2011 Year in Review

One of the most fantastic years has come to a close, and I love getting all reminiscent of days gone by. It has been a busy, and life-changing year, one I wish I could live over and over again; but I am sure the next year will have many great memory making times too... so onward and upward... after I look back on 2011!

Jan.-Feb.-March:
These months had me eating a ton of pineapple, and frozen blueberries by the pound. I was finally feeling pretty good. We enjoyed a few weekends with friends from Australia, and their cute little boys; My sister threw a wonderful baby shower for Little Boaz, and work was keeping me busy. But really these three months were filled with anticipation and excitement. My belly got bigger and bigger as the baby grew and grew. Our nursery was ready and our hearts we already loving our little man (although we didn't know he was a boy just yet)!

APRIL!

Still in the hospital but out of the NICU

In an anticipated fashion April 10th came and went without a hint of baby being born. By this time I had been off work for two weeks and was READY to meet our little one. Instead I waited, and waited and waited... I now know that that waiting was a blessing from above. Finally on the 23rd we started the eviction, and after our bumpy ride (literally and figuratively) our little guy (Griffin Allan, born Sunday, April 24th) joined the world, our lives changed forever and our hearts were filled with more love than we ever thought possible. It was a long first day of trips from my room to the NICU, but eventually we were all together in my HOT, CRAMPED hospital room. Oh, how wonderful it was to finally come home, and after the first night it was wonderful to have my mom come up to help me those first few days!

May
The first month of Griffin's life brought adjustment, and change, and love, oh, so much love.  Every minute of every day he was my world, from feeding to changing, to pumping, to feeding, to pumping, to sleeping... everything I did was to meet his needs and it was (and still is) wonderful. Oh those quiet days of rocking and singing and reading, of little grunts, and cuddle-filled naps (both of us), love filled days. Those days flew by so quickly...
Jay started his new job at Sport Manitoba. He took a term position that has had him home more often in the evenings, and doing what he loves. It was great timing and has been a really great stepping stone to whatever the future may hold for him job-wise.

June
Finally after a LONG battle our routine changed as the pumping turned to nursing and I rejoiced in the lost step. Griffin was growing and changing like crazy. His personality started to develop, he started playing more and sleeping less, and routine and order started setting in. Our family settled into the new routine (or as routine as we are going to get) of a family of three.


July, August, September

Our first family camping trip

Griffin and his two cousins in July

 As a family we enjoyed summer activities together: camping, watching sailboat races, and time enjoying the sun (and HEAT). On one night we had to sleep in the basement because it was so hot! Little Boy started eating solids at the end of September and has been a fantastic eater ever since!


October, November, & December

Out in the snow in his sled

 I waded into the baby food making business so Griffin could have yummy food, after a long weekend in the kitchen I made 24 types of food, and for the record he loves everything from brussel sprouts, lentils, and kidney beans, to more conventional sweet potatoes and apples. We celebrated Thanksgiving at home with my side of the family. I even cooked my first turkey (sort of, dad helped via phone and took over when he got here). In mid-October Griffin and I got to surprise Jay with what I thought was an awesome birthday present, it was so much fun! Of course this was Griffin's first Christmas, although he will never remember it it was fun to make some memories of this event with him.

Griffin with his sensory balls!

Oh how this year has flown by, time seems to go so much more quickly as we get older! We have new things to look forward to in the next 12 months, like Griffin walking, saying mama for the first time, and other Griffin milestones. I turn the big 3-0 this year, YIKES! We also know that we have many decisions to make in the next year; Jay's term at work is up and we don't know what changes that will bring, but we know that 2011 has been a year full of blessings and whether this next year is easy or difficult God will bring us through it in His way, if we let him!

Christmas

We have made our way home after a busy four days of travel and family. I am not sure who was happier to be home Jay and I or Griffin. He did pretty well on our travels but he giggled and smiled and talked up a storm when we got home. He is a pretty shy little guy and he struggled with big crowds at our gatherings, he needs his down time and time alone with mommy and/or daddy. Plus lots of car time (Riverton to MacGregor, MacGregor to Winnipeg, Winnipeg to Lorette to Winnipeg, and finally Winnipeg back home) over the four days was a little much for all of us! I think next year things will need to change around here!

That being said we enjoyed our time with family and friends. We had small gatherings with both immediate families, and larger ones with aunts, uncles, cousins and Griffin's great-grandparents. We ate three turkey dinners, and enjoyed our traditional Christmas breakfast of eggs benedict. The cousins played, at least as much as a 6, 8 and 21 month old can play together :), and we all got very thoughtful and lovely presents. It was a busy way to celebrate the birth of our King.

But sleeping in our own bed last night was wonderful!

Christmas At Our House!

 After some back and forth discussions we decided that rather than hauling all our stuff around with us next weekend we would have Christmas early at our house. Griffin doesn't know the difference, and it will make packing the car so much simpler next week. So after nap time we opened presents. Here are a few pictures:

Griffin's presents and stocking.

Our family stockings ready to be opened!

"Stacking cups/barrels, just what I wanted!!"

Every little boy needs a ring stacker! Thanks mom. I will eat it now!"

We tried not to go to crazy for Griffin's first Christmas, but clearly he did get some toys (stacking cups, ring stacker, sensory balls, puzzle, and a piano/xylophone), he got a book, toothbrush and paste, sippy cups, and a fork and spoon. Somethings he would have needed whether it was Christmas or not. He so far has been very interested in the sensory balls and the ring stacker, but I know he will enjoy it all in time!

Forgotten Photo Friday Number 2

 Last week as I looked through pictures I realized how many great memories I had from my childhood. While the activities may be different for Griffin I hope we can create great memories in his childhood too. For now a look back on my great memories:

Anyone can be in the Field Parade!

I spent every summer from 9-15 showing my sheep.

I love skiing and started at a young age at Lake Louise, we took a few multi-day trips to Mt. Washington when we lived on Vancouver Island.

By the sea.  I grew up in the mountains (Field), by the sea (Sydney, Cowichan Bay), and on a hobby farm (Cowichan Bay, Rocky Mountain House). I love how many experiences I had because of it.

Forgotten Photo Friday

I was going through old photos looking for Christmas Pictures, while I struck out on that front I did find baby pics of both Jay and I. Made me realize that maybe my little boy looks more like me than I thought!

Me!

Griffin

Jay

STOCKINGS!

 After many days of working on our family stockings they are finished! No they aren't perfect but I think they will work. I have actually complete a number of projects in the last few weeks, but I will save them for another post (I need to take pictures).

Yes, I made four. One day we hope to add a sibling for Griffin, he or she will need a matching stocking! No, I am not pregnant!

Three up for now!

What A Week!

We have had a very busy week around here, we have learned a bunch of new things and we have gained new skills. Well at least Griffin has, we are trying to keep up!

For months now we have had a roller on our hands, over and over he went, he did pretty well at getting around the living room. Last week our roller became an army crawler and is now tracking down whatever toy he wants wherever it is. Just the other day he learned how to get onto his knees; he was only rocking back and forth on them, but now he can push himself back to sitting. Today he also has discovered that while on his hands and knees he can go backwards... I can't imagine that it will be long before he is realizing that forward motion is possible!

All this while TEETHING! Yesterday while giving him is vitamin D I felt a sharp little tooth, you can barely see it but it is certainly there and coming up!

He hasn't ventured too far out of the living room so for now I am not chasing him everywhere, but I imagine it is coming! When did my little man go from a little new born to a seven month old busy little boy!!