With the New Year upon us, I like to take the time to reflect on the last year. It has been a whirl wind of a year. With the loss of the baby, Becca’s vision issues, a few car accidents, some may wonder how we survived at all. *sigh*

Well with the bad came a lot of good. After mourning the loss of the baby, we discovered in August that we were blessed once again to be pregnant. So far the little guy has stuck with us and is doing really well!

Becca has taken very well to her glasses. After being sent to the totally wrong doctor, we finally were placed with an amazing pediatric eye specialist that has been amazing. Becca’s eyes have vastly improved, no longer crossing while wearing her glasses and she sees much better.

As for the car accidents, not a lot of silver lining there. Our car looks very new *grins* and we did finally received the deductible for the accident in June. Lesson behind it all, Southern Californians drive like manics (I mean that in the nicest way possible).

Becca and I did a lot of touring this year. Disneyland, San Diego Zoo and the beach were our favorite places to visit. J worked hard and was published in Science Magazine! California has been fun, depressing, exciting, frustrating … yet really I am not sure I would trade it in … I have met some amazing people, started knitting, learned more about myself as a woman than I ever thought possible.

This next year brings even more surprises and excitement. Come the new year we will announce the boy that remains nameless, is no longer nameless (I promise Nic!) He will also be arriving, hopefully not till April! Becca is learning and changing so quickly, that the new year brings so many possibilities for her. J has applied for positions in Canada and a second post-doc, only time will reveal where we are jetting to next. I will become a mother of two, learn to knit more, design better and enjoy life to the fullest.

In the spirit of reflection, I created a little slide show of pictures from this past year. We wish you all the best this coming year and that all your wishes come true! (Thanks Goddess Betty for the help … oh and this is a tad on the long side, just a heads up!)

Having trouble seeing the slideshow? You can see it here!

Pic of the Day ~ Our Geek in Training ~

Phew! We have been busy beavers here. With J taking this week off there has been a ton of stuff that I have wanted to get accomplished. I never imagined we would get it all done! I am looking forward to the vacation being over so I can get some rest!

Trish mentioned focusing on setting up a nursery for the baby. I so would love to do that, really. However, since our future is so in the fog at the moment, there will be no nursery in California for the baby. He will sleep in our room in his own little nook (which I do plan on sprucing up!) So it is a bummer, however I do have a lot of things to look forward to.

It is also J’s 30th birthday next month. He wants nothing fancy, just a low key family affair, which is cool.
My friend JoAnne is going to host a shower for me in February which is REALLY exciting for me. I did not have a shower when we had Becca. Family and Friends were extremely generous but I did not get the rite of passage part. I even had a pity party for one last month being all sulky about it. It is good now and I am uber thrilled that I will have a shower this time.

I have a few knitting projects on the go. I finished Becca’s pants and another set of the UGG Booties. I am working on the baby blanket and will be starting some new stuff in the New Year.

There is a new season of Fafarazzi that has started. We had our live draft, now we just have to watch out for our Celebrities! In case you are wondering, Fafarazzi is like a Fantasy Football League but for scandalous celebrities instead. My pal Betty has me totally hooked!

I also signed up for “Create Your Year” hosted by Aimee. I spotted the year long meme at Tsoniki’s a totally felt inspired to participate. A monthly meme is so my speed this coming year too!

Becca is totally enjoying her new gear and toys she received for Christmas. However I am thinking her Daddy is enjoying some of them as well …. And he thought I would not post THIS because his Mommy reads the blog … Muwahahaha! He really should know that nothing is safe if you live with a blogger! hehehe!

Pic of the Day ~ A Morning at the Park ~

Christmas was so a total blast. All the effort, worrying and fun that went into it this year totally paid off! Thanks for all the warm wishes!

Yesterday we trudged out Canadian style ready to hit the shops with a vengeance. Disappointingly, Americans do not have the same thrill of the kill shopping the day after Christmas as Canadians do. It was odd to see some stores looking still all in shambles from pre-Christmas and others not opening till 10 am!?!? I did however find some really great deals. I found some onsies and pant treasures for the boy who remains nameless at the Gap and Children’s Place for dollars a piece. And a maternity shirt for myself. I also bought myself a pair of new shoes, since I actually wore out my flip flops. J went out later to buy writable DVD’s and other miscellaneous gadgetry.

I am feeling a tad lost now that I do not have Christmas to focus on. Many are discussing New Year’s and beyond, yet I did not look past now. The future for our family is so vague and foggy it is hard to even guess what to expect. The baby is coming that is all that is for sure. All this uncertainty makes me edgey and cranky if allowed to think about it.

I need to have a focus, somewhere to tunnel this energy and uncertainty. What that is I am not sure … yet … ARG! More uncertainty! Off to sulk … wait! No! I will not sulk. I am happy kid! I am off to return some emails then do some knitting.

Pic of the Day ~ Becca and Her Presents (more on Flickr) ~

T’was the night before Christmas and Mommy just arrived home. She rushed off to Kmart in a frenzy to replace the stroller that came with only one wheel. After waiting in line, then running to the toy department, grabbing a replacement then running back to wait in line again, Mommy was happy to be home and count four wheels.

As family tradition dictates we all open just one gift Christmas eve. Since J’s family would all be out at his Grandmother’s farm, we thought it fitting to open the gift from Great Grandma Loose, only to discover a few missing parts. I ran to Kmart to fix the problem then came home to a beautiful turkey dinner. J did such a wonderful job (I helped but really he is the man!)

After dinner J and I exchanged a gift each too! I gave him this cute geek toy called The Cubes. I received an ISIGHT! hehe! So be watching out for dorky self portraits of Becca, J & I! hehe Special thanks to Betty for topping off the ISight *wink* I guess Apple is no longer selling them so I have another soon to be vintage Apple item (my Ipod is a mini, something they no longer sell either).

Becca adores her new pram from Great Grandma L! And was totally jumping out of her skin, excited for Christmas morning! J & I set up the doll house my Dad purchased for her and set out her Piglet from Santa with a note stating he placed her strawberries in the fridge. It was so cool to set things up for her while she slept! Many years of Christmas Eve building for us in the future!

Becca went to bed very very excited! She was up many times throughout the night, hoping beyond hope that it was morning. We even had her stay with us in our bed, however that did not help her settle! Finally at 5 am we got her back to sleep and ended up waking her at 7am!

Christmas morning was so much fun. Becca was totally surprised and at time overwhelmed with the gifts she received. Grandma & Grandpa M sent so many wonderful treats. Auntie Kristie spoiled us all rotten! Grandpa R’s doll house is a huge hit! Becca loves opening it up and rearranging the furniture!

Santa’a gifts were a big hit too. He left her strawberries and a Piglet that she adores. Even nameless baby boy received a cute little zebra! J & I both got spoiled! J received T’s, books, and more geeky pleasures! I received knitting gear, books, a housecoat, slipper and an IDOG! It’s a red one! He is so cute! I adore being spoiled! hehehe! My Dad was generous and sent us cash that we used towards a new digital camera. Ours was randomly shutting off and acting all crazy, so it was time. I love the new camera, it is another Sony that totally is way faster than our old one!
Our plan for the day is to enjoy our new gear, relax and stuff ourselves with leftovers and food that is normally banished from around here.

We Wish You A Very Merry Christmas! Here we are, Christmas Morning!

Pic of the Day ~ Waiting for Christmas! ~ 

I am SO EXCITED!

I cannot remember a Christmas I have been this excited! I wish we had family here to share it with, however there is an intimacy that the three of us share that is good too. Only 2 MORE sleeps until Becca gets to open all her presents. hehe and ME TOO! And J!! hehe I have a few surprises under the tree for J that i hope he enjoys!

Becca received a package in the mail from her pal Nate. Since there was two presents … oh I am evil. The Mom is the one that is suppose to have the restraint! hehe! Anyway Becca opened one of the presents! OOoo it’s a Ken beach Barbi doll! She was so excited to see he wears glasses! Thanks Marz and Nate!

Thanks for the tips on movies (and Betty thank you! You have wicked cool taste in movies!) We received another set of movies today to enjoy over the holidays. I am telling you a Netflix gift is an awesome gift (Thanks again JoAnne!)

We ran the last of our errands (hopefully) before Christmas this morning. Even in my moments of crankiness, it is so wonderful to have J around to help. Tomorrow we cook our big Christmas dinner and open just one gift Christmas eve. Oh I am SO excited!!

We hope all your preparations for the holidays are going well and that you are as EXCITED as I am that Christmas is ALMOST here!