Happy New Year!

Today marks the night when, one year ago, we were rubbing my unbelievably big pregnant belly and reading Harry Potter to our unborn baby girl. We were rubbing my belly, asking her to be healthy and to stay in there until she was ready. We rang in 2010 with a kiss and drifted off to sleep.

Today is one of those days where I look back at the incredible year I've had. I look back and realize that we've come such a long way and can't help but be proud of us. We welcomed a baby girl into the world. We've watched her grow and discover how to roll over, to sit, stand, and even walk along furniture. We've begun parenting and are learning as we go, but I am proud of us still.

I'd like to work on a few things this year though. Here is a little list of what I want to accomplish, kind of like a little Bucket List. I don't think I need to do everything this year, it's more of an ongoing list, but a list nonetheless. I got the idea from a fun blog I read, The Honey B Blog.

Getting to a Comfortable Weight
I've been dealing with my weight since I was little. I mean, I can look back to my 4th grade class picture and remember what people said when they saw the picture. I don't want to be a skinny minny, and in no way do I want to be a size 0, but I do need to lose weight. I really just want to be able to shop at Target in the regular sizes. I am JUST into the plus sizes, so hopefully this is a goal I can accomplish relatively quickly.

Become More Active
One way I can accomplish the weight goal is to become more active. I really like walking and going for bike rides, and I really love to go swimming! The thing is, I need to find a trailer for Adelle (for my bike), get really great shoes I only use for exercise, and I need to find a place I can swim. I really like to join LifeTime or the Y because they offer child care while we work out, but it's so expensive. I've also signed up for a Wii Fitness Group online who will support each other and offer assistance.

De-Clutter
Brian and I live in a townhouse. We don't have a lot of space as it is, and with a child, the space has been shrinking quite a bit due to all of the toys and outgrown clothes. I still have papers from when I was in high school and the first few years of college. Why do I still have these?! Then I have a whole lot of stamping/scrapbooking things I can get rid of because I haven't used them. We also have some small appliances we aren't using... having a garage sale sounds great, but maybe Craig's List or eBay would be better. Any suggestions/ideas?

Save More Money
We are working on our savings account and want to make sure we have enough in there in case something happens. I think it's self explanatory.

Cut Down Debt
This will work in conjunction with saving more money. We don't have a ton, but we don't want to let it run our lives. We want to make sure we stay on top of it, ya know?!

Finish My Masters
I started my masters the year I met Brian. I have yet to finish it due to finances, but I want to finish. It was fun learning all of those new things and to be finished would be so fantastic!!

Take a Trip to Maine
Brian and I wanted to take a cue from my parents and go on a second honeymoon to Maine. Mom and Dad RAVED about the lobster and the scenery when they went. Well, Brian really loves both of those things, as do I. We wouldn't go for a long time, but long enough to get our fill of lobster, hiking, nature pictures, and the LL Bean Outlet!

Scrap/Sew More
I love scrapping! I love making cards and working on albums. I have loved working on my sewing projects too! I want to set aside one day a week to work on those things. I am not sure if that will work with a one year old, but I can hope.

Baby #2
'Nuff said! We aren't pregnant but are thinking about trying again sometime next year. Who knows?!

I hope you have a wonderful new year! I hope it's filled with happiness, laughter, health and love! Stay safe this year and be well!!

Merry Christmas!!

We hope you have a wonderful holiday season filled with laughter, love and warmth. Merry Christmas everyone!!

The Best Santa Picture - EVER!!

EVER!!

New Car and Santa

No, Brian and I don't have a new car... but we've been thinking about what we should get once the time rolls around. Especially after the crazy amount of snow that fell last weekend! We've been talking about getting a small SUV or a crossover type vehicle specifically to be up off the ground more and to have 4-wheel drive.

Which brings us to Wednesday. Brian and I took Adelle to Burnsville Center to sit on Santa's lap. We got there around 5:15p, even though Santa wasn't scheduled to be back from his break until 6pm, and proceeded to join the line - we were 2nd! YAY!! We stood in line for a while, I walked around with Adelle for a while, I let Adelle crawl around on the floor a while, then we went back in line.

What does this have to do with a new car you ask?! Well, one of the Toyota dealerships had a Sienna on display in the Santa line. The sliding doors were open so you could see all of the bells and whistles - and there were literally bells inside on some wreaths! Then on one side, the side we happened to be sitting on, they had a smallish flat screen tv hooked up playing, no, LOOPING a video.

At first, I really liked the video and the song. It was funny, cute, and even pretty catchy. Then, after about the 15th time I heard it, I wanted to turn it off and even wanted to write the dealership to suggest looping a few videos/commercials so people wouldn't want to hurl the tv across the food court. Then yesterday I said to Brian, "Hey honey? Do you know what song I want to hear?" He said no, then listed off some of my favorite songs. I said, "No. None of those. I want to listen to Swagger Wagon."

We smiled. I found this online this morning and it has made my day. I wonder if I can get it on iTunes?!

Christmas - Round 1

My Grandparents, Marilyn and Mac, were very much in love. They had a BEAUTIFUL and romantic love story too! Well, that love story resulted in 8 children, my Mom is one of the 8. The love story was instilled in their kids, so those 8 ended up having children of their own, which is why I am 1 of 22 grandchildren. The grandchildren range in age from close to 40 to 21 (I think) and some of us have children of our own! Adelle is 1 of 21 great-grand children.

Needless to say, we all can't fit into one person's house, so we get together at a dining hall (kind of) each year a couple of weeks before Christmas. That way, everyone can have their own traditions and we still have this one - getting together and seeing everyone.

It was a blast! Angie and Dale organized it this year, Brian and I get to organize it next year, and we had a lot of fun! It was Adelle's first time being around everyone and she did such a great job!! The only thing we didn't like was not being able to put Adelle down for a nap. There wasn't a place, so Brian went out to drive around with her. It worked out, but that is something to think about for next years' planning....

Anyway, here are some pictures from the event!

Snow Day

So there was a blizzard today - Adelle's First!! And I'm talking about an, I-can't-open-my-front-door-or-get-out-of-my-driveway blizzard! It was crazy!! We really wanted to bring Adelle outside and stick her in the snow to take a couple of pictures, but we couldn't see a whole lot and it was so windy we didn't think it was worth it. Sometime in the next couple of days, if it warms up, we will though!

Anyway, here are some pictures to warm your heart!









Here are pictures of the actual snow. Mind you, we have an association plow and shovel for us (who actually only plowed our driveway once) and I was already out there once myself to clear half of the driveway. Those drifts by the front door are up to my waist and the one in the driveway is up to my upper thigh!!

First Haircut

Adelle got her first haircut the Day after Thanksgiving. My Dad did it because he used to be a barber, but had to retire. I wanted him to be the first to cut her hair, and I am sorry if it hurt Dad, it really meant a lot to me!! Here are the pictures...

BEFORE - her bangs were being pressed into her eyes when she had her helmet on. This is what she looks like without her helmet.





DURING - she was such a good girl!!












AFTER - she's such a big girl!!

Our Little 11 Month Old

Our Sweet Girl is now 11 months old!! It's hard to believe that this time last year I was praying she'd arrive after winter break... and that I wouldn't slip on the ice. It's hard to believe that Adelle is now eating from the table with us more and more, that she is standing on her own for a minute or longer, that she is speedy stair climber, and that is fitting into her 12 month clothes with no problem!

She loves veggies, especially steamed broccoli and cauliflower though she likes squash, beans, peas, and carrots too. Her favorite fruit so far is apples, but we can't get her to eat any from the table yet. From the jars, she likes pears, bananas, blueberries and raspberries. Turkey and chicken are delicious meats and Mommy is scared to give her steak yet - I think it's too tough. Her new friend, Bennett, introduced her to the yumminess of Gerber 'Lil Crunchies. No matter what the flavor, we can't give them to her fast enough. Another thing we can't give her fast enough... pancakes!! She doesn't like them with syrup, but she will devour them plain!!

As for her standing - it's on everything or just in the middle of the room. When it's time for her to get down, she will let herself down VERY easily. She is so adorable!! I think the longest I've timed her was this evening at 1 minute 25ish seconds!! She looked at me, smiled, then sat down. Stinker!!

When we have her climb the stairs, because it is an activity she loves, she goes all the way up in a blink of an eye!! Then we bring her back down, and she does it again! She will now stand at the rungs of the banister, look at us and smile. It melts my heat every time!

I just can't believe how big she's gotten this year!! My little one, my Sweet Girl!!

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is a day for giving thanks and I think I will do just that.

I am thankful for:
Brian - he is loving, smart, funny, and handsome. I love the way he brings Adelle in to wake me up on the weekends. I love the way he kisses me before he leaves in the morning and when we go to sleep at night. He is a wonderful husband and a wonderful Dad too!! I am so very blessed to have him in my life.

Adelle - I really, truly didn't know how much love I could have until she arrived. I thought I'd felt it all when I met/married Brian, but then I saw her and felt an overwhelming sense of joy/love/protection/pride that I had never felt before.

Angie and Maria - my sisters are my best friends! I can tell them anything, show them anything, ask them anything and know they will be honest with me. Without them, I wouldn't be who I am today. Thank you for looking after me Tub and Bin!

My Parents - have shown me unending support through all of my schooling (even now). They have encouraged me, held my hand, and made sacrifices for me (and us) and there is nothing I could do to express how much I am thankful for them!

My In-Laws - have shown me that while I knew I loved my husband from the moment we met/talked/emailed/texted, the love I feel for them came right along from the moment I met them too! They are knowledgeable, caring, supportive, and wonderful! Thank you all for what you have taught me, and what you will continue to teach me!!

My friends, my job, a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, and clothes on our backs.

Thank you to all of the men and women in our armed forces who fight to protect us. Thank you to all of those soldiers who can't be at home for Thanksgiving. You sacrifice the most!! Thank you!!

Thank you for those of you who read my ramblings and look at our pictures. There are probably only a few of you (and I know who you are) but it's nice to know people care!!

So as Brian and I prepare for another Thanksgiving Feast tomorrow (with my side), remember those in your life who love you. Remember those YOU love and have loved.

New-Old Pictures

So right before I went back to work after having Adelle, we got her picture taken. She was almost 2 months old! We went to Brian's friend Katie who owns her own photography studio called, Behind The Lens Photography. She was wonderful and captured an amazing amount of shots of our Sweet Girl.

Well, we just got the pictures in the mail and they are BEAUTIFUL!! Here are just a few!!