Eloping, loss of a baby and other vents....

This weekend I found out about a college friend's loss.  Her 3 month old son passed away unexpectedly.  I instantly started bawling, since the news hits so close to home.  She was due the day before me, and we both had beautiful little boys.  I spend my weekend having nightmares about losing Aaden, but I also tried to enjoy every moment with my handsome little man!

We also found out Aaron's brother, Andrew eloped (to North Dakota?!) on Friday.  The family is pretty upset.  The newlyweds still want to have a full church wedding and reception, they just didn't want to wait to "be together."  Aaron's really disappointed in the fact that his brother doesn't want him in his wedding since he would have to "leave Aaden and I to eat alone."  Lame excuse in my opinion.  He was Aaron's best man, and now Aaron's not even in his brother's wedding?  Their other brother, Aric is.  And Andrew doesn't have many friends, so the other attendants are her family. I have very strong feelings about this girl he married, their rush to marry and their choices.  I know it's not my place, but I can't help but have an opinion.  Hence, this blog to vent.  Sorry.  Now let's not get started on their finances and desire to have kids ASAP....

We spent some time shopping on Saturday and I met a girlfriend for breakfast on Sunday. 

Pretty low-key weekend, except for the news above. 

Aaden and Eli, new BFF's

On January 12^th, Aaron, Aaden and I went to visit our friends!  I haven’t seen Abby since last January, when she was only 16 weeks pregnant.  Now we were able to visit them in their new condo in Stillwater.  Their home was beautiful, but not as cute as their little guy, Eli.   It was so fun to see Abby and Ken, and to watch the boys start to interact. 



Looking at this, you'd never know we were holding each other's kids.  Funny how both boys look more like thier Dad's.



This weekend I met a porn star.

Yes, and I was stupid enough to not take many photos.  Darn.  But I have 9 other individuals that can swear by it.

We were in Vegas this weekend!  I had a leadership conference on Friday and Saturday, and while it was a quick trip (Friday-Sunday), it was FUN.  It was the AVN's (Adult Video Network Awards) and I was there with the construction company I work for (um, tons of guys drooling over the porn stars).  We found our way to the casino bar at the Hard Rock Casino on the night of the award show (at Hard Rock).  It was interesting meeting Neil, Ed and some other female porn stars.  I don't think I've ever laughed so hard!


This weekend we rode in a limo

I stood up and yelled out the window while driving around Vegas.


Met some CRAZY characters at the bar near the AVN award show

Drank wayy to much

Took part in an awesome leadership training with other coworkers. 

Got to meet about 90 other employees from throughout the U.S.  It was really nice to put a face with a name. :-)

Was really glad to get home and snuggle my little man!  He had fun with Grandma and Grandpa though.

Took Monday off to not only recover from Vegas, cuddle and spend time with my little guy, but also relax since it was my Birthday!!!

December revisited

Let's revisit December's goals:


1. Address and mail out our Christmas cards/birth announcements.  CHECK! Done and sent. :-)

2. Finish our Christmas shopping earlier than normal (which means before the 20th!)  Barely squeaked by on this one.  Most of it was done by the 8th - but I finished on the 20th.

3. Wrap all the gifts well before they will be opened - so I can enjoy the pretty present filled tree! They were wrapped and ready as they were purchased.  Not done the day before they were opened. :-)

4. Only make small batches of cookies - this Momma doesn't need to eat them all by herself! Somehow yes, and no.  I baked only a few tiny batches, but i've inherited a few tubs of cookies from my Mom and Sister's baking.  So I'm eating more than my fill of cookies.

5. Spend time with friends that I don't see often enough - Cyndy, Liz, Jenny - let's have a dinner date!  I'll see Cyndy on New Year's Eve, but I missed out on Liz, Jenny and other friends.  Hopefully in early 2013.

6. Get caught up at work.  3 months of leave means a huge to-do. I got as caught up as possible.  There is always a list waiting for me.

7. Figure out a balance of time with my little man and work. I still don't feel like we have this down yet.  The last two weeks with the holidays hasn't helped.

8. Enjoy his 4th month - it will probably go even faster than the last three did! And it did - and I enjoyed every MOMENT with him. :-)  I just love him SO SO much.

9. Take Aaden to see Santa!  Check.  And see the brief blow-out story http://ourfamilytwofeetatatime.blogspot.com/2012/12/random-thoughts-on-thursday.html

10.  Try not to stress around Christmas.  We have plans Friday the 21st all the way through the 26th.  We have a huge inventory count that I'm in charge of at work between the 26th - 30th, and then we have New Years Eve.  First Christmas carting a babe all over town and trying to manage everything. I.CAN.NOT.STRESS.  I think it actually went pretty good.  Never would have without my awesome hubby.

We even squeezed in a weekend at the cabin.  I was stressing about packing Aaden's stuff for a weekend away - but Aaron took care of it and did awesome! 

Happy early holidays everyone New Year !!

2012 - A year in review

It hardly seems that a whole year has passed.  I vividly remember NYE 2011 - decked out in our "Make your own Superhero" outfits for the 3rd Annual themed NYE bash.  Aaron and I kissed at midnight and shared our wish for 2012, for a baby. The afternoon of the 1st we headed to the airport on a bitterly cold, windy day to set sail to the Bahamas.  Little did we know that a mear 3 weeks later we'd be getting a positive pregnancy test, and 2012 would turn into the "year of the baby."

We had a great year, filled with happiness, nerves and excitement at being new parents.  I'll try to do a quick recap of each month - but I'm afraid this will turn very Aaden-focused.  My apoligies now - he is our entire world now. :-)

January:

Set sail for the Bahama's and visited during one of thier coldest days on record.  Swam with sharks! Hosted a circus themed murder mystery party.  The day after I turned 27, we found out we were expecting! 

February:
A month of Doctors.  A scary moment for us at 5 weeks pregnant.  My sister spent way too long in the hospital, but we made it out to keep her company.  Felt like crap mosts days with morning sickness all day.  We fainally started sharing our news of Baby Bethke and spent a weekend visiting my sister in Eau Claire with the family.


March:

The news was out to everyone!  Got going on our baby plans and looking at cribs.  Busy at work with the financial statement audit.

April:

Traveled to Houston for work and was miserably sick.  Was still enjoying experiencing being pregnant and feeling baby move. Celebrated Cyndy's Birthday!!  Started to show... :-) 

May:

Had our 20 week ultrasound and got put on restrictions.  Spent Memorial Day weekend in Duluth with the Hubby having a baby-moon.  2 weeks later, Duluth flooded.

June:

BUSY month.  Our 4th anniversary, weekend with my Mom and Sister at Treasure Island and Red Wing.  Aaron was in a wedding, attended a wedding shower and squeezed in time for a Twins Game.

July:

4th of July with family at the cabin, and got caught in the rain at the fireworks.  Got back from the cabin in time for the Kenny and Tim concert at Target field.  Had our first baby shower and spent time with family and friends at the cabin.

 

August:

Getting anxious to find out if it would be an c-section.  Many Dr.'s appointments and more time with friends and family.  A baby shower, wedding shower and of course - THE BIRTH OF OUR SON, AADEN.

September:

Was a blur.  Half of it was spent at the hospital, and the rest was spent in a tired daze of diaper changes, feedings and burping.  It was the best month, and also one of the most challenging.  If I didn't have my work calendar with all the events we couldn't avoid (furnace installation, eye appt, etc), I wouldn't remember much of this month.

 

October:

Finally getting the hang of being a parent.  Working one day/week.  Aaron's birthday and the first trip out of the house with Aaden.  A wedding and my "friends" baby shower.

November:

Aaden's baptism, Thanksgiving and enjoying every moment with my little guy before going back to work!

December:

We found out two friends of ours are expecting, and Aaron's brother Andrew got engaged. We spent the month preparing for Christmas and enjoying the festivities associated with that time of year.  Aaron graduated from college and we celebrated Aaden's first Christmas with family!  The Vikings beat the Packers. :-)

 

We were beyond blessed in 2012.  My work was great with flexibility and generous owners.  Aaron studied hard and graduated with top honors from SCSU.  We were blessed with a happy, healthy little baby boy. Aaron and I are loving life and enjoying each day.  We hope for another happy, and fortunate year, cheers to 2013!

(Random) thoughts on Thursday

Some random thoughts on Thursday...

1.      I think we’re finally getting the hang of getting out of the house – prepared.  We brought Aaden to see Santa and do some Christmas shopping yesterday.  Aaron was bright enough to suggest a full outfit backup (rather than the usual sleeper we pack – just in case).  10 minutes before we went to see Santa, the little guy decided to have a MONSTER blow out.  Poop on feet, shoulders, all over the front and back.  Needless to say – the onesie got trashed and the back-up outfit came in handy.   Just glad we were both there to clean the man up!

2.      We also picked up Aaron’s tassel and honors cord for his graduation.  SO SO SO proud of him, and he’s graduating  Summa Cum Laude.  I CAN NOT wait to watch him walk across the stage!

3.      Almost done Christmas shopping… whew.

4.      I’m getting the swing of being back at work.  It’s not too sad to leave in the morning.  Just when I get home and realize the day is nearly over.

5.      Had a HUMILIATING moment at work this week.  My boss is pretty hilarious and has no filter or bounds with what he discusses.  Let’s just say he was joking about how long I have to pump for at work – and how much time it takes to “unload those.”  So embarrassing.  Especially when he had to ask another male co-worker if I was still here or really pumping that long.  (My door had been shut for 45 minutes and he was waiting to talk to me – but forgot that I had left already for the day). 

6.      Anxious to finish our bonus calculations at work.  Big $ is in the works, and I hope I get a chunk of it.  (I’m greedy – but I’m being honest!)

7.      I’m hoping for snow this weekend.  I want to finish my shopping, wrap presents and snuggle the little guy.  It would feel so much more “Christmas-y” if it was snowing out. J

Happy Thursday everyone – the weekend is NEARLY here!

A few recent pics...

December - last month of 2012!

Well here we are, 32 days away from the end of 2012.  It's hard to imagine that this year went by so fast!  I remember last New Years the Hubs and I shared a secret wish at midnight that we'd (hopefully) soon be expanding our family.  Little did we know it would happen right away.  2012 was a blur of baby-stuff and it's hard to believe it's nearly a wrap!

Some goals for the remaining time of 2012:

1. Address and mail out our Christmas cards/birth announcements. 

2. Finish our Christmas shopping earlier than normal (which means before the 20th!)

3. Wrap all the gifts well before they will be opened - so I can enjoy the pretty present filled tree!

4. Only make small batches of cookies - this Momma doesn't need to eat them all by herself!

5. Spend time with friends that I don't see often enough - Cyndy, Liz, Jenny - let's have a dinner date!

6. Get caught up at work.  3 months of leave means a huge to-do.

7. Figure out a balance of time with my little man and work.

8. Enjoy his 4th month - it will probably go even faster than the last three did!

9. Take Aaden to see Santa!

10.  Try not to stress around Christmas.  We have plans Friday the 21st all the way through the 26th.  We have a huge inventory count that I'm in charge of at work between the 26th - 30th, and then we have New Years Eve.  First Christmas carting a babe all over town and trying to manage everything. I.CAN.NOT.STRESS.

Happy early holidays everyone - enjoy the time with your family!!!