GoodBye, 2010!

Wow....what an amazing year! I must admit....I'm a little sad to see it go. 2010 will forever be known as the year I became a mommy and Brian became a daddy. 2010 was the year that changed how I will look at the world forever. 2010 was the year that taught me that life is right where it needs to be, even if it feels impossibly hard. I'm finally right where I should be... madly, deeply, in love with my family. So amazingly blessed....words could never describe.

January

February

March

April

May


June


July


August


September


October


November


December

Christmas 2010

What a whirlwind! But, here's a few high-lights.... Who needs to go see Little Fockers when you have the Little Parkers?!?!

Cooper and Carter opening their gift

Sara and mommy

hmmm....not to sure what to think!

family picture time!

Brian and Dawson

Brian and Sara

Clareesa and her books

Paul, Adrienne, Sara, and Brian (taking after Grandma Maria!)

Sara checking out her Santa gift...a laugh and learn table

Opening gifts wore Sara out!

Clothes for Sara!

Evan is excited about Space Books!

That's how I roll....

We finally caught our elusive roller on film. She's rolling from tummy to back and back to tummy....haven't caught the back to tummy on film yet....but, we will!

Letters to Sara: 5 months

Dear Sara~

It's Christmas Eve and you are 5 months old today! You are full of life and personality and are really developing into a little person. You are such a happy baby - as long as you have a full tummy and aren't over tired, you are content to just hang out and check out the world around you.

We love you so much, Little Mama. I love to snuggle and cuddle and I love when you fall asleep in my arms. I love your fat baby legs and your chubber cheeks. I love your sweet baby smell and your fuzzy little head. I'm so blessed to be your mommy, Sara!

What you are doing this month:
You roll over now! From tummy to back and from back to tummy. You don't do it regularly yet, but daddy and I have both witnessed quite a few rolls. You are mesmerized by your hands and getting toys into your mouth. You have perfected grabbing things - you're a sure shot every time. You love Sophie the Giraffe. You love spending time on your play mat. You play, and kick, and grab, and pull, and squeal with delight until you wear yourself out and fall asleep. You are content to sleep anywhere, so we let you sleep.

You are starting to tripod pretty regularly, but it usually only lasts a few seconds before you are toppling over one way or the other. If I help you balance, you can stay up for quite a long time. When you are sleepy, you have started rubbing your face into the crook of my neck. It's the sweetest thing ever.

Later today, we will celebrate Christmas Eve with family and friends. You will be surrounded by people who love you. Your cousins will be running around, bursting with excitement about opening presents, holiday decorations, Christmas music playing, the phone ringing to spread wishes of good cheer -- total chaos! This is the chaos your daddy and I have been waiting years to be a part of....no longer observers of this wonder love, but true participants! We have a family, we have a sweet, healthy little girl who is about to celebrate her first Christmas. I have never felt so grateful, lucky, and happy in my whole life.

Happy 5 months, baby girl!

Love you forever,

your mommy

Sara at 1 month:

Sara at 2 months:



Sara at 3 months:



Sara at 4 months:



Sara at 5 months:

Quick Sara Update

Sara started Day Care at the end of November. It was a much harder adjustment for mommy and daddy than it was for Sara! Brian and I took her for about 1 hour on her first day. We left her classroom hand and hand, saying to each other that it's weird leaving without her. I had visited several times after she was born and felt really comfortable with everything. But, leaving her there, was a totally different thing! She is happily eating and sleeping well while there, which is endorsement enough for us! She's the youngest baby there, so needless to say, she's getting a lot of attention. Her teachers keep commenting on what an easy, mellow baby she is. They have gotten to know her serious side, and love to make her smile.

Really, I get to go back to school?!?!

At Sara's 4 month check-up, she was tipping the scales at 16lbs. 2 oz and was measuring 25.5 inches long.

Gosh, we love this girl!

Naked girl after a bath.

yeah, man....I grew hair!

Look who's starting to tripod!