2010

To say 2010 was good to us is a complete understatement.  Ian Matthew entered our lives Dec 31 2009 I can't think of a better way to bring in the new year than with new life.  We had a couple tearful days of unknowns but everything happens for a reason and all is well.  I enjoyed my maternity leave even though I was still on call and did work from home, went into work and even had work calling me with a question while in labor (seriously how do I not get paid salary??).  I trained and ran a 1/2 marathon (hope to do it again this year).  I nursed away the 29lbs I gained during pregnancy and another 15 (depending on the day..today is not that day) along with the  same exercise routine I followed before pregnancy. I fell in love all over again with my husband, there is something about watching a guy care for his child that is so beautiful. 

Ian learned lots of new things this past year and is simply amazing.  He was my #1 1/2 marathon training partner and even got to participate in a race where he got 1st in the stroller division and in his age group!!  He went on his first airplane ride, got to go to Disneyland, the beach, the San Diego Zoo and much more. Completed carnial remolding in 7wks 6 days and to this day has a more perfectly shaped head than most.
Marcus started the fire academy and is enjoying it (the next 5mos though are going to become very busy for him).  He did engine work on his jeep (at this point I don't recall if he rebuilt the engine or put a new one in, either way it runs better...or so I'm told).

Goals for 2011: Marcus graduate from fire academy and either got on full time or part time, attack our debt and save for next house, survive the next 5mos, go on a vacay in which we have no schedule (we may never return), run another 1/2 marathon, make the Jeep the daily driver and sell Marcus' car, be better at house cleaning, menu planning, grocery shopping, and as always eat better and continue to workout.

We hope 2010 was good to you and your family and we wish you a Happy 2011!!!

1yr

Good Morning Birthday Boy!!

Birthday Balloons!

Ian, Buddy a year ago today you entered our lives and changed them forever. You are the light of lives, everything we do we do for you (I think that's a song or something like that). The past 12mos have been life changing, tearful, fun, comical, amazing, tiring and probably the best months of our lives. I know from here on out it's just going to get better and better. I loved each stage of your first 12mos I would love to combine a few though (constantly sleeping newborn with the ability to hold your own bottle...just tossing it out there). You are a great baby, very laid back, go with the flow, adjust to you surroundings quickly kind of baby. I wouldn't change anything about the past year, I'm thankful for the Memorial NICU team that took such great care of you the first few days of your life. I'm thankful you were not in the NICU for anything super serious but just needed some guidance from some very well-educated folks.

It's amazing to me how in just a year how one can go to being helpless and like a bowl of jello to a boy on the move. Who can basically do everything by yourself while making a huge mess.  When you come into a room you start to wave, in your world you are in a parade everyday. You generally get a bath everyday it's just trying to figure out after which meal though. You like to swing your arms or wave at the dogs just as I'm coming in with the spoon full of food. 

Time for some bullets of accomplishments:

• Teeth: you have 4 teeth (2 on bottom, 2 on top) and more coming in, that are causing you some grief and me lack of sleep.
• Health: had your first ear infection this month, which was another cause of lack of sleep.  You put up quite the fight with Dr C while he attempted to check you out.  It took him and mommy holding you down and he called you a tank. You are overall a very healthy baby.
• Mobility: you have the crawling thing down, as well as pulling yourself up and getting into things you shouldn't.  You were very disappointed when the child proof locks were installed.
• Food: you are becoming a bit more picky on your food options.  Overall you are a great eater, you have shown interest in taking over the spoon however it's never at the right time.  I give you your own spoon and you feed me as I feed you.  Keeps you occupied while I shovel in foods that you may not enjoy as much but your having fun feeding mommy so you don't care as much. You dislike wearing bibs during meal time and will pull them off any chance you get.  You managed to pull off a bib that snapped with a metal snap...strong lil guy.
• Words: Dada, bababa, rfgagfuiegf, kbckasehr,aldvlyrfvgal, and alshjfgse. I think that covers it.
• Interactions: you are very social and usually wave to everyone and anyone. You are also good at going to just about anyone, depends on your mood but very rarely are you shy.
• Hygiene: you enjoy bath time, dislike having your teeth brushed, nails clipped, or nose suckered out. Diaper changes have become a bit more interesting now that you want to roll over and sit up.  The other day I had the belt from the changing pad connected and tightened and you managed to roll over and then backed yourself out of it. 
• Stability: you stood on your own for a few seconds on Christmas day. You were standing in front of daddy and we were all talking when daddy said "I think he's standing cause he's not hanging onto me or the ottaman (the only things near you)" VIOLA way to go Buddy we then distracted you and you fell down...oops.
• Sleeping Habits: you nap beautifully usually 2 2-hour naps a day, night time has become a bit more challenging in the past 3 months or so.  Lately you've been sleeping through the night just waking up at 5:30 or so in the AM...a bit too early Buddy.
• Paci: I can't remember the last time you took a paci, you just decided you didn't want/need it anymore.  Have to say that was EASY!!!

As I said above this past year has been one of the best years of my life I wouldn't trade it for anything.  Happy 1st Birthday Ian Matthew!!!

Love you!

*I'm still trying to figure out this new blogger update...sorry about the pictures

Enjoying Birthday Cinnamon Rolls!!



mmm...good

cozy coupe cruising

Santa brought Ian a car!

hand to the head

Ian has become quite the tummy/butt in the air sleeper which can result in this happening if you fall asleep with your hand under your face  

fun with mom

Love being feed by my boy.  Please excuse my look I had just awoken about 15min prior to this.

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday



From our house to yours, may you have a blessed holiday with the ones you love!

Ian's Baby's 1st Christmas ornament




Our Tree!!

Wishing my Aunt Judi a very Happy Birthday!!



Aunt Judi playing "dun da daaaaa" with Mr Nicholas




Ian sporting his Christmas outfit Aunt J got from him last year!

 

one person

If you could meet one person who would it be?  I know if I could meet someone it would be my oldest sister Jamie. I have seen pictures of her, hung her stocking on the mantle, helped decorate her pumpkin for Halloween, and have visited her at the cementry but never got to meet her in person.  Jamie came into my families lives on 12/24/1977, four weeks before her projected due date and in just 4 short months was taken to be with our Heavenly Father due to kidney failure. I think about this more after Ian came into our lives. Ian and Jamie shared the exact same due date 1/25, both came before their due date (Jamie 4wks, Ian 3.5wks) and both had a issues that required additional attention.  I honestly can't imagine what my parents went through I've heard the stories of their many trips to Riley and their stay there as well.  One time my Grandpa H arranged for a police escort for my dad and Grandparents W. to get down there to see my mom and sister.  But to think about having to bury your child at 4mos or any age at all breaks my heart into a million pieces and tears start to pour.

I have attempted to write this now about 5 times and all 5 times I have had to fight back the tears in order to keep typing.  No matter what I write I don't feel I'm doing her justice.  I have visited her grave in the baby land, the same grave that my parents and grandparents keep clean and place flowers at.  Growing up on her Birthday I remember going to the cementary and my parents would get out place the flowers, my dad would clean off the her name plate and then they would hold each other for a few moments before getting back into the car.  I think those moments touch me even more than ever before now Ian is here.  My parents are strong and have been knocked down more times but each time they have faced the issue head on and are amazing. 

So today on Jamie's birthday we will visit the cementry where my parents laid her to rest 32yrs ago. We will clean off her name plate if my parents or grandparents haven't gotten a chance too.  We will thank God for our baby boy who is healthy and happy and the light of our lives.


With all that and still suffering from blurred vision, I will wrap this up remember this Holiday season to give thanks for your healthy child/children and warp your arms around them and simply love on them, give thanks for their health, and remember God is in control.