Review of 2011 and Hopes for 2012

What started out as a note on Facebook in December 2009, turned into a blog post in December 2010 and now another in December 2011. This is what I wrote last year:

Hopes for 2011 (random)

• lose weight   (I am torn on this one. In January of this year I did P90X and ended up losing 20 pounds and like 30 inches. So I did accomplish this goal.....at first...however...I have since gained that 20 pounds back...and them some)

• keep my teaching job for next school year (SCORE! This is still the case)

• get pregnant (Cha-ching!!!)
• keep working on becoming better situated financially (I would say that this goal was met also)
• healthy family members and friends (My Bogo has been having some health issues lately, but overall, everyone has been in good health. R.I.P. Martha Furgason and Ethel.)
• good tax return so mike and I can go on vacation with my parents (I don't remember if the tax return was good- but we did go on vacation with them)
• mini-vacation with just michael and me (This one did not happen. :( I think it usually boils down to not knowing what to do with Ella.)
• my co-workers have healthy baby boys (Yay! They all did.)

Hopes for 2012: (random order)

• Healthy and safe delivery for me and Caleb
• Caleb has a healthy first year of life
• Mike and I form a cohesive parenting unit and are able to maintain our healthy marriage through the struggles of learning to be parents
• Continue to manage successful graduate work
• Vacation with my whole family
• Get back to pre-pregnancy weight before summer
• Brother continues to find happiness and love with my best friend <3
• Visit Grandma on the farm this summer so she can meet Caleb
• Healthy year of learning and growing for Aubrey, Rayleigh and Andrew.

2012 has soooooo much to look forward to. :) I am eager to welcome it!

Caleb: You are almost here!

Dear Caleb Ethan Keller,

I cannot believe we are a month away from your due date. As I get further and further along in my pregnancy and closer and closer to meeting you, I have so many thoughts and emotions running through me. I am so excited to hold you and love on you. Honestly, I am nervous about long term effects of parenting you. I just want your daddy and me to do a good job raising you and that we can all have a loving, supporting relationship.

I am not looking forward to the first time you get a scrape or a bruise, or the first time some jerk kid bullies you or some stupid girl breaks your heart. I am looking forward to the first time you call me mommy, hearing you tell me you love me and going to school or sporting events to support you in whatever you need from me.

I can't wait for bath time rituals, bed time stories and singing and dancing in the living room.
I can't wait for you to bond with your cousins, grandparents and aunts and uncles.
I can't wait to start holiday traditions, go on walks and swim in Mimi's pool.

As the weeks come to a close, I find myself thinking about a million different things:
-What will you look like?
-How big will you be?
-Will your age correlate with your clothing size?
-Will you like to cuddle?
-Will you sleep in your crib or will you want the swing?
-Will you transition to bottles so daddy can help feed you?

I also can't help but wonder:
-When will you come?
-Will my delivery go smoothly?
-Will I have to endure an ungodly amount of pain?
-Will I even be able to relax enough to do it?
-What will my recovery be like?
-How will Ella respond to you?

I just can't wait to meet you. I don't want to go through delivery, but I know that the end result will be worth it! :) Even though you need more "baking" time, your daddy and I are ready for you. We have the swing assembled, room ready, almost everything washed, pediatrician picked, preparations for my substitute, hospital bag mostly packed and the car seat installed. 

Your dad and I talked tonight about how we just have this feeling that we are only a few weeks away. I have had people suggest that I just expect to be late so I won't be disappointed....and I really tried...but I just feel like you will be born in January 2012. You're "due date" is the 31st...and I don't want to be induced--but I really think you will be here before February.

Regardless of when YOU decide that you're ready to meet us, just know that your daddy and I are extremely excited and eager to meet you. You should probably hold off a few more weeks, but I will be ready to greet you with love and kisses whenever you're ready. :)

Love,
Mommy    (((so weird to call myself that!!))   :)