2008 in review

I can't believe it is 2009 already, like everybody I know this year flew by. It was a wonderful year, a challenging year, and exhausting year....a year full of adjustment. I have learned to be flexible, and resilient. I have focused on my children and my home in a bigger way than I ever thought possible. I have built friendships with amazing mothers here in town, while also continuing to foster older friendships. I have watched my mom battle being sick, and spent a few weeks fearing the worst. I have missed my sister time and time again as she travelled across the world, and throughout California. I have watched Charlie blossom into the most amazing, sweet, smart, and curious little man that he is.

And perhaps biggest of it all...

I have welcomed my daughter into the world...which created the single biggest change in my life. Being a mother of two.

I have tested my patience. I have changed more diapers, spent more hours carrying a child in a sling or ergo,  spent more time nestled in bed between two babies, and nursed in the more creative positions, than I ever thought possible.

I have cried a lot. I have laughed a lot, and I have learned a lot.

I moved once again. I think this is our fifth move as a family. 

For the first time since I was 12 I have not worked for a complete year. This time last year I gave up my wonderful job working with a non profit community group in Pescadero and became a full-time mom and housewife. And ya know it is soooo much harder than any job I have ever had, even harder than the shit picker upper I was at the vet when I was in hs. I worked 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And just in the past few months have I learned that while being at home with my kids is the single most important thing I could ever do for my family, I need to take care of myself too, so I started working out regularly at FIT (LOVE IT THERE), and have recently in the past month been leaving adam with the bedtime responsibilities of two young children about 2 times a month for some much needed moms' bonding time.

So 2009 here we come. We look forward to our children getting a year older together, Kate walking and signing and talking and playing with Charlie. We eagerly await the first time Kate tackles Charlie as payback for all the footballs gone astray, knock downs, toy take aways, and straight up slaps across her big bald head.

We can't wait until we can confidentally leave both of our children home with a member of our family and for the first time in  a year truly enjoy a dinner alone together.

We can't wait for a new president and new administration. We hope 2009 brings the end to two wars and the beginning of peace!