not as fun for everyone

We are in the middle of packing. Actually, closer to the end. Thus this post is to let you all know that I may be unable to blog for awhile. Ryan and I have a list of things to accomplish by the end of each day, and tomorrow I must part with my computer. I don't know how I will handle it, it is almost like my morning coffee. I get up, check my email, make some toast, check the blogs, take a shower, check my email . . . etc, etc. I will still be able to use Ryan's laptop, but I doubt I'll be able to post as often.

The good news is that our packing is almost done. The bad news is that I'm getting even more emotional than before. Something about leaving a beautiful city, wonderful people, good neighborhood, the boys' first room . . . is just stirring up the tears.

• HIllsboro Village
• Drive thru Starbucks
• Green Hills Mall
• Downtown Franklin
• Brick Architecture
• Kenner Avenue
• Wide trim and crown molding
• An early spring and a late fall
• Monstrous manicured lawns
• Friendly, and Charismatic strangers
• Friendly and Charismatic friends
• All the new babies coming and arrived
• Meeting Ryan for lunch on a whim
• Incredible music performances happening almost daily
• The Kelm's, the West's, the Oxford's, the resident's . . .

So many things. Nasvhille, I will miss you.

The best daddy

Happy Father's Day, babe! Out of all the things you excel at, when you became a daddy you found your finest moments. Thank you for being such an incredible provider, protector, and playmate to our little boys. We love you, and are so grateful for you!

carrot soup

Our friends, the West's, have been such a major blessing to us during our time in Nashville. They were one of the first to welcome us here and take us in as friends. We have loved spending time with them and will miss them so much. From them we have learned to enjoy life and take in every second. I don't think I've ever met a family that loves being together more, or laughs together more, or absolutely loves everyday moments more. The West's eat life up, enjoying it in a boisterous and contagious way. When you are with them, you are happy, you can't help yourself.

Without extended family here, the West's have been our "people" and have been there for us to celebrate, or help out in time of need. So, of course, for Graham's birthday, they helped us celebrate. George picked out a book called "Carrot Soup" and it is now one of Graham's favorites. He waits in anticipation to hollar out "Surprise" at the end, and listens intently each time we read how Rabbit yearns to make his Carrot Soup.

While we were in South Dakota, Graham and Gigi were watching a bunny munching on the lawn, she pointed out that rabbits eat grass. Graham looked at her, nodded, then added "And soup."

magic genie

if i had 3 wishes . . .

i would seriously consider "sleeping in" as one of the three.

losing the pregnancy weight would be contemplated as well.

growing . . . and growing . . . and

Here are some long awaited pictures of Owen. He is such a big boy. So different than Graham. I can't wait to hear what his percentages are like compared to his older brother. We have a doctor's appointment next week. He fills out his carseat, he's wearing 3-6 month clothes, he's got 5 chins . . . Does time just go by faster with the 2nd, or is he just that much bigger than the usual 2 month old?

I have not been very good at taking pictures of Owen. I will have to make up for it in photos displayed around the house, I don't want a severe middle-child-syndrome to take root in the little guy someday, based solely on his lack of camera time. He is such a precious baby, so sweet. It will be so much fun to watch him continue to grow . . . and grow. I guess he needs the extra mass since his life is constantly in danger from a crazy toddler tearing around the house. Graham is obsessed with Owen. O will be quietly dozing off to sleep when Graham will come up behind him and hollar "HI OooooWEn!" The little guy startles everytime and nearly jumps out of my grasp, his arms flailing wildly as though he could topple out into space. Then, his lip starts to quiver before I can settle him down and reassure him that he has escaped danger once again, and that his brother is not carrying any dangerous toys doubling as weapons . . . this time.

latest fling

I held out for so long . . . and as I had confessed to my sister in law's, had been a designer jean virgin. I told them the story of my first, how they beckoned me into the dressing room tempting me with their butt-minimizing promises and leg-lengthening possibilities.

You know how hard it is to stop once you go too far . . . and while I'm a long way from becoming "easy", my new fling is a little wild, a lot of fun, and maybe even a little kinky. Please let me introduce Mr. B, . . . Mr Allen B.

How could I resist?!

Big O

Owen is changing so quickly, he is only 8 weeks but already probably as big as Graham was at 16 weeks! He is already out of his 0-3's for the most part. I just hate putting those tiny, adorable clothes away because they won't snap any longer! He is getting to the fun stage of cooing, and smiling, and following us around with those big blue eyes. They look as thought they may stay blue. Graham's changed to a dark hazel. Owen has a peaceful disposition, and seems to be happy most of the time. He really handles most situations so well, even Graham's outbursts and sometime a bit too aggressive affection. I am so fortunate to have 2 healthy, happy boys.

3 Generations

Weekend alone

Ryan travelled to South Dakota for a last minute trip. We sent him to represent both of us and make important decisions about the home we will be living in once we move. Long story.

It has been a long, long weekend.

Where should I start. Maybe with the time Graham snuck outside while I was sleeping. Thank God he didn't walk down to the road, or the door didn't lock behind him, or someone didn't snatch him . . . . the list goes on.

Or I could go through my morning, how after waking at 5 AM with a hungry infant and dosing back to sleep, the little boy who used to spend a good half hour snuggling with me before starting our days comes RUNNING and hollaring "mom! mom! milk, milk" as though if he didn't get a drink that very moment the world would go spinning off it's axis.

Or how I attempted to get ready for church, but by the time we were all dressed, I was too exhausted to go. Or maybe our trip to the park where upon leaving I had to carry Owen in his Baby Bjorn along with a crying and screaming Graham away from the slide in 90 degree heat while wearing high heels (the park was the substitute for church, thus the high heels)

Boy, I can't wait for Ryan to get back! If that boy knows what's good for him, he will come bearing gifts!

so much love

Graham and Owen have had so much attention, and love in the last couple of months. After each familiy member came and stayed he'd get exponentially more and more excited, and also more and more sad to see them go. Here are just a few of our helpers.


Aunt Sabrina is lovingly referred to as "B" after much prodding. Graham initially wanted to call her "this". Last time we saw her, Graham cried and cried when we had to take him away. "B back! B Back"


Deara is so comfortable for the boys. I think they almost think of her as an extension of me. It's just so natural to have her around helping with them. I am almost afraid she may try to have another baby, (you think I'm joking, . . . you wouldn't if you had a 7 year old brother) I had hoped mom would be here super close to the birth of Owen, but it was almost better that she and Sabrina came later so that I was able to have more fun with them.


Graham is in-love with Zach and Velvet, especially Zach ("sack" as Graham says) Z&V were in Seaside at the same time we were much to Graham's delight. His face absolutely lights up when he sees them, it is incredibly precious. As excited as I am to move on with life and be close to family, I can barely stand to think of how much we will all miss the Kelm's.


Judy (gigi) came to stay for a couple weeks, we worked her like a scullery maid. She was such a trooper, packing, getting up early to help with the crying baby, cooking. wow, what a gift. Graham learned quickly that gigi would generally do her best to make him happy, and if I had to discipline him, he would hollar out "my gigi, my gigi" in otherwords, "save me, oh kind one with the many treats and gifts. Bob (bapa) came later and drove to Seaside with us. Graham was super pumped to have him come and would hollar at the top of his lung "yaaaayy Bapa." Having Grandparents along on a vacation definitely has it's perks, I now think it's the only way to travel. Bob and judy would babysit for us while we layed on the beach. Bob would carry Owen around in the baby bjorn to alleviate the crying while Judy chased a crazy 2 year old. We couldn't have done a trip like this with a tiny baby without them, or atleast we couldn't have enjoyed it nearly as much.

We are so blessed by these people and all the others not pictured but who gave a helping hand, or word of advice, or sent a gift. I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you.

track-star

I was never a super-athlete. The only sport sport I excelled in was cheerleading. and YES, I know it isn't a real sport. I did however participate in track. I even made the highlight video. However, the song playing in the background was "wah wah wah wipe-out", so as you can imagine, my screen-time was less than glorious. I'm not sure why I was out for the sport, probably because it was what most of the cute guys were doing in the spring season. I even remember specifically watching the Men's 110 meter hurdles at the Watoma relays because a friend of mine told me that Ryan Arnold was hot and he was in that race. He had no idea his future wife was stalking him that day.

Track practices were terrible, such a love-hate thing (although for me the emphasis leaned towards hate) I loved the feeling once it was over and I knew I had had a great work-out, I enjoyed the comradery of the fellow tracksters, but I hated all other aspects of the working out. One drill I particularly despised was a relay type drill. We got in groups of 4, and all jogged in a single file line. The person in the back had to sprint to the front, then lead the joggers again. Then the new "back" person sprinted to the front, and on and on. Inevitably there was always the "back" person who had more energy than the rest of the group, or enjoyed hearing my lungs struggle for each breath, or didnt' get the concept of JOGGING once sprinting to the front and the pace would keep escalating out of control.

Graham is that sprinter.