2009 in Photos

I got this idea from another blogger and thought it would be fun to chronicle this year in photos. I hope everyone has a very happy new year & many blessings for 2010!

2009 has been a big year, a lot has happened. Here is my year in photos:

January~my beautiful aunt passed away due to an over dose. She is on the left, her daughter, on the right passed away in 2007. She never got over the loss. I wasn't able to go to the funeral, it was one of the saddest times ever. They were both such beautiful people.


February~spent a month in the Philippines with my inlaws. Here we are waiting to board that tiny boat behind us. This was a once in a lifetime trip. I am glad DH got to go back, see his relatives & that I was able to meet them. I was newly pregnant, very ill & started to experience complications while we were there. We will probably never go back. It was an amazing experience.

March~Les and I celebrated our 26th birthdays as parents to be! I started wearing maternity clothes.

March~took my first "belly pic". Complications got worse, diagnosed with placenta previa, taken off work at 15 weeks and put on modified bedrest at home.

April~ most of my days were spent like this, in bed with my laptop & kitty. I found the bump and really started posting a lot.

May~ celebrated our first wedding anniversary. We renewed our vows at a special ceremony for couples celebrating their 1st, 5th, 10th, etc anniversary.

June~ admitted to the hospital on bedrest. My gall bladder was keeping me from eating or drinking. Stayed there for over 3 weeks. It sucked.

July~Induced at 35.2 weeks for PIH. My beautiful son was born July 24th, at 10:05am, weighing 5lbs 10oz. Life has never been so amazing. After 1 week in the NICU he came home.

August~ the month of my original due date, we are relishing in being parents. Had our first family photos done.

September~ Logan moved from our room to his own room. He did better with the transition then I did!

October~Logan's first Thanksgiving & Halloween. He just makes everything so amazing. He was our little chicken!

November~we went on our first family road trip to Frankenmuth to get Logan's first ornament. And of coruse to do some shopping! He was such a good boy for the trip!

December~Logan's first Christmas! This was our first Christmas not working since we have been married, it was so nice. Everything was absolutely perfect!

Logan's First Christmas!

We had such a wonderful Christmas. Les was off so for the first time since we were married we were home for the holiday. Of course havign Logan just made it so magical. Last Christmas was pretty amazing, thats when we told everyone we were pregnant, even that isn't quite as perfect as this year was. I know that the older Logan gets the more fun these holidays will get.

This is our family Christmas Eve photo. We spent most of Christmas Eve with Les' parents. We went to church with them and then went back to their house for a chinese dinner. I try hard to adapt to their lack of tradition, its so different then my own childhood was and a huge contrast to what I imagine for Logan . Do you like that we are all coordinated?

Here is my little man. He was such a super star in church. Happy as can be and then he napped part way thru the mass.

Logan is all dressed up in his new Christmas PJs, here he is putting out cookies and milk for Santa!

A tradition that we are doing is on Christmas Eve he gets to open up a few gifts, one is his new PJs, this year they were a 2 peice santa set, he also gets to open his keepsake ornanment for the year. This years was a baby's first Christmas Jungle animals ornament, perfect. I have a special book where I am writing to him each year why we chose that ornament. After the cookies are out for Santa we read The Night Before Christmas together and he went to sleep.

Here is our best gift of the entire year happily under the tree! These gifts are not all for him! Les forgot to do a stocking for me and so there are only two set out there. He felt so bad. I think Logan still looks so little to me here, he looks like a tiny baby here!

This is my gift from Les and Logan. Its a white gold diamond heart pendant with yellow gold abby booties int he centre. I think its perfect, it symbolizes this year so perfectly for me. Les did so well picking this out all on his own!

Here is our little family Christmas morning. I surprised Les with a golf bag to match his new clubs. Logan is looking at his daddy, like "really its just a bag dad!"

What a happy boy! He was pretty excited Christmas morning even tho he has no idea what was going on! Christmas mornign we spent a little time just the 3 of us and then my mom & sisters came over as well as Les' parents and we had a nice brunch.

Here is my little peanut with all his gifts. Can you say spoiled?! We did not buy all of these, not even half! Logan's grandparents and aunties like to spoil him too!

Christmas Day we went to my dad's house for a big dinner, my mom even came! This was actually really nice, my parents have been divorced for 23 years and thsi was the first Christmas we didn't have to leave on to be with the other. I really think Logan helped to make this happen. We all had such a wonderful time. Logan discovered that eating the presents was much mroe fun then opening them!

Me & my little Santa baby at the end of a long and wonderful day. I can't even begin to think about next year when Les and I both have to work thru Christmas, for now I will just pretend it will be as perfect as this year was.

Milestones

Logan is just growing and changing so quickly. He has reached a few big milestones this week! This morning he rolled from his back to his belly! I totally missed it but I know for sure it happened. I put him down on his quilt on his back with a few toys then went to tidy the kitchen & make a coffee, then I noticed some grunting so I looked into the living room and he was on his belly looking around! I knew it was coming he was getting soclose but just couldn't make it all the way! I hope he does it in front of me soon! He has been rolling belly to back inconsistently for some time. I think we better get the baby gate up sooner then later!
Logan tried cereal for the first time yesterday! He did AWESOME! I had intended on waiting till 6 months but I just really have been feeling like he is ready. He can sit up so well, he tracks us bigtime when we are eating, he is wakign more at night to nurse, and several other things. Our pedi OK'd it at 4 months and he is just over 5 now so I thought we would try it and if he didn't like it I wouldn't push it, I'm not in a rush anyways.

This is his first bite, he looked at me like, whats this? But he opened wide & swallowed.

Then he opened wide for the second bite, and every bite after that. He ate it all! He did SO well! Tonight I gave him soem again before bed, he ate it all and was screaming between bites when I took too long to give it to him!

Here it is when it was all gone, he was like, thats it mom? Just ONE tablespoon?!

Here is a little collage I put together of the last 5 months! He is growing so much. I am just so in love.

5 months old!!

Logan you are 5 months old! I can't believe it, it seems like just yesterday I was pregnant and awaiting your arrival. You have grown so much!

You are making some progress with your sleep schedule, you go to bed around 8pm, and wake up once or twice to nurse, we wake up for the day between 7:30 and 8:30.

You wear a range of clothing sizes, from 3 months to 9 months, 6 month clothes fit the best. We havbe trouble with one peice outfits because your torso is so long and your legs are a little short, you have daddy's body!

At your last check up you weighed 15 lbs 1 oz, naked weight and you were 21 inches long. This was with the neonatalogist, so for your CORRECTED age you were in the 95-98th percentile for each! You are such a big boy!

You are still being exclusively breastfed but I think you are just about ready for some solids. You watch us so intelty when we eat, you LOVE any type of medicine we give you and you often open your mouth when I am putting anything near your face.

You still love bath time and any type of music. You also really like the TV, but mommy & daddy try to limit this!

You have started to really notice people around you, especially other little ones.

You are wearing size 3 diapers, they seem to be working out really well for now, not too many blow outs!

You have started to have a real interest in toys, and these past few days EVERYTHING goes into your mouth!

You are rolling from your tummy to your back pretty well but still inconsistently, some days you will do it 5 times in a row, then nothing the next! You are SO CLOSE to rolling back to tummy!

You have started to laugh, really laugh, its the cutest thing EVER. You are ticklish, on your sides, your back & your neck (like your daddy). You also fidn peek-a-boo hilarious and when mommy or daddy "blow raspberries" you have even started to mimic us!

You have decided that you hate formula and will have nothing to do with it. You didn't get it very much anyways but now you won't take it at all.

You have started to really want your momma. You won't let anyone but me put you to bed, and while I love this snuggle time, it makes it hard for me and daddy sometimes. Daddy would like some snuggles too!

You have taken a real interest in faces and often touch our noses, eyes & mouths, you are so curious!

You are such a good natured little man, I get comments all the time about what a good baby you are. You are happy and smiley and generally content.

You do not like getting your pictures taken at all, as soon as the camera comes out your smile goes away!

You have started to do this cute thing where when you are bare foot you put the soles of your feet together like you are praying with your feet, I love it!

I am just in awe at how fast time is passing, you are growing far too quickly. I am really trying to savour it all but I feel like its just flying by.

weighing in....

I have no photos, I am yet to upload them. Our Christmas was absolutely perfect, magical. I cannot even begin to think about next year when Les and I both have to work. I will post very soon about all of our Christmas festivities :)

I wrote a while back about joining weight watchers and my journey to get into shape. I am making progress, its steady and slow, but they say that is the most permanent and safest way to lose. I know my progress would be a bit faster if I was more committed, its been hard thru the holidays. I am doign better then I would without the program tho.

I am down 9 lbs so far, which is 5% of my body weight, not a bad start. I still have about 50 lbs to go. I know that in the New Year things will go even better. I am going to be more dedicated with my food choices, we are going on a budget so I will be cooking at home more, eating out is a big problem for us.

I also will be starting a mom & baby fit & swim class twice a week. Its a 45 minute cardio class followed by 30 minutes of swim fitness. This will be twice a week. For Christmas I also got the 30 day shred & a few other of the Jillian Michaels DVDs, I will be doing these 3 days a week as well.

The most motivating moment so far was Christmas day when I fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans, and not my fat ones. It felt great! I am hoping in January Les will get on board with me and we can both get healthy and set good lifestyle examples for our little man.

A letter to my son

Dear Logan,

Its late right now, really late. I just nursed you for the 3rd time since you went to bed. I savoured every single second of it. Its amazing to me how quickly time is passing, how fast you are growing. Each night as I sit in your nursery and rock and nurse you I softly sing sweet songs to you, I tell you I love you and I thank God for you. You are everything I have ever dreamed of, yet I never could picture your perfection.

You are turning into such a sweet boy. I can see your heart and personality shining thru, I know you will do great things. I often try to imagine who or what you will be as you grow, although much like when I was pregnant for you I can't eactly picture it I know it will be amazing. I promise you that I will love you, support you and encourage you for always. Remember my sweet boy you can do anything you set your heart to.

I've been thinking back to this very time last year, your daddy and I learned we were going to be parents. We couldn't have been more excited. It took every ounce of restraint to keep you a secret for almost a week, you were our Christmas present to everyone last year. This year, you are all that I need or want, you have made us so complete. As we are about to start a new year I look back at 2009 and although much of it was spent on bedrest, doing everything I could to nurture you from within it was the most exciting year ever, we got to meet you. I know that 2010 is going to bring so much more joy and happiness as we love and cherish all of your "firsts".

Your sweet smiles melts my heart. The love I have for you is like nothing I have ever experienced. I love with my entire being, I can FEEL it. I KNEW I woudl love you, I knew it would be amazing, I didn't expect it to be this intense. Yet, somehow each day this love grows. I watch you discover things, and learn to do new things and I am in awe of you, just as you are in awe with the world.

I love you the most my sweet boy,

Momma

Warm & safe!

I had a terrible time deciding just how I was going to keep Logan both safe & warm this cold winter season. I considered all of my options carefully and had decided on a bundle me, they looked so warm & cozy & I thought safe. Then I found this. It brought me to tears, read the whole story behind sweet Kyle & their mission, it will make you think totally differently about carseats. I can tell you for sure Logan will be in a 5 point restraint for as long as possible! They had many great suggestions on how to keep my little man toasty. We went with 2 of the choices.

First we got him a fleece jackets with fold over hands to act as built in mittens, we got it from a Columbia outlet for around $15. Its so cute & polar fleece so I know he's warm! Thats great for when we are getting out of the car as well!

Then my favourite purchase, after much search and debate I had a carseat poncho custom made for him. I thought about attempting to make one myself but I am not brave enough (if you have some sewing skills I think it would be possible!) I picked out the fabric and specifications. It was a little pricey, but no more so then other less safe options. And in my opinion you can't put a price on your baby's life!

I wanted an animal print, to match Logan's jungle theme. I love how versatile the poncho is. I can put him in the carseat then put it on him, I can take it off easily or undo it while in the car without affecting the straps of the carseat. Also, since we may have toi move to a convertible before winter is out I can take Logan out of the carseat & he can wear the poncho. Bigger kids can even walk around with it. I put an extra hat underneath & a pair of mitten and we are all set!

Here's my littel guy in double layers of fleece ready for the Canadian Cold!
Here he is trying it out for the first time. I got it from Sara at her etsy store
If Logan's poncho doesn't fit him next year we will be ordering another one for sure! Sara was great to work with, we had a few issues with shipping to Canada and in the future will have it shipped within the US and go over myself to pick it up.

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!

I am getting so excited for Logan's first Christmas. I know that he is so small and won't understand but he is showing interest and squeeling in delight and laughing out loud. I just can't wait to his reactions over the holidays. It sounds so corney, but I just feel so complete. The holidays have always been about family to me & now I have my own. I just know its going to be magical for all of us.
Here is our Christmas tree. I am a Christmas fanatic. My entire house is decked for the holidays. Our decor colours are red, green, silver and gold, pretty traditional. We had such a fun time decorating the tree together as a family.

This is one of Logan's first Christmas ornaments, we actually got it as a special gift for all 2009 babies from our local mall. It matches our tree absolutely perfectly, I will always cherish it.

This is Logan's first Christmas ornament that we picked out. It will forever hold a special place in my heart. We went on a family trip to Frankenmuth to get it. I plan on making a tradition of doing this each year.

LOgan & I decking the tree! He's not too interested! This is his onesie from my sister, she just LOVES him up! It says "All I want for Christmas is my AUNTIE" too cute!

My sweet man with his first ornament. He loves the tree, lights and shiney bulbs.

This is MY ornament for this year, I bought this on our family trip as well, I think its too cute.

Not a Morning Person

I am not a morning person, I never have been. Before I became a mommy I could easily sleep in till 11 am or later. Since having Logan I have slept in twice (and by slept in I mean 9:30am!!). Logan seems to be a morning man, we are up and out of bed each day between 7 & 8. He is wide awake and smiley, all ready to play! The best thing is, despite how tired I am, when I go in L's room and look over the crib at him I say "good morning baby" and he greats me with the hugest grin. The I pick him up and he snuggles his head right into my neck, its like he's giving me a hug. He doesn't do this with Les and secretly I like that he saves those snuggles for momma! He is starting to win me over to these early mornings. Its always just L & I (Les is not a morning person either & he stays in bed!) We do tummy time, exersaucer, bumbo, reading you name it. He is so happy and interactive. I take a lot of pictures in the mornings.

Here is Logan in his bumbo on the counter watching me make breakfast. He has started to very intently watch me eat breakfast as well!

Logan goes on his playmat every morning while I check my email & facebook. He literally can move himself right off the mat!

He is really starting to put things in his mouth now too!

Him & Calvin the Cat get some playtime while Logan is on his tummy!

His winkle is getting to be very popular around here! He just loves holding on to it!

4 months!

Logan you are 4 months old! You are growing so quickly! You are such a sweet & happy baby. Everybody just loves you so very much!

You weigh 15 lbs 2 oz (50-75th percentile) and you are 21 inches long (50th percentile)! You are getting so big!

You slept thru the night for 4 weeks straight and then Stopped! But you are starting to sleep better again!

You smile so much now! You are even laughing now. When you get excited you squeeze you fists and kick your legs, it makes mommy laugh!

You love music & even like to watch TV. I try not to let you watch too much but so far you enjoy baby einstein, praise baby, sesame street, & mickey mouse club.

You still love bathtime, you smile and laugh and kick. You also love showers with mommy or daddy, you stick your tongue out to drink the water!

You wear size 2/3 diaper and I suspect you will be moving on to size 3 very soon!

You always have your hands in your mouth or you are playing with your hands in front of your face, its so cute!

You still are not very interested in toys, however you LOVE your playmat and like to grab on to the hanging animals.

You were sick for the very first time this past month with a cold & a fever but after some rest & momma love you got better quickly.

You have started to notice other babies and children and really like them! I am eager to see you playing with them soon!

**Disclaimer-I have had this written as a draft since NOVEMBER 24th, when he turned 4 months and totally forgot to post! Bad Momma