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).

The First Camping Trip of '08 - Sandbanks PP

On the week-end we went to Sandbanks PP with friends from work. Although we knew that camping would be very different due to Charlie's activity level this year, it was interesting to see what he was like. We found that he was quite happy to entertain himself and was very interested in exploring everything in the outdoors. He also really seemed to enjoy having a playmate as he wanted to do everything that our friend's 6 year old daughter did. She looked after/played with him for hours on Saturday at the beach, on the site and inside the trailer. Camping with him is going to be a lot of fun this year.

Cam

Update - April

Well - I survived my 29th birthday! That will be the last one for a while - taken from my mom's example I will be just celebrating anniversaries now! Had a great day and celebrations.

So it's official - we can announce that Charlie will be a big brother in September. I am currently 16 weeks along and starting to feel better - finally! I have been quite ill with this pregnancy - quite different than with Charlie. I'm not banking on anything but I'm sure only girls can be this much of a hassle! :)

Here are some new pictures of Charlie. He loves his new rubber boots which is the central theme of most of the pictures. Charlie is growing like a weed and apparently kissing all the cootie girls he can find! The last month or so has seen him suffer croup and right now he is dealing with a yucky cold. Bring on the warm weather - we are all tired of being sick!

We celebrate Cam's 30th birthday next month - until then.....Adieu!

Alicia