It was exactly one year ago today that I found out that I would become a Mommy again. Only Rob and I knew of this as we celebrated New Years Eve 2010 with some close friends and family. We wouldn't tell them until later in January. It was the perfect way to start a new year, and gave me much to look forward to. Although the subsequent months of early pregnancy left me ill and fatigued, requiring daily IV infusions for a week and a trial with a Zofran pump, they were still filled with a lot of fun times (I even now own my own IV pole for the house!). We start with January 2011, a month that dumped (and I mean dumped) an abundance of that white fluffy stuff on us.
Of course the snow was only good for a while, until it turned into giant icebergs, making it difficult to play in and death defying to go sledding! And then we moved onto February, a month that was a little quieter for us (but still cold and snowy). Erinn and Rob were able to attend their very first Daddy-Daughter dance. Erinn was SO excited and picked out a pretty dress with pink, of course, and Rob surprised her by getting a matching vest and bow tie. They looked great together, and had a wonderful time.
Not long after that, our Daisy troop had a Mommy and Me Tea in an effort to mirror the dance. My co-leader and I set up a beautiful tea at her house (mostly her work as I was still ill), and we all dressed fancy and some wore feather boas, and we had an exquisite time.
Ahhh, and then the weather began to change...for a moment anyway. We found ourselves able to get outside and enjoy some fresh air, just in time for St. Patricks Day. The girls and I decided to build a leprechaun trap in an effort to catch those pesky leprechauns that always trash our house while the girls take their baths on St. Patricks Day evening. And although we built a foolproof trap, equipped with peanuts and wine (the concoction Regan was sure they loved), we didn't catch the little buggers! But they did leave a "pot of gold", along with a mess and green pee in the potty.
Not long after that, we began soccer and T-ball season. Regan was still playing for the little U-4 division, as Erinn was beginning what would be her last year of T-ball. The weather is never very favorable in the beginning of the season, but we always get through it (just very well layered). I had begun to feel better and was able to enjoy the little one growing inside of me a little more. I began to form a belly, and was able to eat again! Perfect timing for our schedules to get a little busier and for the nicer weather.
And then there was Easter. We celebrated with a smaller group than normal, but we had a blast anyway. The Easter Bunny left eggs all over the house and some small presents for the kids (not quite as extravagant as the previous year when they received bikes). Instead, they got gardening equipment, which we have not really used yet, but perhaps may help us make memories for 2012!! There was an outdoor easter egg hunt, a yummy dinner of ham and lamb, and of course, the bunny cake for dessert!
To cap off April of 2011, Rob and I took our very first kid-free vacation, well, since having kids that is. We went to Ft. Lauderdale for 4 days, 3 nights. Of course I was a nervous wreck leaving the kids, but my sister took good care of them, and they were none the worse for the wear. And even though we were technically traveling without our children, we did have that little growing baby with us. She hitched a ride everywhere! We got to have some nice dinners, hit the beach one day, and then spent the remainder of the vacation by the pool just relaxing and reading. It was a nice reprieve, but I was so happy to be back with my babies when we returned to CT.
May 2011 was filled with more sports, some good outdoor fun (as the temperature was rising), Mothers Day, and Memorial Day. Instead of just attending the parade this year, Erinn and I got to be IN it with the Daisies! It was certainly hot, but our girls were all troopers. The morning had started off with rain, but the sun broke through just in time for the parade. I think we were all pooped by the time it was over, and finished the day with a nice little picnic/barbecue with family back at our house. We even got to take the water slide out!
I don't think I have quite realized how much we actually do in a year. I am getting tired just typing the first 5 months of the year, and this is only touching on SOME of the stuff that we did! But I digress. This leads us into the sixth month. June of 2011 found us prideful in watching our children take the stage in their dance recital. For Erinn, this would be her second time. She knew that she loved being on the stage, and couldn't wait. Regan was a different story. As the quieter and more reserved of our 2 children, I was worried that she may get a small case of stage fright. But I could not have been more wrong. Not only did she go out on the stage at age 3, she did it without her teacher, and with only her cousin Sebastian by her side. They performed a dance to "You Got a Friend In Me" from the movie Toy Story, and let me just say, it was one of the cutest things I have ever seen. They were flawless, and the crowd loved them. Erinn did an amazing job too performing to Ponyo, and then all three of them (Erinn, Regan, and Sebastian) performed a dance to Lollipop. All in all, it was a great day, and I was proud of them all!
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| The invitations to Erinn's party made by Uncle Mat |
The big highlight of July was, of course, Erinn's birthday!! Our little princess celebrated among her princess friends at a nice, low-key party! Miss Gina, Miss Kate, and Miss Britt (the girls dance teachers) came to be the "staff" of Erinn's Princess Salon. The girls got their hair done, makeup done, and manicures, all while transforming into their favorite princess. We capped off the evening with a glow stick dance party in the basement and a make-your-own-sundae bar! It was incredibly cute, and all the girls looked beautiful.
August was a month spent going to the beach, Grandmoo's pool, and trying to keep cool in any possible way we could. Not only were the girls hot tamales, but their very pregnant Mommy was as well. Nothing was all that groundbreaking in this particular month, at least not until the end. Erinn started first grade, which marked an all day school day for her. And of course, who could forget the lovely "Hurricane Irene" that left many without power for days. We were very fortunate to keep power the entire time, and only lost phone/internet/cable for 48 hours. To me, in some ways, this was worse, as I was due very close to this time, and wanted to know I could call the MD if needed. LOL. But all went well. We took the time during the storm to hunker up and finish some last minute baby-readying projects, and to make the paintings for the baby's room wall.
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And then came SEPTEMBER!!! The month we had been waiting for all year long. The first thing to happen in September was Regan starting 4 year old preschool. She was ready to go, but really wanted to be able to take a bus to school. Not yet little one. We brought her in to drop her off. She was quick to say goodbye to us and join her friends, and after filling out some paper work, we were off. What to do with no children??? Well...that didn't last long. Who would know that less than 24 hours later, I would be meeting my new baby. At 5am on September 8th, the date that I had hoped and prayed would be my third daughters birthday so as to honor my Mom, I felt those familiar pains of labor. I labored quietly downstairs until it was time to wake EJ up for school and Rob for the day. I let them know today would be the day, and went about my normal business of the usual morning routine. I continued to labor at home until about 10:15 when I just couldn't take the pain anymore. We called the doctor who was already at the hospital (conveniently) and they told me to come in. As the rains had been heavy the previous night and into the morning, there were downed trees on our road, which prevented my father-in-laws wife from getting to the house to get Regan. Luckily my sister had arrived to come to the hospital with us, so she stayed (none of us knowing at this point I was about to deliver). We arrived at the hospital a little after 11am, and I was up and into a delivery room by 11:15 (after the admitting process). Rob arrived (from finishing signing admitting papers) as they were putting my feet in stirrups, and likened it to an episode of MASH...papers flying, nurses everywhere, and the doctor saying, "don't push until I get dressed!" My sister arrived just in time for my last 3 pushes. Mattelyn would be born at 11:24am, only 9 minutes after getting into the delivery room. What a whirlwind! But she was pink, and healthy, and perfect! And that, was the highlight of my year.
I would spend the remaining 48 hours in the hospital just snuggling my new beauty, and spending much alone time with her bonding (it is amazing how few people visit you for baby #3!). Rob spent his days running the other 2 around to school, activities and such. We came home on 9/10/11, and life would never be the same.
Much of the remainder of September and October was spent adjusting to life with three children. Rob had 3 weeks of paternity leave, which was wonderful. He was such a huge help, and I felt blessed to be able to ease into things. We went apple picking and spent lots of time outdoors (when it wasn't raining)! On October 6th, Rob and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary, and other than that, it was fall as usual. That was until, the 29th of October, and that lovely snow/ice storm. Again, we were fortunate to keep power while others were out. We took the opportunity to open our home to anyone that needed it, and spent our Halloween indoors. At the very last minute on Halloween evening, we decided to partake in the trunk or treat down on the green. It was cold, but at least the girls got to wear their costumes.
November gave us Mattelyn turning 2 months, Thanksgiving, and Regan's fourth birthday!!! We celebrated the weekend prior to her birthday with her friends at Village Center for the Arts. It was a great party and she loved seeing all of her friends there. It was an amazing turnout despite my being late sending out the invitations. Dang new Mom of 3!! Then we celebrated her actual birthday quietly at home with the 5 of us, Pop-Pop and Auntie Penny (who shares her birthday).
And that, my friends, leads us into December. Our prep for Christmas, Mattie turning 3 months, a holiday dance recital, all these things I have already touched upon in previous blogs. We did, however, successfully build that gingerbread house, we had a wonderful Christmas filled with family and friends, and now we prepare for 2012.
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| I'll just look at my bugs while you make the house |
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| Santa Came!!! |
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| All of these beautiful cards from our friends...I was running out of room! |
Of course, there were many other wonderful things that happened in 2011, but I am sure I have even bored you enough with what I have written about. The year definitely was an interesting one. Obviously, the weather being uncanny with it's normal seasonal patterns, makes many people quick to say good riddance. On that topic, I can agree. But my life changed this year, and it was for the better. I have to say as I am sitting here writing this, just pausing for a brief moment to wish my hubby a Happy New Year as the clock turned to midnight, that I feel a bit of sadness. For as I had mentioned, at this time last year we knew we were awaiting something big in 2011, and we were not disappointed. And despite the fact that I feel that reserve about ringing in a new year, and wondering what it will hold, I am trying to stay optimistic in knowing that no matter what, my children will provide me with a year filled with amazing things. Perhaps to some, my life appears mundane and somewhat vanilla, I like it that way. It is all the little things that keeps me going, and in my case, thanks to 2011, there are 3 little motivators for me. I look forward to Mattie's first year, I look forward to Regan starting Kindergarten in the fall, and to see what new things Erinn can accomplish. And even though I know there will be some obstacles in 2012, I sit in my peaceful house with my 3 beautiful children sleeping upstairs, and my husband by my side, I know it will be a successful year. It will be what I make of it.
I hope that you all find yourselves fortunate and blessed in 2012, and I wish all of you a very Happy, Healthy New Year. Cheers!-Adrienne
