Arnold Family

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Welcome Sweet Baby Noreen Mary!

It's official! Pat and I are the proud parents of a beautiful and amazing baby girl! On Monday, December 3rd at 10:09am we got the greatest surprise of our lives as we welcomed Noreen Mary Arnold into the world.

In the operating room, we waited anxiously for that little baby cry and for those three words from our our doctor - It's a __________! And she uttered GIRL! I remember gasping and looking at Pat who turned red in the face and he kept saying, "It's a girl, It's a girl!" I remember sobbing hysterically at the excitement and shock - as anyone who knew we were pregnant knew we were sure it was going to be a boy!

We are so thrilled to have her in our family and we feel so complete and perfect at this moment! This remarkable 8 pound, 2 ounce and 20-inch spectacle has graced our lives and we can't imagine what it was like before her already!

She looks exactly like Auggie did when he was born, minus the two dimples and Christmas hat! We have been blown away at how wonderful Auggie has been in welcoming her and adjusting with the life change. He is so gentle, loving and concerned with her and her well-being. So far, so good! It was one of the sweetest moments when we introduced her to him at the hospital. He came in wearing his BIG BROTHER shirt carrying a pink stuffed monkey for her and immediately said, "Where's Nori?" Though he isn't so sure about holding her yet, he is obsessed with giving kisses and patting her and making sure she has a blankie.

Pat and I are already ecstatic and thinking about all the new adventures we can take as a foursome as well as all those Mommy/Daughter dates and Daddy/Daughter dances!

We have been home exactly two weeks now, recouping pretty well and getting used to having a newborn around again. The holidays have really crept up on us and we are trying to get ready and get in the spirit of things - though we feel we have received the best Christmas gift of all a little early. We have had our first outing to the mall to stroll around as well as took a drive or two to look at all the beautiful Christmas lights and at least get some fresh air! We look forward to Christmas and spending it as a new family and laying low for New Year's, ringing in another year of excitement.

Special thanks to all those who have stopped by the house or hospital, dropped a note or gift and wished us well and congratulations! We can't wait to introduce our newest addition to you soon!

We hope you have a great holiday and a marvelous new year!

xoxoxo

Saturday, December 1, 2012

To The Future Big Brother

Dear Auggie,

You will make the best big brother. I am so confident in that and so is dad! We can't wait to see you in action. You may only be 2 1/2 years old, but you have a tender-heart and a spectacular personality. You are such a wonderful little boy. We can't imagine life without you and we are so thrilled to say we have known you your whole life :)

Dad and I have tried to make these last few weeks with you as our only child, our only baby, as special as we could. We wanted to spend some quality time with you, enjoying just you - as we know our lives will all change. For the better of course, but it is surely going to be different. And I want to remember the special things we did! And I want you to know how excited and happy you were to have mom and dad together with you giving you such undivided attention, doing some extraordinary things. We have never seen so many smiles and so many squeals from you. It is the best feeling ever.

You and I spent one Friday night at the tree lighting in McHenry while daddy was working. I let you pick out any cookie you wanted from the coffee stand and you got to eat that M&M-studded cookie in the front seat of the parked car while we waited for the festivities to begin. We had a nice conversation. You had a cookie for dinner, you were thrilled. Then we stepped out into the brisk night and you shrieked once the lights went on. You ran up and down the gazebo ramp at Veterans Park after it was over screaming with glee. "I'm running up Mama! I'm running down Mama!" I was never so happy we did something spur of the moment. It was then that your love of Christmas lights was born, I think!

Your first Christmas we took you to see the Zoo Lights in Chicago at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Last year we didn't go because it rained cats and dogs. But we decided to make the trek again this year the Saturday after Thanksgiving even though I was 38 weeks pregnant. We knew you would enjoy all the lights and spending time with Sam and Jack too. You were in love. We saw you smile and pose for the camera so many times that we knew you were ecstatic. When you blurted "This is spectacular!", we about died! What a fun family tradition we have started.

I know its blurry, but we loved this picture because you were so smiley!

We went out on Monday to get our tree so that we could decorate our house and get everything ready before the baby comes. We knew if we went on a weekday, we would be the only ones there and we could drive up and find our tree without having to walk ten miles! Not fun for pregnant mom. We put on the Charlie Brown Christmas CD and drove out to the tree farm, full of anticipation. You loved running around all the pine trees as dad and I debated on which one would be the perfect addition to our front window this year. You picked up branches and called them your trees. You had to bring one in the car with you, which now sits on your shelf next to Oscar the Grouch. We knew you would want to help dad cut the tree down, and sure enough you were enthralled with it. You kept bending down to see what he was doing. Then we got back in the car, paid and decided we would have breakfast as a family of three. Our best breakfast yet! You ate all your pancakes, slurped down your milk and and played with puzzles the entire time.

You and I spent Tuesday at Starbucks visiting Mimi and Aunt B and Gail and Ann and Leon for a last morning out. While I enjoyed a coffee, you were on top of the world as you got to have a Snowman cookie and chocolate milk for breakfast. Such a lucky boy!

On Wednesday, we took you swimming in Lake Geneva at the water park first thing in the morning. We got the entire water park to ourselves for an hour and watched you revel in playing in the pool, so much more comfortable with the whole concept since this summer. I got to sit in the sun in the warm water (pretending I was in Hawaii) and watch you and dad splash and laugh and go up and down the water slides. Unfortunately, there are no pictures as we were all in the water for an hour and a half. But trust me, you had a blast! And so did we.

You and dad set up the train around the tree one afternoon...something dad has done for you every year since you were born. He gets as excited about it as you. You sat together and watched it go around and around. This year dad has taught you to work it all on your own. And at least two or three times a day, I hear you say to dad, "Dad, you want to play trains with me?" And I hear the same response from dad each time, no matter what he is doing. "Sure, buddy. I'll play trains with you." And you will turn on the light to the train and watch it circle two or three times.

And one morning, you and I just snuggled together, under blankets, watching Sesame Street. And I thought, what a great feeling! You normally aren't a "snuggler" but today you sat so close and I cherished each second.

So, dad went to work tonight and you and I were here to keep each other company and did our nightly routine. We climbed into my bed and you got to pick out all the books you wanted to read. You brought in your blanket and your noni and we snuggled close on top of all the pillows and we read till your hearts content. Then, you climbed into your big boy bed and we turned on your Charlie Brown Christmas lights and you oohed and ahhhed. Then I tucked you in and I threw the blankets up like parachutes until they fell on your smiling face. I gave you a kiss, rubbed your nose and then I had a few tears, thinking, this is the last night I will tuck in my only baby, my first baby before #2 comes along. It will never be just you and me again. And though it will be amazing to have another addition, it was a special 2 1/2 years with just you.

And you touched my face as I said, "I love you, Auggie."

"I love you too, Mom." You said, so wonderfully.

And then out of nowhere you said to me "Don't be sad at all, Mom. It will be okay." Who knew you would have such wisdom? I, of course, lost it. And through my tears, I said, "Yes, it will be okay. You'll be a great big brother."

And I closed your door and thought of something I was reminded of the other day - my most important job right now is being a mom. The most important role in my life, probably. And there are days I feel so fulfilled, there are days I could resign, there are days that I can't wait to get up and go to "work" and there are days I am challenged and need to fake it to make it. And now I am being promoted to mom of two! And I am so happy to have you, Auggie, by my side to help me and to be the greatest big brother and most wonderful son and helper you can be.

I love you so! I hope you will always know!

xoxoxo Mama

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Getting Up to Speed

Oh Life...how you just happen!

I logged onto our blog today and can't believe how long ago it has been since I have updated. I don't even know if you can call what I am doing updating! I have been so tardy (so much that I forgot the password). Don't we all have the best intentions and then what happens? Life? A two-year old? Cleaning a house? Working a job? Making dinner? Passing out at 9pm? Finding out you are expecting again - quite a joyful surprise??

So here we are in the throws of November 2012 and life has happened all around. So much so that I have a million pictures on Shutterfly and my phone that I can't afford to print them all. Today's computers are the new "holder" for pictures that our parents box of photographs was. My mom has boxes of loose photos that aren't necessarily organized, but at least they are printed, right?

Since the last of our posts, so much has happened that I can't even begin to share! But here are some recent highlights of our life to catch you up just a smidge before the next year and a half when I post again.

Auggie turned 2 in April and we celebrated by heading downtown Chicago to the Children's Museum followed by a trip to Sprinkles cupcakes for treats!

Cousin Jaxon came over for the birthday celebration and the two got to play together with the new toys before putting on jammies and heading to bed.

A few weeks later, we had a Sesame Street themed birthday party for our little guy! Complete with friends and family, we had a blast getting ready for the special day with decorating and putting special touches on to make it memorable.

Pat put his saw and handiwork to the test and created a homemade Oscar the Grouch! It was the hit of the party. Complete with an old garbage can that sat outside for a year and Slimy the worm. We all wore special Sesame shirts too!

Sitting on the food table before the party begins with all his favorite "people" behind him.

We welcomed guests to Sesame Street! Another one of Pat's creations.

The last two birthday parties of Auggie's, I was determined to make the desserts. So, this year I made Cookie and Elmo cupcakes for guests.

In the midst of Easter and our April family birthday marathon, we found out we were expecting Baby Arnold #2! It was quite surprise, one we are really excited and happy about!

Right after receiving the exciting news, Pat and I headed to California to visit friends and celebrate the wedding of my college roommate Jen!

Jen and Loreal - probably the most touching wedding I have ever had the honor of attending!

College friend Mariposa and I at the San Francisco Giants game.

Pat enjoying the famous garlic fries at the stadium I had been talking about for 9 years.

Summer came and went and we did a ton of really fun stuff: Auggie's first trip to the movie theatre, a boys campout, swimming, baseball games and taking a mini-vacation to our fav spot (as you now know) Door County.

Auggie and I headed down to the theatre one day to catch The Muppets movie. It was his first outing to the show and he did fantastically. So much so, that Pat wanted to join in the fun the next time around...

Pat and Auggie on the yearly boys campout getting ready for bed in the tent. Unfortunately, Auggie got sick and they had to head home early, but they sure look like they are having fun!

We spent many a day (and evening) at the Woodstock Water Works where mom developed a pretty nice tan and Auggie became acquainted with the water!

And he learned the joy and pleasure of Popsicles while just sitting on the slip and slide. No need to go down it, of course! Just let the hose run, right?

On vacation feeding the goats.

Eating dinner at one of our fav restaurants in Door County, the Wild Tomato.

Playing on the beach with mom! Notice the sand in the eyes. Is it really a beach day without sand in every crevice? For days?

Smiling for the camera at the fish pond at the Good Egg.

Third stop on baseball tour of America this summer - Miller Park for the Brewers Game.

Annual Chicago Cubs game.

Great smile with Papa Arnold!

Then we headed into fall and it brought so much more fun!

My wonderful sister-in-laws through me a diaper shower for baby #2! In case you didn't know, the Arnold family will expand by 3 new grandchildren the end of this year!!!