And a Happy New Year...

Christmas is over, well, almost.  We still have one more Christmas celebration with my family next week.  It has been wonderful and simple.  The in-laws came up Christmas Eve.  We had a breakfast casserole in the morning, exchanged gifts, went to church, then enjoyed a delicious Christmas meal at Brett's aunt and uncles house.  Oh, and Emma started crawling, standing by herself, and saying mama!  What a great Christmas gift from my baby girl.  Last year on Christmas, she gave me kicks I could feel!  What a giving little girl!

It's always bittersweet when this holiday passes.  Christmas is my absolute favorite.  I love the lights, the baking, the trees, the family, the anticipation of what gifts are hiding down in the basement  (yes, Brett hides my gifts...for good reason!).  However, it's also very exhausting!  It's always nice when things slow back down.

But, as I sit here with scraps of Christmas all around the house, with the promises of a new year knocking at my door, I can't help but reflect on everything we have been through and what lies ahead.  What a year of blessings!  A beautiful new baby, great friends and family, support found in new faces...

As a new mom this year, I've been trying to figure out how I was going to be the best.  I kept trying to wear a name tag... a label of sorts.  Not for others, but I think I really thought that if I spelled out exactly what kind of mom, wife, and woman I was...then it would all be easier.  That I couldn't mess up.  That I would know just what move I needed to make and when.  There are so many different directions you can go, and the thought of choosing the wrong way is overwhelming... especially when you are leading a little one.  I'm very driven and like to have control over every situation, so having a label helps me to follow the map of OCD right to my destination of perfection.

What I have found though with being a mom, is that labels and name tags come off in the wash.  There is no such thing as perfection.  And a messy house is much more fun and fulfilling.  Fingerprints on glass is a joy.  Toys scattered from one end of the house to the other makes my heart want to burst.

So as I grab the reigns and move forward into the new year... I am not going make any unreal expectations.  I'm leaving my label maker and map at the door.  I'm not going to be any certain way. My New Years resolution is to just... be.  To enjoy everything for whatever it is... a challenge, a lazy day, or a mess.  I won't set deadlines for crafts, and I won't sleep with my pine sol.  I'm not going to vow to be simple and laid back.  That's just not me.  But, I'm not going to pre-decide how I will tackle each day.  I will handle each one with care and acceptance that perfection is not an option.

I am keeping my name tag... Emma decided on it.

Hello, My name is..
Mommy

Happy New Year!


Here are a few pics from Christmas...Enjoy!

 From our sweet friend!

 Look at all my loot!

 We realized just before bed that we didn't have any pictures together.  This is our last attempt!

 Harry was intrigued with her new bath time toy!

All her new toys, and she wants my old doll!

Are we there yet?....

Shortly after my last post, we were sick.  The really gross, don't bother to describe kind of sick.  I have this annoying little habit of passing out when I get "sick", which this time caused me to crack my head on our stone floors on the way down.  So Brett's dad came and watched Emma while I was in the hospital recovering.  We came home to a sick Brett and sick Emma, and sent home a sick grandpa.  My mama was able to come down for a couple of days to help with the sickies and to help lift Em since I was a little sore, and yes... we sent home a sick grandma! But, we have all recovered and I don't think there is any long term damage... well, except the carpet.  I don't think there is any coming back for the carpet.

The next week, we started my two week everyday orientation at Truman.  Super excited to be back in the hospital.  NOT excited about leaving my baby girl everyday at daycare.  Fortunately, just a few more days and I will be back home for the most part with only a day here and there that I will work.  I'm not really sure how this always happens, but everytime I start a new gig, it's smack in the middle of the holiday season.  So between work and work and sickness, we have had holiday parties, birthday parties and an annual drink and bake.... and I'm baked.  I don't remember being this worn out ever!  But, there is an end in sight!  I know Brett is ready for a closer to normal wife again :)

We have had time to enjoy the chaos though.  We live in a very awesome neighborhood.  There are about 24 homes and fabulous families here.  We celebrate birthdays together, we have Christmas parties, we look out for eachothers houses, we even help out with eachothers children when needed.  We started the festivities with little Cason's first birthday.  One of Emma's very best friends and one of the sweetest, most adorable little things I've ever seen.  There was even live entertainment from a music class he frequents and BUBBLES!  The kids had a blast.

Next event.. the neighborhood progressive dinner Christmas party. We usually go to a total of three houses.  The first stop appetizers, the second stop is main course, and the third (our house this year) is deserts and gift exchange.  Always a lot of fun.  We ate plenty, laughed much, and shared many stories and glasses of wine!  

Saturday was our third annual drink and bake.  All of us are currently trying to lose weight, so it was a little skimpy this year on the treats.  We were also short two girls.  Alecia and I had fun though!  I am so very fortunate to have such wonderful girlfriends in my life.  

So, even though we have been entirely too busy, we still know that we are very blessed.  I love being busy being loved and being gathered with those in our lives that we adore.  Saturday we will have Brett's family here to celebrate Christmas.  Looking forward to some downtime with family and my girl!  Merry Christmas everyone!

Here are some photos that I have been holding hostage on my phone... Enjoy!!

Recently at the Gordon's...

This week at the Gordon's has been all about clapping, waving, jumping, pulling up on EVERYTHING, and almost just about crawling.  Emma absolutely loves her music bench and loves to sit up like a big girl.  Every once in a while I will get a ma... but then she stops there and grins and claps.  She's ornery, and we love her just like that!

I snuck this little pic early this morning... How sweet is this daddy?

Can you believe that tomorrow Emma will be 7 months old?

Me neither!!

Next week I start orientation for my new position at Truman Medical Center in their GI lab.  This will also be a prn position.  I will be keeping my current prn job as well and alternate between the two, still not working more than two days a week.  This will be a great opportunity to get a little more experience.

Wish me luck!