tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20475636965041547132011-12-11T14:51:22.900-05:00duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.comBlogger321100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-3679563463386140762009-09-11T07:57:00.009-04:002009-09-11T08:36:35.145-04:00

On June 25th AJ and I flew (yes in an airplane just the two of us, and without incident) to Rochester NY to spend a month in Geneva with Grammer and Grandper. The flight went great, I think AJ is a born traveler like his mom. We had a month of (very) cool weather and lots of rain too. But pretty views over looking Seneca Lake and lots of fun being ooh'ed and ahh'ed over by the Geneva Contingent (

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-41167933286588449122009-06-16T08:40:00.012-04:002009-06-16T23:14:22.176-04:00

Dear Ambrose-My little Bean, you've now put up with your rookie parents for six whole months. I'm quite sure that the time moves much more slowly for you, long periods of hours between feedings, playtime and naps. But for your Dad and I this six months feels like a race to keep you content and safe. And you've done a great job keeping us busy, as well as putting up with all of our amateur

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-39374936559675024112009-06-10T12:34:00.004-04:002009-06-19T02:52:25.715-04:00

Time to vote for the most adorable baby ever: http://www.parents.com/photos/photo-contests-1/cover-kid/865400020/ Parent's Magazine Cover contest here we come!

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-72129468589348120632009-05-10T20:28:00.011-04:002009-05-10T20:42:27.607-04:00

Our first mother's day together was spent:with friends (Aaron and Michelle), eating waffles (with B & Me)  and sweet potato (Ambrose) wiping tiny runny noses, feeling the first little itty-bitty bottom left front tooth poke through sore gums, and... well... just relaxing all together. A perfect day!

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-18539375991275105412009-05-05T19:41:00.006-04:002009-05-05T19:49:32.432-04:00

After a little bump this afternoon (*see note below) and the okay from Doc Stone yesterday to go ahead with solids we decided to just dive in this evening. AJ's first solid food meal: avocado with mom's milk.*post-it notes are not baby approved toys, if anyone ever asks you what your first meal was AJ, it was avocado, but for the record it was technically a hot pink post-it note. 

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-24216600457698835902009-05-04T18:21:00.003-04:002009-05-04T18:32:09.228-04:00

So round two of shots today was not as terrifying for any of us as the first round, but Ambrose rang in as "not a fan of the lady with the band-aids". Yet somehow she got a giggle and smile out of him before leaving within a minute of shooting him up three times. Amazing, both of them. And *ding, ding, ding* 16 pounds 7 ounces 26 inches today. Remarkable, more than doubling his birth weight

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-8349742918354379722009-04-11T09:32:00.005-04:002009-04-11T09:46:16.107-04:00

A year ago today we had the surprise of our lives when we found out that I was pregnant. Since that time, a lot of changes have come our way but none as welcome and giggly as the Little Bean.

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-42597948364758546052009-03-19T14:25:00.003-04:002009-03-19T15:11:15.270-04:00

follow up from a few hours ago...eh... who needs solo napping anyway.

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-79976967647471478682009-03-19T11:50:00.005-04:002009-03-19T12:03:07.742-04:00

So yep... I 'm a rebel breaking all the baby rules. Read label: warning!!! NOOOOOO SLEEPING on the Boppy. But he's so snugglie in there, sleeping with stuffed animal dangerously close to face which is topped up with a pacifier - normally spit out? Results though: solo napping in the crib with out being nursed to sleep for the very very very first time! Rest assured even though I'm breaking all

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-25070320280600005752009-03-02T22:41:00.003-05:002009-03-02T22:51:29.487-05:00

... 12 pounds, 15 ounces, and 24 1/4 inches. I can't belive how much you've grow already little bean!Today was AJ's first wellness visit at the pediatrician's, Dr. Stone. He was amazing, suffered all his shots like a champ, and Dad was so brave. I however was shaking and teary. We all made it through though! After dropping Dad back at work AJ and I just came home and took a well deserved nap. 

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-19848307861951619552009-02-19T10:09:00.003-05:002009-02-19T10:12:26.186-05:00

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-68207027200751624852009-01-23T09:40:00.016-05:002009-01-27T05:53:27.219-05:00

in no particular order:there are a multitude of things that newborns lack, but their little heads smell so good you forget about the fact that they are screaming while you smell themyou can change a diaper, while changing a diaper and then have to start all over in about 3 minuteswhen people say "everything will change" when you become a parent, you have no ability to understand what they are

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-36306790765936597492008-12-29T12:33:00.008-05:002009-01-10T17:37:23.836-05:00

AJ assisted by Gramper (Arkins) had his first official modeling session at the end of last week, the first of many I'm sure -- oh the pitfalls of having a photog for a Mom.

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-69955551165065489812008-12-26T14:50:00.018-05:002009-01-10T18:32:43.183-05:00

Part Three4 p.m. 10 cm dilated, time to start pushing. So quite honestly the next 3 and a half hours are a bit of a blur to me, I asked that they turn down the epidural so that I could actually feel myself pushing, and so most of the time was spent with my eyes closed trying to focus and well... breathe. There are just vague allusions to the following terms repeatedly spoken (or yelled at me) in

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-18790680390162881122008-12-26T12:49:00.023-05:002008-12-29T12:49:23.812-05:00

Part TwoTuesday December 16th, I woke up around 3 a.m. with stronger contractions than I had yet felt, and hoped that they would get "regular" to avoid the Pitocin that was in my very near 6 a.m. induction future. And they did! When we arrived at the hospital the contractions were about 7 minutes apart, and lasting about 30 seconds. So signs of early labor showing I was hoping (silently) that

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-9795525905582026752008-12-23T15:41:00.009-05:002008-12-27T15:25:47.687-05:00

AJ's birth story told in three partsPart OneOn Thursday, December 11th  I went for what was to be my last prenatal visit with Dr. Smith before the birth. I went there fully expecting them to strip my membranes as Dr. Smith was quite adamant about my not going to far post-term because of the SUA, and I was due on Monday the 15th. While at the office visit with his nurse they made it clear that

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-78561944669626093242008-12-14T15:38:00.010-05:002008-12-14T16:19:27.248-05:00

I had started a post over a month ago of the before and after images of the upstairs renovations but alas the finishing touches just aren't there yet, and couple's retreat has very quickly turned into babyized co-sleeping room. Ya'll just have to come on down and see the amazingness of the upstairs renovations in person -- and yes you can even try out the tub!But a few pics of the baby's room (

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-33108366061510700982008-12-12T10:12:00.002-05:002008-12-12T10:16:55.427-05:00

So... yeah. Still pregnant. Waiting. Not too patiently, I must add.  Every morning I've been giving the Bean a little pep-talk. Just letting him know how great it is on the outside. He does not yet seem convinced of the remarkable possibilities. Perhaps I should stop watching and listening to the news, the whole -- omg the sky is falling and the next great depression is on it's way message may be

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-87407850509822924182008-11-24T16:53:00.016-05:002008-11-25T11:42:50.599-05:00

Okay... there can't be anything cuter than a baby sweater... Oh... gees... well.... then there's --- a baby sweater with Wiener dog!!!!  Sigh... this Friday's ultrasound yielded zero take home pics as yet again Bean was playing with his feet up above his head ... One Trick Pony Arkins the Contortionist (new, much longer nickname). But I did dig up this one from the previous ultrasound

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-9064579969536345772008-11-10T04:25:00.012-05:002008-11-11T11:38:16.767-05:00

Last Christmas my Uncle Hugh gave Brennen a blank canvas and told him he would paint anything he wanted for him on it. His first idea was to have him execute an image of his old KISS cover band in oil a la the Destroyer cover? (Brennen as catman/drummer Peter Criss of course). I think I made some comment like, "and where exactly are you planning to hang that when it's done?"Sometime, a few months

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-79444164421294570452008-10-24T08:48:00.012-04:002008-11-10T09:43:50.814-05:00

My friend Kathy has asked that I actually show my baby belly progress... sicko. Here's to ya Kate... note my face is cropped out because I decided that taking pictures with no make up and hair like the bride of frankenstien was a good idea... what the...? Oliver's expression = "how could they do this too me? will I still be loved?"October 9th, 2009

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-84012040806230765832008-10-07T09:29:00.009-04:002008-10-07T10:59:43.083-04:00

Ok, so for the most part I have had a very easy pregnancy. No real aches and pains, some vomiting but nothing embarrassing (yet), nothing too scary, emotional waves yes -- but I think that's to be expected. Easy, until now. I have a cold! It's entirely unfair that you can get a cold when you are pregnant. Chronicle of a night as a 30 week pregnant woman with a cold:11am: Break down and buy

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-3554702625909847762008-09-24T13:24:00.009-04:002008-09-24T21:29:41.438-04:00

So I've recovered from my overly emotional Starbucks outing a few weeks ago. I am so lucky to be married to the best guy ever, as when I called Mr. Arkins through tears not quite being held back, he immediately came home from work to comfort me and calm me down from my hormone-induced melt down. Of course... while I was making us some lunch he went back into the bedroom to consult his "Expectant

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-65391488223403684372008-09-10T09:56:00.006-04:002008-09-29T09:11:29.627-04:00

Dear Bean, Your mother is a clumsy idiot. I was feeling so proud of myself about 31 minutes ago when I decided to take Oliver for a walk to Starbucks. I  was looking good and feeling good, even though it’s about 90 degrees at 9 in the morning and 90% humidity. When we got to the shop I tied Oliver up, who was so happy to be out walking around the neighborhood again. I went in and got my drink

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-21093273072688550052008-09-03T11:41:00.024-04:002008-09-03T18:13:02.036-04:00

Brennen, Oliver and I just returned from a beautiful 10 days in the Finger Lakes, visiting the soon to be Grandma and Grandpa Arkins. Lots of time spent in the cool air out on the patio, extra naps, and of course a few rounds at Mister Twistee.While in Geneva, my lovely mother-in-law Carole hosted a very low key (thank god) shower for us. Attended by her Geneva friends, my sister-in-law Andria

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-29567128750773340442008-08-04T16:28:00.015-04:002008-08-06T10:00:41.818-04:00

A simple chronicle that I believe fully sums up the mid-point in pregnancy:10am: Spend 80 minutes having a "level two" ultra-sound looking at images of what appears to be an already uncooperative child sitting indian style for most of the time when one of the major things that indicated having this uber-ultrasound is the "inferior" level one ultrasound could not see his feet. Well no machine

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-30266381500029525622008-07-25T11:44:00.006-04:002008-08-06T04:39:43.000-04:00

20 week ultrasound this morning yielded some exciting news for sure, it's a boy! Although not entirely cooperating with the ultrasound tech, we got a definitive confirmation of boy parts.The Rock and Roll Revolution will now commence; sorry Back in Black was very appropriately playing in the car just now, and I turned it up and told AJ (Ambrose Joseph) that this was his first lesson... I can't

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-83726195592057207732008-07-15T19:49:00.009-04:002008-07-16T17:24:49.575-04:00

You know, I was really feeling pretty confident lately about our potential parenting skills. But Sunday well I had a little bump.To briefly recap, we have three furry practice children (in order of age and acquisition) : Odysseus (Mainecoon Cat) , Ophelia (half-Siamese, half-devil spawn feline), and Oliver (cutest Boston Terrier ever).We got Odysseus soon after Bren and I moved to New York

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-46618288964814247492008-06-27T12:42:00.006-04:002008-07-30T20:39:40.250-04:00

Went to my monthly doctor's appointment this morning and all of the blood tests from last month came back normal. The Bean's heartbeat was 160 again and sounded louder and stronger than last month, it startled me a little actually. I lost 7 pounds this month which actually puts me a few pounds below where I started at, it was pretty surprising news to me because all week I've been feeling

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-51756424102685547952008-06-19T13:49:00.002-04:002008-06-19T21:41:12.740-04:00

Well my second trimester officially started this week, and I have to say my energy has come back a little bit. However the morning sickness has changed from a general feeling of nausea for most of the day to random vomiting without warning. It's not very frequent and there have been no truly embarrassing moments yet so I'm dealing just fine with it.Last week I started renovations on the upstairs

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-63063572891845389052008-06-03T11:29:00.000-04:002008-06-03T20:14:24.217-04:00

A few days after finding out the we were pregnant, our friends Laurie and Tom were visiting, and I knew there was no way I was going to be able to hide the fact that I had to give up caffeine and alcohol from Laurie. So they were the first we shared the news with, of course Laurie turned into a blubbering mess gleaming with enthusiasm that honestly I had not even felt yet, I was still stunned by

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2047563696504154713.post-39708224881979279102008-06-02T10:41:00.002-04:002009-04-11T09:46:08.303-04:00

As many of you know Brennen and I have been trying to get pregnant for about two and a half years. Last spring we started seeing a fertility specialist and had no luck over the summer doing a variety of different treatments. We were left with the decision to either sink a tremendous amount of money which we didn't really have into a continued process of poking, prodding and hormones or take some

duchampianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16756489856513426429noreply@blogger.com0