Nick And Kristy Are In Town

We are so excited that Nick and Kristy made it down to AZ for a visit. We have enjoyed their company so much. Thursday was a relaxing day after Kids Club. Kristy and Ben napped outside in the warm sunshine. And Trevor and I took naps too! Thursday evening I made lasagna, tossed salad and garlic bread. It was yummy! Trevor loved it. Chris was able to join us as well for dinner. Friday morning we headed up the hill to the FBR Open in Scottsdale. We had a great time. The weather was in the upper 70's. We saw so many Nebraska friends. We met up with my Dad and Dru Davis. Trevor went with us. His first PGA event. He was awesome! I could not have asked for a better baby. We had his BOB to push him around in. And a blanket that we laid out for him to stretch. We had dinner in Scottsdale at Xtapa Joe's. One of our favorite Mexican restaurants up the hill. This morning Matt took Nick, Kristy, Trevor and Ben for a hike. I passed. Yesterday at the FBR got to me. I had two beers and ton's of sun. My head was pounding so hard that I ended up getting sick to my stomach. Matt was teasing me. He said you know Andrea does not feel good when she does not touch her food at Xtapa Joe's. I had to go lay down in the car while they finished their meal. It was awful. I was in bed by 8:00pm. So I just did not want to take any chances hiking today and getting a headache. That is not fun. Especially when you have company.
Kristy joined Trevor and I at Kids Club on Thursday morning. Trevor fell asleep on Kristy's lap.

Thursday night these two were exhausted. They fell asleep on the living room floor. They eventually made it into the bedroom.

Trevor, Kristy and Nick enjoying the morning sunshine. Nick and Kristy took Ben and Callaway on a morning walk. They are so sweet!

Matt and Ben

Chris Was In Town

Chris was in town from Lincoln, NE. He and Matt had business meetings in Las Vegas and PHX. So Wednesday evening Trevor and I met Chris and Matt in Chandler for dinner. We had dinner at El Sol Bakery. You'd never guess that inside this Mexican bakery is some of the best down-home Mexican food you'll find anywhere. They make on the premises tortillas that people say are killer.
Chris and Trevor

Fuzzy pic of Matt, but so cute of Trevor

Trevor's Nine Month Pictures

Saturday morning I took Trevor for his nine month pictures. My sweet baby boy!

Push Around Buggy

We just love this push around toy! Trevor is enjoying the pretend steering wheel with honking horn. The storage space under the hood is a great spot when we walk over and get the mail. He is getting used to the seat belt.

The 9-Month Checkup

Trevor's back in the saddle this month, paying the good doctor a visit for a well-baby exam. Trevor was lucky enough to avoid immunization shots this month, although the doctor did recommend drawing his blood to check his hemoglobin at this age. Wants to make sure there is no anemia. So he did have blood drawn at the lab.

We began the visit with Trevor's height and weight measured. He weighed in at 18lbs. 9oz. The doctor plotted his growth on the charts to make sure he's progressing steadily. He had his head circumference measured. He was examined as usual, with the doctor assessing his overall development.

And he was asleep by the time we got on the 60 heading home.

Trevor Is Nine Months

Trevor is creeping ever closer to becoming a real little person. He's able to communicate, he's able to move about independently, and he has his likes and dislikes. It's almost easier for Matt and I to imagine him as a toddler than to remember what he was like during those first few weeks after he was born (although, thanks to the magic of digital photos, we can replay those days as often as we like-sometimes with a heavy sigh, when we realize how quickly the time has gone, and how quickly it will continue to fly by).

Because Trevor has accomplished so much, and has so much more to tackle, it's easy for Matt and I to fall into the trap of comparing Trevor to our friends' similarly-aged children. And what we need to realize more than anything else during this second half of the first year is that every child is different. They each have their special talents; they each have their own way of doing things. Comparing them to one another isn't fair.
Trevor enjoying the beautiful AZ weather in January

Ben

Westcor Kids Club

On Thursday mornings Trevor and I have started going to Westcor Kids Club at Superstition Springs Center. It's hosted by Master of Ceremonies Persephone with Dewper the Prairie Dog. Trevor and I have been exploring new worlds through music, interactive activities and loveable characters.

Kids Club is an hour long. So the last 15 minutes Trevor usually falls asleep.

Persephone, Trevor and Dewper the Prairie Dog

Trevor sleeping on Dewper the Prairie Dog's lap

Trevor after Kids Club

Claire and her Mom are from our swim class. So we invited them to join us at Westcor Kids Club.

Claire and Trevor waiting patiently in line to ride the carousel

Mommy and Trevor on the Carousel

Easiest Roast In The World

Wednesday evening I made this wonderful roast with mashed potatoes and green beans. So good. Trevor loved it!

1 "cheap" round bone or blade cut roast
1 pkg. dry onion soup mix
1 can cream of mushroom soup
Aluminum foil, wide heavy-duty

Tear off 2 1/2 to 3 feet of foil. Fold in half. Lay roast in middle of foil. Spread both soups over roast. Wrap and seal so juices won't drip out. Cook for 3 hours at 350. Makes its own gravy! Be careful when you unwrap foil, so juices won't spill.

Jason Was In Town

Jason flew in from Lincoln, NE on Sunday evening. He and Matt had business meetings Monday and Tuesday in PHX. So Tuesday evening Trevor and I drove into PHX and met up with the group for dinner and drinks. We ended up having dinner at Don & Charlie's in Scottsdale. It's decorated with celebrity pix and sports paraphernalia. This big friendly steak and rib restaurant packs in locals and tourists alike. They say there are no better ribs in town, and the complimentary chicken liver is addictive. I passed on the chicken liver. Matt had the ribs.
Trevor, Matt and Jason

Jason and Trevor

Cheesy Meatball Soup

A couple Sunday's ago I made this soup with meat, potatoes and other vegetables. This rich-tasting soup is really a meal in one. Process cheese sauce makes it taste like a cheeseburger. Trevor was able to enjoy the soup with us. I just pureed some for him. He is such a wonderful baby. He eats anything Matt and I are eating. Hope this continues.

1 egg
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 pound ground beef
2 cups water
1 cup diced celery
1 cup whole kernel corn, drained
1 cup cubed peeled potatoes
1/2 cup sliced carrot
1/2 cup chopped onion (use to your liking)
2 beef bouillon cubes
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1 jar (16 ounces) process cheese sauce

In a large bowl, combine egg, bread crumbs and salt. Crumble beef over mixture and blend well. Shape into 1-in. balls.

In a large saucepan, brown meatballs; drain. Add the water, celery, corn, potatoes, carrot, onion, bouillon and hot pepper sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 25 minutes. Stir in the cheese sauce; heat through.

Trevor's First Time To The Park

I know this is going to be hard for our family and friends to take back in NE, but it was such a beautiful day here in the valley that the park was calling our name. It was between 75 and 80 at our house today. I have never taken Trevor over to our neighborhood park. Today seemed like the perfect afternoon. He really enjoyed the swing.

Trevor loved watching all the children

Bathing In The Big Tub

Now that Trevor's getting bigger, we have found that bathing him in the real tub is much easier than dragging out the infant tub. Matt and I have found that a nightly bath helps to signal the end of the day and to calm Trevor before bedtime. So we have made bath time a soothing nighttime ritual for all of us-followed by a bottle of juice, book and some snuggling time. Trevor actually looks forward to this peaceful conclusion to each day!

Delux

After our hike Saturday we were hungry. So we went to Delux. With it's illuminated center community table and 40-some-odd draft beers, Delux takes burgers and suds to higher ground.

Hiking

Saturday afternoon Matt, Trevor and I decided to hike Camelback Mountain. Camelback Mountain straddles the border between Phoenix and Scottsdale. The hike defiantly worked our legs and our hearts. The trail was nearly all uphill and pretty rocky in places. We did see rock climbers hanging out (and off)- but the payoff was amazing views from the top. We did the north side trail which began at the Echo Canyon parking lot east of McDonald Drive and Tatum.

Under Table

Trevor loves to take the walker under the kitchen table. Not much longer and then he will be bumping his head on the table.

Booster Seat With Tray

Trevor likes the tray on this booster seat

Trevor likes to hold the spoon by himself

Trevor is starting to take to the sippy cup