Dancing in my high hair

Learning how to blog from the iPad.

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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