Despite a few frustrating downs, in all, 2011 was a year of amazing ups for my little family.
January started with a
wee babe, just a few days old. Only three days in I greeted my 27th year with a full heart and nothing but hope for the rest of the year.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvctUjSWA5U_S24UlPVjPPfB5d9zOPVbccv3gSjeeLfNqfY1O54h7ulUt8Te08Iw7pWdhm86k0hC-_f7mOMxygjmIuwWU7XoswmGQIeoFxtLIM8towpdoZHzMa-hG6wrbO9bXryOt1tnE/s552/photo17.JPG) |
January 1st, 2011 - 4 days old |
For 12 weeks I spent all day every day with you, our tiny little peanut...getting to know you and learning from you at the same time. I didn't want my maternity leave to end. Fortunately, my company let me
work part-time for another 12 weeks. From the end of March until mid-June, M spent every morning with you while I was at work, and then he headed into lab as soon as I got home. We were both pretty tired, but it worked.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorreLvkp83sjhQRZkBAR3iB28PaZw3K0Sw81ezNdtpDlVFV0bRC4iCkIZqZnwGPThh1tGrQ01Iwe96BFlQJ_GbDhvKTJf2thJc0KdzDRUuDaleYXN2yZaxOJC4XHMKjpujm7bLSQNcHo/s552/photo66.JPG) |
Reading with Daddy while Mommy was at work |
You grew. And you grew and you grew. Slightly distraught, I went
back to work full time on June 14th. You went on an eating strike with the Nanny, and really scared Mommy. There were a couple days during which you only drank a few ounces of breastmilk. I was so worried. I never spoke about it here on the blog; I guess I was embarrassed, although now looking back I have no idea why. Those two and a half months were so hard, and I was so happy when they finally
came to an end. August 26th was my last day of work.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv0o0ki9bYMXditRD7N8YgUa9HRdkvO94W5WUUO8EYZnyuWx3zjlI2NQissdAqIXCknZYf3inDv_SVFZhoYeZbYZRHnEr7KuF9F8jqC4GJ5mJ9InCE6KY6LDU96PhyM2PROdKEC0ugWJc/s552/CIMG3003.JPG) |
What? We can spend EVERY day together? |
Staying home was
harder than I thought it would be. I have to come to realize it was just a result of our situation at the time. Daddy was working 80+ hour weeks frantically trying to finish
his thesis. I was spending most of my free time packing and preparing for our move. You started talking and crawling and got cuter and smarter by the day.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vouGg4W_2e2qD7FAoCVCOnOJcePpLBshpk6DpxmIm9yof8Fk4Era-pEmKVsCHq46F-ixgAPGQfAu1thk66VekfhuBZrKaHpR2IS7KzXUm44r1v3SpaEkPamU4gDoE6NYP3pDXhyIv8g/s552/CIMG2496.JPG) |
Yay! Daddy is done! |
Then came M's graduation and
our move. We left
Wisconsin and are now getting settled in Connecticut. We are just a few hours from our family and friends now, instead of half a country away. We are already rejoicing in how close we are and how easy it is to travel to see those we love.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQO2kcSfC2J43D6EucgVGfxej_4EGTjsfZmVRLD5n95OB4ElMRMeKXvwgoeMRPc5LCmkNTM_LHdR-M395pcKf205NSxNUWke198t63tPU-sMOtbL2PvwL2mGRSTHgx0j_H_-QFVno4tRU/s552/IMG_0742.JPG) |
Merry Christmas! |
I am sure you will continue to grow and amaze us each day. I can't wait to see what you {and 2012} have in store for us.
2012, I challenge you to be even better than 2011. Don't let me down.
What are your hopes for 2012?