Spring Training

Justin helped coordinate a big regional conference for work, and as a thank you was gifted tickets to a spring training game. It was perfect timing because just the week before I suggested going to a game, because it wouldn't be too hot and it would be cheaper than a regular-season game.

The game was at the stadium in Peoria where both the Mariners and the Padres train; we watched the Padres vs. the White Sox.

I'm guessing this was one of Rolin's best days, as it included lots of open space for running, lots of things for climbing, lemonade, sno-cones and sunshine. I can't say we watched much of the game at all, but we had fantastic seats, the weather was great and Rolin did fabulously.

My Aunt Camille and Uncle Iver have a snowbird house near Peoria, and they volunteer at that same stadium during spring training. They had that afternoon off, but we went to their house afterward, where they treated us to fresh-picked grapefruit and tangelos, and a little wooden toy car for Rolly, in addition to familiar faces and lovely conversation.

Ostrich Festival

Chandler holds an annual Ostrich Festival in March, so we went...more out of curiosity than a need for entertainment. Turns out, it is more of a typical fair with rides, rows and rows of crafts, shirts with wolves howling at the moon and jewelry. There were tons of food options and, of course, real ostriches.

They do race ostriches. We didn't get a chance to see a race, but that's something I'd go for again to see. They also bring in some entertainment worth naming, such as Edwin McCain, The Axe Women Loggers of Maine (yes, you read that right), Flock of Seagulls and some gals from the Disney channel.

We had the most fun in the petting zoo area. Rolin got to see ostriches up close, which really excited him because there is an ostrich statue in almost every public building in town, and Rolin loves to see them. Here's one at the library:

Here are a few videos and pictures of Rolly feeding goats and sheep. He didn't hesitate at all to feed them!

Rolin also got to go on one ride with daddy, while momma sat on a bench with a few other pregnant ladies where we discussed how it was much warmer that day than expected, and how we're grateful for a bench and good husbands who ride rides with our littles. 

Sedona and beyond

During my parents' visit, almost two months ago now, we took a very windy road to Sedona. I'm all about scenic routes, but it's harder to enjoy them when you feel as if someone has super glued a bowling ball to your abdomen; a bowling ball that likes to play a game of statues in the car when you go around a corner.

Remember playing statues with your siblings in a back seat...trying as hard as you could to completely smash the poor soul everyone was leaning into as a parent would whip around a corner on a curvy road?

I don't know if this happens to every pregnant lady, but it has been the case with both of mine. Speed bumps or pot holes are the worst.

Rolin entertained himself with some light reading during the trip.

Anyway, we took the most windy road up through Wickenburg, Yarnell, Prescott (pronounced Pres-kitt) and Jerome before embarking on the beautiful, red-rock adorned Sedona. We drove right through an area damaged last summer by the Yarnell Hill Fire, the one that destroyed more than 120 homes and, after a freak change in the wind, took the lives of 19 firefighters known as the Granite Mountain Hotshots, most of whom were from Prescott.

We stopped in Prescott for the night. Once in town, we checked out the Yavapai County Courthouse. Rolin and Gigi got right to work, making sure all the staircases around the building were ok for ascending and descending. It was much colder in Prescott than back home in Phoenix, so I wore my scarf around my legs. I'm sure you'll see this as a new fashion statement. At least if you're with me, it's chilly and I'm armed with a pashmina scarf.

Stairs!

Stairs!

Stairs!

Stairs!

We stayed the night in Prescott, enjoying carry-out pizza in our hotel room and watching the opening ceremony of the Sochi Olympics.

Rolin's favorite part about our hotel stay: rides on the luggage cart.

We ventured to Sedona the next day, stopping in Jerome on the way.

Jerome was a neat place. It's an old mining town built on Cleopatra Hill. When I say "on" the hill, I mean literally. The homes and businesses appear to be built into the steep sides of the hill, and there is not much for flat surfaces in the entire town. It was a prosperous area back in the day, for its gold, copper and silver mines. The town once boasted a population of more than 15,000, but dwindled to only 50 when the mines closed in 1953. It's slowly rebuilt itself, but not for mining. It's an artists hangout now, and flocks of people visit the little town for its quirkiness, ghost town, small shops and free-spirit, artist-lifestyle aura.

Gigi with Jerome in the background.

We pretty much stopped there only because I had to use the bathroom. Again.

However, we're glad we took time to drive out to the edge of the town to look back and see it's steep-set design and take a few pictures of the valley below before heading on to Sedona.

I've seen pictures of Sedona before, but it is another experience entirely to see nature's grandeur in person. We strolled the strip, along with about 500 other tourists, had a nice lunch at the Open Range Grill and Tavern (great views) and sped through a bit of Sedona history while seeing the sights on a trolley tour.

Chimney Rock, also known as the "Three Fingers" is on the left. The name you call it depends on from which side you're viewing the formation.

Trying to keep him warm AND restrained. 

The unfortunate timing when the belly protrusion is still questionable...food or baby?

This is Coffee Pot Rock. See the formation that looks like a coffee pot?

We got a tip from the trolley driver that views from the Sedona airport are especially spectacular, so we headed up the hill before starting our journey home.

Rolin did great in the car, except for the very last 20 minutes or so on the way home. He cried so hard during the last stretch that he made himself throw up. That hasn't happened before! I think it was a combination of tiredness, hunger, it being dark and that his car seat was turned forward-facing so he had a different view than he was used to upon waking from his catnap.

It was nice to see more of our new state. Northern Arizona is much different that its southern side. I'm probably going to regret saying this, but I like the southern side's warmth a bit more!

The rest of our trip was spent with Rolly spending quality time with Grandpa L.J ("Bakka") and Gigi.

Going for a ride to the park.

Learning about football from Bakka L.J.

Chasing Daddy

Rolin has finally decided the swings are tied with the big toy as his favorite activity. For the last couple months, all he has wanted to do at the park is swing, swing, swing.

Now he likes to chase his mom or dad around the big toy:

Visitors

Whew! We had a busy end to January, which flowed over into February.

One of the hardest things for me when we moved the first time was knowing all my family was together celebrating at most holidays, birthdays, nice weekends, Cougar games or simply just because, and I wasn't there. That was how I grew up -- we always got together with family. I was shocked to learn that what we did wasn't really the norm when little country mouse (me) went to the "big" city (Pullman) and met lots of different people. I couldn't understand why their mom didn't make spicy cheese dip for tortilla chips when an aunt, uncle or cousin would come by, or why they didn't sit out on the patio for hours after the sun went down, eating that dip and chatting. I thought everyone did that??!! You don't play nerts with everyone at Christmas until it's almost the day after Christmas??! You don't you all live about a mile away from family??!!

When we moved to California, we didn't know anyone. Well, save for a couple people in San Francisco, but that was like a two hour drive away, even though it was only about 25 miles away. Our first New Years was spent in a cheap hotel with cheaper pizza and the cheapest champagne. Our first California Easter was just the two of us and too much ham (again). Same for 4th of July, Halloween, birthdays, Christmas...I can't even remember what we did that first Christmas. It must not have been very exciting because, according to this blog, I just made Elf Yourself videos and never even blogged about Christmas.

This repeated itself over a few more holidays, but then we found the Bracketts and our lives changed forever. It still feels weird not to celebrate a holiday with the Bracketts. But I digress.

What I'm trying to tell you is we had a lot of family come visit this January and February. More than ever came to visit us when we LIVED IN WASHINGTON. Go figure ;)

The best part? They all came at once!

The worst part? I really failed at taking many pictures.

Plus, most of the pics were taken in the early-morning time frame when no one should be photoed.Also, the weather wasn't as warm as it had been or as it is right now, but those visiting from Chicago thought anything was better than -6F and the "polar vortex!"

Drew was the first to arrive, though it was just for dinner. He was in town for a business trip, so he came by to say hi and treat me to Jimmy Johns :) WOOT!

The Olmsteads were also here in their RV, but on the other side of Phoenix. Rolly and I made a trip over for an afternoon outing where he went swimming with Rah Rah for almost an hour. He loved being in the water, especially after we took off that dumb rash-guard shirt that made him freeze.

Rahrah and Rolly swimming.

Next came some of the Rabes and the rest the Chyterboks, sans Drew this time. Maggie brought her two little bugs, James and Owen (who was just 2 months old at the time). Mags and the boys stayed here while the Rabes stayed at a hotel a few miles away. I was excited to see Rolin and James together, especially because James is a year and two days older than Rolin. They got along pretty well for the most part, especially considering Rolin kept swiping James' toys, which more or less forced James to share his goods without being asked. He was good about sharing his trains, the most prized possessions of them all. In short, we've since purchased a couple Thomas the Train trains for Rolin as they've been the latest requirement for nap time (wheee).

Pajama pals cleaning up after breakfast.

What Rolin is really saying here is, "James, take this awesome duster..." So I can go play with your train by myself.

Dinner time!

Hugs!

Rolin was also really interested in baby Owen. He kept a close eye on him and made sure we remembered he is, in fact, a baby. "Baby! Baby! Baby!"

 Rolin making sure Owen knew he had a nose. "Nose!"


Making sure Owen's swing was swinging and playing music...

Cousin Laura joined us Friday night, after driving about seven hours to get here (wowza!) and stayed at our house. Maggie's friend Maggie, her husband and baby girl came down from north Phoenix for an afternoon at the park -- we were going to hit up the train museum and farm-themed park, but opted for the park in our neighborhood for logistic and food reasons, ha! Kids have a way of derailing (no pun intended) the best laid plans from time to time, right?!

Daddy and Rolly at the park.

Laura had to leave early Sunday to get back home, but we're so glad she made the trip to see everyone! The kiddos were glad to have a non-parent adult around to play with them, that's for sure!

One of the early-morning shots before Laura hit the road. 

Sunday afternoon was the Super Bowl, and Team Thompson hosted a viewing party. Everyone brought snacks, we enjoyed a chili bar with all the fixin's, and finished with football cookies and these cute "Seahawk Nests" Maggie and I made.

Seahawks nests for the Big Game. 

It was a great game, and having everyone here made Seattle's victory that much sweeter.

Thanks to Aunt Kathy and Uncle Lou, Mags and I were able to sneak away for (desperately needed) pedicures and some time to ourselves. It was a great treat! My parents got in late Monday, then everyone hit up the aquarium Tuesday. James and Rolin loved it, particularly the "water spot" on the floor, made by projectors, smoke and mirrors. We could hardly get them away from it. The underwater tunnel was also a hit.

Swimming in the "water," aka "the spot on the floor."

A little hesitant about stepping out onto the water!

James and Rolin checking out the shark mouth!

"Swimming" in the tunnel

The Rabes and Chyterboks left Wednesday, but mom and dad were still with us for another five days, so we weren't going to be all alone all at once.

Another early-morning shot before the Rabes and Chyterboks left for the airport. 

All the visitors kept our schedules packed, and I loved every minute. Mom and Dad's trip included a weekend getaway to Sedona, by way of Prescott, which we'll save for another post.

Stay tuned for more!

Troubling Ta Tas

In the midst of our move I developed a medical issue that turned out to be not an issue. And for that we can all thank the Almighty.

About two or so weeks before we moved, I called my OB/GYN to discuss some pain I'd been experiencing in my breast. It was a pain I tried to ignore, figuring it was something left over from breast feeding or it
was the result of the constant punching, smashing, slapping, stepping on, crushing, pinching, rump ramming or head butting my chest suffers from on a daily basis -- and all at the hands of the small child who used to find comfort and nourishment there. It's clear he has no memory of those days; you'd think he'd be more gentle with them if he knew that was his only source of food once upon a time.

Either that or he's upset with them. Let's just say he's forgotten.

Anyway.

Oh, and please prepare yourself. You'll be reading the word nipple a lot. Also breast. Also other words these parts of our anatomy go by.

Nipple.

See! I told you. Prepare yo'self.

So the pain started in the nip area on my right side. I ignored it for a few days until the pain spread. I started to get nervous, and I had a good reason to feel that way. I told Justin about it and we decided to wait three days to see if it would clear up on its own. It didn't. By that time the entire breast was sore and painful to touch, with a heavy dose of discomfort concentrated around the...umm...nipple. It was uncomfortable to hold Rolin (for reasons mentioned above), and even when lifting things I could feel some discomfort. I had had a few issues with clogged ducts and such while nursing, but this time it was different; plus I had no fever and felt fine otherwise, so I called the doc.

They were apparently concerned enough to get me in first thing the next day.

I was poked and prodded by the nurse. She kept apologizing, something I found to be ridiculously silly and annoying. I'd rather she make it awkward by taking a good, long, silent look while she felt around my
sad, deflated, post-nursing hoohaas instead of her saying sorry every 20 seconds. I wanted to say, "Get in there and study, lady! I expected to be violated!"

The nurse was puzzled. We both thought it'd be a clogged duct or something to do with mastitis even though I stopped nursing six months before, but the evaluation didn't point us in either direction. Instead, I left there with antibiotics (in case it was an infection of some sort) and instructions to go get a mammogram and a possible ultrasound on my right breast.

I managed to get in to have both the mammogram and the ultrasound Friday morning before we left for Rolin's birthday party in Grandview (this was another reason for rescheduling and rearranging party plans). The doctor in the mammogram center came in for a look as they too all figured the mammogram/ultrasound would show a clogged duct. It didn't. No one could see anything there (which is a good thing), but everyone was somewhat baffled by the pain, as well as some physical abnormalities (their word, not mine), such as more redness and a raised area, between the two breasts. They told me to call my doctor to discuss results and to get a referral to a breast surgeon for more evaluations. The radiology doc wouldn't go into any other detail beyond that.

Breast surgeon. That doesn't sound intimidating now, does it?

See, when the pain first arrived, I thought it may have been the result of some stress surrounding the move. Hormones are crazy, unbridled beasts, and, as the ladies will attest, totally unpredictable. I had a similar random pain in my ovarian area while working in Seattle...after tests turned up negative, my then doctor chocked it up to stress. I mentioned this to my doctor when I finally got to talk to her (and, oh, what a calming relief she was to talk to!), and she said stress and hormones could be a possibility. So we had a blood draw to check.

Everything was normal. Basically, we were back at square one. Well, sort of. A week later, the pain had somewhat dissipated, but I wasn't about to just pretend none of that happened. Better safe than sorry, ya know?

We were scheduled to move to Phoenix soon, so my doc suggested I get to Phoenix and then find an OB/GYN there to give me a referral to a breast surgeon. She also assured me that following up with a breast surgeon could be overkill, but, like I said, better safe than sorry.

Within our first week in Phoenix I visited an OB's office and got a referral to a breast surgeon. I had to wait another two weeks to get in to see him, but I finally did, with breast films, test results and all other information in tow.

By this time I was, and had been for a few weeks, virtually pain free. The doctor met with me in his office (just like in the movies, guys!) to go over the information I had and to discuss a few things before we went to the exam room. After a quick exam he told me it was a good thing I came in, but that everything is totally fine. Nothing to worry about.

The reason they had me check everything out is because generally women with nipple pain are in their 40-50s, not their 30s, and there is a type of cancer that can start and or camp out in the nipple that acts a bit differently than other breast cancers. Because the pain ceased, and because no one could spot anything at all in the mammograms or ultrasound, there was nothing more they had to look at or evaluate.

And since we're being honest here, I'll tell you that I pretty much stopped retaining what he said after that. He talked a bit about self exams, what was necessary and what wasn't so much anymore, but I was just glad to hear this doctor had no concerns at this time.

There. So now you know everything. It's been a wild few months for everyone, but things are beginning to get back to normal here in Phoenix. Hooray!

I'm still glad I went and covered all my basis with doctors and tests. Listen to your bodies, people. To quote my new OB/GYN, "We don't mess around with boobies!"

Temporary Scottsdalians

We spent 30 days in a temp housing condo in Scottsdale. It was nice to be set up in something other than a hotel for this transition, especially with Rolin. It seemed like a 30 day whirlwind, with all our to dos, doctor appointments, mail chasing, no cell service, waiting for our car to arrive and house hunting, so the days flew by.

Our digs were pretty sweet; 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (one with a double sink!), fully furnished, large kitchen with nice appliances, washer/dryer, community pools, next to a park. It was no where near child proofed, so that made things interesting the first few days. We only broke three things total. Thank goodness for superglue.

Scottsdale itself is nothing to shake a stick at, either. Some areas are pretty swanky.

And the sunsets. THE SUNSETS!

The condo was in a community in the Scottsdale Ranch area, which is nestled around a man-made lake. We didn't have a lake view from our condo, but all we had to do is walk across the parking lot to enjoy the view.

There was also a fountain in the center of the community that Rolin really enjoyed watching. We made daily trips to the fountain (because he'd fall asleep on our walks, you see, so whether or not he seemed like he wanted to see the fountain, we went to see it anyway).

Fountain side re-hydrating with ice water. Sweet, sweet ice water.

We used the pool a couple times. There were two in the community, and they were almost always void of swimmers. Probably because it was too hot. Rolin loves the water, and loved sitting in his floatie near the pool's waterfall.

We would have gone more, but it was monsoon season while we were there, making for quite a few thunder storms and haboobs (sand/dust storms), not to mention excessive heat.

Nice to know this feature exists.

Visibility was down to 100 ft. in this sand/dust storm. Can you see the house in that pic?

Rollin' rollin' rollin'

The Thompsons came down the first week we were in Scottsdale to help watch Rolin while we went house hunting with a rental rep. They stayed for a few days, you know, just long enough to start to get used to the heat.

 Grandpa Lee soaking up some patio heat with Rolin.

We went to the aquarium later in the month to kill some time. Rolin seemed to enjoy it more than I expected he would. He seemed entertained the entire time and didn't cry once.

Gazing up at the fish from inside the under-tank bubble.

Jellyfish.

I couldn't help it.

No idea what this is. But it is interesting!

We got two stuffed manta ray toys at the aquarium, one for Rolin and one for a friend, as a memento. We had Rolin choose between blue and green mantas; he chose the green one twice...I thought it was so cute when he made his selection between the two. Now that we've moved into our new place I can't find the damn blue manta ray for his friend anywhere...it's making me feel crazy. I'll probably find it when we move out of this house. The dangers of moving...

Overall, Rolin did the best he could to entertain himself with the limited amount of toys we brought for our temp stay. He played peekaboo a lot and chased his red bouncy ball around the house.

He did end up playing with an empty beer box for a long time one night, so the next day we went and got him a truck he can sit on or push.

We realized too late that he doesn't quite yet understand the concept of hanging on to the truck when you go too fast when parents push you too fast. Sorry, baby!

The truck entertained him for a day or two, then he resorted to batting a stacking cup around as entertainment.

We also practiced speaking names of our loved ones, such as Aunt Brianna and Uncle Joe:

He really did enjoy going outside though, no matter how hot it was. He would get so sweaty and pink-cheeked, but he LOVED being outside. I'd have to drag him back inside kicking and screaming....at least he doesn't hate the heat, right?

Now we're busy getting settled in at our new house. We've had a crazy time since moving in too, as we were in WA for a week for Nanny's funeral, came back to AZ with house guests, and Rolin pushed through 3-4 teeth, had diarrhea and a terrible head cold. Needless to say, we're grateful for a low-key weekend.

Stay tuned for more updates!