The Holidays

Christmas came and went in such a blur, but it was a good one for sure! We were as busy as can be...Christmas Eve with the extended family at my parents' house, Christmas Eve dinner across the street, Christmas breakfast back across the street, and Christmas dinner at Bart's. Whew! We loved seeing everyone and being able to pack it all in. My big Christmas fail was that I did not bring G to see the mall Santa Claus. Oh well. He would have cried anyway.

The next generation. All of my cousins' kids.

Santa-dad

Cutest pouty lips.

Playing with his new toys from Dawn.

Cousins on Christmas morning.

Best dad ever.

Somebody ate food on Christmas morning!

Maycee & G

Santa delivering gifts to the cousins on Christmas morning.

Before the big day, Dylan had been traveling a lot. And afterward, too. The timing lined up just perfectly with me being busy with inventory at my work, which had me tied up for this past weekend. It was crazy 'round here. I was doing lots of sleepless nights followed by early mornings followed by afternoons alone with the little man, and it caught up to me in a big way.

I haven't been to the gym in almost two weeks. I can count on one hand the number of proper meals I've eaten in the second half of December (including Christmas). I've left my son with four different people over five days this past week. I blew my hair dry on Christmas Eve, which was the only time that happened in the weeks before and after that day. I haven't met up with friends for dinner in weeks. The blog has been neglected. I've lost weight, which normally I wouldn't complain about, but it's only because I've been too distracted to eat any real food, and also I had the stomach flu. Not exactly what you'd call taking good care of yourself.

Speaking of the stomach flu, I barfed on Friday night into Saturday morning and battled with a fever. When I got up to change Gavin's diaper and it took every ounce of energy I could muster up, I knew I had to call my mom to take over. I'm so lucky that she made it out here quickly to take the baby. I called in sick to work, slept for a couple of hours, then decided I was doing okay and took back my sick call and went on in. Now that that's over, I have a cough and cold. I'm exhausted to a point that I never knew existed. I have officially run myself ragged.

But with all this complaining that I have to do, I know that nothing is that bad. In fact, life is really good. And when things slow down after the New Year, it will be even better. Dylan made it home last night, and his parents arrived in town the night before to hang with Baby G while I worked yesterday. Dylan woke up early with the baby this morning and put him back to sleep, and now I am taking the first moment I've had to myself in at least a century to write. We have big plans for tonight, and I'm hoping to squeeze in a nap some time today, as I've been keeling over at around 7:30 lately, and I really would like to make it to midnight tonight.

Traditionally, I've done a long year in review post at this time. This year, though, I think I'll hold out. The entire year was consumed with being pregnant and having a baby. We traveled a few places, but nothing too far or exotic. We did some fun things and good times were had. But really, what else is there to say about the year when your firstborn arrived other than that it was the best year ever? I'm regretfully a bit superstitious and have never been a fan of the number 13, but I think the year 2013 has changed that for good. A new baby, a new perspective on life, and a new use of those energy stores I created from all those sound nights of sleep leading up to this year. And I have a feeling things are only going to get better.

And as far as New Year's resolutions? Please don't make me think that hard. I suppose I'll say something similar to what I've said in years past. Just be a better person. Be nice for the sake of being nice. Be less selfish and more giving of myself without any strings attached.

I welcome 2014 with open arms, and I cannot wait to see what this year has in store for our family. Best wishes to all for a happy New Year. Be safe, have fun, and let the good times roll.