2012: A New Year, A New Start

I read these questions on a blog I follow and decide to answer them myself.

1. What did you do in 2011 that you’d never done before?

I bought a house!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I've never been big on New Year's resolutions. I think last year I resolved to do more cooking. FAIL.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No. 2011 was like a "skip" year for births. 2009, 2010, and 2012 are all bigger years for babies.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Thankfully, no.

5. What countries did you visit?

Sadly, none. The extent of my travels this year was Maine (!). Kids have definitely put a stop to my travels. I am looking forward to resuming my favorite activity as they get older.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

Healthy eating, exercise, and reading books.

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

The date of our kids' TPR trial. Although I wish there was an adoption finalization date to celebrate instead.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Hmmm... potty training Tiana in Jan 2011? That was pretty big. Also finally getting the kids on a good sleep schedule that allows us all to get a good nights sleep 95% of the time.

9. What was your biggest failure?

See #2

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I had a great year health-wise. One night of puking after some suspicious Italian food. Other than that, nothing.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I think I would have to go with the HOUSE.

But my ipad gets 2nd place.

12. Where did most of your money go?

Mortgage, groceries, boring stuff like that.

13. What did you get really excited about?

I was really excited about all the weddings we had this year. John and I always have an awesome time at weddings and we love catching up with people there. Also the week of Christmas when Joe, Wendy, and Julianna were here. And I always get super excited about my kids' birthdays.

14. What song will always remind you of 2011?

Anything by the Wiggles, especially Toot Toot Chugga Chugga which is Zari's current obsession. And Pitbull "Give Me Everything", which was Tiana's favorite song.

15. Compared to this time last year, are you:

– happier or sadder? HAPPIER!
– thinner or fatter? Same.
– richer or poorer? Richer overall, poorer if you only are looking at bank statements. 20% down is a lot of green.

16. What do you wish you’d done more of?

I wish I’d done more special things with the kids. I had a lot of things I wanted to do (Essex steam train, take Tiana to the Nutcracker) but somehow everyday things got in the way and I didn't make time for them.

I also wish I'd done more hikes. John always wants to go and I can usually think of something I'd rather do. But when we do hike, I suddenly remember how much I like it.

17. What do you wish you’d done less of?

I wish I’d spent less time stressing and less time on my laptop.

18. How did you spend Christmas?

We spend Christmas Eve with John's family, Christmas morning at home, and Christmas day at my Dad's. This is our new Christmas ritual and I love it.

19. What was your favorite TV program?

The only show I really watched regularly was Modern Family. It just makes me happy. I also watched quite a bit of Teen Mom, which I should probably be ashamed of.

20. What were your favorite books of the year?

The only really good book I read this year was The Help. Way better than the movie.

21. What was your favorite music from this year?

My kids don't really let me listen to adult music. But I do love Rihanna's song "We Found Love".

22. What were your favorite films of the year?

The Twilight movie Breaking Dawn was probaby the only movie I saw in theaters this year. Not surprisingly, I loved it.

23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 27 last Feb. We got some friends together and did Hibachi at Sakura. Then we came back to the condo and played Things, a fun game that we played quite a bit of this year.

24. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

A housekeeper.

25. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2011?

Hahaha. Frumptastic? Hoodie, jeans, sneakers, bun.

26. What kept you sane?

Playdates with Crista and Christina. John and I laughing at the insanity of our lives. Thinking about how much easier 2011 was than 2010.

27. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011.

Good things come to those who wait.

9/10/11 Grandpa Cance marries Grandma Peggie

It was a joyful day for our family when Grandpa Cance and Grandma Peggie tied the knot! All 4 grandchildren were in attendance for the ceremony, making it quite lively and entertaining.


T in her dress


Z in his suit


At the church


The bride and groom


A beautiful ceremony


It's always a fun challenge trying to get a shot of these 4


Z, AJ, T


My favorite boys <3


A Conoscenti sandwich on Patoka bread

Playing Catch up: T is 3

Better late than never! Teanna (soon to be officially changed to "Tiana") celebrated her 3rd birthday on August 3rd with a Dora party at Grandpa Cance's beach house!


The four of us


VERY excited for the party to begin


Mommy's best attempt at Dora cupcakes


Enthusiastic present opener!


She even reads the cards


Afraid of fire and loud noises...


But NOT afraid of cupcakes! Happy Birthday!

Dear Tiana,
Sometimes it is hard to believe you are 3 and not 23. You amaze us every day with how smart and grown up you are. It seems like you have gone from a toddler to a lady overnight. You've been working on writing your name, and you can recite the months of the year and days of the week. You tend to memorize your library books within a few days of getting them. People always comment that you are a bookworm just like Mommy! You are always surprising us with your memory when you talk about things that happened a year ago or people you've only met once. It is so funny hearing you sing along to songs on the radio. Your current favorites are Lady Gaga and Kelly Clarkson. You are also a classic oldest child who is a stickler for rules and loves to let Mommy and Daddy know when your little brother is breaking them. You've also been showing us some budding athleticism at gymnastics and dance class. Daddy and I have no doubt that you will excel at everything you invest yourself in. You are our little superstar!
Love,
Mommy

What I did on my summer vacation

Hung out with my bro


Pondered the meaning of life


Tried my hand at modeling


Went for long walks on the beach


Got inked


Crossed a few bridges


Tried skinnydipping


Just danced!


Showed off my pitching arm


Score!


Experimented with some body art


Dug in the sand


Splashed around


Labored in the fields


Got lost


Conquered my fear of the big pool


Took a road trip


Tested our stamina on the hottest day of the year


"Are we having fun yet?"


Hats off to a great summer!

Zari version 2.0

On Wednesday Zari had his surgery to remove his adenoids and put tubes in his ears. This should hopefully make him breathe better, sleep better, and hear better (can you tell we have high hopes for this???). Although it was a bit anxiety-provoking, the whole experience was not that bad. John and I were super impressed with the efficiency of CCMC and how good they are at making kids feel comfortable. Zari drove up to the operating room in a little red car, laughing and smiling all the way. I carried him in and held his hands while he was put to sleep. He was back in our arms as he was waking up, so he was never felt alone or afraid. And much to our surprise, he was up and playing later that afternoon. The next day you would never even know he had anything done. He is definitely a trooper!

Here are some pics of the day:



7 am arrival at the hospital


Happy right up until the surgery... our good little patient!



All done! Back with Mommy


Sleeping peacefully


He did not want to wake up!


Back home and playing later that day. Can't keep this kid down!

Teanna gets her hair "did'!

Mommy and Teanna had a nice "girls day" on Friday, and Teanna got to spend the afternoon at the beauty salon! Now that she is a little older, she likes getting her hair done and hanging out with the ladies : )


First, she got her hair washed


Then, she sat under the "space ship" (and the nice lady next to her gave her a cookie!)


Next she got her hair blown out straight


After the braiding and beads, she was done!


It's fun to clink the beads together


"I whip my hair back and forth"


I feel very pretty!

Some recent pics

I'm walking!


Teanna may have grown, but she is still not too big to fit in a Bud Light box


The 3 crazies


Bro and sis on the pimp couch