28 (Two Months Late)

The fact that my annual birthday post is two months late this month should tell you something about the state of my life. Seriously, who has time to keep up with a blog when you work full-time, your husband is deployed, you have a VERY active toddler, and you're in a demanding and never-ending graduate school program?!? And yet, here I am -- I refuse to give up, because I think of this blog as a sort of journal, photo album, baby book and memoir all in one. Someday, my kids and I will look back on this, and be glad I kept it up!

So here we are...talking about what I want my 28th year to be. With two months already gone, I'm going to have to be selective and serious about my list -- not much time to get it done in! But first, let's take a minute to review last year's list. I did hear my son say his first word ("up"), start my first novel (if you count five pages as a start...but I'll take it!), lose the fifteen extra pounds I was carrying around (very proud of that one), travel abroad again (Ireland, baby!), celebrate my fifth year with my husband (and what a year it was!), and I got a whole heck of a lot better at seizing the day.

I did not, however, do the following -- relax and stop racing to achieve more (not sure I'll ever master that one), teach Bella to lay down (lost cause?), run a 10k (uhhh...still trying to think of an excuse for this one...I'll get back to you), or learn to scuba dive. So, all in all, I was less than successful in totally completing my list, but hey -- it's a learning process right??

So on to this year. 28. I can't believe it. Is this when I start to "get old?" High school kids have completed the transition to viewing me as "one of them" rather than "one of us." I haven't been to a club in at least three years. I moisturize. I am a mother. I know what tax brackets are, and which one I'm in. Sad as I am to say it, I think it's official. I am an adult.

But that's okay -- I'm happy where I'm at. My life has taken wonderful and unexpected turns, and led me to right where I am supposed to be. But that doesn't mean I can't keep looking forward, working for more, dreaming.

So, without further ado, here it what I hope 28 will be for me:

28 will be the year I take on more responsibility at work and move towards the next step in my career -- whatever that step may be!

28 will be the year I run a 5k (notice, I'm getting more realistic!)

28 will be the year I finish my required military training, Squadron Officer School (been putting it off for a year!).

28 will be the year I paint at least a couple of rooms in this sterile, hospital-white house.

28 will be the year I lay on the beach more.

28 will be the year I get control of my closet...for once!

28 will be the year I stop biting my nails (ugh...dreading this one...I've tried 1,000 times).

28 will be the year I learn to drive a stick shift -- not sure how this has evaded me for so long, or how I will learn, but for heaven's sake...it's time to know!

Notice, there is nothing about sky-diving, scuba diving, or weight loss ;) That is because, most importantly --

28 will be the year I welcome my second child into the world!!!

That's right folks, I am PREGNANT! Nearly halfway done, believe it or not. Cautiously optimistic in the beginning, David and I are now drunk with joy, wonder, hope and, of course, love. We can't wait to see who this new little person will be, and what he or she will bring to our family. We are blessed beyond words, beyond what we deserve. This is the gift that will make my 28th year one of the very best in my entire life, and I am so very grateful for it.

So here's to 28...I know it will exceed my wildest dreams!

Oh, $#*+!

Well.

Sam just taught me a very valuable lesson -- in public -- about watching my language from here on out.

Let's just leave it at that.

Sam's Current Strange New Things...

1. His new word -- "minimum." Yes, that's right, the kid says "minimum." I don't think he has any idea what it means, but the first time he said it, I was like "Um, what?!"

2. His new obsession -- Iron Man. How he learned about Iron Man is not 100 percent clear, but several things are obvious. First, Iron Man is "bad, bad." Second, he lives outside. Third, he's very, VERY scary.

3. His new favorite joke -- picking his nose...deeply. I'll turn around to check on him in his car seat while I'm driving, and he'll be knuckle-deep in his nostril, smiling slyly and just waiting for me to see it. Then, he busts out laughing.

4. His new version of a tempter tantrum -- throwing himself on the floor, face-down, and then just laying there. No movement, no crying, total stillness. I'll tell ya, it could be worse.

5. His new favorite movie -- "A Bug's Life." The minute I strap him into his carseat on the way home from daycare, he starts begging...which sounds mostly like "A BUG! A BUG! A BUUUUUUG!"

He's so cute these days, it hurts my heart a little bit!!

28 and Feelin' Great (a few weeks late...)!

So last year I posted a list of things I wanted to do/experience/accomplish in my 27th year, and I have every intention of doing so for 28. Life have overtaken me! I have much to share, and am going to set aside some time tonight to get this blog caught up. See you soon!

Trip to the Zoo

A MONTH!? It has been a full month since I posted last...wow. My apologies. Here's a quick update -- we're all great. Seriously! Sam is growing, growing, growing -- and saying SO many words now. He's quite the little jabberwocky ;) He has been so much fun lately, and is developing a great personality. He is sly, funny, a bit of a showoff, curious, and has a tiny little temper that he gets from his Daddy. Alright, stop laughing. Seriously, stop. He gets it from me. I know it. We're working on it! Other than that, David and I are doing great -- just working and trying to get out and enjoy living in Florida now that the weather is wonderful again. Below are some photos from our recent trip to the zoo!

Checkin' out some animals with Daddy :)

Shoulder rides are the best!

Sam and Mommy :)

On a mission!
A little apprehensive about brushing the goat...
This goat was looking a little jumpy, so I'm sending him mind vibes to stay away from my kid..."Hey goat, I'm watching you..."

At the Sting Ray Encounter exhibit

Trying to touch some sting rays :)

Tired out from too much fun!!

Just a Taste...

I realize that I have been offline for awhile, and as most of you know that is because David and I are currently on vacation in beautiful Ireland. Here is just a taste of the photos I'll be posting later. Since I'm a little limited in regards to how many photos I can post on this blog, there will be a lot more (and there are already more than 100) on my Facebook page. More to come, but for right now I'll just say...we're having a blast! Love to all (but especially to our Sammy!)...

New Favorites

Here is a list of Sam's new favorite things:

1. Word -- "Neck." Random, I know. I'm sure he knows what it means because he is always pointing to an actual neck when he says it....which he does...a LOT.

2. Game -- putting all of his bath toys to bed by laying them on the bottom of the bathtub, patting them gently and telling them "night night."

3. Snack -- Sunkist Fruit Snacks. I know, I know...high fructose corn syrup is the devil. Leave me alone.

4. Book -- it's a toss up between "I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" and "I Love You, Stinky Face." Personally, I hate them both at this point.

5. Movie -- "Shrek." Oh wait, this isn't new, it's the same movie he's been watching non-stop for two months...sigh.

6. Dance Move -- Spinning around in circles until he falls over with giggles. Right now, you're wondering if this is as cute as it sounds. It's cuter.

7. Piece of Playground Equipment -- the slide, hands down!

8. Song -- "Why Are There So Many Songs About Rainbows?" from the Muppet Movie.

9. Color -- Green. I've gathered this from his most frequent choice of bath crayon. Based on this highly accurate and scientific method, blue is a close second.

10. Article of Clothing -- a green (coincidence? I think not) shirt with a picture of a monster on the front with his mouth wide open and a caption that says "FEED ME!" I guess I've read him the caption enough times now, because every time I put it on him he looks down at the picture and then starts doing the baby sign for "Eat" while saying "NACK! NACK!" (Sam for "snack").

The coolest thing about all of this is that he HAS favorite things. He is a real person, he has a unique personality and sense of self. He is different than me and separate from me. It's so awesome to watch him develop as a human being, and to be able to share it with all of you here!