Desert days

Hi everyone. It is time for my now monthly update. Finding time to get this in is not easy, so take what you can get!

Diving right in to the highlight of last month. Vacation! That's right. I got my first spring break from school and what did we get to do? Go on a trip to Arizona! And best part of that.....grandma Elmo was there.

Lena had her first flight - we were not sure what to expect. We know how bored we get, so who knew what Lena would do ~3 hours on a plane. But guess what? Sleep. That is what she did. No crying at all. She was even good while we walked through PHX airport to get bags and then to rental car and then drove the almost hour to Elmo's house. It wasn't until the last 15 min of the drive did she start grumbling to get out and kick some. Pretty impressive.  Me and Heidi of course were perfect. I watched a movie on the iPad, Heidi slept.



We were so excited to see Elmo. It had been a long time. We talk to her on Skype, but it was good to give her one of my power hugs. When we finally got her to let go, we got a tour of her super nice house. There was plenty of room, Heidi and I slept in the office room and Lena slept in the extra room mom and dad slept in. Now grandma's bed was huge! She even needed a stool just to get in it! She also had a huge bathroom with a jet tub. I wanted to get in it....but then we realized why bother because she also had a POOL! That was by far my favorite. Hanging out in the back in the pool. Ok, well sometimes outside of it. The first day it was COLD. But thanks to 90+ degree days, it warmed up quite nicely to get some good swim time in. It was a great set up, plenty of shade, views of the golf course, even some peaceful fountains. Grandma even had some fun floats for us. We spent time every day swimming. Even Lena got in. And I loved it! It was like a big cold bath. I couldn't stop kicking in it. And the waterfalls were all kinds of awesome. 

Other highlights were watching the Royals up close and personal. That's right it was Spring Training...and surprise they play down there in Surprise (I know, I'm funny). Since it was so close to Elmo's mom and dad made a few trips we spent one day there. We went in the morning and watched practice. And Alex Gordon gave me a ball! We couldn't burst her bubble and tell her it was just a minor league player. She was set that it was Gordon. We didn't wait among the masses to get the big guys autographs. Too hot and sunny so we walked around the park. Talked mom and dad into getting us all t-shirts, ice cream, you know a normal trip to the ball park. Our seats were shady so despite it being so hot out, it actually was totally fine at the game. Once again, Lena surprised us and was a rock star. I guess she will make a good Royals fan.

Dyson (aka Cheetah) plays for a new team now?

We got to meet Aunty Cheryl. Mom told us about her before we left so I was excited to meet her. She came over and hung out with us one day and she even brought presents. You know we loved that. We would have liked her anyway because she was so nice. But we did have fun playing with all the stuff her and Elmo had ready for us at the house. And we are still having fun with it by the way (Elmo sent it to us so we could have it all here!). We also got to go to Cheryl and Larry's house for dinner one night. There house was so pretty and the pizza was yummy. But I loved Larry's 'man cave' or little house. I guess he was quite the hunter back in the day. I didn't believe him that the zebra rug was a real zebra...but it was! And that elephant ear table held up by a foot. What?

We went on a hike. We may not have made it very far. It was hot - unseasonably so - so we may have cut it short. But we did see lots of cactus and flowers. We even saw little tiny lizards. And pictographs on the rocks. Maybe we'll do better next time we try. Mom said she isn't taking us to Colorado hiking anytime soon. I told her that's ok...I want to go back to California anyway.


We checked out their children's museum. It was so cool. There was so much to do. We loved every part of it. Totally on our list to visit when we go back. Oh yeah, I told mom we should go back again. I don't care if we have only been back a couple weeks. It was fun! But I guess Elmo is already on the way back so we wouldn't be seeing her. I guess a trip to NE is due soon instead. We did celebrate grandma's 70th birthday while we were there. We went out to dinner the night before - oh yeah, a buffet that had steak. Seriously does it get better? You would think it was my birthday. AND we got donuts the morning of before we headed out to the airport. YUM.


We were all such good travelers - I mean check out the cute airplane pics - hopefully that means more trips in the future. We were even all good when hanging out (which seemed like forever) at the airport. Well pretty good...at one point Heidi got an ouwie, mom asked her to show her so she could kiss it like normal, but then forgot. She turned around to people laughing because Heidi had pulled down her pants and was bending so everyone could see the ouwie on her butt. Oops!

Ok, ok...moving on. A few other highlights since last time. Uncle Matt, Gayle, and the crew came down to go watch some basketball with dad so me and Lena got to go see them at their hotel. I got to swim and more importantly hang out with Jason, Jay, & Jack! Yeah, they were pretty cool. I even let Gayle hold me. But after eating dad said we had to go back to school. So the visit was short and sweet. 

I like going to school. My teachers are nice. I give them the biggest smiles when I get there and love cuddling in to Miss Becca. I have been working with them on doing things I am suppose to be doing - you know now that I am 7 months. Actually almost 8, so I had to get this update out - but I prefer to be held and just chill out. I have finally started rolling over (although not real willingly), I can sit supported for a few seconds in my boppy pillow, I am finally eating some baby food (carrots are my favorite), but what I excel in is growing teeth. Five of them to be exact, I'm still waiting for #6 to pop through. As are we, Lena. Let's just say the nights get loud around here.


Last but not least, I had a barn dance at my school and daddy was my date! We dressed up, he gave me a pretty corsage and took me to Olive Garden for dinner before heading to school to boogie down. I have to learn date etiquette though, because dad wasn't super thrilled with me when I went running off to dance and play with my friends. I told him to take me next time, because I would dance with him. Danielle's wedding is in a few months, so we'l have the chance then. Yeehaw!

Adios partner! Heidi OUT!

I got my nails done (a delayed 1st trip to
nail salon, since our pre-Kindergarten
trip was cancelled with Lena's early arrival.

Dejá vu

Don't bite me!

Yikes, I was SO close in getting a post in the month of February, but alas I failed. Happy March y'all.   Looking back at Februarys of past, I now realize that we should move - at least during this time of year. We are always sick - just look back at previous years HERE and HERE for proof. So.... Lena and I have a bond as you can see in these pictures. I also like to hear and think that Lena is a carbon copy of me...but it appears she has to one up me on everything. She was due to be born on my birthday, but she decided to come 4 weeks before. She looks a lot like I did as a baby, but has more hair. Then during the same days SIX years ago I got bronchitis and was out for a week. Well she also came down with something....but on crack.

I'll back up a bit. We have all had our bouts of coughs, etc. since last blog. In fact, mom had to go to doctor and get medicine to get over hers (which by the way, she is STILL couging). But LL(little Lena) took the brunt of it. It all started with some crazy fevers the night of mom's work party - they tried to actually have first night out, not smart parents, not smart. Anyway, for the next couple weeks she would have a fever here or there and a lot of cold symptoms. All of which caused her to not sleep so mom and dad were literally walking zombies day in and out as one of them held her all night. I have been trying to play my part of sympathetic big sister and not get up every night too so to give them a bit of a break. But at the same time, let's be realistic I can't do that EVERY night. Anyway, after a couple of trips to the doctor with no help dad did get an order to go to the hospital to get a tube stuck down her nose to suck out all the gunk in her lungs. I can't tell you how many times in total this happened to me, but I can tell you that ONE is too many...it is awful. I will admit I felt a bit better and was able to breathe/eat a bit better after they did it, but come on. Can't there be something easier? Nana and papa surprised us last Monday night to give mom and dad a break and hold LL and help get us off to school. 


Because they were here to help, dad decided to take LL in before school for another 'sucking' section. Next I know as mom is taking me into school she gets a call from dad saying that they are sent her to the ER to get fluids and oxygen and to hurry up and get there to feed her. 

Yep, my deja vu moment occurred...another hospital stay. I was not real happy to get poked and prodded again, but turns out that all made me feel much better. At first they treated me for pneumonia but then decided I basically just got knocked out with a virus on top of a virus that caused the bronchilitis that knocked me down. After 3 days in the hospital, lots of sucking, oxygen, and fluids I finally felt like my old self and got to go back home. I did enjoy chewing on and taking out all the tubes they put on me. And I did have a super cute hospital gown. Looney Tunes! Hopefully I'm not jinxing things, but we are actually all pretty healthy. Hopefully it stays that way.

Yay! We are going home!!!

My godmothers sent me a care package to help
me relax after being so sick, including
this AWESOME robe

Nana and papa also brought snow with them so we could build a snowman since we never got enough here to do anything!

trying to make Lena take her 6 month picturs even though she didn't feel good. :( So us bigs will just pose!

To finish my updates...since I finally was happy and feeling good again mom and dad figured...why not take her to the doctor for even more needles getting stabbed in her. Yep, I'm not kidding. I guess I was due for my 6 month appointment and shots when i was at the hospital. They delayed them a bit, but I had to deal with the inevitable. I actually handled the shots much better than before. Here are my stats: I have an average head, I measured 25 1/4 inches tall (17 percentile) and weighed in at 12 lbs 3oz ( just making the chart at 1 percentile). The doctor said not to freak out as I was early and have had a bit of a setback in the growth department the past few weeks. Since my head outweighs the rest of me, maybe that is why my sense of balance is lacking. How can a girl sit with this big noggin? I guess I can just focus on other development things, you know like rolling over. No real motivation in that department either. I have started trying to join the family at dinner time eating solids. I'm digging it. I have tried avocados, bananas, squash, and sweet potatoes. So far the last is my favorite. The messier I can get, the better it tastes I have decided. I can't wait to see what other foods lie in the future.  If I am not putting food in my mouth, my new favorite thing is putting my foot in my mouth. Ok, really anything and everything, but I am finding my foot mighty tasty.  

family walk at Shawnee Mission park

Ok, in our healthy - or not so sick times - since last writing we have enjoyed unseasonably warm weather (it was 80 yesterday), so lots of time outside playing with neighbors. Visits with friends. I completed my first hundred days of school. Even though mom says I never go. I actually have to go all 5 days this week (only the 2nd time since early December!). I really like school, I am learning to read and really enjoy writing sentences. I write stories at home a lot. Mom says my handwriting is better than hers. Dad came to my valentines party since mom was at the hospital. We had fun playing the game mom put together too!


Here are some of things mom took a picture of during my schools open house.

 I also just finished my basketball season. It was a lot of fun. I especially like it when I make a steal or a basket! Check out some moves in the video below. I loved daddy being my coach. He said he would do it again - awesome! But I decided I wanted to try to do softball, so I may take a break from basketball to try that out. If I make a team. Yeah, apparently it isn't a sure thing. So more on that in the future. Until then, I am concentrating on learning my dance recital routine.


Me too. Dad said I have some work to do to master my routine. Don't you worry. I told daddy that I miss gymnastics so I'm hoping that I may get to do that again. We'll see...maybe I'm too big. Yep, dad measured me the other day and I grew TWO inches. Watch out world! 

Amelia was quick to tell you about how good she is, she forgot to tell you how she got in trouble for stealing. Heidi - the tattle tale. Yes, I slid something in my pocket that I wanted. I have since been punished, after getting caught of course. I'm so happy I didn't go to jail, but I did lose privileges, and had to go take it back and apologize. They wouldn't take my money so I am going to give it to church. Lesson learned. Yes, I may tattle sometimes...but this time I was telling the truth. Dad says if I go 5 days without lying I get a smoothie. That clock may or may not have been re-started a few times. 

Ok, as you can see, we are not keeping up with our blog very well. It is just so hard to do these days. You know work, school, eating, playing games, all priorities. Yes playing games....I still love ANY chance I get to play any and all games. This week its Jenga. I may have lost our first family tournament, but I'll get them next time.  Until then....enjoy all the pictures and videos. Heidi OUT.

Super bowl fun with friends little Ava & Henry

We found some old phones and may have claimed them for ourselves. You can find us playing games on them whenever we are allowed.

Look at this sunset!

Luckily sweet dad gave us our valentines early so we got to enjoy
them before the hospital stay. He knew the way to these girls hearts for sure!

And here are some healthy pictures of Lena - because who doesn't love baby pictures? Isn't she cute sleeping. Look at that big head and skinny neck. 

You can see Lena's eyes still are kind of gray, maybe they won't be as dark as ours after all. 

Lena has the 2 front teeth that Amelia lost!