Taking Charge

Today I am on my own. Tim left us this morning to go back to work, which means there is no one to wrestle the little guy who learned how to throw a temper tantrum this week. (Bright side, he also learned how to dance!) Mason has been Tim's constant shadow since Brielle came along. He has not been a fan of me or the new addition.

However, today has gone remarkably well. Both children have been bathed, smeared with good-smelly baby lotion, fed and cuddled. Then I figured, since both kids are clean at the same time, I better document.

Mason is ok with touching the baby, he is NOT ok with the baby touching him. After he tried to smother her with his hands and push her off the bed I decided he might need a little more adjustment time before we schedule another photo op.

A new human

She finally came! After a long, but smooth and easy VBAC (only 15 minutes of pushing after about 20 hours of labor) our little girl joined our family.

Brielle Arbon

Born January 27, 2011

7 pounds 12 ounces

20 inches

A complete joy

Just the Beginning

A new little girl will be joining our family any day now. Every time I think about it I am struck with this crazy reality that the majority of my life will be spent raising kids. That is so overwhelming. Adjusting to being a stay-at-home mom was kind of a big undertaking for me. Now that I finally feel like I've gotten the hang of it (and I've realized how valuable my time with Mason really is), I'm a little nervous about changing the dynamic.

That being said...I can't wait! I mean, I am going nuts with anticipation to meet her. I am so excited about being a mom to a newborn again. Little Mason was a ridiculously good baby and I'm hoping it's a trend that continues. If all my kids are this adorable, I've got it made.

18 Months

Merry Little Christmas

This family had the best Christmas. It was my favorite since I've been married, I think. I loved all the shopping and decorating and preparing more than usual this year. I am now sitting in a messy house wishing life could pause for just a few more days the way it does on Christmas. This is how we spent the holiday...

Christmas Eve Eve Eve - Miles and Betsey were on their way to Washington for the week so we had an early celebration of lamb stew, gifts and pool.

Christmas Eve Eve - The annual Arbon family Christmas party at Tim's parents' house. Lasagna and banana splits every year, followed by the kids' gift exchange and then the adult's As Seen on TV gift exchange game.

Christmas Eve - Our tradition of Mexican fare and more gifts! My mom has an amazing ten foot tree in her living room, but how adorable is this little tree with all of our childhood ornaments.

 

Christmas Day - Mason couldn't be bothered to have breakfast before presents, so he had to do both at once. Then ham dinner/lunch and more visiting the relatives.
 

 

 

The best part of all of these pictures has got to be the family. I love living so close to so many of the people we love! And just because I couldn't get a single picture of Mason looking at the camera with all those presents to focus on...

Some Things

Ahhhhh, the holidays are upon us. I love this time of year, just like nearly everyone else. I think the best part is how happy everyone tries to be. You do things you love with people you love. I can't think of anything better.

We kicked off the season with Thanksgiving with both families. Tim's for lunch, mine for dinner. I've been missing a lot of opportunities to take pictures lately, and I stole these of my mom's beautiful table from Emily.

Then of course - tree shopping. We get a real tree every year and it's a tradition I just can't give up. Mason thought the trees were both terrifying and hilarious. He wasn't about to touch them but he sure thought it was funny when we tried to make him.
 

 

Best of all, today is Tim's birthday! He was born 28 years ago today...that is reason to celebrate. I'm so lucky to have this guy as my husband. I could just talk about how amazing he is all day. It's so fun being in love with him.
 

And as a bit of side note, check out how much the kid has changed since today last year...