WE ARE FAMILY .......

Finally - we had family portraits taken - and it went as good as could be expected since it was a last minute planning... (i.e. I was running around the mall Monday morning/afternoon trying to find outfits that worked for all of us, Ryan had to get a hair cut and I had to try to get Ari to take a decent nap, be fed and in a good "picture taking" mood.

So here they are:

Ari has the best curly hair but we never photography him on his curly days -

so I made sure Ari was having a curly day (I didn't brush it when it was wet)

so everyone could see my sweet baby with his curls...... LOVE HIM

And I have some really cute video from Ari's birthday which I would love to upload however the USB cable for our video camera has grown legs and walked away (probably looking for a better home that would use it more often) so until I can find a replacement card - no video - sorry

We didn't order a ton of Christmas cards (mostly because they due to our last minute photo shoot they will not be ready until the Tuesday before Christmas.....) so those of you who will be getting one will share the same blood as atleast one of us (that is how limited our order was) and they will most likely be late ..... so here it is for you to see if I don't get one in the mail for you

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARI BURTON

Happy Birthday Ari Burton. We love you so much. You have changed every aspect of our lives for the better- When I dreamed about the little boy we would have someday - you were the little boy in my dreams (although I do think that little boy in my dreams was a little less of a picky eater!!!!)

Some Fun Facts about Ari:

His favorite foods are

Burger King Chicken Nuggets

Ocean Spray Crasins

Dried Cherries

Trader Joe's Yogurt (the creme kind yum yum)

Pancakes "cakes"

French Toast

French Fries

Words Ari says (that we understand) :

Car, Color, Sponge Bob (not thrilled about that one), Dora, Kai lan, Hair, Duck, Moon, oh no, wow, Dog, Mama, Dada, Papa (Ryan's Dad), Juice, NO, Book, Eyes, Teeth, Star, Spoon, Shoe, Two

Funny things that Ari has done: (well they are funny now... to think back on.....now that the mess is cleaned up)

- Walked on the piano keys (more like danced)

- Got Dewey's treat box down from the counter and gave the dog multiple treats....(no wonder they are best friends)

-Went in the laundry room, opened the dryer, climbed on the dryer door, got the laundry soap and dumped it on the floor (all of it) - then he came out with the dripping laundry soap to show Papa what he had done

- Got into my make up and successfully applied mascara to the eye area, blush to his cheek area and bit my chapstick......

- snuck in the pantry and helped himself to Reese peanut butter cups.... he even opened the wrapper

Ari's Favorite Toys:

CARS

Legos (somehow he found Ryan's old little legos and no matter where we put them he finds them and dumps them every where - but today he is getting Duplo blocks and those little legos are getting tossed)

Playdoh

We love you Ari !

Two years ago.....

Two years ago my life changed in ways I could have never imagined. Two years ago today I learned what it really meant to love someone unconditionally. Two years ago today - I became a Mom

Ari Burton Williams was due to make his arrival into our world on November 30th 2007. However- Ari, being true to himself wasn't about to let anyone tell him when he was supposed to show up- (this is a theme that has continued throughout the last two years. Ari is his own boss, ALWAYS)

Ari was only running slightly behind schedule (I went into labor on the 30th) and at 11:09am Ari Burton Williams was born, and life has never been the same since.

Ari is a character, ask anyone who has met him- he loves to flirt with the ladies, he is a real chatterbox and so so loving. He loves to give kisses and hugs and snuggles.

But while it is Ari's birthday today - its also an anniversary for me..... (although I don't get cake and presents.... what gives) See it was two years ago today that I faced all my fears and did one thing that scared me the most. I survived labor- I survived almost not getting an epidural (thank goodness they were finally able to give it to me)

I survived all of the things I was scared to death about - and the end result is pretty fantastic if I may say so myself.....

Love you Ari !!!!! Happy Birthday !