not quite newlyweds anymore

Nesting.....

2012-01-18T20:25:00.001-08:00

I have finally finished all of the sewing projects I had wanted to do for Ari's toddler bed. I finished the quilt and pillow sham a while ago, but wanted to use extra fabric to make a bed skirt.
But.... I got sick, and tired, and busy! aka -pregnant
Also, my dearest Ari, in a fit of rage (yep he has those moments) or possibly out of boredom- Ari decided to "hammer" the side rail of his toddler bed. It's made from a pretty soft wood and left some awesome knicks and scrapes. Nothing a sander and a new coat of paint can't fix- but in the meantime I hated looking at it. Also, Ari has recently gotten in the habit of "needing" to have a ridiculous amount of things with him at bed time.
Right now he requests:
Tag jr
Tag jr books (like 6 books)
Puppy dog night light
Light sabre (doesn't every little boy need one of those to sleep)
Regular books- these change daily usually 3 or 4
A gun - yep he is all boy!
Anyway he "needs" all these items and then throughout the night we hear little thuds coming from Ari's room- at first we thought it was Ari getting out of bed but no it's just him tossing his "needs" on the floor.
I wanted to make a little organizer that I could tie to his bed rail and cover up the knick marks. It took me a while but I finally finished.
Of course in true Ari tradition - he hates it, so it's going to take a little getting used to. His exact words were take it off, I want it all on the floor.
*I have no expectations of Ari keeping his "needs" in his organizer, but I am excited to have a place for it all so I can have a place to keep all his "needs".
Now I can finally get started on all the baby girl projects I have brewing in my brain.

Parents Elect Controversial Facebook free Pregnancy

2011-11-11T11:20:00.000-08:00

Parents Elect Controversial Facebook free Pregnancy

AP – Simi Valley, CA

A local couple has decided to have a Facebook free pregnancy, citing privacy and their unborn child’s right to choose as their main reasons for this less than traditional approach to pregnancy. Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg couldn’t be reached for comment, however sources who claim they know exactly what Mark would say have responded in droves.

Joe Reeves, an avid Facebook user with over 15,000 friends noted; “It’s totally irresponsible; with the technology we have today these parents should be ashamed of themselves. It’s that mother’s responsibility to keep their Facebook friends updated on things like Doctor appointments, uncomfortable body changes, and the miserable and joyous events surrounding this impending birth.”

“What gives these “parents” the right to shut the rest of the world out from their pregnancy, if you have a Facebook account, it’s in your user’s agreement- you are REQUIRED to share every mundane, boring, exciting, and/or private detail of your life- they are in direct violation and something should be done about it.” – Karen Kinsmoore, self-professed Facebook master and neighborhood gossip.

“Without the direct written consent of our soon to be born DAUGHTER, we felt we had no legal right to put any aspect of this pregnancy and upcoming birth on Facebook. Sure I would have loved to post a daily “ what the heck is going on with my body post” as well as monthly “I had to wait ____ long to see my Doctor, agh so frustrating” not to mention the ever growing list of foods I cannot eat, and locations I have thrown up “ said future baby- momma Joy Williams.

With their 3 year old son, Ari, already seeking the legal counsel of attorney Jeffery Williams regarding time outs and his bed time, the couple had a lot to think about. Ryan Williams, the expectant father explained, “We really had to think, do we put ourselves out there and share our experience with the world of Facebook, risking an expensive settlement if baby GIRL Williams decides to seek legal action upon her arrival in MARCH. We could be talking a lot of money, if this goes to dinner table court. We could end up having to buy her a BMW Z4 Roadster 6v Battery Powered Car, or worse a pony.”

Supporters of the Facebook free pregnancy were also willing to show their support, @hasanopinionabouteverything tweeted “These parents should be heralded as forward thinking- I think deciding not to tell people the gender of the child and allowing the child to choose its own gender ID is an excellent parenting strategy…. What they’re having a girl, this isn’t about gender identity – it’s about not Facebooking their news the day that double line showed up, @#$#&; that’s just stupid, what are those parents thinking”.

Really we’re just lazy….

P.S. Do you think The Onion is hiring?

Check out this awesome offer from Shutterfly

2010-11-22T14:11:00.000-08:00

Because I love you, and I love a deal - I am pretty sure you all love deals too. Check out this awesome deal I found from Shutterfly for bloggers. I ran across a promotion the other day for Shutterfly, where bloggers can get 50 free cards! How awesome is that??? I love Shutterfly for their great customer service, large selection and quick turnaround! I love, love, love, the photo books you can create on their website. Super easy and super cute. I made two of them earlier this year, one for Kristin's wedding shower and one as a guest book for Kristin and Macky's wedding.I have also printed digital scrapbook pages using Shutterfly and they turned out awesome. You can use their templates or upload your own pages. They have such an awesome selection that anyone can find something they love! Check them out- Shutterfly won't disappoint! This is such a great opportunity to find great gifts for just about anyone on your list. Chances are if you are on my Holiday list- your getting something from Shutterfly!

This year I am using Shutterfly to make a lot of my holiday gifts, including things like calanders, photo mugs and holiday cards.

I had a minute to update

2010-10-23T19:20:00.000-07:00

I had a minute to update and after fighting with blogger - I finally gave in - the blogs are posted out of order - so scroll down and start at the beginning if you want to or just read them as they are - either way I hope you will enjoy them

Love

Joy

The 39.3 miles that changed my life ... Conclusion!!!

2010-10-23T19:19:00.000-07:00

Okay, here are the last photo's from My Avon Walk

day one - opening ceremony

Day one mile 12

Day 1 mile 23 ( isn't that obvious?)

Mile 26 ... it was pretty congested

Finish Line Day One

My tired feet day 1

big huge blister

so pretty I though you would want to see it twice

breakfast.. for anyone who knows me... this was
hard to eat , thank goodness for
ketchup

Waiting for the finish line day 2

My feet - day 2

My pretty pretty flowers from my mom & dad
Thanks for all your love
and support !!!!

if you haven't already ... go donate PLEASE www.avonwalk.org/goto/joywilliams

if you ever get the opportunity to be a part of this walk - I highly recommend it - immediately after I crossed the finish line I told Kate I wanted to do it again!!!

39.3 miles that changed my life Part 3

2010-10-23T19:07:00.000-07:00

So I have been fighting with blogger - and blogger is winning
Here is another post
So we got to Wellness Village at the end of Day one and it took everything I had not to break down and cry - I was so overcome with emotion- emotion from the amazing people I had met and stories I had heard, the heartbreaking losses so many had to go through that brought them to this point, the emotion of actually making it the entire 26.2 miles - when at points I thought I was not going to make it another mile. I called Ryan and I almost broke down, I called my mom and I almost lost it. It's a combination of excitement and exhaustion, pain and pride.... it's unlike anything I have ever experienced before.
Once we were at Wellness Village we got foot and back massages, went and got our tent and set it up.. (yeah we had to pitch our own tents....) ate ( Kate and I both went back for seconds... yeah for pasta) showered. And then we went to the Med tent... see during the walk, I could tell that my foot hurt but I didn't dare to look- if I had I don't know if I would have had the will power to go any further. I had the hugest blister on my left big toe. Actually considering my feet and my history with loosing toe nails and getting blisters ALL THE TIME ... I consider this a success... only one blister - it was just HUGE. After getting my blister drained... it was so gross. We headed back to camp and went to sleep.
We woke up early the next morning ( early then we were planning thanks to our noisy neighbors) Went and had a delicious breakfast of eggs and potatoes ( yep I had to break down and eat eggs ....luckily there was ketchup) We set off for day two feeling tired, and sore, somehow 13.1 miles sounded a heck of a lot further today then it did yesterday.
But we did it - the last 3 miles were horrible - we were tired , my back was killing me, Kate's ankle's were swelling more then normal for a pregnant person (although probably exactly as much as they should given the fact that she had walked 40+ miles)
We made it - and it was AWESOME !!! Don't forget to visit My Walk Page I just $460 from my fundraising goal.... every donation makes a difference!!!

It's hard to see but I was trying to
get a picture of all the walkers behind
us - Day 2

Day 2 mile 7 - so really mile 33.2 miles
this was a little more than half way
day two !

One of the many rest- stops where we could refill water
go to the bathroom and get medical attention if needed
Each rest stop had a theme I think this one
was old Hollywood

Here we are just outside the closing ceremonies
waiting to cross the finish line - Day 2

Inside Closing Cermony - it's basically a sea of pink

Still waiting.. the finish line is in sight!!!

Here are my feet - 39.3 miles later ... bandaged and broken
(not literally) but it was all worth it

We did it !!!!

I did it!!!!!

39.3 miles that changed my life Part 2

2010-10-23T18:30:00.000-07:00

So here we are Day one complete - there was so much
traffic at the "Official" 26.2 mile
marker that we borrowed this sign
from on the the people cheering
at the side lines

Here is our address for the event. E88, sleeping in a small tent on the hard ground never felt so good.

Here is our tent .. home sweet home !

They call this tent city - you can see the shower trucks in the
background... once again, I have never enjoyed showering
in a tent so much

yep, as if getting up at 6:00am to the thought of walking another 13.1 miles
wasn't hard enough... we had to take down our own tents

Tent City

Tent City @ night

Here is the tent where we ate dinner and breakfast while at Wellness Village

These are my feet after day one.. I haven't taken my socks off yet
to see the 6th toe I grew on my left toe

Here we are at the official END of the Walk on Day ONE

39.3 miles that changed my life

2010-10-23T18:17:00.000-07:00

I know, I know... my Avon Walk For Breast Cancer was officially 41 days ago... but I have been uber busy with school and teaching and Ari and life - and it seems like I almost never get a free moment to update my blog. But alas it seems I might actually get a chance to do it right now- so here it goes.

On September 11th I participated, along with 2800 others, in the Avon Walk For Breast Cancer Santa Barbara. It was one of the most amazing events I have ever been a part of and I am so glad I made it my New Year's resolution oh so long ago...

It started out with my best friend forever Kate, who just happened to be 5 months pregnant at the time, flying all the way from Alabama to participate in the walk with me- LOVE YOU KATE

Kate flew in on Thursday night, Friday we were busy all day tying up loose ends to prepare for the walk, and Friday night we had a great pasta dinner at Buca di Beppo's. Early to bed for us (although I was so excited I could not sleep!!!)

We got up EARLY 4:30am to drive the hour drive to Santa Barbara so we could be ready for the walk to begin

This was Opening Ceremonies when we first arrived.. so EARLY

The view in front of us - Opening Ceremony

The view behind us - Opening Ceremony

it was cold and foggy as we waited with the other walkers and crew - but we were excited and eager to begin.
As we got started we met the most remarkable people, people who were walking in honor of loved ones they had lost, people walking while fighting their own battle with breast cancer, and people who had fought and won their battle - proud to announce that they were now cancer free. Some of the most amazing people we met were the people who spent their Saturday and Sunday camped out on the sides of the roads cheering us on, handing us treats, and thanking us for walking. Every time I felt like I couldn't walk any further- someone, either another walker, Kate or someone from the sidelines said just the right thing to keep me going.

Picture Opportunity with John Wayne Mile 12

We were so busy walking and enjoying the time we had to catch up with each other... (I hadn't seen Kate in years...) that honestly the first 12 miles sort of flew by. I am happy about that because I take it to mean that all the time I spent walking with Ari and training at the gym paid off. Around mile 11 or so we started to walk up what the walk organizers had described as moderate hills... yeah right - these hills were STEEP and that sucked, but at mile 12 the John Wayne Cancer Foundation had a mile marker and a photo op spot for the walkers ( who can resist John Wayne) as well as pink bandannas dipped in ice water that were PRICELESS!!!! They were so refreshing!

Me and Kate showing John Wayne some love!!!

13.1 Miles on day one- the official half way mark

Mile 20 and still feeling pretty good. My foot had started to hurt but I didn't dare look at it. I figured ignorance was bliss at this point. We were so excited to only have 6.2 miles left of our walk... for the day. I don't think I have ever been more excited about the prospect of pitching a tent and sleeping. By this time of the day - that sounded like the Ritz!

This was attached to a motorcycle that belonged to the
group of bikers who were working the event. Most of the
bikers would blast music from their bike stereo and
they would dance to keep our spirits up. They were
awesome people (most of them were men)

Day ONE - COMPLETED !!!

We met some of the most inspiring people during the walk, as well as some of the nicest. There was a group of bikers, mostly men, who had signed up to volunteer and direct traffic. They would park their bikes at the intersections where we had to cross and most of them had their bike and themselves decorated for the occasion. They cheered us on, and had candy and gum for us. One of the motorcycle crew members had this on his bike - we saw him several times throughout the weekend and he always made us laugh. (it helped that he looked a lot like Santa Claus)

Tender Mercies

2010-08-17T16:00:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to lie... church is hard for us- don't get me wrong- I love going to church and when we don't go I miss it and my entire week is a mess. But that being said, it is hard for us (well really ME)
Ari is at this age where the hour long sacrament meeting is just too much - we have tried everything: quiet toys he only sees on Sundays, crayons, snacks, etc., etc, etc. nothing works. The few minutes I do get to spend with Ari is sacrament meeting he is usually being LOUD, trying to crawl under the pews, or trying to get other people in the meeting to start up a conversation with him. He pretends to have no idea of what it means to be quiet or whisper.
This last Sunday, Team Williams was down a player to begin with (Ryan was at the office all day preparing for an audit)
We made it to church almost on time and I was optimistic that we might make it through a decent part of Sacrament- BUT from the moment we walked into the chapel - Ari started screaming - screaming....
Agh... I panic, I know most people have gone through this, I try to tell myself that no one is judging my parenting skills because of this outburst and we exit as quickly as possible.
Now anyone who knows me knows I am not a super spiritual person- don't get me wrong- I am spiritual - but I don't get up and bear my testimony monthly (or yearly....) so what I am about to share with you, may seem small- but felt like a mountain moving to me.
I broke down in the Mother's room, I couldn't take it anymore, I felt broken and defeated and like the worst Mom in the world, I mean what kind of mom can't keep her two year old quietly entertained for an hour? And worst of all, I was angry at a two year old... and I was mad at myself for being angry... I was pleading
with myself to be a better mom, and pleading with my Heavenly Father to help me be a better mom.
And just then, screaming Ari went silent, and laid in my arms, and looked up at me with his big brown eyes and said "love you mommy" and laid in my arms for the rest of the hour and just stared into my eyes ...
And there was peace in my heart- and I knew Ari meant it, and I knew I was a good mom and I knew my Heavenly Father listened to my prayer...
I don't remember what the talks were about on Sunday, but the hour I spent in the Mother's room did more for my spiritual well being then any talk I have heard in a long time...
I love this little boy... and all the tender mercies along the way

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer:

2010-06-17T15:20:00.000-07:00

Did you know that three million women are living with breast cancer -- and one third of them don’t even know it? Even more startling, breast cancer kills approximately one woman every 13 minutes, robbing us of our mothers and grandmothers, our sisters, and our best friends. No one knows what causes breast cancer or how it can be prevented and there is currently no known cure.

Knowing these statistics I feel even more compelled to do something to bring us one step closer to finding a cure. This September I will join thousands of others in the Santa Barbara area to walk 39.1 miles in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.

As part of this commitment, I have agreed to raise at least $1,800 for the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade. Since 1992, the Crusade has raised and awarded more than $525 million for the cause. That money is used for medical research, clinical care, support services, education and early detection programs. While researchers have made significant progress in the last few years, there’s still more that needs to be done.

I know that the journey I’m about to take doesn’t begin to compare with the challenges that cancer patients and their families endure. So, for each step I take and for every time I think I can’t possibly go any father, I’ll be humbled… recognizing the small sacrifice I’m taking on behalf of millions of women everywhere. I’ll think of those who have lost the battle and of those who fight fearlessly everyday. Victory for me will be crossing the finish line and surpassing my fundraising goal, and I hope you’ll be a part of it. Please take this opportunity to honor the women you love by donating to the cause. Give whatever you can - every dollar really does help.

I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your support and encouragement in this big undertaking. When I hit the road, I’ll know that you were a special part of my journey and of the journey of so many others along the way.

If you would like further information on the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, please visit www.avonwalk.org.

Please also visit my personal walk page www.avonwalk.org/goto/joywilliams – to see the progress I am making as I prepare for my walk or make a donation online.

In It To End It,

Joy Williams

p.s. If you would like information on how you can blog for the cause, please email me @

joylinwilliams@gmail.com. It doesn’t cost you anything and hotels combined will donate $20 for each blogger I get to spread the word. Email me or visit http://www.hotelscombined.com/Charity.aspx for more information.

your reading this So......

2010-06-08T09:39:00.000-07:00

your reading this so I am going to assume that you are aware of the blogging world.... and being aware of the blogging world is what I need. Now here is your call to action.... go to http://www.hotelscombined.com/Charity.aspx and follow the blogging directions
copy the pre written code and paste it into an HTML/Code box in your blog layout... just make sure you change the part that says World Vision to Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
then send the email (just like the blog directions state... giving the address of your blog and the name of the charity you want your donation sent to which is www.avonwalk.org/goto/joywilliams
then ... so I can include you on my shirt of sponsors post a comment to this blog post letting me know you did it

Hotels combined will donate $20 for every blog that does this - 65 blogs and my goal is made.... but I need to make sure it gets done with enough time for the money to show up in my account so please don't wait ... do it now....
p.s. I don't have 65 friends that blog ... but I have you and I know you have atleast 5 friends that blog and they have atleast another 5 friends that blog that you don't know and so on and so on... so PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE .... spread the word - wouldn't it be awesome to have like 100 blogs post this widget .... that would be $2000 .... easy !!!!! all for a really really amazing cause

don't forget to visit my walk page and check out my progress!!!! My walk is less then 100 days away !!!!!

I have this really talented friend

2010-05-21T10:18:00.000-07:00

I have this really talented friend and she just opened an etsy shop with her really talented mommy - so check it out its really cute

and while you are surfing the web, check out my walk page and check on my progress, and join my army of 1000. Already a member... check out Spread the word for charity and see how you can raise another $20 for my walk - and it won't cost you a thing

and then tell ALL your friends about this really cute etsy shop, my avon walk and spread the word for charity

don't forget the charity this is all going for is www.avonwalk.org/goto/joywilliams - you have to let them know so the money goes to the right place...

now what are you waiting for... go go go

5 years ...

2010-05-15T12:30:00.000-07:00

Has it really been 5 years... (well 6 if you ask Ryan). Yep, that is right Ryan and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary on May 14th. I can't believe we have been married 5 years, it seems like just yesterday- but they have been 5 amazing years. I love being married to my best friend and I love that no matter where we are or what we are doing - I always have a good time if Ryan is there with me. He is the best husband, and partner and Daddy I could ever ask for. He is a hard worker and he knows how to have fun. I love his relaxed, carefree attitude, and I love watching him play with Ari.

Ryan and I have been missing Utah a lot lately.....WHAT.!?! okay not really Utah - but Utah dining. Seems to us, that while we lived in Utah we had restaurants that fulfilled all of our cravings, - and well since moving to California - that just isn't as easy to do. (Funny little side note- when we used to visit Cali or even Vegas we HAD to go to IN-N-OUT, we would eat there all the time while on vacation.... now that I live here and it's down the street - well- I just don't really crave it anymore.....)

Oh, but lately I have been missing pupusas from center street in Provo, burritos from bajio, pork salads from Cafe Rio or Costa Vita, pot stickers from David's kitchen, sticky rice from 5 star restaurant, and Mongolian BBQ from China Buffet.

I talk to Ryan all the time about how, even though the weather here is 100% better and we have Disneyland and etc. etc. every once and a while I get Utah sick ....

So for our anniversary Ryan surprised me dinner at Cafe Rio!!!!!!!

That's right - Ryan found out that a Cafe Rio had opened up in Manhattan Beach which is only like an hour away - so we drove down there for our dinner. Cafe Rio pork salad has never tasted so good. It may not have been a fancy dinner - and it definitely wasn't our most expensive meal- but it was perfect - exactly what my Utah sick heart needed. Now we just need to find a pupusa place ???

I love you Ryan - I love you more today than I did yesterday, if that is even possible - and I will love you forever, without a doubt.

Then to finish off our completely un-fancy but PERFECT evening - Ryan and I went to see Iron Man, - it's a little known fact that Robert Downey Jr. is my #1 celebrity crush - (what you think that is weird... well I think you're weird!!!)

But even on his best days..... I crush on Ryan more.....

yeah, you might say I am pretty happy with the way things turned out

Here's to forever Ryan.... Love you !
p.s. have you joined my Army of 1000 strong - well, I think you better 1000 Strong
p.p.s. it would make a great anniversary gift.... you know, if you haven't bought us anything yet- hint, hint.... go now!!!!

Ari & Mary

2010-05-15T11:47:00.000-07:00

On Friday, I babysat for a friend of ours, who has a six week old little girl named Mary- Elizabeth. I was a little curious about how Ari would react to the baby - and I was pleasantly surprised. (Although I don't know why since he is so gentle with everything else - of course he was going to be gentle and helpful.) but he was down right adorable...

Ari helping Mary- Elizabeth play Legos with him.

Ari showing Mary- Elizabeth how tall he can build.

Ari and Mary-Elizabeth

Sweet Kisses

such a sweet boy - he was a great helper!

Love you Ari.... you have such a sweet heart !

here's the deal

2010-05-06T10:16:00.000-07:00

Some of you may know that I am participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. This is a two day 39.1 mile walk. I know it will be hard- but I also know it is nothing compared to the battle cancer patients fight to survive. I wanted to be a part of the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer because I wanted an opportunity to be part of something so much more important than myself- I wanted to really make a difference and I feel that this is an important and worthy cause. I have pledged to raise $1800 for the fight against breast cancer by September - and I can not do that without the support of my friends and family and to be completely honest .... complete strangers who want to help.
Which brings me to this - My birthday is July 22nd - and I have been brainstorming on how I am going to come up with the money and ways that I can get all the emotions support needed to walk 39 miles - and I started to think about those who donate to the cause in my name. I thought about how if I got 39 people to donate- in my head I would have 39 people cheering me on mile after mile, so if I got 50 people to donate ... WOW what a cheering crowd - I kept thinking about how while I am walking I will be thinking of all those effected by this horrible disease, and how I will feel all the support and love from those who have donated and it hit me --- WHAT IF I COULD GET 1000 PEOPLE TO DONATE - what if I could get 1000 people to donate just $1.00 each for my birthday - with all that love and support - I am sure I could do anything
SO that is the challange I have decided to take on - I want to see if I can get 1000 people to donate by my birthday July 22nd. Now I don't even think I know 1000 people and that is where YOU come in. I need you to be part of my Breast Cancer Army - I need you to send links to this post to all your friends and urge them to send it on to their friends ... All I am asking for is a $1.00 donation (If you feel inspired and have more that you can donate.... please do - this cause is so worth it)
I will be writing the names of each of my "sponsors" on my shirt for the walk - and I would love to fill it up with a 1000 names of people who are in it to end it too.
If you were planning on sending me a birthday card, present or well wishes please do so here What were your going to spend on a birthday card $2.95 ? How about a donation of $2.95 towards something so amazing instead....

This is my challenge - to get 1000 donations by July 22nd - it's my own way of proving that ever LITTLE bit counts - and small steps can make a big difference - it's my way of giving 1000 people the opportunity to be part of this amazing cause - and it's my way of having my own personal cheering crowd, 1000 strong - as I cross the finish line on September 12th....

Pass it along -

Crazy little thing called LOVE

2010-04-30T11:04:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when I look at Ari - I am reminded just how much I love him and how no matter what - seeing his little face and hearing his voice can make everything better. It's a crazy little thing - the love between a mommy and her little boy - a bond I hope to share with Ari his my entire life.

Here are some really great things about Ari -
1- he LOVES his momma, sometimes I worry that he loves me too much, recently he has taken to kissing me a little too passionately - it's really funny - and I am sure it is nothing but he turns his little head and strokes my face while he kisses me on the lips- not every time - but when he does it always makes me worry "what is this kids watching on TV?"
2- he has mastered the word NO but maybe not the meaning- and he hasn't figured out yes yet -
Here is an example:
Me: "Ari do you want to take a nap?"
Ari: "No"
Me: "Ari do you want to cuddle on the couch?"
Ari: "No"
Me:"Ari do you want to go do the mall?"
Ari: "No"
Me: " Ari, do you want some chocolate?"
Ari: silence .... silence.... "Chocolate"
yep that's another thing about my little guy - he is a chocolate ADDICT - and he does not discriminate - extra dark, milk, semi sweet.... he loves them all

Here is my little Hugh Hefner .... it's official Ari out grew his bathrobe.... (he probably out grew it months ago but we usually use this great towel my BFF Kate made for Ari when he was just born... but the other day I tried this on him and well it was a little short ..... his little baby cheeks were hanging out the back

3) Ari may LOVE his momma - but he wants to be just like his daddy - and lucky for him he is well on his way. (We found more old pictures of Ryan when he was little and Ari is a dead ringer for his twin - it amazing how Ari looks EXACTLY like Ryan. Ari has learned how to open the back door - which means it has to be deadlocked all the time... the other day, before we knew he could open the door, Ryan was out mowing the lawn and Ari ran out - dragged his lil mower out of the garage and "helped" daddy ... it was so cute

He is just too cute - anyone who meets Ari can't help but love him. 4) Ari loves to say Hi - to EVERYONE Sometimes we will be in a store and there will be somebody in the same aisle as us and Ari will say "Hi" and if he doesn't get a response from the person he continues to say "HI" louder and louder and louder.... until he gets some sort of reaction or we change aisles. It's really funny - also Ari loves to say Thank you - its too cute - we will be at the store ( I swear we do other things besides shop) and when I finish paying Ari always says Thank you to the cashier and the bagger.... its adorable

Ari is go, go, go - from morning til way to late at night!!!!!

The other day Ari was outside and he saw a bee on the ground - he laid on the ground and just watched the bee who's little legs were covered in pollen - it was so fun to watch his so interested in his world - he kept saying "Bee, bee" "BZZZZZZ" - I reminded him not to touch and he was having a blast watching the little guy just take a break from his busy bee work

He is so curious and so smart - a little naughty and VERY MISCHIEVOUS

You just can't help but love this little guy!!!!

Ari has also recently taught himself how to put CD's in the Bose and turn it on - he loves to Dance. Ari loves doing flashcards - he will pull them out and bring them to you and say "Cards....Cards" He gets so excited as he gets them right he jumps up and down and his voice gets louder.

Oh and yesterday - without prompting - Ari took a picture of Jesus and said "Jesus" ..... awe... Ryan and I are doing something right - (or the nursery is!?! ) we'll take the credit for that one though

P.S. Ari wanted to remind everyone to go and DONATE to AVON WALK - Ari knows that his mommy is doing this walk for all the boys and girls who's mommies are battling this very horrible disease and for all the mommies's who have lost their fight - No kid should have to lose a parent to cancer - GO DONATE

What we've been up to

2010-04-30T10:21:00.000-07:00

Sorry - I now I went AWOL for the last oh I don't know - ever - but between school and Ari and everything else - well blogging just feel to the wayside. Ryan's little sister Kristin got engaged over Thanksgiving and since about Christmas we have been in wedding count down mode. In March I helped throw a baby shower for my friend Bethany - and it was a HUGE shower - way over the top - and it was right during mid terms and it was stress - But Bethany had a great time and her beautiful baby Mary Elizabeth was born about a week later - so just in time. Just about as soon as I took a breath from baby shower prep it was time to start in on Bridal Shower prep -
When I married Ryan, I was so excited to get little sisters, having never had a little sister - and so I was thrilled with the opportunity to throw Kristin a shower for her wedding - it was really fun and I am glad she had a good time - she is going to be a beautiful bride -

Here is the tree of Knowledge I did for Kristin - all of her shower guest wrote her a little advice and hung it on the tree

Here are the Cake Boxes that I made for her favors - Inside I put a little bath and body works hand sanitizer and some bliss chocolates - the note inside said "Its been so much fun to reminisce, and hear all about Kristin & Macky's first kiss- Thank you for sharing in Kristin's bliss."

View from the top of the cake boxes ......

Kristin & Whitney opening presents

Kristin

Some of the delicious food we had - it was so good - Thanks Sharon, Whitney and Ellen - could not have pulled it off without you foodies!

Oh and cake pops .... you are especially delicious - so glad you are out of the house .... such a temptation!!!!

The shower was so fun - both of them really - but I think I am done throwing showers for a while, luckily I don't know anyone else getting married anytime soon and I don't have anymore prego friends out here - so I think I should get a little break

Now on to the actual wedding prep stuff ....... AGH

Fooling myself into believing that blogging is what I should be doing right now...

2010-04-30T09:49:00.000-07:00

I am desperately trying to fool myself into believing that blogging is what I should be doing right now- Not working on one of my 4 MAJOR projects due in the next week, not doing the loads of laundry that are piling up in my bedroom, not going to the store to buy a baby shower present for a shower that is TONIGHT, not dressing my son, (it's only 9:20am its totally acceptable to still be in pj's if you are under the age of 3), not cleaning our bedroom which is a disaster area due to the 4 MAJOR projects due in the next week and my son who is still in pj's.... and not the million and five other things that I really should be doing - NOPE - I have successfully convinced myself that all these things can wait while I blog - if only I could use my willpower for something a little more meaningful, ( well maybe for the 2 followers out there - this update will be really inspiring- like Oprahish in a way!!!!!)

So amuse me while I ignore the rest of my world right now and go on a bit of a blogging marathon.....
(oh and come to think of it I should be fundraising for MY WALK - so here is my little plug - this is a cause I really believe in and as I work towards my goal of a) raising $2000 for Breast Cancer research and support and b) train my butt off (hopefully) to be physically ready for the 39.1 miles I will trek in 4 short months- I have been so inspired to really make a difference- So I am inviting you to take this journey with me, all from the comfort of your home - just donate - I will be representing you all while I walk - and your support will help me along the way - I can NOT do it with out your support GO DONATE NOW

I know its been a while....

2010-04-16T09:04:00.000-07:00

I know I have been absent from the blogging world and I have a ton of pictures I need to post on here too- but we have been super busy.
School for me has been crazy - and I was so excited for Spring Break - although it went way too fast and didn't feel much like a break but more of a whole new set of assignments....
We did get a chance to take Ari to Disneyland and Ryan and I got a much needed fun little date at California Adventure
Ryan's little sister came and I threw her a Bridal Shower - so glad that is over, but now it's on to getting everything ready for the big day.....
and then for reasons I am having a hard time remembering - I started boot camp... I had been thinking about doing it for a really long time but was having a hard time talking myself into it and finding a time that worked in my schedule - and finally after we got our tax return - I just signed up - this has been a total lifestyle adjustment already, Ari usually sleeps in until 9 or 9:30 so I sleep in til then too - not anymore - I now wake up at the crack of dawn with Ryan so that I can get worked to the point of exhaustion all before Ari wakes up - and I am loving it
805 Boot Camp

So this is my first week of boot camp and it is kicking my butt- but I feel great and I love getting outdoors to work out - plus I know this boot camp is getting me one step closer to preparing myself for my 39 mile walk in September... speaking of which - don't you have some donating to do???? My Avon Walk Page

I will do the hard work ... but you can make the difference

2010-02-06T23:43:00.000-08:00

www.avonwalk.org/goto/joywilliams

I have made my commitment.
I am going to train
I am going to walk until I can't walk any further... and then I am going to walk some more
I am going to wake up early and lace up my shoes
My feet will blister and crack from the pain
but I will do it

what will you do ?

A lot of you may be asking yourself - why is she doing this? Believe me I asked myself the same thing about a hundred times. I don't personally know anyone who has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer - I AM LUCKY
I realize just how lucky I am that this horrible disease has not effected me more personally - and I want other people to be as lucky as me.
So why and I doing this walk? Why have I committed to spend my summer training to walk a marathon and a half ?
I am doing it for my son, and my husband - While I have been lucky enough to not be personally effected by Breast Cancer - I am doing this walk to help keep it that way -
I want Ari to grow up with out the fear of losing his mom, grandma, wife, sister, aunt, cousin or daughter to this horrible disease. I am walking for my husband- and for your's too.... Let's face it - they need us- as little as they sometimes like to admit it - they NEED us- and I don't want them to have to live without us.
I am doing it for every person - who, because of this horrible disease - can't do it for themselves... they were brave and I owe them this much.
and lastly - I do it for myself- see while I have been lucky so far - I still fear that someone close to me, will be personally effected by breast cancer - I am doing this to gain the strength I will need to face breast cancer head on and fight when the time comes.
I am doing this because I can make a difference -
AND SO CAN YOU

I can't do it without your support - please visit my personal page and donate for the cause - if you would feel more comfortable sending a check - send me an email and I will get you the information. I am counting on you all to be my little Army - I have sent you emails and now I have given you the link - now forward those emails and pass on my link to everyone you know- if you are willing to forward a joke or a funny picture - I am sure you can forward an email about an amazing cause

I love you all - know that when I walk - I will be thinking of all of you - you are my strength and my inspiration!!!

Checking in on my resolutions....

2010-02-03T14:50:00.000-08:00

Ok - so its almost been a month since I posted my resolutions - so its time for a check in

I am proud to report that I have done really well so far.

I have successfully broken up with soda ... it was HARD - and I am not going to lie about a week into our "break" I fell off the wagon - soda went out and got a brand new fancy ..."made with real sugar" and I just had to give it a try - but half way through the night it was the same ol same ol bickering and blaming and I remembered once again why I had broken up with soda in the first place - since then I have not looked back

water and I are becoming really close - I can't believe it but I actually crave water now... who would have thought???

Fastfood and I are barely speaking - I don't even make eye contact when I have to run into "the king" for nuggets for Ari .... Go Me!!!

Healthy Eating -- well its a slow starting relationship - but we are getting there - and me and breakfast, well we are really starting to enjoy each other

TV - don't even miss the lame shows I thought were cool - Now I am down to 3 Bachelor and Idol and Make it or Break it

I have started to write more often then I was before I made the resolution - I have cut down on my candy (although that was really just a seasonal thing.... its not like I eat a candy bar a day or anything)
I think I am doing a much better job at enjoying Ari - which has been such a blessing to me. We are going through an especially tough time with our little guy right now- he used to be so easy to get down for a nap and for bed, but now it takes everything I have to get him to bed.... but rather than dread it - I have started to love it - I love that it takes an hour instead of the previous 15 minutes to put my little guy to bed. I love that he wants to sit on my lap and rock with me in the dark while we listen to music... I love his sticky kisses and how he wraps his little arms around me while we read books...

BUT THE COOLEST PART OF MY RESOLUTIONS AND THE ONE THAT I AM THE MOST EXCITED ABOUT IS...........
I am going to do the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer I wish I could take credit for this - but I owe it to my amazing friend KATE I really really wanted to do the walk but was to apprehensive to take it on all by myself. Kate is going to fly in for the weekend ( September 11-12) so that she can walk with me. It's going to be so great to be able to do something so amazing with one of the women in my life that I find to be so awe inspiring... and we will get to catch up on life.
Now I need all of your help - while I am definitely getting a lot out of this walk (fitness, a weekend with my BFF, etc) I am really doing it to help find a cure to this horrible disease. I am doing the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer all of those people who can't do the walk because of the toll this disease has taken on them. So here is YOUR call to ACTION - I have committed to raising $1800 for breast cancer research and funding - and that is where I need your help. I am going to do the training and the walking - but I need you to do the donating. Every little bit will help - So for the next eight months I am going to update you on my progress and remind you to donate to this amazing cause. In the next week or two I should have my donation web page up and running and I will post it here on the blog and on Facebook and in the multiply emails I will be sending to you and the letters you will receive in our mail box....
I have committed and I am In It To End It....

While I have a minute ....

2010-01-07T21:15:00.000-08:00

Ok ... While I have a moment or two I am going to try and update this blog- I don't have nearly as much updating to do as I should - since for one reason or another I have once again have failed to take pictures of almost everything that has happened lately. (There are two basic reasons why I don't take pictures...1- Our camera eats batteries like nobody's business and 2- my son NEVER holds still and the blurry results just depress me)

So sit back and enjoy a little thing I like to call my blogger cram session.

Merry Christmas

2010-01-07T21:14:00.000-08:00

We had an awesome Christmas this year - the entire Williams clan was under one roof for Christmas for the first time in 5 years...

The last time everyone was home was the year Ryan & I got engaged.... (and Lindsey & Brady)

Holding true to tradition - Our little Kristin had something new and shiny on her finger this Christmas- we are all so excited to welcome Macky into the family. (They actually got engaged a few days before Thanksgiving.. but since we hadn't seen her since she got engaged... it was exciting for us)

So the house was full - Ari had a blast spending time with his aunts & uncle & uncle-to-be.

We all seemed to get exactly what we wanted for Christmas this year -

We thought we had learned a lesson from last year - and decided not to go "overboard" on presents for Ari this year - I think we did a decent job at that this year

For Christmas Ari received:

-Clothes ... (his least favorite present but hey I had to take advantage of my seasonal Macy's discount)

-Duplo blocks ( to add to the ones he got for his birthday) *** These were actually a birthday present from Ari's Sievert Cousins - but he was pretty overwhelmed by presents at birthday time so we just wrapped these up for Christmas, it's nice that he is still little enough that we can spread out his presents

-Dinosaur puppets from his far away puppy Berkelee

-Converse Chuck Taylor shoes just like his mom and dad from Santa

-books from Kristin and Nana& Papa

-these awesome cars from his cousin Cambren

-a Dodger's Ball and bat set from his soon to be uncle Macky ( I am already planning my pay back for that gift.... Ari + bat= DESTRUCTION

- the Tag Jr reading system and books (which has been such a hit with him) Thanks Nana & Papa and Oma & Opa

- A new BYU football jersey from his Kristin

AND - last but not least ..... the gift Ryan and I were the most excited/stressed about

We searched everywhere for the "perfect" tricycle. I read reviews online, we went to Target, Walmart and Toys'r'us... but once we spotted this one we just fell in love with it- It is so AWESOME - it's the original Radio Flyer Tricycle - with rubber tires and a bell (and the double step so Ari can take his lady friends for a ride....

Ari LOVES it (sadly he is a little to short for the peddles so we are working on getting some blocks so he can truly cruise in style

I do have really cute video of Ari on Christmas morning - coming down to see his tricycle for the first time - and I promise someday to get our videos on to our blog - (we got a replacement USB cord- now I just need to figure out how to use it)

Ari taking inventory of all his AWESOME gifts

Ari was so cute the day after Christmas - as soon as he woke up he ran down stairs and climbed on his trike again - it was like he was saying " it wasn't a dream... I really am the luckiest boy alive" and every morning since Christmas he has done the same thing..... love him

The Sunday after Christmas Nana, Kristin, Macky, Ari and I went up north to Paso to visit family up there. We had such a nice time visiting and got to see the elephant seals again and I was finally able to tour Hearst Castle. It was so amazing

It was a great holiday season and we miss everyone already .....

Hello/ Goodbye ....

2010-01-07T21:12:00.000-08:00

I don't think I have ever actually made a New Year's Resolution - I mean sure come New Year's Eve I often find myself thinking - "Next year I'm going to ________ or be better at _______", but I never put it out their publicly or write it in my journal - sometimes I doubt I give it a second thought New Year's Day.

So this year that's my first Resolution - to make New Year's Resolutions ....

So there it is Resolution #1 - Make Resolutions (or lets just call them goals)

Along with that there are going to be some Hello's said and Goodbyes yelled

Here it goes.........

Goodbye Soda - Farewell for GOOD - I am not saying that I will NEVER have another soda - that is unrealistic for me - However there was a time I refer to it as B.R. (before Ryan) - when soda and I were not so well acquainted.... So for this YEAR I am saying Goodbye to Soda - and after I have accomplished that I will decide what my relationship with Soda will be. I will miss you coke from McDonald's with no ice - "it's not me.... it's you"

Hello Water- Hello water- pleasure to make your acquaintance - I think we met a while back ... yeah I should have called more often - my fault - I was kind of seeing someone else - BUT that's over now... I look forward to having a long lasting relationship with you

Goodbye Fast food - It's been a good run - but all good things must come to an end- and it's going to be hard, what with school starting up again and all the fast food restaurants on campus and my late night classes. But we just can't keep seeing each other the way we do- it's not healthy - I finally figured out I deserve better.... take care

Hello Eating Healthy .... where have you been hiding? Oh ... Breakfast ... what is this breakfast you speak of?

Goodbye ABC, NBC, MTV,WB and TLC - Sorry you have become something of a monster in my life and I just can't do it anymore - I have finally realized that it doesn't matter who the biggest loser is or what the Littlest Couple does, I hate those Real Worlders who are so far removed from reality its a joke and I really don't care who the next apprentice is... So we aren't going to be able to spend as much time as we have been spending in the past - I'm sure you will get over it.

Hello Fitness.... sorry I have been a flaky friend - you deserve better and I am going to make it up to you

Goodbye Candy - I know we don't really hang out much as it is - so this might come as a surprise to you but lately we have spent WAY to much time together - So I donated my stocking stuffers to Ryan's co workers (he is now the most popular guy in the office) I am sure I will see you around candy - but I won't be looking for you anymore - it's time for you to just move on

More Resolutions

2010-01-07T21:11:00.000-08:00

Ok - I said my hellos and goodbyes for 2010. I have a few more "resolutions" so since my #1 resolution was to make resolutions - (and what is the sense in making them if you're going to keep them a secret?) Here they are

I used to write- I used to write A LOT (some of you might know that) - I don't really know why I stopped - All I can figure is that I did my most writing when I was at a college where I never really felt like I fit in and I desperately wanted to fit in, I wrote volumes when I was repeatedly falling for the wrong guy. I wrote and I wrote and I wrote - and it was my thing- and I loved it. I guess maybe I was a little dark and tortured - and maybe that is what inspired me - Because that is when it stopped - I met Ryan and no matter where I was - if I was with him, I felt like I belonged. I didn't care about fitting in - because I didn't want to fit in - Ryan loved me for who I was so it didn't matter anymore. But I miss writing - and it's no ones fault but my own.. I got distracted by love and life and my little boy - but I miss writing - so that brings me to #2

#2 - I am going to write again - I am going to set up a blog and just write

I love being a Mom - I had no idea how hard it was going to be before I was a Mom - NO IDEA - but regardless.... I LOVE BEING A MOM

I had to put that out there

I (more often then I would like to admit) get caught up in how "naughty, clever, active" Ari is or how "uncreative, uninspired and uninspiring" I am and forget to enjoy these moments I have being a mom. I am ashamed to admit that I have sat in the rocking chair with Ari rocking him to sleep all the while wishing I could be watching TV or updating my status.... I have caught myself on too many occasions wanting to be somewhere else - when what I have is so fleeting..... I read my journal entries from when Ari was first born and being away from him was physically painful - I read my entries from when I went back to work and I felt like I was dying those first days, weeks and months..... In my journal and my prayers I promised that if I could be with him all day I wouldn't take it for granted - I would be a good mom, I would be creative and inspired and inspiring ..... but I got off track - I don't know how I went from feeling like my heart was breaking while I walked to my car to sitting in a rocking chair and wishing I could be watching Glee - wishing my baby didn't need me to read three books and sing one song and rock him for 30 minutes to go to sleep some nights.... HOW DID I GET HERE ?!?!?

# 3 - I am going to enjoy the moments, messes, mistakes and madness that come with being a mom -

# 4- I want to do the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer - it's September 11th-12th in Santa Barbara. My favorite Sister in law did it a while ago and I have always been super impressed with it - So this year I want to do it... However I am very nervous/scared/chicken to do it myself - so I am putting it on Facebook and hopefully someone, somewhere in Facebook land will want to walk with me- I don't think I can do this one alone - (and Ryan doesn't seem to interested)

So there they are .... my New Year's Resolutions

WE ARE FAMILY .......

2009-12-16T10:54:00.001-08:00

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

2009-12-01T09:32:00.001-08:00

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.....

2009-12-01T09:11:00.000-08:00

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 !

Happy Halloween

2009-11-01T17:30:00.000-08:00

Ari was a Doctor for Halloween - and as is our Halloween tradition - we made his costume.... (we don't do store bought) The costume turned out perfect - it took forever to find the blue crocs to make it official and I debated buying Ari a real stethescope but opted for the dollar store version.

As is also a "tradition" we took Ari to get his halloween pictures taken- we have had really good success in the past - but we had a different photographer this time and she was basically a one trick pony when it came to getting Ari's attention - needless to say her trick didn't exactly work - so we didn't get that great of shots - but they are cute none the less

And of course Ari drooled a big ol glob of slobber on the front of his shirt right in the beginning of the photo shoot - priceless - so he has that on the front of his costume in all of the shots

look at his cute little crocs ....... priceless

OK - you have seen how cute Ari is now go vote for him www.gap.com/castingcall

ID # 989371597

go vote .....

Oh on a slightly funny, slightly annoying side comment - Ari had a blast trick or treating on Halloween - however SEVERAL I mean more people than I can count on both hands - referred to Ari as a girl, all night we heard "what a beautiful little girl" "oh she is adorable" "what a darling little girl" "Oh she is so polite- what a good girl" and on and on and on -

I don't want to sound sexist - but Ari was a DOCTOR not a NURSE - his scrubs were blue, his stroller was blue, his crocs were blue, his sweatshirt when it got cold was blue..........

If it wasn't for the fact that they were giving us candy ( and a lot of times those remarks began like this "have an extra piece because..... she is so polite, she is such a beautiful girl, she is so adorable.......etc) I would have called all of those people idiots .... but I just let it go

Next year Ari has already decided he wants to go dressed as something that will be a NO DOUBT BOY COSTUME .... so he is going as a chippendale Dancer

Happy Halloween

2009-10-30T17:04:00.000-07:00

Go vote for Ari ....

Now .... Happy Halloween !!!!!

We had so much fun at the Ward Halloween Party - Ryan and I had planned on going as two of Ari's patients - but last minute we decided to go buy scrubs and go as his fellow Dr.s (I think we should have gone with our original idea but oh well - I will go as a patient for actual trick or treat.)

Ari and his Papa

Ari and Ryan, best looking doctors by far

We carved our pumpkins today - I wanted to do something different so while we were at the pumpkin farm I got this blue moon pumpkin (I think that is what it was called ) anyway its this cool greyish blueish color . It was a pain in the butt to carve however.

But fun was had by all and the finished product is what counts - Ryan carved a coffin on his pumpkin and a bat on Ari's (he carved both pumpkins in the time it took me to carve mine)

Before

After

Happy Halloween - Now go vote for Ari !!!!!! www.gap.com/castingcall

problems with the link below

2009-10-29T10:39:00.000-07:00

ok- riddle me this - the link doesn't exactly work, it will take you to his pictures but I don't think the vote button shows up - scroll down to the bottom and click register to vote and then follow the instructions - (you have to be registered to vote so that people only vote once per day per email) so register and then find Ari (you can stay logged in for two weeks so every time you go back to vote you won't have to enter your member name and password --- now GO VOTE

Vote For Ari

2009-10-29T10:24:00.000-07:00

Vote for Ari ..... (hopefully this link will work I have been having a little trouble with it) if not - you can go to www.gap.com/castingcall and then search for Ari's pictures under 12107mom

VOTE VOTE VOTE

leave your email if that still doesn't work and I will send you the email that has the link attached too - (for some reason cut and paste does not want to work -) and the website will let you paste straight to your facebook (which I did - check out my profile tab) twitter (which I don't do) and myspace (does anybody myspace anymore ?)

VOTE VOTE VOTE - I am really curious just how well my call to action can do - were up against kids with 36000 votes already - I have faith that if I tell you and you post this on your blogs, twitters and facebooks and your friends post it on theirs and so on and so on and all those people vote ..... maybe Ari could win - it would be awesome - he is such a fun guy - for those of you who might vote that have never met him - your really missing out. He is the greatest blessing I have ever had - I know every mom says that - and for every mom its true - Ari is such a unique, amazing little guy -

OK Ari's pictures went live

2009-10-28T21:08:00.000-07:00

ok - seriously I need everyone who sees this post to tell like 100 friends to vote for Ari - he is starting out a little late and if you look at some of the other kids on there they have like 36000 Votes - Ari is WAY cuter than them....

anyway so pick a picture and vote daily and tell your friends, your dentist, your neighbor, etc - VOTE VOTE VOTE

you can find Ari's pictures under 12107mom

they don't add the votes up from all of his pictures so pick one and spread the word to vote for it

THANKS

It's pumpkin time

2009-10-24T17:13:00.000-07:00

Today we went to a pumpkin patch in Santa Paula (there were closer pumpkin patches, however our Mazda was getting a new engine in it in Santa Paula... whole other story, and it just happened to be ready for pick up today)

It was such a fun little pumpkin farm/ festival. Ari had a blast in the hay bale race (is that how you spell bale, spell check didn't catch it if it is wrong...) Anyway Ari had fun running through the race, he had slightly less fun running through the corn maze which actually resembled a crop circle more than any corn maze I have ever seen.

I have to say - it is still awkward to me to be picking out pumpkins in 80 degree weather - but I will adjust, eventually. I was a little heart broken that I couldn't dress Ari up in cute jeans and a flannel or sweater for his little pumpkin patch adventure but we were sweating in the shorts we wore so its better that I didn't. Ari wasn't really that interested in the pumpkins -

As is totally expected when ever we plan on going anywhere, one of our cameras was dead by the time we got to our destination, this time it was our video camera. Luckily our digital camera takes video with sound ( we had never tried it out before, but it actually worked pretty well ) sorry its a little shaky.

I am so glad at least our camera took some video - since its nearly impossible to get a glimpse of Ari not on the move (pictures are almost pointless) - While we were there this little girl kept finding Ari and "flirting" with him - too cute

Ari is obsessed with knocking on doors - I think maybe he is practicing for Halloween - anyway - of course while we were at the pumpkin patch Ari was so much more interested in the port - o - johns then he was in the pumpkins ..... he kept knocking on the doors - it was so funny

All and all it was a great day - we had so much fun chasing after our little guy ....

ITS COME TO MY ATTENTION....

2009-10-23T22:15:00.000-07:00

It's come to my attention that I was a little early on the call to action - please stay posted - I guess an actual person at the GAP has to approve Ari's picture (you know make sure its not porn and such) before they put it up to be voted on - I should get an email shortly (any day now) saying my pictures have been approved and then the voting madness can start - sorry to all of you who wasted time searching for our cutie pie who just isn't there .....

I will post an update on here and facebook as soon as his pictures go live -

THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION

2009-10-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

Vote For Ari http://family.go.com/gapcastingcall/?cmp=OTC-Gap-Vanity tell your friends and your neighbors and their friends and their neighbors and their aunts and uncles and brothers and sisters - ROCK THE VOTE !!!!! (I think you can only vote for one picture a day or something like that and we have five pictures on their - they don't add the votes together for all the pictures so I suggest to make it most effective you just pick one of the pictures and vote for that one repeatedly......

We may not have captured they many sides of Ari, but we got some of the good ones !!!! V

We couldn't get any really great pictures of Ari (we just found out about the contest on Saturday) so we had to work with what we had... but I think he is pretty cute regardless.... We love our little boy

Where have we been?

2009-10-21T19:49:00.000-07:00

Ok so its been roughly forever since we updated our blog. SORRY - long story short, our laptop (aka the thorn in my side) died and we were trying to decide if we wanted to buy a new one or buy a desktop and then we were trying to decide if we should wait til Windows 7 was released ... and after much deliberation we decided to get another lap top - before Windows 7 ... so now were connected again.

BUT ... nothing really that exciting has happened in our world to make us blog worthy?!. We bought a jeep liberty (not really planned- but ok) so now we have 3 cars. Anybody want to buy a 2002 Mazda Protege 5 ? (super clean runs great sad to see it go)

I am now officially a Grad Student at Cal State - Northridge, Ryan's job is going well, Ari is getting so flipping big... same ol' same ol'

A keep getting bugged for more pictures of Ari - sorry I have been horrible at documenting his life- but in my defense, come to my house and just TRY to get a decent photo of my son who is constantly in motion from sun up to sun set....its just near impossible. And the other thorn in my side (our camera) doesn't make things any easier

but here you go for those who were asking:

DODGER NIGHT - (Mormon Night)

we went to Dodger Night this year it was so fun. Andre Either hit a grand slam to win the game -

Ari was such a good little guy the whole game

Here is our sad attempt at a family picture.
Ari and his daddy
Look how cute my boys are

Okay so that was Dodger Night ....

Ari has taken up reading as a favorite past time. He is such a funny guy I will be looking all over for him and I go upstairs and find him in his room sitting in his rocking chair looking at his books-

Here he is reading away

look how cute this kid is

WE love Ari so much

I still can't believe this is the boy I thought would NEVER sleep in his crib, he is such a champ at sleeping in his own crib ( although now I worry he will never sleep in an actual bed) Thank goodness he hasn't even attempted to climb out of his crib.

We took a day trip up to Santa Barbara to go to the zoo up there- and decided from now on we will go to the LA zoo (hopefully next year we can make a trip down to the San Diego zoo.

My favorite sign at the zoo

My favorite Animal at the zoo

My favorite boys at the zoo

Ok so a while ago I told Ryan to grow his hair out like "Edward" - so to spite me he is growing it out, and wearing it like Zac Efron
He even got Ari to do the "Efron" look

Ari made the paper -

2009-09-03T12:34:00.001-07:00

County neighborhoods earn ice cream socials, friends : Communities : Ventura County Star
County neighborhoods earn ice cream socials, friends : Communities : Ventura County Star

Shared via AddThis

Well we made it 20 months

2009-08-10T12:45:00.000-07:00

I thought for sure Ari's first trip to the E.R. would be for a broken bone or stitches .... boy was I wrong

Some people who know Ari would say we made it longer then expected - others are shocked that this was our first trip to the Emergency room with a little boy who is so smart, so clever, and so climby ......

That's right the streak is over, after twenty months, Ari was rushed to the E.R.

On Monday August 3rd Ari decided he had a headache and took matters into his own hands. Apparently Ari is too smart for childproof, and he helped himself to some extra strength tylenol- which prompted a call to poison control (IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE NUMBER TO POISON CONTROL BY YOU PHONE - GET IT THERE - IF ITS NOT IN YOUR CELL PHONE - PUT IT IN THERE, AND YOUR FRIEND'S AND YOUR HUSBAND'S AND YOUR MOTHER IN LAW'S, ETC, ETC, ETC. - GO DO IT RIGHT NOW 1-800-222-1222)

Since it was an old bottle of tylenol and we had no way of knowing how many pills were in there before Ari helped himself we were told to take him to the E.R immediately - there were three wet pills that probably had been in Ari's mouth the coating had been sucked off and one had been bitten a little

Since Ari was not having any immediate signs of tylenol poisoning we had to just sit and have him observed for four hours, at which point they did a blood draw and then if he had a toxic level in his system he would be given an antidote. It was a long wait, plus we had to try to get Ari to drink Charcoal which was daunting. The results took a little over an hour and then we got the good news that he did not have a toxic level and we were sent home.... all is well that ends well

Country Days.... Rockin Nights

2009-08-10T12:29:00.000-07:00

At last - I made it to the legendary (maybe only in my mind) California Mid State Fair. Okay, I have been to state fairs and county fairs and the such I mean hello I am from Wisconsin, home of hundreds of festivals all summer long - not to mention SUMMERFEST.... but the Mid State Fair was something of a magical event- Ever since becoming a Williams (actually ever since befriending an Osman) I have heard story after story of the Paso Fair-

So I was EXCITED when we decided to take a quick trip to visit the fair this year
Ryan and I decided to have a "Fried" theme for our fair food - Ryan started off with a deep fried foot long corndog, then we had deep fried vegetables, a tater twister and for dessert Ryan had a deep fried Snickers and I had deep fried Oreos....... Agh the bliss of indegestion

I wish I could say the fair was everything I dreamed it would be BUT - the foot long egg roll on a stick cart WAS NOT THERE !!!!!!!! it broke my little heart (but probably saved a few of my arteries)

4th of July fireworks

2009-08-10T12:19:00.000-07:00

I already posted about the 4th - so here are just some more photos - we went to T.O. to watch the fireworks and they were great - once again Ari was on his best behavior and loved every minute of the show

Ari sort of looks terrified in the pictures but I promise he was loving it - It was difficult to gt a picture of his excited face - the flash from the camera sort of ruined it

Ari "nemo" Williams

2009-08-10T11:56:00.000-07:00

Look out Phelps ...... Ari "nemo" Williams might just break your Olympic record, (well in about twenty years, but you should still be shaking in your speedo)

This summer we decided not to put Ari in swim lessons and we did gymnastics instead (which he is amazing at- the kid oozes with talent) Anyway - we did spend an ample amount of time lapping it up in the backyard pool. Ari loves the water (well the he loves being in the pool only second to running around the pool in full speed mode and giving me a heart attack....)

So here is our little Olympic Gold medalist at his finest

We got water wings at Wal-mart and they have proven to be the best investment ever. And Ari is so helpful- look here he is getting ready to scrub the tile for us.

Another great Wal-mart purchase was these floaties... when we put Ari in them they become the perfect little in pool baby pool

And here he is running around in the shrubbery - driving me crazy (you may have noticed that Ari swims with sandals on its sortof his fashion trend he is starting but also comes in handy when he decided to book it out of the pool and run in the bushes)

Where to start...

2009-08-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have not blogged in awhile (although I am not sure if anyone even checks anymore so I am humoring myself into believing we have a following).... we have been busy enjoying the summer and such - so here is a summer recap....

Let Freedom Ring ......

2009-07-04T13:51:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July ......

For those of you who don't know, 4th of July is my very Favorite Holiday - I love SUMMER and it is like the quintessential summer holiday. My family always did a pretty good job of celebrating the 4th with a bang- so maybe that is where it stems from.... Neighborhood bike parade, Family BBQ with so much good food, canoe rides, water fights, fireworks - you name it and our 4th of July had it- (Thanks Mom and Dad)

I am hoping Ari will grow up to LOVE the 4th as much as I do- so we got him started on the right track. Last night Ryan and I were up til MIDNIGHT wrapping presents ----- no wrong holiday - we were decorating Ari's bike trailer for the ward 4th of July kids parade.

Here we are in the garage - decorating til midnight-

The flag ceremony was at 8:30 am- that is mighty early for a Saturday. After the flag raising we had a talk on the Declaration of Independence- as you can see, Ari was riveted- it was already HOT outside and the speaker was "long winded" it would have been really interesting (I am still a history nerd, but it was early and hot and I would have enjoyed it more in an air conditioned lecture hall)

"When will it be over Daddy"

"You said we were going to a pancake breakfast!"

Here he is - I should mention that Ari HATES his bike trailer - I don't know why - he just hates it (we are hoping he will get used to it and learn to love it, but its hard to for Ryan and I to get motivated to go for a baby screaming bike ride, when we could go for a happy baby walk instead.... we're going to try and be more diligent for the month of July

We even filled it with balloons (one of Ari's favorite things) hoping it would distract him enough.... it worked a little

I can assure you all that the bike trailer, and the contents inside were in fact Made in the USA.....

The most important part in keeping Ari from having a melt down was to just keep moving .....

this was no where near the organized neighborhood parades that I participated in with my bike when I was little - but it was a start

what we've been up too ...

2009-07-04T12:31:00.000-07:00

Once again it seems I have been somewhat horrible at updating our blog on any sort of regular basis... so here goes a quick catch up and catch all...
we went to Wisconsin for a week - it was great to see family (the humidity and bugs I could have done without) While we were there we went with Ari's cousins to their local rec center - this year Ari is taking a little longer to "love" the water - but he is getting there - after about thirty minutes he was jumping in and having a good time.

It was one of those cool pools where you can walk right in (I think they are called Zero depth) so Ari could walk in instead of normal pools that start out at like three feet. He wasn't crazy about it at first but the water was so nice NOT cold at all- so he ended up having a ball

Okay there is no one in this picture that we know (well I am sure the cousins are in there somewhere - but I mostly wanted to show what a cool community pool they have. It has slides for babies (that Ari HATED, and little water fountains (that he LOVED) and diving boards and two big kid water slides. The snack bar had the best pizza for a DOLLAR - it was so much fun.

By the end he was SO SO tired - he had a GREAT nap after that trip

We also went to the Betty Brinn Children's muesum which is one of those cool hands on places where kids can learn all sorts of neat stuff
Ari in the play kitchen,

cooking up a storm

Boys love Cars...

Paging Dr. Williams, Paging Dr. Ari Williams...

From Betty Brinn's you can see the Lake Front - it is so pretty during the summer-

While we were there it just happened to be Summerfest - Ryan and I went to Summerfest the night Kiss was playing- we saw a long time family favorite - Wisconsin's own BoDeans..... (oh come on you know them they play the party of five theme song...."everybody wants to be closer it free......." see I knew you knew who they were)

Ryan, my little brother Brandon and I all got a chance to go to the Brewers game on Monday. As we were walking up to the stadium they were closing the roof - it was so cool (made me proud to say my Daddy helped build it, well I am always proud :) )

Our seats weren't too bad either- and the game was sold out - I know it doesn't look full we got there pretty early

Here is the traditional sausage race- I think the regular Hot Dog won .... we were betting on the polish sausage

Here is Bernie Brewer - I guess Miller Part sold out to corporate marketing, Bernie used to slide down into a Beer stine and balloons would come out of the top of it when the Brewer's hit a home run

Now Kalahari resorts "own" him so he slides down into the Slash Zone and water shoots out- I was a little disappointed - I mean its Miller Park- you need a giant beer stein!!!

We had such a good time at the game - best of all the Brewers played a really good game (until the 9th inning) THANK GOODNESS FOR TREVOR TIME !!!! The outcome was good - BREWERS WIN!!!!!! (Best memory from the game, I mean besides cheese fries- Sheffield hit a home run and the guy in the crowd who caught it threw it back onto the field- take that GARY!!!)

All and all our trip was great - we had such a good time - we miss everyone already

1st year.... 4th year ... whats the difference

2009-05-16T12:34:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I know that traditionally you are supposed to freeze the top of your wedding cake and eat it on your 1 year anniversary. I don't even know if people really actually do this. We did save the top of our cake, not intirely for tradition, most likely because it was really good and we had a lot left over (we may have over ordered)
Only problem was that on our first anniversary we were in Utah and our cake top was in California.... fast forward 4 years, dog, college gradutaion, baby and a move to California and what do you know - our cake is still there waiting for us.
So what else is there to do but try it - for curiousity's sake

side bar: Our cake was REALLY REALLY good- I know sometimes wedding cake is really really pretty but lacking in the flavor department - but this cake was good
and the frosting wasn't that really gross sugary kind you get on grocery store cakes - it was butter cream and DELICIOUS and the cake was chocolate with layers of chocolate butter cream ...... HEAVEN

so 4 years later- I gave it a try and it was actually good- the frosting was a little dry but the cake was still moist the chocolate butter cream was as awesome as I remembered and I ate the entire piece ( Ryan refuses to try it .... he is a fool)

Here are some pictures of my wedding cake - the day of our wedding

and here are some pictures of our cake top 4 years later - after I cut myself a
piece ....

not to bad.....

Actually Yours,

2009-05-14T15:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary Ryan- I love you so much. I am so thankful for all of your love and support and all of your patience, ( I know I can be a handful at times)
Thank you for helping me be a better person, but also for laughing along with me when I am not being so good.

I could not have asked for more, I am the luckiest.

actually yours,

Joy

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-11T11:48:00.001-07:00

This was my 2nd Mother's Day and it was PERFECT

Ari,
Thank you for your smiles, your wonderment and your awe. Thank you for your curious nature and your rambunctious ways. Thank you for every kiss and hug. I love you so much. Thank you for helping me figure out this whole "Mom" thing and for being patient with me along the way.
I wanted to be your mommy even before I knew you-
Ari you do not have a special place in my heart, because you see- YOU ARE MY WHOLE HEART.

I love you

Green thumb Ari

2009-04-16T17:13:00.001-07:00

Ari absolutely loves playing in the garden - today I decided to just let him have at it - mud and all

He love, love, loves watering the plants and he is so smart - he just watched us do it and then one day started picking up the hose and going from plant to plant - today I let him do it while the water was actually running

Today he worked up a thirst so he decided what was good for Mother Earth was good enough for him

After all that great work in the garden, Ari was rewarded with a fudge- sicle .... which I would have never let him eat had it not been for the fact that he was already covered in mud and all sorts of grossness

so what do you do when your covered in snot, mud and icecream ...... bath time!!!!!!

Spring has SPRUNG

2009-04-16T12:26:00.000-07:00

Ok to be honest its been "spring" here for a while - say what you want about Southern California, but the weather can not be beat. We love Spring

Happy Easter

2009-04-16T12:13:00.000-07:00

So Ari is making it a tradition to be sick for Easter- I can't say I am excited about the "tradition" and I am going to try my darndest to stop it next year
Here he is - poor little guy

Aquarium of The Pacific

2009-04-16T11:53:00.001-07:00

We took a trip down to Long Beach back in March and went to the Aquarium of the Pacific. I normally don't really care for aquariums because they always seem to give me a headache but I had such a good time. I think it was because there was lots of open space and stuff to do outside.

Ari had so much fun while he was there. It was so fun to seem him get excited about the fish, birds and other wild life.

A little bit of catch up

2009-04-16T11:52:00.000-07:00

Okay so it looks like I have a window of opportunity to do a little bit of catch up work on our blog.... so here goes another blogging marathon

* longest Sigh of RELIEF ever*

2009-04-07T18:10:00.000-07:00

I can finally take a breath and relax...
sorry the posts have been few and far between. Last I left off Ari was totally under weight and we were having quite a battle trying to get this kid to eat anything. That was three weeks ago but it seems like FOREVER and just yesterday all at the same time.
Ari had his first Dr. appointment on a Monday and we were told his weight was a HUGE concern and I left the office feeling shaky. Then just when Ari was starting to do a little better eating he got a stomach bug- and it lasted 10 DAYS - he kept nothing down and I was basically a full functioning zombie. (although I wonder how functioning I was and owe a HUGE thank you to my in laws and husband for getting me through it all)
Everyone in our house, (accept me) ended up sick to some degree but Ari had it the worst. Everyone was better and he was still throwing up everything. When we took him to the Dr he had already lost another pound. Not great news when your in desperate need of packing on a few pounds.

But finally he got better, and he got over his ear infection.... and he started to eat. He went back to sleeping on his own in his crib like it was no big deal (I had been sleeping in the spare bed in his room while he was sick) and then pretty much without even realising it- He was weaned. I am not really sure how that happened- mostly it was a smooth transition since I was barely nursing him while he was sick and then I got laryngitis and could not talk **** everyone laugh, I know its funny
anyway,
the medicine I was taking gave Ari the runs so he had a sore bottom so I just stopped nursing him and since I was barely nursing him before that- while he was sick it just sort of happened- Ari is weaned....
and today we went to the Dr for his follow up to determine if further testing was necessary and
ARI GAINED ALMOST A POUND..... he is 19 lbs 6 oz and the Dr said that was REALLY impressive considering the battle we have had for the last three weeks to just keep him healthy.....
finally a much needed sigh of relief
So here we are - 16 months and Ari is sleeping through the night in his crib and weaned- I can honestly say I have no idea how any of this happened- Ari is the one who deserves the praise- he really made it easy on us- I just had to work on his schedule instead of my schedule (sounds like someone else we know)

Oh, and as for the pictures - we were able to find an outfit of Ryan's that he was photographed in at a year ... lucky we found it when he did, a few days later and it never would have fit- so when we went and got Ari's Easter pictures taken we also had some totally adorable pictures taken just like Daddy's...... (these two could have been twins)
Man we love him!!!!!!!!

p.s. thanks to everyone for for all there help, advice and prayers - they really are appreciated

I never expected .......

2009-03-31T12:10:00.001-07:00

I never expected to get the same rush of excitement from a great deal on shoes, from an Ari nap that lasts longer then an hour....

this is bliss
Ari went down at 10:30am and here it is 12:11pm - I could squeal, but I won't - that would ruin a good thing

Ari's 15 month check up

2009-03-03T19:53:00.000-08:00

Ari is now officially 15 months - I will try to take his latest pictures tomorrow - its on my to do list.
Anyway he had his 15 month check up and well ......
he weighs 18.3oz
he is 31 1/4 inches tall

the problem is - he has not gained any weight since his 12 month check up - and so they are a little concerned.

I explained that we try to feed him everything and anything - and that well he just has zero interest in food- and he is ACTIVE very very ACTIVE
but they are concerned which translates to me being worried (as if I wasn't already stressed about my sons eating habits, or lack there of)

Ari has another Dr appointment in a month and if Ari has not gained weight by then he will have to have "tests" done - I dont't know what kind - they just said tests....

the Dr's suggestions were basically to feed Ari anything and everything he would eat and to try to make sure we are giving him food high in fat (so basically all the foods we try to avoid)
whole milk (we have been trying to give this to Ari and it always spoils before the half gallon is drunk)
cheeses
cottage cheese
ice cream
smoothies
fish sticks
chicken nuggets
waffles
french toast
etc etc
she said not to worry about fruits and veggies for right now - just try to put some weight on him
oh and I have to keep a feeding journal for Ari's meals
so that is what we are trying to do - we will keep you posted
here is todays feeding journal

6:30am - Ari woke up and Ryan brought him into our bed, I nursed him back to sleep
7:30am- Ari woke up so we went down stairs to start our day
7:45am- mini waffles and scrambled eggs (made with whole milk) waffles have butter and syrup on them - Ari ate none - gave him milk to drink - again Ari had none
9:00am - mid morning snack - Ari had 1/2 of a yogurt offered him milk and goldfish
10:30am -nursed and went down for nap
11:00am - Ari had two bites of second 1/2 of yogurt
12:30pm- chicken nugget, cheese chunks, chocolate milk - Ari had none
1:30pm - Ari had three bites of pears and cereal (made with whole milk)
2:00pm- nursed and went down for nap
3:00pm - Offered Ari granola bar - declined
5:00pm- chicken and dumplings for dinner, Ari declined again - ate rest of yogurt and some gold fish
7:00pm - cereal with pears - two bites, chocolate chip cookie (only ate half)
7:30pm - nursed and went to bed

It's been a week .....

2009-02-27T12:08:00.000-08:00

One Week down - Ari is still sleeping in his crib- through the night- and the crying is getting down to less then three minutes most of the time - even for naps.....
I couldn't help but capture this on film - I was so so so afraid I would wake him up but really I had to - there was a point when I thought Ari was never going to use his crib ......I am so EXCITED

Daddy's little boy

2009-02-27T11:58:00.000-08:00

I don't think a day goes by without someone telling me just how much Ari looks like Ryan-
what is surprising to me is that people often ask me if I am upset by there uncanny resemblance......
WHAT ?!?!?

I was attracted to Ryan for a lot of reasons but of course it helped that I find him EXTREMELY handsome- why would I be bothered .....
HAVE YOU SEEN HOW ADORABLE MY SON IS???

I can honestly say I would not be upset if everyone of my babies turned out as cute as Ari -

*Ryan is going to be really upset that I posted this photo I took of him while he was giving Ari a bath- oh well

Laying with a Lion

2009-02-27T11:46:00.000-08:00

Ever since Ari turned 1 I have been horrible at taking his monthly Lion pictures - I totally missed January and I did do February's but it has taken me the entire month to post them. I wanted to take a different photo of Ari and his Lion instead of the usual one on the couch - so when Ari was napping on our bed one day I placed his Lion friend near by to keep him safe..... So here he is - 14 Months old- (now I just need to remember to take March's photos.....)

Week in review

2009-02-26T11:40:00.000-08:00

Okay I realise I have not been doing the daily re caps from our adventures in Sleep transitioning... but I figured everyone was probably getting bored and I was exhausted
Well here we are it has almost been a week
Ari continues to amaze me He is doing so well at this whole change of schedule/ venue thing

He still cries when we put him down but only for a minute max - and he has almost completely stopped crying during our routine-
I am starting to adjust to our new routine as well - I am waking up fewer times during the night and hearing less phantom cries - so yeah for me too
it has been a long week and I am sure it will continue to feel long for awhile but we are progressing .... yeah

96 hours into project sleeping lion

2009-02-22T18:35:00.000-08:00

agh
where to begin - last night was horrible for me. I don't think Ari got up at all - if he did he went back to sleep super quick - however I have started to hear phantom cries .... I am actually going crazy- I should be committed - I must have woken up thirty times last night, I physically got out of bed 5 times... which is really silly because even if he was crying we had already committed to NOT getting him.....
I swear I could hear him crying, I would sit up straight in bed and then nothing -
so needless to say when Ari did wake up this morning at 7:50am, I was EXHAUSTED

his morning nap was o.k. but it only lasted 50 minutes and then he would not take a second nap - (well that part is our fault- we got busy doing stuff and did not notice it was almost 4 and then by then it was to late so we decided to skip the whole second nap and move bedtime up to seven but Ari started to crash on Ryan's shoulders so we moved bedtime up to 6:30pm - I left Ari's room at 6:28pm and I think it has been quiet in there since 6:33pm

and now I am ready for bed

Day 3.... I think

2009-02-21T20:26:00.000-08:00

I am pretty sure this is our third night of sleep transitioning for Ari - (although I will be honest I have no idea as this seems to be the longest three days of my life)
Ari's first nap of the day was o.k -
by his second nap he was totally on to us- as soon as I picked up a book and started heading to his room he was in tears
I read the entire story to him while he wailed away ....
I think he got about 45 minutes of sleep

and now it is 8:29pm and he is still crying - Ryan and I left his room at 8:20pm so its not like it has been forever - BUT his crying started as we were walking up the stairs - so he basically cried for his entire bath (he was happy for a tiny part in the middle) cried through his baby massage, and getting into pj's- cried through Harold and the Purple crayon and counting with Oswald.... and through Ryan and I singing I am a Child of God .... TWICE

so at this point it seems like he has been crying forever

Is this normal - HE HATES HATES HATES anything and everything that has anything to do with our night time routine- if you pick up a book, he starts to cry, take him into his room - he screams, start the bath.... he opens his own flood gates (I can't really fault him for crying when I sing - I am NO bikini girl*)

seriously is this normal - I don't want him to hate his night time routine, I thought that was the whole point of a night time routine, to get them prepared to go to sleep - Ari's routine just seems to get him all upset....

It's 8:34pm and my baby is still crying

and I have no idea how tomorrow is going to work with Church - two naps is new to us - so church being from 9-12 is sort of right in the middle
Ari will probably get up somewhere between 7 and 8 tomorrow which means he will be ready for his first nap between 9 and 10 ..... agh I am already stressed

it's 8:36 and I don't hear anything - for now ... cross your fingers for me

nope he is still crying

*if you missed the American Idol reference ....where have you BEEN?!?!?

another night

2009-02-21T11:35:00.000-08:00

Okay night number 2- here is how it played out
Ari woke up about thirty minutes after he went down, but only cried for about three minutes. Then he woke up again at midnight - and cried for less then a minute.... and from there is was smooth sailing til 8am
Today we I decided both his naps should be in his crib so at 10am I put him in his crib and he cried for five minutes - then he woke up about 30 minutes into the nap - he cried again for less then a minute and I woke him up 11:20 (I know what you are thinking NEVER WAKE A SLEEPING BABY ... I know, I know but I didn't want this nap to go to long and interfere with his afternoon nap

and guess what else.....

HE STILL LOVES ME .....

Sleep Training Day 2

2009-02-20T20:28:00.000-08:00

Okay so here we are again-
tonight we got off to a late start (that part is Ryan's fault... agh) so we had to omit the bath from our routine tonight
8:25pm I kissed Ari's head and lay him down for the last time - and shut the door - tonight was harder and I had already prepared myself for that - as soon as we started the bed time routine he started to cry, last night he was excited for a baby massage - tonight he knew something was up
so basically he cried through our whole night time routine
I exected the crying to be a lot worse that last night -

well it is 8:31pm and while I can still hear whimpers coming from his room - it is not a constant cry and I can only believe it is more of Ari trying to fight back sleep then it is him being upset with the arrangement (or that is what I tell myself)

naptime today was sortof successful- I do believe that Ari got about 30 minutes of sleep - but then he got up and was crying - I decided to take a shower and if he was still crying when I got out I would go in and get him - I am only going to make him stay in his room for a nap for an hour (that is how long he usually naps for anyway)
plus he got a morning nap - which we are not used to - so I think it will balance out

On a side note - Ari has the coolest night light ever - well, actually its a lava lamp (I can't find the star night light we bought for him what seems like ages ago) so he is using Ryan's old lava lamp - I think its a little creepy cause it glows red - but whatever I guess it gives him something to look at while he lay in his crib thinking how horrible I am for kicking him out of his bed........

well right now it is silent in Ari's room - I am already expecting a cry in about 30 minutes and then another one around 11 but hopefully we will be as successful as last night

thanks for all your support - I promise to get back to posting something more interesting as soon as possible

The results show.....

2009-02-20T13:44:00.000-08:00

okay if you tuned into this post thinking you were going to hear me gush about American Idol- you are going to be sorely dissapointed.
BUT for those of you following the saga of sleep training - well here you go - the results after night number 1
Ari cried for about 45 minutes total and then was out- I was finally able to peak in without waking him up .... oh he looked so cute, I wanted to grab my camera and take a shot or too but I knew that was just tempting fate.
We did hear him wake up once probably around 9:30pm but he only cried for less then a minute and that was it. I didn't even attempt to go back in there -

Ryan and I got to sleep at 11:00- without fighting with Ari (who usually has his second wind by then and is going CRAZY) I got to sleep next to my husband for this first time in AGES ... okay well like a year

We heard another peep from Ari around 11:15pm and again I hesitated, took a deep breath and counted to 10 and when I was done - so was Ari - so I didn't need to go in at all

I have to admit that I did not get a good nights sleep- I did miss my little guy - and I kept worrying that something was wrong, that I was doing the wrong thing - that I needed to go and check on him, etc. etc. but I stayed put

and guess what....
ARI SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
yep that is right, the boy who we would jokingly refer to as "on the boob all night" was totally fine not nursing -

We woke up at 7am when Ryan gets up for work and heard some noises (pre- cry) coming from Ari's room so I went in there and picked up my happy baby boy!!!!!

So night one is down - yeah it was better then I expected - but I am preparing for bumps in the road.

This whole thing is a little hard on me however - one of the perks of having Ari sleeping with us, on our schedule was sleeping in- on most days I could get Ari to sleep in til atleast 9:30 or 10:00-
but with this new earlier bed time - 8:00pm, and new rise time 7:00am - I will have to adjust
Did you know the morning show it 4 hours long --- and to think I thought it was just Kathy Lee and Hooda .... WOW

anyway - today Ari and I took his first nap together - (hey I miss cuddling with him) he napped from 9:00am to 10:30am

and at 1:30pm I put him down for his first nap in his crib........YIKES
Ari cried until 1:38pm and I haven't heard a peep yet ......

Oh.... the other thing about this whole "sleep transition" we are doing is the new curfew we have... Ari's bedtime routine starts at 7:30pm so that means whatever we have planned for our nights needs to get us home before 7:30pm - oh well we will adjust

I am already loving the time I get to myself (and not having to worrry that Ari is getting out of our bed or off the couch, (where he usually napped)

It is 8:52pm

2009-02-19T20:52:00.000-08:00

It is 8:52pm and I don't hear anything coming out of Ari's room - so of course I assume the worst MY BABY HAS STOPPED BREATHING - I AM A HORRIBLE MOTHER
so I rush to the door and begin to turn the handle - it makes the tiny "creeeeak" and the wimpering begins
GREAT
well atleast I know he is breathing

here we go again

wait......the wimpering has stopped ......I promise I won't check on him for atleast thirty minutes

man this is hard

Sleep Training Night 1

2009-02-19T20:16:00.000-08:00

Okay so this is it, Ryan and I have committed to getting Ari to:
a) Sleep in his crib
b) Go to bed at a reasonable time for a 1 year old
and c) stop nursing constantly throughout the night

bye bye family bed - you were fun while you lasted. I will miss you a little but your time has come. I am still a huge support of the family bed (if it works for you) but understand that it is not for everyone. I think that the family bed helped me especially while I was working to connect, or rather re-connect with Ari after a long day at work and it kept my milk supply strong enough to nurse Ari for the year+ as I had desired.

So after reading a slew of books about how to wean your child, how to sleep train them, and so on and so forth - we have decided that with Ari we are going to try the "cry it out" approach -

Today is NIGHT #1
7:00pm-7:30pm -- Ari free play we did block and cars
7:30pm - upstairs for last nursing of the night and bath time
7:45pm - baby massage, books and song
8:12pm - I shut the door to my little ones room, and my heart broke....

I have read that the average for the first night is about an hour of crying.... Ari seems to be one of those "exceptions to the rule" so I am guessing this kid won't give up til day break

It's been 12 minutes and I can still hear him - man this stinks
Ryan is at a scouts meeting so I have to be strong - I don't want a five year old sleeping in my bed and its not going to get any easier tomorrow or a week from Thursday or next Friday ....be strong Joy ... man this stinks

I am glad that Ari has not started to call for me - his crys are just crys of anger at this time - it would really crush me if he were saying "mama, mama...."

We have to do it this time - we can not back down -

I love him -
I am a good mom. right? -

it's 8:30pm and I am feeling weak - how long can a pack meeting be???

A seat with a view

2009-02-06T16:45:00.000-08:00

Ari is hilarious- he loves commercials - TV shows, agh who cares, but when the commercials come on he literally STOPS whatever he is doing and runs into the family room to get a glimps that the ad. I have no idea how he knows the difference, especially when we watch shows that change sets, characters and such quickly (like Saturday Night Live for example) but there is no fooling Ari he knows a commercial - and he LOVES them

So here he is in his high chair during dinner, and oh wait - "Ari is there something you are trying to see, has something caught your eye perhaps???"

so whats the view from his high chair anyway?

you should have guessed

A mouth full of chompers

2009-02-06T16:37:00.000-08:00

This is the best picture we could get to display Ari's teeth
He just doesn't like to show them off
But they are in there... TRUST ME
As of right now he has
four in front (top and bottom)
teeth in the back corners on top and bottom
so ..... that makes 12 teeth!!!!!

Eating Update

2009-02-06T16:30:00.000-08:00

So we seem to be doing a little bit better at getting Ari to eat ....
He is still pretty much only eating baby food, (stage 2 &3)
But he is eating with less of a fight

Here he is eating his new favorite (he was never really one for cheerios, but yeah he seems to really like Jumbo Rice Crispies

what a handsome little guy

he is even getting pretty good at feeding himself with his spoons

good grub :)

True LOVE

2009-02-06T16:22:00.000-08:00

My Cute little guy

2009-02-06T16:20:00.000-08:00

Here is Ari being as cute as he ever is - I never thought I could love anyone as much as I love Ari, and amazingly I fall in love with him more and more everyday

Merry Christmas

2009-02-06T16:16:00.000-08:00

I told you I had a lot of catching up to do - So here is a little Christmas recap. We were so excited for Ari's Christmas that we didn't take any pictures of any of the rest of us- oh well - he is the best looking of the bunch especially early in the morning.

Flash Back

2009-02-06T16:01:00.000-08:00

While we were at home my mom had me put Ari in this little outfit - it is straight out of the sixties - literally...
This outfit was actually given to my mom (I think by her mom) for my sister Jill - so its really old - and all of us kids have worn it- and now Ari has too...

Are you kidding me ?!?!?!?

2009-02-06T15:57:00.000-08:00

Poor Uncle Brandon, all he wanted to do was get some stuff done on his laptop.... maybe now he understands why I don't blog as often as I should!!!!!

What's in a Name

2009-02-06T15:06:00.000-08:00

Ari BURTON Williams

I had no doubt in my mind as soon as we knew we were having a boy, that his middle name would be Burton.

Ari, this is your Opa, Burton. He lives far away, but he is always close to our hearts. I named you after him so he will always be a part of you. There are many things I hope you get from your Opa..... (not just a name)

Your Opa is the hardest worker I have ever known. When he has a job to do, he does not put it off and he does not quit until it is finished (even if he really SHOULD take a break) I hope you inherit his work ethics.

Your Opa is very smart, he knows something about everything and somethings he knows EVERYTHING about. When I was little I remember him teaching me the state capitals and times tables. Your Opa is great at playing games - SkipBo, kings corners, cribbage- you name it he is up to play a hand a two.

Your Opa Burton has the best handwriting I have ever seen. It is so perfect and neat. It doesn't matter what he is writing, be it just a quick note to take to the store or a letter to family - his writing is always clean and neat, never sloppy. This is especially cool because he is left handed - and usually people who are left handed don't write so neatly. I hope you will always take your time in life and not be sloppy... no matter the task.

Your Opa is the best story teller EVER, I will try to do my best to tell you his stories - but I will know they won't be nearly as good. Fatt Johnny and Paul Bunyan and Babe the blue ox came alive to me every night your Opa told me a story. I hope you get his imagination and creativity.

Ari I know you are well suited for your name. I know you will be strong, honest, caring, eager, neat and intelligent - just like your Opa Burton.
I love you both so much

Ari Burton Williams & Opa Burton 12/2008
It was so great to go home so my Dad could meet Ari
Burt and Lil' Burt will be best buds forever!!!

My boys......

2009-02-06T14:56:00.000-08:00

Well they are my boys... in one way or another. We were so glad that Brandon could take a break from classes in Madison and come visit for a few days when we were back in Wisconsin- Here is our failed attempt at getting all my boys together for a picture....

My little (much bigger then I am) bro keeps reminding me that Berkelee is the 2nd dog I have "given" to my parents to care for --- It's only partially true, sure I brought home Brutus (but you do not argue with Papa Cal, and he told me to take him home) and it wasn't like they weren't aware that I was leaving for college in a few days when I brought home Brut....

so fun - Everyone loves Brandon

Wisconsin trip

2009-02-06T14:44:00.000-08:00

In December Ari and I took a trip back to Wisconsin (what were we thinking - it was freezing) I think they shouldn't leagally let anyone visit Wisconsin in the winter- it is just way to cold....

It was so nice though - Ari was so excited to see his puppy (well a MUCH fatter version, of his puppy)

Here is Ari braving the cold so he can get some snow play time - he wasn't that excited about it, I guess he was born to be a California boy (can't say I blame him)

Catch up...

2009-02-06T14:39:00.001-08:00

Okay I just realised how much catch up I need to do on our blog - so I am going to attempt to do a little catching up - please bare with me

AGH.....

2009-01-21T20:55:00.000-08:00

So we were all set to start trying to wean Ari and get him to sleep in his own bed... and then what do you know he got sick - Ari is my healthy baby (not that I have any other babies to compare him to, But I pride myself with how fortunate we are that he has been so healthy- no ear infections, diaper rashes, food allergies, teething trouble, etc)
Aside from a few pretty minor sniffels and fevers Ari has been so healthy - he even sailed through his surgery and post op like a champ

ARI IS SICK
I might be overreacting because like I said - "we have an extremely healthy baby" I don't know how to take care of sick babies, or diaper rash.... etc

ARI IS SICK
It all started last Saturday, Ari started getting a runny nose..." could be teething, or allergies" we said to each other
Sunday he was horrible - snot nose, couldn't put him down, crying all the time, it was like someone had switched my baby the night before and I was now dealing with an entirely different person.... odd I tell you
Monday morning I woke up to hear my baby coughing - I immediately sat him up and started to tap his back - Ari thanked me by puking all over our bed
THANK GOODNESS THE PEDIATRICIAN DOES NOT TAKE MLK Jr. DAY OFF..

So we ran him over to the DR and got a perscription for ammoxacillian (sp?)
great I thought ten days, two doses a day - and we will be done with this -
OH except Ari won't take the medicine (he is so good with tylenol and such)
I tried every hold, position and trick in the book, blew in his mouth, plugged his nose - EVERYTHING
finally we asked a pharmacist if I could put the medicine in some yogurt - and that seems to be working although to make sure Ari actually gets all the medicine I now have to administer it to him 6 times a day (smaller doses)

BUT WAIT IT GETS BETTER

Ari has a diaper rash - and again - we have no experience in diaper rash so we really have no idea what we are doing - but we have tried it all - Balmex, cornstarch, vaseline, babypowder....
My baby screams at me every time I reach for the diapers- he pushes away from me so hard when I lay him down for a change .... he is in such pain and it is killing me
right now we are using Balmex after each diaper change, using a warm bowl of water and a cloth instead of wipes and letting Ari have an hour or two a day of diaper free time - which was so much easier when he was NOT mobile .... now its just real messy

OH WAIT THERE IS MORE

I am not sure if this is part of Ari being sick or a result of the medication BUT Ari seems to have diareha - which makes a diaper rash that much better I am sure... I am not really sure its actually diarreha since because Ari is sick he won't eat any thing (other then the small amount of yogurt I basically force down) so he is on a pretty much strickly breastfed diet AGAIN - (so much for weaning) so his poop is pretty much exactly what it was when he was a strictly breastfed baby ... We are making sure he is drinking alot to keep him hydrated

so who knows what is going on with our little boy - the ammoxicillian says its side effects could be diarehha and diaper rash so that might be our villian or they could be unrelated - what ever it is we have a really really unhappy little guy

OH I FORGOT IT IS EVEN BETTER THEN THAT
*** Ryan also has a bad sinus infection - so he is out of commission - and today I have had the worst upset stomach .... priceless

few and far between

2009-01-12T14:56:00.000-08:00

posts may be few and far between for a while - I am attempting to wean Ari and get him to sleep in his own bed - so my days are full

just wait til you have kids .....

2009-01-12T14:28:00.000-08:00

so this is what they mean -

I am a picky eater, anyone who knows me knows I am a picky eater.... I wouldn't say I am the pickiest eater (so I don't like ground meat, or really meat in general, and I won't eat chicken off the bone, or chicken that looks funny, I don't like chunky peanut butter, I don't eat seafood at all and I order a grilled cheese at In n Out) I hardly believe I am the World's Pickiest Eater ( oh but wouldn't it be nice to be the world's something even if it was pickiest eater... I should look into that)

ANYWAY ....

I was thinking about how when I was growing up, and probably you have all heard this at one time or another - how whenever you are displaying a possible character flaw, say being a picky eater... someone will say "just wait til you have kids"
people say it all the time- a little girl will talk back to her mom and in response her mom will say "just wait, someday you will have a little girl and she will be 10x's as sassy as you are to me...just wait" and on and on
all my life I have heard people say "just wait til you have kids" pretty much as a response to almost anything

here are some examples:
"I just love staying out til 3am, makes me feel ALIVE"
... "just wait til you have kids"

"sleeping in on Saturdays is awesome - I can stay in bed til 4pm"
..."just wait til you have kids"

"I could never leave the house without showering, putting on makeup, doing my hair, etc."
..."just wait til you have kids"

"I love to travel"
..."just wait til you have kids"

"$400 for a purse is reasonable"
..."just wait til you have kids"

okay so you get the point
BUT ALAS - I think I understand part of this whole - ..."just wait til you have kids"
threat-
I have always been a picky eater and what do you know - I got a picky litter eater in return

Since Ari turned 6 months I have been in a constant battle to get him to EAT - eat anything really
this kid got his first two teeth at 4 months and now he has 10 (that I know of) - chewing is not the issue (although at first I thought maybe it was)
Other moms talk about their babies being so excited for food, finishing the whole jar, crying for more.... NOT my Ari
I have tried everything, baby food, grown up food, feeding him, letting him feed himself, sitting in his high chair, TV on, TV off, sitting on my lap... airplane noises, train noises, making noises like I am enjoying the food way too much, even with holding nursing - EVERYTHING

sometimes he will eat, most times he will not
every once and a while he will eat up whatever we serve him (never a whole jar) and we will get excited and get him another helping- by the time we get back with his second course - well he is done

sometimes he will seem to like a particular food or flavor and we will have a streak of good luck where he might eat two meals in a row and so we will run out and purchase every jar the stores have in that particular flavor- just to return home, fix his next meal and have it rejected

I watch babies at chuch and envy their parents as they give them gold fish and cheerios and fruit snacks and watch the little ones gobble them up - I offer Ari a gold fish and he acts like I have handed him a turd (actually worse then I turd... atleast he tries to play with his turds....)

And don't even get me started with sippy cups - we have tried whole milk, white grape juice, apple juice, sunny delight, water, vanilla rice milk, etc and Ari is completely indifferent about them all ** all juice is watered down of course, what kind of mom do you think I am

We have tried soft sippys, hard sippys, sippys with straws, spill proof sippys, sippys that pour freely (what a mess!!!) bottles (even though it was against everything I believed it - I was desperate- I don't want Ari to wean from breast to bottle, I would rather he go breast to cup...but I am desperate)

No luck with the cups either ... I mean we can get a sip or two but again I watch these other babies drinking out of their cups and I wonder "whats it going to take"

Ari can eat.. he will eat chocolate, and cookies, and tapioca pudding
oh and he will drink - chocolate milk

so it seems I have a picky eater on my hands - guess its poetic justice

SantaLand Diaries......

2008-12-08T11:02:00.001-08:00

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

2008-12-04T06:32:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-01T22:24:00.001-08:00

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

2008-12-01T22:04:00.000-08:00

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?!?,

2008-11-16T15:55:00.000-08:00

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 . . . .

2008-11-07T13:42:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-03T15:48:00.000-08:00

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....

2008-11-03T15:34:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-03T15:29:00.000-08:00

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

2008-11-03T15:24:00.000-08:00

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 ....

2008-10-30T19:43:00.000-07:00

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

2008-10-30T17:38:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-30T16:55:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-25T00:42:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-25T00:40:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-24T23:52:00.001-07:00

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

2008-10-24T23:24:00.001-07:00

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 ......

2008-10-08T22:35:00.001-07:00

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

not quite newlyweds anymore

Nesting.....

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I had a minute to update

The 39.3 miles that changed my life ... Conclusion!!!

39.3 miles that changed my life Part 3

39.3 miles that changed my life Part 2

39.3 miles that changed my life

Tender Mercies

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer:

your reading this So......

I have this really talented friend

5 years ...

Ari & Mary

here's the deal

Crazy little thing called LOVE

What we've been up to

Fooling myself into believing that blogging is what I should be doing right now...

I know its been a while....

I will do the hard work ... but you can make the difference

Checking in on my resolutions....

While I have a minute ....

Merry Christmas

Hello/ Goodbye ....

More Resolutions

WE ARE FAMILY .......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARI BURTON

Two years ago.....

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween

problems with the link below

Vote For Ari

OK Ari's pictures went live

It's pumpkin time

ITS COME TO MY ATTENTION....

THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION

Where have we been?

Ari made the paper -

Well we made it 20 months

Country Days.... Rockin Nights

4th of July fireworks

Ari "nemo" Williams

Where to start...

Let Freedom Ring ......

what we've been up too ...

1st year.... 4th year ... whats the difference

Actually Yours,

Happy Mother's Day

Green thumb Ari

Spring has SPRUNG

Happy Easter

Aquarium of The Pacific

A little bit of catch up

*** longest Sigh of RELIEF ever***

I never expected .......

Ari's 15 month check up

It's been a week .....

Daddy's little boy

Laying with a Lion

Week in review

96 hours into project sleeping lion

Day 3.... I think

another night

Sleep Training Day 2

The results show.....

It is 8:52pm

Sleep Training Night 1

A seat with a view

A mouth full of chompers

Eating Update

True LOVE

My Cute little guy

Merry Christmas

Flash Back

Are you kidding me ?!?!?!?

What's in a Name

My boys......

Wisconsin trip

Catch up...

* longest Sigh of RELIEF ever*