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