So Much to Love About Fall Time...

It's so hard to get back in the habit of blogging! Every time I sit down to write, I start by looking through the latest pictures to get an idea of what to blog about. The problem with this is that I get sucked into looking at the thousands and thousands of pictures we have from the past 5 years. It's just ridiculous! By the time I've picked a few of my faves, Ari is waking up, oh sweet motherhood! These pictures are actually a post I started last November. Ari was about 3 months old. Here are a few things I love about Fall.

Ari's smiles...

Walking to the library...

Ari's first trip to the Harold Washington Library, as you can tell, he was thrilled!

Trips to the Zoo...

Ari's first trip to Lincoln Park Zoo 11/17/09

My two favorite boys!

My Family...

I love when the sun peeks through the trees....

Father-son time....

It was sweet to watch as Allen told Ari all about Giraffes.

Carrying my bundle of joy everywhere...

I love the colors of fall trees...

Lazy park strolls....

Halloween...

My sleepy little spider...goodnight!

Blue Steel and Many Others...

It's 6 a.m. and I'm fully awake. Why? Well, my most amazing and adorable husband took the last two shifts and let me sleep right through, and that I did. I feel great! (yes...we call feeding Ari "shifts") Thank you Allen. I love you to infinity and beyond!!

This photo shoot was done at one month old, (he's now 9 weeks) but I had to share.

The Vogue Pose

L-O-V-E it!

Just too Cute for words


So, he got a little carried away and poked his eye here.

Does he want to be a baby model, or what?

Ok now your getting cocky...

Our sweet little Love Bug

We love you Ari! You're our everything!

Welcome Home Little Ari

Hi everyone! Ari has now been home for 12 days, and we are so happy to have him here! We just celebrated his 1 month Birthday, I can't believe how fast it's gone by!

This is the morning of his discharge. So happy to be coming home!

He's almost too small for the car seat.... do they make preemie car seats?

Finally able to take our little love bug home!!

It just so happened that my friends were throwing me a baby shower the same day he came home. Perfect! Afterall this is a party honoring him!

Thank you to everyone who helped out with the shower, and everyone who came. The food, the decor, the gifts, it was all amazing! Thanks girls, the night was fabulous!

Hey Dad, look what I can do....

Already making his parents proud!

Speedy Recovery

Peek-a-boo Ari

One week after surgery

Ari's first song: Passenger Seat by Death Cab

snaps...argh!

Yes, that's a normal size binky!

Sweet boy

6 days after surgery

Our little old man 4 days after surgery

Breathing tube finally out!

So many tubes and wires!

2 days after surgery

Right after surgery, 6 days old

"Kangaroo Care"

The night before surgery

First family photo

3 days old

I know everyone has been anxious to hear and see how Ari is doing, sorry we've kept you waiting. He is recovering so quickly, even the doctors are amazed. Look at the pictures starting from the bottom to really see the progress he has made. I'll fill in the details when I have more time....which I'm now finding out, is never.

Ari Joseph Patin

Hello everyone! Thank you for all of your support and phone calls. We are doing our best to talk to everyone in between what's been going on, being with Ari, and trying to get some sleep.

Heather got out of the hospital this morning around 11. It felt weird leaving the hospital without a baby in our arms, but the moments we've been able to spend with him have been precious.


Ari at 3 hours old. We haven't been able to hold him, but before he was transported to Children's Memorial we were able to visit with him and touch his little body... - 4 lbs 2 oz

The CM transport team - they were amazing. This was the Ari's futuristic starship that maintained his vitals as he left Northwestern Hospital to Children's Memorial. The transport team were one of the many heroes that night.

18.5 inches. He's a tall guy for a premie. We estimate his arm span to be about 6 ft.

This is him today, 3 days old. He's currently recovering from a procedure that opened a hole in his heart that allows much needed oxygenated blood to flow throughout his body. It was rough on him, but the doctors are impressed with how he handled it. His heart surgery is set for Wednesday.

A view from Northwestern Hospital.

This is a video of Ari's first diaper. Be forewarned, Ari bares-all in this exclusive, up-close-and-personal video of Ari during his first few hours of life. Such a cutie.