Reflecting

I hope you don't mind if I post for the second time in one day. I can't let Dec. 31 go by without reflecting on what this past year has held for our family. It has definitely been a year with great highs and very sad lows. What a wonderful year it has been watching Hannah and Lily grow.  Lily was only a little over a month old when we rang in 2009 and boy what a year it has been for my sweet little girl.

We started the year off trying to find some relief from the horrible reflux that she was dealing with in her early stages of life. She was constantly spitting up, crying from being uncomfortable, not sleeping and wanting to nurse every two seconds because she was so hungry from spitting up minutes before. We finally were able to provide some relief through both medication and trial and error with making her comfortable. At around 10 months her reflux subsided and normal baby life began for Lily. It was great to see her finally smile!



We have loved spending the past year growing and changing as a family of four. Lily is now a toddler on the go...walking, even running a little, playing nonstop, eating like a champ - she especially LOVES meat - and snuggling with us all. I love to see Hannah kiss Lily's head and Lily lean her head back toward her sister so she will do it again.




This year has been such a time of adjustment but our hearts have been so full with this new life in our family.

Hannah has grown so much in the past year as well. Three is such a great age to watch a child's mind and heart develop. Hannah takes everything in, learns so quickly and is full of life. I will never forget a friend watching Hannah and laughing because she said she radiated happiness and seemed to love life. If ever a child "loved life" it would be this sweet girl.



Whatever she does she does it 100% and typically with a smile. We have had some big milestones this year...we survived potty training, moved to a big girl bed and to a new bedroom.


Hannah also started preschool this year and asks every day if it is time to go to "Mrs. West's class."


She is so happy learning and playing with her friends. As a mother, I could not ask for much more than peace of mind knowing that my child is happy during the time that we are apart. This year our time apart has made our time together even more special. Hannah is really starting to love time in the kitchen cooking with Matt and with me.


She is really developing her creative side with paints, markers, etc. as well but nothing is more fun to her than playtime outside. I think the best purchase of 2009 was Hannah's bike...riding it seriously NEVER gets old.

We mostly completed a huge renovation to our house in early 2009. There are little things left to be done but we took a break to focus on family for most of the year. Matt "the most handy husband in the whole world" did most of the renovation with his own two hands and it is wonderful. For instance, what you see here...

 turned into what you see in the background of many pictures like this...


We have taken advantage of our new space and enjoyed the comforts is has provided. We are ready to finish this project in the new year, however, so stay tuned for posts about our house.

I can't write on the past year without reflecting on the death of my father.


This is truly the first time we have had to deal with the loss of someone so close. It has been trying but thankfully our faith sustains us. I am so thankful especially through the Christmas season for all of Daddy's friends who have written to say how much they miss him too. How many times I have wanted to pick up the phone and just call him and to know there are others out there with this same urge is so very comforting.

We did not let 2009 leave us in sadness however. The Advent and Christmas seasons have been a wonderful time spent with family and friends. We are so grateful for the gifts of the past year and look forward to what 2010 holds for our family. Happy New Year's Eve!