Monday, December 31, 2012

New Year, New Start

I've always loved January 1st and have seen it as an opportunity for a fresh start, to begin the year with a clean slate and a fresh attitude.  This year, like in most years past, I'm feeling the same refreshing feeling related to starting a new year, which is kind of strange since we've spent the majority of 2012 starting fresh. Our move to Tulsa was not the first big move we've made in our adult lives. Our move to Chicago in 2005 was a pretty huge change for us.  But we have learned that moving when you are 25, childless, and newly married is a lot different than at 32 with a 6 month old. 

We are finally settled in our new place and in our hometown but it definitely wasn't quick or easy and we still have a long way to go. It's been so awesome being so close to family, especially now that H. is mobile and extremely active. We've had a lot of fun showing Henry around to all our favorite spots and trying all of the cool new restaurants in Tulsa.  In spite of all the fun we've had since we've been back, I still miss Chicago very much.  I imagine Chicago will eventually be like the college girlfriends I used to go out with every weekend but now see only once or twice a year. I'm just not to that point yet, and am counting the days till we visit in January.

All this being said, we have SO much to be thankful for this year. We are healthy, Henry is healthy, we have fantastic jobs, and the love and support of our families. While all is going well, there's always room for improvement, which brings me back to the point of writing this post: new starts.  With this new year comes some New Year's resolutions.  We rarely keep ours, but here's what we have slated for 2013:

John (only) resolves to spend less time on the computer.

I, on the other hand, have tons of resolutions:
  1. Get organized!  Not only does this entail cleaning up and getting rid of excess, but it also includes planning meals, folding and putting away the laundry before it's so wrinkled it needs to be washed again, getting gas before I'm below the 'E', and having a work morning where I'm not running around the house like a crazy person.  I've yet to figure out how exactly to execute on this resolution, but I'm going to try!
  2. Run another half marathon or two.  I'm signed up for the OKC half in April, but it might be fun to run a half in Chicago sometime this summer.  Given that I haven't taken more than a few strides since before I was pregnant, this is a loft goal, but one I'm determined to meet. I even bought a treadmill to facilitate the training.
  3. Be more social. When you're busy, it's easy to get caught up in work, home stuff, and family, and our social lives suffer as a result. I'm going to make a concerted effort to be more social in 2013 and turn down fewer invites for happy hour.
  4. Go on some dates.  Despite having two ready and willing babysitters within a few miles of our house, I can count on one hand the number of times John and I have taken advantage of this and gone out to dinner or a movie since we moved.  So, I'm going to make a list of restaurants I want to try and movies I want to see so that I am more motivated to get out there and have some quality time with my boo thang.
That's it for me! All are attainable and are aimed at making life fuller and happier. Cheers to everyone, Happy New Year, and let's get on with 2013!


Friday, December 28, 2012

Christmas Recap

A Merry Christmas was had by all in the Beck household. Henry was super fun this year - very curious about all the new stuff he got and all the hoopla surrounding the week.  We made a lot of fun memories and are looking forward to all the new traditions in our new house.  Hope everyone had an awesome Christmas!

Not sure about this Christmas business...

Checking out his new stuff!

Reading a book in his new chair!

Banging out some tunes on his new piano!

Not sure who has played the piano more: Henry or John.

Lots and lots of presents!

Practicing walking!

Monday, December 24, 2012

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

We've had a very busy Christmas Eve full of fun family traditions. We started the day off with the (sixth, maybe?) annual Adams Christmas lunch.  The event was on a brief sabbatical last year due to us all spending the holidays in Chicago, but it's back on and was SO fun to see and catch up with everyone. It was also fun to have all the new additions to the lunch: Henry, Ethan, and Theo.  Lots of fun and good conversation was had by all. I would say that we are overdue for a reunion.


Cousins!

Steph and me making cookies for the cousins lunch
We rounded out the evening with the annual mexican Christmas Eve dinner at John's parents' house. They are always so nice to include my family, so it's a nice big group. And the food, as usual, was amazing.  John and I are completely stuffed!

The Ladies and Babies.  This is probably about as close of a look the blogosphere will get of baby Theo's face!

We've tucked our little nugget into bed, and I'm hoping some visions of sugarplums are dancing in his head. While I know he won't totally know what's going on tomorrow, I am positive he will be excited about all the goings on. I can't wait to see his face when he sees what Santa brought him! I've always loved this time of year, but having Henry has made the holidays about a million times more awesome!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!




Major Catch-Up Post

I can't believe it's been three weeks since I last posted! Let that be a testament to how busy our December has been! Work-wise, December in Chicago is the slowest month since everyone goes away for a week or two for the holidays.  Apparently that's not the case in Tulsa, since I've been busier this month than any other month in my career, meaning John has had to take on the role of Mr. Mom while I've been working. He's a saint!

Here's a brief run-down of what we've been up to:

Henry officially turned one on December 5th. I'm still in denial that I have a toddler now instead of a baby.


We celebrated Christmas with my dad's side of the family on December 8th.  Since we spent Christmas in Chicago last year with brand new baby Henry, it had been a couple of years since we had gotten together with my stepbrother and his fam.  Below are my dad, stepmom, and Justin's two awesome girls, Jadyn and Jesi. Henry loved hanging with his cousins!


Kirby retired from OSU after 38 years! His colleagues hosted a great dinner in his honor on December 10th, and we were so happy to be included (even if I was a bit of a zombie from pulling my first near all-nighter of my entire life).


Henry was in a Christmas program at school and was the most precious little angel ever, even if he was sick (hence the rosy cheeks and red lips). Poor little punkin ended up with an ear infection that weekend.  Glad he's well now, though, in time for Christmas!


Now that we have a real house instead of a condo, we have taken advantage of all the fun decorating we can do with lawns and front doors (clearly, we need to get out more). John put up Christmas lights for the first time ever, and we think they look pretty cute, especially the Charlie Brown Christmas tree in our front bed.


Henry has been busier than ever, trying as hard as he can to destroy everything in the house, or at least cause as much disorder as possible.  I secretly love it, though, and am so excited by all his curiosity.


We are finally ready (I think) for Christmas! We did some last minute scrambling yesterday to get those last few gifts. Looking forward to lots of family time this week!

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Happy Birthday to Henry!

Yesterday we hosted Henry's 1st birthday celebration a few days early.  It was so great to have so much family over to celebrate our precious little guy.  It's been such an awesome year as new parents. Cheers to Henry!

Delicious cake! (That we will be eating for the rest of the week)

With Nannie and Mimi

Such a big boy!

Not so sure about all the people singing to him

Also not so sure about the smash cake... He refused to eat any of it! What kid doesn't like cake? Apparently mine.

"Get this sticky mess away from me!"

Presents!

"Oooooh"

Lots of books!


Sleepy birthday boy

Playing with cousin Reese