I'll be honest - I've never been much for setting New Year's resolutions...I've never been one for spending December 31st looking back and recalling all of the fond memories of the past 12 months. Does that make me a New Year's grinch of sorts - Maybe?
However, in the day to day of life, it's rare for me to blog about anything real-time, so maybe I'm not one for drumming up the highlights of the past year on one day because I'm doing it throughout the year - mostly monthly lately due to time constraints.
So, it's been a lot over a month since the last update - so here's a quick recap of what we've been up to.
Work. 14 days of vacation (for me). 5 Holiday parties. Christmas. Over-indulging in Holiday goodies. Birthday celebrations. Doctor appointments. House progress + General good times had by all!
Dan has been extremely busy at work lately - and we are so grateful for the growth they are experiencing as a business. In the meantime, I was able to take 14 consecutive days of vacation off from work at the end of December and it was glorious!! Adi and I spent many mornings cuddling up on the couch in our PJs and just relaxing - even though she was oddly earlier to rise than normal throughout the entire time off. :)
Of course December always means a good excuse to get together with friends and family to celebrate. This being my second Christmas season with child - I can tell you that I definitely tend to over-indulge in the goodies that go along with all of the parties...what better excuse than growing a Baby to have that 2nd helping?
What I love about Christmas is that all of the 'hype' leading up to it is totally accurate! It really is the 'most wonderful time' - spent remembering the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ; with family and friends and goodies and time off and relaxation and cozy days/nights indoors. It's all wonderful!
This year - we spent Christmas Eve attending Church with Ben, Jenn, and Baby Jacob (~3 weeks old). Then we all headed up to Elk River to spend the rest of the evening with Grandma + Grandpa Powers and the crew! We had a tasty dinner (where I once again may have over-eaten) and then were able to visit with some of the extended family as well (Great Grandma + Grandpa Huddleston, the Hinchcliffs and Aunt Cindy). Adi opened more than her share of gifts - and although she enjoyed ripping the paper open, I think she even got a little worn out after opening SO many! It was a fun filled day for all.
with Papa and Baby Jacob
cheesy grins all around!
helping Nana open presents
showing Jacob how to open some..
not much for posed shots these days...
time to open some presents for Adi!
stocking time at G+G Powers' on Christmas Eve
taking a rest with Baby
NERF guns!! 2 for Adi, 1 for Daddy
saying hi to Great Grandpa John & Great Grandma Grace
hanging out with Haley, Joe, and Cousin Jacob
Christmas Day - checking out what's in my stocking
fishing set from Grandma!
Like I said - New Year's Eve has never been my HIGHLIGHT Holiday, but we did spend the evening with some great friends. Between the 8 couples and 17 kids running around - we definitely had a great time! We even made it to midnight (well Adi was probably technically sleeping) - but we were in the car on the way home so Dan and I saw the clock turn.
Thankfully I didn't have to return to work until January 3rd, 2013!
Even though I spent 2 of the 3 work days ducking out early to go to Dr. appointments - as some type of rash developed on my face, arms, and legs (later identified as "some sort" of allergic reaction to "something") - yeah we still don't really know. It's mostly gone, but much more bearable these days! Hoping it goes away once this little girl comes to greet us!
More notably and less offputting - we continued the celebrations into 2013 with Adilyn's 2nd Birthday on January 12. We kept it pretty low key this year - with the Holiday celebrations wearing off and me feeling exceptionally pregnant and unorganized. We went with a subtle Elmo theme over brunch this year - which Adi loved.
We are so incredibly thankful for our family and friends and the love that Adilyn is surrounded by on a daily basis! This was just a fun reminder of that love and support!
Thanks for joining us Great Grandma + Grandpa Huddleston, Grandma + Grandpa Powers, Grandma Wendy, Auntie Lola, Aunt Jenn + Uncle Ben + Cousin Jacob.
sleepy girl waking up from her nap to greet her guests
visiting with Cousin Jacob
'helping' Dad blow out the candles
wasn't too interested in the cupcake the first time around...
- We have carpet in our basement!! I wish I could find our 'before' house pictures - but for anyone that ever saw the space that was called our basement before, it is a TRANSFORMATION and I am SO thankful for it!! Almost 6 years later - I am finally finding artwork to hang on the walls, pillows, and throws and it is amazing!!
- I have been getting more regular ultrasounds for Baby Girl #2 since Adilyn was SO incredibly small - even for 3 weeks early (3# 11oz). As of 35 weeks, Baby Girl weighed in at a very healthy 5#13oz! They say typical weight gain now is ~ 1/3 lb/week so we will see!
- Adilyn had her 2 year Doctor appointment this week and continues to grow 'beautifully' according to the Dr. She won't have another visit until she turns 3. Here are her stats:
- Height: 30 & 3/4"
- Weight: 21#
SO independent - "Adi do it..."! 
Finally 'outgrew' the sink bathtimes - and LOVES playing in the big tub!
In other news: I find myself kicking into full out nesting mode - organizing Adi's old clothes, get
ting the basement completed, getting Adi into a toddler bed, and general preparation to welcome Baby #2 in just a few more weeks!
