2012. The Year of Impact.

I've mentioned it to several people, but I don't feel that becoming a Mother has changed me.  I do feel, however, that it has made me a MUCH better version of myself.  I still enjoy all the things I did before I had Bennett...shopping, going out with friends, blogging, crafting, cooking, etc.  The only difference is that now, those things take a backseat to my responsibilities as Bennett's mom...as it should!  I feel this way about my relationship with Greg too.  I don't feel that being married to him has changed the person I am..only upgraded me.  He took a girl that was broken, had trust issues, self-esteem issues and loved me.  Loved me like there was no tomorrow.  And because of that, I'm a much better version of myself.

I was thinking back on our New Years celebration last year.  I wrote this post here about the events.  We enjoyed a quiet night in with some great friends and their children that we've met along the Army Journey.  Greg and I had a conversation on the way home about how big of a year 2011 was going to be for us...how challenging it was going to be.  I told him, that no matter what, we would grow together as a family!  He told me that he was "excited about us".  Such a true statement.  I'm so excited to say now that 2011 is over, we've done just that!  We are such a close family...no matter the miles between us.

As I watch my son nap on the monitor and write this blog post, I want to share my feelings on what I want 2012 to be for me.  This year, I want to make an impact.  A big one..on someone's life.

My growth through becoming a Wife and Mom and the strength I've gained through this deployment have given me the tools to relate to people on a very personal level.  A level where most people dare not go.  A level where others get annoyed.  A level where others feel that a pity party is being thrown.  A level where I once was during my postpartum depression. 

When I scroll through my facebook news feed daily, I see so many people struggling.  Struggling with loneliness, parenting, finances, infertility, employment, happiness. 

I want to take it upon myself to help make these people feel better.  An encouraging word can make a lasting impression and turn a day around for someone.  I know, because I've had people do that for me my whole life.  I say all the time that I know the GREATEST people.  I do!  For every negative or hurtful person in my life, God has replaced them with a handful of encouraging, uplifting people.  It has been astonishing to sit back and watch His faithfulness at work in my life. 

I want to be the eyes, hands, voice, and heart who let people know how much they are loved.  Or how great of a job they are doing at something.  Or just how wonderful of a person they are. 

So, forget new years resolutions to lose weight. To save money. To travel more. To get a 6-pack.

I want to focus on what's really important.  And be a first class role model for the person I want my son to become.

2012. The Year of Impact.

Month In Review - #9 {December 2011}

Month In Review - #9 {December 2011}

-Had a few "girls" nights + Bennett.  I LOVE having Bennett and getting to hang out with my friends at the same time.  It's the greatest life.

-Attended an assortment of Christmas parties.  This month is always the busiest of the year with so many events planned!  I feel like we were non-stop, but it was oh-so-fun!

-I was able to get dressed up and enjoy a night out to dinner with my girlfriends while Bennett stayed with Greg's parents.  It was so perfect and I am soooo very thankful to have people here who love my son and take care of him the way I would.  Those nights out are just what I need to put a little more pep in my step and get through another month of this deployment!

-Bennett had his onstage debut when he played Baby Jesus at my parent's church Christmas program.  There was a real live baby goat next to Bennett and let's just say, Bennett was not fond of it!  He cried a little, but nothing that would make me embarassed.  I was extremely nervous!

-Took Bennett to see Santa and it didn't even phase him!  We ended up visiting 2 Santas because I had a serious Mom Fail.  The first pic with Santa was good, but I realized AFTER the pic was printed that you could only read part of Bennett's shirt.  I purchased the shirt for his pic with Santa so I was very disappointed in myself! 

 Soooo, off we go to a second shopping mall and a second Santa. This pic turned out sooooo much better..shirt AND smile! 

-Found out I am going to be an Aunt to another healthy NEPHEW! Bring on the sports, camo, and overalls! 

- Traveled to Tennessee on the day before Christmas Eve and visited family.  Spent Christmas Eve celebrating Tash's birthday and having a big meal/opening presents with family.

-Continued the tradition of pj's/presents/pancakes with Bennett on Christmas morning.  We had a great time checking out what Santa brought my good little boy and it made me estatic for the years to come! 

-Celebrated Christmas Day by attending church, lunch with my family, and dinner/presents with Greg's family.  It was a busy, busy day and we are both still recovering!

-Bennett turned SIX months old and I threw him a little birthday bash!  My family and close friends will not be in AK to celebrate his first birthday so why not celebrate the halfway point?  I never need an excuse to party.  It was SUCH a great time and everything turned out exactly like I had visioned it.

-Bennett met his Great Memere and Pepere on Greg's side for the first time.  They travel down from Maine every winter.

-Bennett got his very first TOOTH on the last day of December!  The second one is not far behind!  He had been having a time with it so I was so glad when he woke up and it had finally broke the skin! He looks so cute with it in his little mouth..but just another sign that he's growing up!

-We celebrated the New Year together at Aunt Laura's house with friends.  Ok, technically Bennett was a party pooper and left the scene early when Nana came and got him and put him to bed.  But we still had a great few hours together leading up to 2012...the year we've been WAITING on forever!  New Years also made me even more thankful for friends who help fill the lonely moments.  I can honestly say I had SUCH a great time and I think that that is so important during this deployment!

wasn't Bennett such a stud on the very last day of 2011?!?

Now...as if my sweet son wasn't eye candy enough...

 This looks soooooooo good to me!  Today, we hit the 100 day mark until exactly one year from when Greg left! Bring on the double digits!

January:
-Celebrating family birthdays
-Bennett's 6 month well-visit at the doctor, which also means shots!
-MORE girls nights..I promise, they never get old!
-Celebrating Abby's 1st Birthday!
-Bennett turning 7 months old.
-{Hopefully} visiting our great friends Aubree and Brandt who are in the south from Alaska!  We miss them!!

Happy 2012, friends!  It is going to be BEAUTIFUL!



BMW - 6 Months.

{Bennett has been 6 months old for a few days now, but here's my recap post anyway.  Better late than never, right?}

Bennett Myles you are SIX months old.  HALF of a year has passed by with you in our world.  And might I make it known that you ARE my whole world! 

Here's what you've been up to...
-You wear a size 3 diaper.  Feels like you went straight from a 1 to 3..although you did wear 2's for a short time.

-You wear mostly 6-9 or 6-12 month clothes.  However, if it's Carter's brand you grew out of 6 month stuff when you were about 4 months.  That brand runs tiny!  In PJ's you are in some 6-9 month and you even have one 12 month and it FITS.  I cry when I think about that.

-You wear a size 2 shoe, although coming close on a 3.  Won't be long now.  Still loving shoes..lately, I've put you in a lot of boots and you love them!

-I honestly have  no clue how much you weigh!  When we took you for your 4 month appointment you were right at 12lbs.  Praise Jesus we haven't been back to the Dr. since then!  That makes me happy because that means you have been healthy!  We go on Jan. 3rd for your 6 month well visit and I'm so anxious to see what you weigh and how long you have gotten!  One thing is for sure, you are heavy to tote around!

-Your reflux has gotten much, much, MUCH better! You still spit up some, but it is no where like it used to be! 

-You are now sleeping ALL night in your own crib! You started this at about 3.5 months old.  You naturally moved your bedtime up to 7:30pm and sleep until between 7-7:30am.  We did have the crib elevated a bit, but when you started getting mobile it wasn't of much use.  Now you are flat and you haven't even noticed the change.

-You take 3 good naps a day still...a morning, afternoon, and evening catnap.  This is if we aren't in the car alot that day, because if we are in the car you sometimes snooze the majority of the day! ha!  We are getting ready to adjust our schedule though, because you are wanting to stay awake longer!  I believe that evening catnap is almost out the window.

-We completely gave up the paci as it was becoming a problem to keep it in your mouth.  You only wanted it to fall asleep so I figured you would find another way..and you did!  Your Thumb!  I think it's so sweet when you put that thumb in your mouth and shut those sweet eyes.  Not sure how we are gonna deal with it later in life..but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

-You are rolling EVERYWHERE these days.  Changing your diaper is quite the task!  You would roll a lot during the day, then about 2 weeks later started doing it in your sleep.  It would wake you up because you would be scared of the new position, but after a couple of days you worked the issue out on your own.

-Now you are a tummy sleeper!  I always put you down on your back and before I even have time to get to the monitor you have rolled over and your head is usually where your feet were!  The video monitor doesn't do much good these days as you wiggle and squirm all over that crib!

-You are still sooooo incredibly HAPPY!  I told your Daddy that I think God made you so smiley and happy so that I would know I'm doing an "ok" job with you while Daddy's away at work.  I have honestly never seen a baby laugh and smile as much as you do...seriously.  Your laugh is so adorable and I know exactly what will get it out of you!  Rarely do I even have to say anything..usually just a look will do!  This little personality of yours is the best and I cannot wait to watch it develop over the years.  I can already see "Most Fun to Be Around" as your Senior Superlative...that's if they don't have a "Most Handsome" :)

-Your eyelashes are as long as ever and it never fails that random people stop to talk about them.  You are a head-turner...even at 1/2 a year old!

-You love your bumbo seat, exersaucer, and car jumper.  I can also lay you down on a blanket and you will just roll and play.  So content, you are!

-You still love music and dancing!  You have figured out how to tap your feet when music comes on..I think we have a little dancer on our hands!  We dance around a lot together and I'm so thankful for a dancing partner while Daddy is away.

-We still skype with Daddy everyday and most of the time you show out!  It's usually right at lunch time so you will eat and then play for him.

-Your hand-eye coordination is great!  Your hands are forever busy and I've learned the hard way about having you close to items that are not intended for your little hands.

-You are teething something awful!  Some days you will be fussy and I know it's got to be those little gums bothering you.  I can feel the tooth and think it will be just a matter of a few weeks before it breaks the skin.

-Your hair has taken a real growth spurt!  I looooveee it!  It lays down in the front and spikes straight up at the crown of your head.  Just like Daddy!  Can't wait for the day I can give you your first comb-over or mohawk!

-We celebrated your Daddy's birthday in September and we threw him a little Birthday Bash via Skype.  Just the 3 of us..and it was perfect!  You had fun sporting some birthday attire.  He even sent me some flowers and you this teddy bear for HIS birthday. 

-You started eating solids and boy were you ready!  You really don't like any cereal, rice or oatmeal.  But when it comes to your veggies, I cannot shovel it in fast enough!  Your favorites are squash, carrots, and green beans.  You could go without peas, but we have to eat them my Benny!  At first you weren't too sure about your fruits.  I think they were too sweet or bitter for you.  Now you have gotten used to them and are loving some applesauce and pears.  Bananas aren't your favorite, but you will tolerate them if I mix a little with squash or carrots.  As of this week you are eating a fruit for breakfast, veggie and sometimes fruit for lunch, and veggie for dinner.  We'll keep working on this so you are eating more and more as time goes on.

-You are taking five 6oz bottles daily.  Sometimes you don't finish you entire bottle.

-We've tried apple juice and water for the first time and you love both!

-You have had apple juice, water, and formula out of a sippy cup and loving it! 

-You've been on a couple of dates recently..one with Macey, two with Brindley, and three with Kylie.  You are a chick magnet.

-We have had SO much fun celebrating your first Holidays!  First was Halloween, then Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I LOVE dressing you up in Holiday wear and you are one stylish little man!  You are always getting compliments

- You and your Daddy both dressed up as Santa!  Daddy ran a 5k overseas and you wore your suit on Christmas Eve morning!

- Here are a few pics celebrating YOUR FIRST CHRISTMAS.  We had a wonderful time together and I know next year will be even better when we can have your handsome Daddy in the pics! 

Bennett you are such a JOY to everyone you meet, but especially to me.  I am so thankful to be your mommy..not a day goes by where I don't swell with pride at the remarkable little boy you are.  Thank you for being so great.  You have made this half of a year worth living for...I love you my sweet Bennett boy.  Here's to many, many more fun-filled months!

Mommy

30 Before 30.

I tend to do much better with short-term goals so a Bucket List wouldn't be of much use.  I present to you 30 Before 30..{which is approaching WAY too fast}.

1. Run a half marathon.

2. Have another child (or two?). ha!

3. Go an entire month without eating out, this also counts drinks & snacks. Grocery store purchased items only.

4. Go to Disney World or Disney Land.

5. Reach my goal weight.

6. Buy a Louis Vuitton.

7. Buy a strangers coffee at Starbucks. Just because.

8. Live internet-free for an entire week.

9. Bake something for a new neighbor.

10. Make a new best friend...for life.

11. Send someone flowers.

12. Let go of hurts...for good.

13. Blog about Bennett's Birth Story. ha!

14. Own a sewing/monogramming machine..& learn how to use it.

15. Throw a ridiculous awesome party, or two.

16. Scrapbook a major life event: wedding, honeymoon, Bennett?

17. Fly alone with Bennett.

18. Travel out of country again.

19. Go rollerskating.

20. Sponsor a child through Compassion.

21. Go on a Mission Trip.

22. Go to Hawaii.

23. Help a family in need provide Christmas for their children. Perhaps start this as a family tradition.

24. Own a treadmill.

25. Go on a camping trip with Greg & Bennett.

26. Use only CASH for an entire pay period (except bills).

27. Go on a big Girls Trip..somewhere warm!

28. Go to a concert.

29. Ride a Train.

30. Go out Dancing with Greg.

I'll be revisiting this several times and mark my progress over the years.  I only have 3.5 years, but I think I can make it happen!

Ghost of Christmas Past.

I came across some fun pictures of Christmas through the years..trip down memory lane, shall we?

2007. For some reason, I have no pictures of Greg & I's first Christmas together..  That was probably back when I did not realize how important these memories would be. ha! Moving right along.

2008.  We had gotten engaged in August so we spent our time running back and forth between both of our families.  Christmas Eve in Tennessee then back in North Carolina.  And Christmas Day we were all over the place!

 with my Cousin Chloe in TN.

Stockings on Christmas Eve at Greg's house!

Greg's family on Christmas Day.

Christmas Day.

2009. First Christmas as husband & wife.  Greg was away at airborne school until 18 Dec so I was staying with my parents.  He graduated and we arrived home and spent our Holidays with both families.  Again in Tennessee and North Carolina.  This was also our last few weeks in the South before our adventure up to Alaska.  We left for AK on New Years Day.

 While traveling home from GA, the south was hit with a huge snow storm and we had to leave Greg's car on the side of the interstate. The trusty Jeep brought us home and we had to go back the next day with Greg's brothers to dig the Mustang out.

Greg shoveled.

And I had a snow playdate with Landon.

It was the twin's first Christmas so I loved on Alex.

And Greg got a fur hat.

with Tash & Jade in TN!

Christmas Eve {one of my favorite pictures of us..ever!}

Stocking at Greg's house.

Christmas Morning with the nephews.

Christmas Day with the twinsies.

2010.  By far, my most favorite Christmas of all time.  Pretty ironic considering it was the first one I've ever spent away from family.  Greg and I stayed in Alaska and celebrated with our Army Family on Christmas Eve & spent Christmas Day just the two of us.  We started some new traditions and I cannot wait to pick them up where we left off!  Do not get me wrong, I LOVE all the hustle & bustle of running between families.  I know those days are cherished..but in 2010, Greg and I spent the day doing what it is meant for.  Celebrating the birth of Jesus and just being with each other...relaxing and enjoying. 

We had our first tree together..a real one at that!

We dressed up like crazies for a Tacky Christmas Sweater Party.

of course I had my signature tree upstairs.

I decked out every room.

Christmas Eve Dinner.

Stockings. Daddy. Baby. Mommy.

This year, we also had a new little nugget to buy for! We weren't sure if we were having a boy or girl yet, but we still had lots of fun buying up some baby items!  Apparently so did everyone else in our family because Baby W got lots of fun things!

Pajamas.Presents.Pancakes.. Pajama Theme for 2010: Plaid

And to kick off 2011, Greg chopped & roasted our tree!

2011. And that brings us to now.  Bennett and I will celebrate in Tennessee and North Carolina with both Greg's family and mine.  I still have every intention of participating in our pajamas/pancakes/presents tradition.  It will be the first year Santa will come to our family and I am beyond thankful all of Bennett's toys are easy to assemble!  No bikes yet...hopefully Daddy will be home for that year! ;)  

Enjoy the Season! xoxo