Because I'm a sheep

Everyone I know seems to have this on their blog and since I'm a follower and not a leader....

What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?

Gave Birth!

Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

 I'm sure I made one.  My indecision obviously means I didn't keep it.  I'm going to try to stop biting my nails for 2009.  Such a nasty habit and I stopped for my wedding.  You figure I can do it again.

Did anyone close to you give birth?

I have a few new friends that did!

Did anyone close to you die?

Thank God, no.

What countries did you spend time in this year?

Does Cleveland count as another country?  Just the US.

What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

Sleep

What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

May 8!!!  Baby j's bday!

What was your biggest achievement(s) of the year?

I gave birth. 

What was your biggest failure?

I don't know that I feel like I had any huge failures.  Sometimes I feel like I have little mini mom failures.  Like j still isn't sleeping through the night and I can't physically stomach letting him cry it out.  Or that he likes to nurse himself to sleep and I know that a lot of people think that's bad.  I feel like there are habits that I've let him develop that probably aren't the best.

Did you suffer any serious injury or illness?

I had a little post par tum depression.  It was harder than I thought it would be....

What was the best thing you bought?

Everything I buy is b.a.b.y

Whose behaviour merited celebration?

My husband.  I'm not the easiest to person to get along with and he's had to do that while figuring out fatherhood.

Whose behaviour made you appalled and/or depressed?

Hmmm...I think that whenever you go through a life change, some people come with you and some don't....it's sad that there are ones that don't...

Where did most of your money go?

b.a.b.y.

Compared to this time last year, are you,

a) happier or sadder? Happier!

b) thinner or fatter? Thinner!

c) richer or poorer? new baby + new house - job = poorer!

What did you get really, really excited about?

Baby j

What do you wish you'd done more of?

We were so busy the first 6 weeks of j's life with the move to a new house, I don't think we took enough video and pictures.  It bums me out because we won't have that time again.

What do you wish you'd done less of?

Worrying about what others have that I don't.

Did you fall in love in 2008?

Yes!

How many one-night stands?

10.  :)  Just kidding.  

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

Hate is a rough word. 

What was the best book you read?

Goodnight Moon.

What did you want and not get?

When I really think about it, I got everything that I wanted....I'm so spoiled....

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

29.  Next we will not be discussing my birthday.  It was about a week and a half before j was born so I'm sure I was sleeping or waddling around somewhere with huge swollen feet.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Having my bff in the same city.

What political issue stirred you the most?

I don't like discussing politics (odd for a government major) because I feel like people get mean and hurtful.  Obviously the biggest issue facing me was who to vote for and whether I should jump party lines.

Who did you miss?

Meghan and Brooke

Who was the best new person you met?

My faves...  a couple of the moms at the new moms group, Sarah, Erin J (not new, but I'm getting to know her better), Andrea, and Alicia.

Tell us a valuable life lesson(s) you learned in 2008.

It's not about the material things.  It's about the people in your life.

What sums up this year? (a word, a quote... ?)

Blessed

Last Day of 2008!

I have tons of pictures and maybe a video clip to post, but I'm trying to get organized so that's going to have to wait. 

Christmas was great fun.  j was a trooper.  He ended coming down with the bug that is going around.  He didn't sleep much, but kept his spirits up.  There were a couple of rough nights, but nothing we couldn't handle.  Thankfully I was able to rest a lot on Sunday so I didn't get too bad.  Kudos to T for letting me be a slug that day.  It made my Monday way better. 

Anyway, I'm trying to get the house organized after the holiday chaos.  Lots of cleaning and putting away to be done.  Hopefully tomorrow I'll have a proper update when daddy is around to watch baby j.

Merry Christmas!!

We're starting our first Christmas as a family.  I can not tell you how much more fun and meaningful Christmas is now that we have j.  It really puts things into perspective.  I wrapped my first presents as Santa last night.  I fear I dropped the ball as I forgot to take the toys out and make sure that they all had batteries and were easy to get out of the packaging.  Note to self for next year.  T is starting our Christmas Eve dinner (a beef tenderloin with some fixings).   j will have his Christmas jammies on tonight.  We'll open presents in the morning.  We'll have pancakes for breakfast.  We'll head off to grammy and gramps for dinner and then more prezzies!!  I'm excited!!

In case I don't get on the computer tomorrow, here's my biggest blessing of all...saved for Christmas Day....

Blessings...

Tuesday:

I was reading about a local woman's husband who goes to a park to practice his bagpipes (I know, you don't hear of many people playing the bagpipes anymore).  He goes to this park that is close to downtown and near an area where a lot of homeless people live.  She says that when he practices, they gather to sit and listen.  I was thinking about them last night while we had some pretty bad weather.  Freezing rain and ice for most of the night.  I'm lucky to have this beautiful home. 

p.s.  That photo is from the real estate appraisal so it's not the best.

Wednesday:

 

All the gifts under the tree say it all.

 

p.s.  For all of those that think they know me :)....you'd be surprised to know that only ONE of those gifts is for me!!

Etsy

I'm in awe of people that start their own businesses.  I would love to have a business of my own one day.  I have even more respect for those that have found something they love to do and take that risk.  I think the internet makes it even easier for people to make that leap.  You don't have to worry about business plans or store fronts.  I especially love sites that focus on home made product...and I really love those things that are made by stay at home moms.  :)

Etsy is my favorite site for those future CEO's.  While I'm plugging Etsy, let me plug a few friends that have Etsy stores.

My favorite of all....

Savvy Sarah Designs

A couple of honorable mentions....

ChristinaBee

Mada's Place

So freakin' excited.

I'm so freakin' excited for Christmas.  I'm crazy overwhelmed, though.  Sadly, I haven't kept up with my blessings/thanks for the day.  Last time I sign up to do something daily.

Saturday: 

I love my little guy.  I've reverted back to taking a nap with him in the afternoon.  He'll sleep for two hours instead of one if I lay down with him and I like the sleep.  He's still not anywhere close to sleeping through the night so the little nap makes me a better person.  Plus, when I lay down with him, he doesn't always nurse himself to sleep.  On Saturday, he grabbed my face and gave me a kiss.  He fell asleep...while still holding me.  Love that kid.  I'm sure there's so many reasons why I shouldn't be napping with him, but that's a pretty good reason to keep it up!

Sunday: 

Auntie L and Uncle B visited on Sunday.  I know so many people that don't get along with their in laws.  It's nice to look forward to seeing them instead of dreading it. 

Monday:

Every year, T makes fudge as a Christmas gift to his team.  I of course reap the benefits.  I do work hard developing the perfect packaging so I feel I deserve it.  Yummy. 

Back to Christmas.  I'm trying to become a crafty little one.  I'm working on it.  I have pictures of some of the things that I've made that I want to share, but no time tonight.  Hopefully soon.  Plus, some of them are gifts so I should really wait until those people open them!

I leave you with a cute story of the night.  We try to feed j at the same time we eat.  Family dinner of sorts.  I usually feed j then turn and take a couple of bites of my own dinner.  j's new thing is he loves to grab the spoon (which I hear is a sign that he's ready for finger foods).   Duke's new thing is that he likes to sit under j's chair.  I wonder why?  We figure it's going to be impossible to get him to not eat the droppings so we let it go.  For those of you not in the know, Duke is allowed NO table foods.  Anyway, T and I look up from taking a bite from our dinner to j holding his covered in bananas hand out and Duke happily licking his hand!  We both said something at the same time and they both looked at us guiltily.  We figured that j was going to feed Duke from the table....eventually....not at 7 mos!  Got to watch those two!

Procrastinating

What does one do when there's only one week until Christmas and a ton left to do?  Why you scan pictures of course.  I thought it would be fun to do a little comparison.  We all know that j is the cutest baby on Earth and that he looks like me :)  I thought I'd pull out some old school pictures for a comparison. 

I don't have any pics of T sleeping as a baby, but I thought this was cute...

 

 

Blessings...

We'll be traveling to C-land tomorrow to attend the hottest ticket in town, my father in laws Christmas party!  Anyway, I don't think I'll have time to hop on the computer for that long so I wanted to get my blessing of the day done for today and tomorrow.

I was a little down yesterday.  Just in a low mood.  It may be the weather.  Sometimes I get a little lonely for my bff's.  Sometimes it's nice to just sit in a room with someone that knows you better than you know yourself.  A friend that shares a history with you.  It's hard to build friendships like that as an adult.  You get married.  You have kids.  Moments to just breathe are hard to come by.

Thursday:

I heart my Brookie.  She's the closest thing I'll ever have to a sister.  We can go ages without speaking yet always know that we're there for each other.  I've been a horrible friend at times yet she's always been there to support me.  She knows how my emotions work.  She knows that despite the fact that I am fickle with some friendships, I'm fiercely loyal to my true friends and I'll always love her.  She's always been my emotional support.  She's the one I have my "night time" discussions with.  One word and she knows exactly how much I need her, "slippin."  I miss my B. 

 

 Friday:

I miss my Meg, too.  There are times in life that you desperately need someone by your side.  Meg has been there through bottles of vodka and puddle people.  Meg is the one that helps me remember the fun times in life.  She helps me remember that I do have a little fabulous in me.  She's the only Jersey girl you'll meet with a southern accent and that's why I love her.  She's always been the glue and doesn't give a fig about what others think of her.  She loves me despite the fact that I once fell asleep while she was discussing something that was really bothering her (to my defense, I just got off of a LONG 45 :) plane ride to DC).  She is fabulous.

 

I love them both (despite the fact that they are some skinny little tarts) and miss them so much. 

Excuse me, pay attention please!

j is doing much better with the sleeping.  We rearranged his schedule a bit and I think it's helped.  He's gotten into this habit of waking up at 4am ready to party, but I'll take it for a little extra sleep the rest of the night.  I usually bring him into bed with us at that time and he starts to settle and usually falls back asleep on his own. 

Don't get me wrong, he's still waking up in the middle of the night.  Usually around 11, then at 2 and then at 4 when he's partying.  That may sound like a lot, but it's a huge improvement and I'll take it.  Anyway, at the 2 wake up, I nurse him and while doing so I usually put my head back against the chair and close my eyes.  Not any more.  j decided that is unacceptable.  The last two nights, I put my head back, he stops nursing and just stares at me with those big brown eyes wide open.  He won't stop staring until I pick my head up and look at him.  Once I look at him, he goes right back to nursing.  Guess he likes the attention.

Blessings...

I owe two again. 

Tuesday:

I am glad we have a place to go to for a nice cheap vacation to FL.  It's so freakin' cold right now that I can't wait for the vacation.  If I was in my right mind, I'd pack up j and leave T behind for the whole winter.  But, alas, I like being around my husband.  Stupid.

Wednesday:

I don't know why more women don't nurse.  I've lost 70 lbs and it's all because I was nursing.  Trust me.  It's not because I'm eating right and exercising enough.  I am sooo happy to be nursing this holiday season.  It means I get to eat all I want for the holidays!  :)  Bummer come the spring when I start weaning j and have to exercise to make sure that I don't gain this weight back.  I like this new svelte me!

Just hanging out.

Here's a shot I took one day while we were all playing.  j tends to like Duke's toys more than his own.  Duke seems to be j's main motivation to learn how to become more mobile.  It's funny because they'll both be laying on their bellies chewing on their respective toys.  I think this is one of T's favorites.

Blessings...

I am sitting here writing our Christmas cards and watching Jon and Kate plus 8.  They're giving gifts to the kids at St. Jude's.  Those kids are amazing.  One mom said that she felt blessed because it's taught them to value every day and every moment.  Wow.  Imagine the strength, hope, faith and love that is in that hospital.  

Excuse me as I go and soak in my little boy sleeping in his crib and thank God that he is healthy.

Have a Gymboree day!

As I've said before j loooves Gymboree.  Here's an idea of what we get to do.

 

They have great toys to chew on.

Miss Kaitlyn and Gym start off class.  j is absolutely enamored by Miss Kaitlyn.

 

 

 

Then there's a warm up.

 

 

Then some play time on the equipment.

 

 

j's favorite part is bubble time.

 

 

Seems as though T enjoys bubble time, too.

 

 

Then there's parachute fun.  I didn't get a picture of it, but you make a parachute house and sing some songs, too.

 

 

Then Gym says goodbye to everyone.

j loves to listen to Miss Kaitlyn sing.

He hearts her.

Future Fraternity Brothers?

We had a few close friends over to help celebrate the holiday.  Of course we had to get e and j together for a picture. 

e took the beating like a champ.  He's going to be a great big brother! ;)

Blessings...

Most of you know that I was a military brat.  A lucky one.  I lived in the same place from the second grade until my high school graduation.  "Lucky" is a rough way to look at it, though.  We were able to stay at one base because my brother is autistic and the Air Force has an exceptional family member program.  The program allows families with children that may be adversely effected by change to stay in one location.  A great program. 

Anyway, some of you may not know that I was an ROTC cadet in college.  Now THAT is crazy.  I'll admit that I wasn't the best cadet.  Some would say that perhaps I took advantage of the natural chivalry that most male soldiers have, but if they're willing to carry stuff for me, who's not going to take advantage of that?  I digress.  I participated in field training exercises.  I "camped" out in the woods without a tent cradling my M16.  I know (knew, I should say) how to take a part a weapon, clean it, and put it back together.  I know the importance of having a clean weapon.  I know what to do with dog tags if a soldier dies.  I know some battle formations.  I know what hand signals to use to communicate and not be detected by the enemy.  I know that baby wipes are the best way to get that thick gross camo off your face. 

For what I experienced, it's only a teeny tiny minute portion of what real soldiers face.  What real soldiers face BY CHOICE.  HOOAH!

I got this poem off of a website I frequent.  I am thankful and blessed to be an American.

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
'SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY! COUNTRY, MY CORPS.

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, 'CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE.

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.

MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND!
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT.

Blessings...

I owe two blessings.  One for Friday and one for Saturday.

Friday:

I've always been the type of person where Fridays at 5 was my favorite time of the week because you were walking out of work and had the whole weekend ahead of you.  Kind of like how walking out the door when you had your whole vacation ahead of you was my favorite part of vacation.  Now that I'm staying home, it hasn't changed.  Friday at 5 is still my favorite time because I know that I'm going to have the whole weekend with T.  I couldn't be any luckier.  T does so much just to make sure that I am happy.  He tries so hard not to hit snooze the 5o times that he prefers because it would wake up j and I.  He starts the shower for me so that the water is nice and warm for me.  He always takes j in the mornings on the weekend so that I can grab an extra hour of sleep.  He always volunteers to change the poopy diapers on the weekend.  He picks up Duke's poop outside because he says I already deal with too much poop during the week.  He makes sure that the house is picked up before he heads upstairs to go to bed.  He's a great husband.  Fabulous.  Wonderful.

Saturday:

Our little guy loves Gymboree so much.  I'm glad we're able to fit into our budget.  It makes quite a dent in the 'ol wallet, but he just has so much fun and loves his teacher.  He's able to interact with other kids and, best of all, it tires him out.  We're just blessed that we can afford these types of activities for our little guy.  (p.s.  stay tuned for a whole seperate post of pics from Gymboree!)

Blessings...

There's this moment right when j wakes up from his morning nap that just melts my heart.  No matter how long...or not long...he sleeps it's always there. 

I'm usually right in the next room when he takes his morning nap on the computer or just putzing around.  I hear a little...sometimes loud...coo that means he's ready to be up.  I finish up what I'm doing and walk into his room...here's the moment...once he sees me, a huge smile comes across his face and he gives me the best laugh he's got.  Makes my heart melt everyday.  I love that moment and I'll lock it away in my heart forever.

The third picture in the heading captures just some of the greatness of that moment.  It was taken right after one of his naps.

Blessings....

Everyone needs HollowLeggs in their life.  It's just that simple. 

Today, my BFF Meghan, sent me a gift that touched on my two favorites in the whole world.  My son and cookies.

For those not in the know, cookies are my favorite.  I L-O-V-E them.  Really, if I wasn't such a tradional kind of person, I should've had them instead of a wedding cake.  Meg sent a bag of an awesome assortment of cookies.   I promptly tried every one of them.  I did leave a couple for T as Meg, the fabulous lady she is, remembered that he's allergic to nuts and made sure we knew none of them contained them.  I secretly wish they did because then they'd be all for me!

Perhaps the most awesome part of the package I received today was the home made blanket!  I can't believe she did it, but she did.  She crocheted (maybe knitted?) j a fabulous blanket.  It's a bit large so it may have to wait to be used until j is just a wee bit older.  We'll have a photo shoot with it later in the week.

Thank you,  Auntie Meg!!  You really are a blessing!

P.S.  Don't think I didn't notice that the Christmas card looked vaguely familiar.  :)

Blessings...

We donated to St Jude's today.  We're blessed that we are in a financial situation that we are able to give.  I hope to make donating to a charity a tradition every Christmas.  Maybe as j gets older we can let him choose which organization gets the donation.  The biggest blessing is that I have a non sleeping baby that doesn't have to go to St Jude's.

Christmas card fun...

We had a little photoshoot to try and get a pic for the Christmas card.  Here's a little preview of what you might see for those that are lucky enough to get one of my home made cards.  :)    Some of them are a little out of focus, but they're fun to see....and you can get an idea of how many I take before I get the good ones!  Kid is way too cute.

 I wish this first one was in focus...

 

In the end there were three that I was deciding between.  Here are the two that didn't make cuts.  You'll have to wait for the mail to see the winner!

 

 

 

Blessings...

T and I had a conversation this weekend about how I am obsessed with our budget.  How it encompasses my mind.  He's right.  I need to lighten up a bit and think about the wonderful things around me.  So, since Christmas is fast approaching and we're all running around trying to buy gifts and make everything perfect, I have decided that I need to remind myself of the true meaning of Christmas.  So everyday until Christmas, I'm going to write about a blessing in my life.

Today, my new nestie friends.  There's a group of girls that I "chat" with daily that are turning out to be a great release for me.  Today we met at the mall.  It means a ton for me to be able to get out and  have some fun conversation with the girls.  It means even more to me that those girls also have fabulous children of their own for j to get to know.  Being a stay at home mom can be so lonely sometimes and these ladies helped to make the time a little more exciting.  Thanks Sarah, Erin, Alicia and April!

How could you not...

love this kid?

Let's Party

j decided to host a party (with friends Summy and Jack  http://taderbaby.blogspot.com/) to celebrate Christmas.  It was a great time.