#WEverb11 #1: One Word

Ok, so second post for the day, what you say?  Yes, I'm going to do my best to participate in #WEverb11 this year!  I've never done anything like this, so you may have to bear with me!

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 Choose one word.

Encapsulate the year 2011 in one word. Explain why. Imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2012 for you?

In the spirit of where this all started… this is the same first prompt from 2010.

For me the word that best explains 2011 is blessed.

This year we were blessed with so many things, the biggest being a happy, healthy, baby boy.  We've had such a great year.  Everyone is happy and healthy.  We've been able to see family and friends (at home and traveling).  We have jobs, we have a home, and we have amazing people around us.  We've laughed, we've cried and most of all we've made it through with very few scrapes, bumps, or bruises.  We've watched our little boy change so much over the last 6months, it's incredible.  2011 was such a blessing!

The word I think I would like to capture 2012, is accomplished.  We have some financial goals that we'd like to accomplish sooner rather than later.  I also have some career goals/changes/advancements that I'd like to accomplish as well.  Oh and I'd say surviving the first year of Alex's life will be a huge accomplishment (while solely breastfeeding would make it even better)!

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For more info on #WEverb11, check it out here, and join in!

Check out the other replies for today's prompt!

It's OK . . .

Today I'm linking up with Amber and Neely (for the first time)!

It's ok:

- to want to get Alex the same outfit in the next 2 sizes, I love it so much! (The pants are my fav!)

- to feel sad/guilty when I have to leave for work every morning.

- to have come to grips with the fact that we may have to supplement in the next few months (more on this later).

- to have a Christmas wish list that's mostly clothes, shoes and jackets.

- to be several weeks behind posting pictures on the baby blog.

- to have plans to lots of baby holiday pictures this weekend!

Source: sturnerphotos.com via Lauren on Pinterest

- to look forward to the mess that will happen tonight as I leave Kurt home to feed Alex solids himself.

- to have sent Alex to daycare in pants that were too small/too short for the last few days.  I was in denial that he needed to move up, but I came to grips yesterday!

- to listen to Christmas music all day and not get tired of it!

- to be really excited about Christmas this year!  (see above!)

- to put off doing work, dishes, etc just so I can get some more giggles out of the little guy.

- to have purchased several holiday onsies for Alex on CyberMonday and no other Christmas gifts (I had every intention and several shopping bags full of stuff, that were discarded)!

- to send out/take funny pictures of Alex whenever possible, hopefully he'll find them funny in the future!

What?  Can't you put both feet to your mouth while laying down?

Oh what a day . . . .

Do you ever have one of those days . . . . . . I had every intention of writing a few different posts over the last few days and nothing.

But today, today took the cake. . . . .

• I forgot to bring a pacifier for Alex to daycare (took it home yesterday because he was fussy).
• Today was bring your favorite book day to daycare and I forgot that also.
• Then, I get there to pick him up and he's wearing something I've never seen.  Turns out he only had 1 spare outfit in his cubby and wet through/messed on the one he was wearing and the spare one. 
• Then, we planned to stop at the store after work/pick-up and we get inside and I realize, I have no diaper bag/nothing - no diapers, no pacifier, no blanket, no toys.  It's not something I normally bring with me every day and I didn't think of it today. 

But, luckily . . . .

• They said he was fine at daycare and they sterilized an extra one and he used that if he really needed it.  Not ideal but ok.
• Doesn't look like any other kids brought in books today.  At least we weren't the only ones.
• They had some extra pj's at daycare that he was able to wear.  Thankfully he didn't have to wear just a diaper all day (Ok, I know they wouldn't have left him in a diaper, but still).
• We made it through 2 stores with no meltdown, dirty diaper and the weather wasn't too cold so a blanket wasn't needed (He did have a jacket on).  He's so laid back and such a good kid.

So, I'll wallow in my fails/oopsies for the rest of the evening. 

Tomorrow brush it off, and start over again, it's a new day, right?  Happy hump day!

Christmas Traditions

 Picture from here

Christmas is quickly approaching and it's one of my favorite times of year!  When we were kids our traditions consisted of Christmas Eve mass and then going to grandma and grandpa's.  We got to come home and usually got a new pair of PJ's.  Then my sister and I would sleep together in the same bed.  She'd wake up early, and I'd ignore her for as long as possible.  Christmas morning we'd open gifts, and my mom would make a nice big breakfast!  We'd get together with my extended family again and play with my cousins most of the day.  I can't remember any other traditions but I'm going to ask my mom when I visit with her over Thanksgiving.

With all that said, I was trying to start some Christmas traditions with Alex.  I realize that he's young this year and won't really remember much/participate this year.  I was trying to come up with some traditions to start.  Here are some ideas that I've seen.

1. Elf on the Shelf - I've seen this all over the blog world and I think that this is a great idea once Alex is old enough!
2. Yearly Ornament - My parents didn't do this for us but I really like the idea of buying an ornament each year.  Then when they move away they have ornaments to bring with them for their tree. 
3. Cookie Baking - I love making Christmas cookies.  The season always seems to pass to quickly, but I really want to at least have an afternoon of baking each year.
4. Christmas books Advent Calendar - I initially saw this blogged about here.  I think I'll buy books after Christmas this year (get some on sale) to start next year.  Though, maybe I'll only buy 12 books this year for next and then 12 new ones the year after and do an every other day kind of thing.  I'm sure we'll get some books this year.
5. Christmas Tree - Making a special day out of putting up the Christmas tree and other decorations.
6. Christmas Movies - I LOVE watching Christmas movies on TV.  Maybe watching a Christmas movie once a week in December.  (i.e. Elf, The Grinch)
7. Visiting Santa - Actually I'm kind of on the fence about this one.  Maybe this sounds silly but I don't want him to think that Christmas is just about getting gifts and for some reason standing in the mall forever in lines to tell Santa what you want just doesn't appeal to me.  Call me crazy.
8. Sleigh Ride/Riding around looking at lights - One thing I like about the season is looking at all of the lights and decorations that people put up.  Here in the south not as many people put up as many lights/decorations as they do in the north (at least in my opinion), but it's still fun to drive around.  And I know that there are lots of Lights on the Lake/Park, etc type places that would be cool too.  The sleigh ride is something I used to do in NY, though that doesn't work as well here in the south.
9. Giving/Volunteering - I really, really want to stress to Alex (and any other kids we have) that Christmas isn't about getting gifts but it's about giving to people too.  Helping those that are less fortunate (though why does this come up the most during Christmas, we should be doing this all year round!) and just helping the community in general.  Kurt and I have found ways to give over the last few years, we purchase gifts for the kids on the trees at the mall or volunteer at the Food Banks.
10. Meaning of the Season - With all that said, it's not about Santa or any of that for the true meaning of Christmas.  I don't usually blog about religion, but Christmas is really about the birth of Jesus Christ and that's what we're truly celebrating and we need to remember this the whole season long, not just by going to church on Christmas/Christmas Eve.

What traditions do you and your families have?  Any that you would suggest adding/doing, etc?  What are your favorite Christmas books/movies?

Thankful . . . . . .

For the 2 boys in my life who I can't imagine being without




Hope you and your family are having a fantastic Thanksgiving!