Here comes 2010

I've been doing some reflecting about the new year that is coming. Being a stay at home mom can be pretty amazing. I have such a strong bond with my kids and I enjoy watching them grow. That said, there are some pretty repetitive, lonely, and mundane parts of it too. Earlier this week, I was feeling a bit depressed about another year of alot of the same moments. What can I look forward to? What will be my goals for 2010? What will I do for myself?

Here are the beginnings of my goals for 2010:

*I want to re-connect with my spiritual heart.

*I want to honor my body by taking better care of it.

*I want to continue to be present, real, and honest with the loved ones around me.

This year, Jeremy and I are going to celebrate the new year a little differently. Dinner at home, movies, maybe a massage. I am really looking forward to a quiet night, just us.

However you celebrate, I want to wish you a safe and happy new year!

Happy Holiday!

Jeremy and I are lucky to have our families living so close. But it also makes for a busy, fun filled couple of days. We celebrated Christmas eve with Jeremy's extended family at the VFW hall in Mercer Island. I would guess there were around 100 people in attendance this year. It's a crazy potluck dinner, and Santa comes afterward with gifts for the kids.

Christmas Day started with the four of us exchanging gifts. Derick was up at 6:50am and ready to open presents. We did our best to delay him, but that only lasted about 20 minutes. So, we woke Darla and got it started.

Jeremy's brothers, sisters, and parents joined us for dinner Christmas day. We decorated cookies (a new, old tradition), ate very well, and exchanged gifts. The elephant exchange was a blast; I got a HUGE box of my mother-in-law's old Tupperware. I'm actually going to keep quite a bit of it! The kids had fun giving each other gifts and the evening sped by.

The day after Christmas was spent with my family in Edmonds. My sister and her hubby hosted a breakfast feast this year. We got spoiled in all the right ways. We were having such a nice time, we just stayed the whole day! Darla took a nap in Sydney's crib and Derick had some quiet time while Cooper crashed. We played video games and visited. Dinner was leftover ham sandwiches. YUM!

It was a beautiful weekend. Here's hoping yours was filled with love, peace, and joy!

Christmas Favorites

Just a few of my favorite things about this time of year.

*Holiday lights in the dark night
*Warm coffee in mornings with peppermint creamer
*Forecasts of snow
*The smell of the Christmas tree
*Getting holiday cards in the mail
*Holiday music
*Family gatherings
*Wrapping paper
*Stowing gifts and being sneaky
*Yummy chocolate treats
*Turkey dinner
*Excited little boys and girls
*Giving gifts
*Perpetuating the magic

Motorcycle Show

Jeremy has a passion for motorcycles...on and off road. And one of the ways he celebrates it is to attend the Seattle Motorcycle show every year in December. I've been a few times, but don't enjoy it as much as he does. So, for the last few years, he's gone with his brother Josh and Derick. They have a good time hanging out and talking with the other motor heads at the event. There's usually a stunt show and lots of machines to check out. Derick does his best to sit on every motorcycle he can get to. He gets pretty excited about each one too.

Just for fun, here's a few pics from years past:

It's good Daddy and Derick time....and I get a chunk of testosterone-free time out of it too.

Getting into the Holiday Spirit

Like many families, the holidays bring a mixed bag of feelings. There's lots of love, some joy, some sadness, some fear, and some dread. It's hard to stay focused on what's important and positive. Jeremy and I are working off of our tightest budget we've ever had. It's tough. And totally do-able. I keep reminding both of us that Christmas is not about how many presents are under the tree, but about the feelings, the love, and the togetherness we feel when we exchange those gifts. We both want to provide fun and lasting memories for our children, similar to what we remember from our childhood.

One of our favorite family traditions is to start off the holiday season by going to the Ivar's Clam Lights at Coulon park. I love Christmas lights....it's something I got from my mother. And Renton does the park up with an amazing amount of lights. There's holiday entertainment, Santa with candy canes, horse drawn waggon rides, Christmas carols by the fire, and the Christmas ships cruise by the waterfront all decked out in lights. The four of us bundled up and enjoyed the spectacle. It was *just* the thing to get us in the right mood for the holidays.

Darla is walking

So, I'm quite behind on actually blogging about this. Darla started walking shortly after her 1st birthday. She took her first steps on Tuesday, November 17th at our weekly dinner in Shoreline. My Dad was able to capture the moment on film.

Since then, she's been walking better/faster/more often every day. The smile on her face as she staggers toward me is full of excitement, pride, and joy. Ah, freedom!!

It won't be long before she's able to keep up with the boys.

My Thanksgiving Prayer

Mother, Father, Spirit within;

I want to thank you for the amazing man with whom I am sharing this lifetime as partners. He lights my fire, warms my heart, and challenges my brain. Thank you for the handsome little boy who's creative mind and busy feet keep me on my toes. He gives the best bear hugs a mother could ask for. Thank you for the beautiful little girl who's smile radiates into my soul. Watching her explore the world brings me such joy. Thank you for the supportive family, and the rich circle of friends that surround us. Thank you for the roof over our heads and the food on our table. But, most of all, thank you for living inside my heart. Thank you for helping me shine my light and be the best me for all to see.

To all the wonderful people who read my blog: Many blessings to you on this beautiful day of thanks.

Darla turns one

Our precious little girl has turned one year old!!! Friday the 13th was the official day. What fun that she and I both are born on the 13th of the month. I love that little connection with my girl. We just had her one year appointment today, and she's right on track. She measured in at 29 1/2 inches tall and 21 lbs. The Doctor said her growth has slowed down a little bit since her last appointment, and we suspect that is due to her flat refusal to eat anything off of a spoon. For months now, even if it's something we know she likes, she won't touch it if presented on a spoon or fork. So, I'm getting re-familiarized with finger foods. But, she's still in the 75% for weight, so I'm not worried.

We recently upgraded Derick to a booster car seat so we could move Darla into his convertible seat. It fits her much better than the infant seat and will continue to grow with her. I think they both like the change. Jeremy and I feel better about it too.

Darla's personality is starting to really shine through. She is such a clown when she's with people she knows.....she loves to play peek-a-boo and chase games. Usually, I only get to actually chase her for a couple of steps before she turns around and heads right back at me, giggling the whole way. Just in the last two weeks, she is starting to show affection too. She gave her cousin Cooper a BIG hug the other night, and he didn't even know it was happening until it was over. She will also lean in for kisses, and gave a big one to Derick this morning without prompting from either of us. I almost cried, I was so touched. I love watching Derick and Darla interact.

Darla is not walking, yet. But it's coming so very soon. We catch her standing without holding something frequently, and as soon as she realizes it, she drops to the floor. Once she gets her confidence going, there will be no stopping her! She is a master at cruising, though, and can get around really fast when she wants.

She's been growing teeth like crazy.....3 new ones in the last month. She now has 7 total; 4 on top and 3 on the bottom. Needless to say, we've been going through the Motrin like it's water.

In my earlier posts, I mentioned her new found love for books. And that continues to grow. She received some really great books for her birthday and is totally enjoying them. It's alot of fun to sit with her and read now. I'm so glad that both of my children enjoy books, as I do.

Jeremy, Derick and I are really enjoying our little lady. One year has passed since she joined our family and I don't think we could imagine our lives without her now. Happy Birthday, Darla!

Funny Conversations with a 3 year old

Derick and I have all kinds of funny conversations. It usually starts with me trying to answer questions and explain the life around us. I don't always remember them well enough to tell them, but this one I had to write down.

On Tuesday (11-10) afternoon, we were in the car headed up to Shoreline for our weekly dinner with my parents. I hear a quick intake of air from behind me.

Me: Derick, are you ok?
Derick: I swallowed my gum.
Me: It's ok. You'll just poop it out.
Derick: What??
Me: You'll just poop it out, honey.
Derick: What??
Me: The gum will go from your tummy through your intestines and eventually you will poop it out.
Derick: (after a pause) In my pants??
Me: (Laughing) No, not right now! It will come out the next time you go potty in the toilet.

Proud Auntie!!

I am so excited to welcome the newest member of our family to life on the outside. Sydney Sommers Kunz was born today, at 7:30am. She weighs 7 lbs, 2 oz and is 20 1/2 inches long. Everyone is healthy and doing well.

We are so blessed! Cooper and Derick are becoming good friends and I have the same wish for the girls. Darla and Sydney will be almost exactly one year apart. I am imagining all the fun princess parties to come. Another fun note for you number people: All of Jodi and I's children have been born on consecutive days. Sydney: 11th, Cooper: 12th, Darla: 13th, Derick: 14th. Different months and years, of course!

So, Congratulations Kunz family! Welcome to the world, Sydney! We are so happy to have you join our circle of love.

Boo!

Halloween has come and gone already. With a sick computer, (and a sick family) it's been difficult to update with pictures. But, I was able to rescue some pics today while operating in safe mode.

We carved pumpkins with the family, had a costume party at Derick's preschool, went to the Renton Mom's Group Halloween Carnival, and did some trick-or-treating in our neighborhood with some family. Here's some of my favorites from the holiday.

Darla and I picking out pumpkins.

Jeremy's pumpkin.

Jeremy helping Derick carve his OWN pumpkin this year.

Derick's dragon costume.

Renton Mom's Group Halloween Carnival

My computer blue screened in the middle of downloading this shot. But it was my BEST one of this pose. Now it's my only one....so I should be thankful. Darla, Derick, and Jewel: Cute Cousins!

Ashley, Tim, and Lucas came by for some trick or treating and a visit. It was good to see them.