2021 was certainly a year to remember. We have so much to be grateful for — a healthy baby, loving family and friends who rallied around our new family unit, and relative physical, emotional and financial safety in a world that seems to be increasingly going bonkers. These four months of maternity leave, luxurious by US standards, have provided me with much space to experience life anew. One minute I am “nap-trapped” under a sleeping baby watching her sleep. The next moment I am reading about (and experiencing) climate change, learning of another shooting, or watching a movie where children are being ill-treated, and my thoughts immediately jump to Arden and the world she will be inheriting. Other times we are creating community with mothers who are still generously donating breast milk to us — we have some coming all the way from the bay area and Seattle. In another moment we read about sleep training and work out baby care options when I return to work (yay we have a nanny!). Then I’m back to watching the little one roll around (yes she can now roll back to front and front to back!!) or jump around in her jumperoo. All is to say our lives revolve around all facets of this tiny little being — no surprise. 🙂 makes me wonder about if u how I spent my time before Arden!!
You’ll see below snippets from the run up to 2022, and a few photos from when my family visited (I LOVE MY FAMILY!). I also post photos and videos on a semi-regular basis in the Arden Gallery.
I go back to work tomorrow with some grief that this very special time is over, and with much joy and excitement at seeing my colleagues again. I do really like them 🙂 My 2022 resolution? To bring as much wisdom and calm that I can to each moment, regardless of how much screaming is going on, how many things I have to juggle, or how little sleep I’ve had. I will also endeavour to always take action mindfully and correlate with what I’m committed to. And what am I committed to? It’s always hard to articulate these things, but (as a first pass!) I’m committed to being a part of a loving and vibrant, family, community and team at work, where I am showing up powerfully, lovingly, authentically and vulnerably. Seems highly aspirational, but worth a shot 🙂
Best wishes in 2022 from our household to yours. May it bring you and your loved ones much joy, good health, and many adventures to remember.
Happy little baby in 2022! Arden reminds me of a little Buddha here, and this image will help in my commitment to mediate daily!
Arden amusing herself quietly with the closest thing on hand – the safety tags on a boppy (that’s a feeding pillow)
Arden makes these little cooing noises that are just so precious. I love watching Tandy read to Arden. She makes all the stories sound so much more exciting 🙂 Nap time for all. I’m sporting a “team Cooke” jersey in support of our cousin Jim and his family. Jim was recently diagnosed with Leukemia. It is certainly not an easy journey and we are keeping them all in our thoughts and prayers. Playing with her friend Pebbles. When we bring her friends close to her (just the ones we have “introduced”) she legitimately smiles at them! Amazing that she seems to have a relationship with her friends!Tummy time in her skull cap! Arden is developing by leaps and bounds. Hard to capture it all, but we will post more on that going forward. The little girl sometimes has gunk in her upper respiratory tract. So, gotta pat her between her shoulder blades to get it out. Watching the last sunset of the year. Thank you Auntie Anne for that beanie! I love the shape and my mommy wants one for herself also 🙂 Speaking of beanies, Aaliyah knitted the three of us matching hats!! So ridiculously cute. We completed our last night-time shift with her last week and her last day of supporting us (since Arden is no longer a newborn) is Tuesday. We have sooo much gratitude for her. She gets a significant amount of credit for my enjoyment of maternity leave. Beautiful skies! Happy bald baby in her snuggle me cushion (best infant investment EVER), her zipadee sleep sack (thank you so much Auntie Anne because my arms come out of the swaddle all the time), and under a blanket from our dear friends Dedra, Christa, Sylvie and Carrie)I just ordered more sleep sacks today! Swaddles will be a thing of the past in no time. The mischievousness in those eyes! Arden was a big hit with the family 🙂 My mom and niece were here for three weeks. It was such a wonderful time together!! The Christmas tree we cut down and decorated together still stands today and kept my heart full after they left. Fun at the Christmas Tree FarmThree generations having our very first hay ride!Three Asian ladies roaming around Nashville
Uncle Robert and Auntie Nancy visiting from Wisconsin, having a fun time with outdoor art sculptures at CheekwoodArden was so lucky to be able to play with so many people. Auntie Nancy was my first family member to hold her! Everyone got a turn 🙂 it was very nice to see Uncle Robert be all sweet with ArdenArden with her Auntie Rachel and Uncle Piotr, all the way from London! Elysha was a natural with Arden. I don’t think I was so relaxed with babies when I was her age!And of course grandma gave and got plenty of cuddles. Dinner with the family! Smore s’mores please!Thanksgiving with Ingrid’s family ❤️Arden on her first college tour! Ha. No. Thank you Ingrid and Eva for giving my mom and niece a tour of Vanderbilt campus! Tandy was a wonderful host to my family and frequently cooked up a storm. I’m so lucky. Here is some of her tasty fried chicken!!
This video absolutely summarises my family’s visit. It was pandemonium at times, but my heart was left full. Here are “the kids” playing in our room at about midnight. I feel so blessed to have had some really special conversations with my niece, who is now 15. She is an amazing young lady and Arden is fortunate she will have such a powerful, kind and emphatic cousin to look up to!
That’s all for now. It’s past midnight, and yes, I have to go to work tomorrow. But I go to bed smiling and with my heart full. Life is good. 🙂
Adventures with Arden 