Late as always but here’s what last year brought us and what lies ahead for the upcoming year:
We found out last Christmas that we were expecting number two so we spent the early part of 2005 sick & miserable.
In April, Guy & I made a trip back to PA to see the family. As always, it’s great to see everyone but it sure is nice when you get back home.
We made a long weekend trip in May to North Platte, NE where we met up with my cousin Rachel & her fiance Marv. They’re always fun to be around.
Jamie and I took part in the annual Herb Holtmeyer Memorial Golf Tournament-18 holes on a beautiful June day. It was fun and I’m sure quite entertaining for the group I played with considering I hadn’t golfed in about 5 years (the last time I golfed in this tourney) and I was 7 months pregnant. Just a bit of info for all you pregnant women: it’s very hard to putt a golf ball when you can’t see your feet!
In July, my sister, Sam, came out to spend the rest of the summer with us. I’m sure it was a much more boring trip for her than usual since I was huge and miserable. Lets hope she had at least some fun.
Guy also started preschool in July. He goes all day 2 days a week. He loves it and the teachers love him. He seems to be the model pupil for them. Yeah, I guess we did something right. Now if we could only get that behavior to roll over to the home life. At 3, he’s either wonderful or miserable with us. He doesn’t seem to have an in between. At least he’s good for other people. http://appletreeorchard.com/
In August, my parents and youngest sister, Maryanna, came out to welcome the arrival of our newest addition. Kael Liam arrived on August 24th, weighing in at 9lbs 8.2oz and 22″ long. Thank goodness for c-sections.
About six weeks after Kael joined us I was back in the hospital to have my gall bladder removed. Oh, how I love donating my paycheck to health care!
The 4 of us headed out to PA for Thanksgiving to see the family and show off Kael. We had family pictures taken while we were there and I am still patiently waiting for my mother to send me my copies. I’m starting to think she’s holding them for ransom as a way to get us back out there.
I also participated in my first triathlon during November. Now before you all start to think I’ve gone completely insane, let me explain. Our YMCA has an annual Lazyman Triathlon in which you cover the distance of a triathlon ( 2.5 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking and 26.2 miles of running) but you have six weeks to complete it. What a great motivator it was to work out. It also encouraged me to look at some more upcoming races.
I’ve convinced Jamie to do a duathlon with me the end of June (2 mile run, 10 mile bike, 2 mile run) and I’ve also managed a tentative maybe on the triathlon (500 meter swim, 15 mile bike, 3 mile run) the end of July. I’m really excited about that one. My cousin Rachel and her will-be husband are going to come out from Denver to do that one with us. http://papillion.org/parks_rec/DuathlonTriathlon.html
In December, Jamie & I celebrated our 5 year anniversary. Jamie’s parents kept the kids while we went to Nebraska City for the weekend. We had a fantastic time. Nights without kids are very rare and very much appreciated. This is where we stayed: http://www.liedlodge.org/
Jamie’s friend Geoff did family pictures of the four of us the beginning of December. I finally got around to order them and now I can’t wait to see them. http://www.pictage.com/
We stayed in NE for a very busy Christmas. There’s lots of pictures of the family on the website.
We have a very busy wedding year ahead of us. Lots of love and travel.
My cousin, Rachel is getting married in Ecuador on June 3rd. It’ll be just Jamie and I going. We’re trying to get baby/house/dog sitters all lined up ahead of time. I’m really excited about this trip. It’ll also be the first big trip we’ve taken since our honeymoon. Here’s where we’ll be: http://www.haciendacusin.com/index.html
We’re also going out to PA in September. My cousin, Amanda is getting married on the 9th. The boys will obviously be going with us on that trip. I’m hoping to either go out before then or have my family come here. September’s a long time to go without seeing them.
Jamie’s cousin Jim is also getting married October 7th but we don’t have to travel for that one since the family is all here.
The best man from our wedding, Tony, is getting married late summer/early fall somewhere in CA. We’re debating on whether to find a sitter or bring a nanny for the wedding. It’d be nice to do some sightseeing with the boys (like Legoland, or Seaworld-depending on where the wedding is) but it’d also be nice to do some things without them (like a winery tour). Jamie’s Godmother also lives in CA near Sacramento and I’m sure she’d love to see the boys. I guess once we find out where the wedding the is (Jamie said maybe San Fran) and get more details, then we can put a little more thought into planning.
Things here are going good. Jamie finished his contract at Ameritas in Lincoln and is now at Farm Credit Services here in Omaha. It’s so nice to have him happy when he comes home from work. He says it’s a really fun bunch to work with. Maybe he doesn’t dare say any different since two of his aunts work there! It’s also nice to have him close to home again. I hadn’t realized how much I missed our random lunches. It also gives him more time to get to the gym to get ready for those impending races.
I’ve been back to work (post-baby) for a few months. I couldn’t wait to get back this time but I’m only working 12-18 hours a week, 2 or 3 six hour shifts at night so that I’m home during the day with the boys. The half shifts seem to be working really nice. I’m home by 1:00am and can still get 5-6 hours of sleep at night. I can be up all day and not be grumpy from lack of sleep, most days.
Guy started Basketball and the Gym & Swim program at the YMCA this week. Basketball was interesting. It’s 3-6 year olds for an hour, 1 evening a week. He seems more interested in kicking the ball than dribbling. Maybe soccer will be his thing. Hopefully, next week he’ll be a little more interested. The Gym & Swim was also a bust this week. He’s supposed to go for 2 hours (1 hour in the gym and 1 hour in the pool) 2 days a week (different days than preschool). I figured it would be ideal for me. I’d get plenty of time to workout and shower while he’s burning energy. Unfortunately, I got through my warm-up and was just getting ready to start my weights when the teacher came in carrying Guy, both of them covered in vomit. Needless to say, no workout for either of us that day. Yet again, maybe next week will be better.
Kael is also doing wonderful. He’s huge and bit ahead of the game developmentally so far. He’s rolling over, has amazing head control and can sit for very short periods of time on his own. He’s very curious and extremely happy. Lucky us! So far no stranger danger which is great since he spends my workout time in the Y-daycare. We get 2 days a week just the two of us while Guy is in school. As fun as it is to have both of them, it’s also nice to get some quiet time alone with Kael.
Jamie’s sister, Geri, had her baby on January 5th. A boy, Tristan. He was 8lbs 7.2oz and 21 1/4″. He’s a cute little boy with a head full of spiky blond hair. They all seem to be doing well. Geri’s daughter, Lori, turns 4 tomorrow.
I hope all is going well with all of you.
Love and best wishes!