More from the Arizona Trip

Our second day in Arizona (first full day) we ventured out into the mid-morning heat to visit a ghost town. We took a ride in one of their "authentic" trains, around the town. It was very picturesque...just what you envision when you think of the Southwest. Ian was excited about riding a choo choo until they blew the whistle. It wasn't what he expected "whoo whoo!" to actually sound like. He clung to me for most of the ride and watched the surroundings with much reservation. Afterward, we checked out the town, but Ian was very hot and tired by that point, so we headed back to the house for a nap, then lunch and time by the pool.

The next day, we stayed in, venturing out for one errand, and then spent the afternoon by the pool. Ian was getting used to swimming without Shawn close at hand and was much more relaxed.

That evening, we put in the movie Cars, which Ian was thrilled about, in all it's surround sound glory, for about 20 minutes. I think the sound coming at him from all directions, to just that one ear, was overwhelming. He leaned over and said "Mommy, read?", so we went upstairs and read books for a while before proceeding with bath and bedtime routines.

Speaking of routines, he did great with naps and slept through the night in his very own room, every night. My parents have giant, realistic stuffed monkeys and tigers in that room, and Ian took to them quickly. They became his buddies and after giving them kisses and snuggles before bed, he would sleep looking out at them from inside the pack/play...thinking they were sleeping, too. It was really cute.

Our final full day, we went back to the Phoenix Zoo, which we visited in December. Since that first trip, he's been to two different zoos here, so this visit made zoo trip #4... he's a pro now. We rented one of those cool zoo strollers, thinking he would want to stretch out and have a bit more shade, but he really wanted to be carried... so I carried him almost the entire time since he only wanted me. There's nothing like 105 degrees with a 2 year old in your arms the entire time. Imagine doing 30 pound dumbbell curls for 2 and a half hours in 100+ heat. That's what it was like for me. Oddly, my arms and back felt fine the next day. I'm so conditioned to carrying him I don't even "feel the burn" anymore!

Coming home was bittersweet. I hated to leave, to take Ian from his great time with Grama & Paga, but he was hitting his limit in a different environment. It was time to get him back to his routine. Me too. I had a lot to do at work and leaving Shawn to his own devices for more than a few days could be scary. He was bound to be living on pizza and microwave popcorn at this point. I should get home to check on the dog...and the house...and the laundry for sure...and do some grocery shopping...and be sure the heat isn't on with the back door wide open...and check the mail... Yeah, I'm not a worrier am I?

Below are some pics from the rest of the trip, and another before and after carefully engineered in almost the exact spot as last time. I'm not sure why I didn't take off my sunglasses. They become part of your body after a while down there and you forget you're even wearing them.

Another then and now shot. He's only a few pounds heavier, but much longer (by about 7 inches) and not as easy to carry. It was also about 40 degrees hotter than our last visit. Too bad the giraffe wasn't in his same spot or it would have been a really cool comparison.

Checking out an old time tank engine

Hanging out in the pool with Grama

Having a good laugh with Paga

Trying to get everyone looking at the camera, smiling with eyes open is asking a lot...

Another mom/Ian shot at the zoo. I'm surprised that my paleness didn't blind the locals.

Ian & Paga pose on a lion sculpture

Ian & Grama reading a book

In Arizona, sometimes you don't have a choice but to double-fist the drinks.

Ian's nighttime reading buddies. They slept just outside his pack n play at night.