C's Blog

One Year

2009-09-23T03:37:40Z

Dear Leo, One year ago today, we were holding our brand new little you in our arms. It is almost impossible to believe that 12 months have passed. It is equally difficult to remember life before you arrived. You have formed a solid bond and lifelong friendship with your older brother, and especially of late, you have begun to play together and enjoy each others' company. It is incredible to witness. Tonight, in fact, you joined in on the wrestle-mania with Daddy and Isaac, asserting yourself when Isaac was pinned to the floor, by belly flopping right on top of him. For some reason, you wouldn't attack your father, just your brother. We all were in stitches. Even your target, poor Isaac, thought it was hysterical. I took the day off work today to be with you on your first birthday. All day you kept asking me, "Where's Izee?" and "Where's Daddy?" It always catches me off-guard when I hear a new phrase from you or when you try to repeat difficult words like, "delicious." Speaking of delicious, you've inherited my sweet tooth. There was no stopping you from your birthday cakes. We had a party with friends and family on Saturday and you dug right in! Tonight, we celebrated with red velvet cupcakes and you loved it. I think it's safe to say that you fully enjoyed your first birthday. And, so did we. We love you to pieces, Sugar Pie. No matter what your age, you'll always be our Baby Squirt.

Two Videos: Crawling and Bathroom Fun

2009-06-09T18:22:15Z

Leo has only been crawling for three days, but it seems that he gets better at it with each inch. Here is a video of him crawling at my parents' house, while I visited him at lunch: And, for the second video... Bryan and I have had our eye on this gadget for Isaac for a while. It's an attachment for your faucet that senses the temperature of the water. If the water is cold, it shines a blue light. If the water is hot, it shines a red light. We knew Isaac would get a huge kick out of this gadget. What we didn't expect was Leo's reaction: I know parents say this all of the time, but time really has flown with Leo. He's already eight months old and we can hardly believe it. Lucky for us, there's usually a camera handy, video or otherwise, to help us remember. I find myself hugging a little bit longer and concentrating on remembering how it feels to hold my baby in my arms and scoop Isaac up when I get home from work. I can't freeze time, but I can enjoy it while it's here. And, at that, I try to do my best.

Welcome Tiago Andrew Hoyne Gomes!

2009-04-28T14:24:25Z

Again, I'm an aunt! (And it never gets old.) Tiago (pronounced TEE-ah-Go) Andrew made his entrance to the world at 5:43 am on Monday, April 27th, weighing in at 9lbs, 3 oz and 21.75 inches long! He is, so far, the biggest baby born from the Hoyne sisters. (Way to go, Kissie!) Tiago celebrates his birthday with our Dad. (Can you have a better birthday present than a grandson being born ON your birthday?!) Mama (Kristin) is doing great and Daddy (Carlos) and big sister Sofia couldn't be more proud of the newest Gomes. Click here to see more photos of Tiago. I have a superstition that babies don't come when I have items in-progress on my knitting needles for them. As Tiago's due date approached, I dared not tell Kristin about my superstition, but I did promise her belly that I would finish knitting before he came home from the hospital. Late last night, at 1:45am, I finished. : ) Now, to see if these teeny-tiny bootees fit these long feet of his... (*UPDATE* They do not fit! I have to make him bigger bootees!!)

Leo on Board

2009-03-06T15:46:57Z

After working extra hours last week, I find myself with a day off on one of the most beautiful days. The kids were still expected at day care and Bryan is booked at work. So with a day to myself, what do I do? I considered going shopping or getting my hair cut, but instead, I find myself on a patio, at the starbucks nearest Leo, doing computer maintenance. Me? A Geek? Nah! : ) One of the items that has been on my task list for a while is posting this photo of Leo: I think Leo enjoyed this as much as his brother and I each did when we were his size. Isaac:

Caron:

Now, excuse me while I continue to absorb as much spring as I can today.

Two Friends Laughing

2009-01-06T04:38:18Z

When Isaac refers to our family, he calls us "friends." If he wants us all to do something, he directs "all four friends" to do it. I present to you, Two Friends Laughing:

Both videos from early January (Leo: 15 weeks and Isaac: 7 weeks)
Both inspired by the goofiest friend in our house, Daddy
Both, by coincidence, wearing the same outfit!

Leo: 1/5/2009 Isaac: 1/2/2005 Music to my ears. : )

3 Months

2008-12-22T20:37:18Z

Dear Leo,

It's hard to believe that I delivered a teeny baby 3 months ago.

You are growing so fast. I now know what people mean when they say the time flies with a baby. I'm constantly attempting to memorize your coos, laughs, faces of glee and worry. It's a never-ending battle against time.

Thanks to your brother, I already know how to do most tasks one-handed. You're pretty easy-going to let me do what I need, as long as it only requires one hand. : ) For instance, right now: I've become an incredibly efficient one-handed typer. For this reason, I've been using my wraps a lot and they've been worth every penny.

In a couple of weeks, our world is going to turn upside down: I'll return to work, and you'll start spending your days between day care and Nana's house. Luckily, for both of us, I'll be able to visit you every day at lunch, and I think we will both be thankful for that. By the time Isaac was your age, I had already been back to work for five weeks. The decision to stay home with you longer was an easy one to make.

I just realized that today is our last full day together by ourselves at home. Daddy is taking off work between the holidays and Isaac will be home with us for part of the day tomorrow. I'm glad to have realized this before it was too late.

Life for us now is one big transition after another and I can't imagine what it would be like in any other way.

I love you very much, Leo.

Love,
Mommy

Four Years

2008-11-15T03:34:23Z

Dear Isaac,

I should be sleeping. Your little brother is asleep and I should follow suit while you finish watching your movie with Daddy downstairs. In fact, your father will be upset when he reads this, but I feel that I should write a quick message to you before I forget the simple details of this time in our lives.

Today is your fourth birthday. In many ways, it seems like it's gone all too fast. In many more ways, it feels like you should be eight. : ) Nonetheless, it's been super fun so far, and we've only got four years under our belts.

There is so much to chronicle that I will write you a separate letter and mail it, as I have each year around your birthday. Let me just take a minute to list the cute, or as you would correct me, "cool" things that you say in your day-to-day life:
     - "it misappeared!"
     - "I don't know that!"
     - "Where you taking me?" (Said each morning on our way to school/Grammy & Papa's/Nana & Papa's)
     - "What's that says?"
     - "Drive with TWO HANDS!"
     - "Daddy, I can't knit whey you hold me." ('Knitting' is what Isaac does with his 'Blankie with the Stars' before sleeping. He circles fuzz from the blanket around his finger until it makes a circle. We find fuzzy circles everywhere.)
     - "Not a kiss. Just a hug." (When saying goodbye) or "Just a pretend kiss" (blowing a kiss)
     - "It's morning time! The Sun is awake!"
     - "I'm an Engine Turtle!" (aka Ninja Turtle)
     - "I'm prac-ten-ice!" (instead of "I'm practicing.")
     - "PU! Yuck! That's disgusting!"
     - "I love you for this many!" (holding up his hands with all of his fingers spread apart.)
     - "Four friends eat dinner/in the car/etc" (referring to the four people in our faimily)

There are so many... I know I'm missing some. The best part of hearing you talk right now are your conversations. The other day I heard you say, "I did really well, didn't I?" And, I thought, "He just used the word 'well' correctly?! I don't think I knew how to properly use 'well' vs. 'good' until I was an adult!"

You're definitely a big kid now. Confident and secure in your ways. You make friends easily, and with everyone that we meet. In fact, you can't go to the grocery store without introducing yourself to at least three people who have lengthy conversations with you.

It's fun. Four is fun. Each day I know you more and I can't wait to see what you learn next.

I love you to pieces, Little.

Love, Mommy

p.s. Please keep singing and dancing. Please, please, please.

Leo Frederick Arnold

2008-10-01T12:23:04Z

Introducing
Leo Frederick Arnold

Born September 22, 2008 at 4:11 am
7 lbs, 1 oz and 20 inches long

We couldn't be happier. Our new family of four is wonderful!

We are frequently adding new photos to my flickr photostream:
www.flickr.com/photos/caronarnold/

Welcome Andrew Patrick Dannan!! : )

2008-08-02T14:55:19Z

I'm so excited to announce that my little sister, Sara, and brother-in-law, Ryan, made me an aunt again! Our new nephew is perfectly beautiful.

We visited the new expanded family late last night.

Here are his credentials:
Born: 08-01-08 at 10:58pm
8 lbs, 8 oz and 20.5 inches long

Drew: I can't wait to get to know you and watch you grow up with our little Squirt! We love you very, very much!

Sar & Ry: congratulations! Welcome to the craziest and coolest ride of your life! : )

Another Generation of Arnold Brothers

2008-05-19T18:03:53Z

This morning we had our 20 week ultrasound for Baby Arnold #2 and...

It's another BOY! : )

We are thrilled. It will be fun to have brothers!

The doctor said that everything looks perfect. The baby is healthy and the due date is on target. There's only one alarming thing: this baby is bigger than Isaac. He's measuring in the 90th percentile. The doctor didn't expect that to cause any concern. He'll just be a big healthy baby.

With the addition of my sister, Sara's, baby in late July (also a boy: Baby Drew) and ours, we've evened out the score on my side of the family: 3 girls, 3 boys. Isaac will no longer be outnumbered.

Click on the images below to enlarge:

Now, the pressure is on Bryan. He claims that since I selected Isaac's name, he gets to pick this one. We still loved the girl's name that we had agreed on during our first pregnancy, but it's back to the drawing board... The name will remain a secret, though, as it did for Isaac. And, as indecisive as we are, that's a good thing. : )

Oh, one more detail: the Cesarean Section is scheduled for September 29th. It's a Monday. Mark your calendars!

Guess What!?

2008-03-03T03:41:52Z

Well, hello! : ) It's been a little while, hasn't it.

I'm breaking my blog silence with some big news... We're expecting baby #2!

I'm 9 weeks pregnant right now, which makes my due date October 7th, 2008 (Bryan's Birthday). However, this next delivery will be a scheduled C-Section, so if all goes as planned, I'll probably be scheduled a week or two prior to my due date.

At my first prenatal visit, I measured big, so the doc scheduled an ultrasound. On Friday, Leap Day, we were able to get a first peek at the newest addition to our family. Seen below are two images. One is actual size and the other is zoomed. The baby's head is near the bottom of the screen and you can see two little stubs for arms and two little stubs for legs.

Click to enlarge:

We are very excited. When I saw the first glimpse of the baby on the screen, happy tears rolled out of my eyes. There is nothing else like that experience in the world. It's simply amazing.

Isaac has no idea what he's in for. At the moment, if you try to tell him that there's a baby in Mommy's belly he says, "no. There's a baby in Isaac's belly." : )

I think Harley knows I'm pregnant. She's been hanging out by my side and has been very loving toward all of us recently.

Before I sign off, I'd like to mention Bryan's new website: www.bryanarnold.com. He's recently added a bunch of miscellaneous photos and videos that he had on his computer that aren't published on my blog. When you have a minute, click the link above and check it out.

So long for now, but not for too long. : )

Three Today

2007-11-14T20:13:25Z

When I dropped Isaac off at school this morning, we were running late. It was almost 8:30 am. I was a little frazzled until I realized that today's tardiness allowed me to be with Isaac at the exact time of his birth, 8:28 am.

In many ways, these years have flown by faster than I could have imagined. In many other ways, it is very hard to remember what life was like before Isaac came along.

This morning, in my weepy, reflective state, I pulled up all of the desktop backgrounds that have filled my computer screens at work for the past three years.

Click to enlarge:

January 2005

February 2005

April 2005

June 2005

Fall 2005

Spring 2006

Summer 2006

Winter 2006

Fall 2007

These backgrounds have kept me sane at work. They make me realize what really matters when work stress overwhelms me. And this morning, they made me realize how fast he's grown.

Happy Birthday, Isaac. I love you very, very much.

Still Alive, Folks! : )

2007-11-05T22:47:25Z

So, yeah... it's been a while. We're still here! : )

Things are busy. Good and busy. I will catch you all up very soon. For now, here's a family picture from Halloween of Bryan and I with our Stormtrooper.

And, look who's here!! Sofia, my niece, and her parents (Kristin & Carlos) are moving to STL from State College, PA!

More soon...

Welcome, Blake Thomas!

2007-08-24T20:28:29Z

Congratulations to the Greeninger family!

Blake Thomas was born today at 7:55 AM, weighing 8 lbs, 3 oz and 20" long! Dave wrote an email and said that Mom & Baby are doing great. He also wrote, "He looks like his mom, we think, but the grandmas say he looks like Chase's Baby pics."

You can see Chase's baby pics here: http://www.bryanandcaron.com/chase_index.html

I think he looks like his Mommy, too. : )

Congratulations, Kel, Dave, & Chase! He's a keeper!

Our Family Doctor

2007-08-20T15:27:05Z

This past weekend, my brother-in-law, Carlos, graduated with his Ph.D. in engineering from Penn State!

Congratulations, Carlos! We are all so proud of you!