2011

I had such a fun time reviewing the last few years of this little quiz. It's crazy how much life (and priorities!) change so quickly. Here's 2011 in review .... (and here's 2009 and 2010):

1. What did you do in 2011 that you'd never done before?

Visited San Diego. Bought a house in my name. Gave up booze and caffeine. Had a baby!

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

I'm not big on resolutions but I always want to be a better friend and a better Christian.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
ME! Also my cousin Tifanie, friends Marcy, Kim D., Katie, Laura, Marcie and Kim O. And lots of bloggy friends, too. I don't know where I'd be without the advice, comradarie and support these ladies provided me through months of pregnancy and motherhood thus far.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Nope.


5. What countries did you visit?

Surprisingly, I didn't travel out of the country this year. I guess being pregnant eight months of the year and having a newborn the remainder really sent our travel bug into hiding. Andi and I were thisclose to booking a trip to Nicaragua in March and that remains our biggest regret of 2011 (totally should have gone when we had the chance)! We considered taking Tory to Mexico this fall for a little getaway before I returned to work, but haven't worked up the nerve to take her out of the country yet.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you didn't have in 2011?

For the better part of the year, I would've said caffeine and alcohol. As sad as this sounds, giving up caffeine (and a cocktail if I was in the mood) was one of the suckiest parts of my year.  I really missed Diet Coke and iced coffee. First world problems, I know.

In 2012, I'd also like to visit my friend Melissa in Sioux Falls, SD and my cousin Tara in Philadelphia.

7. What dates from 2011 will be etched upon your memory, and why?
July 15, 2011 - the day I closed on a house in my name for the first time
August 22, 2011 - Tory's due date .... which came and went with no baby to be heard of
August 30, 2011 - Tory's birthday

8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?

Becoming a mother - an absolute dream come true.

9. What's your biggest failure?
We never joined a bible study this year and it's something I've wanted to do for a few years now. Actually going to the cabin this summer, moving and having a baby this fall really derailed our visits to church, period. I feel like I have a big void inside and I'm committed to changing this in 2012.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing major, except for the occasional man cold (which are obviously a Very Big Deal). I sprained my ankle ten days before Tory was born and it not only sent me into a waaaaah I am SO OVER being pregnant! tailspin, but it still bothers me four months later.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
A new house! Obviously we would've survived with a baby in our tiny duplex, but having a house with more room, an attached garage and without noisy neighbors has made life so much easier with a baby.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Uh, me, I gave birth to another human life!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
People who hurt children. Since becoming a parent, I often find myself overwhelmed with worry for my child. How do I protect her from danger in the world without completely sheltering her from experience?

14. Where did most of your money go?
We paid off bills and my student loans this year. We rented a cabin and bought a boat. Buying a house was a giant expense, obviously, and we've made home improvements like buying new furnishings, converting the fireplace to gas, landscaping and painting. Also (broken record ... ) we had a baby and dang, that was expensive.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I enjoyed each and every month of my pregnancy; watching my body change and adapt to a growing baby inside me. It's truly a miracle.

16. What song(s) will always remind you of 2011?
Crazy Girl by Eli Young Band -- reminds me of Andi's unfaltering love during some of those crazy pregnancy moments when my hormones were wacho-a-doo.

Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift -- when I listen to this song, it reminds me how quickly Tory's growing up before our very eyes. GAH! Never grow up, little girl!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: 
a) happier or sadder? The happiest I've ever been
b) thinner or fatter? I weigh the same, but my body sure looks different these days
c) richer or poorer?
 Richer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Everything that's easier to do without a baby -- traveled, QT with the hubs, painted my toenails, cooking, crafts, read magazines, slept, etc.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Worrying. Worrying about every little symptom of pregnancy when I was lucky enough to have such a healthy, thriving baby. Worrying about Andi not loving me or leaving me with a baby to raise on my own (note: wacho pregnancy hormones)

20. How did you spend Christmas?

Andi, Tory and I flew down to Nebraska to celebrate with my family. Lots of laughs, quality time with family and tons of great food.

21. Did you fall in love with 2011?
With my little Tory Bean. It's crazy how much she's completed me.


22. What was your favorite TV program?
How I Met Your Mother, forever and always.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate? All the political bullshit on the news, I guess. It gets so old.

24. What was the best book you read?

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Jason Aldean. Really loving Country music again these days.

26. What did you want and get?
A baby.

27. What did you want and not get?

To have enough money so my husband didn't have to work so hard all the time. More than anything, I miss him and I always wish we could spend more time together.

28. What was your favorite film of 2011?
Bridesmaids. I seriously think that was the only movie I saw all year.


29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
The Dirty Thirty. Andi and I traveled to San Diego for a long weekend. I loved it! We stayed in Coronado, discovered the best French bistro, sunned ourselves, read books and relaxed. It was perfect.

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

Caffeine. I seriously missed it all those months.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2011?
Stretchy. Maternity leggings are all the rage, right?


32. What kept you sane?

Blogging. I'm not sure how I coped with life before I vented everything to the Internet.

33. What political issue stirred you the most?
None of it. I tune it all out. Drives me nuts.

34. Who did you miss?

My family and friends in Nebraska.

35. Who was the best new person you met?

Kim - a work friend of Andi's who's incredibly witty and an awesome sounding board for all my motherly questions. I'm so happy we've become friends.

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.
Notice all the little things about life and commit them to memory. The way Tory nuzzles her head into my neck, how the garage door sounds when Andi's on his way in the door, Chloe's toenails pattering on the wood floor down the hallway. It's my life right now and I try to soak it all in. I'm so in love with it all.

37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

They didn't have you where I come from.
Never knew the best was yet to come.
Life began when I saw your face.
And I hear your laugh like a serenade.

How long do you want to be loved?
Is forever enough, is forever enough?

Lullaby by Dixie Chicks

Letters To Tory: Four Months

Tory,

Where have the last four months gone? I remember thinking about the holidays when you were just a few weeks old -- imagining how "big" you'd be by then -- and here we are, at the end of December. You're growing up so quickly.

This was a big month for you, baby girl. At 13 weeks old, you saw snow for the very first time. Being a Minnesota girl, this probably won't be such a big deal to you someday but it was on December 1st -- it was your very first time. Will you be a skier like Daddy or prefer to stay indoors and bake cookies like Mom? Only time will tell. Also at 13 weeks, you began to stand on your legs and started to reach for toys when we dangle them in front of you. You'd rather sit up and play than lay back and relax, which is why I suspect you have such a hard time sitting still in your car seat for long (although, luckily you're tolerating it much better these days). You've discovered Chloe the dog and you love to watch her run across the living room floor. For now, the two of you are merely exchanging glances but I have a feeling you'll be befriending her someday very soon. One of your biggest accomplishments this month was finally, FINALLY finding your fingers. Hallelujah! I'm not super excited about you sucking on your hands (as we'll eventually have to break you of that habit) but at least you're learning how to soothe yourself. You've always got to be different, kiddo. Instead of sucking on your thumb like other babies, you prefer to suck on all four of your fingers AT ONCE. We can't help but laugh sometimes when you get them in there so far you gag yourself. But hey, whatever works.

On December 14th, you rolled over from tummy to back for the first time. Mommy and Daddy were so proud of you! It's a skill we're still working on perfecting as you're usually less than thrilled when it happens. All in good time, little girl, you'll get there eventually.

Along with your milestone developments this month, you've now wearing size 3-6 months clothes. Sleep has been a bit of a challenge as you went from a baby who refuses to nap but slept (mostly) through the night to one who awoke every two hours. Part of the reason for this was teaching you to sleep unswaddled but you seem to be getting used to it now. You're now sleeping for 12 hours at night, going to bed around 8pm, waking up around 1am and 6am to eat, and finally up for the day around 8am. You're becoming a better napper too which makes you a much happier baby, taking a short morning and late afternoon snooze with a two hour nap sandwiched in between. Your favorite activities  include hanging out with Mommy in the Baby Bjorn or ring sling carrier, reading books and playing with toys that light up and sing.

This month, you also celebrated your very first Christmas. Of course you were the star of the party and everyone spoiled you like crazy. You took your fourth plane ride to Nebraska and you were an excellent traveler like always. What a lucky girl you are to be surrounded by so many who love you.

What will your fifth month bring, baby girl? I can hardly wait to find out. You've an absolute blessing in our lives and I'm so thankful to God for allowing me to be your mother.

With all my heart, I love you.
Mommy

Christmas 2011 - Part Two

We returned home from our Nebraska Christmas celebration Monday night. Exhausted, but we had a blast. Click play on the video to see all the fun we had with my family.



Since we're only "home" on Christmas every other year, I really try to soak it all in. Here are some of my favorite memories this year:

• Tory slept through the entire Christmas Eve church service! I was so thankful so I didn't have to take her out and was able to sing all my favorite Christmas church songs. One of my favorite parts of the holiday for sure.
• The sound of my relatives laughing and talking. As I was nursing Tory in an upstairs bedroom on Christmas Eve, I had goosebumps as I listened to everyone I love downstairs celebrating together. It instantly transported me back to my grandparent's house where we celebrated so many Christmases when I was a little girl.
• Santa came! My uncle Norm dressed up as Santa this year and stopped by for a visit on Christmas Eve. The little kids were so surprised! Brookie (4 1/2 years) was at a loss for words at first; Lauren (1 year) was scared to death and Tory (3 1/2 months) could have cared less. After Santa left, Brooke figured out the big secret and kept saying "It was Norm!" We had to keep reminding her Norm got called into work, remember? I laugh every time I watch that part in the video.
• Tory took a 4 hour nap on Christmas Day! She was so beat from Christmas Eve (when she stayed up until 11pm - she didn't want to miss a minute), she slept right through our celebration with my dad's side of the family on Christmas Day. Longest nap ever for that little girl.
• It was 50 degrees in Nebraska! Of course it was excellent travel weather since we decided to skip the seven-hour drive and fly instead. But, so is life! We enjoyed being able to take a quick flight to and from Lincoln and even saw the Nebraska Cornhuskers at the airport (they were in route to the Capitol One Bowl taking place later this week).
• The way Tory Bean laughed and laughed when my mom made silly faces at her. It was her first true belly laugh ... and so dang cute.
• Staying up until 3am Christmas Eve night to open gifts. We started opening them up after our Christmas Eve celebration a few years ago since there were no little kids around and none of us wanted to get up early in the morning. Except now Brookie's 4 years old and the poor thing didn't know what end was up - she was opening gifts half-asleep. I was exhausted too from traveling and getting up with Tory Bean a few times a night. So, we decided next year we're going to go back to opening gifts during the daytime.
• I found this adorable hand-sewn Christmas Advent Calendar on Etsy and received one from Andi's parents this year. I am so in love with it - it's one of my favorite gifts I received this year. Each date on the calendar has a little pocket and I plan to place a Christmastime activity in each one next year for Tory, Andi and I to complete together. Obviously it'll be even more fun as she grows and the activities change as she does. I was so excited about it, I also bought my sister one for Christmas. I hope she enjoys it too.
• I bought the girls (Brooke, Lauren and Tory) matching pajamas for Christmas Eve and they were so cute!
• Brookie is very into musical instruments right now (I guess it's because of one of her favorite shows, Fresh Beat Band). Anyway, she received a Cinderella guitar from my parents and it was a big hit with everyone ... almost more fun for the adults than Brooke! She also received a Disney vanity with a built-in keyboard from Santa and on Monday, my entire family was singing and playing kiddie musical instruments in her room. It was one of the those moments where I looked around and wondered what the heck we were all doing. Good thing the video camera wasn't out for that moment! 
• Andi and I exchanged gifts when we got back to town on Monday night. He gave me a beautiful August birthstone necklace (Tory's) with a silver T heart on it. I wanted to get him snowshoes as I thought this would be something fun to do together at the cabin this winter but I opted for an Apple Trackpad instead. He seemed happier ... and let's face it, we aren't really the exercise type so it was probably a good choice. We gave Tory a Tiffany's charm bracelet (just the chain for now) for Christmas. I'm excited to collect charms for her throughout the years. I think she'll really enjoy wearing it someday too.

Hard to believe Tory will be Lauren's age next year at Christmas. I can't wait to see her running around and opening presents. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Tory - 17 Weeks

Tory - 17 Weeks

Christmas 2011 - Part One

It's our turn to visit my family in Nebraska this Christmas, so we celebrated the holiday with Andi's family here in town last weekend. I enjoy each family's get together for different reasons: on my side, I'm very steadfast in tradition (but we've always done it that way!) vs. Andi's family who embraces new ideas and adds traditions along the way. A few years ago when Andi's sister graduated college and moved back to the Twin Cities, we started doing a progressive Christmas dinner where we ate one course (appetizers, entree or desserts) at a different house (his sister's, his parent's or ours) so we could all see each other's homes decorated for the holidays and have a chance to entertain without all the hassle of the big production. Although with a new baby this year and returning to work, I just didn't have it in me to entertain at our house so Andi's mom volunteered to host it all this year (much to the disappointment of Andi's sister - sorry Linds!). We arrived at Janie and Jim's around 10:30am on Sunday to begin our celebration. Janie had snacks for us to munch on and a full bloody mary bar set out. I never turn down an opportunity to eat beef sticks and cheese marinated in booze ...

While Tory took her morning nap, we took advantage and opened our stockings. It's so interesting how every family has their own traditions when it comes to Christmas. Andi's family buys smaller gifts for each other, wraps them up and stuffs them in stockings (where as in my family, my mom does all the buying and the gifts are usually toiletries, socks, etc). We had to laugh, Andi listed bath salts on his Christmas wish list this year. My mom asked me a few weeks ago who would buy him bath salts for Christmas. "Andi's family would," I said. That's the type of things you get in stockings at their house - bath salts, an Ove Glove and ear muffs (like these adorable ones I received this year. Thanks to Tory for modeling).

Afterwards, we moved our party downstairs to open more gifts. It's crazy wonderful how blessed we are this year to have our health, a loving family around us and the addition of Tory Bean to our family. We didn't need any presents, but received the most thoughtful gifts nonetheless.

Lindsay made Janie a photo book capturing their trip to Europe together this spring.

Chloe got a new fuzzy blanket from Janie and Jim and sported her Santa dress from Andi's little cousin Mia. She was in heaven, obviously (except for the part where we made her wear that doggie outfit all day).

Daddy and Tory Bean opening gifts.

Andi's parents gave Tory the amazing gift of travel. They opened a savings accounts in her name with $200 and gave her a travel journal to document her life's adventures (Janie will write in it until she's old enough to do so herself). They wanted her to be able to backpack through Europe someday (or wherever else life's adventure takes her) and they'll add to the account as she grows. Isn't this the greatest gift?

Tory also received a Wood From The Hood growth chart (made from wood from a Twin Cities zip code), some jammies and Smart Wool socks, a handmade quilt, toys, stuffed animals and this singing puppy dog from Andi's grandma which SHE LOVES.

Tory hanging out on her new handmade quilt.

This year, Janie went above and beyond our fondue dinner tradition and served cheese and oil (to cook the meat in), along with ten different homemade dipping sauces for our meats, breads and vegetables. It was delicious! Another Christmas miracle? Tory took a snooze while we ate dinner so I actually ate hot food!

I am so fortunate to be part of this wonderful family. They welcomed me into their family six years ago and we've shared some wonderful memories together. Christmas 2011, Part 1 is in the books. Now we're jet-setting to Nebraska to celebrate with my family this weekend ... can't wait!

Sleep and Rolling Over

Tory Bean rolled over for the first time last week!

Except, she hasn't done it since. She's not a big fan of laying on her tummy (says the world to me: babies usually love laying on their tummies! Well once again, mine doesn't. I must have a strange baby on my hands). I'm not too concerned about it because I know she'll eventually get there. If there's one thing I've learned about Tory, she's strong-minded like her daddy. She has to come to decisions in her own time.

So with this rolling over business, we decided to plunge into the unchartered waters of un-swaddling. Swaddled up, Tory had figured out how to rock and roll herself from back to tummy and I didn't feel comfortable chancing her rolling over in the night, even though she only did it once. The first few nights were rough. Tory woke herself up every hour and a half and I was a stammering pile of sleep-deprived mommy. But things seem to be getting better now and she's only waking up two to three times a night - which I can handle. I also think she was getting cold since her hands weren't swaddled underneath her blanket. So I started dressing her in a long-sleeve onesie underneath her jammies, turning the heat up another notch at night and leaving her bedroom door open to allow air to circulate. All of those things seem to be helping her sleep more soundly.

In the last few days, I've also realized just how quickly I jump out of bed and run to her crib in the night. When I was on maternity leave, I never minded multiple wake-ups because I could catch up on sleep throughout the day. I also didn't want to wake Andi because he had to work the next day. Plus, Tory was still a few weeks old and I didn't feel comfortable letting her cry it out. However, when I went back to work, I started to watch the overnight clock more closely (read: holy crap, I've been up every two hours and now I have to stay awake, drive to work and actually be productive for 10 hours without drowning myself in gallons of caffeine). As I watched Tory on the video monitor one night, I realized she was just stirring and fussing a bit but still sleeping. I really never watched her before, just hopped up and went to her. I talked about it with Andi and we agreed to let her fuss (not cry) herself back to sleep (when I knew she wasn't hungry) to see how many times she'd actually wake up. "Don't worry about me!" said Andi as stuffed in earplugs into his ears. Gee, thanks honey.

Honestly though, Tory's sleep patterns have become better every day. I feel good about dropping the swaddle. We're well on our way to a happy, sleeping, roly poly baby.

Tory - 16 Weeks Old

Tory - 16 Weeks Old