Stupid local news

Two weeks ago there was a complaint filed against APX (Danny’s company), here in Wichita, because some lady felt like she was “strong-armed” into getting a system. (Strong-armed, honestly!? They’re just good salesmen!!) So, the police were stopping the salesmen and telling them not to sell and giving them all sorts of trouble, even though they have licenses and are perfectly fine to sell. Well, come to find out, the technicians, who install the systems were not properly licensed because there was a delay in their paperwork, minor details, really. There was an investigation and everything.
Anyway, everyone had to go get licensed and fingerprinted for other cities around Wichita, so they could continue to sell while Wichita got worked out (and we’re still working on OK city). Long story short, bad publicity. That sucks! Ironically, ever since they left Wichita, Danny has done better! I hope that means good things for OK city, if we ever get there.

So, Tuesday Danny got home early because of this whole mess and we got to go to the movies. Yea! Without Azilyn. Double yea! Seriously, it was our first “date” we’ve had in forever. We went to this theater with cush seat where you can order dinner and eat it while you watch your movie. Awesome! The food was over priced, but nothing like theater concessions. It tasted pretty good too.

I guess getting home early was a good break for Danny because he got sales the rest of the week!

Friday Azilyn and I went swimming for her first time. She has the cutest swimming suit. The water was cold, but pretty good for May. I had to ease into it and since she was on my hip, she didn’t hit the water until I was in up to my waste. Once her little toe hit the water, she jerked it right back out again. Then, once she got use to the water temp, she wouldn’t stop kickin’! She tried to blow bubbles, then drank the water, then inhaled the water and started coughing. It was so fun! She wanted me to let go of her. She liked to step off the edge of the pool into my arms, but didn’t like being on her back so much.
I couldn't get a picture at the pool, so this is the best I could do. Not the best picture. It's hard to get a good picture of her. She's either right in the camera or not interested at all. At least you can kinda see her cute swim suit; that's what I was goin' for. It's surfer girl style.

Stupid cleaning lady!

We had a hit and run today. Our car got scraped as someone was backing out of the stall next to us. That sucks. I know it's not that bad, but no one wants a broken car. Even if it's just aesthetics.

Keeper of the Plains

Tonight I got to spend some time with Danny! Yea. He went to work early and got home early cuz it was a holiday. We took a walk on the river walkway to a big metal Native American statue called "Keeper of the Plains". They burn big firepits every night so we went to see them, but Danny doddled too long and we missed it. It has a really cool bridge on either side of it, which span the Little and Big Arkansas Rivers. And, there's a little indian display there. It's pretty cool. We took the baby in the stroller, thinking she'd fall asleep on the way, but she didn't. We got home about 10pm, then she crashed. I hope that means she sleep longer tomorrow morning!

Week 4, I think

Well, we’ve been in Wichita a month now. Danny’s working hard and continuing to make little improvements with his sales pitch. That means only good things to come, right!? I’m not really sure when we’ll get to Oklahoma City. We started off in Wichita so all the salesmen and installation technicians could pass all the licensing tests they have to take for OK, but apparently, not everyone has passed them, and it seems like they may never. Darn technicians.

Anyway, today we had a relaxing Sabbath. We bbq’d and played games with our neighbors. Azilyn wanted to play cards and was pretty upset when we wouldn’t let her. So she waddled off pouting. When it became quiet, I looked over to see her sneaking up the stairs! She made it up two or three before I rushed over and startled her. Don’t worry, she didn’t fall down, she just began laughing her head off!! It was so funny. She was laughing so hard she even pooped her pants! HaHaHa. She made my gut hurt, I was laughing so much! Oh, what a joy. Azilyn is walking everywhere now. She does really well. She even walks down the stairs, with help of course, but she doesnt want to try and crawl down backwards like I've taught her. She'll go one or two steps, stand up, turn around and grab me. Then she steps down like a big girl. It's so funny, but she does pretty well. She is pretty obedient too, but I still have to watch her like a hawk to make sure she doesnt attempt them on her own.

Yesterday was my birthday. Danny had to work all day. That sucked, but my day was great. I did nothing – that was the great part. I had dishes and laundry and other stuff, and I gave myself the day off. I just chilled out at home with Azilyn. Did like one row of crochet, fed Azilyn some pepperoni pizza. It was hilarious. She got it everywhere. Anyone know how to get pizza sauce, or any tomato product out of clothes? Nothing is working!

I also picked up some dry cleaning yesterday. While I was there, this weirdo guy commented on my sandals cuz he’s wearing some like mine. His were the name brand. I got mine at Payless. So he’s asking me about them – how much were they? Are they comfy? What size do I wear? So I take one off to look at the size and he asks, “Can I try it on?” WHAT!? I don’t want some weirdo stranger trying on my shoe. What if I get a fungus? So, you’d think I’d say, ‘NO, you weirdo!’ But do I? I already had it off, so I felt obligated or something. Reluctantly, I gave him my shoe. Woohoo, they fit him. I really thought he was going to mug me for the other one, but he gave it back saying something about how he doesn’t have any diseases. I didn’t really hear him cuz I was so grossed out and trying not to show it. Even more reluctantly, I put the shoe back on and limped out the door, trying not to press my precious foot into his nasty foot sweat. When I got to the car, I cleaned everything off with a baby wipe, but couldn’t find any sanitizer. Ewww! Seriously, Wichita is a weird town.

Leavin' on a Jet Plane

Last night I booked a plane ticket home for the end of June. Well, kinda. I mean I did book a flight, but I’m coming back to go to Yellowstone with my dad. I’m so excited to spend time with him, just me and Azilyn! She loves her Grandpa. I love my daddy!

Maybe I shouldn't be a blogger

So, I decided after looking at others' blogs that I suck at this. I know I dont have to write these super long entries, but somehow I feel like I should. Anyway.
Azilyn IS WALKING!! Maybe some day I'll figure out how get my videos from my camcorder to my computer, but so far, no luck. It's cuz we have a mac. I love it, but not everything is compatible. That sucks.
We had an awesome time at RiverFest last week. Even though we only went 3-4 days out of the 9. I bought Danny a hemp bracelet at the flee market they had, and he loves it. He's tried to make one before and it always breaks just before he's done. It's kinda funny.
Well, the mosquitoes are out in full force again. Danny is getting eaten alive. Mostly because he refuses to use bug spray. He doesn't like the smell, or feel. I've gotten one. The iching drives me Mad!

NaNaNa

We went to the RiverFest again today. My friend Ally came with us. Azilyn had a good time in the Cessna Kid’s Korner. It was a country theme today, so she had fun making some rope with Ally, workin’ the skid loader, and riding the steer of straw with mom. There was also a petting zoo, which she wasn’t too sure about. She kept pulling her hand away and giving the animals funny looks. We all shared a funnel cake. Azilyn just wanted to play in the powdered sugar. Yeah, it got all over, but only cuz the wind blew the plate over. We were going to get Azilyn’s face painted, but I didn’t think she’d hold still for very long. There were several things we just didn’t do because Azilyn is just too small, like a pony ride. After her reaction to the small animals, I’m not sure how she would have faired on a big one.

Well, Danny is just workin away. He is up to four sales now. Some guys get that or more in a day, but that’s okay. He’s still learning and I’m proud of him. He has had lots of people who were interested, but they didn’t pass a credit check. They do that to make sure people can actually pay their bills. Otherwise it wouldn’t really be a sale cuz they have to stick. There are some really nice people here, but I’m shocked at how many are so rude. They treat these salesman like they’re not human. Slamming doors, using vulgarity, throwing things, threatening them, leaving them out in severe weather!! Please be nice to salesmen and telemarketers. They are people too. You can be assertive without being rude.

So, I feel safe to say that Azilyn is walking!! She will walk along the couch, without holding on, goes short distance and attempts longer ones all the time. She even stands up on her own and goes. She’s not even 10 months old yet! Crazy. I have attempted to film her, but she’s a little camera shy. I’ve gotten a few shots though. The bad news is, apparently my camcorder doesn’t work with my computer after all. So, my friend is going to let me use her computer to burn a disc. Then I can try to get some video up for ya.

Here are some pictures of Azilyn and her baNaNa! She LOVES them!!

Squawk n walk

I think this week Azilyn will start walking. I’m not really sure I’m excited about this, however, she already gets in to everything. It is so fun to see her try to walk though, and sad. It’s sad because she falls a lot, but fun because it’s a new and exciting milestone.

She took her first steps before Easter and yesterday, Mother’s Day, was the first time she made many consecutive attempts at it. She randomly just stood up from sitting on the floor and took, like, 5-6 steps before falling!

I got a camcorder for my birthday (early present from my mom) and I had it right next to me and didn’t get it. Doh! I’m just not use to having it yet. I will have to figure out how to download from the camera. We have some really fun clips of her. She is so entertaining.

Everywhere we go people comment about how happy Azilyn is. She’s always squawkin and screamin. She love to stare at people (especially black people). Maybe cuz they’re all staring at her. She is very social. In fact, she does better when we’re around people than when we just play at home all day. She’ll often begin to cry when we walk in the door after being out and about.

Well, it’s the rainy season here in Kansas. I think it’s rained more than half the days since we’ve been here. It’s strange to see so much moisture. They had to cancel some of the activities at RiverFest, like paddle boats and a land/water team competition that’s kinda like a triathalon, because the river was too high and swift. They have awesome bridges with staircases down to the river, a walkway and benches by the river, most of which was covered because it’s rained so much. (Pictures later, sorry)

Week Two

It doesn’t seem like there’s much of anything worth reporting until BAM!!! tons of little, or big things happen, and by the time I get around to writing them down, well, I forget. Darn bad memory and procrastination.

This week I have just been busy taking care of Azilyn, running errands, doing dishes, laundry, etc. Pretty boring. We did move Azilyn out of our “room” (loft area) down into the other “room” (curtain drawn space) because everytime she would wake up, she wouldn’t go back to sleep cuz she could see us! What a drag. We wanted to avoid stumbling down the steep staircase in the middle of the night. Anyway, we moved her. Now she sleeps better, and so do we.

It has been harder to get Azilyn to take good naps since we’ve been here. She wakes up at 7:00 (6am Utah time, grrr). Poor Danny. At home, for nap time, I could just rock her for a few minutes, put her in bed and she’d go to sleep on her own, generally with minimal crying. Now she will not go down without a fuss, and lots, and lots of coaxing, cradling, suckling, swaying, bouncing, stroking, etc. It’s quite frustrating. Mostly because I know she just needs a good sleep so she’s not so cranky! I think her pack’n’play crib may be partly to blame. It really can’t be comfortable sleeping on cardboard! My search for a Portacrib mattress has been futile.

Well, today finishes up Danny’s second week of selling. In some ways it seems like we’ve been here longer. The first week Danny was super miserable knocking doors. Rejected and dejected. He really didn’t show it or tell me though, so I thought he was doing okay. I have just been really supportive. I have never felt disappointed in him, only so proud because I know he is working soo hard. He told me that this week was much better. He has been driving to his selling area with a super awesome salesman who’s really helped him have a positive outlook.

Friday began the local RiverFest on the Arkansas river (pronounced R – Kansas) just a few blocks from us. It is a festival with lots of fun activities, carnival rides, river rides, competitions, etc. We watched the opening “Sundown Parade” last night and Azilyn LOVED it! She was waving at everyone, and she didn’t even mind all the loud noises. She just didn’t like it when I tried to cover her ears for some of them. We left early so Azilyn could go to bed and it proved a difficult task trying to navigate our beast of a stroller through crowds of parade onlookers. I don’t think they were very happy with us.

More fun RiverFest adventures to come.

First Week in Wichita

I can't believe we've been here a week already! Time flies. I'm a few days behind on posting what's been going on because I've been so busy unpacking, trying to get the baby back on schedule and trying to keep my milk in. The last two things really conflict with each other, and take a lot of attention.
Well, Danny's first day of selling was Monday. AND...he did awesome!! He got his first sale, and the only sale on his team, besides his manager, who's been selling for like 6-7 years. YEAH for Danny! We are so proud of him. I think Danny is glad to be out here, since now his wife takes better care of him. I have had something for dinner every night this week! I keep things picked up, except the baby toys, and the maid helps with the cleaning once a week! Yea for a maid. We are currently staying in an extended-stay place, kind like Marriott's Residence Inn. Furnished, a select few dishes, dishwasher, AC, continental breakfast, free laundromat. It works well.
Azilyn has had fun exploring her new surroundings. We have stairs which go up to a loft bedroom and she loves to climb them, with me right behind, of course. Though, she tries to attempt them without me plenty. She is also learning to climb other things. Yesterday she climbed up on the couch for the first time! Of course, that was without a cushion on it. We use that to block the stairway. And, every time I open the fridge, she turbo crawls over and climbs up the shelves inside. Oh, and she finally discovered she can climb on the open dishwasher door. Great! Now she can really reach the knives in the silverware basket. Darn baby! She is the cutest lil stinker though. Who can resist, honestly?
Here are some of the fun new things about Azilyn:
she has four teeth (sometimes not so fun actually), she waves goodbye (more like flapping her whole arm - SO cute!), she surprised us with peekaboo today after climbing on the couch, she's trying to say uh-oh but only gets the uh part, and she loves tags of all varieties. I had to deter her from one that was on the flexi-pipe on the toilet. Yea, gross! My favorite is the one on the underside of her highchair, but hers is the one on her bib. I dont understand why she wants it in her mouth, even when it's full already?? I might as well not put it on because if she sees the tag, that's the end of her clean clothes.