...And Here We Have Idaho Winning Her way to Fame...

Patrick had a week off between his third and fourth year of medical school, so on Saturday May 22 we hopped on a plane and flew to Salt Lake City. Besides being wiggly and not sleeping much more than twenty minutes Andy was a very good flier and managed to win the hearts of almost everyone on the plane. Patrick's Parents met us in SLC with a car seat. Actually they took Andy and Patrick and I followed them to Idaho Falls in a rental car.

The next day we all got up and headed to church. Uncle Dan and Andy instantly became friends.

Doesn't Dan look nice in his church clothes!

The next day was a bit wet. We visited Grammie's school in Blackfoot, had lunch with her, and meet her students and fellow teachers. Then we went back to Idaho Falls and played at the playground with Uncle Dan and tried to get Patrick's foam airplane to fly against strong winds.

First stop...The PUDDLES!

Now we can hit the playground!

Thanks for the help up Uncle Dan!

Come on lets slide!

WEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

WEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

WEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Preferred method of getting to the top of the slide.


Is it flying or "falling with style"??

Dad is so cool!

Winding up the plane.

Andy's turn.

Buddies!

Tuesday the 25th of May was a beautiful day! We woke up and I finally went to urgent care to get an antibiotic for my cold that had turned into a sinus infection. I had been sick for almost two weeks and reached my limit of discomfort I could handle. I was absolutely amazed that the whole visit was only about 30 minutes. I got there about an hour after they opened and was expecting a crowded waiting room, instead I found that I was the only one waiting! I filled out the normal paper work was shortly after shown into the exam room, where the nurse did her part and said that there was one another patient before me and that it would be a while before the doctor could see me. I went to text Patrick that I was waiting on the doctor but the doctor walked in before I could finish. What took the longest was the doctor telling me about his medical school experience since I let him know that we were in NY because my husband was in medical school. I never knew that a doctor's visit could be so time efficient. I was very happy! We then enjoyed the rest of the morning at the Zoo. It was only $4 for adults and Andy was free. Granted Andy had four adult escorts. I Love Idaho Falls, quick doctor visits and inexpensive zoo tickets what more could a person ask for!

Andy thought the wagon ride was fabulous.

Grandpa is an expert wagon puller!

Contributing a dime to the pond.

Look over there.

The Tiger was yawning after waking from his nap.

I guess this tiger looked hungry.

Hope he finds bark filling.

Newly hatched.

Patrick teaching goat grooming techniques.

Patricks faithful student.

Soon after the Children's Petting Zoo Andrew started to show signs of exhaustion. Andy managed to get a T-shirt from grandpa that said "I am untamed!" and a toy snake from Mom and Dad as momentums from the zoo. We went home, took a nap and then went and had lunch with my friend and college roommate Kim and her most darling baby boy Mitchell. He is so cute and cuddle. He actually managed to make me feel baby hungry. Andy looked so big next to him. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures. Maybe next year.

I only managed to get one picture from the 26th. We were finally able to see Crystal and the kids. It was fun to watch was Andy run around with his big cousins and try to keep up. He was all smiles! And was left exhausted at the end of the day... so was his Dad!

My two tired boys!

On the 28th we tried to have a picnic on the Green Belt next to the Idaho Falls temple. It was beautiful but very wet! We ended up having a picnic in the rental car. It was a lot of fun because Grandpa, Aunt Cassie, and Uncle Dan joined us.

Cheese......

... and pickles!

Just a little wet!

Unfortunately, Grammie had to work the whole week. Friday was her last day so we took her to Andy's favorite spot in the Idaho Falls Mall... the 50 cent rides. His favorite is the Ice Cream truck and up until Friday he refused to ride anything else, but he found the school bus to be a good alternate while waiting for his turn on the ice cream truck.

The driver on the bus says, "move on back"!

(It was only when I rode on the buses in NY that I realize that the drivers say "move on back" often and refuse to drive until you do.)

The beloved pink ice cream truck.

(He rode it so many times he learned how to put in the quarters, which button to push to start the ride and what every button in the truck did.)

When at the apartment Andy loved to Play on the balcony.

(The baby doll in the background became Andy's favorite toy while we were there. He took it to bed with him, and the first thing he said every time he woke up was "baby". We had to wrap the blanket around the doll about a gazillion times. He was very cute with the doll. We left it in Idaho Falls but I might have to go buy him a doll because he loved this doll so much.

Uncle Dan was his favorite balcony buddy.

On Saturday the 29th we woke up and had another delicious breakfast cooked by Grandpa. Then Patrick took every one's blood pressure. Andy paid close attention and then took Patrick's blood pressure and listened to his heart. Then Grandpa pulled out his according and played while we danced. I might have to look up accordion lessons for Patrick and Andy.

Blood pressure, check!

Heart rate, check!

Doctor Andrew's orders...For a long and healthy life play outside with your son everyday!

Grandpa is a very good accordion player!

Lets all waltz!

Patrick's turn, to give it a try!

Andy's turn to try it on for size!

"When I grow up I want to play the accordian just like Grandpa!"

Attempting to get Andy to take pictures!

It worked!

I love Grammie and Grandpa!

We also visited Aunt Crystal and the kids before we left.

Hanging out with Cody!

Hugs!


A walk with Grandpa!

Cousin Joey!

Aunt Crystal, Uncle Rob, Billy. Wyatt, Joey, Jamie, Abby, Cody.

Andy helping Wyatt tie his shoes so they can go out and play.

Billy and Andy saying good bye!

Abby and Andy.

Kisses from aunt Crystal help make cranky boys feel better!
(Andy rode with Grandpa, Grammie and Aunt Cassie back to SLC airport. It was a very quiet ride for Patrick and Me.)

Where's me pot of gold!

Mountains!! We don't have them in NYC.

Good bye, Aunt Cassie!

While we waited at the airport Andy played ball with a bunch of teenagers also waiting, then with us, he played with his new tonka truck from grammie, and ate snacks. He fought his tiredness the whole time and managed to stayed awake until after we took off. Which was late since our flight left at 11:45 pm. Once on the airplane the glow in the dark stretchy ball that Grammie gave him was our savior as was Grandpa's gum rubbing trick which eventually got him to sleep. He slept the whole 3.5 hour flight, woke up at landing, fell asleep in the car. When we got home he went straight for the TV and requested The Wiggles, which we allowed him to watch as we changed his diaper and finish his milk and then we promptly put him to bed. We all slepted on and off the the whole Sunday. We miss everyone in Idaho and hope to see everyone again soon! Thanks for showing us a good time!

Puppy Love

The first half of this week I felt like a bad Mommy. Monday we spent all day doing laundry only getting outside for about a half hour. Then Tuesday it rained all day, I started feeling crummy with a cold, we had Donna over and again Andy only got to play for about a half hour. Although he did get to play in the rain and splash in some puddles for a few minutes before his bath and bedtime. By Wednesday I was really sick and poor Andy was stuck inside once again. Although I did mustered up enough energy to take him to the swings for about a half hour. I realized during these first three days of the week that my son needs to be outside for a good portion of the day. So Thursday even though I was still feeling the effects of my cold, we got up walked to Pathmark to buy some cold medicine (which I took before leaving the store), cough drops, tissue, water and snacks. We then proceeded to Pelham Bay Park for play group.

We met Sierra, Kelsie, and Jakie at the sand pits near the track. Jill, Bryn and Raphelle and then Tori and Molly joined us a few minutes later. Andy played with his bucket and shovel with his friend and cheers on the elementary school races that were occurring on the track. He even got to eat his first chocolate covered strawberry thanks to Raphelle, which were really yummy by the way! We walked over to the swings. When he was done with the swings I wiped his still chocolatey face and hands with a wet wipe and then gave him his apple to finish off. With the wet wipe and apple core in hand he walked over to the garbage can threw in the wipe, looked at his apple took one more bite and through it away too. I was so proud of him, I didn't even prompt him to do this. He then followed his BFF Bryn to the playground. He explored the playground mostly by himself, crawling through tunnels, up and down one or two steps, playing with steering wheels and all of the other playground toys. He would only come get me every so often when he wanted me to help him do something he saw a bigger kid do. He is getting so big and independent! He played until both him and Bryn looked like they could fall asleep at any moment, then we walked home.

Lately when I put him down to sleep he likes to spend time cuddling with two of his stuffed puppies, and one stuffed tiger. He likes to hug and kiss them and then gives them to me to hug and kiss. We play this for a little while and then I put him down, but he doesn't not like me to put the puppies or the tiger in the crib with him. I have tried a couple of times and he just gets mad and throws them out, so they sit on his dresser next to his bed. After his nap he wanted one of his puppies. He held the puppy as I carried him into the front room. He cuddled with the puppy for a while.

Then he went and got a diaper and laid it down next to the puppy. I asked him if he wanted me to put the diaper on his puppy. Shaking his head up and down, he said yes with a great big smile. So I put the diaper on. Then he went and got the Desitin and pretend to put it on his puppy. He then put the Desitin away and got a blanket which he proceeded to wrap around his puppy.

It then became apparent to Andy that puppy needed his nails cut. He went and got the clippers and took care of the task at paw.

Puppy only struggled a little bit.

Then it was time for a diaper change!

Good thing Andy was there to take care of that!

I love watching his imagination grow!

Today we got up and walked down past Pelham Bay Park and saw the horses. Sierra, Kelsie, Jake, Jill, Justin and Bryn met us there. All the kids really liked the horses. Andy enjoyed watching them walk around. He also like watching me pet the horses although he was too scared to try himself. He thought it was funny when they would shake their head and make the spitting noise with their lips. I was unable to take pictures but I will next time.

We then came home napped and then celebrated Patrick and his classmates finishing their third year of Medical school with a BBQ. Yeah!!!!! I am so proud of Patrick and all that he has accomplished this year. Now Andy and I, and Patrick's parents, siblings, niece and nephews get him for a whole week before we have to turn him over to his fourth year of medical school and his trama surgery rotation.

The Past Two Weeks or So

Here goes one of my catch up posts again. The days and weeks seem to slip on by.

We try and go to the zoo about once a week. You will see that the fake log is still one of Andy's favorite spots...especially when he has a beautiful girl and one of his favorite friends cheering him on. My friend Jill and her daughter Bryn went on this outing with us (4/30). Andy and Bryn really enjoy each other.

I helped with a baby shower for my friend Nicki. Megan and I got together and made this diaper cake for her. It was a lot of fun and I must say that I think Megan and I make a great creative team. (5/7)

One of the activities at the shower was to paint onesies for Nicki's baby. Andrew just had to get in on the fun, with the help of Irene Adams. He is quite the little artist. (5/8)

Last Wednesday (5/12), Jill, Bryn, Raphelle, Andy and I all went to the New York Aquarium. Raphelle took some great pictures while Jill and I tried to keep track of our little explorers. Although the drive there was longer then I thought it would be and it was raining slightly, we had a lot of fun at the Aquarium.

As soon as we got Bryn in the car Andy reached for her hand.

I believe we were looking at the seals swimming.

This is just one of the amazing photos Raphelle took.

Ahhh... first friendships are so sweet!

Every Thursday we have attended a play group. Since the weather has been nice I put Andy in the jogging stroller and run to the park which is about two miles away. We love Thursday's, all of the kids really enjoy each other. This past Thursday (5/13) Andy amazed me. We had brought his Red soccer ball to play with. He usually is pretty good with sharing it, but some little girl not in our play group wanted to play with it and he was not okay with this. I coxed him into sharing it with her, but as soon as she walked away from the ball he quickly ran and got it. He then proceeded to put it away in the basket under the stroller. Then he went about his business playing. He did not want to play with the ball he just wanted to make sure she didn't play with it. What was funny is he later pulled the ball out to share with Jake, evidently someone he trusts with his most prized soccer ball. After playing at the playground for a bit we moved to the sand pits near the track. It is here that I took a few pictures to document our playgroup.

Team work!

We are all well except for a little cold that Pat passed to Andy and then to me. Patrick is studying for his final Shelf in his third year of medicine. He takes the Shelf for Family Medicine on Friday. Then it is off to Idaho Falls! We are excited to see Grammie, Grandpa Scarborough, and all of Andy's Aunts, Uncles and Cousins that live in Idaho Falls.

Dance, Dance Revolution (as long as no one is watching)!

Andy loves watching movies that provide him with a song and dance. He also thoroughly enjoys dancing along. His two favorite shows currently are "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and The Wiggles. There are two specific songs on these shows that cause him to literally drop whatever he is doing, run over to the TV, and begin dancing. However, recently he has developed a bit of performance anxiety. He pushes anyone in the room with him out so that he can fully develop his artistic skills without interference. Hopefully it's only a phase, as Julie and I can't wait for him to become famous and earn millions! We hope you enjoy our little dancing Scarborough!

He recently figured out that he can request us to rewind to the beginning of his favorite songs so that he can watch them over and over to practice his dance moves, especially when he gets distracted by his blocks.

Run for the Wild

Last Saturday, April 24, Patrick, Andy and myself "Ran for the Wild", it was a 5k put on by the Bronx Zoo. I love the Bronx Zoo! I especially love it now that the leaves are out and green. It is a very beautiful zoo, needless to say that the run through the zoo was gorgeous. I didn't realize how hilly the zoo was until we ran, but luckily Patrick was there to push the stroller, this was initially done to help keep him at my slow pace.

Patrick and Andy at the start, (as you can see Andy didn't really run, he rode).

There was a good size crowd waiting to run the race.

Towards the end Patrick ran up ahead of us to get a picture as we crossed the finish line. Unfortunately someone ran right in front of us as he took the picture. This picture was posed. I run really slow. We crossed the finish line in 37 minutes, the time included two stops for Andy's sake. Water, food and a poopy diaper awaited us at the finish line. We found a spot on the grass to sit and stretch. Patrick went to gather food, while I took care of the poopy diaper. Patrick came back with no food! He said the line wasn't moving. So, being well trained at the art of gathering food at the end of races by a master, my father, I went on the task of food gathering. I realized that there really wasn't a line, you just had to approach the table and grab what you wanted. In minutes I had a bag with 2 oranges, 2 apples, 2 bagels, 2 muffins and three yogurts with spoons and napkins. My father would have been proud. We ate our picnic breakfast, and then headed to explore the zoo. One of Andy's favorite spots is the children's zoo. He is starting to know it and has a routine of things he likes to do.

Step one, we visit the herons and crouch in the fake nest.

A picture of one of the herons.

Step two, we check out the prairie dogs.

"Hello prairie dogs!"

This one was posing for the camera.

"Hey prairie dogs, Look Over Here!"

Step three, crawl through the fake log, over and over and over.

Step four, climb up the stairs to the top of the slide. WEEEEEEEEEEE!

This slide actually is really fast and fun! We all went down several times.

We took some video of our sliding adventure.

Step five, climb into the turtle shell and sit until a bigger kid pushes you out.

Last we visit the farm animals.

This time Andy tried feeding the farm animals, he would throw the food pelts on the ground in front of the animals. We did coax him to letting one of the sheep eat out of his hand. He didn't like it very much. Enjoy the video.

We had a great time and plan to run next year too, if anyone wants to join us.

16 months Flashed Before My Eyes

I just started running again. Starting is always the hardest thing, especially when you have a sixteen month old. I have several friends that are willing to watch him but sometimes it doesn't work out. On Wednesday April 7th Patrick got home early enough that we decided to run on the track above the apartment parking garage. We decided it would be good for Andy to get outside. Patrick did an excellent job watching Andy while I ran two miles. They played with the basketball left there. They tried to make baskets and kicked the ball around. Every once in a while Andy would join me running for a few steps. When I was done, it was my turn to play with Andy while Patrick ran. Unfortunately, Andy was done playing on the track and ready to do something else. He handed me the two water cups we had brought, his pull telephone and his tricycle and proceeded to the top of the stairs saying bye and waving. I followed him trying to figure out how to carry him down the stairs or how to leave the tricycle without him noticing to much. Andy normally won't go down stairs without help unless he turns around and crawls down feet first. At that moment I saw my sweet little boy squat down and lean over the edge and start to roll down. The next thing I remember is having his leg in my right hand and him hanging upside down. I then swung him into my other arm so he wouldn't be upside down. I called Patrick over to check him out. Andrew had managed to hit his head on one step and was heading down to the next when I caught him. He only ended up with a few scratches, which may have been more from me pulling him up then from his fall. It could have been so much worse. I am so grateful for reflexes, the tricycle that was in my right hand ended up half way down the steps, which is where Andy probably would have stopped had I missed him. I vaguely remembering screaming and swinging my arm toward Andy dropping the tricycle as my arm swung toward him, it all happened in one motion. I also managed to only drop the tricycle, the cups and pull phone stayed in my left hand and arm.

As I carried him home and Pat finished his run, Andy was screaming and kicking. We got home I gave him some Tylenol, and several halves of Robin's Eggs, which cheered him up. I cleaned his scratches and then cried as I documented the incident on film.

Lessons learned...Andy is much more cautious at the top of any steps now and so am I. I learned not to trust the fact he has always stopped in the past. He is an adventurous boy who wants to do it all by himself. I hope that he will soon learn to walk down steps safely, but until then I hope that he will let me help or carry him down.

Since the incident I have not ran on the track. Instead I have pulled out the jogging stroller that my friend Crystal gave me, I now buckle Andy in it and run around our neighborhood. We have a great time.

The scratches have healed and you can hardly tell they where there. I am so grateful that he didn't get hurt worse.

Never Say Never!

Throughout my 33 years of existence, I have frequently experienced the underlying truth of the phrase, "Never say never".

For example, since I was a child, I swore that I would never attend Brigham Young University...I graduated from BYU in 2007.

As many of you know, while I was in the Army I was a paratrooper. I frequently told anyone who would listen, however, that I would never allow myself to be stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, which was the home of the Army Airborne and had a reputation for being a tough assignment...I spent my last two years in the Army there.

After I was discharged from the Army, I swore that I would never go back into the military. This was a double "never" since I had also vehemently maintained that I would never enter the Navy...I am currently an Ensign in the Navy Reserve and will be a physician in the Navy when I graduate next year.

Due to a misconceived dislike of all things California, I swore that I would never marry a California girl...my wife is from the Sacramento area.

Finally, my most recent "never" moment involves an opinion that surgeons are nothing more than glorified plumbers and my vehement belief that I would never want to become a surgeon...After a highly enjoyable surgery clerkship in Manhattan, I now plan on applying to Navy surgery residencies this summer.

The only question left is why haven't I taken these lessons to heart. I guess I'll "never" learn!