The End of 2011

As 2011 comes to a close, and before we welcome 2012, I thought I would take a moment to remember and reflect upon the year.

On the first day of 2011 we lost Grandma Forgacs after her battle with cervical cancer. Shyla was just a year and a half, I’m not sure that she remembers her but she recognizes and can identify her in pictures.

Three months later, on March 25th, Kirsten and Jim welcomed their twin girls: Sophia Rose and Simone Patricia. We didn’t get to meet them until the end of May, but have seen them a few times since and hope that all the cousins get to know each other well and grow up together.

After suffering with a gall stone that I thought was labor and gestational diabetes (with subsequent finger pricks and insulin shots), Stevie, Shyla and I welcomed Harper Ann on July 15th. Our family went from three to four seemlessly and we all fell instantly in love with our beautiful, happy, easy-going little girl. There is nothing better than watching Shyla and Harper play together and nothing better than hearing them laugh together.

One month later, in mid-August, I was granted a leave of absence from work which extended my leave an extra 12 weeks. I became a domestic goddess and I loved every minute. I wish I didn’t have to work at all, but I also feel very fortunate to have gotten the extra time.

We took a few road trips as a family-of-four. In September we went to Pinetop to visit with Grandma Barbara and Grandpa Pop on their way back from Michigan. November found us in Coronado for family time and a half-marathon and then we hit Vegas in December for a night-time half!

Although I am quite certain I will be awake at midnight tonight as the ball drops, I can also say with 100% certainty that I will not be partying and if I am kissing anybody it will be Harper. But here’s to 2012! I’m sure it will be a fantastic one!