A NEW year, A NEW you!

I cannot believe that 2012 is already over! WOW- did this year move by in full speed or what?! It was a good year. No, it was a great year! I am happy to say that for the first time in our marriage, we did not have an major changes, moves, or big events happen! (Want to an overview of what happened in our lives in 2011? click here!) In 2012, it felt so good to just be! We were finally able to focus on being the best 'us' we can, as individuals and a family. Rest assured, we have A LOT of growing and bettering to do but it was a good start! 

Last year, for the first time ever I made a list of what I called New Years Goals…I have always been hesitant to make these because I didn't ever want to be just another person writing down a bunch of idealistic things that I would:

A. Forget come June  

B. Never achieve. 

So when I made this list, I meant it. 

I am a firm believer that if you don't have goals, you will never achieve them. This year, I daily (almost) worked toward these goals, and can honestly say I achieved them! I even exceeded one of them by running a FULL marathon instead of my goal to do a half or 10k!!! I only hope to continue on with these lifestyle changes and increase them as the years go by. 

This year, I made another list for 2013. I had been thinking for a long time about what things I could do to better my life in major ways and grow as a person. Here is what I came up with. You better believe that everyday will be spent working towards these goals!

Cheers to continuing to grow to be a better person not only for ourselves, but for our God and those around us. 

My little girl in her "party ballerina outfit!"

Happy New Year everyone!!!

Christmas time is here!

And just like that, it was Christmas! 

Last year, having a newborn- I expected the time to fly by. But this year it seemed to come and go quicker than ever! I officially think that many of us make Christmas too chaotic. too hectic. and too busy. I only got a small chunk of time I was able to sit and truly ponder on the wonder of why we celebrate. Next year, this will be different. I don't know how we are going to make the days not so filled with the stress of food/ gifts/ company etc, but I am determined to make it happen!

Anyways… We DID in fact have a great Christmas, despite the craziness! Last year, I didn't have to work because I was on maternity leave, and this year, I just lucked out! 

We started off our celebrating with the whole Dittrich gang in New Ulm on the 22nd! It was fun to see them again after just a month at Thanksgiving (which rarely happens!) and we enjoyed a full day with these great people! 

Addie officially understood how to open presents, and that there are good things inside! Although the boxes and wrapping are often just as fun for them :)

Then it was Christmas eve,  and I tried to snag a few pics before we headed off to church for a fun family service!

My family! 

The "kids" including the newest addition, we call him Theo as well…she is completely in love with him already!

We finally got to my parents house around 7pm on Christmas eve, and they once again braved a 'surf and turf' meal! (I on the other hand enjoyed some fine veggie pizza!)

 Addie got to meet her great Aunt Wai Pik from Hong Kong that was here to visit! They adored one another and had lot of fun being silly!

The boys were digging in! They mean business when it comes to their meals and meat. 

Addie loved opening some more presents, and got another round of "not so girlie gifts" from her uncle Scott which included a dump truck…lol

Christmas morning was here!…and well, it was a very very tired morning. Let's just say I am spoiled by having a baby who has since 3 months old not only slept through the night, but slept in until 8:00-8:45 am. I AM NOT used to having her up for hours on end at night. Pack and play + us in the same room just didn't fly that night. 

BUT….we got over that real quick, got all decked out in red and green, and got ready to brave the day full of fun!

All of my mom's side and part of my dad's side joined us Christmas morning at my parents for brunch and gifts! Addison was loving time with great aunt Judy- another favorite!

And of course, those priceless moments with Gramma Pam. Gosh these two have such a special relationship!

Christmas night, we hosted the immediate Dittrich family at our house! Good times were had, and the cousins were so fun to watch together!

Completely delusional from no sleep, but loving every moment of the play time with new toys and family!

Aunt Haley is like a magnet for kids. They all love her- and I don't blame them, she is amazing!

Uncle Alex even scored some cuddle time the next day- gotta love these moments!

Merry Christmas!!!

Addison Joy: 1 Year Old!

I cannot believe that our little Addie is ONE! A whole year has passed since she entered the world! On 12.2.11 at 6:18pm, 2 1/2 weeks early, Addison Joy made her arrival. She weighed in at 7 lbs 3.4 oz and  was19 inches long.

Ever since that moment, our world changed more than we could have imagined {for the better}. I am dead serious when I say that EVERY day we are in awe at how blessed we are to have someone so precious in our lives! 

Addie is still working hard on growing, and still hasn't mastered it quite yet, but we believe she will get there!…;) 

One year stats: 

Weight: 16 lbs 2 oz (< 1st percentile)

Height: 28 inches (18th percentile)

Head: 16 3/4 inches (1st percentile)

Addie was born one day after my birthday, so this year we got to experience two days in a row of celebrating! My birthday was a great combo of fun activities, but her's was even better :)

A couple months ago we were trying hard to pick a theme for her party, and eventually decided to do a monkey theme! We finally arrived there after the following conclusions:

A. We wanted to do something that really represented who she was- at one, she is not really into any movies, shows, or characters

B. She always wants to be upside down, climbing, flipping around and is all around silly!

C. It's cute!

D. She loves animals

Decision made!

Here are a couple photos of her 1st birthday party:

We feel so lucky to have amazing friends and family in our lives and in hers as well! It was so fun to  celebrate with them all! Bring on the next year full of great memories and growing into the incredible individual God created Addie to be!

Happy 50th!

This is my 50th post…yay! However, considering the fact that I've had this blog for a couple years, maybe I should pick up my game a little bit! Anyways, here are my thoughts right now…

Summer is actually winding down. To me, this is marked by none other than the MN State fair, and the talk of all the kids going back to school as well as the youth ministry starting back up full swing again. I am sad to see summer go [as I am every year] but the beauty of change and the beginning of something is also quite exciting and fills me with hope and anticipation! [I am not referring to the State fair when I say this, although I am quite excited about the pizza on a stick and animals we will get to enjoy ;)]

Us at the fair last year!

Greatly anticipating her arrival!!!

As a somewhat newly married couple [3 years] and as new parents, we get the joy of experiencing many "firsts" together. From then on, we get the opportunity to form traditions and things we as a family regularly do! This summer has not been any exception. Everything was a first for Addie, given she is only 8 1/2 months old, but how fun it was to experience so much along side her and each other!
The many trips to the zoo, walks around the river and neighborhood, camping, and more than that, just the simple joys of trying new everyday things were so fun!!

She is now fully on the move…She decided to wait until 7 months to sit up on her own, and just a few days later started crawling! Now she is a speedy Gonzales around the house and is pulling herself up on almost everything, but is still too wobbly to stay up for too long. Bring on the 'bonked heads' and hopefully they don't occur too often ;) It's is amazing how creative one can get while baby proofing! For us, we removed the major 'no-no's' and then its more of a change it as we go type of game, as we see what she likes to get into and how we can avoid that without turning our house upside down.

One of her first discoveries- of course!

Despite popular baby belief, kleenex does NOT really taste good!

She is such a delight [as grandma-sh as that sounds, but truly she is] Still a little shy with those she doesn't know well, but we are working on that ;) Sam and I were just reminiscing about how this stage is pretty easy compared to the first 3-4 months and what is to come in the toddler stage etc, and are fully prepared to soak up every minute of it right now!

Excited for another wedding shower for Auntie/ Godmother Tiffany!!!

Next mission: try to get Theo to be as in love with Addison and she is with him! Seriously, the look of awe and love and many laughs that get sent his way are unreal! Don't get me wrong, he likes her, but is still pretty guarded. We are hoping they really buddy up, because right now, he honestly seems like more work than her! And I guarantee, that has nothing to do with the fact that he has been completely spoiled and babied until we had her ;) lol

This says it all...

Last thought….Ever since Addie was born, I have really tried to live my life more simply. Away with the years of going going going [as I wrote about a while ago Here] and being involved in so much that what you are involved in becomes a task and not the help it maybe should be. I  [and sam too] have been trying to soak up every day as we are able. Simplify, simplify, simplify! [My love for efficiency also helps!] Packing your life with "good stuff" can be just as destructive as "bad stuff." So we try, and sometimes we fail, but none-the-less it is still the motto of how we want to live our lives and be as a family. So no, I may not be able to do as much as I once did with others or make more money by working more hours, but I am putting those things that are closest to my heart at the top of my priority list…in order to have a balanced, happy home!

LOVES to be upside down any chance she gets!

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Springtime bliss

Life seems to be moving along full speed ahead! I just want it to slow down a little bit so we can enjoy each and every moment of the day! Its a complete 180 from when I was pregnant, and I was just fine skipping ahead several months.

Recently, I have been getting scheduled 6 days one week and 0 days the next. Because I am a .6 now (6 scheduled shifts every 2 weeks) and my schedule is variable (they can schedule me when ever they wish, except my given every other weekend) I guess this is the trend I am going to have to work with! It is UNBELIEVABLY wonderful on the weeks I don't work… However, those jam packed weeks really get the best of me! Both me and (especially) Addie seem to go into shock being apart that first day or two back. It also seems nearly impossibly to get my "daily" and "weekly" stuff done. It seems like I do the bare minimum and BAM its 2:00 and time to start heading to work! Good thing I like my job :)

Life with miss Addison Joy lately have truly been a joy (corny but true). Her smiles, giggles, babbling, bubble blowing and thoughtful stares are so precious!

Addie conquered another Dr. appointment, and took about a week to get over the shots again :( She is weighing in small at 10 bs 13 oz (4th %) and 23.5 inches (23rd %) I was/ am always a bit worried that she is so gaining weight so slowly, but the Dr. assures us she is just petite and that she looks healthy!

She has now officially moved to her bedroom! Its sad not to have her in our room anymore, but it was time! It got really hard tiptoeing around in the bathroom/ bedroom when trying to get ready etc. So all in all, she will get better sleep (once she adjusts to her new crib) and we will be able to get ready without worrying about making a peep and waking her up! She is a sleeping champ at night, but we are still working hard at getting her to sleep well during her naps NOT IN OUR ARMS! We will get there, I have faith!

Easter was amazing! It always has been my favorite holiday! I of course love the meaning behind the celebration as well as the fact that it is NOT focused on gifts. I also love that it is usually sunny/ warm giving glimpses of spring and summer :) There is so much Joy wrapped up in the day!

I started training for the Twin Cities Marathon a couple weeks ago. I have only run small races, never longer than 6.5 miles…needless to say, I am quite nervous. However, I know that I am capable, I do enjoy running, and am really stoked to stretch myself mentally and physically for this race! So here we go! I will be running with a team from my church Team World Vision, raising money for various needs in Africa! In less than 7 months, I will have not only completed a life long goal to run a marathon, but will have the opportunity to make a difference in lives of others in need! Win Win! If you feel like donating, or finding out more about it, visit: http://support.worldvision.org/site/TR?team_id=37850&pg=team&fr_id=1640&et=kJxuBlJ_Req-V4yi64zSbg&s_tafId=19031

I CANNOT wait until summer :) I love the warmth of the sun, the warm breeze, the festivities it brings, and that I get to enjoy many firsts with Addie and our family!