Clean-Up Time

Why is it that when cleaning up with a two-year old this usually means you have to clean up after the two-year old?…So, while I was trying to organize my closet yesterday Jadon did this:

He pulled out all of my shampoo and conditioner bottles (yes, I do have way too many partially used shampoo and conditioner bottles) and lined them up in a row. He was so proud of himself that I stopped for a moment to admire his work. We counted the bottles, acknowledged their many colors, and even found a kiwi – “koo-wee” (as he calls it) on one of the bottles. Jadon had fun and I was even able to complete my original task, which was to organize my closet.

But, after all was said and done, I was left to clean this up:

Things the make you go hmmmm...

While riding in the car the other day, Jadon began singing to himself. This is his special version of “Old McDonald”.

Old McDonald had a farm ee-ii, ee-ii, ooo. On his farm he had an Arrielle, ee-ii, ee-ii, ooo. With a cry-cry here, and a cry-cry there, here a cry, there a cry, everywhere a cry-cry. Old McDonald had a farm ee-ii, ee-ii, ooo!

How funny is that? I guess we now know what he thinks of his sister. I personally don’t think she cries that much but obviously Jadon has a different opinion about it. =-)

The Blog --REVIVED!!

This blog has been dormant for FAR TOO LONG!! I took a break last year and as the days, weeks, and months few by it became too daunting of a task to pick up where I left off. I would blog entries in my head but that’s where they stayed until finally I resolved that those entries would never see the light of day. Now, I’m back and boy have things changed! Here’s a recap of the events from the last year.



Jadon turned one !

And shortly after his birthday, we found out (much to our surprise) that we were pregnant AGAIN!!

Nine months later, little miss Arrielle Elizabeth arrived.



I am no longer teaching high school. I am at home full-time with these two little ones. I was definitely nervous about this transition and wasn’t quite sure if I could do it but since I’ve been home these past few months, life is richer. I have truly enjoyed my time home with them. There are definitely times though, where I would like be working outside of the home but I know this is where the Lord has me for now. This is my season right now and I am embracing it. I love being a family of four.

So now, this blog will hopefully reflect the good and bad of raising a toddler and an infant who are just short of two years apart. I can’t promise to blog daily, or even weekly, but I do make a commitment ( mostly to myself –‘cause I’m not sure if anyone even reads this blog) that I will try my best to post several times a month. So here we go...

Girls Weekend in Palo Alto

It’s been a while so let the catching up begin…To mark the final, final end of my summer break, my mom, my aunt and I went to Palo Alto to spend a weekend together. Last Christmas, my dad gave us the most recent Maya Angelou book, “Letters to My Daughter”. We were to read the book and discuss it over the weekend. I had planned to read it in advance but did not because…(insert excuse here). So I resorted to reading it between shopping trips, lunch, and dinner. It was a great easy read and by the end of it day, I was mad I hadn’t taken more time to finish the book. The Stanford Mall and downtown Menlo Park is one of my mom's favorite shopping spots. So other than discussing the book we embarked on a journey with mission to shop until we dropped and eat until we couldn't see our feet (I know that was a bit corny =)).





My mom and me shoe shopping!





Lunch after some serious shopping.

Aunt Robbie and her "sassy" shoes. We tried to talk her into buying these but she didn't =(

My mom and my aunt are two of the most influential women in my life. They have taught me so much about confidence, the Lord’s love for me as a women, integrity, and education. I absolutely would not be the woman I am today without them! They have molded me and loved me unconditionally and I appreciate them for that. We had a WONDERFUL day together. Thanks mom for treating Aunt Robbie and I to the hotel, lunch, dinner, and dessert!

I LOVE these two women!!

When I got home, they were doing this.
So, so sweet!
David spent the weekend with Jadon while I was gone. Thank goodness Grandma Shabaglian was visiting so she was able to give David some breaks from “daddy –duty”.

...I promise to read my book in advance before our next girls weekend!

This is why we love the Bay

THIS


+ THIS

= ONE FINE SUNDAY MORNING

A few weeks ago we didn't go to church and decided to go roller blading at Chrissy Field in San Francisco with our friends Alisa and Tsegab. It was awesome to be out in nature worshipping God for the beauty He created. It simply affirmed how blessed we are. David and I moved to the Bay Area over 7 years ago not knowing what was in store. Today, we consider it home. We love living here, we love our friends and the support we have here. We couldn’t have picked a better place to be.

Silly Daddy!

Later, we went to breakfast on Union Street and asked Alisa and Tsegab if they would be Jadon’s godparents. They graciously accepted. Alisa and Tsegab are two of the most generous, sweet, and loving people. We consider them family and are so happy they will help up guide Jadon as he grows.

Please note in the picture below that our son is grabbing for the orange juice glass. He was probably thinking, "okay, they're taking a picture. They're not paying attention to me. If I smile and go for the OJ at the same time, they won't even notice what I am doing..."

Now you can see that Jadon is a very active little one. At 10 months, he is into EVERYTHING!!! Long gone are the days where we’d go out to eat and he would simply lounge in his carseat. Now he has to explore everything on the table. He has to talk and flirt with the ladies at the tables around us. He’s gets so much attention. I don’t know what the Lord has in store for him but he has charisma and he loves people.

End of Summer Fun

One of my best friends, Meelah and I are teachers so before the summer ended, we decided to take our boys on a little play date. For me, it was marking the end of summer and beginning of a new, busy school year. We went to Habitot Children’s Museum in Berkeley. I had never been before so I was anxious to see how Jadon would react to all of the exhibits. It turns out he was still a bit too young to explore all of the activities. Despite that, he definitely had fun watching Kaleb play.



Up


Over



and Spat

Kaleb is David and I’s godson. Over the years, Meelah has been gracious enough to let us baby sit and “practice” with Kaleb before we had Jadon. We have made so many fun memories with this little guy (actually he’s quite big now –he just turned 6). Kaleb holds a very, very special place in our heart. I have a feeling he’s going to be a great godbrother role model for Jadon.

He soon realized that this was in fact a wooden carrot... He was quite disappointed to say the least.

As a novice blogger, I failed to get a picture of the whole gang... sorry =(

Okay, so I’m still playing catch up on this blog. I am going to do better –I promise. July is over and August is in full bloom. Where in the world did all the time go??? Time just speeds up, as you get older! July was a busy month for the Shabaglians. It was full of birthdays, anniversaries, and hanging with family and friends.

One of my dear friends LaVera turned 30 on the 3rd of July and she celebrated with a big bash in Fresno. It was hot but tons of fun!! I have been friends with Lala since 7th grade. We went to junior high, high school, and college together. She and I ran track together in high school and college. I was so happy I got to spend her 30th with her. The Foxy Ladies (Track girls from Davis) descended upon Fresno in full-force. It was so good to see everybody.


Danea, Jioni, Enjoli, and David

The Girls -Enjoli, Jioni, Meelah, Lala, Me, and Jamila

The next day, we spent 4th of July with our families. Jadon got to swim at Grandma and Grandpa’s house and see the fireworks at G-mom and Grandpog’s house. Last year he was kicking my belly from the inside during the fireworks. It’s so crazy to think how much changes in one year… Jadon even competed in a crawling contest with my mom. (I am having the hardest time with posting video...)

Jadon and his Grandfathers --They look so proud!!

Mom, G-mom, and Jadon

Jadon with Grand Pog and Daddy -just before lighting the fireworks!

July 6th was mine and David’s 7 year anniversary. My intention was to post a great blog entry solely dedicated to my wonderful husband. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. I will briefly gush now though. These past 7 years have flown by!! Since David and I wed it seems like life has been moving full-speed ahead. Between grad school for me, law school for him, the BAR, working, traveling, more grad school (for me), buying a home, and having a baby we have barely stopped to take a breath. I will say that in the midst of “doing” life, there is no other person I would want to be on this journey with. David is my best friend. He tells me the brutal truth when I need to hear it, he makes me laugh, and he makes me want to be a better person. I am so, so, so, blessed to have him by my side. Happy anniversary Love!!


July 12th marked David and Jon’s 30th birthday. Although the boys were miles apart, they definitely had a wonderful day. I now tease David and tell him that he robbed the cradle. (Okay, forget the fact that I am only 6 months behind him…) The big day started with brunch at Café Fanny’s in Berkeley. The weather was great and we sat out on the patio. We then celebrated with a little dessert gathering at our home later in the evening. David is quite low-key about his birthdays so it was nice to do a little something to mark such a HUGE milestone!

Jadon was helping Daddy celebrate

Here is Jadon with his two buddies, Kyle and Caleb. Jadon has been around these two since before he was born. Shereen (Kyle's mom), Patty (Caleb's mom) and I are all in a bible study together and were pregnant together (it wasn't planned that way but it was so much fun to have them for support). These boys are each about a month and a half apart. It is so much fun when we all get together!

Sam and Jadon

Alisa, Patty and Caleb

Jadon helped Daddy blow out his candles.

The weekend after that, Charity and Neil came to spend a weekend with us. It is always so nice to spend time with family. Jadon especially loves all of the kisses and hugs his Auntie Chicky and Uncle Neil gives him. It was a great weekend because not only did we get to see them but also we got to relax at Cull Canyon Regional park all day Saturday afternoon. Thanks for coming to visit Chicky and Neil!

Auntie Chicky loves Jadon so much she tries to eat him =)