1 Year of Blogging

Well, nearly 100 posts later, our little blog is now a year old. We hope you have enjoyed reading the stories and seeing the pictures of our lives. I've found it to be a great way to keep in touch with people and chronicle little stories of Drew growing up that might otherwise be forgotten many years down the road. Let the blogging continue...Drew is having another sleepover this weekend so we should have some cute stuff to post from that. This time I will remember to take pictures.

Drew tries his hand at bowling

Last week we had a social event for Bill's company at the bowling alley. We had a great turnout and everyone had a good time, but Drew was especially thrilled. When I informed him I'd be picking him up early from school so we could go bowling with Daddy and his soldiers, he asked "Just like on the TV?" He was, of course, referring to the Nintendo Wii bowling, which he is actually fairly good at...considering he's 3 and all. I explained that the real thing would be a little different but that he would still be trying to knock down the pins but we would be using an actual bowling ball.

The whole experience was exciting for Drew, even getting the "funny shoes" on. He tried out a couple different balls, jumped up and down when the pins fell, and said "Oh wow" when someone would get a strike. None of the pictures really turned out that great. It seemed like every time he did something adorable I was talking to one of the other spouses and when I tried to get pictures he was not interested in cooperating. Such is life with a stubborn 3 year old.

Although he is pictured using the ramp exclusively, he did throw (yes, literally throw) the ball down the lane a few times without it. We had the bumpers of course. But every now and then someone on the lane next to the kids' lane wouldn't be there for their turn so the soldiers let the kids take turns bowling for their buddies that weren't there. Needless to say, without the bumpers, their scores reflected the kids' turns.


So many balls...so little time.

Mom, stop taking pictures and get over here and help me!

Drew was funny about using the ramp. Sometimes he'd walk right up there and roll the ball down all by himself. Other times he'd cry for someone to help him and then when I or one of the soldiers or spouses tried to help him, he'd suddenly become reluctant and his turn seemed to take 5 years!

At the end of the afternoon though, Drew declared himself a big fan of bowling. "Mommy, thank you for taking me bowling. Bowling is my favorite." This is his latest line for everything, clothes, activities, food, etc.:

"Mommy (or Daddy) thank you for making dinner. Chicken is my favorite (or peas or rice or pierogies or whatever else happens to be on his plate that night)."

"Mommy, thank you for getting my sweatshirt (or my pajamas or my toothbrush). The green sweatshirt is my favorite."

It's really quite cute.

We knew this day was coming...

Well, nearly 4 years after Bill finished his first deployment in Iraq, we've been informed he and his company will be making a return visit at the end of this year. Although no deployment is ever welcome news, we know we've been extremely fortunate that Bill has had as much uninterrupted time with us as he has. So, we accept that it is what is is. Daddy is a soldier.


We also feel pretty good about the situation that we are in. I love Arizona and we have some good friends here. We love our house. We are close to my parents (or at least close in the sense of the Army). Drew loves his preschool and has some good little buddies here.


So there are definitely far worse scenarios for a deployment. We are trying not to worry about it too much yet. You can't really spend 10 months stressing about something that you have no control over. I'd be insane before Bill even left. I do, however, need some advice from those of you who have been through a deployment with preschool age kids. I know this will be very difficult for Drew as he is very much a Daddy's boy. Sarah, I see a phone call in our future?

A couple good reads...if you've got tissues.

The true story behind HBO's movie "Taking Chance" starring Kevin Bacon that airs this Saturday night. I can't wait to see it, though I may need an entire box of kleenex.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-050123strobl,0,6934286.story

This one about a high school basketball game caught my eye on ESPN.
http://sports.espn.go.com/highschool/rise/basketball/boys/news/story?id=3914375

Also causing me to tear up a little today was that I had to pick Drew up early at school because his fever returned and when we got in the car, he said "I'm sorry I'm not feeling good Mommy." Poor thing. I think he was mimicking me saying that I was sorry he wasn't feeling good, but it still broke my heart.

Our Valentine's Day

We were supposed to exchange child care nights with friends of ours this weekend so we could both have date nights for Valentine's Day, but unfortunately they had a virus going through their house this week and we had to postpone those plans. It ended up being a very nice family weekend instead.

Bill and I celebrated first by exchanging cards...we both went with funny ones this year. I actually found a great one that had a "Green Eggs & Ham" kind of verse to it. I was thrilled because it was only the second or third card I picked up and I typically spend far too much time in front of the greeting cards trying to make a decision while Bill picks up the perfect card on the first try every time! Anyway, we didn't want Drew to feel left out of the card and gift giving so we got him a few little things.

Drew checks out his goodies

Showing off his new Elmo Valentine book






The beautiful Arizona weather treated us to another wonderful day in February so we decided to have a picnic lunch and go for a little hike at Saguaro National Park near Tucson.

Family shot after our lunch

Drew and Dad head out on a trail





Drew & Dad pose with a very large saguaro behind them. The trail we were on supposedly featured a saguaro with 30 arms, but the most we counted on any one cactus was 15-20. You'd think they'd have a sign pointing that out...


Beautiful view


Drew & Mommy pause for a rest on the rocks


Not a cloud in the sky...


Rather than brave the craziness of the restaurants on Valentine's Day with Drew, Bill made us a very yummy crab leg and steak dinner at home. Drew was out of sorts most of the day claiming to be feeling yucky and not showing much of an appetite at all. This morning he woke up with a fever and is currently napping next to me on the couch. I fear he may have picked up a virus of his own. Hopefully it's shortlived.


And Bill, saying yes 7 years ago was one of the best things I've ever done.

Drew & All Kinds of Family All Over Las Vegas

Last weekend Drew and I went to Las Vegas to see my parents and Grandma Mary, who was in town with 3 of her siblings for a few days. Dad had improved enough that Mom felt okay about coming to pick us up at the airport so she came to get us and then we went right to the hospital to see Dad.

We weren't sure how Drew would react to Grandpa in the hospital. I tried to prepare him some by explaining that there were elevators at the hospital (just like hotels), there were doctors and nurses that were helping Grandpa to get better, and that Grandpa had a phone, TV, and clock in his room (Drew always asks whether our hotels will have these things!). Drew seemed unfazed by the whole situation. He didn't hesitate at all to give Grandpa hugs and kisses and it took him quite a while to even ask about the tubes Grandpa had. I also had planned ahead with a backpack full of things to occupy him: puzzles, coloring, a picture matching game, and his beloved calculators. We went out for dinner that night and my mother thought maybe just she would go back to the hospital after dropping us off at the house, but Drew really wanted to go back to see Grandpa again. He was very excited to go every time we mentioned the hospital (or hostiple as he says it).


Sunday morning we headed to the hospital early, hopeful that it might finally be the day Dad could come home. Unfortunately, no such luck. The medicine they had given him for the clot had made his blood too thin and until that was stabilized at the desired level they couldn't insert his PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter) which he would use at home for IV nutrition to avoid further inflaming the pancreas. We were disappointed by that news but also had excitement to look forward to as Grandma Mary had arrived late on Saturday night.

So later that morning we met Grandma Mary, Uncle Mark, Uncle Dave, and Aunt Nancy downtown. Here Grandma and Drew work on one of his puzzles at Uncle Mark's condo.





We went down to Fremont Street for lunch with everyone where it began apparent that Drew was in dire need of a nap. After a bit of a hurried end to the meal, we were on our way back to Grandma and Grandpa's house for a nap. And even though his little eyes really wanted to close during the car ride, he managed to hang on till we got him to his little bed for a proper nap.


That evening Mary, Mark, Dave, and Nancy came up to my parents' house for drinks and snacks. Here Uncle Mark has captured Drew's attention by reciting the monkeys jumping on the bed.




Grandma Carolyn and Drew cuddled up on the couch.


Aunt Nancy, Uncle Dave, Grandma, Mary, Drew, & Uncle Mark

Drew and his Grandmas



Aunt Nancy and a little boy in his PJs ready for a delayed bedtime



Prior to going to bed that Sunday night my mom spoke to my dad and he told her that they had been able to insert the PICC line that night. We were very optimistic that this meant the next day would be the day. In fact, it was. Yes, a grand total of 15 days after his admission, Dad was finally released from the hospital. While he still is not allowed anything to eat or drink by mouth (his pancreas still needs to rest), he's obviously feeling much better about being at home and on the mend.


After Dad's big release Monday afternoon, that night Drew and I drove down to Fremont Street to meet Mary and the rest of their crew for a bite to eat and to see what Drew would think about the VivaVision light shows appearing hourly on the canopy above Fremont Street.


Mommy, Drew, and Grandma Mary pose outside of Binion's with the Fremont Street lights in the background (again showing that I am the least photogenic person on the planet)

Drew saw the security guys tooling around on these segways and was highly amused by it.

Drew also enjoyed the light shows. We were able to see the 7:00 and 8:00 shows, which included images of motorcycles, guitars, and playing cards among other things. At first I think he didn't quite know what he was supposed to think about all the loud music and huge screens above his head, but once I started dancing, singing along, and pointing out all the things he recognized he definitely got a kick out of it.


After the first light show Aunt Nancy and Uncle Dave wanted Dunkin Donuts, which we found in one of the casinos of course. Here's a very happy Drew and Grandma Mary.



Drew clapping the powdered sugar off his hands after stuffing his face with 3 donut munchkins.





Tuesday morning Drew really wanted Grandpa to play with him on the floor. We tried to explain that Grandpa was better enough to come home from the hospital, but not completely all better yet. We suggested that Grandpa would be very happy to watch Drew play but that he couldn't make it down to the floor just yet. Drew seemed satisfied with this and made Grandpa this cool looking tower.



Later that morning Grandma and Drew took a walk to feed the ducks and see if the Clubhouse library had any children's books. They weren't able to find any books but Drew did see a puzzle with hot air balloons on it. Unfortunately the puzzle had 550 pieces...a tad advanced for Drew. Grandma attempted to explain that to Drew but once he saw it, he had to have it, so it came home with them and he couldn't wait to dump out all the pieces. Here he is helping Grandma and Mommy separate the edge pieces and the middle pieces, showing particular excitement when one of us found the all-important corner pieces. After we finished separating the pieces, though, Drew left the putting together of the puzzle to Grandma and Mommy while he played with all of his other toys. He definitely wanted to be in on the completion of the puzzle though. When we hadn't finished by naptime, he was very adamant in telling us not to do all the pieces before he woke up.





Before the airport on Tuesday evening we had time to do a little walking around. Uncle Dave had been playing at the Flamingo earlier in the weekend and thought Drew might enjoy seeing all the birds and fish, so we met up with Mary and the gang and that's where we decided to go. I had only been to the Flamingo once before when my dad and I saw George Wallace there. Turns out they have a very nice flamingo habitat and beautiful waterfalls outside.


Grandma Mary & Drew pose in front of the flamingos



Grandma Mary, Drew, Uncle Dave, and Uncle Mark


Mommy & Drew in front of one of the waterfalls



Drew in front of the Flamingo sign and waterfalls


Drew poses for one last picture with Aunt Nancy & Grandma Mary

After a bit of a rough flight on our way to Las Vegas (Drew did not want to wear his seatbelt or sit in his own seat), Drew behaved beautifully on the short flight home and was very excited to see Daddy again. He's already asking how many days until he's going to see everyone again though.

A boy and his stickers

Apparently Drew should not be left alone in his room with stickers. Last night I put Drew to bed shortly after 8:00, read him a couple stories, and kissed him goodnight. He insisted I leave his door open, so from the living room I could hear him talking and singing for the next little while. Around 9 I got up to check to see if he was finally asleep because I hadn't heard much out of him for the last few minutes. When I got to the door of his room he was still very much awake, sitting there quietly pulling stickers out of one his sticker books and placing them on his pillow. The funny thing was it wasn't just the actual stickers but any of the sticky material around the stickers too. His pillow was covered! I just had to laugh.

Recap of our visit in Vegas and update on my dad coming soon.

Being a daughter and a mother...

I'm sure some of you have noticed our absence from blogland lately. We've had quite a week and a half. Last Monday (the 26th) my mother called me from the emergency room of one of their local hospitals in Las Vegas. My dad had woken up early that morning with intense abdominal pain. At the ER, some bloodwork and a CAT scan revealed the problem to be acute pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas they assumed to be brought on by gallstones. His bloodwork showed skyhigh levels of the pancreatic enzymes lipase and amylase and he was quickly admitted, started on antibiotics, and put on a strict order of nothing by mouth, not even water. My quick search of WebMD for pancreatitis revealed the causes, treatments, and some of the potentially very serious complications.


All I wanted to do was get in the car at that very minute. But my mother pointed out that it would be too hard to bring Drew with me and it would be too hard for Bill & Drew if I didn't bring him. I knew she was right. A hospital room is surely not the best place to entertain a 3 1/2 year old. And although Drew's daycare opens at 5:30 am and closes at 6:00 pm, neither Bill or I really wanted him to have to stay there for 12 hours when he's used to just 9-4. Plus, how to explain to little Drew that Mommy was going to see Grandma and Grandpa without him? I stayed put for the time being, attempting to focus on work and for the most part, failing miserably. I waited very impatiently for my mother's updates.

The updates brought news of CAT scans, ultrasounds, blood test after blood test, and possible problems and solutions. When my brother booked a ticket for the weekend, there was no longer any question about whether I'd be driving up. I would leave Friday morning in time to pick my brother up at the airport. Thankfully Bill is a very hands-on father, leaving me feeling entirely comfortable with them here without me. I did have to tell Drew a little white lie about where I was going. We just didn't think we could make Drew understand why I was going to Las Vegas without him, so we told him I was working in Phoenix. I think he knew something was up though as each time I spoke to Bill & Drew on the phone Drew asked me where I was and what I was doing.

As the first week progressed it seemed as if my father might have his gallbladder (obviously the source of the problematic gallstones) removed as early as Friday, so I left on Thursday instead of Friday, hoping to be able to be there to wait with my mother during the surgery. As it turned out, there were a number of things that had to align before the surgery could actually occur: a cardiac stress test, a stabilization of the enzyme levels within the normal range, etc. etc. This involved approximately 3-4 doctors giving the surgeon the green light to operate.

With John and me there, my mother was able to take a little bit of a respite from her all day stints at the hospital. We even made it out of the hospital for a real meal or two (aka non-hospital cafe food) and were able to attend church on Sunday. John had to leave on Sunday, still not knowing when exactly the surgery might be. We, like most of the folks in the hospital, watched the Super Bowl from my dad's hospital room and I was surprisingly able to keep my reactions in check at the big plays of the game. We left the hospital Sunday night knowing only that the surgery would be on Monday, but not having a definitive time.

My mom and I headed to the hospital on Monday morning hopeful that the surgery might be early enough in the day that I could stay for it and then leave to head home, but there was no such luck. I really did not want to leave. But my father pointed out that I am a daughter and a mother, and my little guy needed me back. I reluctantly got on the road mid-morning while my parents planned for a 5:00ish surgery that turned into 10:00 pm. I arrived home late that night, delayed at least an hour due to some tire pressure issues the last couple hours of my trip, and waited up to hear from my mother. Around midnight I finally got the call that all had gone well. They were able to remove the gallbladder laprascopically and my dad was resting and not in much pain.

Wednesday morning my dad's oxygen level had dropped and another CAT scan revealed a blood clot in one of his lungs (blood clots are not an uncommon problem associated with prolonged hospital stays). They started him on blood thinner and scheduled an ultrasound to check for clots in his legs (where I had had mine). Fortunately this did not reveal any clots, and while he will likely be on Coumadin for several months, the doctors' primary concern at this point is just getting his clotting time up to the measure they'd like to see before he can go home.

They have reintroduced solid foods and Dad's enzyme levels have remained within normal range, so it appears very likely that we should be seeing my dad at home this weekend rather than at the hospital. Drew and I already had plans to go up there this weekend because Bill's mom will be in town for a few days and we planned to visit my parents and her before all of this craziness happened. It just happened that the timing worked out very nicely. Drew understands that Grandpa is feeling kind of yukky and might not be able to play with him, but is very excited about the trip nonetheless. We're all just feeling very relieved and blessed that the situation turned out as it did, because there were some scary moments. Thank God for all the doctors and nurses whose care of my father was top-notch.

Just to add a little levity to the post, I thought I'd share the pictures Bill emailed me from the boys' fun Daddy-Drew day in Tucson on Saturday. They headed to the zoo and then Joe's Crab Shack for lunch.

Here Drew says hi to the giraffes.

Drew sitting on top of the pretend turtle.





Drew practices his low crawl out from underneath the turtle shell.


Drew is ready for some crab!




And here he is digging into his corn on the cob.