2008, a year in review

stolen from Erin :)

In my 2008...What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before? Gave birth

Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I hadn't really made any, but this year I plan to loose the last five pounds from Gracyn, be a better Jew, pay off debt.

Did anyone close to you give birth? Me, Jhen, Michelle, etc.

Did anyone close to you die? My great-grandmother

What countries did you spend time in this year? None

What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? Find an Assistant Principal job.

What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? July 14 - Gracyn was born and May 14th - we found out about her hand

What was your biggest achievement(s) of the year? Having my daughter

What was your biggest failure? Learning that I cannot control everything

Did you suffer any serious injury or illness? No

What was the best thing you bought? 2008 Honda Odyssey. LOVE IT!

Whose behaviour merited celebration? Miles, my mean and agressive cat, because he has been so great with the baby.

Whose behaviour made you appalled and/or depressed? A NP at my OB's office and one of the doctors for not finding her hand before May and for their attitude regarding my pregnancy issues.

Where did most of your money go? Debt

Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier w/o a doubt
b) thinner or fatter? In the middle. Weigh a little more, but look okay
c) richer or poorer? I think I broke even

What did you get really, really excited about? Getting to meet my daughter, buying my van, going to Zoombezi Bay

What do you wish you'd done more of? Relaxing, reading, saving money

Did you fall in love in 2008? Yes, with a 5.5 pound doll baby!

How many one-night stands? N.O.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Hm...I don't give people that I dislike that much effort

What was the best book you read? The Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult and Raising Girls and I forget the author.

What did you want and not get? Her hand to be a misread and be okay

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? As is a tradition in my life, my birthday sucked. Dave got me the 3-D US for my birthday and that is when we found out about Gracyn's hand (not that in retrospect I would change knowing because I wouldn't give that up for the world.). I turned 27.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Watching Gracyn play using a hand that in May we didn't know how well she'd be able to use it and finding out that it is nonsyndromic. And, having Dave's heart issue not be as serious as we thought it would be.

What political issue stirred you the most? Sarah Palin....I digress.

Who did you miss? My grandmother because I am sad that Gracyn will never get to meet her and be so loved and spoiled by her.

Who was the best new person you met? My daughter, duh!

Tell us a valuable life lesson(s) you learned in 2008. That I cannot control everything and that, in the end, everything works out as it should.

What sums up this year? (a word, a quote... ?) Journey

It may be too early to predict, but I'm sayin' not a chance!

That is that my daughter will be prissy, girly, etc. Below is my proof:


No remourse for being dirty

Making faces

Pulling her dress up like this!

Notice the look of disgust on her face!

My Greatest Gift of 2008

First Gift, First Night, First Hanukkah

Gracie and Mommy

My Holiday Wish

This holiday season I know what I want. I want for everyone I know to have peace. Peace. Such a simple concept, yet so complex and bewildering. I want them to have peace of mind, peace of heart, peace of soul.

I have found peace. I found my peace of all of those over this past year. I am grateful for that.

A girl and her tree

5 Adventures From a 5 Day Break

1. Dave had a blow out on 70W in his 89 Ford Ranger, aka his beloved $800 work truck, and I had to round up the kids and go fetch him.

2. We bought a new tree. We went from a 6.5 ft to a 9.5 ft. Thank goodness for cathedral ceilings. I'll post pics soon.

3. Citi Bank has decided to up my interest rate from 6.99 to 24.99 as their solution to the economic crisis. I, of course, exercised my option to opt out and have them close my card. Dave did too. They get the bail out money and screw the little guy.

4. Gracie has diaper rash from her excessive pooping. It is too much and I am burning through not only diapers, but wipes and ointment, at warp speed.

5. We have vowed to only eat out twice a month. Yes, let's see how this goes...

4 from a 4 Monther

4 Things About 4 Month Old Gracyn Paige

1. I am using a level two nipple now. I am in 1-2 Huggies (in between sized). I am no longer being swaddled/using my Swaddle Me or my sleep positioner. Dr. Barnes thinks that I will get a tooth soon. She felt in my mouth and said that there was the makings of one, plus all of my drooling is a good sign too!

2. I am eating 2 tablespoons of cereal twice a day. This may explain my weight increase! I am in the 8th percentile for my weight, which is great seeing as I started out in the 2nd. What can I say, I am a runt! For lunch, I have my cereal, 2 oz of white grape juice, and a smidge of Similac. For dinner, I have my cereal, then a bath and a story, then my Similac.

3. Mommy and I have started WeJoySing. We go on Thursdays. It is at a church in Reynoldsburg. There are two other little babies my age. Suri and Jason. I had a great time. I kicked my legs and jabbered on. We are going to do the winter session as well. Maybe Daddy will come to a couple.

4. I am in the weird clothing stage again. I am too long for my 0-3's, but too skinny for my 3-6's. I am a mess. I just hope that I don't have this much trouble finding jeans when I am bigger and in high school :)

Gracie, her bubby and Santa

First of all let me say a couple of things. Number one, Santa is secular and not religious...hence her being in the picture with him. It is our belief that Santa loves all religions and is the spirit of kindness, genorsity, and compassion. Number two, the Polaris display was fabulous!