Santa Photos

Well, we survived another year of pictures with Santa. And, in a "Christmas miracle" - Dominic actually smiled for the picture! Frankie looked like he was getting a mug shot taken. And if it wasn't for that teddy bear, I don't think he'd have wanted any part of Santa's lap. His single request for Christmas this year when Santa asked... a car - what else?! Keith snapped a few photos off to this side, which is what this picture is. Merry Christmas!

Tamales!

Anyone who knows my family well knows that Christmas time means tamale-making time. This year we had a VERY lean crew of my mom, dad and me. Keith was watching the boys and we didn't think there were any other gringos in the Valley worthy of making tamales with us! So, four hours later, we were gorging ourselves on this delicious treat (I had a half dozen myself - Keith beat me out by two). :) My mom is probably still in her kitchen bagging up these addictive goodies. Keith calls them heroin in corn husks. I agree!

The Holidays...

We're 10 days away from Christmas and I have MOST of the shopping done. What a crazy time of year this is... and then top it off with a new baby (how long can I keep saying that until it's just an excuse??) - it's nuts! I canned salsa for the first time this year - and will be giving that out for family gifts to go along with our tamales which we're making on Sunday. Life is good and full and nutty and wonderful. This pic is just a lazy Saturday at home with the boys... Dominic's eyes are still blue and Frankie is still being an angel of a big brother. I'm so lucky!

Dominic is Baptized!

In a short tribute to the new little man in our lives... Dominic is now about 11 weeks old and is as sweet (if not sweeter) than Frankie was at this age. He loves to smile and "talk" and is content doing just about anything as long as he is well-fed. Hmmm... is that a Weidaw, Arnold, Perez or Putnam thing??? Probably all four! He discovered his tongue this weekend and is obsessed with sticking it out at anyone who will look his way. In a major event, Dominic was baptized on Sunday and was the best baby there. He really didn't make a peep and was awake for most of it. His godfather is Greg (Keith's cousin on the Italian side) and the godmother is Jennifer (Keith's sister). It was really nice to have Keith's family in town to share is such a special day for Dominic. I think that is one of the best things about beith Catholic... to have these special days in our lives that mark a day in time to celebrate not only our spirituality, but their development as kids. We will always remember this special day for Dominic. He's a blessing in our lives!

First Bike Ride

We busted out an early birthday present for Frankie today... his new tricycle. And, he loved it! Not a moment too soon either... because in a rare twist of fate, it's raining this afternoon and we'll be stuck inside the rest of the day.

Dominic's Stats

Although he was pretty short when he was born, Dominic is turning into a true Arnold boy... long and lean! At his two-month check up, he was in the 50th percentile for weight at 11.6 pounds and the 90th percentile for height at 24 inches. There are moments when he seems like he's growing too fast... and then others when I realize how teeny he still really is. We just spent a great day at the park with the whole family - Keith had the day off. Everyone had a blast... and Dominic's going on a three-hour nap to prove it! This is a recent pic where he is looking exceptionally Italian with that nose! :) He's a sweetie and talks ALL the time... way chattier than his big brother was at this age. So, we will see if this guy is even more of a social bug. For now, I love that he keeps most of his chatter for his mom.

My Two Men!

How cute is this photo? Frankie insisted on putting shaving cream on his face and thought he was pretty hot stuff standing next to his dad doing it.

Happy Halloween!

We had a great Halloween with decorating cookies, trick or treating and more. Frankie (the pirate) got the hang of it by the very end. And, Dominic was a good sport. We head to Dominic's 2-month doctors appointment today. It's crazy to think that two months has already passed!

He smiles!

So it only took 6 weeks... and hey - if I'd been through what Dominic just had... maybe I wouldn't smile for 6 weeks either. But, it finally happened. A REAL smile. The Dom (one of his many nicknames) has been maintaining a low profile for the past few weeks. At the request of his press agent (that would be me), minimal photography has taken place... that is because he has a ridiculous case of baby acne. How cruel is that? So, now that it's starting to ease, we're back into photography again. And not a moment too soon.

Musings from a stay-at-home mom...

Life as a stay-at-home mom is fun. I'm not sure if it's fun because I know this is temporary or not. Maybe it's fun today because both kids are doing really well (aka: eating well, napping well, not screaming 24/7). I only have three glorious weeks left of this, so I'm trying to get my fill of it! Here are some fun photos of the boys from this weekend and today... My dad's in town and having fun playing "Doc" for the week. Frankie is also learning to google.

Firsts for Dominic...

First bath and first tummy time... he rolled over! That rock star! :) Also, some quality time for both kids with mom and dad.

More pics...

I'm typing this with a newborn in my arms... so just some new photos to share!

Paternity Leave

So Keith works for a great company (Deloitte & Touche) that allow their new daddies to take two weeks of paternity leave. He's been maximizing the opportunity!

Welcome Dominic Davis Arnold!

On Labor Day we welcomed a second son into our lives... yea!

Dominic Davis Arnold

Born September 1, 2008 at 10:21 p.m.

Weight: 7 lbs. 14 oz.

Height: 18.5 inches

Sign: Virgo

Disposition: Quiet and strong

Nickname: We don't know yet... right now it's just been Dominic!

Siblings: Frankie (love at first sight!) - so far so good...

Thanks for all the well wishes. We're happily adjusting to life as a family of 4!

A Co-Workers Top 10

In the words of my friend and co-worker Amanda at Olson Communications... a Top 10 List for "How you can tell I'm ready to get this baby OUT!"

10. Dana considers underlayers and tank tops optional and lifts them off or up by day’s end.
9. Dana shows up with a pony tail more than once in a month.
8. She sighs with joyous relief – as if receiving manna from heaven – when putting on a headband that pushes the hair off of her face.
7. She is so visually chaffed by seeing people with baby-free bodies in non-maternity clothes that she asks the team not to wear belts or anything that indicates the existence of a waiste.
6. She makes an afternoon habit of sauntering down the office midway, barefoot, with a look of sadness and purposelessness, staring blankly into the cubes.
5. She considers sleeping the least fun part of the day.
4. She greets office mates with a mildly irate "I’m still here" vs. a bubbly "good morning."
3. She slouches so low in her chair, she’s almost prairie-dogging at her desk.
2. She falls out of her chair, and considers going to the printer a long-distance commute she cannot imagine making -- but feels bad about it and sort of tries to get out of the chair until the nearest Olsonita tells her to "park it" and scoots to fetch her docs.
1. She considers sex to be too much work – and admits it freely to the peanut gallery.

Pregnancy: Pros and Cons

Please indulge me while I try to maintain some sense of humor (with 1.5 weeks left to go in my pregnancy). Here is a quick hit-list of the pros and cons of gestation.

Pros:

- People encouraging you to eat - and thinking that the bigger your belly is, the cuter you are

- Strangers assisting you with doors, carrying bags, doing anything

- A constant source for conversation - no lulls with a belly like this!

- Bonding with the new baby before anyone else gets to

- Feeling like you're a living miracle every single day and being amazed at the awesome things your body is capable of

Cons:

- Having your hands, feet and ankles serve as a human barometer for the humidity that day (or how much salt intake happened in the past 24 hours)

- Purchasing parachutes instead of bras to accommodate the new size of your boobs (which is only a con because if the "full body package" of growth that accompanies these knockers)

- A limited wardrobe - which is primarily dedicated to flat shoes and tops that cinch at the ribcage and have lots of bows, ties and ribbons

- Calf cramps throughout the night (to make sure you're REALLY not getting enough sleep between that and the fact that you're up pee-ing at least twice)

- Comments from complete strangers about your weight gain - as if it really isn't your body at all, but a fat suit that you've rented for 9 months

- Knowing that just around the corner... you're going to have to diet again (and ice cream has become such a fun reward at the end of the day)

But to be honest, if someone told me that Keith could do all of this in my place - there is no way that I'd want that to be the case. For all these little "nasties" in the cons section... there is something so special about pregnancy!

Maine Vacation

Ok... so we have been back from vacation for a month. But, there was a lot of catch-up to do. Here are some fun photos from our ventures in Boston and Maine. Lots of great family photos, rest and relaxation. Seems like decades ago!! Doc and Frankie picking wild blueberries; GG with Kamili and Frankie; The Ofobike Family; Keith and I; Keith with Norm at Cheers and my personal favorite... him with dinner on the 4th of July - his second lobster meal while there. For the record, he gained nearly 12 pounds while we were on vacation... no doubt it was from having clam chowder with every meal!

Vacation Begins...

We started our two week vacation last Friday (at least Keith gets two weeks). I was working from Ohio this week... which means a drop in temps by nearly 30 degrees which is GREAT by me. Frankie's been eating up his time with Nana, Papa and Aunt Jenny... doing lots of fun Ohio things. Even though it isn't that sunny out, I swear Frankie's neck is starting to turn red...

Here he is sitting on Nana's lap during band practice (she and her 10 brothers and sisters have a band), riding on the 4-wheeler with Papa and sitting on Aunt Jenny's lap. Good times!

One for the baby book...

I went to Dallas recently for work and had to participate in some fun activities with some editors... had to share one of the photos of me skeet shooting. Good thing baby is so insulated in my belly! Two of the editors were so impressed that I did that pregnant - they asked me if there was anything they could write about my clients. I'd say that's a good day in a PR person's life. :)

Did I also mention that I hit four out of five clay pigeons??!

Q-tip Disaster

I frequently get emails from friends that show the worst of the worst photos of what kids can do when left alone for a few minutes. Well, we had one of those incidents ourselves yesterday... 750 Q-tips don't really belong in a box, do they? Not according to Frankie. In his words, "Oh No!"

Rest in Peace Jasmine

Princess Jasmine Weidaw-Arnold

March 23, 1993 - May 31, 2008

On a warm Saturday morning, Jasmine left this world to enjoy her version of heaven... where every day is 60 degrees and sunny, the season is always fall with lots of leaf piles to play in, and pizza is served for breakfast, lunch and dinner. She is survived by her original Weidaw family (mom, dad and Blake) - and now her more recent Arnold family of "mom" and "dad," her loud and tail-pulling younger brother Frankie, a step-brother Chuey (from the wrong side of the tracks - who is in Chihuahua bliss at his new home with EIGHT other Chihuahuas), and the soon-to-arrive younger brother or sister. Her cousins Brewster and Rufus also must be listed here - as beloved Bichon Frise counterparts in other parts of the country.

For those of you who only knew Jasmine during her retirement in Arizona, I am sad for that. The first ten years of her life were much more robust (and friendly!) - with many people thinking she was just a puppy for most of it. What should have been the sunset years for Jasmine in AZ were far from it... she endured several desert attacks - a jumping cholla cactus, a King snake, a near Coyote massacre, and a terrible brown recluse spider bite that disabled her for months.

I prefer to revel in her spunky youth of running through Ohio grass, loving to snuggle, her disdain of men, serving as a pillow for a teenage girl's tears, and always, always greeting those she loved with complete body-convulsing happiness.

Some lessons that we can learn from my sweet Jasmine:

- No matter how much pain or suffering you may be enduring, pizza helps.

- Any place can be a vacation, even if that is simply hiding under a bed for eight hours.

- Fight rarely. There's very little that is worth getting that worked up over.

- Love fiercly, but be selective with who gets to be on the receiving end of that love.

- No matter how terrible your day has been, joy can and should always be found in spending time with those that you love.

- Even in old age... with few teeth, no vision or hearing, arthritis in both hips and very few "good moments" - you can and will be appreciated and celebrated by somebody.

I will miss you, Jasmine.

Spiritual Leader?

For those of you who have only known Keith and I since having a child - the thought of us being spiritual guides to a young impressionable child might not seem so far fetched. However, for those who have known us BF (before Frankie) - you're probably getting a good chuckle out of the fact that we are now the Godparents to our new niece Kamili. It was a beautiful ceremony in San Antonio last weekend... and in this long weekend trip out there, we've come to appreciate extended stay hotel rooms, the beauty of a child that sleeps the entire leg of a flight, and the help of a 10-pound dog to keep an 18-month-old entertained! Thanks, Rufus! Enjoy some of the pics from the weekend... good times.

Looking like mom?

Tell me he isn't starting to look a LITTLE bit like me... I think so (or maybe that's the pregnancy lack of brain talking.) You can kind of see the big birthmark on his left cheek in this picture - that the sun has helped enhance over the past few weeks. One of his little girlfriends was trying to pick it off his face this weekend!