To Iowa and back

I spent Memorial week-end in Iowa with Mark. I flew out Thursday morning from Phoenix and landed in Des Moines around 3 P.M. Mark's brother, Milton, was there when I got to the farm. He had arrived the night before from Arkansas. His daughter Missy was graduating with honors from Buena Vista College on Saturday so it was great to see Milt and his/Missy's dog Honey. (see video)

Sister Sharon arrived at the farm on Friday. She flew in to town to attend an all- school reunion at Prairie Meadows on Sunday. Mark and I decided not to attend this reunion because our son Matt was coming home on Sunday and our niece Katie was also graduating from BV so we opted to attend her reception with our son. I am glad we did because we had a very good time visiting with Katie and her siblings and her mom and dad.

It was so great to be back on the farm! I pulled weeds in the flower beds, sprayed round-up, mowed and just totally enjoyed that...I know, sounds weird, but I REALLY like working outdoors in my gardens and yard. :-)

I must admit it was great to see Drew and Kayley when I returned to Phoenix. They are both fighting a bit of a fever but they didn't cause grandma too many problems on her first day back on the "job" today. A video of Milt's dog and our day...

The Inaugural swim

I stopped by Megan and Andy's for a swim yesterday afternoon and they took Kayley in for her very first swim!

The Bucket List keeps getting shorter!

Sharon and I hiked Camelback Mountain on Saturday after many weeks of contemplating whether we really wanted to do just that. Camelback is arguably the hardest climb in the valley, thus our hesitation. It seems like at least once or twice a month someone is being rescued from the mountain either from falling, dehydration, heart attacks, etc. Read Sharon's account on her blog and you will see why I have marked it off my "bucket list" of things to do before I leave this earth! (Her blog is on the right, "My Third Act"). Hope you are feeling better sis!

This girl was a 27 week preemie?

Kayley is making grandma work! She has so much get up and go that I am constantly chasing after her. You cannot turn your head for one second on this gal! Considering her very early start in this world.....all I can say is "how wonderful".

Lots of water

Sunday afternoon at the Thiel's.

This will make you smile...even on a Monday

A tip from friend Cyndy:

Marc Hansen from the Des Moines Register has an article on an older couple from Ankeny, Iowa. He is 90 and they have been married 62 years and are quite talented and very cute. Since they are from Iowa I couldn't resist!

Look mommy!

Andy, Drew and Kayley took the moms out for a Mother's Day dinner at Olive Garden last night. I had never been there before and I loved it. (I know, I am probably the only one in the U.S. who has not eaten there!) Drew and Kayley were very well behaved and allowed us to eat our meal in peace. :-) Such good grandchildren! They must have an excellent nanny...

Yesterday morning Sharon and I hiked Black Mountain. This is the beautiful mountain that they view out their window every day. We hit the trail head by 7:15 but probably could have gone even earlier as it was fairly warm by the time we finished. I am guessing it was the last time we will hike that trail together. :-( Sharon and Arne have sold their home in AZ and are moving to The Villages in Florida at the end of June. I must say I hate to see them go.

I am just going to enjoy my mother's day relaxing and maybe get into the pool later this afternoon. There is a pool here at my development but if the Thiel's are going swimming in their pool today I may have to go watch Kayley have her inaugural swim. I am betting she will love the water but perhaps the pool temp isn't quite "there" yet for her to take a dip.

Friday Kayley had to have another endoscopy but this time they did a pyloric dilation. She endured the procedure fairly well. Now we just have to wait and see if it makes a difference in how much food she can take at a feeding, whether she is more comfortable during/after a feeding, etc. Here's hoping it does improve things for the little girl!

Well, it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood and I am going for a walk. Have a great day mothers!

Happy Mother's Day!

My mom has been gone three years this September but I never let a day pass by that I don't think of her and dad. Dad passed away in 1985 at the tender age of 68 and mom left us in 2006. She was heart broken at his passing and then battled Parkinson's Disease and spent eleven years in a care center. Her last years were anything but glorious or easy. This is a small mother's day tribute to her. The music is by one of my favorite artists, Carly Simon. Not all her lyrics ring true to our personal family dynamics, but I like this song. Mom and Dad, I love you and miss you both very much!

Drew and Kayley

Half way through another week of our lives. Kayley is having a good week and yesterday set a world's record (for her), downing 210 cc's for one feeding. Some people might not think that is a great amount for a baby her age but believe me, it was a big deal for Kayley to take that much from her bottle in one sitting! She goes to her GI doctor today so hopefully she has gained a decent amount by this appointment. I know 99% of the population would shudder to gain .5 to 1 ounce per day but that's what we are hoping for her! Wish her luck.

Drew is very good with his sister and likes to play with her on the floor, as evidenced in the video.

File this under "miscellaneous"

Hey Megan and Andy!

Sorry you are at work.....your daughter just crawled. :-) Way to go Kayley!!! Megan said Drew was 8 1/2 months when he crawled and she is not quite 8 months adjusted age so she is doing great on the mobility front!

Tip of the day

The news is full of the frightening swine flu that is starting to be carried around the globe. Here is a humorous but quite important video for how to cough and sneeze properly. I think this should be shown in every office and school across America!





Some pics I forgot to post of Kayley:

I won't eat 'em, but I know my veggies

This one is for the grandpas

Kayley had an endoscopy on Monday in the hope of discovering what might be causing her feeding problems. I am sure Andy will explain in more detail on his blog, but basically how I understand the situation, Kayley's opening to her stomach is larger than it should be and her exit from the stomach is smaller than it should be. Thus, when the stomach contracts it goes to the path of least resistance, which is back up. I won't go into detail because I am sure Andy and Megan will make a post on Kayley's blog and explain their options much better than I could. She has actually been doing very well this week and her personality is blooming. A video for Grandpa Butch and Mark:

He has a lot to say to grandma

He didn't win this "battle", by the way. :-)

Walk for the March of Dimes

Megan organized a team in honor of Kayley for the March of Dimes walk yesterday in downtown Phoenix. Team Kayley collected over $1600 for the organization which was pretty impressive. Megan, Drew, Kayley, Sharon and I and several of Megan's friends all participated in the four mile walk for preemies. It is a great cause and if any of you have extra funds in your charity budget this would be something to consider. Click to donate in Kayley's honor.

A very short video of the walk:

Barium Friday

Kayley goes to the doctor today for a modified barium swallow. We all are having trouble imagining her even drinking that stuff but hope it goes as planned. She still fights her bottle every feeding from the reflux so I can only imagine how the barium in a bottle will go down! The last few days she and I haven't fared well with the bottle. On Monday she goes for an endoscopy and biopsy so hopefully that will tell us something about why she is refusing her bottle. She takes her solids quite well, but she obviously needs the nutrients from the formula right now and isn't quite getting them from the amount she takes per day from me. Fortunately, Megan and Andy seem to have a little better luck (skill?) in the evenings feeding her so that helps. I cannot believe how strong this little girl is and she can basically overpower me in our bottle battle. Guess it is time to hit the gym and start pumping up when a preemie easily beats you in arm wrestling! :-)

Have a great week-end and hope wherever you are you can be outside enjoying some nice spring weather!

A happy hawk fan

A bummer basketball season for Iowa didn't dampen Kayley's school spirit one bit!

This is terrific

If this doesn't bring a tear to your eye, you need to lighten up! :-) It is 7 minutes long but worth every minute.

Click here

Happy Easter!

I went to Megan and Andy's this morning for brunch and the Easter egg hunt. Drew had a great time finding all his eggs and opening them to discover what mother bunny had put in each one. I brought him over a HUGE stuffed frog, thinking he would adore it as his little frog is very close to his heart. Huge is not always better! He immediately told us all "I don't like it" and he was telling the truth! He won't go near it. Maybe Kayley will like it....

I have some very important video footage of the "hunt" this morning and will be posting that tomorrow. :-) Hope your week-end was wonderful!