Arizona Living

The three of us have been experiencing Arizona living for the past two weeks and boy has the time gone fast.  We've acclimated ourselves easily to the beautiful 80 degree weather, chirping birds and blooming cactus, cocktail hour at 4:00 and spending quality time with Grandma and Grandpa 'SON.' 

Carmen was a trooper on the plane ride down as she slept most of the way. She's been very busy since we've been her and has spent hours putting colorful rocks in and out of cups, gathering treasures for Grandma, dragging novels and magazines around the house, playing with her new favorite toy (coasters), blowing bubbles, helping Grandpa get the paper in the mornings, going for walks to look at pokeys, pointing at birds, picking lemons and oranges from the tree, running around in her new sandals and capri pants and refusing to wear her sun hat. She has been thoroughly spoiled by Grandma and Grandpa. She has learned so many things on this trip: where to throw away the garbage (including where her stinkies go), how to make the sound of an elephant (with her arm as the trunk), she is enthusiastically blowing and giving kisses, saying lots of words that start with B (bubbles, bird, baby, bottle), and is moving at lightening speed (including running away and hiding when she doesn't want to put her pajamas on or get her diaper changed).

I've been spending my time trying to keep up with Carmen, catching a few rays on the patio, reading a book for fun, and enjoying spending time with my parents.  Jim has been busy with multiple rounds of golf and going to the range to practice for the big tournament with my Dad.  We've spent an hour getting ready to go to the pool and have spent a total of 10 minutes in the water but its been fun to watch Carmen splash around.  The weather has been amazing but the company has been even better.  We always look forward to our annual trip to the Arizona sunshine. 

Here are some of many Arizona fun moments:

Spring

Goodbye fuzzy hats and mittens, heavy jackets and warm socks.  Hello brighter colors, rain jackets and thin hooded sweatshirts.  We look forward to more sunshine, flowers starting to bloom and playing outside.  Hello Spring, we are glad you are here.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Save the Date

Helping Mommy get ready for work

Cranky Carmen

Carmen has been a bit cranky these last couple of weeks, and for good reason. The poor thing has been fighting a cold that we have been passing back and forth and has 6 or so teeth coming in at the same time.  She is uncomfortable and is stubborn like her mommy and refuses to use a teether, frozen washcloth to chew on, popsicle to suck on, or any other remedy we can think of.  She just toughs out the pain (with a little baby Tylenol here and there).  Our healthy eater is taking a break and dining on yogurt and soup and refuses tooth brush time because of her sensitive gums.  She hasn't been sleeping and more often than not, we find a visitor in our bed who just wants to be comforted and held--it's hard to turn her away.  Our king-sized bed has never felt so small.  Despite the crankiness, she continues to let her little personality shine through.  We look forward to this phase being over when she has a mouth full of pearly whites to show for it all.