Our year at a glance

What a year we've had! It started out with My mom coming into Seattle and staying with us for a while, as we all awaited the birth of our son, Westley (West). She was here for a few weeks and got to spend a few days with all three of us together after West was born on January 25th. So far, though, she's the only family member on my side to have met him. We're hoping to get the rest of the family up for a visit at some point so they all get to know him and we can have some quality family time. In the meantime, we have had lots of time with friends and Christian's side of the family and we are all enjoying watching Westley grow and develop. It seems every day he's more active, more vocal and incredibly entertaining! Favorite toys include the "first blocks" shapes and bucket, Teal Neal the giraffe, and the light/sound board on the wall of his baby jail.

Aside from being new parents, which is still so strange and amazing, we had a busy spring with me going back to work for Williams-Sonoma part time and Christian at the Apple Store full time, West and I are on our own until 6 or 7 most evenings. We usually have a good time. but it's always a great relief when Christian gets home. He's an amazing father and I know when I'm at work he and West have a great time together. We are so lucky though, since West is a very mellow, though sometimes very loud, baby. He's really only grumpy when it's past feeding time, he's over-tired or he has a "treasure" for us....

The summer was also filled with weddings, birthdays,
anniversaries and visits with family and friends. Aunt Kaijsa came to visit from Wyoming, we went up to Arlington to spend time with Great Uncle Chris, and we've had lots of people over to play at our house. Christian also went out of town for 6 days to take part in some training for work, which was a little scary, and sometimes tough, but we survived the week and ended up having a pretty good time.

In August we relocated to West Seattle from Ballard. We are in a much bigger place now. It's another apartment, and we have had a few issues with our neighbors that continue to frustrate us, but overall we're happy. West has his own room and there are lots of big windows to let the sunshine in. I've really been utilizing the extra space in the kitchen area and doing a ton of baking and creating new recipes.

The coming months will be busy, as winter months tend to be, and we are looking forward to all the chaos and insanity the holidays always bring. We'll be hosting Thanksgiving this year and have a wonderful menu planned as well as some great ways to enjoy the day. For West's first Christmas we'll be sharing our time between our home and Grandpa Bill and Grandma Karen's house, and making the rounds to deliver lots of treats to friends and relatives. I'll soon be busying myself with candy making, cookie baking, card crafting and gift gathering.

And as soon as you can say "Winter Wonderland" the Holiday Season will be over, and the preparations for West's First Birthday Party will begin! Stay tuned...