Lists

I miss reading. Scratch that. I read a lot, but I miss reading literature suited for adults. And I miss being able to read for long periods of time... in the middle of the day... on a beach. Okay okay, I'm getting greedy now, but it's hard fit in any reading these days with a job and a toddler running full steam ahead. At the end of the day when I crawl into bed, I eagerly open my kindle, but I usually give into the heavy eyelids and drift off to sleep hoping that tomorrow might be different and I might have enough energy to get to the next chapter. I belong to a book club. I use the word "belong" very loosely in the last sentence, because in the past 18 months I attended book club twice. I think I should say this: there is a book club with amazing women who are smart, beautiful, and funny and they talk about books, drink wine, and laugh for a few hours on a Thursday night once a month. I used to go and I need to go back to that book club. This need is on my 2013 list.

Yes, yes, I'm one of those that has a list, but don't we all? We may not actually take pen to paper with these lists, but we all have them. Running marathons, writing books, reading books, losing the last 10 pounds, save for retirement, be a better person, go to culinary school, have a better relationship with your parents... all those "what I want to accomplish before it's too late things". And so, sandwiched between my Trader Joe's and Costco lists on my iphone is my 2013 list. I can't share it in its entirety with you, but it's a good list. A list that I can accomplish or I am hoping I can. In no particular order is:

- Run another half marathon and/or The 5/3 River Bank Run
- Go to Book Club More (see! on my list)
- Write more. Blog, write letters to Henry, to my future self, a book, anything other than legal writing.
- Learn how to use my DSLR camera Ryan got me for my birthday. (In non-auto settings!)
- Take a vacation with my husband (we haven't been on vacation alone since our honeymoon. We're due)
- And to follow up with the vacation is to go on a date night 1x/month (Mom, Mother-in-law, Aunt Lindsey, are you reading this? We need babysitters!!)
- More patience. It seems simple, but not so simple for a Type-A personality who likes things just so. If you notice I put "more patience", I added the more because I think I have patience, I just need a little more. But who doesn't.
- And then there are a few more items that I will leave off, because, well, you don't need to know everything.

The great thing about lists -- you can add to them and crossing things off is fun and motivating.  And so, today, I'm knocking off a few things on my list. I ran 5 miles on the treadmill, I'm writing a blog, and I'm about to download the next book for book club that I will try really hard to attend later this month. Oh, and tomorrow? Henry is going to Grandma and Grandpa's so Ryan and I can have a day for us. Another list item. 2013 is off to a great start!

And because I'm a proud Mama-here are a few photos from yesterday

I asked Henry what was on his shirt and he started making airplane sounds :) 

Oh, and Mr. Rosy Cheeks here? Getting his 12th tooth right now. 6 teeth in the past 8 weeks!

And we headed out in the snow yesterday for some fresh air... I also used the outdoor non-auto setting for this photo. Yep, another list item :) 

Lots of love and list-making,

Mama Beach

Holiday.... Celebrate....

The Christmas tree is finally down, our house has been reclaimed, yet is now storing a few more items that we acquired this holiday season. We had a great Christmas, but it started out a bit rough as Henry came down with a cold that turned into a double ear infection and RSV (nasty respiratory virus.)  When Henry's fever was finally gone, and his runny nose was getting under control, we headed to Grandma and Grandpa Beach's house for Christmas Eve and enjoyed the entire day there. Henry arrived in his pjs, enjoyed blueberry waffles and then opened gifts. We had a great day with Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Lindsey. We loaded our sleigh and went home, put Henry to bed on Christmas eve, set the scene for Christmas morning and went to bed with smiles on our face, ready to enjoy Christmas morning at our house! Henry's face was pure joy when he walked into the living room and saw the tower of blocks Daddy had built, his new dump truck, new puzzles and his Christmas tree all lit up.  After a yummy breakfast, we packed up and headed to the west side of the mitten for Christmas #3 with the Sobczak family. More gifts, more hugs, more celebration, and lots of fun. The Christmas tree may be down, but we are still enjoying the spirit of Christmas at our house. We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday filled with love and light!

A few pics to start off the new year... 

LOVED the Christmas tree!

Lion chair from Aunt Lindsey!

New pjs, new slippers, and we read Henry's new book "Llama llama red pajama."

Mommy and Henry Christmas morning

Daddy helping open a new gift

Taking it all in...

Enjoying Christmas morning in his pjs and slippers

Grandma Sobczak's house: Henry's new kitchen -- checking it out!

"Hmmmm, what should I cook today?"

"Awesome, Thanks Grandma Sobczak!"

Baby from Aunt Katie

Henry in Momma's rocking chair from when she was a baby

Family Photo take 1

A little better, take 2

Momma and Henry -- end of Christmas day and Christmas #3... a little tuckered out!

Grandma, Aunt Katie, and Henry cooking up a storm

"What would you like, Momma?"

Henry's first time playing in the snow! Loved it -- so did Charlie!

Henry and Grandma

Making tracks... 

Happy New Year!!

Love,

The Beach Family