During the past month, all of us at Casa de Conner were so preoccupied by Christmas, that it seems like 2011 just crept up on us. But we are truly ready for what this new year has in store for our family - Avery's second birthday, a trip to Disneyland, a visit from our family in Minnesota, setting up and using our new pool, using our camper trailer a little more - the list goes on.
Our New Year's Eve was one of the best in recent memory. John Lee and I went to the Sun Bowl and watched Notre Dame beat the University of Miami. It was sooooo cold! The weather was truly uncharacteristic of El Paso, as it didn't get above 33 degrees the entire game, with snow flurries off and on. Nevertheless, we had a lot of fun with friends and family and were ready to come home to our Love Bug.
We went out to dinner then came home to watch movies and have a serious snugglefest with Avery. She absolutely loves to snuggle. Every night, the three of us try to have our snuggle time on the living room floor - taking the pillows off the couch, getting some blankets out of the closet, reading books and watching TV. Avery tells us when it is time to snuggle and we obediently oblige her request. It has turned into such a great opportunity for the three of us to spend quality time with each other, and it is my hope that it will never end.
Our New Year's Eve ended around 10 p.m. We let Avery stay up as long as she could make it, but she was really ready to go to bed at that time, and I wasn't very far behind her. John Lee woke me up at midnight to watch the ball drop and give me a New Year's kiss, then my head hit the pillow and I was down for the count.
On Thursday (Dec. 30) we switched her crib to a toddler bed. Let me just say that the Love Bug doesn't always respond well to change in general (I won't even start with how much of a failure our first attempt at potty training was). So, when John Lee and I were cleaning out her room for the new year, making room for all of her new toys she received for Christmas, I thought, why not?! I had John Lee there to help me, and let's just start fresh all the way around. Well, the first nap didn't go so well. She kept getting out of bed, knocking on the door, yelling "knock-knock". We patiently put her back in her bed and the third time was a charm. She took a nice long nap and was instantly used to her new bed - even calling it her "big girl" bed and showing it off to anyone who would look. The first night went great too. I even woke up in the morning to check on her and she was headed down the hallway, blanket over the shoulder and Mickey in hand, with the intention of climbing in bed with mommy and daddy. Well, early this morning, around 5 a.m., I awoke to the Love Bug standing next to my side of the bed, yelling "momma". All I wanted to do is put her in the middle of John Lee and I, and fall back asleep, but I thought it better to take her back to her bed and set a precedence as to how we are going to handle this new found freedom. It worked, and she slept another two full hours. Then about 7 a.m. I woke up coughing, and from across the house I hear my little Love Bug's sweet voice, say "Bless You Momma!" It made my heart happy.
Let me end this post with some resolution talk. After all, what would New Years be without resolving to do something. With 2011 upon us, I'm reflecting on our life at Casa de Conner and I feel truly blessed. God is good. As far as resolutions, I personally resolve to freak out less, and look to God more. Lately, I have been trying to take everything in my own hands and not trusting in Him to guide me. That has to change with this new year. John Lee and I are going to stop going to Church just because we "have to", and start going to Church with actual intent. If that weren't enough, I also resolve to be more organized, procrastinate less, scrapbook more and live with a content heart. That is a big menu to order up, but with the help of those I love, and of course, our God, I am determined to see it through. I also realize that I can't do this all by January 2nd, rather I will take it one step at a time, one bite at a time, if you will.
Also, say a little prayer for John Lee and I; after all, we will be parents of a very independent, strong-willed, two-year-old, and any parent of a two-year-old could use all the prayers they can get. Am I wrong?
Here's to another blessed year at Casa de Conner.
Lots of love!
Emily
No comments:
Post a Comment