Goodbye and Good Riddance to 2010

Truth be told, I am glad 2010 is over.  As I "wrote" this post in my mind I had all intentions of writing about how 2010 was one of the most emotionally draining years of my life.   I wanted to focus on how there was a 6 month time period where nothing went well....................we struggled with Gwen not walking and felt as though our entire lives were spent keeping her from melting down, how there was family drama, work drama, and a cat that felt our house was a litter box (we said goodbye to Sebastian in July 2010).  I wanted to mention how one of the lowest points in my life occurred in 2010 when I took my jewelry box, with all my prized possessions, and chucked it against the wall causing both the box, some jewelry, and wall all to break.   I felt hopeless but knew something needed to change so I sought the help of a counselor who helped put things in perspective for me.

It worked to an extent but it really took me seeing a couple of my friends go through multiple tragedies in their life to realize that as bad as things seemed, they could always be worse.  My family is happy and healthy.  I have a beautiful little girl who brings me joy 99% of the time (she has her moments), I have the best husband who is an unbelievable father, I got to spend 2 weeks in Europe and a week in Mexico with Mike, I was promoted twice in 2010 and love my job, I got to spend a great week in NY with my family and enjoyed the holidays with family, I have amazing friends.................the list can go on and on.

I wish I could say that I will look back at 2010 with fond memories but the truth is it was a tough year and I am glad it is over.  I am going to take the "good" of 2010 and that is the momentum I will bring with me into 2011 to make it an amazing year.  I already know it is going to be a life changing year and I can't wait!!

Christmas Photos

Grandma & Gwen

Getting cookies ready for Santa

Pushing the stroller/baby from Santa



 

New bike from Uncle Joe

Thankful Thursday: Year End 2010

This is my final Thankful Thursday of 2010.  I thought I would list the 5 things I was thankful for in 2010.

1.  The week I got to spend with Mike in Cabo for our 5 year wedding anniversary
2.  Gwen actually walking before her 2nd birthday
3.  Spending 48 hours with Colleen in Athens
4.  Finally being a job that I love, with a company that I love, and actually being appreciated.  I got promoted twice this year.  It makes such a huge difference in life when you enjoy what you do.
5.  Watching Gwen grow into this amazing little person that can communicate and recognize people.  I know it makes it better for the grandparents too.  She has such a great little personality and is so smart. 

Wordless Wednesday

Merry Christmas

Wordless Wednesday Christmas Edition

Thankful Thursday

1.  Seeing life through the eyes of my daughter.  She makes me slow down in life and see what is really important and beautiful.........whether it be the moon out during the day or an amazing pink sky.  Most people are too busy in life and just let these small things go unnoticed.  That's is the good stuff.

2.  How much more magical the holidays are with a child.  Even Mike has gotten into the holiday spirit and got excited to decorate the house and tree.  We even slowly drive Gwen through the neighborhood to look at lights.  She always says "OOOOH Lights".  It added that little extra spark of magic to our lives this holiday season and I am looking forward to many more..............

3.  The chats my mom and I have on my way home from work.  I call her almost everyday on my way home and half the time we just laugh and gab about nothing.  It helps me unwind from my workday and lift my spirits if I am down.

4.  Cuddle time.  The past few nights Gwen has wanted to cuddle with me on the couch.  She is not a big cuddler so this is out of the ordinary.  It's not for long, but it's something!

5.  The great father that Mike is.  He is so engaged with Gwen no matter how tired he is or even if he had a bad day.  He makes her great dinners, he plays with her, and puts her to bed each night.  He doesn't do it because he feels has has to.  He does it because he wants to and truly enjoys it.  Gwen is extremely lucky to have him and I secretly hope that I am half the mother that he is a father.

Random Thoughts

Me: “Gwen whose coming next week”

Gwen: “Santa”
Me: “What’s he going to bring”
Gwen: “Presents………BIG ones”
Me: “Who told you that?”
Gwen: “Papa”

Yep, Papa got thrown under the bus for telling her that she is going to get BIG presents from Santa.

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I wish I had my video camera last night.  Gwen tried Jello for the first time.  She pretended to like it at first, but then she gagged with her second bite.  It was so funny that I had tears streaming down my face. 

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Last night Gwen kept singing a song about poop.  I had no idea what she was saying.  Finally I realized she was actually trying to sing the Lolly-Pop song.
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When I tickle Gwen with her monkey puppet she laughs so hard and says "No Monkey No"

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When cheering for football she yells "Go BroncoFrogs"..........combining the Broncos and the Horned Frogs.

 

Wordless Wednesday: Gwen's "Tree"

Molars

I was tickling Gwen yesterday and she was laughing so hard (she is very ticklish and her laugh is the best sound in the world) with her mouth wide open.  I peeked at her top gums and there were both of her Two Year Molars.  I didn't even know that they had come in.  I hope the bottom ones come as easy as these did!!

The Holidays Are Here!

The holidays are here!! It's my favorite time of year and started out with my parents visiting for a week for Thanksgiving.  Gwen had a wonderful time with her grandparents and was as cute as can be.  She really is a doll and I am so lucky!!

It was a busy week.  We watched football, shopped, ate great meals, took Gwen to Monkey Bizness and the Denver Aquarium, shopped, and just enjoyed each other's company.  Mike made a fantastic meal for Thanksgiving and Steve, Lily, Nico, and Gloria joined us and brought over some yummy food as well.  We were all fat and happy by the end of the day.  Mom and I then worked off the meal by shopping for 6 hours on Black Friday.   We may have been the only 2 people who barely shopped the sales, paid full price for most stuff, and really only shopped for ourselves.  Needless to say I still have a lot of Xmas shopping to do.  It was a wonderful time though and it made me realize how much I miss shopping with her. 

Today I drove my parents to the airport and as usual it was sad.  I do miss being away from them.  This is my 10th year here in Denver and it really doesn't get any easier.  We all relaxed today and none of us got out of our pajamas.  To get Gwen ready for bed we just changed her into new pajamas...haha.  I guess we did something, we put up our tree and will decorate it tomorrow. 

Enjoy some pics from this week!

Egg Nog Mustache






At the Aquarium



Putting up the snowman



Thanksgiving

Putting up the Christmas Tree

Thankful Thursday

Since Thanksgiving is only a week away, I thought I would share the 5 things about Thanksgiving that I am thankful for:

1.  Cornbread stuffing covered in Mike's maple gravy

2.  A table full of good food, good wine, great friends/family

3.  Going around the table and hearing what every person is thankful for.  At the end of the day we are all thankful for life, friends, and family.

4.  A day to do nothing but eat, drink, and watch football.

5.  Shopping + the day after Thanksgiving casserole = perfection

Wordless Wednesday

Yo Gabba Gabba Live

It has been a week since we took Gwen to see Yo Gabba Gabba. It was actually not as bad as we thought it would be (they served beer). We went for Mexican (margaritas) first and then headed to the show. It was about 1.5 hours long and had an intermission. Gwen was extremely overwhelmed at first and cried. She then had fun and would clap after each song. At the end of the show she started crying when they put Foofa away as the show was ending. It was adorable. I think she may have been a bit too young to really enjoy it, but I think she had fun. She was definitely sad when it was over. Enjoy some pics!

Thankful Thursday

In honor of Veteran's Day I am going to devote my Thankful Thursday to my dad.  It was easy to come up with 5 reasons I am thankful for my father.  The tough part was choosing which ones to put down!  I had an amazing conversation with him this morning.  In my opinion he has lived an amazing life and I am who I am, because of him.  I love you dad!!

1.  My first job out of college was with IBM.  My parents drove me to Endicott, NY to help me move into my 1st apartment.  My dad spent all day putting together a entertainment studio.  When they were about to leave he hugged me, with tears in his eyes, and said "I am so proud of you".  That moment drove me to work as hard as I could and never fail.

2. Dad:  "Look at this sweater, it's only 75 cents".
    Me:  "Um dad, there is a reason it is only 75 cents". 
That sweater was seriously the ugliest thing I have ever seen in my life.  My father loves a deal........no matter what it looks like :-)

3.  It's no surprise to hear that my dad used to be cheap when it came to himself (see #2).  Well since he went back and got his real estate license, he is buying nicer things and really enjoying himself.  I know he wishes he would have done this years earlier, but hindsight is 20/20.   I am so proud of him.  I am so happy that after years of being miserable, working outside, on a truck, he is able to do something he enjoys.  I love watching him truly enjoy/splurge on himself.  I have to say that when he bought an +$80 pair of shoes, it brought a tear to my eye as did making him 3 Crown & Gingers........

4.  The Utica weather in winter is not very good. In high school I drove a 1980 Chevette. One morning, in particularly bad weather, I heard my father leave for work (he used to leave really early). He took my car so that I could drive his, which was better in snow. I heard him trying to get up our street in my car but his wheels were spinning because of the ice. To this day I never forget how my heart broke for him. He works so hard and he risked getting to work so that I would be safe.

5.  Our yearly  25 cent chocolate milk from the milk stand at the NY State Fair.

Wordless Wednesday: Paparazzi

Gwen's Photo Session

 We took Gwen to get her pictures taken.  She was so cute jumping around.  Here is a preview of a couple.  She is a little girl.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for how much Gwen talks (it's a lot) with the exception of when it is really loud at 5:00 in the morning.  There are so many things she says, that it is hard to choose my favorite quotes.  I'll try and here are some of my favorites.

1.  When I would ask her what she will say when trick or treating, she said "Trick or Please".

2.  When she needs help she says "Help You! Help You!".

3.  When she tattles on Mike or I, she says "Dada Do" or "Mama Do".  The best is when Mike does nothing and she comes to me and says "Dada Do!!". 

4.  The obvious "I Love You", but now she puts a kissing noise with it.

5.  "More yogurt please".  This girl eats more yogurt than any human should.  Yesterday she dunked her spinach littles into peach yogurt..........yuck!!

Happy Halloween!!

As with any holiday, Gwen was overwhelmed and miserable.  We took her to the Highlands Ranch Trick or Treat Street.  She wanted to be held the entire time and didn't interact with anybody.  She chewed on a toothbrush (ironic isn't it??).  As for the actual Halloween she went trick or treating with Mike to a couple of houses but really enjoyed handing out candy.  She would run to the door the second the doorbell rang and watched all the kids dressed up.  She would then run to the window to see them walk away.  Here are some pics.  If you couldn't tell, she was a lady bug.

Loving Halloween

Waiting for Trick or Treaters



Running for more candy

Trick or Treating with dada

For The First Time in 10 Years..............

we are credit card debt free!!

Thankful Thursday

1.  Lunches with good friends............and good food.
2.  Walking through the door after a day at work or picking Gwen up at daycare,  and having her run full speed into my arms hugging/kissing me.
3.  Long naps on a lazy weekend.
4.  Laughing so hard you can't breathe.
5.  Dinners with good friends..........and good food.

Wordless Wednesday

2 Year Old Check-Up

Gwen had her 2 year checkup today.  She was a total rock star.  She got 2 shots (Hep A and Flu) and didn't even flinch.  She just watched them do it.  The nurse even said to us "is this normal?".  We all clapped and cheered for her.  Here are her stats

Height:   34.5"              70%
Weight:  28 lbs 3 oz     70%  (she is down 2 lbs since August)
Head                           95%  (she's down 2% from the usual)

The doctor was impressed on how Gwen is the perfect mix of Mike and I.  She is tall and has long legs like her mom but she looks just like dad.  She is healthy and happy!! 

"PUMPKIN PATCH"

Gwen loves to say "pumpkin patch", so in honor of her, here are the pictures from the 2 pumpkin patches we took her to this past week.

Gwen with pumpkins at the Pumpkn Festival








Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Resevoir



Gwen at the Petting Zoo



Gwen at the Petting Zoo



Playing in corn



The Jurbala Family at the Parker Pumpkin Patch