Happy New Year! Looking back and moving forward...

Greetings folks! I hope you each enjoyed your holiday celebrations and if you're anything like me you're probably still recovering from too much fun and not enough sleep. As usual, time flies when you're having fun and so here I am just posting again after I had intended to post at least once a month. Oops!

So, status update: we're all still here! Alex is almost 4.5 months now and he is really getting interesting in the world. New things of late- his feet are pretty amazing (to him) and he is working hard at figuring out how to roll over!

We have had several wonderful Christmas celebrations with family and friends and put quite a few more miles on the Equinox. I thought I'd do a counting post in a nod to my blog title, so...enjoy!!

I wanted to post 11 things to remember about 2011 but frankly, all I really want to post about is Alex being born...So...instead, I'll skip right to 12 things I'm looking forward to about 2012!

12. Learning at least one new knitting skill: Specifically I am targeting making socks and/or learning how to cable. I have been spending a LOT of time lately making baby blankets (an NONE have been for Alex) because we are just in that phase of life! This year I vow to take some time out for other types of projects!

11. Walks with my boys: We have an amazing stroller (that was a gift from some amazing INVISIFRIENDS!) and I really look forward to nice weather so that Daddy, Alex and Mommy can have some nice walks together.

10. Vacation!! Not sure where we will go, but Justin and I want to take a family vacation sometime when the weather is nicer. We've talked about more travel around Michigan and jaunting over to Canada, Northwest trip to Washington/Oregon/Etc, heading to 'bama to visit Dave and Sandy at Lake Martin...who knows!!

9. Baby Mile Stones: I am excited (and terrified) of seing Alex figure out crawling and walking and more. Better start with the baby-proofing!!

8. Working on my relationship with God: I know I have posted before about being more spritual than religious. I want to stengthen my relationship with God. Today our minister gave a challenge/opportunity/concept (whatever you'd like to call it) that has me thinking. I am not certain I can make the full commitment, but I am excited about the possibility of trying. Ok, in truth I know I could make the commitment but perhaps I am actually scared to put it out there that I am going to do it...more on this in the future, perhaps!

7. Birthday! I'm turing 30 this year! Whoa...I wrote that...and it's REAL! I remember thinking 30 was SO OLD when I was younger. I really don't feel old at all. Guess I need to wrap my brain around my capability to be 30 and not old simultaneously!!

6. Finances: We are very lucky in a lot of ways financially, but this is an area I ALWAYS feel like I can work more on. So, specifically I am going to focus on spending less on stupid stuff we don't need, planning for retirement and Alex's college savings.

5. Work: I want to continue improving myself as a professional.

4. Me: I need to work on me. Physically, mentally. It's been a whilrwind year of being pregnant, giving birth, recovering from giving birth and learning how to balance being a mom. At any rate, I still have work to do to be the best me that I can be.

3. Volunteering: I love the volunteer work I do with my sorority, Phi Sigma Sigma. I am excited about my new role with the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation. I want to work hard to fulfill my commitments to my volunteer work, and to that end, I plan to say no more frequently than I typically do. This isn't because I don't care, it's because I DO care and I want to do the best work I can, which probably means less in order to balance being a good mommy, too.

2. Traditions: I am really excited about the opportunity to build family traditions as we travel through our first full year with Alex. it's fun to show him traditions from each of our families and to establish our own, as well.

1. Marriage: People aren't kidding when they say that moving and having babies is stressful on relationships. I'm not sure if it is good or crazy that we basically did both simultaneously :) At any rate, I really want to make sure that we are taking time to focus on our relationship with each other, not just on being super fabulous parents to Alex :)

So...there you have it. Twelve things I am looking forward to during 2012 (and likely beyond). I still want to try to blog more often, but...I make no promises. Just enjoy the posts when they come (or don't- whatever works for you!!)

P.S. I finally succombed to Pinterest. SO dangerous...

P.P.S. Random thought of the day: Why do they make holiday baby clothes (such as Christmas) that say "Baby's First..." in sizes larger than 12 month???? Mystifying...

Being a Mommy...

So, it's hard to believe it, but Alex is already 10 weeks old. Our lives are completely different and yet so much the same and most importantly there is something about how Alex fits into our life that is just perfect. While his arrival might not have followed my perfect vision, I certainly wouldn't trade the end result for anything.

Things I know...
- We have changed lots of diapers
- We have washed countless loads of tiny clothes and diapers
- I have spent days of my life breastfeeding and pumping, literally days!
- We have spent hours walking, bouncing, dancing and wiggling around our house
- A smile or giggle from Alex immediately melts our hearts...

Things I still don't know...
- Why hiccups happen...
- How such a tiny thing can make such large noises and messes...
- When I will truly be recovered from my C-section
- How I will be able to survive missing out on all the little things that will happen when I am back at work...

I have cherished (almost) every moment I have had at home with Alex, and to any new mom who can I highly recommend taking as much time at home with your baby as you can. I didn't even feel like myself for at least 6 weeks and so it has just been the last few weeks I have really been out and about and enjoying mommy and Alex time.

I can't believe how much he is growing and changing every day and I am always wondering what he is thinking. Before I know it, he'll be telling me...and then I might wish I didn't know!! At any rate, our family is doing great and I am sure we will do fine transitioning me back to work and Alex to day care...but prayers for us starting the week of November 7th would be appreciated. I feel like if we get through the first week we will be ok!! :)

Thinking Deep Thoughts and Looking for Meaning...

I have found myself pretty introspective lately. I think it is a combination of the season of Lent and the impending new role of parent. It is amazing how having this little life growing inside of me can put everything in a completely different light than ever before. Suddenly every decision I make impacts more than just myself. I think it also make me realize how many things in my life could use some work. I guess that is where Lent comes in, as a Christian spending this time in preparation seems to well parallel the preparations I am and/or should be doing for the birth of our baby.

I think people who know me well would describe me more as spiritual than religious. I have always believed in a higher power and the concept of doing good for myself and others. I often am challened by some of the indoctrination that often seems to accompany organized religion. Not that I am saying I have it all right, but I am challenged to think ANY of us could possible have it ALL correct. I guess I will just keep striving to be the best person I can be, which will (hopefully) in turn, make me the best mother I can be.

Today I have been hung up on two songs. I guess they sort of illustrate my conflicted view between God and the secular. At any rate, both are great songs that I personally find have a lot of meaning to me. Maybe you'll enjoy them or find some meaning in them, as well.

"For Good" from Wicked
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrInbL9sh7U

Matt Maher's "Set Me As A Seal"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy_TGOeESrw

A Blog...

So, I have contemplated creating a blog for awhile. After spending the weekend at the US Transplant Games in Madison, WI with many of my Phi Sigma Sigma sisters, I was inspired. So, here goes. I don't promise to blog often or to be profound, but it might give you a window into my personal universe!