1.22.2010

Recap 2009

For the last week I've been off from work, and it has been GREAT! I've actually been able to sleep and I've spent a lot of time with my sweet girl. We've gone shopping, gone to the park, went walking a lot outside, ate our first Chik-fil-a kids meal (well, she did, not me :) , took lots of pictures, and just... hung out at home.Tonight, though, I go back to work and since I have been off all week, I sent Charlotte over to Sara's house for the day. I just need a day to breathe and do what I want to do without worrying about her nap schedule. Soooo while I am hear sipping on some coffee and watching Fox News, I realized I never really did a review of the year 2009. It was a HUGE year, so I think I should do it now! Never too late for that, right? :)

So, let's see. 2009 was a big year for us. On December 15, 2008, one day before our second anniversary (which was also her due date), we welcomed our sweet baby into our lives. The next two months that follow are pretty much a blur to me and if it weren't for the hundreds of pictures I took, I don't think I would have remembered any of it! Honestly, we weren't very sleep deprived because Charlotte slept in the bed with us so it made feeding and sleeping so much easier. We moved her to the crib when she was 10 weeks old and she has been there ever since! Now, she won't even take a nap with me, little stinker. :) I was also very stressed about nursing and making it work, although it never really panned out because she had an undiagnosed tongue tie (google it.) Honestly, I still regret not nursing for long, even though I truly know I did EVERYTHING I knew how to do for 10 weeks. I was probably obsessed with it, but it just wasn't meant to be. I ended up pumping until April and that helped to save us a lot of money and I felt better about her only having mommy's milk for that time (ya know, winter, RSV, cold season, etc).


January 2009

January 2010


Another big issue was me trying to get her on a "schedule." I found a book, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Dr. Marc Weissbluth, and it happened to be my saving grace when it comes to baby sleep. Of course, it did make me extremely paranoid and I started to think to myself, "If she doesn't get the 14-18 hours of sleep a day she needs, is she going to have ADD? or be stupid? or be overtired?" Blah blah blah. So that definitely fed into my PPD that I struggled with until I got put on an antidepressant in April. Ever since I got put on Celexa, things have been smooth sailing! It's just amazing how much hormones affect you.

In March, I started back to work. It was an easy transition because during the day when I slept, Sara, a good friend from church, watched Charlotte. She lives in our neighborhood so it has been very convenient and easy for us. Plus, Charlotte just loves going over there and I know Sara loves Char, too.

During the summer time, not much had happened. We didn't go to the beach or anything, but it was mostly filled with Thomas and I working. Charlotte started eating baby food in June (yes, I waited until 6 months because I'm lazy). Charlotte FINALLY rolled over at 7.5 months and has been on the prowl ever since! She started crawling in September at 9 months, and then started walking at 11 months! No talking as of yet, but we're working on it!

During the fall semester, Thomas had a career fair at Auburn that led to a job lead at a company called Eaton Corp. This particular plant is located in Jackson, MS and he was invited for an interview, and then for a second interview. For his second interview he had to give a presentation of his work experience, interview with lots of different people... Lots more than I've ever had to do for a job interview! For a month after the interview, we were on pins and needles wondering if he had got the job or not. A couple days before Thanksgiving, we learned that he indeed DID get the job and got a very good offer along with it. So that means we will be moving to Jackson in May after he graduates, and I'm excited but very nervous about it!

In December, Charlotte turned 1 year old. And I still can't believe how fast this past year has gone. It totally blows my mind that the little curled up ball of babyness has turned into a little toddler with 8 teeth and smiles galore.

So yeah, if I could sum up 2009 in one word, it would be BABY. Baby has made a total overhaul on my life. Baby has made me change the way I think about myself, about others, about Thomas, and probably most of all, about God. Baby has driven me CRAZY (literally... you think I'm kidding!) but has also made me most proud.





This next year is sure to be a full one, too. With a new move coming up, new jobs for both of us, and Biggun's second year in progress, it's going to be fun and I wouldn't have it any other way.

God is so good.

1 comment:

Chelsea said...

Aw, you had a great year! And you DID do everything you knew to do in regards to nursing, so definitely never feel guilty about that! Pumping sucks, so I admire you so much for sticking with it that long! Charlotte is so unbelievably gorgeous. :)

p.s. - thanks for inspiring me to get Ben on a schedule!

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