Saturday, January 5, 2013

19 Months (Dec 25th)

Dear Sweet Taryn,

It's been a while since I updated about you.  You are the sweetest little girl with quite the spunky personality.  It has been utterly amazing to watch two kids grow up together and you to have such a different personality than your brother.


 You just started talking in sentences. You told me 'Mama close your mouth'.  I don't even know if you knew what you said lol.  You can say other short sentences too. "here ya go" is a common one.  And you are really starting to put together longer thoughts.  I can see your brain working away as you recap the event that just happened... 'Luke, Poop, Potty' or 'Mama coffee, Daddy coffee'.  You're little mind is just processing away.  In the car you like to sing songs, and you've memorized a lot of The Wiggles CD as well as the Backyardigans CD.  And I just LOVE your sweet little voice.



When you run you have a bounce in your run.  You are so active and you love following your brother around and are proud that you can go almost as fast as he can. 

You still love to eat.  In fact, we call you the 'golden child of eating'.  (Luke is the 'golden child of sleeping')  You love everything.  It would almost be better for me to write what you don't like instead of what you like.  But you really are getting a sweet tooth.  Especially around the holidays this year you were able to try cookies and treats that you haven't had before.  Of course you loved them :) 

you squint your eyes when I say 'smile'

Speaking of sleeping, you've been up a lot at night recently.  First the canines (which are still coming in) and then you've had a cold the last couple days.  We remember Luke sleeping terrible at around 18 months and you seem to be following suit.  But every once and a while you give us a nice night or two to catch up.



You love Daddy.  Sometimes you even want Daddy instead of me, especially when you get hurt.  You are the biggest daddys girl.

We went to your doctors appointment at 18 months and you are the same size as Luke was at 2.  We are so happy you are so healthy and strong.  I'm hoping you'll like to play basketball!   You do like balls a lot.  You also like trains, barney, and almost anything Luke likes.  You got two dolls for Christmas but I think you are still a little scared of them. 

Since Luke likes to use the ipad, you do too.  You were really eager to learn how to use the ipad and my iphone.  Now you know exactly what to do.  Sometimes before I know it you're already playing angry birds on my phone before I even know you have it.

with barney you got for Christmas from Grandma and Papa- you love that thing


It's funny because when I ask you and Luke a question you stare at Luke to see what he says, then you copy his answer and tell me too.  So if I say do you guys want lunch... Luke will say no and you'll follow and say no really loud too.  You're such a copy cat :)  But you are starting to do your own thing and have your own opinions.  Its fun to see you not want the same things as Luke

Shopping has been a scary thing with you.  Luke always stayed close to us.  But you love to wonder.  In fact, we've already had two close calls when you walked away from Daddy at Macy's.  And then another time you walked around the corner from me at Joann Fabrics.  Both of which scared us half to death.  Daddy refuses to take you to the mall now because he can't take the scare.  You are one hard girl to contain.

another squinty eyes smile :)
 
You still have your baby wrists and you still have that sweet baby smell on your head.  I cherish those things because I know they'll be gone soon.  It's hard to imagine that you are moving closer to two!  Just a few days ago, it seemed, that you were my newborn.  We love you dear Taryn.  You are so sweet.


Love, Mama and Daddy

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Wordless Wednesday NYE

We just got back after a long drive home from my parents so we didnt have any really exciting New Year's Eve plans. We are also sick with a cold. I personally just wanted to go to bed. But I snapped a few pics with the kids :)

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

2013 Recap and Resolutions

I really like the New Year because it's time to start fresh with goals.  And I wanted to look back to remember what my goals were in 2012 and see what they were and if I even tried to do them.  So here goes.


2012 Goals

Better Budgeting-  Well I'm happy to say that the last four months we have done really good at getting our budgeting together.  We sometimes don't get everything right but we've come up with a really good strategy that we can stick to.  I'm really excited this year to keep up the budgeting and saving!!

Improve My Health-  This did not go where I thought it would.  I went strict paleo for most of last year.  I think, if anything, I felt the same or maybe a little worse lol.  Don't get me wrong, I like eating paleo.  I just like not being so super strict.  However, the biggest change i've made has been the last two months-- I started CrossFit!  I exercised a little off and on.  But two months ago I really wanted to get serious about it.  I started because I've heard so many awesome things about Crossfit and I knew I would love it (and I DO!).  I now see that a lot of my so called 'health problems' were just because I need a good hard work out.  I do love the way I eat, and I do think eating well is very important... but exercise is just as important!!  So I'm really happy I started CrossFit.  It's so awesome.

Read the Daily Mass Readings- Yes!  I have read almost everyday this year.  I'm sure I missed a few here and there but I've been super consistent!  I usually read them when I nurse Taryn down for bed.  

Teach Luke the Angelus-  I did!  But then we got out of the habit because of Lent (you say a different one during Lent) and we stopped.  But he still knows it.  We should start again, I still have the reminder set on my iphone.

Exercise more- CrossFit! 



Wow, I did pretty good!  I felt pretty happy today when I was reading over these and realizing I accomplished most of it! 

Here's for this year....

Budget-  Well, this year I'd like to save up enough money for a nice vacation :)  Preferably before Taryn turns two so she's still free on the airplane ride.

CrossFit - I'd like to get up to my old PR weight lifting goals from High School.  I can now max squat 150 but in high school I could do 180.  I also used to power clean 145 max.  I'd also like to Rx a work out in the next month or two.  And maybe do a few un-assisted pull ups!

Spiritual Life - I'd like to attend daily mass more often.  This summer I went a lot.  Then when the clocks changed and it got darker we started getting lazier and staying in bed.  Once we kick our current cold I want to start going again.  Also- I want to continue reading the daily readings, start praying more Rosaries.  Maybe a decade a day.  I pray a decade on the way home for crossfit when I'm alone in the car, I'd like to find some more alone time to do that on nights I don't work out.  Also, read more of the bible. 

Routine - Get in a better routine.  I'd like to have a set cleaning routine, meal prep routine and also 'practicing homeschooling' routine.  Still working on that.

Become a minimalist by 2014-  I really want to get rid of things I don't need.  I'm going to try and post more about that in the upcoming year :)

Well that's about it.  I can't think of anything else so far.  I am excited to see what this year brings!

Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!