Year in Review 2013

As we say goodbye to 2013, I want to reflect on this year and all the wonderful memories that we made.  I usually do a detailed review post but today I am just going to hit some of the high points.  And, well some low points as well.  

We started the year off with Lonnie turning 40 and us having his family down for the weekend.  He had issues with the big birthday but I think he's moved on.  He refused to let me do anything special but I've told him he needs to just get prepared for when his 50th comes around!  We are going to his brothers house soon for our yearly New Year's celebration with them.  

One thing Lonnie and I did really well with for the first half of the year was day dates.  I posted about a few of them here.  We have gotten out of that habit and we are both itching to get back to our days of fun together.  Luckily we are going away for a long weekend together really soon.  YES.  

In January we decided to proceed with IVF #4.  It was an up and down experience (duh) but overall I felt really good about it.  It was heartbreaking when we learned that our two embryos didn't take.  I wrote this post about moving on from that.  

In April we went back to New Orleans.  We took B when she was barely 5 months old so it was fun to go back when she was a bit older.  I am sure it won't be the last time we go!  

Also, in April we discovered Blakely's fear of bugs!  She is still not a fan but she doesn't freak out as bad.  Although I wonder what will happen in the spring when all the caterpillars come out.  YUCKY.  

In May we took our annual beach trip.  I think this trip will just get better and better every year.  We just made our reservations for this May and Blakely is already talking about the beach and "sand tassles".  {I just read that whole post and I can't believe how little she looks.  I felt liek she was so grown up then!}

We spent a lot of time outside and on the lake this year.  Looking back on those posts makes me yearn for summer!!  One of the best weekends was near the 4th of July when my brother in law and his family came to town.  We had so much fun and I can't wait to do it again this summer.  

As great as that weekend was it is completely overshadowed, in my mind.  See, I was right near the end of our fifth IVF.  I was not comfortable and I was exhausted.  I had not blogged about it or told many people.  I wrote a series of 5 posts explaining what happened during that IVF.  As I am writing this post I have gone back and read many of my posts over the past year and all of the ones I have put a link to.  I can not read those 5 posts.  I just can't do it right now.  My brain is trying to protect my heart.  {Thank you brain.}  One day I will be able to read them {thank you blog} but it still hurts a little too much to scroll through and relive that time.  I will link to them in case someone comes across this post and wants to know what happened.  
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Moving on.  At the end of July is when we started potty training.  Looking back now we had a pretty easy time of it.  Blakely was ready and she took to it easily.  I am thankful for no more diapers/diaper laundry and for adorable toddler pan.ties!!  

In August Blakely started going to Moth.ers D.ay Out once a week and with Juanet once a week to Pri.ce's house. I can't even tell you how happy we all are with this set up.  Blakely loves MDO and she crazy loves going with Juanet.  There is no way to tell you how grateful I am for Juanet.  If there were more Juanet's in this world it would be a better place.  She is one of the good ones and I am so glad that we found her!  Honestly I am not sure any of us would survive without her.  She knows this although doesn't believe it.  

One of my favorites this year was our trip to Pittsburgh!!!  I got to meet up with my blog bestie and Blakely got to meet her future blog husband.  :)  Hello, we need to do this again pronto.

This fall we went camping.  Can't wait to do that again this spring.  

After that things kicked into high gear and we got really busy.  Blakely turned 2, we went to the Wor.ld S.eries, Halloween, bachelorette weekend, our dog died, hosted a couples shower, went to a concert and then my Sarah got married!  I still haven't posted about the wedding but will soon!  

Once that whirlwind died down we were able to relax some and enjoy Christmas.  I feel like I haven't gotten out of my pajamas in a month and I'm happy about it.  I have also been eating everything in sight since I couldn't do that before the wedding.  I should probably stop doing that now.  ;)

I am not a big resolution maker but I do have some goals for 2014.  Well really just 2. One is to disconnect from my devices a little bit more when Blakely is around.  I want to be present for her when she is with me.  I am never on the computer when she is around but I always have my phone.  It's no wonder she is obsessed with it!    

And my second goal is not all that specific yet very specific at the same time.  I want to have another baby.  I have no idea how we are going to accomplish that and I just realized recently that I am ready.  That we are ready.  I am still hurting over the fiasco in July and over infertility in general but I am ready to move forward.  I think moving forward will help those last little cracks in my heart to heal.  

Here's to 2014!  Happy New Year to you all and thank you for reading this little blog of mine!