The Latest at the Chase Home

A lot has gone on over the past few months. First, I am sad so say, Dallas learned the word "no" and loves it. He started just after he turned 18 months and it was a serious "no." He would almost growl it at you with lots of facial expression. It is a kinder no, but he still loves to say it.

He is speaking and understanding so much more now, which is so much fun. I am always shocked at things he picks up that I didn't even know that he knew. He definitely has is own language that only Dan and I understand, but he is becoming more clear every day. A few funny things he says:

• Hot Dog, this is usually accompanied by a little dance (arms up and a shake of the hips) to imply the Hot Dog song... meaning I want to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. We have recently tried to cut him off from this show. He really is addicted to it. 
• Car/Truck, these words usually are said together. He almost has the difference down, but when he was just learning them he would point at a car or truck and say "car truck, car truck" over and over again. He loves the garbage man and will run to the window when he hears the truck and wait for him to come, then watch him pick up the trash down the whole street.
• P, this is for plane. Planes fly over our house ALL day long and love to point at them when we are outside. (He also calls every letter "T")

Dallas Loves to wear this headband and wear our shoes. Here he us using his travel diaper bag as a purse.

• Uh-oh, obviously said when he makes a mess. My favorite part is if we are in the kitchen he will go over to the oven where a hand towel hangs from the handle, grab it, and try and clean up whatever it is that has spilled.
• Woo hoo, this is a recent one. When Dallas accomplishes something he is trying to do and gets it he will say woo hoo with his arms up and a shake of the hips. 

Dallas knows a lot of other things, but these are some of my favorites. He LOVES LOVES LOVES to be outside. I think he would live out there if possible. We are fortunate to have the BEST neighbors, whose kids all adore Dallas. They all want to play with him and treat him like a little brother.

In other news, we had a trip to go to Hawaii schedule for the end of Feb. Unfortunately Dan was admitted to the hospital the week we were suppose to leave and were advised not to go. Luckily we were able to cancel our tickets without incurring any fees. From that hospital stay we learned Dan had new abcesses would probably need surgery. He went on anti-biotics for a month then had another CT scan. Yep, surgery was needed and was scheduled for April 8th, 2013.

It was so nice to have it scheduled so we could prepare, rather than scrambling on a moments notice. The draw back was the anticipation. We knew it needed to be done, but having time to think about what was about to happen wasn't the most reassuring feeling. My parents came up and watched Dallas so I could be at the hospital with Dan. I would come home at night to have dinner with my parents and Dallas and then put him to bed. It was so fun to see how Dallas knew and loves his Mimi and Papa. Being a parent now and seeing the love my parents show to Dallas I understand a little bit better why I turned out so great... I had the best parents to raise me!

We were also once again showered with overwhelming kindness from our friends and neighbors. Surgery was a HUGE success. They cleaned out the infection, cut out the damaged bowl, and stapled Dan back up. We were only n the hospital for 4 nights. That is a record for fewest number of nights be half! It has been a very slow recovery, as imagined for being completely cut open, but Dan is on the mend.

We are now looking forward to re-booking out Hawaii trip and enjoying the warm weather of summer!