2012...In Pictures

This year went by so fast, and yet some of these pictures seem so long ago. Lorelai looks like a baby in the early shots, and by the end, she looks like a full-fledged kid. She still had some firsts this year, and so did Chris and myself...

Lorelai developed a love for playing the backyard

Lorelai is obsessed with babies in 2012...fun fact - this picture was taken on our second anniversary. 02/06/12

Chris' Nana passed away, she is missed

She had her first Easter egg hunt, Phoebe helped

My Mom's side on Easter

My brother-in-law and sister-in-law announced they are expecting #4 :)

I finished priming and repainting the guest room...now Lorelai's new room

Our first family vacation to Estes Park, CO

We met up with Chris' extended family in Colorado Springs...which we had to leave early from due to wildfires near our hotel

I took on a lots of home projects

Lorelai's first bathing suit and pool experience

4th of July cake, made with my mom and sister...2012 was the year for pinterest for me

We had a couple battles with our sprinkler system...that are somewhat ongoing. Same goes for our garage door.

We found out we were expecting baby #2 

Finished making over the master bathroom

Chris' cousin, Ashton got married...this is Chris' Dad, brothers, and nieces and nephew(s) ;)

The newlyweds

I had some frustration with new neighbors, and their, well, lack of consideration

Celebrated Noni's birthday after their return from Hawaii

We had lots of play dates with little pals, like Miss Ava

Phoebe had some health struggles that involved eye ulcers. *ouch*

We found out our #2 is another girly ♥

Halloween, and her costume I made...the cape at least

Lorelai turned 2! She had a Sesame Street party with focus on Elmo, her favorite

She got her first bike for her birthday...and fell in love with it!

Lorelai moved out of her crib/toddler bed and into a big kid bed in her new room

Thanksgiving, Lorelai is in a "super picky eater" phase...she only had a roll for dinner, I packed snacks to make up for it

Chris changed jobs, and we are all excited about his new potential :)

Celebrated Christmas early with Noni and Gdad, for they were leaving to spend the holiday in the Cayman's.

Chris' cousin Christmas!

Christmas! Santa gave her a kitchen set, pink and retro

Lorelai's first true interaction with snow

Lorelai's first white Christmas :)

I may have missed some things due to an unintentional oversight, or due to a lack of picture, but I think this timeline is pretty informative. Though it has to be said, the biggest news of all is the fact that we all survived the "end of the world." ;) Happy last couple days of 2012! Looking forward to all the new things to come for 2013!

M.LEWIS

Christmas Closing In

Life 4 days from Christmas is pretty quiet...well, sort of.

Today our last package arrived in the mail. It was a personalized gift, and well, somewhere along the line the design became...wonky. It is "ungivable." So, that makes things a little interesting; fortunately the recipient is pretty laid-back and understanding. They won't mind the hiccup and extra time. I still feel bad though.

Phoebe's eye was acting up earlier this week. Normally I rush her to the vet within 24 hrs when she has some sort of symptom, but since she just had eye ulcers less than 3 months ago, I figured it was just another flare up...so I waited. I brought out all her old medications and started back up the crazy eye drop schedule again. As of right now, she seems a lot better...not 100%, but I'd say 90%. Hopefully the next couple days will fix that, and there will be no need for a vet visit, especially to the emergency vet over the Christmas holiday.

I have been busy the last couple of days helping Santa and his elves make Lorelai's gift. I can happily report it is ready to go for Christmas eve. That is a relief...it was...involved, but so worth it.
We have been helping Grandma make Christmas cookies this week, and we still have many more to do. So Christmas movies have been watched, so all in all, we are on schedule. ;)

This week also marks Chris' last full week at his current job. He was recruited for higher position at another company, and he took it. He starts on the 27th. We are very proud of his accomplishments and success...not trying to brag or anything. ;)

On a completely silly note, I am relieved today was trash pickup day. We had quite a pull-up going. The recycling only comes every other week, and last cycle, they didn't pick up ours. I still don't know what happened there. The bin was completely full. we also had about 9 lawn bags full of leaves and dead flowerbed plants. Half were supposed to be picked last week but a neighbor's delivery truck was blocking my house...my entire house...I had to park across the street. So, the truck didn't reach my house at all. Today all those things are taken care of. Yay!

It's the little things. ;)

M.LEWIS

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Everyone has been posting a little something regarding the Sandy Hook shooting. I have not. I wanted to...but, frankly, it makes me too sad.

There have been a lot of these unthinkable events lately and all make me sad, but this one is different. Maybe it's pregnancy hormones amplifying the emotions, maybe because I used to work as a teacher in a preschool, or maybe because I am now haunted by the fact I could lose my child(ren) so easily, beyond my control...but no matter the reason, this tragedy, so close to Christmas, has really touched my heart. I could write about how it makes me feel, how I feel the solution won't have anything to do with gun control laws...but I really don't care to analyze the situation any longer.

I will say this: hug your babies...no matter how old. Be thankful and grateful for every day, every hour with them. Don't fret over shopping lists or bank accounts. Don't stress over wrapping and holiday chores. You have everything you need if you have your family, especially your kids. Pray for those less fortunate, give to those you can, and thank God for every little gift...like your baby's smile.

A week before Christmas, and I already have everything on my wish list. I have Lorelai...and little Adalaide on the way. I have all my life's happiness...and that is more than enough.

M.LEWIS

Odd Pinterest 4.0

Here we are again: strange, unusual, weird things you can find on Pinterest. Some are ugly, some are pointless, and some you do not need inspiration making...like a mess. Just a few here, I am sure you have seen some good ones. And again, sorry to offend if you actually like some of these pins. ;)

I am not getting the trend of "melted crayon on everything"

Is this really a "shade" anymore?  I can see the potential, but I still think this is a fail.

Because you long to be like Bigfoot?

Bedazzling your stairs has got to be the biggest waste of time to achieve the tackiest results.

Because this looks good?

"Chapstick koozie" ...for what reason, I don't know.

Frosty's remains ornament? Morbid and not worth hanging on a tree.

Who likes to use their hands anyway?

M.LEWIS

Making Lists, Checking Them Twice, Marking Them Off :)

Thank goodness for the internet. If I do not buy a Christmas gift over the internet, I research and gather ideas using the internet. I am thankful for this luxury; because of this, I am done Christmas shopping...minus 2 small things. :P I also have most things wrapped since we are having a "staggered" Christmas this year. 

Basically, each weekend in December involves us celebrating/acknowledging Christmas with different family members. Things need to be wrapped to avoid last minute freak-outs. This weekend we sent a batch of gift with my in-laws to Kansas to be shared with Chris' older brother and his family. Merry Christmas guys! We miss you all! Hope you all got everything okay.

Next weekend we will be sharing presents with my in-laws seeing as they are leaving next Sunday for a holiday abroad.

We still need to fit in seeing in Chris' dad and his family, and then there is his cousins' party on the 23rd....and then actual Christmas with my family. I don't mind stretching out the festivities, it makes for one fun month...just busy, and one I have to organize for.

On a side note, I have also successfully switched Lorelai and her things into her new room and put up the couple of things for Adalaide in the nursery.

Basically, I feel accomplished. I like feeling accomplished...I just wish it didn't involve swallowing up the whole weekend.

Now I look forward to a winter-weather week. Goodbye 75° days!

M.LEWIS

2 Years and Getting Sweeter

Last Friday marked Lorelai's first 2 years of life. I did what most moms do and relive her birth through my own memories. I don't want to forget the little details, though I know I will as the years pass. My little baby girl is 2. 2 years since I first saw her sweet, puffy, little face; 2 years since I first heard her small cries; 2 years since we became a true family. Hard to remember life before her.
Another thought crossed my mind this birthday...it would be her last as an only child. It kind of made me sad, but mostly, it made me feel excited. I truly believe she will love having a younger sibling, especially a little sister. She points out kids and babies everywhere we go. She smiles, claps, and becomes all sorts of excited to see another little person her size. I know she will smother Adalaide with affection, and adore having "her" own baby. On to the next chapter: Lorelai + Adalaide. :) Happy Birthday my Sweets, we love you oh-so-much! ♥

M.LEWIS