have each other.

Get this girl a stage

This little munchkin needs a stage! Well, let me rephrase that. She recently found the entrance to the Build-A-Bear store at the mall to be her stage, oh yah, and the main lobby at the Marriott Desert Ridge; they must have great acoustics! She loves attention and is not shy (unless she wants to be!). She's a very loud child. Even when she's just talking she's loud. Her voice ranges octaves above the rest of us. She loves to sing, she's very animated and is working on her dance moves. She jumps and twirls and has just learned how to shuffle ball change!
She walks around in these shoes, that are a bit too tight for her, all of the time. She loves the clik clok sounds they make.
I've looked for a dance class for toddlers, but cannot seem to find one that is for girls under 3 years old...if you know of one in the area, let me know!

July 24, 2003

This date always holds a special place in my heart. It was Hayden's original due date. Yep, the date that came and went, and went and went on for another week! Regardless, I remember sitting in my doctor's office on the 24th, my due date, near tears begging him not to make me wait any longer. Because I wasn't dilated at all, there was nothing he could really do but send me home and see me back in a week "if not sooner" of course! --- Love how they say that!

Anyhow, this is probably stupid, and I'm sure I'll regret it, but for nostalgia's sake, here's a picture of me "sulking", getting ready to bob in my parents iced down hot tub on July 24, 2003, 40 weeks pregnant, 5 years ago!

Swimmin' at the Mitchell's

We went to Kelly and Tom's for a bbq and swimfest today. My little waterbugs were in heaven! Grandpa and Gigi are still here, so it was another great advantage to get lots of attention! (since my girls are soooo attention starved!!!) It was a nice and relaxing day! It was overcast so we didn't have sun hangovers today either, which was nice...since we were in the pool til 7:00 last night!

Homemade Pedi

As much as I crave a long, quiet and relaxing spa pedicure....this one will have to do!

Where the magic happens...

This is where the magic happens! Our big, little girl, Tay, is just forging on so wonderfully with potty training! She's a bright kid so I really am not surprised, but I am so proud of her. A couple months back I tried, as she showed interest, but she fell off the big toilet at one point and that put a fear into her. So I backed off until I thought it might be a good time again.

The timing seems right and she is really taking to it. She doesn't like to be in a diaper at all, much less a wet one. In the last 24 hours, she's had one wet one and that was when she woke up this morning. I didn't even have to change it, thanks to Hayden. That girl loves changing diapers! I've been letting her run around naked or with a Pull-Up (thanks Heather, for the leftovers!) and have been setting her on her toilet every 30 minutes or so. Well, to our surprise, her last pee-pee she took off her diaper, handed it to me, went into the bathroom and got her toilet paper, and came out into hallway where her toilet was and did her business! She was quite proud of herself and so were we!! We make a huge deal each time she goes and she gets a licorice (since we've got tons of leftovers from camping still!). I'm even more proud that she did it on her own. Way to go Tay! I'm just thrilled at the thought that I may be nearing the end of a diaper purchasing/changing era!

My big helper

Hayden is such a big help to me today...when she's not making a mess or running a-muck! There are times when she's really got it in her mind that she wants to help mommy with as much as she can. Today as been one of those days. I dunno, maybe it's the fact that yesterday was a terrible day for her...she was supposed to clean her room all day. She had many punishments but nothing seemed to get through to her until Daddy got home. Regardless, her room and Tay's were cleaned up before she went to bed and today started anew!

The girls woke me up this morning and Hayden informed me that Taylor had a fresh diaper and bottle. True...she changed her diaper and made her a bottle. She knows 4 scoops of formula, but not how much water. So, it was a little low, but that doesn't matter. Tay gets a bottle of formula to increase her caloric intake, so more to less is just fine!

She then helped me unload the dishwasher and sort the laundry, loaded the basin and cleaned her bathroom counter. I folded some laundry and she put all of hers away.

I know not to get too thrilled about someone helping as opposed to making the mess. But it's been great having her around, making my life a little easier. And even more fun teaching her little lessons on keeping up the household! I think I'll even give her a little allowance as incentive ;)

Splish! Splash!

Grandpa called us at 10:30 this morning to see if we wanted to head up to Desert Ridge to go swimming with them. How we could resist that offer? He only comes to town one to two times a year, so when he does, we try to make the most out of seeing him. This trip is even better for us because he's here in the summer while I'm out of work and Hayden's out of school!

So, we got there about noon and didn't leave until 4p! Both of the girls had fun showing off all of their swimming moves and tricks! They had a fun splash pad area, and we spent a lot of time floating the lazy river in a big double tube. We stopped for a quick break of healthy snacks, and then went back to 'work' on the lazy river. Some passerby even gave the girls and I an A+ for "great river laziness"!!

Thanks for the invite Grandpa (Peepa), we enjoyed spending such a wonderful day with you!

Swallowed Penny Update

The pennies Taylor swallowed were recovered this morning!

Welcome Marquette's

After (almost) 24 hours of travel chaos, Bill and Gigi made it to Arizona. We met up with them and Tom and Kelly for a delicious and low key dinner at the Yardhouse. It was great to catch up with them, and the Mitchell's too as we haven't seen them since April! The girls enjoyed all of the attention that was centered on them and Taylor found a new friend in Tahwwy (as she is calling Uncle Tommy).

WARNING!, lots of sentance fragments and run-ons and ons and ons

What's one to do when the clock strikes 12:37am and she can't sleep? Turn on the computer and blog....that bright light is sure to keep me up for at least another hour or two! I've heard of writing everything down that it's your mind...in the dark or dim lighting...and then you'll be able to go back to bed and rest easy. The problem is...'in my head' is nonsense! I'm not really stressed. I'm not bogged down with 'to-do's'. And the house is nice and cool. So, I think I just can't sleep. On that note...I shall chronicle this day that just passed. A strange day it was.

Waking up this morning I didn't want to lift my head. It was a melancholy morning, the last day of Conal's vacation. It was a great week...10 days actually, that he had away from work. We've not been on a 'real' vacation in almost three years and I think we're starting to get used to it. Typically though, the last few vacations he's had have been a bit challenging. Tay was usually very fussy or sick, and Hayden wanted an agenda daily - not the best combo for relaxation! This week we stayed rather busy with 4th of July parties, camping prep/camping, and a day of watersports at Bartlett Lake with our good friends. So going to bed last night, I was a bit sad knowing that today we would wake up with a whole different 'feel' around here.

Hayden got up with a runny nose, but as usual, she shot out of her room like a canon, at full speed wanting to watch the Fox and the Hound and begging for me to play Lady Marmalade while I got the movie ready so she could dance! Taylor got up wanting "ahpop" (ice pops) and didn't stop until about 10:30 when I finally caved! Conal did some yard work and watched some golf and I actually took a nap. That is a RARE occasion around here. The weather was gloomy...our favorite but it was icky out. My father in law was supposed to land around noon and we were going to go up to N.PHX around 5-ish and have dinner with them. Well, they sat on a runway for over 4 hours waiting to get out of Atlanta just to get to ABQ, and because they were running low on gas, they had to refuel. For some reason, the plane wouldn't start back up, so I got an email at 10:30 this evening that they're sleeping over with the hopes of catching an early flight Monday morning. Strange coincidence is that I got a call from a friend stuck on a runway in Newark for several hours as well. She was wanting me to look up flights for them, as they were going to miss their connection in SLC and her hubs has to be at work at 5:30am Monday...not happening, they can't get here till noon. So, don't know if it truly was the weather in the east in both cases, or if it was Delta airlines pulling some crazy schtick on it's passengers? Beings she said they couldn't see a cloud in the sky, I'm tending to believe the latter. Call me cynical!

Sorry, digressing! Anyhow, the valley had the largest amount of rain in the shortest amount of time that it's seen in, like, forever. And oh yah...Taylor swallowed 2 pennies and later decided to drink out of some squeezy bath toy that had something moldy-mildewy inside that hadn't been squeezed out in awhile that she found mixed amongst the bath toys. Back to the pennies. I looked online to see what to do if your child swallows a penny, and lo and behold, there are a bazillion links to guide you. Most said wait 24-48 hours and keep check on their diapers. They're not dangerous and relatively easy to pass. If they're not wheezing, choking or gagging they should be fine. I also decided to call poison control just to see what they had to say. Ditto...until they asked if she's ever had intestinal surgery or issues. Great, here we go! I said yes...blah, blah, blah, and they recommended me call my pediatrician and were pretty sure she'd order an x-ray. I hung up and pondered and decided, well, I'll call, she knows T well and she'll shoot straight with me. Screw that....they charge $35 just for a call back from the nurse or doctor. WHAT? Do you know what I could do with $35...other than make a phone call? Heck ya, that's like 7 gallons of gas! LOL. Digressing again.....I decided to wait it out. I will call the ped. Monday morning and see what she thinks. I may even wait till Tuesday. Yep, think I'll wait till Tuesday evening and if she hasn't passed it, I'll call Wednesday. The PCC's concern is the penny getting stuck on any built-up scar tissue and needing to be surgically removed. I stopped her in her tracks and said "We don't talk like that, things are looking up for us for the rest of the year!" LOL...she thought I was kidding!

As our day progressed...the kids made a disaster at the dinner table with their spaghetti because I filled them each a bowl and left the kitchen. I was tired of kids and decided to eat later, after they would go to bed and partake in an US Weekly and catch up on my celebrity gossip in peace and quiet. I paid for that one...they went nuts. Hayden was drawing pictures in the glass with sauce and Taylor dumped her bowl on Chloe's back, which Daphne was graciously cleaning it off for her.
Fast forward...bath, eating some moldy-mildewy crap, water every where...no pooping in the tub today though, YAY! Lotion, jammies, kisses, bed!
Now, if only I could fall asleep, my clock now reads 1:06am.

Big Lake-ish Camping Trip

I've been dreading this trip for years. Well, not this trip, per se...but a CAMPING trip. Camping is not my thing. In my opinion dirt, bugs, critters, howling, elk poop and pine needles all belong in NATURE...WITH nature...without disturbance from human-kind. But I knew that one day (albeit...it came sooner than I expected) I would have to suck it up and go camping. This past week that day came - rephrase....that 3 days and 2 nights came.

I started prepping for our trip last Sunday to leave two whole days later. You see, there's no such thing as throwing some clothes into a bag and hopping into the car when camping is involved. Not only do you have to grocery shop for every possible craving, meal and snack that might fall upon you, you have to pack up a kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. It's a lot of work. The weather in the Arizona high country in the summer is unpredictable and I'm an overpreparer (is that a word?), or some might say...A bit DRAMATIC and overreact to the possibility at a slight dip in temperature or increase in dewpoint! So...a lot of work, a nail biting roadtrip and a flat tire later.....I arrive, into the WOODS...NATURE...in all my glory, with my family, bound and determined to DISLIKE this week and never ever want (or have - with enough bitching) to do it again!

Bubba had his four day break in the middle of the week this week, and Conal was on vacation as well. We scrapped our plans to go to SoCal and enjoy the beach (ewww...GAS prices suck!), and we took them up on their invite to join them on a family campout near Big Lake. Big Lake is in the Apache National Forest a few miles past Sunrise Ski Resort. I love the White Mountains but I don't truly love the drive there. It is scenic and beautiful and I'd love to pull over and explore the Salt River Canyon, but I have a strong fear of heights (brought on within the last ten years). So getting through there quickly, safely and uninterrupted is key for me. I did it though and my dear, sweet husband praised me and congratulated me! (Crazy guy!)We also drove through the Apache Reservation, which is beautiful, open land.

Upon arrival to the Big Lake area...the roads were closed and we learned that the road to the lake is closed for the next 3 years (boo-hoo the kids were looking forward to fishing). We then continued to follow another road for about 15 more minutes and found a Ranger. We pulled down this rough road and Bubba was getting some information from her on camping restrictions, acceptions, etc. Well as Conal stepped out he heard a "sssss" sound coming from my back driver tire. Yep, flat tire. Eureka! We found our camping spot...the land we will call home for the next 3 days.

The guys set up camp...tents and all....while the kids 'helped' them. Upon arrival, it was 59 degrees. This overpacker was definately prepared and so glad I was overly-dramatic while packing for this adventure! There are campfire restrictions, so we knew going into this that there were NO CAMPFIRES...but we didn't expect it to be so cold! We huddled around one another, with blankets and a Coleman lantern willing it to throw off heat! However, the good news is we survived both nights!

We divvied up the meals and ate well! The kids (wink, wink) enjoyed junk food, notably Red Vines (thanks for the tub Memaw!) for breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack and bedtime snack! We didn't have many rules...stay where we can hear you (sort of), make sure to bury your poop, and if Daddy shoots a squirrel, PLEASE don't pick it up!

Hayden and Cooper explored the woods to great lengths and heights. Taylor was their shadow and was quite the scrapper. She'd cry out on occasion when she couldn't quite climb the rock they were up on, but she'd get over it quickly! Auntie taught them how to play Simon Says and Uncle Bubba taught us how to shoot a gun! We played some dominoes and horseshoes, napped, got a little rain, rode the quads and LAUGHED. Goodness, did we laugh!

We had a GREAT trip. I had a GREAT trip. The girls LOVED camping...Conal's not quite the mountain man we all thought he was...and it felt great to spend time with the Coxes, like the good ol' days!

Enjoy more pics from our crazy adventure here.

In Loving Memory...

Hibiscus flowers remind me of my grandma. We just so happen to have some beautiful pink ones. Today is ten years since her passing...