Life Lesson Learned!!!!!!!

Just a short note to say your prayers for my cousin Courtney's friend Brittany...I was home last Wednesday evening-Saturday because Adam was out of town and I was planning on going to Scarlett's birthday party on Friday. I was happy because I got on the road right after work and made it in time to meet my mom, sister, cousin, and aunt for their weekly girls night out to La Fiesta on Wednesdays. Some of my mom and Julie's friends came, one of Kristie's friends came, and Court's friend came. Kristie and I commented the next day on how nice and fun Brittany is!

Saturday I was driving back to Champaign with Gwen and was in stand still traffic and SUPER ANNOYED. It took me 1 hour to get the 10 mile distance on I-74 between Carlock and Bloomington because of an accident, which made it take me over 2 hours to make what is usually a 1 hour drive. I had the "poor me mentality" because I knew Gwennie would wake up and scream because she was due to eat, but to my surprise, she slept the whole time, which she never does anymore.

Later that day I found out Courtney's friend Brittany had been in an accident, and it was the same accident Gwen and I were stuck in. 2 people in the car died, she was severely injured, but somehow made it through the accident.

I had a horrible feeling go through my body as I made the connection that it was the same accident we sat through. I had been sitting in traffic selfishly thinking about how long it was taking me to get home, when someone I new was being rescued from a horrible, horrible accident.

I will always think differently when I'm stuck in traffic for an accident from now on. While people sit in their cars complaining because they're late for (fill in the blank), someone's life might be being saved, which is way more important than being on time!

Play Dates and Parties

We had a busy last week of playdates and parties. Of course, Gwen and Diggy play together every day (Gwen can almost sit up unsupported...she can like this for a few minutes then topples over).
Thursday we headed to Morton for Scarlett's first birthday. Kristie had to work, so we went over to their house and watched her, made cupcakes, and played!

Mara and Kristen came over to play too :)

That night (Scarlett's real birthday) my mom made dinner and we had cupcakes to celebrate.

Friday Leighton came over to play!

Friday night was Scarlett's real birthday. We had yummy Italian food and got to see Scarlett open present and eat her cake!

Saturday we came back to Champaign for Robin's winter party. She had great food and a lot of friends over.

Busy but fun weekend!

2011 Starting Off Good

We have had a busy two weeks! I started my job and really think I'm going to like it. It's nice to have an excuse to get ready and be around other adults, but I think it's the perfect amount of hours because I am SOOOO ready to get home to Gwen and appreciate our full days together so much more! Tuesdays (my full day) I will be leading group discussions/classes for pregnant ladies in their second trimester, and Wednesday afternoons I will be filling in at the walk in clinic, which I have witnessed is very very busy. It was so fun seeing all of the little kids (babies-5 year old). I picked up a babies carrier that was 3 days old and I couldn't believe how light it was...Gwen's grown up so fast!

My first week at work my mom came to watch Gwennie. They had fun playing. This week her college babysitter came and I think she'll be great!

Gwen had another doctor appointment and her second round of immunizations. Luckily that was when my mom was here so I didn't have to watch her get shots by myself. She did great and only cried for a little bit. She was completely healthy, hitting all of the milestones, and was 27 inches long/16 pounds. That puts her in the 99% for length, 83% for weight, and 90% for head circumference. I guess with her two little teeth, she looks more like a 7 month old than a 5 month old :)

We also started her on rice cereal. She does really well with it. The first few times it was more spitting out and getting her used to the spoon in her mouth, but she now knows to open her mouth when the spoon is coming and LOVES watching me take "bites" of the food and act like we are sharing, haha. Now that the holidays are over we had some free time to hang out with the Pletchers. Last weekend they came over one night for dinner and Adam P. hooked up their new video game that is controller free. It was really fun to watch. They did a river rafting game and a dance game. Reese was so cute doing the Poker Face routine :)

Sunday night we went over to their house for sushi. Instead of ordering it, we made it! Robin got Adam a sushi mat and book for Christmas so they prepared all of the ingredients to make our own rolls. We were surprised how good looking they turned out. These are the leftovers. Robin made homemade miso soup too. It was just as good as any restaurant I have been to.

I hope everyone else's new year has started off to a good start too!

Goodbye 2010

Well, 2010 is officially history. Kristie and Jason had a little get together at their house, so we spent NYE day getting ready for that. K&K and I went to Dixons and the grocery store to shop, then went home to do some cooking. Gwen is sooo happy when I have her in the baby bjorn and am cooking, so she "helped" me make some appetizers.

Kristie and I setting up
My 2 sisters and me

Adam and me

Some of my fave Morton friends

What a great year it was! I'd have to say that this probably was the best year of my life. August 18, 2010 being the best DAY of my life. Can't wait for many many many more years with my little Gwenna Blue!

Shower for Katie and Duvy

2 of my college roomates are pregnant and due within a month of eachother. Duvy's due in February and Katie's due in March. Since they both live out of state, we planned a little shower for them while they were both off of work for the holidays. Panichi hosted the shower at her apartment in Chicago. Lexie came with me to help with Gwen on the car ride. It was fun to get together with everyone! Can't wait for their babies to be born!

My 4 college roomies (and some of the best friends I know!)

2 moms to be

Lex and Gwennie

Panichi and Duvy with Gwen

Thanks for your hospitality Panichi!!! Love your new apartment, soooo cute! Gwenna and I love visiting and will hopefully be back soon when the snow is clear so we can explore your fun neighborhood!

Extended Families

We got to get together with both my mom's family and some of my dad's family for Christmas. Since both families have gotten so big and we all have our own families now, we try to plan a get together a week before of after Christmas every year.

My dad's parents came to Morton on their way to Florida for the winter. They had my cousin Tierney with them. Julie's family came over, so it was a pretty big group. My mom made a turkey dinner and we all just hung out.

We go to Iowa City every year to my aunt Lori's "barn" which is always fun. These are all of my grandma's great grandkids. My Grandma Filloon is in the background. She turned 80 on Christmas Eve.