New Years 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Obviously we've had a completely amazing 2010.  Our family expanded by one and we couldn't be busier, happier or more overwhelmed with joy.  Watching Liam grow is just spectacular.  I can't wait to see how far he comes in 2011.

Here's a recap of our goals from 2010

Mine:

1. continue to post on the blog weekly, hopefully with pictures of G outside my belly before long. DONE-we'll just ignore this last week ;)
2. revamp our budget and set better limits on my spending. umm not so much.  We did sit down last month and do a budget but with all these after Christmas sales I'm having a terrible time sticking to it.  I WILL be more accountable in 2011
3. get back to my prepregnancy weight of 140lbs. DONE, I'm actually lower at about 136 and fitting into a size 6 vs an 8 thank goodness for breastfeeding and a husband who is a great cook
4. purchase and learn to use a DSLR and photoshop.  Half done.  I have the DSLR and photoshop elements but haven't taken any classes or really learned to use the software.  I take all of Liam's pictures with the camera and LOVE IT but I really need to get better at using the features so I never need to use the flash since I can absolutely see the difference in the photo quality when I do.

And Dominic's:
1. get under 300 pounds.  Workin on it!  He's down from 346 pounds to 311pounds.  He's been working out 5-6 times a week and is making HUGE progress.  I feel quite certain he's going to surpass this goal in 2011
2. limit work hours to 45/week.  He was doing better at the beginning of the year but then lost an employee and has really been working 7-6 five days a week for about half the year.
3. win mega millions.  We're still in CA, 'nough said.  With my goal of budgeting I'm not sure this one will pan out in 2011 either, you can't win if you don't play.
4. learn to speak spanish (please note we've had the Rosetta Stone for this for 2 years now).  Zero progress.  I guess the past is the best predictor of the future.
5. keep my wife happy.  SUPER SUCCESS HERE!
6. eat dinner at the table 5 nights a week.  Since Liam has been here we've started eating at the table a lot more, probably 4-5 nights a week.  I think this success will continue for 2011 since it's really the easiest way to feed a baby.

Here are the goals for 2011:

Mine:
1. revamp our budget and set better limits on my spending.  Our goal is to save $15,000 this year and put that extra money toward our mortgage.  We have a budget in place and I have an excel sheet that should make us accountable.
2. Put the blog into a book for Liam's first year.  I've done this for the pregnancy and our first year of marriage.  I love Blurb because it 'slurps' from the blog so I don't have to reload pictures or anything
3. become proficent with the DSLR without using auto
4. bake a new loaf of bread every month.  I saw this on a blog and thought it was a fantastic way to branch out and try new recipes while eating a little healthier.  Did you know most store bought breads have high fructose corn syrup in them?? YUCK!
5. Continue to blog weekly

Dominic's:
1. work out 4-5 times a week. Weigh 260 pounds.
2. Learn to speak Spanish.

Can't wait to see how we do achieving our goals and what 2011 has to offer.

Ringing in the NEW YEAR

Before welcoming 2010 I thought maybe we should recap this last decade. I mean, a LOT has changed for us in the last 10 years.

Since 2000 I have
graduated highschool
graduated college
gott my masters
become a nurse midwife
delivered 200 babies! WOW
married my last boyfriend ;)
become a puppy mommy
bought a house
lived in 3 states
AND, got pregnant

and Dominic has
graduated highschool
visited China, Germany and Czech Republic
graduated college with honors
lived in 3 states
bought a house
adopted Eclair as his own
married the most wonderful woman ever
knocked someone up

In just 10 years we've done all that. I cannot imagine what the next 10 years will bring but we're certainly excited for 2010 to find out.

My new years resolutions last year were:
1. Post at least once a week- DONE started out a little slow but once I got knocked up I kicked it into gear thanks to those belly shots
2. Finish up all our house project currently in the works-
a. trim (paint and install) - DONE
b. paint front door screen green - didn't get to it, but I do have the paint, does that count?
c. get duct work fixed (damn rats) - DONE
d. buy and install new master closet organizer - DONE
3. Play wii fit 5X/wk - no where close. Guess I could probably use this one again come may 2010?
4. Frequent Starbucks no more than 2X/wk - DONE again, baby g helped out. There are even weeks where I don't go at all, that's a miracle
5. Plan a trip to Europe - not so much. I was all set to start planning and then found out we were expecting. I'm seriously considering going with an infant though, crazy as it sounds. Only problem, we want 2 close together so hopefully I'll be knocked up this time again next year. Kinda puts a kink in the budget :(

and Dominic's were short and sweet

1. make my wife happy-DONE with a capital D. He's wonderful and I'm lucky to have him.



Overall I'd say we're doing pretty good.

Here are my goals for 2010
1. continue to post on the blog weekly, hopefully with pictures of G outside my belly before long.
2. revamp our budget and set better limits on my spending.
3. get back to my prepregnancy weight of 140lbs.
4. purchase and learn to use a DSLR and photoshop



And Dominic's goals

1. get under 300 pounds

2. limit work hours to 45/week

3. win mega millions

4. learn to speak spanish (please note we've had the Rosetta Stone for this for 2 years now)

5. keep my wife happy

6. eat dinner at the table 5 nights a week



Hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year's Eve! I'll leave you with the final belly shot of 2009

Goals for the year (some might use the term resolutions)

in no particular order
1. Post at least once a week
2. Finish up all our house project currently in the works
a. trim (paint and install)
b. paint front door screen green
c. get duct work fixed (damn rats)
d. buy and install new master closet organizer
3. Play wii fit 5X/wk
4. Frequent Starbucks no more than 2X/wk
5. Plan a trip to Europe

Dominic's list
#1 and only item, Please my wife :)

Champaign

A little champaign toast and we're off too a new year...can't wait for what's to come in 2009!