Our weekend in Phoenix

So, we went to the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Gardens on Saturday.

On Sunday, we attempted to go to the Cubs/White Sox spring training game.  We went in, bought a program and some shirts and then walked around the park for awhile.  We quickly realized that it was too cold, windy and rainy to stay.  The game went on, but we did not want to risk getting sick, especially Nathan.

This week is spring break at Nathan's school.  Paul took the day off on Tuesday to help out at home with Nathan.  Wednsday he had another speech therapy session.  She noticed that he says words more when you ask him a question and give him two answers to choose from, the correct answer being the last option.  She was impressed with his improvement over the last week.  She was surprised just how much he knows and recognizes by seeing pictures.  If only his speech would catch up to the rest of his development...he would knock them dead!  We usually meet with the speech therapist once a week, but we are taking a break next week because she has something going on.  So I hope he makes a lot of headway in the next couple of weeks before his next session.

Time for the weekend

Nathan passed his hearing test on 3/8 with flying colors.  They said he was very cooperative for a child his age. 

Friday, 3/9, Nathan had to stay home from daycare because his diarrhea still had not gone away.  We stayed home on Saturday to monitor him and worked on getting him better.  He was doing well enough that we decided to go to the Arizona Renaissance Festival on Sunday, 3/11.  We had a good time, but it was expensive.  We probably won't go back, but at least we can say we have been there now.  We rode the elephants and the camels and they had a small petting zoo area. 

On Wednesday, 3/14, I took Nathan to the zoo. 

Later that evening we drove up to Casa Grande because I found a point and shoot camera I wanted that was on sale at Best Buy.  The closest store it was available at, though was in Casa Grande.  I had dropped my Nikon Coolpix the day we went to the Renaissance Festival and it messed up the viewing screen.  Unfortunately, the warranty I had on it did not cover accidents.  So now I have a Canon powershot SX230 HS.  I tested it out today to get a picture of Nathan in his St Patty's Day shirt.

One of the new words Nathan picked up this week is Stinky, as in stinky diaper!  Pretty good word since it is two syllables!

Tonight we are going to pick up my ring which is FINALLY ready.  It took them forever to finish which we are not too happy about.  I hope it looks nice at least.   

Tomorrow we are getting ready to go up to Phoenix.  I am going to the Desert Botanical Gardens and then I am going to meet Paul and Nathan at the Phoenix Zoo.  We are supposed to go to a spring training game on Sunday between the Sox and Cubs.  Unfortunately, there is an 80% chance of rain that day so it may be cancelled.

Time flies!

On 2/25, we ordered a ring to go with the gem Paul bought me at the Tucson Gem & Mineral show.  It ended up being pretty expensive so I hope it turns out nice.  It should be ready any day now.

That same day we took Nathan to the Pima Air & Space Museum.  This was our second time going there.  Nathan still loved it. 

On 2/29, I took Nathan to the zoo...again!  We got to see Snow, our new polar bear.

On 3/1, we had someone come out to fix our pool.  We had bought all new equipment last year, but it still was not working properly.  We turned it off for the winter and even considered filling it in.  We looked for a reputable pool company to come out here and look at it (unlike 3 other pool companies we worked with in the past).  This pool guy figured out the problem.  One of the few things we did not replace prior needed to be replaced.  It was an expensive part, but it seems to have done the trick.  The pool cleaned up really nice.  There are still a few algae spots so we are hoping we can get them cleared up without having to drain the pool and getting it professionally cleaned.  We also had a problem with the auto fill, but that was a cheap part to replace.  We are thinking about trying swim lessons with Nathan again.  If we ever get this pool working in top shape again we need to use it!

on 3/3, Paul and Nathan went to a Nascar race in Phoenix.  Nathan loves the movie Cars so he was in his glory.  They got there early and did a lot of the pre-race stuff.  They actually left when the race started because Nathan was getting tired and it was really loud.  They bought ear muffs, but Nathan did not understand them and would not keep them on his head.

That day I went to the Tucson Botanical Gardens and the Desert Museum.  I am trying to photograph spring flowers in Tucson this year.  I would like to go to a couple of other places and capture the wildflowers. 

Tonight Nathan undressed himself to get ready for bed!

Nathan has speech therapy tomorrow.  He is actually starting to talk more and more.  He is not putting words together yet, but he is adding words to his vocabulary almost on a daily basis.

I am taking Nathan to the pediatrician after his speech therapy tomorrow.  He has had diarrhea for two weeks now.

Thursday Nathan has a hearing test at the hospital.  They want to make sure there is nothing wrong with his hearing that could be causing his speech delay.  He had a hearing test right after he was born and the speech therapist did one in our home recently and he passed both.  This one is a little more involved, but I don't think they will find anything wrong. 

This weekend we may got the Renaissance Festival up near Phoenix. 

I have been going through Nathan's old clothes and getting rid of some more of his baby items.  It is so hard to part with his baby stuff.  The clothes, in particular, are so cute and looked so cute on him!

Vday: Nathan had another party at daycare.  He threw up.  Not sure if he was sick or if he just did not like what he was eating.

Thursday, 2/16: Nathan and I went to the zoo....again.  When we got home daddy was already home.  He left work early because he was sick.  Mommy got sick later that night.

Friday, 2/17: Our 9th anniversary.  We both stayed home sick with the stomach flu/food poisoning.  We kept Nathan home from daycare because we were not sure if he was sick, too. 

Saturday, 2/18:  We went to the Picture Rocks Miniature Horse Ranch.  We were disappointed.  Nathan did not enjoy it very much.

Sunday, 2/19: We went to the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix.

2/22:

Not too much else has happened this week.  Tomorrow Nathan would normally go to daycare, but they are closed for Rodeo Days.  Not too happy about that one.

Yay for Photography!

Wednesday's speech therapy was not quite as productive as last week.  This time around Nathan was less attentive.  He was pushing the dog, he was throwing things, etc...  However, I have to say that his speech is improving every day.  He is trying to say new words.  In particular, he is getting good at repeating a word back to you after you say a word.  We were at the zoo on Thursday and he said otter unprompted when we saw the otters.  On Friday we saw a fire truck and he started making a siren noise.  His teacher said they are working on their letters A-F and he has been repeating them back to her. 

So Thursday was another zoo day.  We met daddy for lunch and then Nathan and I went to the zoo afterward.

Friday Nathan had a Valentine's Day party at school.  The parents were invited so I attended.  It was fun and I got to meet a couple of the other moms.

Today I took an Intro to Digital Photography workshop that I bought through Groupon.  It was sort of over my head.  I realize now just how much there is to learn about photography.  I need to study it more and start by learning how my camera operates.  I did pick up a few tips today, though.  It was overwhelming, but I am anxious to learn more.

While I was at my photography workshop, Paul took Nathan to the Tucson Gem Show.  He bought me a green tourmaline gem for Valentine's Day/our anniversary.  Now I just have to get it set in a ring or something.

Our Weekend

On Saturday I went to the Desert Museum to take some pictures.  I got a lot of good ones.  I can't wait to go back in a month or so when the flowers start blooming.

Saturday night we filed our taxes.  Bring on the refund!

Sunday we went to church.  Once again Nathan had problems pushing.  I really hope this phase does not last long.

Friday!

I have not updated our blog all week!  Nathan was a little better at daycare on Tuesday. 

On Wednesday, he had his speech therapy with the new therapist, Sue.  It was an encouraging session.  She said the prior meeting she was concerned about him, but this time around she is not as worried.  He is active, but she does not suspect ADD at this point.  She said he runs with a purpose (like to grab a toy in the other room to show to her).  Unlike our former therapist, she does not want to try to get him to sit still for speech therapy.  She said she will just work speech therapy around his activity.  Like when he was going down his little slide we worked on ready set go.  The emphasis on go to try and get him to say that.  Also, using the sign for go.  He was more talkative this time around, too.  She said some of the things he is doing with his speech are normal for a child just learning to talk.  Yes, he is behind, but she does not see anything else wrong.  He even said bye to her and he has never said bye before.  I really like her and I am so glad that we have switched therapists.  He has said some new words lately like bird and star, too. 

Because Nathan was a such a good boy at speech therapy I took him to the zoo after our session.

Today, Nathan went to daycare again.  He pushed a little, but his teacher said he is getting better.