It's the Holidays!

Hey!
We have been busy! The tree is up, lights are lit and we are all set for Christmas. Sam was baptised on Sunday December 14th. It went great and we were very blessed to have Auntie Ally and Uncle Scott be Godparents for Sam! Sam is growing like a weed. He's over 13 lbs now and 2.5 months old. He is a happy happy baby - always smiling and today he started giggling. He's truly a gem!

Charlie is excited about Christmas. Santa "has a white beard, says Ho Ho Ho" and will bring "more engines and dollies" for Christmas. We have the engines part covered - just trying to figure out what dollies to get! :) Not too much to report but wanted to share a lot of pictures of the boys! They are pretty cute if I do say so myself!

Merry Christmas to all!

Merry Christmas!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Looking like Christmas!!

"Santa comin' later" - Charlie's favourite new topic! He loved his birthday and is excited for when Santa comes to bring him more presents. When asked what he would like Santa to bring him the answer is always just "presents" - he'll take anything - what a good kid! :)

Sam is 7.5 weeks old as I write this - he is a pork chop now. We are doing great! He is sleeping through the night (as per the books) and eating like a champ - hence the pork chopness! Charlie is starting to get a little bit jealous but that is to be expected - he is not getting away with it so he is calming down a bit. It just means I get to give extra hugs and kisses to my big boy!

Cam is doing well. He started his new job today (within OPG). It was time for a change and hopefully he likes it! He was hunting for two weeks (off and on) and was able to get a couple of deer. Thankfully he is home now until next hunting season -not having him around for a couple days is a lot harder with two kids!

Here are some newer pictures of the boys! Enjoy!

Sam is a month old!

Wow - time is flying by. I know, I know - how cliche but it's true. Time seems to be going by so much faster with two kiddies. Charlie celebrated his second birthday (on multiple days) and Sam is now a month old. Charlie loves being a big brother (for now) and always asks to "hold it baby Sammy" and is always telling me when he needs his "soosie" (soother). I am sure things will change when Sam can play with his toys but for now - they are in love.

I am gearing up for Cam's hunting season which starts next week. He will be in and out of the house for a couple weeks. I am more comfortable with the boys now but it's still difficult to get everything coordinated sometimes.

Halloween is in a couple days and Charlie will be going trick-or-treating with his girlfriend Zofia. It will be fun - hopefully he will actually wear his costume. Updates to come!

Make a Smilebox greeting

More pics of Sam

Baby Sam arrives home!

We are proud to announce the arrival of our latest addition, Sam Cullen Arnold. He was born at 8:58 (during Sunday Night Football) on Sunday evening (Sept 28th) and weighed 8lbs, 1oz.

While preparing for a friend's baby shower on Sunday morning Alicia found herself unable to walk or stand due to severe leg and back pain from Sciatic issues that she has had for over 5 months. I came in from playing outside with Charlie to find her on the bathroom floor. I called Dad and him and I carried her to the car and took her to the hospital.

After examination the doctor in labour & delivery decided to induce Alicia as the pain was getting worse and she had lost feeling in her left leg. 6 hours later and after a not-so-sucessful epidural, the wee boy was born. He was happy and healthy and was eating well within an hour.

Two days and not much sleep later we are now home. Charlie also came home after camping out at Papa and Nana's house while we were at the hospital. He is very excited to have Sam here and has explained to the first few visitors that Sam eats "Milk from Mommy's boobies".

Alicia still has some Sciatic issues and we all need some sleep but everyone is very happy and we plan to spend the next while enjoying some time with family and friends.

More pics to follow as I get them from the various photographers who have been in attendance.

Cam

Wow - where has the time gone?

We have been really bad at updating the blog - so sorry! I can't believe I am 1.5 weeks away from my due date and Charlie is about 1.5 months from his 2nd birthday. We have been keeping busy. We did lots of camping including our annual trip to Alexandria Bay in which the Monty's joined us this year! Charlie has been talking up a storm and loving life - he is such a joy.

Our big camping trip this summer saw us near Lake Placid, NY - what a beautiful place! We were staying at the base of Whiteface mountain - the ski location for the Olympics - it was quite interesting. We were 8 miles from town and went in a couple times to check it out - so serene. After Lake Placid (and the cool rainy weather) we went to Wellesley Island and stayed at the state park. We do this trip annually (I believe this was our 5th summer) and the weather co-operated which was nice - Charlie and I spent a day at the beach while the boys golfed. Charlie went golfing a couple times with us and he loved it! He's such an easy going kid.

I'm including lots of pictures from our adventures this summer!

Fishing with Daddy at Nana and Papa's cottage - July 2008

Caught my first fish ever!

21 months old - hanging out in the pool

Sauble Beach long week-end

This past week-end we went to Sauble Beach for the first time. We spent 4 days there and went to the beach, the park and to town. It was Sunny almost the entire time although it was a little cool at the beach at times.


We had a great time with Kevin, Tricia, Jeff and Laura who all made the trip up from Niagra.


The only casualty of the trip was one of Charlie's fingernails on his left hand which he lost when he stood up on a lawnchair and it went over, jamming a few fingers. After we got it cleaned and dressed he was back to running and climbing and by the time Monday came he was proud to show off his "ouchie" to anyone brave enough to look at it!

Cam

Early Summer update

It's been a while since we have updated! Time is flying by! We have celebrated Grandpa's Birthday, Father's Day and of course, the May 24 weekend!

Charlie is almost 20 months now and I'm 6 months pregnant. I have not had a great time so far, but the end is in sight - 14 weeks and counting.

We have done a couple camping trips already this summer and our nephew Andrew was baptised on June 15th. Lots of great family and friend times.


Attaching some new pictures from camping, hanging out in the backyard and more camping. More camping booked and looking forward to getting the pool fixed ( new liner needed).