Our dog Zeena ate Mr. Zebra and Mr. Giraffes ears off.  Luckily they were okay but Daddy made and appointment at the clinic just in case.  Dr. Mike and Dr. Patti (from DogTown) worked on Mr. Zebra and Giraffe and reconstructed their ears.  After hours of intense surgery we are happy to say that Mr. Zebra and Giraffe are recovering wonderfully.  Addy was a little taken aback when we picked up the two at the clinic.  Some of the staff thought we were nuts but played along! 

It is the day before the big 3.  Addy is turning 3 and I cannot believe it.  Addy and Daddy cleaned up the backyard, made a compost area and stacked wood. Lucky me got to clean inside.  It was fine since it was 70 and sunny during the week now it is cold, cloudy and overcast.  However I missed a falcon attacking a dove mid-flight.  Daron gave me the blow by blow and the dove got away.  Actually I am glad I missed it.  I love nature but sometimes it can be a bit much! 

 Auntie Karen sent Addyson 28 ducks.  All different ducks.  Rock star ducks, hippie ducks, cat ducks, dog ducks, pig ducks, alien ducks, gnome ducks, horse duck, chicken duck, zoo keeper ducks, clown duck, astronaut duck - well you get the idea!  She loves them and we had to take some to the grocery store to ride on the merry go round and see all the food for sale. The duckies got very dizzy on the merry go round and got sick. Addy thought that was hilarious.  They all played outside in the grass and met Mr. Zebra. Mr. Zebra informed them about bath time and bath time rules. Mr. Zebra is in charge of them.  Mr. Zebra as Addy put it "didn't want them to get crazy." 

 Addy and I went to visit Daddy at his office which happens to back up to the pig and horse area.  We decided to visit some of the piggies which are all up for adoption - hint hint.  They are really great.  They can be house trained and they poop in one area - unlike our dog Zeena who seems to crap wherever she wants.  Pigs are smarter than dogs too.  They can learn tricks, have personalities and can be quiet stubborn which is where the term pig headed came from.  The only bad thing is not every neighborhood is zoned for pot bellied pigs. 

Daron and I love listening to Addy when she is playing with her toy animals.  She mimics like all kids the things she hears at home.  The other day she asked Daddy to watch Mr. Zebra because she was "going to work" and told Mr. Zebra  she "will be back."  Then she went to the kitchen and asked "Is Mr. Zebra ok?  I will be back." 
When she came back from work she hugged Mr. Zebra and said "I told you I will always come back. Did you have fun with your friends?"

Months ago she would tell her animals that Mommy is going to the gym and they would stay with Daddy.  Recently she was playing with the animals and said "Daddy's gonna get so mad he'll walk away."  That made Daron smile.

One of Addy's little friends has a broken home to put it lightly and once he came over and said "I can't believe you Addy, you ruined my life, you ruined my life!"  This happened all because Addy wouldn't play monsters with him.  Of course he had heard it that weekend.

Addy and I enjoyed a sunny day and the end of a long and miserable cold/bronchitis/rash.  We stopped by the post office first and because we have so many generous friends and family Addy has gotten accustomed to getting a package when we visit the mail box.  When there is nothing for her her bottom lip gets pushed out so far that I am afraid she will trip on it!  Luckily on this day my parents had sent a package of gifts that she was would have gotten on our trip to Florida. Her eyes lit up when she saw the box.  We went to Three Bears for ice cream and opened the box.

Addy's Annual Sickness

UGHHH make it stop already.  Poor Addy.  It started with bronchitis, ear redness, sinus infections. Antibiotics. A week goes by then two.  Still snotty nose and horrible cough.  Drive an hour and a half to St. George. Pediatrician. Stronger Antibiotics. Five days later nose is clearing up no sign of cough.  Daily diarrhea thanks to the antibiotic. Daily double diarrhea.  Diaper Rash from hell. Call Pediatrician. Calls in perscription.  Go to pharmacy at 1:30.  They are closed for lunch 1:30 - 2:30 ish - because it IS Kanab. Head home.  Addy won't get out of car.  We go to pharmacy to wait. Patient Addy. Patient Addy. Patient Addy.  3:30 received our Pink Swizzle diaper paste with steroid. Home. Diarrhea. Mom trying to make crying Addy feel better.  Mom feels like crap. So sorry for little Addy.  Stupid antibiotics. Stupid sickness. Stupid kids who gave Addy germs.  Bath.  Addy fighting bath.  Addy crying. Addy finally sitting well ok squatting in bath.  Yelling it hurts it hurts.  Moms heart breaks.  Mom not crying but close.  Mom gets Addy a warm shirt.  We will forgo diapers and let her lie down on towels.  Bottoms gotta breathe.  Carrying Addy out of the bathroom.  Accidentally hit Addy's head on the door jam. You've got to be FRICKIN kidding me. Addy crying harder.  Now Mom want's a drink.  Big drink.  No drink.  Might get headache. Seriously! Addy falls asleep. Call to Pediatrician regarding staying on antibiotics. Nurse tells me the cream might sting.  Really? Get Addy aquaphor or something like that to work as barrier between diarrhea and skin.  Heading to pharmacy.

 Spring is in the air.  Addyson and I went to town and bought some new spring items to lighten up the bathroom.  Addy was a good helper. I picked out the shower curtain and she picked out the rug and toothbrush holder to go with it. 

 Addy and I also bought some plants.  It was hard because it is still too cold to start an outside garden so we bought indoor plants and herbs.  The herbs will live in the kitchen and living room. Cilantro and Parsley - YUM!

Missed Florida

Well since Addy and I missed our Florida trip Uncle Robert and Uncle Dan sent the food they bought for Addy and a few special gifts.  She was very excited.  They even sent sponge bob noodles that our store didn't have today! Whew that was a good save!  Robert made an awesome picture frame for Addyson with shells on it. Saying she loved it would be an understatement. She asked me what the picture was (a palm tree) and I said we could put a picture of her in it.  She said no and that she wanted the palm tree photo to stay.  They also sent two colorful fun books.  Addy and I have gone to the library everyday and she has been choosing Clifford books or the touch and hide and seek books.  Dan and Robert send a touch and hide book. She had me read it three times before I handed off to Daron to read.  It would have been perfect if Dan and Robert could have read it to her but I guess it will have to be another day.  You can even see her runny nose in the photo.  I hope this is the last of it!

 First he got a work truck then a riding lawnmower and now an ATV!  Yes my friends we are COUNTRY. I have not started wearing an apron yet and I don't plan to but I am starting a garden, composting and I do love my chickens!

 Addyson helped Dad shovel snow this past weekend.  Luckily today the sun came out and I walked Addy in the baby jogger.  I had on a jacket but took it off and walked with only a sweatshirt on.  Thank you sunshine!

Daron took a photo of one of the mule deer on the Sanctuary property.  They are all over and our "traffic" consist of deer crossing the road or the wild turkeys.  The wild turkeys are MUCH slower at crossing and have been know to make people late for work.  Thankfully we don't have any road rage here. 

Addyson on Valentine's Day. Mommy and Daddy were heading to work and Addy was heading to Lisha's. She dressed for the day and was styling in her new tennis shoes.

Our annual family Valentine getaway was back to Lake Powell in Page, AZ. It is close to home and beautiful. My good friend Amanda and her daughter Isabella just moved from Kanab to Page so it was a bonus to hang out with them. Isabella was thrilled to hang out with Daron since her dad is currently in Mexico.
Amanda is having her baby in March. We can't wait to meet Priscilla.
Daron and Addy looking for the perfect skipping rock.
Addy and Isabella BFF's.

The resort we visited was being remodeled and it looks awesome inside. They are still redoing the pool and outdoor area.
Our third annual family Valentine's weekend away. Look at that amazing background!!!!!!

Best Friends Forever enjoying the room in Lake Powell.

Addyson likes to pretend that she is the mommy and I am "the kid" ( I never call her kid so where she got this from who knows). Anyhow, we were doing this on the drive back from St. George and she told me to ask her "Are we there yet?" I asked and asked again and again. Apparently it doesn't get on her nerves.I asked her how she knew when we were close to home and she said "We won't be home until we see the white car and the red one." I didn't think much of it until we drove down the street and there was a white car on the right side and our neighbor who is selling her red car was parked on the left side. Luckily she is observant like her mom!

This morning Addy was talking in her sleep and said "No, don't put the eggs in yet!" I had to laugh because she is obsessed with making muffins and cupcakes and we always wait to put the eggs in so we can lick the batter!

Addy not only talks in her sleep like her Dad but she also is a night owl like her Dad. So the other night when I put her to bed I told her Mom was going to sleep too. I told her I was tired. She laid in bed and I went to my bed and crawled under the covers. Ahhhh. Two minutes later I hear her sticking her head out of her bedroom door and singing. She always makes up songs. Always. She was singing "I wish I had a mommy that wasn't old like Jennifer." Then she went in the tv room with her much younger Dad! He got her singing on video and I did too. Of course it never is as seamless when she has a camera in her face but it is still pretty funny.

Addy's First Visit to the Dentist.
We wanted the first visit to be a good experience so we took Addy to a pediatric dentist in St. George. They have movies playing on the ceiling with headphones for the kids. Addy and Daddy entertained themselves on the movable chair while waiting for the dentist. Then they practiced opening their mouth for a good teeth cleaning. Needless to say we had to pin her down on our laps so the dentist could actually brush her teeth and put fluoride on them but she didn't cry!

Here's my new blog "Sage what?" about a mom and her attempt to go green!

Should have posted this over a month ago! I left it as a draft. Oops

Today I officially started going to the office for two hours and forty five minutes on Monday and Wednesday morning. I could not sleep at all last night and Addy and I were both awake at 4 a.m. and never went back to sleep. I think we were both a little anxious. I was hoping Addy would be ok and adjust and that I was going to be ok and adjust! I am such a wimp. I tried to prep her for her "play date" at Lisha's. She told me she was going to cry if I left her. She knows Lisha and her 5 kids well and Lisha is an amazing mom so I knew she was in good hands. I went in and hung out for a minute. Then I left and she cried. Amazingly I didn't cry but my stomach was in knots and when I drove back to town to pick her up I had to keep myself from speeding.

Lisha told me Addy cried for about 10 - 15 minutes and the last few minutes were the "wa wa glance over her shoulder" type. Lisha told me that Addy had great reasoning skills. There was another little boy there and they were trying to get all the plastic animals in a bucket. Addy said "I think we should carry some of them" then went on to say they should put the little ones in the bucket and carry the big ones. That's my girl. So smart. It is obvious that her parents work at an animal sanctuary because she had to make sure all of the plastic animals had a house and that they had a mommy and daddy or at least a friend.

It is funny how things change after a few years. When Addy was first born Daron and I would wrap her used diapers really tight and put them in a special trash can called a diaper genie. Less than a year later we got rid of the diaper genie and started throwing her diapers in the regular trash can. Poopie diapers would get taken to the trash can outside immediately. This morning as I was picking up the dirty clothes I noticed a dirty diaper on Addy's wooden floor by her bed and one tossed over the carpet onto the hall wood floor. The poopie diapers now make it into the regular trash can (never the floor - at least not yet) and when someone opens it one of us will yell from the couch "Sorry, the trash stinks." Hopefully she will be interested in potty training soon.

This was Daron's chest of drawers when he was a kid. Over the years we have used it as a buffet table, tv stand, toy chest, and changing table and it has lived in the bedroom, hallway, living room and dining room. Today it lives in the middle of the kitchen. We use the drawers for food items like pasta, chips, and granola bars. The back was painted with chalk board paint and framed out by Daron. Now Addy can use her chalk board while I am cleaning dishes and making meals. She loves to help in the kitchen so with a step stool she is able to help mix, stir, clean and pour at our "new" and improved kitchen island.


Although the photo quality sucks this shows how Addy is growing and her little face is leaning out. She is growing up so fast!
New Year, New Cooking. Since I started reading a book called Eating Animals I have increased my workload substantially. I now have to cook a meat meal for Daron and a vegetarian meal for me and noodles for Addy. Addy does eat a little of what we eat but not much. Unfortunately, she takes her food ques from Daron. So if he is not thinking he might turn up his nose at say red chard and carrots (see above). Luckily, Addy's friend Braxton loves vegetables and they ate a plate of sugar snap peas yesterday, apples and oranges and carrots! Yippee. Daron did eat vegetable and meat of wheat stir fry the other day. Granted he wasn't as excited as he is when I serve roast or King Ranch Chicken but hey he smiled and chewed and asked for more meat of wheat. Addy ate some rice and vegetables but she was not even gonna try the meat of wheat. I didn't take it personally right now she eats no meat - fake or real!

I got goodies too! Since my previous posts concentrated on Daron and Addy's toys I wanted to make sure to thank EVERYONE for the great gifts. From Snowshoes, a fancy Cuisinart (I should be on the food network soon), Pandora jewelry and of course a favorite -MONEY. Ironically, the money will be paying for Addy and I's trip to Fort Myers which is half work and half fun to see family. However, I don't think work will be kicking in any travel cost! Hey, It could be worse!

Happy New Year! It would be really cool if the blog site would do a "Year in Review" and highlight all the cool things! Unfortunately they don't but luckily you can order a book so Addy will have an ongoing journal of her life.

Speaking of Addy this morning she was playing with her stuffed animals and her stuffed penguin (who was the Mommy) told her stuffed dog (who was the baby) to "You stay here with your friends Mommy is going to the gym." Daron was laughing out loud it was so funny. She also asked for me to tell her a story one night. Daron and I were really happy when we were able to tell her stories instead of read them all the time - the main reason being we could TELL her a story in the DARK this hopefully leads to sleep :) While I was telling her a story I said that her Zebra ( a plastic toy) carried her across the river that was full of crabs (the crabs were her idea). She said "Mommy he can't do that because the zebra is a toy." Stupid Mommy. Needless to say I soon gave up on the story and Daddy took over. He apparently is a WAY better story teller and it allowed me to go to bed and read my Kindle book. Hmmm I am thinking every story I tell should have a Zebra doing non-toy things....