Best Birthday Ever - You Only Turn 30 Once

Ok, first of all, I have to say that I have the most incredible husband! It really took a lot of work to surprise me with a romantic kid-less birthday weekend getaway! We haven't had alone time since Ari was born, and we really needed it!

Aaron did all the planning and preparation. He arranged with my work in advance for me to have Friday off and he arranged for Ari to stay with our dear friend (and caregiver for Ari during the work week) for the weekend. We have never both left Ari overnight before so this was a big deal for us. Of course we missed him like crazy and were so happy to see him on Sunday. :)

Aaron took me to The Stephanie Inn in Cannon Beach, OR. We got engaged there in 2005 and we also celebrated our one year anniversary there in 2007. It's such an amazing place! It's so beautiful. We really really love it there. Here is the view from our ocean front room -Right after we arrived at the Inn, Aaron had another surprise waiting for me - a massage! I got to go to the spa Friday afternoon and relax - it was incredible. I haven't been that relaxed in a long time. We spent the rest of the weekend eating fancy meals, walking on the beach, shopping and relaxing. We loved it. :) This seriously was the best birthday ever!

Big News & a Promise

Well, we have some big news to share! Ari is going to be a big brother! So, another adventure awaits! Here is our first ultrasound picture of him or her, at 11 weeks. I am due August 29th 2011. We are so very excited! We will find out the sex in a few weeks.I am 16 weeks pregnant now, and as I was uploading that ultrasound picture I felt baby movements! I thought I had been feeling something the last couple of days, but tonight I'm for sure! Such an amazing feeling.

Anyway, I also want to renew a promise I have made on this blog before. I am going to keep this blog updated, and do it more frequently. I realize that this is an important place for family and friends to get updates, but also for an archive of my families memories and adventures! So...here we go - I WILL post more!! :)

Almost 2...

Our little bundle is going to be 2 years old next month. Can you believe it? We certainly can't. Its been an amazing 2 years watching Ari grow and develop into such a sweet loving little boy. I thought it would be fun to take a trip down memory lane of the last two years. It doesn't seem that long ago since I was bouncing, burping, swaddling, rocking and making silly coocoo baby noises with him. Our little boo is getting so big!

39 weeks pregnant

Just born 12/27/2008
A few minutes old 12/27/2008Twoweeks oldThree Months Old
Six Months Old
9 Months
10 Months
12 Months
14 Months
18 Months 22 Months
Time sure goes by fast!

Mt. Rainier with Organic Sprouts

Ari is back at his original and our favorite school, Organic Sprouts. They go on all kinds of field trips and have a lot of fun together. :) We are VERY happy to be back! They took a trip to Mt Rainier and went on a little hike and picnic. He had so much fun. Here is a link to facebook for pictures!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=478003&id=872115374&l=7b2032146c

August Update

Its been way too long since I've posted, and just realized that I didn't do any blogging in August! Jeez. So, just a little update on Ari - he is growing up so fast. He says new words everyday, and is repeating and mimicking us all the time. We have to be really careful now! Here are a few recent pictures of our little man.With second cousin Isabel, but more like Auntie Isabel, the night before she left town for a year in Switzerland.
Ari and Jackson, at the Caspar Babypants concert.
Sorry for the sideways picture, the boo in his tank top at lincoln park.
Bubbies birthday was in August and we sent her this cute picture. :)

More updates soon!

Sunday Trip to the Zoo

Today we went to the zoo with Oliver and Naomi. It was such a beautiful day to be outside and we all had so much fun! :) We got there right when the zoo opened, which was a great idea because parking was easy and it wasn't packed at the exhibits yet. So the boys got to see lots of animals up close!

Probably one of Ari's favorite things was the tractor. So cute!

We stopped for snacks and bubbles...I didn't get too many pictures but I got this one of Naomi blowing bubbles....the boys loved to chase them.

And this one of Ari giving Oliver snap peas....Great day at the zoo!!! I bought a membership today so we will be going back lots more!

The Jules Come to Seattle!

What a beautiful weekend in Seattle. Blue skies, warm weather, and a nice breeze. What a perfect time for our favorite Californians to visit Washington. We got to spend a few hours with Tracey, Claudio and baby Siena before their flight left last night. Tracey's parents drove them from Sequim to our house, then we went out to dinner and dropped them off at the airport. We got some time at our house to introduce Siena and Ari. Ari was happy to share his cars with her and also tried to "share" a cheddar bunny with her (oops)! He kept saying "baby!" and pointing at Siena. We got Ari to sit next to Siena for a few shots.
After hanging out at the house we went out to eat at Claim Jumper. It was close to the airport and seemed like a big loud place suitable for loud kids (Ari). Ari did pretty well through dinner, he got pretty agitated and impatient half way through and just wanted to get down and play. He really wanted to sit on Claudio's lap and color...he liked that a lot. :)Siena is such a well behaved little one! She was happy in her car seat or in mommy's lap and even sat in my lap for awhile. :)

While it was a short visit, it was so much fun to see them and finally get to meet baby Siena!