Thankful for an amazing year.

Merry Christmas Everyone!  This year has brought our little family many blessings.  Memories via pictures (pretty obvious theme here):

Last year at this time.

2011 was family meeting Ariy.  He is so blessed to have so many people who love him so well. 

April 20th, 2011 was the day we finally met our little guy.  If you don't know the birth story adventure, it will be one we always remember.

2011 meant for lots of daddy son bonding.  Rick became a full-time stay at home dad in September when I made the decision to go back to work. 

We love our Grandparents.  Grandma aka Super G in particular has been an angel.  She has made some of the harder days much easier.  We are very blessed to have her in Ariy's life.  

2011 was also the year of friends - friends being pregnant and having babies too.  We can't wait to meet PJ and Brenna's little girl Caroline in the new year.  

2011 was when I attended my first marathon purely as a spectator.  Our good friend Mandee Wilmot was a superstar running in the Portland Marathon.

2011 meant wedding time and Ariy's first try at being the ring bearer.

The happy couple was the one and only Randy McNeal and his beautiful bride Aubrie.  We are excited to have the family feel more "complete" now.

So if isn't obvious enough, the excitement of 2011 was meeting Ariy Allan McNeal.  We love him so much and are so blessed to have a healthy happy little man.  I am so thankful for an amazing year and I am looking forward to upcoming transitions in 2012 including becoming a more full-time mommy.  Peace and Joy.  

Life's a'changing

If you haven't heard, we are switching things up over here in the McNeal household.  Rick did a great job explaining this important life update over at Rickloveschristine.  Check it out!

7 months

• Ariy is a growing growing guy. He growing long very quickly and it's hard to keep up.  He is now in 9 month pjs for length.
• Just transitioned to 2 naps (most of the time).  This guy is a big sleeper and getting to 2 naps has been quite the milestone.
• Sitting up all on his own now.  Loves to sit and pull out all of his toys from the basket.
• His first Thanksgiving went well - he loved to smile and play with Grandma and Grandpa.
• Just got his first top tooth with the other one looking like it will come soon.
• Ariy had his first cold and real "up all night" experience since he was just a little little baby.
• Ariy eats 3 small meals a day.  He like oatmeal, squash, carrots, peas, apples, pears, yogurt and LOVES bananas. 
• He loves people and especially loves playing with mommy and daddy.
• He may of made his first scooch forward the other day.
• He loves playing with his glow-worm and most recently, his little giraffe when it is time to sleep.
• He sleep with his butt high in the air on his tummy.
• He is slowly but surely trying to make new sounds which include blowing lots of bubbles, a high pitched squealing and yelling.

Facebook: blocked

I am currently sitting alone in a cold school hallway.  The school has decided to block facebook so I am sharing my current status via the blog.  I can't even tell "you" how excited I am to be home, to see my husband, to have a fire and to sleep in my own bed.  This afternoon can't come fast enough.

Time flies when your...

Time flies when your having fun.  We love Ariy.  His personality is shining through more and more.  October 20th was his 6 month birthday.  I can't believe it.  A few things to remember about this age:

• He loves to laugh especially when he is "flying."
• He is learning to yell both when he is excited or wants our attention or is mad
• 75% in weight (18 lb 13 oz), 90% in height (27.5 inches)
• He sleeps a lot.  I actually asked our pediatrician if he can sleep too much.
• He likes loves bananas and oatmeal.  He hates avocado and sweet potatoes.  
• His favorite activity is jumping and screaming and new people (usually).
• He can sit up with help.

Family pic at Randy & Aubrie's party 

I love banana!

Ariy loved hanging out with PJ especially his nightly high five.

Passed out on the way from Aubrie and Randy's party

Playing in the grass.  

5 months.

Our little man is 5.5 months old, soon to be 6 months old on October 20th.  The biggest change during this month has been my transition back into full-time+ work.  Travel season can be a bit crazy and I am trying to do my best to balance everything.  Some days are great some days are incredibly hard.  Ariy has done so great and has grown SO much.

5 months marked:

• His first 2 bottom teeth popping up 
• Mastering the skill of rolling over on both sides
• Sleeping 12 hours at night
• Still a big napper and struggles when he misses any naps
• He likes to stick out his tongue and make noises
• Ariy started eating oatmeal at dinner time

4 Months Old oh my!

Ariy turned four months this past weekend.  I can't believe it.  I have really enjoyed every month and the progress, growth and personality that comes from that but so far 4 months has been the best maybe.  He is definitely gaining personalty while really settling into a routine which I have enjoyed.

Highlights from the past month (really I write these so I will remember them as I know a lot of people really don't care for these baby details):

• He has learned to roll from tummy to back and back to tummy.
• Gaining control with hands and stronger ability to reach out and grab things.
• He gets frustrated when he can't reach something and get it where he wants it which is usually his mouth.
• This month may have been the possible onset of "teething" as he has started drooling and munching or biting down on things.
• He has officially found his thumb and enjoyed sucking it during naptime.
• He has started babbling and talking pre and post nap.  He seems to love the quiet time to test out his new found voice.
• He still loves new people and places and really loves to take it all in. 
• He really loves going to bed - we even try hard to keep him up later but he just loves it.  Sometimes once we start the bedtime process, he obviously gets excited. 
• He consistently is sleeping through the night and his longest stretch being 10 hours.  
• He is getting to be a little bit of a more consistent napper.  His first awake period is really short (45 minutes) and then he goes back to sleep for 1.5 - 3 hours.  Usually its around 2 hours.  The second two naps are anywhere from 1.5-2 hours.  He has officially dropped the 4th nap unless its been a busy day.
• His longest stretch of being awake is before bedtime which adds up to 2-3 hours.  This can also be his fussiest time of the day so we work to stay busy and entertained.
• He is officially weaned of the swaddle - so happy.  It took some time to get him to sleep soundly unswaddled but now he sleeps better. 
• Ariy has graduated from 3 month clothes.  He now wears anything from 6-9 months.  He is in th 90%+ for weight and head size and 75% or so for height.  Our big guy.

I have yet to do a photoshoot for 4 months old so I thought I would share a video from bedtime last night.  I love this little guy and enjoy his pre-bedtime talking. 

Cast your vote!

Ok...first off.  Rick, stop rolling your eyes.  Ok.  Soooo Ariy is getting ready to transition to a big boy bed aka a crib.  We are just now in the process of picking one out and since I am the most indecisive person ever, I would like you to cast your vote.  I will definitely use the results heavily to make my final decision so please vote.

Crib 1 - Black Jenny Lind style - source

Crib 2 - Cherry "wave" Crib - source

Crib 3 - Modern Grey crib - source













Crib 4 - Modern Navy crib - source


That last two cribs also come in white and natural wood.  I just tend to like the "different colors."

VOTE!!!

Transitions: A working mama

Tomorrow starts a bit of a new chapter.  I have been extremely blessed to enjoy and spend time with Ariy during my Maternity leave.  It has been about 4 months since I have worked.  That is just crazy!  I have really loved my time at home and have undoubtatly faced this transition with a little fear.  I actually woke up, wide awake a couple nights ago with a list of all my crazy fears in going back to work.  They might surprise you.

• Do they really think I can still do my job?  I kind of feel like I should be re-interviewed.  This just seems crazy.
• How many majors does George Fox have?  How many students does George Fox have?  Recent questions people have asked that I seriously had to stop and think about.
• How do a query something? How do I change my voicemail?
• Dress pants?  What?  Will I be able to get them buttoned? Where are they?
• Do I have shoes that fit my feet anymore?  Is being barefoot an option?
• If people didn't notice the "Stacey" bags under my eyes before I'm sure they will notice them now.  Make-up lesson on how to cover these bad boys up?
• Maybe TMI (does that mean too much information? shoot, I'm not even cool anymore) but what if I forget to wear nursing pads during a presentation?
• On a more serious note, will Ariy forget who I am?  Will I miss important milestones?  Will Rick get tired for recording every single moment of the day for me?  Will he return all my 100's of texts I will be sending (while simultaneously getting ALL my work done)?

So, I guess I am a bit nervous.  I think it is safe to say out loud, if circumstances were different, I would choose to stay home with my little boy.  I love my time with him and want to be a part of his young and constantly changing and growing life.   However, at this time in our life, we are thankful for this job. And, if I had to go back to any job, it would be this one.  I have been blessed with probably the best office anyone could ever have.  Everyone I work with is a superstar and I don't doubt I will be supported, encouraged, distracted (in a good way), challenged and entertained every day.  This will certainly help this daunting transition.  

Apple Tart - Our favorite summer treat.

One of the fun things about living where we do, is the abundance of apples in our back yard throughout the summer.  Or perhaps they are better referred to as "Grapple Trees" since the grapes are growing into the apple tree.

Last summer I was searching online trying to figure out an easy recipe to use our apples in and I discovered this recipe for the "Simplest Apple Tart."

It has become a regular recipe this summer and Rick and I have a hard time not eating the whole thing once it's done cooking. 

Tell me your thoughts...

Our little lion man is pushing 15 pounds and 24 inches.  He is one big 3 month old.  So big we are moving through diaper sizes a lot quicker than expected.  He is also so big that he is weighing down the top "bassinet" netting part of our packnplay.  The two things I have been doing some research on are the possibility of moving to cloth diapers and getting him in a crib that gives him more space and is sturdier for all his manliness.

Cloth Diapers
We like the idea of reusable.  To be honest, our main goal here is to save money (it is a bonus they are better for the environment).  I have been trying to figure out which method would be convenient enough that we could do it as well as anyone who watches him but also is a money saver (in the end as I know it is a large cost up front).  Do you use cloth diapers?  Which ones do you like?  What are your personal recommendations?  Where to buy them?  I have been given some great recommendations all ready but still weighing our options.

Crib and Mattress
Here are my thoughts at this point.  I am more than ok finding a used crib.  Something that is solid and "legal" as I understand all drop side cribs are now not being sold anymore.  I feel like I will be able to find something on either craigslist or some baby consignment store.  My bigger concern is the mattress.  I have been doing a lot of research and this is probably where I feeling the most hesitant to get any cheap mattress.  The thing that concerns me most from all the reading I have done is the chemicals used in these mattresses.  Any thoughts?  I would prefer to get one that we can use for the rest of our 9 children we plan on having (maybe not that many but you know)...I want it to last.  What would you recommend?  Where did you buy your mattress?

I'm 3 months old!

I cannot believe how fast time flies.  Our little "big" guy is 3 months old today.   He has grown so much the last three months.  He has pretty much doubled in weight and grown at least 4 inches.  Everyone thinks he is older than he is and the constant comment is "wow, he is so big."  I have fully embraced it and love our "big" guy.

Things to remember for this age:

• Laughing and smiling are common occurances but they never get old
• He certainly knows who mommy and daddy are and that makes us feel loved
• He loves new places and people - he can manage to stay awake if there is something new to entertain him
• He poops less.  This is a weird one.  He has gone from pooping at every feeding to only once or twice a day (and sometimes less).  This makes for some huge blowouts - sick!
• He has found his hands and enjoys sucking on them.  You may even catch him figuring out how to get his single thumb in his mouth.  Rick and I don't agree on "thumbsucking" at the moment.  You may see a "marriage ref" post over at rickloveschristine popping up about this. 
• He can now bat and grab things in front of him.  If you have ever noticed that your child gets fussier while developing new skills like this, it may be a wonder week.  Interesting concept.
• He can roll over from stomach to back and tummy time is getting easier.
• He has a pretty consistent schedule or maybe better refered to as a "pattern."
• His longest stretch of sleeping at night is anywhere from 5-8 hours.  We like 8.
• We are weaning from the swaddle as he is too strong and big and busts out of it almost every night.
• Naps are getting better.  The first 3 are anywhere from 45 minutes to 2.5 hours.  They typically get shorter as the day goes on.  After the 3rd nap its hit or miss for the rest of the day until he goes to bed.
• This kid loves bedtime. We struggle keeping him up but usually by 6:15ish he seems done with life and would be happy going to bed then.  We work on keeping him entertained until 7ish but pretty happy we have a baby that loves and consistently goes to bed each night.  
• He is wearing anything from 3 month to 9 month clothes depending upon the brand.

Now time for this months photoshoot:

trying to get a smile for the camera

Laughing baby.

For those who don't have facebook.  Ariy is a little laughing man these days.

Wedding Celebrations in Colorado

We just returned from our very first flying and traveling experience with a baby.  Overall consensus - Ariy did amazing!  We tried to get him a good nap or two each day wherever we were at, and he did great!  He was such a happy baby with all the attention and did great being carted around everywhere.  The day before we flew out, we got a package from Amazon.  I ordered portable speakers for our ipods.  We both have downloaded free "noise" machine apps and for a quick sooth, they work wonders.  Whenever he naps, we turn up the "heavy rain" noise and out he goes.  It is pretty great.  I would recommend something like this for anyone traveling.  It was one consistent sound he heard no matter where he was for a nap. 

Here is a picture from the airport on the way home.  We were delayed for almost an hour after they boarded us due to severe thunderstorms.  I got pretty anxious and the beginning of both flights but to my surprise, Ariy was awesome.  He slept through both flights!

Probably the best moment for Ariy's rise to popularity was during the wedding ceremony.  He was officially named the ring barrier.  The plan was this - after a (what was suppose to be) a 45 minute ceremony, the time for rings would approach.  The pastor would look over to Rick, the best man, to give him the rings.  Rick then looks confused and turns to look at the best man next to him and so on and so on.  Each guy turns their head one by one until the last guy is left not knowing where the rings are.  I am then positioned to be sitting right next to the last best man.  I pick Ariy up (with rings attached to his little suit) and hand him over to the last best man.  He then proceeds to pass him down the row until the rings make their way to Rick's hands and over to the pastor.  This was the plan.  However, come time for the ceremony to start this was Ariy:

He passed out about 10 minutes before the ceremony began.  I actually was hoping for this because I knew he would never make it 45 minutes just sitting and listening to the beautiful ceremony.  He slept for the first 10 minutes or so and then awake he was.  I did my best to pacify him with a bottle and toys and ridiculous faces.  And, it worked.  The time came quicker then expected and the groomsmen, one by one, looked down the row wondering where the rings were.  I lifted Ariy up like simba from the lion king and passed him off to the last groomsmen.  What followed was very memorable.  Eight grown men in suits passed my baby one by one down the row.  Some cradled him ever so carefully, others had no knowledge that they should maybe watch the bobble head.  My stomach had butterflies in it which distracted me from my goal of video taping the whole thing.  The crowd laughed and everyone whispered "how cute."  I didn't actually hear that, I just assume that was everyone's thoughts (of course). 

Here is a short video of the last few passes of that memorable moment. 

More importantly, the wedding of Randy and Aubrie, my brother and sister-in-laws, was amazing.  It was quite the party and everyone had a great time.  We had a lot of help from family and really got to enjoy our time.  Cheers to an amazing start to Randy and Aubrie's new life together.  And thank you to family for your extremely generous support towards our little family.