Back to life, back to reality...

Yesterday was my first day back at work.  What a yucky day it was for many reasons.  The roads were icy, my boss was hanging out at my store all day, and I had to leave Arlo at home.  On the bright side, I really love my job when I'm there (it's the leaving home that's hard) and Charlie was able to spend the afternoon at home with Arlo.  I won't have to leave him with our nanny until next week.

A couple pics from my last morning at home before becoming a working mother...

Christmas 2010

 Well, 2010 has come to a close...hard to believe.  We started this year with the hopes of growing our family and are so thankful this dream came true.  We also experienced a terrible loss with the passing of Charlie's sister, Liz.  We share memories of Liz every day and cherish the fact that she was able to hold her nephew and spend several UNC tailgates with him.  He will know her well through our stories and memories. 

 In 2010, we also moved into our new home.  Here are a few pictures of Christmas at the Helms' house.

Daddy and Arlo on Christmas morning

Roscoe and Gus (our friend Casey's dog) enjoying some couch time

Our Christmas tree and Christmas loot

Gus trying out his Christmas present

Allie getting some sugar

Zoe in her Christmas bow among the carnage

Brunch



Devilish grin

Roscoe, Tobie, Zoe, Louie in their bows after Christmas in Hickory

Sleepy doggie...managed to find a tiny spot on the couch

 

Mommy and Arlo - Merry Christmas!

We love you all and are so thankful for amazing friends and family.  We wish you lots of love and happiness in 2011 - it's going to be a great year!!!

Love, Katie

In remembrance...

Smiles!

My favorite activity lately is doing whatever it takes to make Arlo smile.  Fortunately, it doesn't take much! 

Check these out from just the past couple days:

-Katie

Photo Ketchup

(Photo catch-up, that is.)

Daddy and sleepy baby

Amy and I have been friends for about 20 years!
Sam and Arlo are almost exactly 4 months apart...I hope their friendship is even longer than ours.  :)

I love when he yawns.  I have lots of these pictures.

Emily and family came to visit when Arlo was three weeks old.  Emily and I have been friends for about 13 years.  I was not surprised that Arlo loved her immediately!

Naptime on Grandma Melon. 

Baby's second game day.  This time we went to campus for the tailgate and then came home to watch the game. 

Go Tar Heels!

Bundled up for our first walk around the block.  He loves to stroll and we're both looking forward to Spring so we can get out more!  This winter has been COLD!

What's up, cheeks?

I can't get enough of that sweet face. How 'bout you?

-Katie

Snow Day!

Second snowfall of the year already!  Although today it's more like sleet and slush, so we'll be staying in.  Great opportunity for me to catch up on posting some pictures from the past two months!

This picture of Vaughn and Arlo is very special...almost exactly 6 years prior to taking this picture, I was holding Vaughn when she was this size!  How funny to think she may be babysitting for him in a few years? (P.S. I can't believe how little he is and how much hair he has!  He has rubbed most of that off by now.)

 I have lots of sweet, sleepy baby pictures from the first couple months.  Here is one of him snuggling with mama and sporting the owl onesie made by "aunt" Emily.

Baby's first tailgate!  He was only 2 weeks old (and I was only 2 weeks post-op!), so we moved the tailgate from campus to our house.  Pictured are GranDeda, Aunt Allie, Grandma Mary Ellen, Aunt Liz, Aunt Ginger, and me.  And you might be able to spot Arlo amongst all those girls. 

Another pic from the first tailgate.  He loves the Moby Wrap!  So do I since it gives my arms a rest. :)

More pics to come - check back!

-Katie



Back in the Saddle

I knew this blog was going to be hard for me!  There are just too many things I'd rather be doing than sitting at my computer (especially since my computer is SO slow)...but I know having this journal of memories and photos will be worth it in the long run, so I am recommitting myself to blogging.  My New Year's resolution the past several years has been to take more pictures.  Arlo is certainly inspiration for that!  So this year's resolution will be to get those pictures onto this blog to share with family and friends. 

Believe it or not, Arlo is TWO MONTHS old today.  As you can see, he is getting better and better at holding up that big ol' head.  He usually really likes tummy time, although sometimes he uses it to just lay quietly and suck on his hand.  I think he prefers sleeping on his tummy...it will be interesting to see if he sleeps that way once he can roll himself over.

Arlo and I went to a neighborhood cookie exchange party on Sunday, so here we are dressed in our festive reds.  This picture doesn't do this cute outfit (courtesy of GranDeda) justice since you can't see the reindeer face on his bum.  We had a nice time at the cookie exchange - Arlo was a dream, it was nice to meet some neighbors, and we got to eat cookies! 

Too bad this photo came out blurry!  It was such a cute one, I had to post it anyway.  This was taken on Arlo's two-month birthday just before we headed out to the doctor for his 2-month visit.  Here are the stats...drumroll please...

Head circumference: 16.6 inches (93rd precentile!)

Height: 24.7 inches (96th percentile!)

Weight: 16.8 pounds (99th percentile!

Yes, we have a big baby!  But the doc is pleased with his growth and the fact everything is proportional.  He is happy, healthy, and we just can't get enough of these sweet smiles. 

Love, Katie