2010 in Review

Usually, on this day each year I find myself in tears around midnight. There's something about change that has never settled well with me. I don't like to see the old leave and the new come in. I don't really know why. There are lots of areas in life where I welcome the new with open arms (like welcoming a new baby), and there are many areas where I'm happy to say goodbye to the past (like your basic bad days). But saying goodbye to a whole year feels like closing an entire chapter of my life. And when my children are so young, it just reminds me that I'll never have these days back again. So, I guess that it's not the New Year that makes me so sad, it's the saying goodbye to the life we had.

It seems like the babies are constantly changing, and any little moment I can savor--well, I do. The closing of 2010 simply tells me that gone are the days when I'm the (pregnant) mom to a 1 year old, a 2/3 year old, a 3/4 year old and a 4/5 year old. 2010 was the last year that I'll be the mom with all my kids at home. And 2010 could be the last year that I discover the happy news of a new life growing.

I realize that some of those things may excite or thrill others, but they don't really do that for me yet. Yes, being a mom to 4/5 kids who are not in school yet can be stressful, tiring, even mundane every once in a while. But it's not like I'd trade that in for all the fun, love, hugs and kisses I get on a daily basis. And yes of course being pregnant can be a giant pain, literally! But again, ask me if I'd change anything? NOPE!

So to help me savor this past year a little bit, here is a brief review of our 2010:

January-- Well, it's hard to remember this far back, but I remember:
-Snow
-Sickness
-Xmas decorations left up for a few weeks after Xmas
-Starting my new, online teaching job

February--
-My first ear infection in probably 20 years
-I got my iPhone
- Ha! My husband was still having to carry our dog to her crate at night.

March-
-Husband left town for a few days (these are always fun for me)
- We celebrated St. Pat's day at one of our fav local-ish restaurants
-We had awesome weather one day (think picnic at the zoo) and some snow the next. I remember being absolutely sick of the snow by this point.

April
-Boushka turned 1. We celebrated with family and friends at our house.
-I increased workouts and veggie intake! I was making a good start to weight loss (right before becoming pregnant)
-We got a family picture at Easter!
-Hubbs and I finished up our last Love and Logic class. We left feeling like awesome parents!

May
-After her 4th ear infection, Boushka and I ceased all nursing activity
-My pregnancy technically started
-The girls finished up with school
-We planned out our family trip to Colorado
-Finished up teaching my first online class

June-
-We painted our kitchen
- Vacationed in Colorado
-My sister came home for a long stay
-The night we came home from vacation (the day before Father's day), we found out about baby #5
-Soccer camp for 1
-Swimming lessons for 1 & 2

July
-We had a huge garage sale
-Said goodbye to my sis for a whole year :-(
-Morning sickness, UGH!
-Celebrated our 5th anniversary
-New furniture in the basement and bunk beds for big girls!
-Ballet for #1&2
-Hubbs and I celebrated our birthdays

August
-Found out we've received low doses of carbon monoxide poisoning for 2.5 years
- I measured 4 weeks ahead at my first OB check
-Peach started soccer on her first "real" team
-First sonogram (to check why I was measuring big)
-Matt melted my heart when he painted Brownie's toenails

Sept
-First day of school for older three--Bug's first day of school ever!!
-Peach turned 5
-Went to the Pow-wow
-Attended our Peach's first soccer game
- I lost my most favorite job of all time at our history museum
- I fell down the stairs and bumped my bump

October
-Found out we are having a girl (early sono due to my fall, baby was fine)
-Visited the pumpkin patch
-Celebrated Brownie's 4th birthday
-Celebrated Bug's 3rd birthday
-Went Trick or Treating in our old neighborhood

November
-We had yummy Thanksgiving feasts with our families
-Did all of our traditions associated with the holiday--Tree hunt/decorate, pie-making, etc
-I entered the third trimester--woohoo!
- We voted--didn't care much for most of the outcomes
-Finished the majority of my Xmas shopping early this year
-Also finished my cards earl(ier than normal, at least)

December
- By this point I've lost count of how many times I've had the puke bug recently
-Ooops, the whole family got the puke bug
- I really got into bow making and actually made several gifts for Xmas this year
- We toured several lights displays
- Saw our fair share of Santas
- Our three older girls participated in their yearly Christmas program at school
- Uncle John was home for Christmas
- Auntie didn't make it home for Xmas, but we had a nice 1 1/2 hour long chat with her on Xmas day
- Many magical Christmas celebrations with our families
- I failed at writing a brief note everyday for each girl
-Celebrated the end of the year!

Here's to making 2011 a year to remember. I pray it's full of good health, good news and good fortune. I know we'll be starting it off well when we welcome our newest sweet baby girl. May you feel incredibily blessed this year as well!

Happy New Year!