Welcome

Garrett Douglas Wells Arnold was born on October 22 at 10:16. He weighed 7.5 pounds and measured 20 inches long. Active labor was smooth, lasting under two hours! He's home now and we're all adjusting, especially Gracie! She's proud as can be but still learning her boundaries. It's been a busy but blissful time!

The Home Stretch

We had an ultra sound this morning. Garrett Douglas is estimated to be between 5.2 and 5.12 pounds. He wouldn't cooperate for measurements on his length but the technician feels that the measurements she did get are still consistent with his due date which means as of tomorrow i'm 36 weeks and considered full term! Given all that I have been through in this pregnancy I am amazed and so incredibly thankful to have gotten this far. It's been a long and worriseome road but along it I have gathered insight into my boys personality. For instance, I know that he is stubborn and a fighter. Given the personality of his sister I suppose this should have come as no surprise. I am so excited to meet my son and can't believe that it could be any day now!

Pre School

On August 16th, 2006 I learned I was pregnant with Gracie. That day marks the start of what has been the most significant and defining journey of my life. Through mothering my little girl I have discovered a greater sense of purpose then I ever imagined finding for myself, and I have experienced a peace of mind incomparable to anything I'd ever felt before her.

Today, Gracie started pre-school. What a fitting month to begin an educational journey that I hope carries her to wonderful things. Though, growing up I never imagined being a parent as all I wanted my future to be I now know that it was exactly what I was meant to do and I hope that fifteen or twenty years from now, whatever career Gracyn decides to persue leaves her feeling every bit as fullfilled as I do everyday.

All the luck in the world to my Gracie girl.

A Valid Point

When I pass a person begging I generally offer them a granola bar or some other snack item. Given that we live in the downtown area Gracie sees me doing this a lot. Each time she asks why I do it I say something like "because they don't have money to buy food" or "because they don't have a house with a kitchen like you and I" and that's the end of it. Gracie drops the subject. I don't sugarcoat Gracie's surroundings but I don't elaborate on them either. Anyways, when we stopped for gas and coffee before gymnastics on Tuesday one of the local bums (a fellow who sits under the overpass drinking all day) approached me and asked for money. Truthfully, somewhat disgusted by his behavior (and having nothing but my coffee in hand ) I simply said "no" and got back in the car. As I buckled up a concerned Gracie said "mommy, you didn't give that man a granola bar..." To which I said "I know, I didn't have one..." To which a still concerned Gracie said "but he doesn't have any money..." To which (with exasperation) I retorted that's because he drank it all..." To which an innocent Gracie said "and that's why he's hungry!"

I love life from the eyes of my sweet three year old :)

A New House

After about a month of looking we finally found a house. It’s got three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a fenced in yard like we wanted. It’s located in a nice neighborhood and is about a quarter of a mile away from the park where Brian and I got married. Overall I’d say it was a good find and I can’t wait to get settled in! Packing up this place and moving there however is definitely another story. I just haven’t found the motivation it’s going to take to do that yet. After nearly three years in our current apartment a lot of stuff has accumulated and the thought of sorting through and packing all of it overwhelms me. There’s just too much! I tried to break it down into smaller, more manageable lists today and right now my plan is to move through the house room to room packing all of the similar items. My goal for this week is to pack most of the books (I’ll have to leave 10 or so of Gracie’s out), and all of the movies and CD’s and to sort through our storage cage in the basement which contains Gracie’s old baby things. I have a feeling I’ll be making several trips to Goodwill! On a more positive note, we aren’t moving until the first week of September so I’ve got some time to pace myself. The trick is just going to be convincing myself to use it. It’s summer time, meaning it's nice out and there are so many things I’d rather be doing so we’ll see how it goes. Hopefully I can find a nice balance between getting this place packed up and giving Gracie the best last summer as an only child that I can.

A Moment Like Thus

Brian and I celebrated our marriage with our friends and family on Sunday, June 20th. It was every bit as amazing and special as I ever dreamed my wedding would be. Together we make a beautiful family and it was wonderful being able to celebrate that with the people who matter to us most.

Big News

Even better news? The placenta has shifted entirely. It is now sitting just where one would expect it to be. Barring anymore unforseen circumstances I will be having a healthy little boy, and I can have him naturally as planned!

So long bedrest, thanks for fixing the problem!