Phoenix

I had a work conference in Phoenix last week and Dan and Bethany tagged along. The conference is always so busy so I knew I wouldn't have a lot of time to hang out with them, so we stayed a few extra days with our really good friends the Button's.

We were HOPING that Phoenix being in the desert would mean that it would be hot, or at least warm but unfortunately it was pretty cool and rainy a few of the days we were there. We did miss a big snowstorm back home though, so we're not complaining! On Saturday it looked like rain so we decided to get an early start on a hike in the Superstitions (is that the one we did, Lindsey?) It was supposed to be about a 4 mile hike but about half-way up it got a little windy and looked like rain. Instead of getting stuck with 3 kids on a mountain we decided to turn around early. We were bummed we didn't get to see the whole trail but we got a taste of it!



To get our energy for the hike we stopped at the Burrito Shack for breakfast. It was this awesome for real shack that had the most amazing burritos. I was craving them the rest of the trip after this day! Good thing we had a lot of Mexican food while we were there because in Phoenix they know how to make tasty food!

Hayden, Bethany and Owen waiting for their burrito

Dan and Nate enjoying their burritos

Bethany and Owen

Dan and Nate got to take in a Suns game one night (Dan has always loved the Suns) and we got to see my aunt and uncle and cousins that live in Phoenix too. Tamara even came over to our hotel to babysit Bethany the night they went to the game as I had a work event that evening. Thanks again Tamara - Bethany loved playing with you!

On Sunday Ian and Courtney came up for the day to go to the zoo but because it looked like rain we went to the Children's Museum instead. It was an awesome museum (my favorite part were the hundreds of noodles (like the ones you swim with) hanging in one area that you could walk through - so fun! It was so nice to meet Charlotte too for the first time, what a doll. Thanks again for making the trip up to see us Ian and Courtney!

The rest of the trip was filled with walks to the park, long naps by Bethany, yummy restaurants, great conversation and a backyard fire with pie irons. We had such a great time Nate and Lindsey - thanks again for your hospitality!

Bethany traveled so well. On the way home the lady sitting next to us commented on how good she was. I was pleasantly surprised she slept so well and played so nicely... I think we found a fun new toy: stickers! She loved to have me peel one off and stick it on her shirt. Each sticker lasted about 5 minutes where she'd put it on me, Dan, the seat in front of us, her shirt again and then finally the sticker book. Yea for the dollar section at Target with sticker books!

I can't believe she is 16 months old today. She loves to copy everything we say and do, especially funny noises. The ice maker at our hotel in Phoenix made a noise when the ice fell into the bin and every time she turned and looked at it and made the same noise! Anything we ask Bethany to do (take a bath, let's go eat, go downstairs, put your jacket on, find your hat) she does and with a smile because she knows what we're saying. When she has a dirty diaper I wrinkle my nose and say stinky so now when she needs to go, she runs over to me and wrinkle's her nose. It is the cutest and funniest thing ever and amazing that she's starting to potty train! I just ordered some pull-ups but had a hard time finding them in a small enough size... she's still only 22 lbs - I know most kids aren't starting before 16 months! But, I figure why not help her start if she is interested in it. She also loves to spin in circles which we take advantage of and try to get her to do it on command like a puppy :) At Westwood she moved to the Toddler class today which had 3 new changes: 1) drinking out of a glass (no sippy cup!) 2) sitting at the table with chairs for meals and snacks (no high-chair!) 3) sleeping on a cot during scheduled nap time. So many changes, but day 1 went great!

Bethany - you are a full-fledged toddler and growing up so fast! We love your new discoveries and how you have such a passion for life. Your bright eyes and excited "ooohs and ahhhs" when you see or learn something new is adorable. We love you!

Yum, spaghetti!

Fun with Chicago-land cousins!

Bethany always loves it when her cousins from Chicago come to visit! She had so much fun running around with them trying to keep up with the older boys and walking together with Emily. It was COLD the week they were here so we didn't get to go outside like we hoped, but it was fun hanging out and spending time together. On Sunday we all went to Bennihana's and watched them perform as they made on our meal. It was yummy and the kids loved watching all the action.

Here are a few pictures from their visit.

Bethany, Paul III and Jacob at the McDonald's playland a few hours before I went to the ER for my surprise appendectomy
Bethany and Emily - do you like french fry's Bethany? That was one of my favorite things as a toddler my mom said.... when we'd go through anything with a drive-through I would say from the back seat "fwef fries please!"

Aunt Melissa, Paul II and Jacbo with our gingerbread train - good job boys!

Thanks again for all the fun when you were here! We can't wait to make plans to see you again.

Who needs your appendix anyway?

Warning: This post contains information and a picture from my recent surgery, read more at your own risk!

I promised a post about our time with Dan's sisters family from Chicago but I will do that in a little bit. First, at the end of their trip is where my dramatic weekend started. Bethany had her 15 mo appointment and everything looks good.

Her stats:
Height- 31 1/2 in 80%
Weight - 21 lbs 14.7 oz 25%
Head - 45.5 cm - 40%

We're working on Bethany eating better at meals and getting rid of a persistent diaper rash. On the plus side (but still a little TMI) she's pooped in the toilet for me 3 times (and grandma once) so we're hoping that means she'll be an early learner in that arena? They are happy with her level of understanding of words and although she's active, she is a toddler! She was a champ with the shots in her legs and even got a Dora sticker afterwards which she proudly showed her cousins at lunch at the Eden Prairie McDonald's.

That afternoon I started having a stomach ache and after Dan came home from work I called the nurse line and got a second opinion by calling Amber to see if I should go in. I went to Methodist Hospital ER at 7 and by 10 when Amber made it over to be with me, they decided it was my appendix and I needed surgery that night. It was so nice Amber could be there to ask questions and stayed with me overnight in the very loud observatory area. The surgery was about an hour and all I remember is getting the mask put on in the OR and then waking up to people giving me warm blankets awhile later. Everything went well and it was my appendix so it was good to have the surgery. I was extremely nauseated after the surgery and they had these leg squeezy things to prevent blood clots but also prevented me from sleeping. In the morning I tried sitting up to use the bathroom but couldn't do it... so we just kept trying to keep on top of the pain, nausea and see if I could get some sleep. By the middle of the day Saturday I was getting to the point of extreme anxiety from the vicious cycle and just wanted to go home. Dan came that morning to let Amber go home and Dan's parents kept Bethany at their house. I'm sure it was tough for him too as he felt pretty helpless. I was finally able to eat a few grapes and spoonful's of soup which allowed me to get some much-needed rest. 2 hours later I felt like a new person and accomplished my three tasks for discharge: walk to the bathroom, walk around the unit twice, and eat. We hurried home that night so I could sleep in my wonderful sleep number bed. It never felt so nice to be home! Bethany came home Sunday afternoon and we watched the Super Bowl with some friends, but I laid low. It was wonderful not to have to clean ahead of time, cook or clean-up. The rest of this week I'm working half days Monday and Tuesday and from home the rest of the week until I'm off the pain meds. Fingers crossed that I'm better by next week when we have plans to go to Phoenix for a work conference and to extend a few extra days with friends and family.

15 months old!

Allison getting Bethany to read the WHOLE book

The three incisions from my surgery - the swelling should go down in 2 weeks