MIA

Why hello there - it's been a month or so - boo! Life has been crazy since September and I just can't keep up with posting these days. No worries - I'm not giving up on it - I have 600 photos to widdle down and organize since Thanksgiving. So I'll be tackling that this next week but thought I'd give a run down on things that haven't made it to blogland yet.

*E's 15 Month Dr. Appt: Healthy! We love our little man - his growth trajectory is steady but he came in at a whopping 6 percentile for weight and 12th for height. He'll be a rockstar shortstop, kicker, or golfer :) Will be fun to see where he weighs in next month at the 18m appt - his pants are getting short and a cute little belly has popped out.

*Way back in May I took a new position at work. It was a long overdue promotion which was much appreciated and I get to lead our social media pilot which is cool work. The hours are much more intense and so is the stress but it was a great change career wise. I come home exhausted but do like the challenge.

*Never thought I'd say this but I've become a public transportation enthusiast. Granted the commute is still about an hour each way but loving riding the bus. Nothing like the adrenaline rush of dashing out the door each morning racing to catch it - I miss it at least once a week. But the 40 minutes of sitting peacefully with no work, no traffic stress, and no responsibilities at home are glorious! Saving a lot of money on gas and downtown parking as well. No worries - I won't be hugging trees anytime soon :)


*I discovered Pinterest. It's been awesome for daydreaming and getting decorating ideas! The few free seconds I get to be online tend to go here!

*Since moving in October we'be been busy hosting and entertaining. We love the house and it's been perfect for having people over and hanging out:

-We had so much fun throwing our house warming party the weekend of December 12
-The Quam family visited this same weekend - Ethan and baby McKinley had so much fun together and it was so great to see these guys!
-We hosted the Woods Clan from Iowa + Nebraska for an early Christmas celebration the weekend of December 17th. Thanks to 5 air mattresses and good sports we were able to sleep 10 in the house! E played and played with his cousins Eric and Cole. After spending 8+ months in the hospital this year we're relieved to report that Brian's mom is doing well - it was so wonderful to have her at the new house for the first time!
-Had a great Christmas in Burnsville with the Davis Fam
-The Bednarz family visited from DC over New Years Weekend. Baby Ava and E were too cute together!
-We hosted a post Holiday party with my work friends last weekend

*Found a church that has potential and have visited several times. Hoping it's "the one" and that we can get more involved this year. Luckily Open Door is super close to our house, although we seem to be late every time anyway!

*Keeping up with a big house sure takes a lot of time and work. Wouldn't change it for the world - we worked so hard to get here - but it sucks up the remaining free time after E goes to bed and on the weekends.

*In the blink of the eye our precious baby has become a toddler. A walking, talking, curious, busy busy toddler! It's such a fun stage - he constantly makes us smile and laugh! He is also starting to test us and show some attitude which is a good lesson in patience. So far his listening skills need some work - amazing how early selective hearing starts and when we try and be firm and discipline he bursts out in giggles! He needs constant supervision to stay out of trouble so the evenings after work fly by and Brian and I are wiped out by the time he goes to bed!

So... for all of the above reasons and many more I've forgotten to include, the blog has had to slip to the back burner. Hoping to get back to it in 2012 so will sneak posts in when I can. Thanks for visiting - cheers to 2012!


ps - E is still rockin the curls :)