Goodbye 2009

On this the last day of the year, as I always do, I am reflecting on the year past. The year began with the wait for our child. Is this labor? Is it time? Then on January 7, I went into labor. 2 days of lots of pain later, Chesley was born, 6 lbs. 3 oz., 19 inches long. He filled our hearts with so much love. And as the year has past and we have watched him grow before our eyes, we love him more every day. I'm thankful that there were no major tragedies or hardships for our family this year. No deaths, sicknesses, hurricanes. Not every year is so good as this one. We were able to fully concentrate on our child. He does something new every day. He is getting close to being able to stand, but still a ways from walking. That's fine by me. I think it will be a while for him. Nathan and my relationship has grown a lot this year, trial by fire, I would say. Hopefully we can build on our marriage and make it stronger in the new year. A child was gracefully bestowed on us, and we tend to put him first, and our relationship falls to the side. I feel a new closeness to my mother after having a child. So I do want to be with her tomorrow on my 29th birthday.

The end of the year also marks the end of my blogbook. So here the year end, the book ends, but the story keeps going!

Nursing a big boy

Nursing a big boy is much different than nursing a newborn. He definitely has figured out where the milk comes from. When he is ready to nurse, he digs in my shirt and tries to open it up. It's cute and funny. If he sees it, mouth open, ready to go. He's gotten much better with the biting. I think he is figuring out that "Ouch!" means pain and pain is bad. But he still pulls my hair. So maybe not. We all slept till almost 10:00 today. Super lazy. We are really messing up our normal routine which I'm sure we will pay for when we go back to work next week. He didn't go to bed till almost 11:00 last night. He slept a little better last night, but he is still waking up all through the night. Our house is over-run with toys! Toys everywhere! Hopefully we don't get many more toys for his birthday. We could use some shoes and money for his college account would be nice. We've got a few hundred in there so far. Grandpa gave him $50 and it's going to the college account. I set up a 529 savings plan. We will put $100 a month.

Me again

I -think- I just finished my book. I will still add posts from today through Thursday. Friday will start a new year and a new book. Nathan is holding Boo and watching tv while Boo is napping. I was working on my book when I heard the smoke alarm beeping super loud. Oops... I guess those french fries burnt. I was really into the book. But I'm downstairs and Boo is upstairs so I don't think it woke him up. It is really sweet to see Nathan singing Boo to sleep. Boo really fights his naps, but he's too tired to play. Oh, being a little boy. I think we are going to go shop a little bit as a family. Tomorrow I have three appt. for myself. It seems crazy. Mom bought me a facial and massage for my birthday (Friday). I told her it is too much, but she spoils me. Then I'm getting a much needed haircut. I'm also supposed to go to the mall with Paulina, and I might take Boo with me. But I will be a busy girl tomorrow. Friday Mom wants to cook dinner. Nathan was wanting to take me out, but I might like to see Mom on my birthday. Something about having a baby and raising a child makes you want to be with your mom on your birthday. So I will be getting pampered and spoiled tomorrow. Being a mom, I don't spend hardly any time on myself. I might feel a tiny bit guilty, but I will surely enjoy it.

Family Pics

Finally we have some family pics to show. I'm usually the one behind the camera, so I don't get into many pics. But I'm sure Chesley might like to see a few pics with his mommy one day, so I'm glad we got some. We are planning his birthday party. I ordered the cake and spent way too much money on decorations, plates, cups, and party favors. He may not remember it, but it will be fun. And I will make sure to take lots of pics.

I wrote a book!

Yes, you heard right, a book. I've always wanted to write a book. Then I realized, hey, I already wrote a book, this blog. Sometimes I write every day or so and forget to look back and see where I've been. This blog serves as an outlet, a source to share my thoughts and my life, and a journal. I searched for a service that will print a blog and found one that looks like it is perfect, www.blurb.com. The Booksmart software made it easy to take my blog posts and pictures and let me build my book. It will have every picture, maybe with a little editing to make some of them look better, and most of my posts. I think it will be something special for Chesley to read one day and see how his first year was. He will know how much he has always been loved and how much trouble he was too!! I usually comment on his milestones so this will also serve as a babybook, except it will look really great. All I need to do now is write a dedication, pick a picture for the cover, and send it off.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone. We had a wonderful night with family. I was a little worried something would go wrong, but everything was perfect. There was food... laughter... presents... and love!

Christmas Eve

It's Christmas Eve and we are gearing up for the big party. Nathan's family is all coming over this evening to eat, open presents, and visit, and whatever else we all do. The house smells like baked beans and bacon right now. Boo is pulling wires out of the computer. Nathan is outside. Life is sweet. Boo has some strange looking bumps on his head, under his arms, and between his legs that are looking a lot like chicken pox. He slept really bad last night and seemed to be itching a lot. But the bumps are not sprouting up all over the place. So we think it might be a mild case of chicken pox. We are trying to figure out what we should do for tonight. If everybody has not already had it, we may have to keep Boo upstairs. That wouldn't really be a problem.

I hope everyone has a lovely night tonight on this magical night of time with family and loved ones, eating, giving and receiving presents, and remembering the birth of our Lord.