The Year in Review

What a year it's been. For the sake of posterity, here's our year, in a nutshell....the good, the bad & the ugly. Thankfully, we had a LOT of good, a little bad, and not much ugly. We are feeling very lucky & blessed. We are looking forward to a GREAT 2009!

January 2008
JD had surgery to remove his epidermal cyst on his left eye
No more morning bottles; by end of month, no more bottles at all
JD had a new found love for his blankie
We had Verizon FIOS installed at home
JD walked most of the time; started standing from middle of floor on own
Both kids started using forks at meals
My Aunt Kathy came for a fun visit
We had our furnace replaced - ouch
The kids started their first Kindermusic class - first "school" experience

February 2008
Cole had surgery to get ear tubes
Cole started walking & talking immediately after tubes were put in
Shoe sizes: JD 5.5w & Cole 4.5
Spent a wonderful weekend away at Benny's Landing with my BF from college
Both kids babbling - "no-no", "push", "yes"

March 2008
Cole cruising furniture and taking a few steps
Both have molars coming in
Went to an Easter festival in the SNOW
Both kids know animal sounds; vocabulary expanding; can understand simple commands; know body parts, and say hello and goodbye; blowing kisses
Cole learned to throw a ball from sit (hasn't stopped since)

April 2008
Refinanced our home
Spent an amazing girls weekend in Annapolis with my college girls - SO FUN
Cole learned to climb jungle gym in backyard
Cole started walking
2nd Round of Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease
Started volunteering in the NICU
Kids started swimming lessons
We added another boy to the family - my sweet nephew Connor was born!

May 2008
I entered my 39th year of life
JD - 24 pounds, Cole - 20.7 pounds
Spent a WILD weekend in NOLA with good friends

June 2008
Spent a fun week in OBX with our family
JD running everywhere
Both kids putting 2 words together, repeating EVERYTHING
Spent a short fun weekend at Deep Creek Lake with our family

July 2008
Cole discharged from PT; still in OT monthly

August 2008
Enjoyed watching the 2008 summer olympics
Evicted the bat colony in our attic, for the 2nd time
Boys first boat trip to Glass House Island on the Magothy River
First Navy game with the boys - they loved it!
JD & Cole turned TWO
JD 25 pounds, Cole 22 pounds

September 2008
Spent a weekend in Dewey Beach during Hurricane Hanna with MOMs gals
Aunt Kathy came for another fun visit - first zoo trip with the kids!
Cole got a clean bill of health from ENT & hearing specialist
Both kids know their colors and can count to 10; they LOVE reading
The Little Einsteins & Diego are the favorite cartoons

October 2008
Went camping with friends at Yogi's Jellystone Park in Hagerstown, MD
Found out Jessica was leaving us in 6 weeks
Started visiting schools for kids
Flu bug hit our house with a vengeance
Cole spent a night in the hospital for dehydration;

November 2008
Took kids to Willow Oaks Farm to "walk to the North Pole"
Attended my Grandfathers 93rd? Birthday Party at nursing home - first time kids met their only living Great Grandfather
I went to Seneca Lake, NY for a 36 winery 2 day wine binge
My Great Aunt Marge died - the last living relative on my Dad's side
Obama won the Presidential election
Kids talking in sentences and keeping us laughing all of the time

December 2008
Kids started school at Bay Country
Changed work schedule to 3 full days per week instead of 5 partial days
Mom Wells had successful radiation on her brain neuroma
Cole discharged from the Infant & Toddler Program
Flu hit our house with a vengeance (again)
Kids enjoying school and doing well - Cole still having a bit of trouble at drop off but after a minute or two, is fine for the day;
We spent New Year Eve with good friends and welcomed a new adventurous 2009!