What a Year

    When I look back to January 2012, I was pregnant with our yet to be named baby girl and still in the throes of what they call "morning sickness" (although I prefer to call it "the most horrible all day nausea I've ever had in my life" sickness). Lorelei could only say a few words and phrases and still seemed like a baby to me.  Now fast forward to today and I have beautiful Camilla asleep next to me on the couch and Lorelei is singing the theme song to Dora the Explorer like she has been talking in full sentences her whole life.  It really is astonishing how human life is made and then grows in such rapid leaps and bounds.  My two girls are the best gift I could have ever asked of Santa.  And of course my girls wouldn't even be her without my wonderful husband, John, who shows me every day how much he loves me and our family.  If I ever give advice to a newly married couple (which I still feel we are although we celebrated our 5th anniversary this July), it would be to show each other their love every day with small acts of kindness. It could be making coffee in the morning, taking care of the kids on a Sunday morning so you can sleep in, or giving you the opportunity to take time for yourself after a busy day.
    We have had such a life changing year with the arrival of Camilla. Taking care of two kids is definitely double the laundry, diapers, and sleep deprivation, but it is also double the fun, love, and pure joy! Camilla is rolling all over the floor and has great eye-hand coordination when she grabs on to her toys and pacifier. She loves to play with her sister by grabbing her hair (this doesn't go over that well with Lorelei) and smiling and laughing.  I think she would win a Gerber baby contest with her bubbly personality and squeezable cheeks!
   Lorelei has had a year full of play dates with her friends, time with all her grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins, art class, and dance class.  She is starting a music class next month and hopefully will be out of diapers soon! She can use the toilet, but chooses not to, even when I try to bribe her with M&Ms and gummy bears.  She sleeps in her big girl bed all night, but once or so a night she calls for John to come to her room so she still gets her present for sleeping in her room and not coming into our room. She is such a smart cookie! 
    As far as John and I are concerned, we are loving life in a sleep deprived haze, but we know it is a short term phase, right?! We are able to go out to eat together once a month and reconnect just the two of us, which is so nice. Sometimes it is easy to fall into being Mama and Daddy all the time.  John has changed to another group in Woodward, so he is back in Loveland.  He loves having a shorter commute and feels recharged working on a different project. He tries to work on his CNC mill when there is kid-free time and also makes it to the gym after work as often as he can. He also spent a few days after work going up to the mountain properties with his friends to chop down trees, clear brush, and go fishing. I have been enjoying spending time with my group of friends I met last year. We all have kids the same ages and I feel so lucky to have a group of women to share stories, frustrations, have fun with the kids, and offer support as "stay home and work all day" moms. I enjoy going to zumba once a week to shake off those baby pounds and making new recipes in the kitchen.  I love to cook and learn about nutrition and I feel passionate about the health of my family.
     Last, but definitely not least, we would like to thank all our family and friends who have given us their love, support, and time this year!  I would like to especially thank our parents who have helped us in all facets of life... making us dinners, taking care of the girls, helping with laundry, and giving us their time, advice, and support.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I can't wait to see what 2013 brings us.