2011 in Pictures

Happy New Year!

2011 was quite the year for us. I'll give you a two-word hint: Gwendolyn Rebecca.

What used to be filled with fun travels to new and far places, nights spent making use of our DVR, and Sunday afternoons naps is now consumed with a car loaded with toys and a pack-n-play, pink and purple themed laundry, and moments of peace spent frantically trying to play a game we like to call "catch-up while you can." It didn't take a trip across the ocean for Tom and me to find the greatest place on earth: being her parents.

Having said that, most of my "collection" (nice way of putting a name to my obsession, wouldn't ya say?) of pictures do revolve around our sweet Gwendolyn. I picked only a few of my favorites from each month to try and summarize 2011 in pictures. Perhaps they are special moments or just some of my favorite images caught on film. Either way, I enjoyed the trip down memory lane, and I hope you will too...

January:

We rang in the New 2011 Year totally classy - in our pj's, of course! That was heavenly considering I was pushing 30 weeks pregnant. Funny thing is, I wore my pj's last night too. Huh.

Big year in the life of many of my friends - babies and engagements galore!

My beautiful baby shower held in Woodbury. 

February:

Valentines Day 2011 was spent eating fabulous food in the comfort of our own home.  I love a good candle lit dinner of steak, twice baked potato and salad. Mmmm.

We finished the nursery...finally. Many hours were dedicated to making this room as perfect as could be for our little one, and we were both so excited about the outcome!

What's it gonna be...a BOY or a GIRL?!

Coming home outfits were bought for both with eager anticipation.

37 week pregnancy pictures taken by John Deutsch...

Baby shower in Des Moines - also completely fabulous. I was one blessed mama to be!

Like I said, babies galore! It was so awesome to go through the experience with my sister and best friends. Now we'll all just have to strategically plan for the next ones!

JK

But that'd be fun.

March:

The month was spent resting, finishing up projects, cleaning out every drawer and closet, exercising and preparing for labor/deliver, and going to movies and out for dinner (while we still could). Then the day finally arrived...

Laboring at home...

Laboring at the hospital...

SHE HAS ARRIVED!

March 23rd, 2011, 7:17 pm

Gwendolyn Rebecca

8 lbs, 1 oz and 20" long

And yes, I do believe it's true...

"Heaven blew every trumpet and played every horn on the wonderful, marvelous night you were born."

(That book gets me every single time.)

April:

My sister's son, Wyatt, was born three weeks after Gwendolyn and we celebrated Easter in Omaha.

Little Miss at three weeks old.

"Hey guys."

May:

She often ended up in bed with us for her last morning feeding and then she and I would sleep for a bit longer. (Thank the good Lord.) This particular morning was my first Mother's Day. While I miss her being so small she can fit in a newborn sized green fleece swaddle, I don't miss waking up three to five times a night. One to two is so much better. Ha.

Someone started smiling...

Melted.my.heart.

The weather was beautiful and me and my sorority sisters took many a walk with our new babes.

June:

My brother's son, Nathan, was born. Our 7th nephew!

He certainly didn't get his head of beautiful hair from his big girl cousin.

I can't even begin to count how many naps we held her for. And I wouldn't have traded them for anything - no pile of laundry or homemade meal or clean bathroom was worth missing that.

Whether I liked it or not, my maternity leave soon came to an end and I returned to work part-time. This was her first day of daycare and I literally sprinted home to get my hands on her. She was so thrilled to see me, can't you tell? *smile.

I don't think a baby in a robe could NOT be adorable.

July:

Me and several classmates attempted to plan our 10-year high school reunion. We ended up with a simple picnic over the 4th of July due to "low response". All in all, I think it went well and I'm glad we planned something.

With babies...

Without babies.

Celebrating Independence Day with my family in America's Hometown.

Gotta love senior pictures.

Someone should have taught me how to tame all that hair.

First time at a beach swimmin.

Common sight around this place...

I watched Gwendolyn's friend, Ceci, a few times on random Tuesdays and Fridays for a couple months. They had fun playing together while it lasted and then I finally had to admit that while I want to be Super Woman, I am not and taking care of two babies was just a bit too much for me. We miss our Ceci time.

Cousins Grant and Brooke moved across town! Well it seems like that at least...35 minutes beats a half day travel time flying to Cincinnati!

August:

Our family vacation up north was filled with fishing, eating, games, building of sand castles and lots and lots of nursing.

Grandma and her newest babes.

The SUPER "SINCLAIR" SEVEN!

I met my bf Liz in Okoboji so we could each meet the newest additions to our families. Now she is a super woman.

Gwendolyn tried egg yolk mixed with breast milk as her first "solid" food.

Not a fan.

September:

Amanda married Chris near Des Moines.

I turned 29.

Daddy surprised us and took a Friday off work so we could go to our first apple orchard.

A certain someone turned SIX MONTHS OLD.

October:

We celebrated our 4 year anniversary with a hike in the beautiful Minnesota outdoors. Followed by a fabulous 6-course dinner along the river.

I photographed my first wedding in Omaha, NE. Sarah Belle Photos had quite the year!

We picked out the most non-traditional costume we could find at the second hand store in town. I added a pink bow. That you could barely even see. But it gave me an excuse to feel a little crafty.

November:

Auntie Trisha and Uncle John got engaged! She called to tell us all the details.

We found out Uncle Greg and Aunt Natalie are having a BOY in early April!

Thanksgiving 2011 - the day she started crawling.

And soon thereafter, started pulling herself up on just about everything.

December:

Gwendolyn was dedicated to the Lord at our church.

She met Santa for the first time and told him she wanted blocks and clothes for Christmas.

And sure enough, that's what she got! She was a very good girl.

Wow. Look at all of those memories. And this is just child #1! I can't even imagine what a year in pictures will look like when we have four and five kiddos running about this house.

Tom just fainted.

Oh, he'll be fine. I'll go get him some water.

Bottom line: God is good. He provides over and above what we need or deserve. He is gracious and kind to us, no matter what comes our way.

I pray many blessings on your 2012!

Happy New Year!