2011 in the Dunn house

Wow! Can't believe we're almost done with 2011. Seems like it goes by faster and faster each year.

If you're a FB follower of mine, you're probably pretty up to speed with what's been going on with us this year. If you aren't a FB follower, you're missing out lol I like to post all the silly things the boys do and say, pictures, and stories all the time. it makes for good reading....especially if i'm doing status updates while under heavy sedation or anethesia after surgery.

We've been blessed (fingers crossed) that for the better part of the year, everyone has been healthy. We're definitely hoping that continues into next year.

Jordan and I had our 5 year anniversary this year and our 10 year "dating" anniversary. Good news is he still likes me after all this time :)

Dylan turned 2 in August. He is the funniest little man. Anytime you call him a baby, he promptly says in his gruffy little voice, "i'm not a baby. i'm a big boy". he is a jokster and he loves to do everything his big brother does. he is such a sweet and loving little boy, but don't let that big smile fool you...he is going through the terrible twos and boy is it terrible at times. he has his mommy's temper which isn't good for anyone who crosses his path. if he didn't know we were irish, you would when you see how mad he gets during his tantrums, but he's learned about time out this year and how to say "sorry".

Landon turned 4 in October. He is still a ball of energy and super smart. he cracks us up with his toddler inteligence and observations of life around him. He is a really good big brother and him and Dylan are the best of buddies and partners in crime. Throw their cousin Taylor in the mix and they are a pack of wild ones, but tons of fun. He is going in for a sleep study next week (finally) to see if we can pinpoint the reason that he still doesn't sleep at night. Wish us luck with that!!

Now that the boys are a little older, and we have two boys, we get the question a lot "when are you going to try for a girl?" After talking about it, I think we decided that it will be next year sometime but aren't sure when. We have some wonderful couples we know and family members that would like a baby and we're waiting for one of them to go first since we're ahead of the pack. So any of you on the baby path, feel free to lead the way; we'll be trailing, supporting you in anyway we can.

We got to have some amazing adventures this year. We went to Seattle and Canada, San Diego, and Hawaii!! We got to go through the Mesa Temple with our boys which was incredible. We got to spend some good quality time with our family which is the greatest thing.

As we come to the end of the year, we want to wish everyone a safe, happy, healthy New Year and a very Merry Christmas. We are so fortunate and lucky to have the people we do in our lives and we wish the very best for you all in 2012. Lots and lots of love, Nickey, Jordan, Landon, and Dylan

2011 update

So a friend of mine pointed out how terrible I've been about updating my blog and she's right. Let's see what's been happening with us this year so far, now that we're half way through.

The first part of the year was actually pretty rough for me. I didn't start off too well. I had a very scary encounter in a parking lot with a strange man who tried to abduct me by pulling me into his vehicle. Thank heavens for an innocent passerby who scared the assailant away just as he was on the verge of wearing me down in our struggle and getting me into his car. As of today, still no word from the police. He got away. I just hope that he doesn't succeed with some other poor girl. I'm fine physically. I just won't be visiting a particular post office ever again and now I walk around with mace in my purse.

Then a week later, I got really really sick and got to take a lovely trip to John C Lincoln. I had to wait for 4 1/2 hours to be seen. I had a pretty serious lung infection and then got costochondritis, which is fluid build up around the heart. That was horrible; I felt like I was having a heart attack. It took me a week or two to get better.

Then in March, I had to go in for surgery yet again. I had to have my right ovary out. The doctor said it was problematic.

April was great! We have a lot of birthdays to celebrate in April, and Easter. So it gave us some time to spend with friends and family. For my birthday, Jordan planned a really great day for us. We went and got a couple's massage and had lunch. We got to enjoy mild weather before it got too too hot here in Phoenix. We had both the USAA company picnic at Castles and Coasters and the ECare family BBQ. Both were really fun. Pictures can be seen of all our fun on either Facebook or our Picasa account https://picasaweb.google.com/dunnboy10

May brought really warm weather and....wait for it....yet another surgery for me. This time, the cyst was on my left ovary and it grew to be the size of a tennis ball almost. The doctors tried to shrink it with medicine but it made it angry I guess so it got bigger instead. I also found out that I have minor kidney reflux. This time, the recovery was rough. I had to, of course, stay at the hospital even though it was scheduled outpatient. I try to tell them that doesn't work out for me but they didn't listen and had to admit me after surgery because my kidneys and bladder went to sleep and wouldn't wake up. It was pretty awful. It was painful and the doctor didn't know why I was getting cysts still, since they had never been on the left side. I go see a specialist this week and hopefully he can get some answers for me...other then taking everything out or getting pregnant. My doctor is funny. He said "you know, if you were in a state of pregnancy, those cysts wouldn't populate. You could try for a little girl"...pushing his agenda..I laughed. Jordan and I are 50 50 on having anymore anyway...we aren't against it but we aren't pursuing it at this time.

Things got better in June though. My mother in law came to visit for my niece's birthday. We were all so happy to have her here. We all got to go to Washington. We went to my brother in law Nick's graduation and were so proud to watch him graduate from high school. We got to spend time with friends and family and got some much needed time to relax and for me to recover. Jordan and I had our 5 year wedding anniversary and got to get a night away in Vancouver BC. It was the Stanley Cup playoffs so the city was crazy! We went and drove through Stanley Park and then went on a hike through Lynn Canyon Park to the waterfall and suspension bridge. It was scary but I sucked it up and walked across the bridge. Jordan got to go to Eastern WA and spend time with his best friend Paul and I got to go have ladies's night and play Bingo, which was so much fun. We got to meet up with the Francis family which we love to do when we are there. They crack us up! We got to take our kids to Mulkiteo Beach and let the kids play in the sand and the water and then get some Ivars for lunch. We got to do some fun stuff with the kids too. Landon got to go see Kung Fu Panda 2 with his Aunties and he was so excited!We went to Point Defiance Zoo. We got to take the kids on a tour of the Seattle Center, with the fountain, the science center and Pike Place. My friend Tim and his family opened up Absolute Airpark, which is an indoor trampoline park and it was amazing. It was so much fun, and a really good work out too. They just opened so anyone that is looking for a great time, they are located in Arlington off 67th and it's such a great deal for fun with groups, kids, aerobics, or date night. Jordan and I got to go to our friend's wedding. Nick was Jordan's college roommate and we were so happy to be there for him and Kira on their big day. It was a busy time but so much fun.

The thing I loved about it the most was seeing how happy my kids were. They loved it there. They loved being close to family and playing with Sammi, Ryan, Rush, and Gracie. They loved being outdoors. The rain didn't bother them at all when it did rain. There is so much to do there; parks, beaches, rivers, hiking, lakes, zoos, museums, family dinners, adventures for them. I felt guilty taking them away from it all. I usually get a little "homesick" when I leave there but this time, it was a very sad goodbye. I had this feeling in the pit of my stomach that we were really were supposed to be there; close to the people there that love us. Arizona has it's advantages too but there is just something different about being there...I miss it terribly and know the boys do too.

Going forward into the summer, the heat has officially kicked in. It was 110 today. Ick. Landon came outside with me and he said "it's so hot, it hurts my eyes. the sun is mean to me." I'm not looking forward to 4 more months of this.

As far as the boys go, they have been the opposite of me health wise..they are doing great. Seems that we trade off that way..when they are fine, I'm a mess and vice versa. Landon is going to be 4 in October. He's doing really well after he had surgery at the beginning of this year to remove his tonsils and adenoids. He is talking a lot better and asks and says the funniest things. He is potty trained finally!!! He barely ever has accidents. Dylan is doing great too. He will be 2 in August and he is starting to talk so much. He has the funniest little personality and can be very sweet but oh boy, does he have a temper on him. The boys really starting thriving once we took them out of public daycare and moved them towards the end of the year last year to in-home daycare. The women that have been caring for them are so wonderful. They love my boys and make sure that they are learning and safe and having fun. They haven't barely been sick and aren't coming home with bite marks anymore, thank goodness. Jordan is doing okay too. He is still liking his job change in IT with Cox. Basketball season was a little disappointing for us this year, since the Suns didn't make the playoffs but the Mavs and Heat gave us some good games to watch. At the moment, we are watching the US and Mexico in the Gold Cup (soccer). Soon we're gonna put Landon in soccer and he can't wait.

I'm going to try and be better about updates so check back soon.

hot pockets...

Last night Jordan and I got to go see Jim Gaffigan at the Comerica (previously dodge) theater.

I was excited to see Gaffigan live because I had been following him as a comic even before he had Comedy Central Specials or Cd's. His timing and delivery are classic.

This was a show with all new material, which is probably why the security told everyone at the door " no pictures or video, not even on your cell phone". There was one opening act by a comic named Jordan Rubin. He had an interesting style. He would pause in between his jokes to make it seem like he forgot what he was going to say and it would make the next punchline seem random, but it all came together. He had a good joke that hit well with the audience about the rapper Mystikal. He did a good job of warming up the crowd for Gaffigan.

Gaffigan's act did not disappoint for the long time fans and roped in new fans. The main focus of his act was about working out (or lack there of), the gym, the glory and disgust of McDonald's, the facade that is Subway, hotel living and hotel indoor pools, and whales. It seems like a far leap from talking about the creepy guy who stares at the women on the hip abductor machines to whale blubber but it flowed seamlessly. The show kept the audience engaged and laughing in hysterics. It was a well timed show, lasting about an hour and half. Gaffigan left the stage and the audience cheered for an encore and without disappointment, he came out and gave the crowd what they wanted to hear....the hot pockets skit. He added new some material to the older, adored jokes about the microwave favorite. He even threw in a shout out to bacon, which was a big focus in his last special "King Baby"; it was subtle but it got a big reaction.

As a long time fan, I loved his new stuff. Jordan made a good observation about how, for the most part, his act is pretty clean as far as comics nowadays goes. Even though it isn't packed full of swear words and filth, his jokes are relatable and hilarious. I'll watch this special over and over again when it comes out on cable.

as we get ready for the holidays....

i can't believe that it is almost the end of the year already. thanksgiving is nearly here which means that the "holiday rush" will be quickly upon us. looking back on the year, it has been a very crazy year for us. work, jordan changing jobs, me having surgery twice this year, a camera crew in our house, dylan turning one, landon turning three, and most recently landon's surgery.....breathe....

almost all a blur of chaos.

thinking about all, it really puts some overly consumed, commercially brainwashed yuletide shoppers into perspective. this year, i really find myself a little peeved at the fact that christmas is being shoved down our throats, starting the week of halloween. i used to remember how there was a building of anticipation about christmas. as turkey day came to close with full tummies and football, your mind started to wonder, thinking about picking out a tree and decorating the house. the black friday shoppers would get up, fuel themselves with starbucks and pepsi and the rest of us would be enjoying a leisurely three day weekend (if we were lucky to have friday off). then the christmas season began; holiday parties, ugly sweaters making their way out of the very back of the closet, lists were created for Santa.....it used to be a month long production. as the days windled down, the house would smell like pine and apples and cinnamon and the kids would be on th every beset behavior so as not to blow their chance at getting gifts at the last minute. family traditions would take place. pajamas and cookies christmas eve, opening just one present to tide you over til morning., parents up all night wrapping gifts, enjoying the silence......then it was here.....joy, prayers, blessings, breakfast, presents, love, food...it was all intertwined and it was something to be cherished.

maybe it is the current state of the economy that is making such a push in the red and green direction...retailers desperate to make those end of year goals....but the commercial part of christmas is really being over commercialized to the point of being obnoxious. the lists have already been drawn up, the shopping has already began and in some cases ended, people have already began to stress about the crowds, the lines, the lack of supply for demand.....i might sound a

little beyond my years but i miss the slower simpler times.

this year, for us, it will be about much more than gift cards and presents. we are going to make it about family, about spirit, appreciating the real reason we get this holiday to begin with, the gift and that was given to the world. that will be my job this year....not running around like a mad person off their meds looking for the toy that sold out a month ago...but instilling these important values in my kids.

happy start to the holidays all! may it be a safe and merry one for you

get a life...

with the intense topic and subject matter of the show, people are bound to form some opions. everyone is entitled to what they think and can say..but some people should keep their mouths shut and their hands off their keyboards.
some of the message boards and the articles are portraying women and men with eating disorders as attention starved head cases that should just shove a hamburger down their throat and get it over with. well i took it upon myself to stick it to a guy that, really, had no place posting what he did.

"nickcini, Bravo for managing to spit such hate about people you've never met and spell 50% of it correctly. People suffering from (your spelling) anerexia and other very serious disorders are more complex than you make us out to be. If you took all the energy you spent seeking out a website about people with eating disorders, watching a youtube clip, searching for the show's website, and then making some uneducated responses in a message forum, odds are you wouldn't be the one desperatly seeking some attention and instead, contributing something productive to society. My guess is that you are somehow suffering from your own form a disease that you don't understand because you are two busy pointing fingers at others. Don't talk about adding fuel to a fire with this kind of show when you are the one openly offering your judgemental opinions; those are the kindling to the flames. These women and men are brave, courageous and deep...they are troubled, suffering, and some really want the help...and who are you to say that they aren't really sick? My recommendation to you is that before you begin dabbling in physiological illness, behaviors, and treatments, you check your immaturity at the door or no one will take you seriously, not that many will with your childish name calling and bullying..I also recommend spell check"

as most of you might know.....

....our family was participating in a documentary series with the E channel about the treatment of eating disorders. If you didn't know, I am trying to recover from a long spanning intertwined combination of OCD, annorexia and body dismorphia. I did the show so people could really identify and come to terms with their own struggles, try to help someone get help for themselves.

If anyone has any questions for me about anything....me, eating disorders in general, what the show is about, anything...please ask. that is the point.

As for me, it's a work in progress. some days are easy and some are so difficult that I can't imagine at 6am how I'll make it through the day without breaking down and crawling into bed until the next morning. I have a great family, and a great group of friends, and a doctor and dietician that are skilled in their specialties and so we shall see what the future holds...hopefully this will all be a sad afterthought years from now because i'll be too happy being normal and enjoying life as it was meant to be cherished.

you think that its gonna be just another day when you get to work and sit at your desk to take calls and the you hear that a friend of yours won't be coming in to work..ever again. My friend mary died last night from a self inflicted gunshot wound..and just like that, a piece of this worl was gone. She was the sweetest, funniest person with a huge heart and a smile that would light up the room and as a team mate, she made the days a little bit better just talking with her. I saw her this week and we stopped and had a short conversation between calls and and bathroom trips and she made me smile and laugh and then we were on our way....and that short conversation about how busy it was and how the calls never stop was the last time we were going to chit chat. I was trying at work this morning after I heard to stay calm and strong and not let on..until I got up to go to the bathroom and walked right by her empty desk..and it was truly empy..she wouldn't be coming in to put her sweatshirt on and her headset. It was all just there....waiting for her. 
I always had heard that people who commit suicide prepare...give things away, clean up, tie up loose ends..this desk was unfinsihed business and left no indication that she was not returning to it. 
it was so unexpected...
as someone who once tried and thought about suicide in my youthful days, when I didn't and couldn't see the value of life, I shutter now to think what I would have missed had I been successful. I saw the hurting in peoples faces today and saw them wipe their tears and I would hate to think I had caused such a deep rooted pain in someone...your heart actually hurts.I can only imagine how her family must feel because I have the pleasure of knowing some of her friends and they have an abundance of love and they are suffering the loss...her family must be too at such an incredible level..  I said a prayer for mary and her family and friends and I hope heavenly father hears it and grants us comfort and one day, we'll understand why that day..at that moment she felt she had to leave. I hope mary has some peace now and surrounded with love and receives the love lofting from the earth.