11 for '11

Here are 11 of my favorite memories from 2011, in order from start to finish...

1...Time with grandparents.
Laurelei was lucky enough to spend a lot of time with her great-grandparents this year, and for that I am thankful. I don't take for granted how special the relationship between a child and their grandparents can be, and I was blessed to see Laurelei get to know, love and interact with Matt's and I's grandparents this year. One of my favorite memories was my papaw's birthday last winter, when Laurelei sat by his side and helped him open every single one of his presents. It was very, very sweet.

2...Snow days with Laurelei.
Because of bedrest L and I were robbed of our lazy summer days together. This helps me think back to those many snow days last winter we enjoyed together. We made cookies, played, napped, created. They were so special and some of the most full filling days my baby girl and I have spent together, just the two of us. I love the feeling of being holed up in the house, no place important enough to go to take us out in the blustery weather.

3...Finding out we were expecting #2.
I was convinced I was pregnant several times before I actually was. Poor Matt was victim to my mounting excitement and following disappointment each time I was wrong. We were getting ready for a quick dinner out with friends when I decided I thought I should take just one more pregnancy test. I couldn't believe it when it was positive and I know Matt couldn't either! We were so excited for what was to come! (I know, Matt looks really pleased. Don't worry, that was just his reaction to me making him take yet another self picture, not to the news!)

4...Chicago.
Over spring break I enjoyed 4 days in Chicago with two of my favorite people! We didn't know at the time but it was to be our last vacation as a family of three (we missed the beach because of bedrest.) We had a great time traipsing all over the city. Visiting the aquarium, museums, spoiling L, eating great food. It was an awesome trip.

5...It's a boy!
I had not so secretly hoped that we would have a boy this time, though I'd have been scarce to admit it if we'd had a girl! I loved growing up with my brother Harrison, and couldn't wait to raise a little boy of my own. We settled on the name Abbott, one of my favorites, while we were still at the doctor's office. It was such a happy moment!

6...Potty training.
2011 was the year of potty training L. It was full of memorable moments, many of which I just cannot share with the public, but I will say this. This thought has passed through my mind many times over the past few months: Never take for granted everyday you go without having an accident because at one point or another some brave soul had to teach you how to do that, and for that you should be eternally grateful! :)

7...Fireflies.
One night shortly after I was put on bedrest Mat and I let L stay up late to look for fireflies. She had never experienced this before, and her excitement was simply contagious. At that point we didn't know how my pregnancy was going to turn out, and we had decided that we would be grateful for all the little moments we had together in the meantime. It was a great memory.

 

8...Conversations with L.

2 is a fun age. L was 2 for most of 2011, and we had a lot of fun conversations. Some of the most memorable questions and conversations came from the subject of my growing belly, and those are some truly priceless moments.

9...Abbott's birth.

I have said it before, but I really do mean it...laboring and giving birth have been some of the most amazing moments of my life. It's hard, but more fun and rewarding that I can even explain. Having Abbott this year seemed to complete my world, and bringing him here safely was the best blessing I could have asked for. He was a much awaited, heavily anticipated little guy, and he lived up to all the hype and worry. What a little blessing. 11:53, best moment of 2011.

10...Laurelei meeting Abbott for the first time. 

And then there were 4. Laurelei's response to Abbott couldn't have been greater. She was so excited to have a little brother, and loved him so much from the very first second. I know she is going to continue to be just the best big sister her little brother could ask for, so long as she can keep from smothering him with her hugs and kisses. 

11...Lazy days with Abbott.

My maternity leave with Abbott was pure bliss. I could finally breathe easy knowing he was here and safe. We laid around every day for almost 9 weeks and it was truly lovely. I am not sure I will ever have the opportunity to rest like I did with him, so I am thankful for that time! I am also thankful that I got sometime to bond with my second born just the two of us. I know that many moms don't have that opportunity and I don't take that for granted either!

Happy 2012. May there be even more truly wonderful memories made this year!

linking to e tells tales.

the abc's

Laurelei has her own way of singing the abc's as I am sure all children do at one point or the other. We have been lucky enough to hear this song on repeat, about 50 times a day, since L learned it at school a couple of weeks ago. My mom told me I should write it down and keep it somewhere, so I used Word and did just that. It goes a little something like this...

 

I think I might have to print it off and frame it for her room or something. It is just too sweet, and makes me smile when I think of it. How I wish I could capture this time in her life and just bottle it up!

We have a great video of her singing it on our camcorder, but haven't been able to download it yet, so here is one from my phone taken right after she learned it. Her lyrics have changed just a little since this video, but it is sweet none the less!

Sick Days...

It seems someone wanted to take a sick day with mommy today...

I know, she looks like a little faker doesn't she? But trust me, after what poor Matt had to go through last night in the way of clean-up, this little girl definitely earned herself a day off of school! I wasn't complaining too much either, as it was finally a reason for us to get to be together alone all day for the first time in a long time. We did a lot of playing...

And cooking...

 

And of course mommy did some back rubbing, for both L and Belle...

And hanging out watching movies...

Fun was had by all. I think my favorite part was the large part of the afternoon Laurelei spent cuddling with me and serenading me with her version of "the ABC's" over and over again. She has picked up quite a bit a school already, I'm pretty impressed!

 Isn't she perfect?

I'm very happy to report that this day of rest and recuperation has made us both feel a little better. I anticipate a great long weekend ahead for sure!

A sweet, sweet sound in your ear...

Laurelei loves to go to church. Getting her ready 6 days a weak is usually like running a marathon, but not on Sundays. She gets so excited to see her 'friends' and go to her big class as she calls it. It might have more to do with the play dough some days than anything else, but we love that she gets so excited about it!

This morning we were listening to the radio in the car on the way there and an old worship song came on the radio. When the song was over, Laurelei just kept on singing and told Matt she really liked that song. Then she proceeded to beg us to sing it over, and over, and over, and over, and over again! We felt a little silly at first, especially since we could only really remember one verse, but then we just couldn't get over how cute it was. I got a little video of it, though I hope it doesn't make you nauseated since we were in the car and it's quite bumpy! The song is "holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty..." You'll notice, I am sure, how Laurelei says poly instead of holy, though I am sure God doesn't mind. :)

When we got home she was begging to watch her video, and requested that we remake it because she didn't like it "bery much." So, here is a second take, which she was even more unsatisfied with! (I wonder who she might take after...?)

She might have forgotten the words, but I love how she inserts her own little verse..."My God made me..." What a sweet sound that is to hear!

Finally, some new videos...

Laurelei has been up to A LOT these days! Unfortunately, we have once again lost our digital/ video camera charger and haven't taken a video of her in a couple of months! It is crazy to see how different she is from one video to another. If you scroll back to the last video blog entry, you'll be amazed at the difference! She is so much more responsive and animated, it is hilarious! She has also gone from cruising around furniture to taking steps and walking almost on her own. The walking videos don't show all that she can do because if she saw the camera, she was over walking and just wanted the camera out of Matt's hands. The one time she walked all the way across her room, Matt the camera missed it sooo (well, we won't get into that here.)

This first video is of Laurelei and Matt playing a little chasing game that Laurelei just freaks out over. If either Matt or I even look at her and giggle, she starts running and screaming to the other parent. It is hilarious. She LOVES to be chased!


This is Laurelei just being Laurelei. Exploring something, throwing something, eating something, saying a little something. She is too sweet!



These next two videos are Laurelei taking a few steps, she is going to take off before we know it! I can't believe she has grown so quickly. It truly does FLY by...