Looking Back at 2018

It's so hard to believe how much has transpired within the past year. Last January, I was starting a new job and had no clue how I was going to become a breast pumping mom at that new job. Ava was not even 3 months old and starting her first daycare. Fast forward to this morning: our walking, babbling toddler is SO excited to go to daycare that she keeps saying "shoes" over and over at me and insists that I put her jacket on before her pants. I'm really proud of how far we've come this year. I feel like I've grown a lot in ways I hadn't intended and maybe that's because growth is inevitable when you're doing hard things. Maybe that should make me excited about 2019 then because I feel like I'm going to have a lot of opportunities (personally) to grow. Here's a look back at some 2018 highlights!

• Ava 
• It took us a long time to choose Ava's first daycare (oh so many daycare visits) because she didn't yet have a spot in the base one. She ended up starting out at a Montessori daycare with Ms. Cassie.
• She transitioned to her infant classroom on base with Ms. Seanne (her absolute favorite teacher) and Ms. Margie around 4 months old.
• She just transitioned to the toddler classroom around a year old and holds her own in a classroom of all boys.
• We drank breast milk exclusively until about 10 months when we started supplementing with formula, and then we weaned pretty naturally around a year. 
• Travels
• Mike had works trips to Florida, DC, and England.
• We first flew together as a family when we took Ava to the beach in SC in August.
• I went to Utah and Florida in November and December for trips for my new job.
• We flew home together for Thanksgiving to spend time with both my family and Mike's family and I learned that you should wash your water bottle frequently if you want to avoid poisoning yourself.
• We went to Fredericksburg, TX for a few days before Christmas and stayed at a lovely AirBnB.
• Mike completed multiple interview rounds for his next JAG assignment and, after getting the position, found out where we'll be moving next!
• I left a job that I loved at the nearby university for a remote career coaching position with a young startup that hopefully I'll be able to keep at our next duty station. It's been quite the glorious adventure so far! Since I started working from home, we've had to convert our guest bedroom/nursery into an office/nursery, but we do have a very nice air mattress!
• Rupert
• Rupert turned 8 in June and has learned that toddlers can't reach higher ground. Ava loves him (she tries to say cat, but can't get the T) and always tries to pet him and he will even tolerate that for a few minutes. She has learned, for the most part, to be gentle with him.
• Health
• After dealing with some postpartum mood stuff, I received a diagnose of hypothyroidism in September (due to Hashimoto's Thyroiditis). Let this be a reminder to you that you should not put off seeing your doctor if you feel off. It was hard for me to differentiate what was normal new mom stuff from other symptoms. My medication has helped, but I'm also seeing a therapist for anxiety-related stuff and trying to take better care of my body regarding eating and movement.
• I started running again at some point this summer. My running condition is nowhere near what it used to be, but I'm okay with that. I've been enjoying yoga a lot more and we just got some Les Mills weight equipment so we can also do those classes via an app.

For 2019, we have a lot coming up! There is a move on the horizon and a language being practiced, but we're going to lean on each other throughout it all! In addition, I'm going to try to post on our blog more, but it might include more words & less pictures than normal because we're sending all of our photos to a Google photos account. If you'd like access, let us know!

Ava- a nine month retrospective

We had such grand plans for capturing Ava on a monthly basis in a consistent and cute way. We were going to use the same general concept, the same lighting, the same camera, and the same baby. As all good plans are, it was great in theory. One thing to celebrate, though, is that we did actually take a picture of Ava every month on the 13th, her birthday. Since today is nine months from her birth and another Friday the 13th, I thought it would be a good time to put together those photos.

One month- so tiny!

Two months- due to perspective issues, somehow smaller than month one.

Three months- the bow really makes this one work.

Four months- really should have stuck with the bow.

Five months- we totally lost track of what we were doing with the numbers, but she's getting so big!

Six months- she can sit up and refuses to take a good picture lying down and is also wearing a bunny hat. 

Seven months- not artsy, just lazy at framing now.

 

Eight months- the numbers all fit together in a square!

Nine months- here's our little stander-upper today! She absolutely refuses to stay down on the ground if she can help it, so we put her table on the mat and let her stand using it. Next month she probably won't even need that to stand. Then after that, college.

Family Photoshoot

One of Kelsey's Mother's Day gifts was a family photoshoot with a real photographer. I think we got some great ones of Ava that showcase her wonderful little personality!

Easter Gratitude

Kelsey again. We had a wonderful Easter last weekend and, in the spirit of Spring, the rebirth/renewal/resurrection that is associated with this season, and wanted to be more mindful about all I have to be grateful for, I thought I'd make a gratitude list with pictures. 

I'm grateful for a partner who will go to Easter service with me, even when he's not religious. He supports me in my own spiritual journey. And when Ava started crying in church (as soon as we got there-- it was her first time at church), he took care of her the entire service. 

Visits from family! Lele visited this week and looking forwarded to more visits in the next month!

The laundry is neverending, but I am grateful to have a buddy who loves watching me do the laundry and playing with the clothes.

We have some glorious weather here during the Spring. I know summer is looming, but I'll enjoy this while I can.

Mike & I both had Good Friday off and we took the time to go out just the two of us while Ava was at daycare. We got to enjoy some local German food! (In addition to Mexican  culture, there is a lot of German culture in the area as well.)

My walk to my car every day.

The bay view from one of my offices. You can't tell in this picture, but I could see a sailboat crossing the bay!

Although life is messy right now, I love coming home to "our" mess every day: amazon packages, Ava clothes, Mommy work clothes, breast pump (of course!), dishes, mail. 

More gratitude:

• Endless gratitude for the instant pot that makes feeding ourselves so much easier. Ava is about to start solids in the next week and I'm actually considering making the baby food because the instant pot makes things so easy.
• Having two bathrooms makes it easier for us to use the bathrooms without waking Ava.
• I've loved going to barre class once-a-week even if it's about the only workout I get per week....the instructor sure makes it count!

Notes from Working Parenthood + Pics!

It's Kelsey writing today! Remember me?

I thought I'd start with a list of notes from the past few months followed by random pictures that I think you will love!

Being a working mom is: 

• Modifying your diet to exclude major allergens (read: all fun food) for the past 3 months because your baby is reacting to something in your diet. 
• Being incapable of accomplishing anything productive except during weekend nap times or unless you physically leave the house because, when you're with your child, you are 100% absorbed by her.
• Counting down the minutes until you get to go home and see her, and every single day wondering if you should just quit your job.
• Knowing that your job is absolutely a lifeline for you to meaning, purpose, goals, and being so incredibly grateful for the daycare and breast pump that allow you to go to work while also providing food for your child.
• Not being afraid to talk about pumping at work because it's the hardest thing you've ever done and you are proud enough of yourself to not hide it.
• Scheduling your life in 3 hour increments because you need to pump every 3 to 4 hours.
• Not minding still being woken up at night on nights the couple of nights where you've worked late and missed her bedtime because you're just so excited to see her.
• Falling more in love with your co-parent every single day because no one besides them can come close to loving her as much as you do.
• Being so grateful for a spouse who shares the same values and priorities, acknowledges your hard work, convinces you to keep your job, and always says yes to covering doctor appointments and bedtimes when you need to work.
• Running out of space on your iPhone for pictures because, yes, you needed 50 pictures of her sleeping in different outfits.
• Blogging about once every 3 months because see all of the above bullet points.

One day we will look back on this story and laugh

Pool side time!

If you think these are cute, just wait until you see her hat

Selfies & Teething

Sleeping Snoopy

Dad is the funniest

She loves being outside

Rocking the Minnie Mouse onesie

Family selfies party!

Someone has figured out to roll from back to tummy before tummy to back.

We love to clasp our hands

Trying on our Easter dress

Best hat ever from Lele

Mama & Ava