Monday, November 26, 2012

Zoolights

 Taken on a walk on thanksgiving day... look at that precious face!!! May I also make note that my #1 difficulty with Anderson these days is keeping him focused during nursing... he keeps on catching my eye and breaking into a full-on grin. It's interrupting his feedings... and yet I admit that I sometimes encourage it. :) He is such a sweet baby. I cannot believe how simple he is to parent. I am obsessed with him.


Below are pics from the zoo. We went just last night to enjoy the lights. I had been before when J was only a baby (I think). Boy, is it different with kiddos who appreciate the magic of it all. They were in such wonder. I teared up a couple times just enjoying them enjoying it. Even Anderson was bright-eyed beneath the blinking and twinkling!



Friday, November 2, 2012

Friday, October 5, 2012

1 month and 2 months

 Anderson McClain Arthur at 1month... bald and teensy.
Anderson McClain Arthur at 2 months... hairier and chubby!

Friday, September 21, 2012

Photos of the fam

 I'm having serious rotating issues. If you can correctly cock your head, you can fully enjoy this little shot of all three boys: Sullivan, Anderson, and Jackson (and a few giraffes). Although our maternal Jackson's acceptance of Anderson's arrival came as no surprise, we have been happily enjoying a smooth ride for Sullivan, too. Both boys enjoy kissing toes, singing lullabies, re-inserting binkies, and generally wanting to be helpful. In fact, Jackson sometimes looks at me with his I-know-I'm-being-cute gaze and says plainly, "Mommy, thanks so very much for deciding to have this baby and for pushing him out." No sweat, dude. Happy to do it. :)
 J-man heading to preschool... one of my favorite parts of each day is the walk to his little quaint church preschool a few blocks away. Clearly, he thinks he is cool. :)
 Sullivan's favorite pasttime - SWIMMING. We were able to make one last go of the outdoor pool a couple weekends back. He loves anything having to do with the water.
Anderson's fledgling smile. He made his smiling debut on his 6 week birthday. He is officially 7 weeks today and graces us with an ocassional smirk when he wants to. He is a doll baby. Not sure why, but I have begun calling him "sugar muffin." I'm sure he'd appreciate it if that term of endearment wore off before the teen years. :) We spent the early weeks trying to figure the little kiddo out - lots of crying and bubbles in his tummy. But he has leveled out to be a quite predictable little dude now. He even lets Mommy and Daddy have a nice 5 hours stretch of sleep at night.  So glad he is part of our family. It's already hard to imagine not having Anderson McClain Arthur as part of our clan!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Independence Day Fun!

Here we are at the Upper Arlington parade... Lots of fun this week with a block party on Tuesday night, then "Beer and Doughnuts" early Wed morning (a tradition of one of our new neighborhood friends), followed by the U.A. parade in the HEAT HEAT HEAT! Then pool, then cook out at dear friend KK's.

CRAZY storms last Friday took our power out through Monday. Then, AC issues kept us hot through Tuesday. So, needless to say, it has been a rather strange week. I thought I was doing great at this pregnant-during-the-summer thing until all that went down! :) With how pathetic Scott and I behaved without the relied-upon conveniences of electricity and cool air, it is clear we are spoiled Americans. Happy birthday, America! And thanks for access to all those conveniences!!!

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Here's the tux and 32 weeks part...


If you can take your eyes off the 32 week pregnant titanic that I am, feast your eyes on that tux-wearing stud, SCOTT GIBSON ARTHUR!!! Scotty-2-hotty invited me to the Nationwide Children's Hospital Gala last night and I said YES! G-ma was on Jackson and Sullivan duty (THANKS!) and was proud to serve as photographer in the front yard, too (flash back to prom days?? - minus pregnancy...).

We had a blast and enjoyed not only the company of all the good folks who helped make the new hospital what it is (**AMAZING**) and not only the incredible food by Cameron Mitchell's (**STEAK AMAZING**), but also the entertainment by Harry Connick Junior (**AMAZING**). It was a night to remember...

Jackson is 5, Tricia is 32 weeks, and Scott owns a tux!


 I know it doesn't look like much, but beneath that "5" candle is a scumptious Jackson-selected blueberry doughnut. We gathered at the zoo with some fav friends and celebrated with a breakfast treat! Thanks, GGs and Becky for contributing to the boys' birthday gifts in the form of a family zoo pass. LOVE IT ALREADY!
 Just a few days before his official Bday on June 2... loved this smile!
 I'm pretty sure Sullivan ate a baker's dozen powdered doughnuts at the zoo shindig. It was like his crack cocaine...
 Kevin and Scott, who faithfully strolled several of the kids through the zoo's primate area single-handedly, take a breather.
There are the peeps! What a lucky boy to have such loving friends! Sullivan is celebrating that this picture was the last (and best) of about 20 we took :) (Thank you to dear friend Theresa for being the photographer!)

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Birthday, bats, and bugs

Ahhh, what a perfect Spring day. For many reasons, it is perfect. My dear husband entered into this world 35 years ago. THIRTY FIVE YEARS AGO! Thank goodness he did. On top of celebrating his existence, we got a picture-perfect weather forcast: 75 and sunny with no humidity. GORGEOUS.


After work, we headed straight into dinner. I labored really hard at providing something scrumptious: Drove right on down the road to Donato's. :) Scott has missed it for our near-four-years in MN, so I treat him to it any chance we get. We brought along his chocolate birthday cake (which the workers really appreciated; not only did they have sauce and parmesan cheese sprinkled throughout the booth, they were faced with chocolate crumbs and smears, too!) and the boys helped him blow out his 8 candles (3 plus 5, or else I'd go over my candle budget).

Later on this evening after boys in bed, I santered off into the neighborhood for a little walk. Saw my first bat of the season. And my first lightning bug, too. How could this day be better???

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Just doin some art today

The artists are below. And the artwork... giraffe & elephant. You can likely guess who is the artist of each. :)





Monday, April 9, 2012

The book remembers when...

I love that Trisha Yearwood song: "The Song Remembers When"

So does a book, by the way.

Case in point:

* Elizabeth Gilbert with Eat Pray Love got me through mom's death and pumping for Duncan (how many hours did I sit behind that curtain in the pumping room of the Children's Hospital NICU reading away?)

* Jodi Picoult with ALL of her books got me through Duncan's death

* And Suzanne Collins with her Hunger Games series got me through Dad's death

I am taking the time to write this, because I had the AWESOME opportunity to watch the Hunger Games movie preview showing a few Thursday nights ago. I planned it as a date night, lining up the inlaws to stay overnight, holding the fort down with boys, so Scott and I could go to the 12:05am showing (to illustrate the special nature of this event, please note our regular bedtime is 9:30pm and stuff officially turns to pumpkins after 10pm for sure!). As the event came closer, it became abundantly clear to me that Scott's week and Scott's following work day was not permitting him to be sleep-deprived. So, I encouraged him to bail on me. In fact, I insisted. It just was too much.

One might think that I would bail too.

But no.

I went.

10:00 - 11:40pm was a rough 1.666666 hours. Snacking and messing around on Pinterest prevented me from nodding off. And the bed was calling me LOUDLY. It was tempting. But I pressed on.

I was beginning to feel a bit silly - mother of two preschoolers and visably prego with another - staying up for a book-made-popular-by-teenage-crowd-turned-movie. But then. When I arrived on site. My mood shifted. The theater was crawling with Hunger Games enthusiasts. I was with my people: old, young, purple, green, rich, poor... the energy was palpable.

So I sat my pregnant little patootee down in one of the few single seats remaining (the place was nuts, I tell you!) and enjoyed the show. I laughed. I cried. I jumped out of my seat.

It was great.

Thank you, Suzanne. I will never forget what you did for me!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

SOMEBODY is turning THREE!!!









Yesterday we celebrated the first of a couple birthday celebrations for our 2 362/365 yr old. Tuesdays is his real day, but we're taking advantage of the weekend to really celebrate in style. Grandpa and Grandma Arthur really went above and beyond with a Mickey Mouse themed party -complete with plates, napkins, stickers, favors, AND a special birthday boy pin (which Sullivan is NOT sporting in any of these pics)!! He got a Mickey Mouse stuffed animal, which he is holding right now (on Sunday morning) while watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on TV. He is a Mickey freak.


Thanks for all the fun!!!



Sunday, February 19, 2012

Favorite quote from my favorite 4 year old

"Mom, you are my favorite human in the whole world."

Remind me to look back to 2.19.2012 on 2.19.2023, when he's 15 and I am the #1 most alienating human.

For now, I shall relish.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

94% of the way there

I'd say we only have about 6% of our possessions (indoors) still in boxes. Don't ask about the garage - we'll save that for Spring weather...

So, that's good news! It's shaping up around here. Once I feel it's respectable, I'll post some pictures for my MN peeps and other out-of-staters.

My favorite things about this house:

#1) Little bar area off of kitchen island: an eat-in set-up like I've never experienced: food slopped straight from stovetop to kids' plates. No walking. No dishes to transport. Skillet to plate. Love it.

#2) Washer and dryer on 2nd floor... I do laundry for fun now (outright stretch).

#3) A "true" dining room with enough space for all my beautiful dining pieces, gifted by Mom and Dad. (Have I ever told you the story of how, when my mom's death was imminent, she told Dad, 'I am perfectly fine with you remarrying but don't you DARE let any new woman have my dining room furniture.' I truly think it ranked as one of her proudest possession! And Dad and Nancye faithfully Uhauled it up to MN the first year they were married - promise kept!)

#4) Using our leather couches, formerly serving as the "formal furniture," as our main furniture. It's so comfortable, easy-to-clean, and I don't miss my cushy overstuffed couches one bit! Plus, I don't miss my formal living room one bit! This is where the action is all the time, anyway!

#5) Where it's located... this neighborhood is great. There's a bike path up the street, as well as an elementary school with a playground down the other way. The Caribou is walking distance. The library is RIDICULOUS. And the local Giant Eagle grocery store serves crepes topped with nutella on the spot. COME ON!!! I'm pitching the plan to go to Giant Eagle for my first date night with Scott :)

The boys have adjusted marvelously. And so have Scott and I, if I do say so myself.

If only I could find one last thing in the remaining boxes... been looking for it feverishly since we arrived. I'm beginning to panic that it may remain lost for the remaining 5.5 months until Aug 3:

MY ENERGY.

Has anyone seen it? I really need it.

For this reason, I'm so slow in returning messages, popping cards in the mail, emailing, or anything else. I'm perfectly content being a bum all day long, in my PJs if I could. I'll just ride this wave and hope my home, my children, and my friends/family forgive me!

Almost forgot: Guess what I got for V-day???? Scott sneakily jetted off to the car while I was wrapping up baths with boys. We had planned for a candle-lit meal in peace once they went to bed. I didn't even notice that he had planted a big box in the living room. He unveiled it in the dining room once dinner was over. A VACUUM!!! Like, a really, really nice vacuum!

To some, this may seem lame or unacceptable.

But to me, one who has spent the last several years developing anxiety every time I had to turn on my sometimes-it-works-sometimes-it-doesn't PMS-y cheap-o sweeper, it was as if Scott had just handed me a ticket to domestic bliss. I LOVE it. LOVE IT! (He did get reprimanded by a female bystandard in the store while he was vacuum-browsing, scolding, "Don't you DARE get your lady a vacuum for Valentine's Day!" Thankfully, this had no impact upon him. :)

Valentine's Day always brings out my creative side

Not all are symmetrical, but it's the effort that counts... apples and pb as apps for my big love

Summer sausage and specialty cheddar for my big love


Mini ice creams for my little loves, and stuffed little animals from Grandma too!
(Jackson's new thing is to purposely make his eye stray when he's posing for a picture... charming, ain't it?)






Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Here in one piece, and our stuff too!

Ahhhhhh, Columbus, it's so good to be in your presence again.

We hit your pavement last Wednesday night at about 10:30pm. And moved into 1565 Grenoble Rd, Upper Arlington at 8:00am Thursday morning. We're officially back!

But, ughhhhhhh, does it feel like cheating on Rochester. Rochester was so warm (emotionally, not meteorologically), loving, family-oriented, unique, and fabulous. We are already missing our people there. And our favorite things there.

Speaking of things: Ours got here, with no bumps and bruises! Scott gives updates a couple times a day... "So, I'm guessing we're about 24% unpacked." "I'd say no we're 45% unpacked." "Would you say we're 75% of the way there?" You'd think he's a development officer and goal-oriented or something :)

Meanwhile, Jackson attended Day #1 of preschool today (smooth transition... that boy loves having "stuff" to attend. teacher said, "it was like he's been here the whole school year." highlight for him: pizza for lunch!). Sullivan has found his tongue in Ohio (actually, he's been picking up some great language in recent months, but it seems like an even bigger explosion happened here in the past few days!). He and I have splendid conversations while unpacking :)

Grandma Lynette has hung out with us already and Grandpa Ricci and Grandma Diane come Friday for some quality time. I [heart] grandparents nearby!!!

Scott's first week is proving to be informational and great. He spent Mon and Tues at an orientation (for all new Nationwide employees). And today he gets to hang in his office. And get the lay of the land. He comes home both energized AND exhausted. He's doing great.

More to come!!!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

New Years Cheer!!!

You thought it was safe to bind up all your holiday update letters and do whatever it is you do with them (shred? save? laminate?), didn’t ya? Here’s a straggler: The Arthur Family NEW YEAR letter. It’s long… cuz there’s so much news, and we felt this was the best way to do it. So, get comfy and dig in!

BIG NEWS:

So, out with it:

We are moving to Columbus, OH! *For Scott’s new position as Vice President of Major Gifts at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (formerly Columbus Children’s). * Interview process began in August, but kept it quiet until we knew for sure (Dec 16th)! * Scott begins Feb. 6, family to follow soon after.* House for sale here and on the hunt for a new one in Columbus.

AND

We are pregnant! * Due August 3 * Just finishing first, very unlike-any-other, trimester (same: tired. different: sick and moody… oh, and two other sidekick kids that still have needs! Ha!) * Totally excited and convinced we have a girl in our future:)


OUR PEOPLE:

TRICIA: I think I might go nuts. No, to be fair, I feel sane a little over half the time, so that’s good! :) Lots of detail management ahead for me, and I know you all know that that is not my greatest strength. If you have access to a detail management consultant who will work for free, give them my digits. I am so excited to be pregnant and so pumped to be moving closer to family and dear friends. Once we sell our house and find a fitting one for our family – which ultimately WILL happen – I will see our future more clearly. It’s feeling a little fuzzy at the moment! One step at a time.

As I look back, I went through a serious learning curve about myself in the first half of the year; after Dad died, I did a lot of reflecting and working on my emotional wholeness. I feel recovered and replenished! Summer was slow and wonderful, with lots of camps and activities for the kids and lots of hanging around Rochester. We spent our traditional week in Columbus and Logan, Ohio as well as Louisville, KY to spend time with family. I opted not to teach this Fall, which lifted all former time constraints and, consequently, has allowed for more freedom. I am happy about this, but sad on some days not to assist twelve-year-olds in their quest to find themselves :) Then, our family topped off the year with Christmas with my extended family in sunny Sarasota, FL (mid 80s for 8 days!), two nights of which were spent on Sanibel Island resorting it up while fam watched the boys. We had just cleaned and decluttered and painted like mad-people in order to have our house ready to put on the market before we left MN for FL, so going to warm temps with people doing stuff for me felt dang good. Thank you, family, for that!
Lastly, I want to give a shout out to my awesome husband who I felt sure might want to move to Columbus by himself after the last 12 weeks with me. He has been pulling far more than his load around here, and I am deeply appreciative.

SCOTT: Obviously, this year has been a big one for soul searching. Scott has had amazing experiences at The Mayo Clinic, growing him into the development professional he is now and preparing him for an opportunity to take on more of a leadership and management role, which is what his new position includes. He is ecstatic, scared, and eager. As most of you know, Nationwide Children’s is where our Duncan was treated with such love and care for the nearly 5 months of his life. So, clearly, it holds a special place in Scott’s heart, and he spoke openly of this emotional connection during his interviews. He can’t help but feel serendipity was involved in how the past several months have worked out.

Outside work, Scott continued to pursue his triathlon endeavors. He competed in two this summer – bettering his time and improving in each of the disciplines – as well as a half marathon in the spring (where he almost kept up with Tricia J, I won’t let him beat me in that discipline). He traveled all over the country for work, but his favorite work trip was to San Francisco in July, when he brought me along and showed me the sights. Another fav trip involved 5 buddies from his former days, downtown Chicago, and St. Patrick’s Day Weekend; you can only imagine.

But, by far, Scott’s biggest highlight in 2011 was when we went from a one-car family to a one-car-one-minivan family in May. “Roxy the (VW) Routan” is deeply loved (and deeply trashed) by Scott and fellow Arthurs. Not only has this provided Scott with access to a car for getting to and from work (previously he walked or hitched a ride with wife), he gets to watch me haul all sorts of little people around for play dates and such. Oh, and he LOVES how fast Roxy munches on gas.

SULLIVAN: I like marbles. I carry them. I put them in hard-to-reach places and then make Mom dig them out. I put them in a bowl and roll them around. It doesn’t matter what I do with them. I just like them. I also love snacks, particularly crackers. “Cracker” is my favorite word. I love my brother, “Jack.” If Jackson were to run outside in subzero temps naked, I would too. That’s how much I worship him. Mom and Dad kept me caged in my silly old crib until Santa finally remedied the situation and brought a bunk bed. I get the bottom bunk and I LOVE all that freedom! It took awhile for me to stop singing and talking with Jackson, right above me, at bedtime but I think I have it figured out. I’ve come to understand that I was meant to be a fish. I walk into the zero depth pool and just keep on going till the water is over my head… doesn’t bother me none. My favorite is jumping off the edge, over and over. And over. People seem to notice lately how big my hair is. My head is big enough, but all that God-given body and fluffiness makes my noggin look massive. I’m talking better, too. I’m stringing a good few words together these days. It still is a lot of work for me to get out what I want to say, and sometimes – I admit – I grunt or whine instead… but I’m on my way. I have great teachers who work with me a couple times a month, and a fun little preschool class one day a week, where Mom and “Jack” get to come too. And have I let you know what a cuddly little creature I am? I could just lay on Dad on a Saturday morning in bed forever. Newsflash: Dad is a cuddler, too, so he lets me.

JACKSON: Announcement: I think I might be somewhat of an athlete, people. Indoor soccer this year has been a kick. It only took a couple lessons for Dad to realize I was scoring most of the goals. It’s cool and all, but really I don’t pay much attention. There’s this cute little 4 year old girl that cheers me on when I’m playing and mainly I like the praise (Mom and Dad say I am a typical 1st born). Basketball, tennis, and gymnastics are other favs. People say I’m “coordinated,” but Mom gets glassy-eyed at my speed; I think she sees me as a no-ball athlete...just running shoes and a watch. Really, the thing I like the best about my life is being a big brother. Sullivan is just great. I don’t know what it is, but even though I have ZERO patience with myself (can’t get sweatshirt off: meltdown, can’t find the socks I wanted to put on today: meltdown, toothpaste not coming out right: meltdown), I have a crazy amount of patience with Sully. He just melts my heart, and I’d do anything to help him out. My teachers at preschool say I’m quiet and keep a lot of my thoughts inside. At home I show my family a different side, just to mix things up. I ask Mom about 54 times a day if I have a playdate set up for that day, or the next, or the next. One day she’s going to give me the phone and let me set it all up myself, cuz sometimes she seems worn out by my asking. I also ask my parents a lot about this baby business. I’m pretty psyched all around!

Lilly: In with a new baby, out with me. Mom and Dad found this random lady who expressed she would like me last month. And the next thing I know, I’m shipping out. Goodbye, Arthurs! Here’s to a year of more petting and litter-box-cleaning.

In closing, we want to say thanks to everyone who has the patience and the energy to follow this “Arthur Adventure” we’re on. Our Rochester friends have welcomed us Ohioans into their lives, fed us, watched our kids, invited us to their holidays and special traditions, and made us feel like family. We feel very grateful about how much of a blessing and an enrichment the past 3 ½ years here have been. Thanks, also – Ohio people – for being excited for us. We look forward to finding out how God wants us plugged into our next season of life!

Joy and love,
The Arthurs

P.S. So far, cells and contact info is the same! Will be sure to update when we know changes!