SantaLand Diaries......

Ari got a chance to visit the big jolly guy from the North Pole the other day. He was so funny - everyone warned me that he would probably cry but nope not this little one - he loved every second of it.
Oh the magic of Christmas

Homecoming

December 3rd, 2007 - We brought Ari home for the very 1st time....
December 3rd, 2008 - and there I was, bringing Ari home AGAIN
WHAT ?!?!?

SURPRISE (well to my family at least) - Ari and I jumped on a plane and flew home (well to my childhood home) to visit family. We were very sneaky about it and only Oma was in on the big surprise... (I wouldn't have told her either except I needed a lot of baby supplies to be ready and waiting for me when we got here and I needed a ride home from the airport)
So we left for Wisconsin yesterday at 4:00pm and arrived in wintery Milwaukee at 12:00am, needless to say it was a L O N G day. Ari was such a trooper on both flights... agh I truly am blessed

Oh and Ari wanted to thank Birthday Dog ( Oma, Opa, Grandma, Grandpa, Ernie, Carina, G.Grandma Palla, Uncle Sam, Melissa, Bethany and Robert) He got just about everything on his list which means Santa is going to have to get creative.....

Well I need to go back to bed - but more posts to follow with pictures from our adventures in this winter wonderland ( see I can say that cause back home in California its like eighty degrees)

Let the PARTY begin

Sorry if the last post bummed you out -
Have no fear Ari partied like a ROCK STAR today


Here he is for his birthday photo with his best friend Leo the Lion


By the time Grandpa Jeff came home Ari wasn't exactly feeling the Birthday Boy hat


WOW look at all his loot - somebody is VERY loved... Thank you, Oma & Opa, Uncle Sam, Bethany, Melissa & Robert, Carina & Ernie, Grandma & Grandpa and Great Grandma Palla



Ari dug right into his presents and was really excited for all the cars and the ride on toy - he got lots of toys that make noise.... (we are so thrilled )


I asked Ari what he wanted for a birthday cake and he decided on chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese frosting - I made the cupcakes, and not to brag or anything but they were way better then Sprinkles




after cake and visiting with friends, playing with his new toys and running around with Grandpa... Ari passed out - like a true rock star





- When a child is born, so is a mother.....


thank you Ari for making me a mom, for filling my heart with so much love it feels like it is going to burst - each and every day -

I live to love you



Mom

Happy Birthday Ari

Ari turned one today... at exactly 11:09am Ari turned 1. I have known this day was going to come, I knew it would come long before I knew what color hair Ari would have, what his laugh would sound like, or what his favorite song would be... but it didn't make it any easier on me. My baby turned one today....


Don't misunderstand me - I am happy and excited, I am overwhelmed with happiness everyday thanks to this little man who has stolen my heart, BUT
I am sad


Dads don't understand, (I don't blame you Ryan) it is different for them, for Ryan Ari's first birthday is a milestone that means he is just that much closer to the day they can play catch in the back yard, go on bike rides, teach Ari how to golf- I get it and I am excited for those things too, BUT


for me today also meant I was one step closer from not having a baby anymore (Although in spirit Ari you will always be my baby) it may be just a baby step, but today was a step for Ari towards independence... A year ago when they placed him in my arms - he needed me - completely and today one year later - he needs me a little less


I know this is the plan and I can see the beauty in it - I know that the goal here is independence, and I am proud of Ari and Ryan and I for how far we have come in a year .... BUT forgive me for needing just this tiny moment to be sad
It went so fast, (and I know how cliche that sounds) I think back to all the people who warned me how fast it would go - and during the sleepless nights, and the constant feedings I foolishly rolled my eyes at them thinking
there was NO WAY this would go fast - but here I am knocked flat on my bum trying to figure out how in the world my six month old turned ONE

Dear Santa and Birthday Dog?!?,

We were thinking about Christmas and how quickly it will be here (I have to keep reminding myself since the weather is anything but winter around here) anyway, we were thinking about how this is Ari's 2nd Christmas but really more like his 1st since he was mostly asleep and only a few weeks old the first time around.
Ari got real excited and wanted to make his Christmas list for Santa and his birthday list for....
Who do you make a birthday list for- Easter has a bunny, and Christmas has Santa, and Thanksgiving turkey, Halloween has the great pumpkin, new years baby, Uncle Sam and the 4th of July and on and on and on - but what, or who is our patron "emblem" of birthdays - ???
and so it was decided - the Birthday Dog - perfect (oh Berkelee how we miss you)

So that being decided and finalized - here it is... Ari's 1st Birthday/ Christmas letter

Dear Birthday Dog and Santa ( I hope you are not offended that I didn't write separate letters, that is a lot to do for someone who is busy scaling the furniture for my next adventure) any way ...

Dear Birthday Dog and Santa ....

How are you guys doing? Santa how is Mrs. Claus treating you? Birthday Dog how are the flees? I am doing quite well - I started crawling what seems like ages ago and have been walking for the last two months, agh its fantastic the things I can get into and the messes I can make. Oh and I am quite speedy, and smart - baby locks are no match for me...

I love my new home in California, the weather is so much nicer then it was in Utah, I am still in shorts, isn't that just a hoot, its the middle of November and I am in shorts... oh yeah

Well I am sure you guys are busy so I don't want to take all your time, so here is my wish list I have been a really good boy this year and I promise to be a really good boy next year too thanks
Parents remote control racer
Little Tikes poptunes guitar
Little People Racing ramps garage
Tonka Wheel Pals cars
Baby's first Blocks
V-tech V. Smile baby
Mega Blocks

Thanks,
Ari


** dictated to mom from Ari **

p.s. we love our little guy

Can you blame me . . . .

Okay I can't promise that these are the last pictures of Ari I will post in his Halloween costume- but they probably will be.... but really can you blame me?

Happy 11 Months Ari

He just gets cuter and cuter .......

 

 

 

 

Happy 11 Month Birthday Ari-
you amaze me daily - I still can't believe how big you are. I am truly blessed to have a baby like you- easy going, brilliant and strong.

Latest Ari Stats

He is still walking around everywhere and getting REALLY fast -
Ari's favorite thing to do now is climb on anything and everything
He is getting slightly better at solid foods (he likes cheerios, mini M&M's and fruit leather)
Now he likes to make clicking noises with his tongue
He is very cuddly
Yesterday Ari climbed on the scale in the kitchen and he weighed in at 17.5 pounds


I couldn't resist taking his 11 month lion pictures in costume - Ari made the cutest lion ever and looks even more adorable sitting next to his best friend the lion

I had to laugh at this- the other day we got a mailer from some baby something or other about the countdown to Ari's first birthday (yikes I can't BELIEVE its almost been a year) anyway it had this detailed checklist of things you are supposed to do to plan a 1st birthday ... apparently I was supposed to start planning this celebration like a week after I found out I was pregnant!!!! No seriously it has lists of things I was supposed to do 8 weeks before, 6 weeks before... etc etc... Agh me, here it is four weeks before the big day and I haven't book a band, designed a cake, created a gift registry, sent out invites, not to mention I haven't planned a menu, booked a venue etc, etc, etc- I gotta stop blogging - I have A LOT OF party planning to do aghm

I am not a playgroup kinda mom....

On Friday I went to the Thousand Oaks Mall to get Ari's pictures taken ( I will post a link when I get it) The Thousand Oaks Mall has a really cute play area and unlike the Simi mall it is indoor so I like it better. I figured Ari was SO GREAT for the photo shoot that he deserved to have a little time to unwind in the play area. That is when I realised I am not a playgroup kinda mom, oh yeah - and I hate kids... (no not your kids of course I like your kids, I hate other people's kids... again NOT YOUR KIDS--- LOVE YOUR KIDS

  Case in point - this little girl would not leave Ari alone, kept trying to pick him up, push him around, tell me how cute he was, tell me what he wanted ("the baby wants you to stop following us around") She was cute - but I can only politely in my "nice mommy" voice tell someone to keep their hands to themselves so many times before I actually lose it. I couldn't even take a picture of Ari without her jumping in and putting her arm around him for the photo.... Where were her parents you might ask- oh sitting in the corner of the play area with the other mommies totally ignoring all of their children who were trying to pick up Ari. Every once and a while I would here a "Jayden keep your hands to yourself" or "please don't pick up other peoples babies" but no REAL parenting.... THANKS FOR THAT


 
 

So while Ari was sort of enjoying himself - when he was actually left alone - we did not stay at the play area for very long because I was about to have a break down. Maybe I am not cut up for playgroups..... (granted this wasn't really a playgroup - I mean the other moms knew each other so maybe it was their playgroup and I invaded their space- but whatever it was I just couldn't deal with all the "little helpers" touching and pushing and picking up MY CHILD)


*p.s. That little girl was not named Jayden - names have been changed to protect the youth - and she was not the only one "playing" with Ari- she was just the only one who actually put herself in the photo....

Halloween

These pictures were taken at Trunk or Treat, the Wednesday before Halloween-
On Friday when we went trick or treating - Ari fell asleep at the second house we went to, that however did not stop me from continuing to trick or treat to atleast forty more houses (I mean awake or not - it wasn't like he was going to get the candy anyway....)

 

 

 

 

Our Man Ari

Allow me to introduce you all to Our Man Ari- he is in fact magnificent, and a dare devil of sorts. Here he is doing his death defying dishwasher climb.....

 

He practices daily - every time he hears the dishwasher open he crawls into action

 

Ari performs everyday at 15 past the hour and tickets for his dare devil show sell out quickly so be sure to make an advanced purchase- the show promises to entertain

 

Tonight I worked the corner ....

That's right, tonight I worked the corner, and so did Ryan and a bunch of our friends and family.... NO not that (get your mind out of the gutter)
We waived signs for YES on 8
I was not thrilled at putting myself on a street corner displaying my beliefs, I mean I fully support Prop. 8 and I was happy that others were out there doing that and going door to door, but I wasn't really sure it was "my place" to take an actual stand-
But it is - it is all of our responsibilities to take a stand, for or against, McCain or Obama or Nader... it is our place. If you sit back and do nothing, you have no voice, no voice to complain when it doesn't go your way. I firmly believe that. If you believe it - truly believe - then you have to take a stand, its your right and your duty.

It was hard at first to see people giving us the "not so nice" waive or to hear the profanity that people felt they needed to share- but for every negative, we were given twenty positives. People were so nice and honked and waived. When it was time to go my arms were tired, but my spirit was strong. Pass or fail - I will know I took a stand.

“The issue before us with Proposition 8 is “marriage” – an ancient, yet modern, human institution which pre-exists both Church and government. Marriage, history shows us, is intrinsic to stable, flourishing and hospitable societies. Although cultural differences have occurred, what has never changed is that marriage is the ideal relationship between a man and a woman for the purpose of procreation and the continuation of the human race.

-A Statement of the Catholic Bishops of California in Support of Proposition 8: A Constitutional Amendment to Restore the Definition of Marriage.

For me Prop. 8 is not about hate- I do not hate those who do not share my beliefs. I simply feel that MARRIAGE is between a man and a women. It is simple - If God had put two Adams and two Eves in Separate gardens - we wouldn't be having this discussion because we wouldn't be here- I believe God's plan - I believe marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman and that it is the foundation of a family- and I believe it needs to be protected.

Ari the lion.mpg

We had our ward Halloween party last night and Ari's lion costume was finished just in time. Grandma Sharon and I worked very hard on this costume and it really paid off (I can really only take credit for the ribbons) Ari was not thrilled about wearing it and it did not help that he was running a slight fever, and that the Halloween costume was better suited for a Wisconsin Halloween instead of a 90 degree California Halloween. Any way it was adorable and Ari was adorable in it- sorry this was the best video I could get of him in it. He did a good job of keeping the outfit on although he wouldn't really crack a smile the whole night.
On another note- the Williams' women rule !!! There was a cooking contest for Chili and Salads at the party and out of four awards - Sharon and I cleaned house winning 3 of the 4 awards ( If I had entered a chili I am sure it would have been a total sweep) We couldn't help but feel proud and then a little embarrassed .... it was a two ward party and there were ALOT of entries we felt bad for a moment and then laughed..... we deserved it - it good eating at the Williams and now we have the awards to prove it
p.s. Isn't Ari adorable

Ari is a climbing fool

So my older sister left a comment on our last post about Ari being an early walker and mentioned that her son Tyler was an early walker and climber- well here you go Jill, Ari is following in his cousins footsteps. Ari climbs on anything he can find- he has the heart of a dare devil (thank goodness we are insured) I have a feeling this kid will be a regular at the emergency room and know the staff there by name. So far we haven't had any accidents- but the fearless fall alot - or so I have been warned.
Truly Ari is so much fun right now - he is constantly amazing me with how much he learns and how much he grows as an individual daily, he has such a unique and fun personality.
*** The cardboard box that Ari is standing on was not in the family room on the floor, before we got the video camera out Ari masterfully batted away at it on the kitchen table til it fell on the floor and then carried it into the family room so he could climb onto it.....

Ari first steps

This video is from back in September - Ari was "walking" by many peoples standards but my family doesn't consider it walking til they take 13 consecutive steps - ... judge for yourself-

ari walking

Here is video of Ari walking - he has been walking for about a month now and hardly ever crawls now. He is pretty much on the go from the moment he wakes up til the moment he falls asleep....

See I told you I was figuring out this video thing

Okay I posted about Ari's swim class earlier but that was before I schooled myself on Youtube and how our video camera worked... and I know I could have gone and edited that earlier post and added the video BUT who goes back and looks at old posts.... SO to make sure everyone watches the video that basically took me the better part of the day to figure out how to get on this blog- I made a new post.
Ari was such a champ in swim class- and we had such a good time together hanging out in the pool. The object of this little activity is to teach the babies not to go into the pool until they here you say "3" and then to immediately turn themselves around and hold onto the side of the pool. (The theory behind that is that it will become so routine to them that if they were to fall in to the pool on accident they would remember to turn around and hold the side) Ari was the littlest baby in the class but I think he did AMAZING

Our little guy

So I think maybe I am getting the hang of this whole posting video thing- I wouldn't say I was an expert but hopefully the three hours I have spent reading our video camera's owners manual and messing around on the internet have paid off. Now go pop some pop corn, grab a blanket, and watch some really awesome video on our blog.
This one is Ari, playing in the cupboard. This particular day he is actually playing in the cupboard that we have set up for him to play in (nothing dangerous, breakable, choking hazard, etc...) However MOST of the time Ari is messing around in cupboards that are NOT his and when you ask him if he is in his cupboard, he looks up at you and just laughs.... oh yes I have my hands full with this one.

10 Months old and growing ......

Ari turned 10 months old last week - he is growing up way too fast.






Here he is with his best friend, Lion -





Lastest stats on Ari
- he is walking around everywhere
- he still is not too sure about solid food
- his favorite tv shows are Charlie and Lola and Yo Gabba Gabba (that one is Ryan's fault)
- he loves to make crazy noises with his mouth
- he gets sweeter and smarter by the second

little man walking

Ari is walking - its official - he has taken his 13 consecutive, documented steps required to join the ranks of the walking population

*** video to follow, I am having technical difficulties, I am working on hiring someone to explain to me how you tube works

Oh Ari .....

you are such a fun little guy, always exploring and jabbering away





your laugh is infectious


It is already so obvious how much you love animals- you are so interested in all your surroundings


we have had so much fun getting to know you in these past months and everyday brings new accomplishments, skills, milestones and memories. We love you

Swim Class

Now that I am an at home mommy, Ari and I have been finding all sorts of activities to participate in. For September, we did Mom and Me swim, (isn't California amazing- its September and we are taking an outdoor swim class!!!!)
Ari loves the water and even before swim class we made it a point to take him in the pool every couple of days
He is a fish, just like his mommy was at his age



But we decided that an actual semi instructional class would probably benefit him more then the "lady days in the pool" that Ryan and I had to offer.



Mommy and Me swim was so fun, Ari absolutely loved the other babies in the class. He was the youngest and possibly the smallest, but he was a champ none the less.



The class was a combination of fitness for the Moms and introduction to water play for the babies. We even practiced climbing up the side of the pool and jumping in after the count to 3. Followed by turning baby around and holding the side of the pool unassisted. Ari had a little bit of trouble climbing out of the pool, simply based on size- but by the end of the classes he was a champ at holding on to the side of the pool unassisted. Here he is holding on to the pool with no help from me...





Ari and I both loved swim class and we are sad to see if come to an end for the season.

Happy Birthday Ryan

Happy Birthday Ryan -
For Ryan's birthday this year we went to Golf n Stuff in Ventura and played an awesome 18 holes... I won of course (what you expect me to let him win just cause it is his birthday)




While we were at the arcade at Golf n Stuff, Ari decided to take this sweet bike for a ride, he is such a rebel



Happy Birthday Ryan! We love you, thank you for being an awesome Dad and the best husband ever

A lion of a tale

Ari = Lion
Long before Ari was born someone told me to take his picture every month next to the same item so we could watch him grow. Fantastic I thought - Ari means lion in Hebrew, so I will just buy a giant stuft lion and it will be so cool. We found the perfect lion but it took us a while to actually purchase it- so here it is we got it just in time for Ari's 9 month birthday- which was the 1st of September, but like I mentioned in the earlier post - I have not had a chance to blog.
So here it is - only thing now is that it is pretty much near impossible to get Ari to actually just sit next his lion.....







A couple facts about Ari
He currently weighs 17 pounds
He is not so excited about solid food
Loves eating paper, chasing Dewey and getting into the cupboards
Is a chatterbox
Ari is moments away from taking his 13 steps*






** 13 steps is when Oma Sievert officially says they are walking- Ari has taken 11 steps in a row to my knowledge - so who knows what he does when I am not looking