Maeley

Maeley is very creative and is coming up with new ways to use things. A few weeks back I found her in her room coloring. She had turned Chase's Fisher Price garage on its side and used it as her desk. She also used the stop sign to hold the pad of paper in place.

I just love her facial expression

and her cute smile too

I want to go camping

We haven't been camping in 3 years! That seems just crazy if you ask me. I have always enjoyed camping and really miss it. I just came across these pictures and thought I'd post them.

August 2006
Maeley loved sitting in this chair and enjoyed watching everyone. She was 9 months and was such a great baby the entire time.

Zoe's 9 month checkup

Today I took Zoe to her 9 month well checkup. I had more questions to ask the doctor but of course was distracted with the 3 kids. Oh well they weren't anything important. She is very healthy now and the doctor is even okay with me taking her off her daily preventative medication (Pulmicort through the nebulizer). Wahoo! He did say that she will most likely go back on them when she comes back for her 1 year checkup because of the cold/flu season. But three months without sounds great to me. She really began fighting through those treatments.

Weight 19lbs 8 oz. -- 50-75percentile

Height 27in. -- 25-50th percentile
Head 44cm -- 50th percentile

I decided to do a comparison of sizes between the kiddos. Maeley at 15 months weighted 19lbs. 4oz. while Chase weighting the same was only 6 months old. No wonder Zoe doesn't fit into much Maeley wore at this same age.

I'm losing my mind

It's been a very long day to what has been a very long week. I'm exhausted. I need a freakin' break!!!

Routines

With kids the only way to stay sane is to have daily routines. Some I look forward to and well others aren't so fun.

Taking Ella for walks--This is definitely my least favorite routine each day. It wouldn't be so bad to take her on her "potty walks" but with 3 kids in tow its not enjoyable. I'm pushing the stroller with Zoe and I have Ella on her leash while Chase is almost always 20ft behind me and Maeley 20ft in front of me. Maeley wants to run which I don't blame her our apartment is small so this is her freedom. Chase on the other hand gets distracted by everything and is an extremely slow walker. Not to mention its summer in Arizona and way too hot to be taking walks in the middle of the day. During the week we do this twice a day. I'm so happy when Derek's home so one of us can take her by ourselves.

Nap times-- Definitely happy times. We have come to realize that its time to change Zoe's schedule from 2 naps to one. She has been difficult at bedtime so hopefully with this adjustment she will go to sleep more easily. Chase still takes one nap unfortunately it won't be the same time as Zoe now. Darn it.

Bedtime-- We have always had a fairly strict bedtime which I think is the reason the kids rarely argue when its time for bed. We are very grateful for that. However, recently Zoe has had a second wind at 8 which is bedtime (this is why we are changing her naps). She gets away with way more than Maeley and Chase ever did at this age. I know Derek enjoys the extra time to play and snuggle with our sweet Zoe.

Wipeout Wednesday-- This is Maeley's favorite! If you don't know what Wipeout is, its a TV game show on ABC. Unfortunately Derek has mutual so its just the kids and I. We do baths before hand so we don't miss part of the show. I love listening to Maeley laugh when people fall.

Swimming Saturday-- The kids know that I will not take them swimming by myself so we have to wait for Dad. By the time Derek comes home and we eat there is little time before baths/bedtime so it leaves swimming to only Saturday. Maeley is quite the little fish. Zoe loves it and Chase likes it but doesn't show much enthusiasm. The only reason we know he likes it is because he doesn't want to get out.

When Daddy comes home

Maeley and Chase get so excited when Daddy comes home. I let them hang out in our bedroom so they can watch for him. I think it makes Derek feel extra loved when they do this.

Chase watching Daddy back into his spot.

Daddy being silly.

Update: When I began making dinner tonight Chase went straight the window to watch for his Daddy. He's catching on, smart kid.

We've got a crawler

Yesterday Zoe officially began crawling. I'm so proud of her. Its so fun to watch her grow and figure new things out. I love little Zoe so much. She is a wonderful baby and so sweet. You can't help but want to kiss those cheeks of hers.

This was taken a week ago when she had scooted herself under our bed.

Random pictures

Maeley reading her potty training book to Chase. I wish Chase was potty trained but he is not interested now.

This was during a rain storm weeks ago.

Maeley is just so cute.

Our sweet girls.

They are all excited over their new pajamas. Zoe and Maeley are wearing matching pj's that say "I rock". Chase's say "My dad rocks".

I just love this picture of Chase. He is getting so big.

This is one of Maeley dress ups. Maeley tried putting it on Zoe by herself but it didn't work so I helped her out. Zoe looks so cute!

It's not uncommon to see Zoe doing this.

I love Zoe's smile.

Shin splints

This week Derek and I have begun exercising. Tuesday I went for a run and shortly after I started I got really bad shin splints. I ended up walking the rest of the way. The last few other times I have wanted to go running I end up getting shin splints. Combined with the lack of sleep I end up giving up. Not this time. I really want to get into shape. I am not back to my pre-pregnancy weight yet and it is so frustrating. Zoe is now 8 1/2 months old! I'm way behind. I think we will end up paying the small fee to get the key for the gym here at the apartment. Along with running we have started yoga. That is so much harder than it looks. Wow I am so out of shape its ridiculous. We are hoping to reach our goal weight by New Years. We are going past the holidays so we are accountable and not over eat with all the extra goodies. Wish us luck. I will probably post how we are doing along the way.

Little Miss Maeley

I feel like there has been a lack of Maeley on the blog lately. So here's a blog just about her.

Lately it has become very difficult to get a good picture of her. Maeley would much rather be behind the lens than in front. She has taken some pretty good pictures too. She is a huge help...most of the time. She definitely has her moments where she is stubborn and won't do what I ask. But normally she helps me out. Now that Chase just had this birthday we will hear all about what she wants for hers until her birthday in October. This is exactly how it was last year. We have tried telling her that her birthday is after Zoe's so after Zoe's birthday then it can be all about hers. Her birthday is the day after Zoe's. She doesn't care, she has big plans for her birthday. Lately Sunday's have been a problem with her. Maeley does not like Sharing Time. Her teachers tell me she is great in class and has a good time but they can't get her to sit in Sharing Time. I think the problem started because I was in Jr. Primary up until 2 weeks ago. When she got tired of sitting with her class she would sit with me. I would try to get her to sit back with her class but it never worked. This past Sunday they had to bring her to me. Needless to say Derek and I were pretty annoyed. They said she was crying for me. Ugh! I'm not sure what to do. She is with me 24/7 everyday but these 2 hours on Sunday. I think she needs time away from me.

Maeley reading to Chase.

Being silly and getting into Zoe's Jumperoo. She loved that thing when she was little.

wearing my sunglasses and flip flops

yep, this is what I get most of the time

I love you Little Miss Maeley.

Chase's Birthday Party

Derek's sister Kari came down this weekend to help us celebrate Chase's birthday. The kids loved having her here, especially Maeley. We went to a few stores where Kari let Chase pick out his birthday present. Then we went home to open presents and have cake and ice cream. After Zoe napped we went swimming. We were surprised that Chase would jump to one of use from the side into the pool. I think he saw how much fun Maeley was having and wanted to do it too. Chase tried to stay up for movie night with Kari but he was so tired. Maeley had a great time though. Derek and I were able to go on a date. Unfortunately I was pretty tired and for the first time ever fell asleep at the movie theater. Pathetic I know. All in all we had such a wonderful day. Thanks Kari for all the fun.

Maeley helping Chase open a present

Chase saying "cheese"

His awesome Bronco from Grandma and Papa Crandall

He wasn't too sure about blowing out the candle. Maeley ended up doing it.

The Jeep cake I made. Chase loves Jeeps.

I think it turned out pretty good.

Chase turns 2

I can't believe Chase is now 2. He has grown up so fast and is such a good boy. He calls Zoe, little baby. I try to get him to say Zoe but it's always baby or little baby. Recently I asked him what his name was and he said, "Maeley". I said no your name is Chase, Maeley is in her room. I finally got him to call himself Chase but I thought it was funny. For the most part Maeley and Chase are best buds. Maeley looks out for him and they enjoy each others company. Chase doesn't want to sit in the stroller or shopping cart anymore. He wants to walk and be a big kid. We love him so much.

Maeley holding Chase for the first time. July 10th, 2007

about 1 month old

6 months

11 months

15 months

18 months

22 months

Chase loves...

• Jeeps
• trucks
• Spiderman
• Ella
• His dad, and mom. But he definitely has a special bond with his dad.
• Maeley and Zoe
• Being outside. He loves going on walks during the day.
• His new pajamas. It's hard to get him out of them in the morning.
• He loves oatmeal for breakfast. In fact he eats so much for breakfast and then doesn't eat as much through out the day.
• Mickey Mouse, he still calls him Boopa though.

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Update: Today I took Chase to the doctor, here are his stats.

weight: 26 lbs. 1 oz. --25th percentile

height: 35.25" --75th percentile

4th of July

On Saturday my parents came to visit so we went up Mt. Lemmon. We just love the cooler weather there and it only takes about an hour from our house to the top. We arrived at the top about 10:45 to find out they were having a parade at noon. We had to park far down the road because people were either parked or had chairs out reserving a place to watch the parade. We walked up the road to the general store and found they had some camping chairs for sale. Because Derek and I didn't have any anyways, we went ahead and bought 4 so we could comfortably sit and watch the parade. We also bought hot dogs, chips and drinks. Then ate by our car as we waited. Summer Haven is the town on Mt. Lemmon which is very small, so this parade was nothing too exciting but for us it was fun. It reminded me of celebrating the 4th in Prescott when I was a kid.

Maeley is holding a little blue beetle

Doesn't Zoe look like a little lamb with the way her sweatshirt is around her ears?

I liked this spot and wanted a picture with Maeley, however Maeley did not want her picture taken. Little stinker.

A little stream went along side the main road in town.

Us eating our hot dogs waiting for the parade.

I should have taken the camera from Derek, there are no pictures of him. He has become quite the photographer since we bought our new camera.

Chase waiting

They can see the parade coming.

Me enjoying myself

This is Derek's favorite picture. Look at me in the background. I was so happy because I have never seen Zoe shake with so much excitement before. She is really becoming the animal lover, just like Maeley.

Thanks Mom and Dad for coming a spending the day with us. We had a great time.

Tucson

We have officially lived in Tucson a year now. A list of the pros and cons.

Pros
-The monsoon weather rocks. We get far more rain storms here than in the Gilbert area. So far the last 3 days its rained. And every day this coming week we have a chance for rain.
-We are normally a good 5-10 degrees cooler than Phoenix in the summer. Which means we rarely reach 110 degrees.
-We are away from family, its nice to really be on our own and only depend on each other.

Cons
-Getting across town sucks. There is no freeway system. Plus the streets are not maintained very well.
-The drivers are the worst! I am not exaggerating on this. They are terrible drivers. They often cut you off and drive about 10 under the speed limit. So you know how the left lane is commonly referred to as the fast lane. Well here there is no concept of that. They just don't care that they are driving slow! I'm truly annoyed, can you tell?
-The creepy crawlers. I understand we live in the desert but there are far more to fear here. Because Tucson really embraces the desert it's not uncommon to find rattle snakes near your house. Driving home from church once was a rattle snake in the road. And have seen other snakes just driving around. Derek also saw a dead javalina right outside the entrance to our old neighborhood. It was pretty big.
-Being away from family. Yes I added being away from family as a pro, but of course it has its draw backs as well.

Maeley found this large lizard on our wall one afternoon in April. We found it again a few weeks ago.