Our Rock'n Life in Arizona

New Itsy Bitsy Hearts styles Available.

2009-10-30T22:19:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Kapri for taking such great pics!!!

Crew got a haircut...Well, Lots cut!

2009-10-30T22:14:00.000-07:00

Aaron took Crew to the Barbershop with him today. I told him that Crew needed a trim. Oh my...he came home a different kid! I still think he is super cute...and so is his little brother. Is Jacoby's hair longer???

Halloween Party & Parade at Miss Glenda's Preschool

2009-10-30T22:05:00.000-07:00

Crew started back up at Miss Glenda's Treetop montessori preschool today.

They had a fun day filled with Halloween crafts and a parade around the neighborhood. (Miss Glenda led the group as little red riding hood.) Crew was the cutest lion I've ever seen. :)

Drunko Halloween Party at Harmony's - Best Costume Winner...Tammy (Wet T-shirt Winner Barbie)

2009-10-30T21:50:00.000-07:00

Seriously this was one of the funniest costumes I have ever seen!

Tammy & her friend were dressing up as Then & now Barbie. She is the "Then" Her friend is the "Now" I don't have a pic of her friend...but her fake boobs hang down and come out the bottom of her shirt. Their box even has the twist ties on the back and accessories inside the box. Too bad my phone camera couldn't get all the details.

Fall is finally here - Sort of!

2009-10-27T14:50:00.000-07:00

Well at least it is finally under 100 degrees.

I have not had much time to blog since we moved to Gilbert. We are almost out of boxes and hope to have our garage cleared out after next weekends community garage sale. We LOVE Val Vista Lakes!!!

I hope to post pics soon of Crew's 3rd birthday party at the zoo. And also pictures of Coby the Tiger & Crew the lion. I love Halloween.

Welcome Jacoby Hayes Kucera

2009-07-15T09:52:00.001-07:00

7-2-2009

7 lbs, 10.6 oz.

*Our 5th Wedding Anniversary Gift!

Because I am not sure when I will get the chance to sit down and scrapbook Jacoby's baby book, I figured I better write out all the details I can remember about his birth here. (Otherwise, I'm sure I will forget.) I can't believe how quickly you forget all the details. I was sure I would remember every little milestone Crew made...but now it is all a blur.

The first story I have to mention happened mid June where we had a little scare. I thought I was going to go into labor without my husband even being in the state of Arizona. Aaron was on a flight to Colorado when I went to the bathroom & had a bloody show. (Too much info for most of you folks.) My pregnancy book said after the bloody show, you would likely go into labor in the next 24 hours. Aaron wouldn’t be back for 24 hours and many of my friends were out of town. Luckily, my good friend Harmony put herself on standby to drive me to the hospital. Of course, nothing happened that night & Aaron made it home w/ weeks to spare.
At my June 23rd Doctor’s appointment, Dr. Snell said to make an appointment for the next week but she didn’t think I would get to that next appointment before delivering Jacoby. I was 2+ centimeters dilated & 75% effaced. She also thought he was a big baby and figured he would arrive any day. So, later that week, I was having a lot of contractions & told my mom to fly down because I would probably go into labor any day and I didn’t want her to miss it. So, she flew down late the night of the 25th. I had contractions all the way home from the airport but by morning, they had stopped. We went shopping, walking etc, trying to induce labor. I even found a Chinese massage parlor in the mall that would do a 30 minute foot massage to help jump start labor…no luck. I went to my next appointment feeling discouraged. Dr. Snell said I was at 3+ centimeters and gain, she expected me to go into labor any day. She offered to induce me on July 1st. *Then she told me she was going out of town July 2nd…and might not be able to deliver me. This was disappointing since she was also out of town for Crew’s delivery. So, she & I were both hoping that the hospital could fit me in on July 1st…if I didn’t go into labor sooner.
I felt like a ticking time bomb…but I didn’t go into labor on my own. On the morning of the 1st, we woke up and realized we had missed a 3am call from the hospital to be induced. I was told that they wouldn’t be able to fit me in until later in the day because I was 3rd in line to be induced. At 7am, I called them back to see if I could go in….but they said NO – they were too busy. We waited around all day thinking e would get a call to come in, but it never came. On the morning of the 2nd, we were ready for the 5am call & rushed to the hospital before they could change their mind. (Later, I found out that they did deliver 20 babies on the 1st…I guess they were busy!)
By 7:30am, they had the pitocin going & at 8:30am, Dr. Snell came in and broke my water. After she broke my water, it didn’t take long for the contractions to get really strong & painful. So, I asked for the drugs! J Thank goodness there was a different anesthesiologist. (Crew’s delivery was awful because the epidural stopped working when I hit 9 centimeters.) I did not want to get a Dr. Rose again; for fear that I would have similar experience.
After about 30 minutes, the epidural kicked in and I was relaxing & waiting. My mom had Crew with her at home. We told her we would call her to come to the hospital once I got to 7 or 8 centimeters. But at around 9:45am the nurse came in and said the baby’s heart rate was off. She checked me & said…”Oh my gosh, you are at 10 centimeters.” But the baby was still high up so they waited another 3 hours before calling the doctor to come deliver. My mom made it to the hospital in time & my friend Theresa was nice enough to watch Crew. Dr. Snell came in a little before 1pm & said she had to be at the airport by 2pm. Yikes…that was cutting it close.
Then, things got a little scary. Every time I pushed, Jacoby’s heart rate went way down. I was praying that I wouldn’t have to have a C-section. They figured the cord was wrapped around his neck. Dr. Snell told me that she wanted to get him out ASAP. She grabbed the vacuum & had me push. After a few minutes, the vacuum went flying and Jacoby was born. It turns out he was stuck face up behind my public bone. That is why he was so high up. He also had the cord wrapped around his neck 2 times. We felt so blessed to have Dr. Snell there for the delivery. She didn’t mess around, at 1:15pm she got Jacoby out safely. There was a big egg on Jacoby’s forehead & blood on the wall & ceiling but he made into the word with a very healthy Agpor (SP?) score of 9.9
When they set Jacoby in my arms, I couldn’t believe how much he looked like Crew. Their little faces are so similar. But, Jacoby had a very full head of dark hair. (We still can’t tell if he will have dark hair or light hair, but we think he will be handsome like his older brother.) J
Tomorrow Jacoby will be 2 weeks old. His is a miracle baby! Thank you God for this amazing addition to our family!

Crew's Favorite Place...The ZOO

2009-04-29T22:01:00.000-07:00

I have not update the blog in a few weeks...so I have a few things to catch up on. First I have to say that I am glad we finally bought a membership to the Phoenix Zoo. It is a good thing because Crew asks to go there every day. I even carry zoo maps in my purse to keep him occupied in the car or when we are out and about. He is totally fascinated by all things ANIMAL! Now that it is starting to get hot, I am going to have to start taking him at 7am when the zoo first opens. Because his prego mom is not liking the higher temps. What can I say, I am still a Colorado girl. Crew is 2 months away from being a Big Brother. His still "nameless" brother is measuring due the 4th of July. We are getting excited!!! We even moved Crew into his Big Boy Bed in his new room so we could start getting the nursery ready for our new addition. I will have to add pictures of his new bed. He refers to it as his "Big Boy House" because it has a little tent over the top. The only problem is...he moved into his Big Boy room & stopped his Big Boy Potty Training. Ugh! I just don't think he is ready for potty training. (But I'm going to keep trying because the preschools around here only take kids that are potty trained & he needs preschool.) *Or I need him in preschool. :)

Easter was a BLAST!!! This was the first year Crew could get a grasp on the holiday. He went on 3 egg hunts & even colored Easter eggs. He loves the Easter Bunny & even 2 weeks after Easter, Crew still asks about finding eggs. The day before Easter, we went on an egg hunt with our good friends the Whatcotts. He and his buddy Rayf liked to show each other their findings.

Crew spent Easter morning hunting for eggs around our house, then went to church outside. (It was a beautiful day for mass outside.) Then we went to visit his cousins for another egg hunt an finally ended up at the Rogers for more food & yes an egg hunt.

Potty Training

2009-04-08T13:27:00.001-07:00

I decided it was finally time to start potty training. After reading the book "Potty Wise," I discovered that it wouldn't be a good idea to wait until Crew is 3. Turns out, a new baby arriving & moving are bad times to potty train...so it is now...or when he is 3 1/2. Saturday we set Crew up on his little thrown in the family room. He got all the tv, candy, chips & sweet drinks he wanted...as long as he stayed dry. Saturday & Sunday were challenging and Monday was a BUST. But, yesterday...something clicked. He actually went to the potty himself without me asking. (Of course this was after I cleaned up poop & pee on the carpet, pee on the entryway floor & pee on a towel and washed 6 pairs of Diego & spiderman underwear.) But hey...it is progress! Then a miracle happened. Crew stayed dry all night & went pee on the potty this morning 2 times. He stayed dry while we went shopping today too. No accidents yet today. I am keeping my fingers crossed!!! Maybe the Easter Bunny will leave Crew more underwear. :)

Tomorrow I have the dreaded glucose test required in the 3rd trimester. I picked the orange flavored drink...wish me luck!

Also, we are selling our guest bed because we bought Crew a big boy bed & he will be taking over the guest room. If anyone is interested, we are asking $250 & that includes the mattress. (See picture below.)

Barber Shop

2009-03-21T17:52:00.000-07:00

I thought this was too cute. Aaron & Crew going to the Barber at the same time. They both looked cute when it was done! Later in the day, Crew dressed up like a cowboy. He is really starting to look like a little boy...no longer my little baby.

Oh for April in Colorado

2009-03-19T13:47:00.000-07:00

I just got back from the Tempe Marketplace Splash Pad with Crew. It is already 90 degrees here in AZ. I feel like we didn't have much of a winter. I still have winter clothes and boots I never wore because it was not cold enough. Now summer & the 100 degree days are almost here... And this pregnant lady is not ready for the heat. It made me think of Colorado...
Here are some pictures of a blizzard we had the April before we moved to AZ. The car with the grey tire wheel on the back is my old Montero.

Crew had fun in Vegas w/ Mom Mom

2009-03-02T16:42:00.001-08:00

We stayed at Bally's Hotel...Crew loved to jump on the beds.

Mom Mom took him to see the Fishies 2 times at Mandalay Bay. He LOVED every minute & still reads the brochure. (He thinks the brochure is his favorite book.)

Vegas 2009

2009-03-02T16:39:00.000-08:00

Itsy Bitsy Hearts Tradeshow Success
Martha & had a blast in Vegas at the KIDSHOW. We were picked up by 5 stores across the US. The biggest one being Las Vegas Harley-Davidson. Yea.

Yea - A good person won the Biggest Loser!

2008-12-17T10:04:00.000-08:00

We are big fans of the Biggest Loser show and for the first time in all the seasons, we had players that we did not care for. Cough Cough, Heba, Ed, Vicky!

So, we were pleased last night when Michelle won the entire thing. The show is so inspiring! I sure wish we could look as good as the "after" shots. Look at her muscles. Anyway, we were please with the outcome & we are excited that the new season starts up again in just a few weeks. After I have this baby in July, I'll need to get my butt in gear so I can look as good as Michelle. :) It probably doesn't help that we sit on the couch & eat while we watch the contestants work out. However, last night we made a healthy snack choice of orange slices for our finale snack. I wonder if eating oranges takes away the fact that I have been munching on cookies from my Mom's club cookie exchange for 2 days. (I wish!)

It's A BABY!

2008-12-04T14:23:00.001-08:00

We are proud to announce that we are expecting again!

I had my first ultrasound yesterday. I am almost 10 weeks. The baby is due 7-8-09...but is measuring a due date of July 4th. *We may have a little firecracker on our hands this summer.

We think Crew will be a great Big Brother. Well, he is into babies...then again, they don't spend the night. But we have plenty of time to prepare him for the new baby's arrival.

We better also get him potty trained before July. I swore I would never have 2 in diapers at the same time. :)

Anyway...we are thrilled & I just had to post this "teddy bear" pose of our new little boy or girl.

Crew's 2 year old pictures

2008-11-12T08:07:00.000-08:00

I just have to post Crew's 2 year old pictures. We went to Portrait Innovations. They have a great deal on pictures for just $9.95. I think we are going to have our family holiday picture taken there as well. Anyway, I think Crew's pics turned out great! Here is my little cutie. (Both grandmothers & his GG (Great grandmother) think he should be in modeling. But I'd say we might have a biased opinion. :)

Crew's 2nd B-day

2008-11-12T07:49:00.000-08:00

I realize I have not been a very good blogger. It is so difficult to find spare time to update everything. (Our family picture website, Facebook & this blog.) But, I am going to try and update at least once a week. Since I am so behind, I have to go back a few weeks to Crew's amazing Pirate Birthday Party. I think all of the kids had a blast & Crew enjoyed his special day. It was extra special because his Mom Mom flew in from Colorado for the weekend. I think there were a total of 16 kids at the party. Crew is blessed to have so many wonderful friends. However, I think his favorite part of the whole day was eating the cake.I made his pirate ship cake using a regular cake pan for the ocean water. (Using the icing to make little waves.) And a bunt pan to make the pirate ship. Then I just cut the circle in half and used the "U" shape for the ship. I used bamboo skewers to make the sails. Add a few Rollo's for cannons, Whoppers for cannon balls & plastic pirate figures to make it complete.Happy Birthday Crew!!!

Locks of Love

2008-10-17T13:21:00.000-07:00

So, I was sick & tired of styling my long hair. I knew I wanted to get a cut...but then I decided, why not cut 10 + inches & give my hair as a donation to locks of love. I held a hair drive about 8 years ago for Locks of love & didn't have enough hair to donate. (8 years later, I finally had the length. )

Here are the before & After photos.

Child 2 Child Photo shoot

2008-10-02T21:56:00.000-07:00

Yikes! Getting 7 kids to cooperate at the same time is a big challenge. None the less, we got some great pictures! Thanks Jan & Flint!Click on our product description page to see the close up pictures. I think they turned out great!

Our Son is a Republican

2008-09-05T16:49:00.000-07:00

We are so proud...
Last night while watching the Republican National Convention, Crew would clap & yell "YEA" when the audience would stand & cheer for John McCain on TV. Too bad our video camera battery was dead. We would have loved to get that on camera.
Go McCain!!!

Vegas Baby!

2008-08-27T14:49:00.000-07:00

We just got home for a whirlwind trip to Las Vegas. I was attending a trade show for my clothing line and brought my mom & Crew along for the ride. Aaron had to stay home and work. :( We left our camera in the car...so we only have pictures of our 1st & last day. I did gamble one night & only lost a few dollars - so I'll take that as a win!!!

On the way to Vegas, there was major traffic at the Hoover Dam so we stopped to take a picture. (I have a picture from 2 years ago at the same sign while I was pregnant with Crew.) The car read 124 degrees at this spot. It was so HOT - It felt like we were standing in an oven.

We stayed at the Circus Circus and had no idea that it was one of the most run down hotels in Vegas - but we handled it for 2 days & Crew enjoyed all the Circus themed activities! he won 5 stuffed animals & was in heaven!

As we left Vegas, we made a stop at the Mirage to look at the fish, dolphins & tigers. Crew was in Awe...I wish I had the video camera to catch all his ewwws & ahhhhs. He is too cute! Crew starting crying when we went to take a picture with Sigfried and Roy (Who can blame him.) It was awesome to get so close to the dolphins!!! I think Crew wanted to jump over the wall & go swimming with them. While we were there, some trainers came out and put a chain on this tiger. They enticed him with a piece of meat so he would get off the log. However, he started to fall when he got close to the ground. They are amazing animals. Look at those big paws!

We had lunch at a new restaurant in the Mirage - it is in the location where the tiger exhibit used to be.
Over all it was a great trip. We'll go back to Vegas any time...just not stay at the Circus Circus. :)

Mommy's New shirts

2008-08-13T22:16:00.000-07:00

Many of you know that a friend and I stared a business called Child 2 Child. Today we received our first two designs from the printer. Guess who will be our model??? (Well, he will have to get rid of his pluggy & blanky first.)

Sleep Position

2008-07-30T13:35:00.000-07:00

I went in to check on Crew before bed the other night...I couldn't believe the position that he was sleeping in. That can't be comfortable.

Clean Joke (Thanks Maria)

2008-07-26T10:02:00.000-07:00

A new pastor was visiting in the homes of his parishioners. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door.
Therefore, he took out a business card and wrote 'Revelation 3:20' on the back of it and stuck it in the door.
When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, 'Genesis 3:10.'
Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter. Revelation 3:20 begins 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock.' Genesis 3:10 reads, 'I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked.'
Remember when the funniest jokes were the clean ones? They still are!
'A cheerful heart is good medicine' (Prov. 17:22)
Sorrow looks back,
Worry looks around,
Faith looks up.

Little Artisit

2008-07-25T13:11:00.000-07:00

Bad Boy

I hate to block my child's creativity. But yesterday he gave me no choice when he decided to color the marble floor with crayon & the coffee table with marker. (Let me mention that he did this all in a matter on minutes while I was typing on the computer.)

Coloring in my little Diego coloring book is not as fun!

GOOD BOY

Today - Crew actually asked to take a nap. He ran back to his room pointed at his crib. When I put him in bed he got a huge smile on his face & closed his eyes. It was awesome! If only every nap time was this easy.

Powers of the Universe

2008-07-22T09:36:00.000-07:00

I've recently gotten into the idea that the universe has untapped power that we cannot see. Aaron and I are attending an enerpathic training seminar tonight to learn how to use our energy pendents we bought. Supposedly, they keep your body's energy field in a specific frequency. (One that protects you from harmful radiation & energy that emits from our cell phones, computers, etc.)
I received an email the other day that might come in handy if you don't have a special energy pendant. :) lol
http://www.freeshield.net/
(It is free - you can print off a paper strip that you can add to your cell phone.)
Sounds hoaky...but you can test it in a double blind test. It is fun to prove to others that it actually works. I printed off mine the other day. Email me if you want me to just forward you the page you print. The powers of the universe are amazing....

On a side note...

Yesterday Crew learned to blow his nose. It is really cute! (well except for the snot part)