It only seems fitting that since last year, my first year as a blogger ended with a post titled 2010, that this year, my second year as a blogger would end with a post titled 2011!

It seems that part of my just doesn't believe that this year is ending.  I mean, come on - it's 65 degrees at noon on the last day of the year.  That's crazy, right?  ::Nod your head along with my eye roll, please::

Last year, THE year as I referred to it was a pretty great year.  But how could I really think that 2011 wouldn't top it?  I mean, you all know the highlight of 2011, right?  Duh!!  We'll get there.

The year started in Chicago (overlapping from 2010's end of the year trip), head us celebrating a year of marriage and quickly moved into February.  When I was 19 weeks pregnant, I not only posted my very first belly photo to the public internet, but Matt and I traveled to see my long-time bestie Rebecca, her husband Brady, and their 3 pups in Atlanta. My trips to Atlanta are always bittersweet.  It's so great to see Becca and to always pick up where we left off the visit before, but we both hate leaving each other.  As corny as it is...it's true.  This was a special trip though.  Matt was there.  He'd been to Atlanta before, but this time, it was with me and we went to the Georgia Aquarium.  Too bad other people had the same idea.

It was a great trip, but I'm excited for 2012!

March had us trekking up to Colorado on Matt's first ski trip - poor guy.  Our company board of directors trip was held at Copper Mountain, CO.  Oh it was beautiful - but 5 months pregnant + skiing wasn't going to mix for this mama-to-be.  ::Insert very sad face here::  And Matt - poor guy indeed.  Everyone else knew how to ski and while each person was patient with him here and there, they all wanted to jet off down the slopes!  I'm not sure he thoroughly enjoyed himself.

Through sickness - morning sickness and real sickness, I just got bigger and bigger, the weather got hotter and hotter - Houston hit so many heat records and days without rain and days with triple degree heat, phew, I'm glad that's over.  Matt and I braved the blistering heat in May to take maternity photos, yup, outdoors.

I don't think we could have been more excited and anxious for our little boy to arrive.  Even with my extreme edema and rising blood pressure, I was really enjoying pregnancy!

In June, as the real preparations began for the baby to arrive, my wonderful sister and most amazing friend got together and threw me a baby shower - it was incredible.  So many wonderful people had their hands in different aspects of showing me so much love.  I was overwhelmed by everyone's generosity - I was unable to express my gratitude enough. 

Not only did the hostesses really outdo themselves, but all my friends and family did as well.  We had so many goodies and necessities to make sure we were ready for our sweet Baby Boy.  

And after the shower - the longest wait of our lives commenced.  The end of pregnancy usually leaves the mom-to-be anxious and tired and uncomfortable and aching and crampy - NOT ME!  

Still LOVING pregnancy!! 

Granted, I delivered 3 days later. 

That magical day in July...

Labor started on Monday after a doctor appointment.  Very mild, just cramps and back labor.  I was able to sleep Monday night, so I thought nothing of the afternoon of crampiness.  It stayed pretty much the same the next day until late afternoon when I thought maybe I should time these "cramps".  I went to bed after sending my "Hey, got some cramps going on but I'm sure we'll still be here in the morning" text messages to my doula and my mom and after ending my sister's and my afternoon-into-evening long text conversation about labor by telling her I was hitting the sack.  

Couldn't sleep.  Moved to the couch. 

Was definitely in labor by 2:30am.  Moved to the shower/tub.

Crying by 4am.  Called my sister at 4am.  Woke Matt up at 4am.  Spoke to doula by 4:05am.  

Positions - sister arrives - mom arrives - Matt running around the house trying to pack my bag - Kathleen arrives - more positions - puking - water breaks - LETS GO TO THE HOSPITAL!!! 

And in the end - July 13, 2011 @ 4:26pm after 4 hours of pushing and a c-section 8lb 1oz Liam came into the world with a full head of black hair, graphite-blue eyes and the most perfect little face I've ever seen.

And how in the world anyone can expect me to follow up my son's birth with the rest of the year is beyond me...

Its not like anyone can expect me to have taken photos of anything other than him in the past 5 months, right?  Puuhhhhh-lease!!  Nothing top the birth of a baby.  Nothing.  

Ok fine.  Let's do this fast. 

My dad put it best when he summarized the middle of July in a sentence:

"Somewhere in the Bible it says something about the Lord giving and the Lord taking..."

In the same week that we welcome Liam, Mason turned 5 years old and my grandmother passed away.  It was her time and her death was a celebration of the ending of her pain.  She dances with angels now...and her family celebrated her in Pittsfield, MA. 

August was a bunch of learning how to live life with a baby. 

September was more of learning how to live life with a baby.  A visit from Liam's aunt Becky and uncle Brady and a little trip to Mexico Beach, FL where my parents first saw our wedding spot.  Liam's 2nd plane trip and he was only 2.5mo old! 

Aunt Meggy came to visit.  Matt turned 30.

Where in the world are all of my photos?! I can't find any from Matt's surprise party.

Halloween came and went. 

Matt's dad met his grandson.

Thanksgiving and Christmas.  

Clearly, I lost steam after Liam was born.  I mean - it was the highlight of 2011.  Life completely changed that July day.  

2011 definitely topped 2010.  I have a feeling 2012 is gonna rock as well!

Happy New Year!!

Wordless - Yeah Right! I've got babies!

If you know me, you know that our company had a lot of babies born this year.  It was pregnancy announcement after pregnancy announcement.  We would count down until the next baby was set to arrive - March, May, July, Novemeber, and 3 days later in November.  To say that 2011 is full of blessings just might not cut it.

So when I guilt tripped my dad into dressing up as Santa for Liam, an idea was born.
All the babies.
Matching outfits.
"Gomer" as Santa.
My parents house.

The outfits were made.  The babies arrived.  The babies were dressed.  Gomer was dressed...
And then we couldn't decide on how to hold/position/set the babies.

We got Mrs. Claus dressed.
And we were ready.

I hope you are picturing and imagining attempting to get 5 babies, aged 6 weeks to 9 months all happy, all smiling, all looking at the camera, all upright - all at the same time.

We're crazy right?
No way!!!  We The babies ROCKED it!!

Liam (5m), Jackson (9.5m), Kaylee (7w), Danica (8.5m), Tristan (6.5w)

The ideas were endless, but the babies' patience was not.  Babies outside.  All of us outside.  By the pool.  Laying down with their butts in the air (showing their numbers)...and on and on.  

But it was cold. 

The babies started crying.

Yet - we continued the pictures.

#2 and #3 are REALLY mad in this photo

Again, #2 and #3 are REALLY mad in this photo

And the moms - you can see who is REALLY mad in this photo

And then, what started the entire idea.  My little guy.  

Mesmerized by Santa.  Mesmerized by his cousins.

I'm so glad we did this, but I do wish I had gotten a photo of my sister - she looked exhausted during this ordeal.  

And can you imagine - there was talk of repeating this next year!  When they are all mini toddlers! 

Speechless Saturday: In Place of Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday: When the thumb doesnt make the cut

What a Weekend

At the point that I knew 23 was going to be hard, I started thinking about the list.  I have gone back and forth and back and forth ---

I just don't know if it is ok to change things.

And then I thought about things:
   - life changes.
   - 1001 days is a long time.
   - laziness is different than necessity.
   - I made up my list and I am the only one in control over it.

And so, number 23 was changed.  Originally number 23 was to babysit all my nephews from Friday - Sunday.  Not only would my sister not even request that of me anymore (unless it was an emergency), but I wouldn't survive.  I would.not.survive.

I barely survived with just Reid.

Reid is 2.  A toddler.  High-energy.  Not accustomed to boredom.  He has built in entertainment in his two older brothers.  He eats snacks.  He drinks juice.
We don't have that here.  We have a 4 1/2 month old.  Baby toys.  A small backyard.  Adult food.  Adult drinks.

But we are still alive.  Reid is still alive.
And my goodness, Reid is in love with his "Uh-Maaah" (Uncle Matt).

We attempted to get Reid to eat at meal times, to not feed the dog, to not yell at the dog, to not step on the baby, and to sleep in the pack and play.  Sometimes we succeeded.  Sometimes we did not.

And now, at the end of the weekend, I have a cold, Matt has run out of patience, and we are both exhausted.  If it weren't for the baby, we'd probably both be passed out on the couch.  

Wordless Wednesday: Courtesy of Grandma

Answers

50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind...a waste of time

1.             How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?  Any age I wanted to be.

2.            Which is worse, failing or never trying?  Never trying.

3.            If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?  Peer pressure.  Laziness.  Fear.

4.            When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?  Not at the end of this list.

5.            What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?  I’d like to make people slower-paced.  I’d like to make people have the ability to slow down and really “smell the roses”. 

6.            If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?  Being with my kids.

7.            Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?  I am doing what I believe in.  At least I am trying to. 

8.            If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?  I’d work less and I’d spend more time travelling to see family.

9.            To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?  It’s not me in control.  J

10.        Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?  I’m more worried about doing things right.  But I am aware of it and wish that I was more worried about doing the right things. 

11.         You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire.  They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend.  The criticism is distasteful and unjustified.  What do you do?  I do not partake.  I most likely would stay silent until it turned distasteful and unjustified and then I would probably say something like “Wow, guys.  Let’s move on cuz that’s not necessary.” 

12.         If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?  Wow…that’s a tough question.  Just relax. 

13.         Would you break the law to save a loved one?  Without a doubt.  Although, I don’t know how easy it would be…

14.        Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?  I don’t think so.  At least not true insanity. 

15.         What’s something you know you do differently than most people?  I pray different.

16.         How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?  Because we are all individuals and it’s a great thing that what makes me happy doesn’t make everyone happy.  We’d all be bored.

17.         What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?  What’s holding you back?  Bungee Jumping.  The thing holding me back now is fear.

18.         Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?  Nope.

19.         If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?  Colorado.  It’s beautiful.  I could never leave the country. 

20.        Do you push the elevator button more than once?  Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?  Nope.  But I’ll push the floor button and then press the door close button.  But I only push the elevator button, the floor button, and door close buttons once. 

21.         Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?  A joyful simpleton for sure. 

22.        Why are you, you?  It’s the beauty of how God made me.

23.        Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?  Yes.  A lot of times I feel I have been that friend without fail, even when I don’t receive it in return.

24.        Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?  They are simply the same.  They both make me sad. 

25.        What are you most grateful for?  My health.  My family.  My friends. 

26.        Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?  Wow.  There are plusses to both sides but major minuses to both sides.  If I lost all my old memories, I would lose my past.  But if I couldn’t form new memories, I wouldn’t be able to have any memories with my son.  I’d rather lose my old memories.  The people who I have important memories with are, for the majority, still here and able to be around to make new memories with.  Tough question.

27.        Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?  I…uh…what?

28.        Has your greatest fear ever come true?  Not yet.

29.        Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset?  Does it really matter now?  I don’t even care to think about “that time” to figure out what really upset me 5 years ago, much less 1 year ago. 

30.        What is your happiest childhood memory?  What makes it so special?  Gosh.  Lately I’ve been remembering times with my dad a lot and driving home from gymnastics playing mind games.  I think because he is the opposite sex parent, as I am with Liam, it’s coming to mind more and more.  I can’t pick one memory though.  So many are special.

31.         At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?  During labor. 

32.        If not now, then when?  Probably never.

33.        If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?  Most likely my dignity.

34.        Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?  No.

35.        Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?  Seriously philosophical and I’m just trying to finish this before bed.

36.        Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?  Yes.

37.        If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?  Probably not.

38.        Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?  More work that I enjoy doing.  It’s the beauty of the seasons of my job.

39.        Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?  Not 100, but definitely more than 1 time before.

40.       When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?  Haha…I don’t walk into dark rooms anymore.

41.        If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?  I’d throw one big party so that everyone would be in the same place.

42.        Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?  No.

43.        What is the difference between being alive and truly living?  Now I’m just fed up with these questions.

44.       When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?  Probably yesterday.

45.        If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?  Ridicule.  Embarrassment.  Regret.

46.        What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?  Not much.

47.        When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?  While feeding my son.

48.        What do you love?  Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?  My friends.  My family.  My son.  Shared Thanksgiving Meals with those around me. 

49.        In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday?  What about the day before that?  Or the day before that?  Nope.  But I’ll remember that I spent a lot of time with my son.

50.        Decisions are being made right now.  The question is:  Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?  I definitely make decisions for myself.

Wordless Wednesday: Where is the difference?

Wordless Wednesday: Cutest Baby Ever (admit it)

Wordless Wednesday

My Favorite Thing

My most favorite thing, month 2-3.