New Year.

I sat cuddled up on the couch with Sean (following a win for FSU, yay for a happy husband!) on Friday night, half asleep, as we welcomed the New Year together. We took just a moment to voice appreciation for the year gone by, and to acknowledge how spectacular this new year will be as our family grows. Not only will we gain a family member, but we're sure to grow as parents and a couple as we settle into our new life.

I haven't made any official resolutions, but I chose a few simple things that I'd like to see happen for me in 2011 (at least until June, and then who knows!). First, I'd love to fit in more reading time. Simple enough, right? There are so many books that I'd like to add to my "read" collection, so I'm hoping that I can start January off with a good book, and maybe even squeeze in a few more while I wait for the baby.

I really want to move slowly. The next few months have the potential to fly by, but I'm determined to just enjoy this time with Gracie. She's going to be going through a BIG change herself with a sibling on the way! I realize that nothing will really be the same, it will be better, but I am also realistic and know that my sweet girl isn't going to immediately, and happily, share her parents. I do get a little nervous when I think about those first weeks at home with a newborn and 3 year old once Sean goes back to work...It should be an interesting transition for us all! :)

The "New Year" also presents a great opportunity to get refocused and remotivated. I have certain standards for how I would like to be in all areas of my life, most importantly in my role as mother and wife, and let's be honest, I fall short of those more than I would like to admit (especially in the housewife role...). I'd like to see improvements in myself over the next year. I realize that my effort and dedication benefit my family as a whole, and that's quite important to me.

I'd also like to make sure my blog is a priority. After documenting 365 days in Gracie's life, I realized that this is an online scrapbook, and since I have not actually completed any "real" scrapbook pages since I finished up her Fall and Winter of '08 book, this blog serves a great purpose for me! I already have plans to start a new blog for Baby, following 365 days in his/her life, too!

What kinds of goals/resolutions/hopes do you have for 2011?

Reflecting on 2010.

As with every new year, I find myself with hopes, dreams, and excitement for the unwritten 365 days ahead. Thinking back on the past year, I can't help but think first about those we have lost (and I did attend more funerals in this year than I have in my whole life), but I also realize that 2010 was just bursting with good things, and wonderful changes for our family. It all began in February when we moved to our current home. It was so refreshing to make a move and feel like we really belonged right where we were. I instantly fell in love with everything about the house, but also with the way we quickly made it a "home". I think Gracie has said it best. She once told me that "the outside is a house, the inside is a home".

(Gracie, checking out the backyard after we decided this was the house for us!)

Our baby girl turned two years old in May! We celebrated with family and friends and I remember feeling so very blessed to be surrounded by so many special people, all of whom adore our daughter, too.

With June came my decision to take my love for photography to a new level, and into the lives of other families! I never dreamed things would take off the way they have. My photography business has been rewarding in more ways than one, and I will dedicate a whole post to more thoughts (and pictures!) on this subject, but I have just adored reconnecting with old friends and creating new friendships through photography!

In August, I witnessed the birth of a best friend's baby boy! He's really a miracle baby. This couple was gearing up for IVF when they discovered they had conceived naturally! It's such an uplifting and fun story to tell. I love the way God worked in their lives, and I love them and their sweet, smiley baby! I am also lucky enough to be his photographer and I have so much fun with this family during sessions. ;)

A favorite from Baby C's newborn session.

 

I consider October to be the most defining month of 2010 for me. On our beach trip, in Hilton Head, SC, we found out that we were expecting! I remember being so nervous the morning I tested. Gracie and Sean were still sleeping soundly when I tiptoed to the bathroom to see if this was going to be the month everything changed. I told myself that if it was negative, it was for the best (for now at least), but if by chance it was positive, then it really was meant to be. And positive it was! We made many beautiful memories on that beach trip, and since I never actually shared any pictures, I'll share a few now. :) Gracie is a beach baby!

Three days after our positive pregnancy test, I received more news. This time, in the midst of shock and confusion, I had to face a reality that was difficult to come to terms with. My grandpa, my Papaw, had been given two to three weeks to live. His cancer had returned and there was nothing more that could be done. And so began the dark days of 2010... In my desire to be trusting and faithful, however, I was able to dig deep and find a place of peace. It still hits me at those unexpected moments, like when I start to address a card or go to dial their number, or any time I see a WV sticker on the back of a vehicle...He is missed so very much. I'm thankful for little moments and memories like these...

Papaw, my dad, and Gracie.

In November, Sean received a job offer. It was one that seemed foolish to turn down. We were both hesitant, since it required a move, but it felt like an answered prayer, since there were some concerns about our finances and having another baby on the way. We spent two weeks praying about it, talking endlessly about our options, and even shared the news of a possible move with a few family members. Everyone was supportive and I was willing to do what was necessary to support Sean's career, and to secure our family financially. In the end, we decided to decline the offer. Our home, our pregnancy, Sean's classes, the family and friends that live close by...so many things made staying feel like the best thing for our growing family. In a lovely twist of fate, Sean's current employer made a counter offer for him to stay, so the pieces did fall into place and I couldn't be more proud of my husband!

I'm honestly quite taken aback when I think about where we were just a year ago...Sean was working as a part-time contracted employee with no promise of a full-time position after 90 days. When I talk about him, I always find myself saying that I admire his determination and persistence, and I mean it 100%! God has presented many opportunities for him this year and he's made the most of them. I can't help it, I have to make sure he knows how proud I am!

Now, I'm standing face to face with the beginning of 2011. I will give birth to my second child this year. My "baby" will start preschool in August. There will be weddings to attend, birthdays to celebrate, and more goals to reach. I'm so ready for what this year will hold, yet anxious to slow it down. More memories will be made, more defining moments will present themselves, and we'll keep growing and keep loving and keep hoping for all of the good things. And if the past year has taught me anything, it's that there are always good things. :) May 2011 be a blessed year for you and yours.

First Haircut!

My little lady had her first spa experience this evening. Sean and I took Gracie to get her very first trim at Bliss & Co., where both my mom and I get our hair done. She looked so sweet sitting on her booster, grinning at herself in the mirror! It became serious business once the cutting began. Gracie stayed very still and her new stylist, Sabrina, was quite impressed. ;) Sean said he was a little nervous about how much she seemed to enjoy it. Girls of all ages need a little pampering every now and then!

She kept an eye on every move Sabrina made!

 

I was nervous that this cut would be the end of those little curls, but after her bath tonight, her hair seemed to bounce right back up and looks much healthier and thicker than it did pre-cut.

 

I was so proud of my big girl! I came home with two golden curls sealed in a small plastic container. I can't imagine what will go through my mind when I look at them years from now... I love simple, yet sweet, memories like these.

New Year's Eve Party and Baby Movements. :)

Last week, I thought that I was starting to feel the tiny movements of our baby. I told my husband that I wasn't sure yet, so I wouldn't count those as the first. Last night, I know what I felt was our apple-sized baby moving! Sean is a little jealous...he obviously can't feel the baby yet, but he's anxious to. I tell him that soon enough, both he and Gracie will be able to enjoy feeling all kinds of kicks and rolls and punches! When my mother was pregnant with my sister, I remember sitting in bed and watching Ashley kick stuffed animals off of her tummy. It's little memories like those that make me so excited for what's to come!

I actually had an apple, so here's my official 15 week picture! :)

And if I had to guess right now what this baby is...I'd guess it's a girl. Sean and I will be SO thrilled either way! We'll (hopefully) know for sure in about three weeks!

This evening, we hosted our annual (early) New Year's Eve party with our family! It's a get-together we all look forward to each year. Sean made his famous Taco Dip, we got comfy in the living room for games, then read last year's New Year's Eve hopes/resolutions/goals that we all wrote down, then sealed in a jar, in 2009. Each one of us had reached the majority of our goals. How great is that?? :)

They love each other! :)

Our Christmas Weekend in Pictures.

I honestly can't believe it's almost over...I say "almost" because we are meeting more family this weekend, since our "White Christmas" kept us home the day after. We've been completely immersed in the beauty of Christmas and have made a point to savor the many little pieces that brought it all together to make one amazing whole. There have been lots of family get-togethers, a seemingly endless supply of good food and tasty treats, and all the love, laughter, and joy that I've come to expect from my favorite holiday. I found it especially fun to celebrate this year with Gracie. She's now old enough to "get it" and we've enjoyed watching traditions, both old and new, come to life in a renewed way through her. There has also been a baby bump to rub "Merry Christmas" to and I can't help but smile when I think about next Christmas and how different, yet perfect, it is sure to be with both of my children here. Christmas has always been such a magical time for me, and it only becomes more and more so as I observe the awe and wonder in the eyes of my own child. I wish I could add every picture I took, they tell a precious and happy story, but since that would make for one overwhelming picture post, here are a few of my favorites...

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

My Christmas Day belly picture! I'm 15 weeks today! :)

14 Weeks. :)

Our baby is now the size of a lemon and I am officially in the 2nd trimester!
 

Symptoms: I can tell that my first trimester symptoms are on their way out. The nausea, fatigue, and breakouts are being replaced by occasional heartburn.

How I’m Feeling: I'm feeling great! I'm starting to get more and more excited about next month's ultrasound! Not only will we get to see our little lemon for the first time, but we'll be able to find out the gender! I'm still praying that the ultrasound also reveals a perfectly healthy baby!

Differences from 1st Pregnancy: Before pulling up this 14 week picture of my Gracie belly, I would have said I've started showing more quickly...now that I'm comparing, I'm thinking these belly shots look pretty similar. The pregnancy itself, however, is going by much more quickly for me this time around. It seems crazy to me that I'm not still lingering in the 1st trimester, which seemed to happen the first time! I also read every pregnancy book/magazine/website possible while pregnant with Gracie. I get weekly emails and have pulled out a pregnancy book a few times, but for the most part, I'm totally relaxed and doing (or not doing) the things I already know.

Cravings: I enjoy sour gummy worms every now and then... :)

Highlights/Thoughts of the Week: Christmas is just days away. I'm feeling blessed, thankful, joyful...We hung a stocking for the baby this year, so I enjoy looking at our mantel and thanking God for our blessings, specifically our babies. The next few days will bring many special memories, as each Christmas celebration and tradition does. So many things to look forward to... :)

Gingerbread Houses.

This past weekend, we took a day trip to a nearby city to meet some friends of ours. We had a wonderful time spending the afternoon with them! We started with lunch at Logan's Steakhouse, which has recently become a favorite for my peanut loving daughter. We then took Gracie to a play area located within the local mall and the girls made gingerbread houses! Gracie wasn't quite as interested as I'd thought she'd be and ended up playing with another little girl at the "moon sand" table, while my girlfriend and I did most of the building and decorating of our houses...Either way, it was lots of fun! We ended our visit with a trip to Starbucks, which gave us more time to just sit and chat before we had to head our separate ways again.

(Gracie did assist me with this side of our house!)

(Moon Sand and Dinosaurs--good combination for this kiddo.)

I love these girls! What a great afternoon!