Monday, December 31, 2012

2012 Memory Lane

I got the idea to do this survey from one of the blogs I follow, OK Dani.  I mainly blog about my kiddo lately, but I thought it would be nice to blog about something else for a change. 
1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before? Gave birth to my beautiful baby boy.  Completed year 1 of 2 of my fellowship.  Function surprisingly well despite chronic sleep deprivation.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't make resolutions.  I have short and long term goals that I make throughout the year.  I actually purposefully avoiding making new year's resolutions.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? I had my first baby.  My uncle and his wife had a baby girl.  My aunt in Jamaica had a baby boy.  My male cousin in Jamaica had a baby girl.  A few of my co-workers and hubby's co-workers had babies.  A few of my blogging buds had babies.

4. Did anyone close to you die? Unfortunately, yes.  My maternal grandma died on Thanksgiving day (unexpected in Jamaica).  My husband's paternal grandmother and maternal grandfather died.  One of our friends (early 30s, had a baby this year) died a few months ago.  It's been a challenging year when it came to losing family and friends.

5. Did you visit anywhere exciting? We rented a cabin over the summer for a few days with our little baby.  My mother was with us so she kept the baby while we hiked and went white water rafting.  We also hung out in the mountains of Highlands, NC for a few days too (later in the year).  We visited family in Florida for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It's always great seeing family.

6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012? MORE SLEEP.  Balancing my life better.  More alone time with my husband. A real vacation (maybe with hubby alone--still trying to decide about that one).  Better diet.  An exercise routine.  I guess I want a lot, huh?

7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? February 4--the date my little boy was born.  He came 8 days early but I was so happy to see my healthy bundle of joy (and energy).
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Having my son!
9. What was your biggest mistake? Giving in to mommy guilt.  Not realizing earlier that many things in life (especially challenges) are seasonal.
 
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? No but I had a medical scare.  After my 6 week postpartum check up I was told I had cervical dysplasia (precancerous cells on pap smear).  A repeat was done a few months later which was completely normal.  Apparently, it's not completely uncommon for abnormal cells to show up on pap smear postpartum due to scar tissue from delivery.  When I first heard the news all I could think of was my baby being without his mommy (I know, I'm a bit dramatic).   Anyway, I'm very thankful it was nothing.

11. What was the best thing you bought? Besides the Baby Bjorn baby carrier that I toted my little one in for months, I would say the I-pad I bought for my grandma.  She can Facetime us, take pics, receive pics listen to her favorite radio stations and other music, play games, make videos.  She was very happy to receive it.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My baby boy and my baby daddy.  LOL.  My son is so awesome.  He's a joy.  He's sweet and smiley, cuddly and wiggly, giggly and a ball of energy.  I just love watching him achieve his milestones and explore his environment.  It amazes me that he behaves so well, especially in public.  I love that kid.  My husband has also been awesome.  I feel very blessed.  He's a great husband and a wonderful father.  I couldn't ask for more.
 
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? A few news events were appalling. No one in my personal life.

14. Where did most of your money go in 2011? TAXES and educational debt.  Kidding.  Well, not really.  We bought a lot of baby stuff too.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? MY BABY and being the best mom I could be.  I was so excited about expanding our family and meeting the new addition.  I must say that all the excitement was not in vain.  He was so worth waiting for.  He's just lovely.

16. What song will always remind you of 2012? I unfortunately don't have one.  I was thinking really hard but couldn't come up with anything.

17. Compared to this time last year, you are: More comfortable because I'm not big and pregnant.  No longer nauseated because I'm not pregnant.  Not experiencing indigestion because I'm not pregnant.  More sleep deprived despite not being pregnant (thanks to my rugrat).  Still disorganized (pregnancy brain has turned into mommy brain).

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Sleep.  Spend time with my extended family.  Exercise.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Worrying about everything (man, being a new mom makes an already neurotic person really crazy).
20. How did you spend Christmas? With my extended family in Orlando.  It was great celebrating baby K's first Christmas.  I am so thankful for all that I've been blessed with.

21. Did you fall in love in 2012? YES, with my baby boy.  It was instant.  I'm still in love.  I love looking in those big brown eyes of his :)

22. What was your favorite TV program? I don't usually watch TV but this year after we put baby K to bed, we've been watching Law and Order SVU and NCIS (old and new).  We hardly let the little guy watch TV but the few times it's on, it's on Nick Jr.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Nope!

24. What was the best book you read? Sadly, I don't usually read for leisure.  In the past the answer would be some school related book.  This time it's Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth, MD.
 
25. What was your greatest musical discovery? XM radio.

26. What did you want and get? A healthy little boy.  I also got joy and peace.  A new SUV.

27. What did you want and not get? Nothing really, I'm pretty content.  It feels good to be content.

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? 30, I can't remember.  My baby was 2 months old.  I was sleep deprived.

29. What’s one thing that would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I wouldn't change a thing, not even my losses and challenges.  Actually, that's not true.  It would have been better if I worried less.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012? The year started out with me being big and pregnant in my third trimester.  My go-to outfit were dresses (which looked like shirts on my pregnant body), tights and boots.  Immediately post pregnancy I was able to fit in my pre-pregnancy jeans but I wore bigger, baggier shirts.  The year ended with me wearing more dresses and skirts, colorful skinny pants, and more fitted shirts.

31. What kept you sane? Prayer and my faith.  My husband.  My family and their prayers.  Having a reliable loving caregiver for my child.  Having a flexible and understanding boss.

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? None really.

33. What political issue stirred you the most? I'm not very political.  And if I was, I probably wouldn't comment about my opinion on this blog or any other public forum.

34. Who do you miss the most? My mother.  I wish she lived in the US but I know she loves living in Jamaica.

35. Who was the best new person you met? My son, obviously.  My life will never be the same, which is good.

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012? I have to do what's best for my family (which sometimes mean disappointing nonfamily members, seeming rude, reminding others of how valuable my time is, being less OCD, being more chill)
37. What are your new years resolutions for 2013? I don't make new year's resolutions but I do make short and long term goals throughout the year.


Mrs. K

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Baby K: Month 10

HAPPY 10TH MONTH BIRTHDAY

Week 38 Part 2 to week 41 Part 1:

-You are becoming more confident with you motor skills.  You continue to cruise but you now you do it with confidence and style.  You swing from one piece of furniture to the next without hesitating.  You also stand up and let go of whatever you were holding on to without thinking twice.  You sometimes go from that position to a controlled seated position.  It's so amazing to see you grow, get stronger and become more coordinated.  Although you are an expert crawler, you're favorite way to travel is still to be carried around in my arms.  But sometimes you do squirm and demand that I put you down so that you can explore.
-You startle so easily and when this occurs your whole body jerks.  Nowadays you've been a little more careful with strange (new) objects and people. You approach with caution but then relax pretty soon after you realize it's safe.
-Baths are still fun.  Lots of splish-splashing.  Lots of laughter.  Lots of fighting with me for the washcloth.  Lots of playing with the bath toys.  Lots of trying to climb out of the bath tub.  Lots of me trying to prevent you from tipping over the tub.
-Thanksgiving with Nonna and Bumbum was great.  You had fun hanging out with your cousins.  You were the youngest but you tried your best to keep up with everyone.  You got to meet your great grandpa (daddy's granddaddy).  He was impressed by how active and smart you are.  You were so fun to watch pushing his walker around the house.  You were very clingy to daddy and I.  You didn't want anyone to hold you or even feed you at first but you eventually warmed up.  Your cousins love you so much and you love them too (especially Maddie).  Your dad and I went to the FSU vs. Florida game while you hung out with Nonna.  You liked eating her turkey and rice, sweet potatoes, turnip greens, eggs, and more.  We drove to Florida and you tolerated the trip fairly well.  Oh, you loved playing with Luna although you were rough with her at times.  You also liked sharing your food with her and chasing her down
-You've been using one of the push toys while walking.  It's so funny to watch you walk with it.
-You're a wild little guy who loves to climb stairs.  If I turn my head for a second you quickly crawl to the stairs and hurry up them before I could catch you.  It's funny watching you rush because you obviously know that you're not supposed to go.  You can actually climb all 15? steps without any assistance.  Of course I'm there right behind you every time you attempt to climb.
-Babbling has been non stop.  You call me mama (sometimes nana).  You call daddy dada.  You call the dog, Eliza (da or lala).
-Nonna taught you how to wave.  You put your right hand up and hold it there.  It's so cute.  Sometimes you babble something with your hand in the air.
-You're not walking yet but you've taken one step then sat down (several times).
-You like to "sing" along to songs AND dance to music.  You kick your leg and rock back and forth.  It's by far the best moves I've ever seen.  You are so full of life.  You just bring us so much joy.
-Opening and closing closets is a hobby of yours.  You also like closing doors.  You're a lot like your dad in that respect.  I leave things open and he goes behind me and close everything.
-You like to feed yourself.  You're a pro at eating finger foods but you also eat the pureed stuff too.  I tried feeding you avocado again and you refuse to eat it.  I just don't understand why because they are so yummy.  You like tofu.  I cut it in small squares and sautee it in a little oil and garlic. 
-I think you'll be a leader one day.  You have such a STRONG personality.  This was quite evident at Thanksgiving.  You absolutely refused to let anyone feed you when your dad and I were around.  Even if you were very hungry you outright refused to eat.  You just cried and wiggled out of their arms.  Once your dad or I hold you, then you eat.  It was pretty amazing to watch.  I couldn't believe it.
-You like imitating.  You imitate facial expressions, gestures, sounds.  It's so cute.
-Peek-a-boo is a favorite of yours.  You like when I hide then pop up out of nowhere.  You also try to hide under teddy bears and blankies and sometimes toilet paper.  Speaking of toilet paper, you like unrolling toilet paper and eating it.
-Your smile and laugh is contagious.  Everyone says that you are the most smiley baby they have ever met.  Your smile stretches from ear to ear.  Your show your biggest smile with your 2 pearly whites when your dada walks in the room.
-When you get excited you kick your legs and squeal.
-You look like such an angel when you're sleeping.  Your long eyelashes wiggle and your little lips poke out.  You are still sleeping great at night.  After your bedtime feeding you just pass out.  You go to bed around 730 and wake up at 630.  You don't even make a peep all night.  Sometimes your dad and I want to go in your room and snuggle with you but we know that probably wouldn't be wise
-We just love watching you grow!  We just love you!

Mrs. K

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