GoodBye 2010

I know I'm a day early and all, but based if my recent blogging habits say anything, it's that I have tons of idea's but haven't been posting. So while it's on my mind, let me write it down.

2010 was a very strange year all and all. We were newly living in a new, tiny apartment. Had a 3 month old baby girl. Dealt with a lay off already lasting way too long. Hubby went back to work. I quit my job. Stayed asleep more than awake for the first four and a half months of the year. Collin started speech therapy. Thomas "graduated" preschool. Bailey learned to crawl. Hubby got laid off again. Thomas started kindergarten. Bailey learned to walk. Hubby went back to work. And Collin only has one speech session left. And we had the very best Christmas ever.

Here are my personal top 10 blog posts from the year:
(All Clickable, links are showing like text....

1. Continuing the Fight
2. While She Eats
3. My Babies
4. Nursing in Public: Women's right or bad taste?
5. Mommy Why? -A Way Back When-sday Post
6. Behind Blue Eyes
7. A Letter From Bailey
8. Sweet Dreams, My loves.
9. Five
10. Us Parents Need To Hug Our Children

This year I have seen my daughter change from a tiny little blob, to an amazing little girl. I've seen my youngest son go from an intelligent little boy who could not express himself with words, to a little boy who always has something to say. I've watched my oldest child go from being pure and innocent to asking questions I'm not quite ready to answer. I've seen my husband suffer and struggle, wanting to just be able to provide his family with the best or to run away in fear of coming up short. My family of 5 is forever changing, growing, and loving. In the beginning of the year I struggled just trying to care for my three children, wondering how I could ever manage. Now, I can't imagine it being any other way.

Please take a moment to reflect on the past year, remember the good, the bad, the love, and the fun. Remember it all. Do all you can to make 2011 the best you can. And remember, to check our my other blog during the new year, where I will try to do a 365 photo project.

And now, I will leave you with my favorite photo's from 2010..

click to enlarge

 

 

.

Christmas is almost near!

Christmas Time Contest Entry--You should go enter, too!

Every year, two Sundays before Christmas my father's side of the family hosts a large Christmas party, complete with Santa handing out presents to the kids, grab bag gifts for the adults, lots of food, and fun. 

This year, my Aunt decided to join my father on the Santa team as Mrs. Claus. While Santa got ready, she read "The Polar Express" to the children. They were all captivated, especially Bailey. (Not so much Collin.) 

After the story, she handed out m&m candy canes and bell's "from the story".

My children are still convinced adults can't hear them.

When I saw my buddy Trish started a new blog, complete with her very first contest I new I had to participate.

Add in the amazing incentive of a $20 gift certificate to My Four Hens Photography and of course I had even more reason to get my entry in!

If you're into photo editing, you should go enter as well! Just go see Trish at Tutu's And Sneakers!

Disney On Ice? Perfect Christmas gift!

I don't know about everyone else's children, but my kids are fascinated by most cartoon characters. Hubs and I've been debating on the "right age" to take the children to a Disney On Ice show for a while now and the "right age" seems to be right now! With Thomas being 5 we know for sure he will love it and be intrigued enough to enjoy the whole performance. Collin, who will be 3 next month has a wonderful attention span, especially with live performances so we are sure he is ready! 

I just recently learned Mickey & Minnie's Magical Journey will be coming to the Hartford XL center January 5th-9th! I've never been to a Disney On Ice show and cannot wait! I especially can't wait to see my boys reaction! Don't worry, I'll have a review as well! I am sure we will all love it! What a perfect Christmas gift my children are receiving here, as we are waiting until Christmas to tell them we are going. 

I am sure at least a few of my CT readers would love to go and also love a bargain, so I'm offering all of you $5 off! Keep reading for details!

Disney On Ice presents Mickey and Minnie’s Magical Journey

Make imagination your destination! Join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse on a journey into the magical worlds of Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Peter Pan, and Lilo & Stitch. From Ariel’s enchanting undersea kingdom to Never Land with Peter Pan and his sassy fairy friend Tinker Bell, you’ll be captivated by the music, beauty, and laughter in a journey so magical, you’ll never want to leave!  Playing the XL Center in Hartford, CT Jan 5th - 9th, 2011!!!

How to Buy Tickets at $5 off*:

1. Log onto: http://www.ticketmaster.com/Disney-On-Ice-Mickey-Minnies-Magical-Journey-tickets/artist/877083

2. Go to the month of January and Select a Performance between January 6th - January 9th for the $5 off discount at the XL Center:

(Note - we do not have a discount for the Arena at Harbor Yard)

Valid Show Times for $5 off offer:

Thursday, January 6^th at 7pm

Friday, January 7^th at 7pm

Saturday, January 8^th at 6:30pm

Sunday, January 9^th at 1pm

3. Enter number of tickets, price point and code MOMS5 in the Advance or Promotion Ticket Selection option

*$5 discount is not valid on $60 Front Row or $45 VIP seating

Regular Ticket Prices:

$60.00 Front Row, $45.00 VIP, $25.00, $20.00, $15.00

*$5 discount is not valid on Front Row or VIP seating

**Prices do not include the XL Center facility fee or any additional Ticketmaster charges.

This, That, and the other blog?

Things have been a bit hectic lately around here with holidays, illnesses, money, a new blog....ya know, the usual parenting crap..

Holidays
We have not even begun to make a dent in our Christmas Shopping this year. I think we only have one small gift per child so far. Strangely, this does not bother me. We will get them a bit more of course but we are putting all the focus on family this year. My children will be getting more than enough from grandparents and my aunt. They will be taken care of. As the past 3 Christmas's I am a bit depressed this holiday season. It means it's the third Christmas with out Nana with us. And it also means the 3rd anniversary of her death is fast approaching. I still have trouble believing she is not with us. I miss her so much still. But, I will put on a brave face and cherish my children who are here with me.

Illnesses
Thomas is currently sick as a dog. On Friday morning, in the wee hours of the morning Thomas fell coming down his ladder and hit his head. Through out the day he complained of a head ache and we thought he had a concussion after puking in the car. It ended up being some wicked virus. He had a fever ranging from 102-104 all Friday night, Saturday, Sunday, & Monday. Tuesday I sent him to school as his fever was gone, but when he came home he looked like complete crap. Stuffy nose, teary eyes, sore throat. So he stayed home again today. Last night he slept 5-12 and 2:30-8:30, 13 hours. He is sleeping right now, been out for a couple hours, though has not had a fever all day.

Money
Tom is working. *Hears the cheers* We finally paid October and November's rent, December will be paid Thursday. (Tomorrow) Our landlord let us sign a 6 month lease, so we won't have to worry about trying to move in December which is always lay off season it seems. Also, he asked us to keep an eye out for 3 bedroom condo's and town houses that are up for sale or foreclosed. He is always looking to buy new property and would be willing to let us break our lease, rent to us, with option to buy. I don't think anything will come of it, but it still felt great to receive the offer. Damn me and my glass is half empty attitude.

New Blog?
With 2011 starting, I am going to try to do a 365 project. I've been wanting to do this for a couple of years now and keep forgetting. Oops. My buddy Trish is planning on doing it, so I got the reminder this year loud and clear. You can go on over to "The Unexpected 365 Project". Make sure you book mark it, or you can grab the button and link up as well!

http://theunexpected365.blogspot.com/

16...15 days until Christmas! (Christmas Countdown)

18...17 Days until Christmas! (Christmas Countdown)

18...

17...

20 lbs GONE!

On October 6th of this year, I was 204 lbs. 

These photo's were taken 11 days later at 199.5 lbs.

As of yesterday, December 6th, exactly 2 months later I've lost........

20 lbs!

My very 1st mile on the treadmill, took me over 20 minutes.

Yesterday I did my shortest mile yet, 12:20 minutes! It was hard but I pushed through it!

I haven't been tracking my calories, but am still following portions listed on the packages. 

I still cannot believe my "old" size bowl of ice cream was four times the recommend serving size.

I am still hitting the gym a minimum of four times a week, plus working out with the Wii Fit Plus, Wii Active, and Golds Gym Cardio Workout. 

Now, I am just 5 lbs away from leaving an "obese" BMI and moving to the "over weight" catagory.

It hurts to be excited about being "over weight," but I'll take "over weight" over "obese" any day!

20..19 Days Until Christmas! (Christmas Countdown)

Yesterday I kept putting off taking a photo. Finally at 11:30 I did it, look closely at the chocolate syrup in my ice cream.

20 Days....

19 Days...

21 Days Until Christmas! ((Christmas Countdown)

22 Days Until Christmas! (Christmas Countdown)

23 Days until Christmas! (Christmas Countdown)

14 months.

Happy 14 monthday to my sweet Bailey-boo. 

Bailey you still seem so much more like a baby to me, than a toddler. Maybe it's just mommy's way of keeping a baby around. Mommy is feeling so bittersweet of you getting older. Though I look forward to see each new milestone reached, and seeing you grow into a beautiful little girl, I am not ready. You are at such a fun age. You are walking and so much more independent, yet still need your mommy. You still look like a baby, and sound like a baby. You can play on your own, with your brothers, or with Mommy and Daddy. But you still love to have us hold you and comfort you. Maybe, the fact that you are still nursing is what makes me still look at you like an itty bitty baby.. Who knows.. Bailey, you are such a fun little girl to watch. The way you fight so hard to do whatever you want and get whatever you want. The way your lip quivers and eyes tear up when you can't do or get whatever it is you are wanting. The way you will sit and listen to stories so with such concentration. The way you play so contently with your brothers cars and action figured. The way you clap and get so excited when you see food, a cup, or Mommy's breasts. The way you say "hi", "bye", "boo"(b), here you go. The way you smile and babble when you get ahold of a phone. All of these things and more, Bailey, I love them. I love everything about you. As much as I want you to stay this little forever, I know you I will truly enjoy watching you grow and become a beautiful, intelligent, kind young lady.

I love you sweet baby girl.

Christmas Countdown!

I doubt I'll make it all the way to Christmas, but I thought I'd try!

Basically one Christmas photo each day marking down the day's until Christmas!

Wordless Wednesday