2013 in review.

My heart is flooded with emotions when I think back on 2013. What a year it is been. I think it is safe to say the biggest surprise was our little Greta. While I had hoped we would keep the kids coming, I never anticipated that it would have happened so fast. I cant believe I put in another 9 months of being pregnant, and then had a baby girl. I was prepared for a boy, but am so thrilled with a girl. She is so sweet. I was anxious about having them so close in age, but as I reflect on life since Greta's arrival, I realize we are doing it. We are 8 weeks in (today) and loving life with two kids.

Sullivan had a year of firsts; firsts steps, first words, first ice cream, first melt down, you get the point. It is safe to say he melts both of our hearts. He has come around to having a sister, offering her a blanket whenever she cries, but then trying to pull it out from under her when she sleeps. He runs around this house while yelling and giggling. When I think of him I instantly think of his expressive little eyes. I cant believe the joy he brings to both Dave and I.

Moving homes took the place of traveling this year, although we did manage to get a couple of trips in. Leaving our little house on 6th Avenue was very bittersweet. We have so many great memories there, but we both agreed it was time to move on. The move into our new home couldn't have come at a better time. It is great to stretch out and enjoy the extra space. We feel so good in our new home and look forward to the memories we will create here. 

We are so grateful for friends, family, and each other. We are lucky to have one another and are reminded to hold each other close. We are looking forward to new beginnings, new firsts, and more of each other in 2014. 

Smiles for daddy. 

Sweet Sully.

Sully and daddy playing in the snow.

Greta 8 weeks and Sullivan 19 months. 

Greta girl gets baptized.

Greta was baptized yesterday at Westminster Presbyterian with Pastor Val presiding. It was a cold day with a high of -3, so needless to say, the congregation was about half full. As always, Val's sermon was touching, it focused on the need to celebrate and protect our children. Just as she started, Greta gave a quick cry and Val said, "yes Greta, we are talking about you." The congregation loved it. Sullivan was busy, he stood with us at the front during the ceremony, chomping on gummies and begging to splash in the baptismal waters. What a character.

Great wore a baptism gown which my mom had made for my sister Liz when she was baptized. It was about 4 feet long and the detail was amazing. It is great to be able to use an heirloom for this type of occasion. I know that when we tell Greta about her baptism when she is a little girl, she will love to hear all about it and see photos of herself in this adorable little number.

We chose Lauren and Elliot as Greta's sponsors. They were so flattered. They will be excellent role models for our kids. We have no doubt that they will have a constant presence in both Greta and Sullivan's life.

We had brunch here following the service which was really nice. There were about 20 of us. We had plenty of food and a fire in the fireplace. This house is so perfect for us, we love it more and more everyday.

Greta's gown.

Sullivan gets a quick feel. 

Greta with her Godparents. 

Jesus loves Greta. 

Christmas 2013

Christmas this year was great. Sully is almost the right age to love opening gifts. He had some practice at the Connelly Christmas party, so by the end of it, he loved unwrapping things. 

On Christmas Eve morning Dave went to the cemetery with his nieces and nephews and Sully to honor his sister Julie. This year marked the 10th anniversary of her death. Dave said they had a really meaningful gathering, which was very special to him. Grandma Helen, Greta and I joined them here for  a light lunch and a few gifts after the cemetery. Dave and I then took the kids to church at 5:30 which was entertaining as there was no nursery for Sully. We spent the entire service in the back, one parent with each kid. Oh well, it was still nice to be there. After that we went to a small gathering at my brother's house. It was a full, but good day.

Everyone slept in on Christmas morning thanks to a late night the night before. Dave and I were both excited for Sully to get up to see what Santa had brought him. Sully didn't let us down. He loved opening all of the gifts. We had lunch here and prepped for Dave's family to come over on Christmas night. We all enjoyed good food, wine, a roaring fire in the fireplace, and a game. 

I put a little extra love, care and effort in to all of my planning this year. With the pain of the loss of Dave Winters and Julie, I find it necessary to focus on the great people in my life. We are lucky to be surrounded by family and friends, so it is important to me to make them feel extra special when they are in my presence. 

Christmas Eve, Greta is over it :).

Sharing his new car with his little sister. 

Helping mama clean the potatoes. 

Christmas dessert made by daddy and Sully. 

Having fun with Christmas toys. 

Greta joined in, too.  

Sweet Greta.

Greta, 7 weeks. Sully, almost 19 months. 

St. Louis

Greta and I went to St. Louis the week before Christmas. We stayed with Stacy and her kids and had a really nice stay. It was so good to see her in her surroundings and to know she is doing ok. It was also nice to get know her kids on a more personal level. I wish I could do that with each of my friends spontaneously rather than do it because of a tragedy.

Our days were filled mostly with chatting, some laughing, some tears, and a ton of food. There is no shortage of people sending food love her way. Between meals, muffins, and Christmas goodies, I think I was always full. We spent some time at her parents' house. Her mom is so accommodating, and has just wrapped Stacy and the kids up in a huge hug 100% of the time. We stopped over there for lunch one afternoon and when we were finished, her mom walked Greta and I downstairs and tucked us in for a nap. It is amazing to be told to take a nap. It is really incredible how her mom, dad, and brothers have stepped to take care of her. Wether it is reading to the kids, babysitting, laundry, yard care, Christmas light hanging, you name it, they are covering it.

Dave stayed home with Sully and they had a difficult few days. Sullivan came down with the stomach flu, which actually hung around for 4+ long days. Dave's hopes of outings and the fitness center were completely dashed because of it. Sullivan was so unconsolable after his nap on Friday afternoon that Dave actually took him into the ER in fear something worse was going on. Fortunately, Sully perked up upon their arrival, so after a couple of easy tests they were discharged. Dave gets the 'dad of the year' award for allowing me to be there for Stacy with no hesitation.

My frequent flier, relaxing on the plane. 

Tommy and Greta.

Sam babysitting for Greta.

Sam and Greta.

The three kiddos.

Meanwhile, back in Sioux Falls...

Connelly family Christmas

We celebrated Christmas yesterday with my family as the Olivers will be in AZ this year over the actual day. We changed it up a bit and did a brunch/lunch rather than an evening event. It was really nice. The kids had a great time playing with their new toys, Sullivan almost got the concept, and Greta slept through the whole thing. We were also able to take a family photo this year, which turned out great. Hard to believe there are 20 of us.

Greta Girl. 

Grandma Banana and Sophia .

Uncle Al and Greta. 

Sully and Daddy (don't worry, Sully got a
haircut today ;).

Sully 

Isaac helping Sully with his gift. 

Owen and Hudson.

Anna and Mandy. 

Grandma and Greta. 

Grandpa and Cappy. 

Dave, Greta, Matt, Suzie, Sully, Liz, Shelley, Sam, Maggie, Jeff,
Sophia, Owen, Mandy, Alex, Mary, Cappy, Isaac, Hudson, Paul, and Anna.
Christmas 2013

Sullivan's shenanigans.

Sullivan is 100% eighteen months old. He runs, he yells, he grunts, he whines, he throws tantrums, and he is sweet while doing all of the above. I'm not sure if its his age or the fact that he is now sharing the spotlight (I'm sure its the combination of the two), but he is a little wild child. He still has very few words, so most of his communication is through grunting, which actually works pretty well. We are able to get through an average day with only a few minor melt downs. He has mostly ignored Greta now that he knows she is here to stay. Dave and I are completely wrapped around his little finger.

Chasing bugs. 

Crayons dropped on the radiator = wax creation
on the carpet. 

Skipping his nap. 

Playing with the loudest toys in the house while Greta naps. 

Pulling on Kenzie's ears. Poor pup. 

Soaking wet after playing in Kenzie's water bowl. 

Loving on Greta. 

Greta girl.

Greta is already one month old. I cannot believe how quickly it has gone. I remember the anxiety I had as we were packing up at the hospital wondering how I was going to manage at home. I'm happy to report that I am doing it, we are already one month in and we kind of have a rhythm. We have even had a couple of outings and have survived with minimal tears and issues. I will admit that things like laundry and cooking have taken a major hit. Fortunately we have had a ton of meals from family and friends which has been so great.

Greta is connecting with us more and more. She responds to noises, makes good eye contact, and is starting to eat on a pretty regular basis (about every three hours). She has a fussy period in the evenings from about 9-11 which can be frustrating, but Sully was the same way. Fortunately, it will pass, just a matter of being patient while she figures things out. When she does go down for the night, she is pretty good about eating and going right back to sleep shortly after. I had a custom paper rosette piece made for her wall. I came across the idea on Instagram and knew it would be just the feminine touch her room needed. I'm really excited about it and included a photo below.

Sully is silly, and even a bit naughty at times. He loves to throw things at Greta and pull on Kenzie's ears. Little stinker. We are trying to teach him what time out is, but every time I tell him to put his nose to the wall, he looks for me and giggles. It seems more like game at this point. Too bad he is so cute, that makes it awfully hard to follow through with discipline ;). We will keep at it.

Greta girl, one month old. 

Sully (needs a haircut :)). 

Sweet girl. 

Greta's custom room decor. 

Sully, patiently waiting for cookies. 

Sully and Greta. 

Tis the season.

The Holidays are officially upon us. We have started Christmas shopping, the tree is up, Sullivan is wild, and Greta is chill. Dave and I often talk about how much fun next Christmas will be with two toddlers running around. It is going to be amazing.

But then my thoughts are flooded with images of my dear best friend Stacy. I am still struggling to make sense of it all. The tears are still coming daily, sometime several times a day. I am mourning the loss of Dave, but also a sort of loss, or maybe absence is a better word, of my best friend. She is grieving and mourning in a way I cannot imagine. I catch myself selfishly wishing I could have a 'normal' conversation with her, although I'm prepared that that may not happen for months. But I can honestly say that I miss her. I want to call her with news and gossip, but in the scheme of things, I think of how irrelevant the news and gossip actually is. I have never been a big church goer, but find myself really wanting and needing to go, and when I am there, I fight tears for most of the service. I wonder why her? What is the reason behind all of this? Why does it have to be permanent? I find comfort in conversing with my friends, sister, and Dave who also have the same questions, and who are available to cry with me whenever its needed. I am still struggling with the fact that I cannot physically be there for Stacy. I am desperate for any sort of communication from her. I get messages from her, although they are brief, they are regular. I hang on these messages, they may be as simple as "Thanks, Suz," but I read it over and over and then wonder where she is right then, how she is doing, and how in the hell is she coping with this nightmare. I wonder how the kids are and how she comforts them when they ask for Daddy. I wonder how her pregnancy is going, she is 26 weeks today. How can she not see and touch the bulge of her pregnant belly, or feel the baby move and not break down into tears?

I am so thankful for my family, but am also conscious of those who are in pain this Christmas season.

Life is so fragile

Thanksgiving, an eighteen month old, and a three week old.

This last week has been crazy busy, between Thanksgiving, Dave's first call shift post Greta, and a couple of other get togethers, it has been hard to keep up. My heart is so heavy for Stacy. I find myself sitting in bed after my middle of the night nursing sessions fighting to keep the tears back. I am just so sad for her. Greta and I have our trip booked and are looking forward to getting back to St Louis in a couple of weeks.

My sister hosted a smaller Thanksgiving this year, which was actually really nice. It was great to have a more manageable number. Dave was on Heart Hospital call so we were home relatively early, something we are doing more and more often these days.

Greta turned three weeks old on Tuesday and we are starting to see a lot more alertness out of her. It is great to make eye contact and to have her awake a little more frequently throughout the day. Her looks have already changed so much. She is such a lover, I could snuggle her all day. She gave me the gift of a five hour sleep stretch last night, it was pretty amazing.

Sully is busy. He is so funny. He truly lights up our days. There are definite challenges as he still has very few words, but his goofiness makes up for it. He loves to run from room to room yelling and talking in a language only he knows. He is discovering crayons, loves cars and trucks, loves to sort things and is also into stacking things. He is definitely all boy. We put up the Christmas Tree this week, and he is obsessed with pointing at each color of light. I see lots of fun in our future.

Greta, three weeks old.  

Greta's first Thanksgiving. 

Tummy time. 

Silly Sully. 

Sully, all bundled up.

Tubby time with two.