So Happy Together: Year in Review

As 2011 winds down I thought it might be fun to do a "Year in Review" blog post. A few friends have done this on their blogs and I thought it was a neat idea. Of course many of the highlights I'll share will probably be review for those who have read our previous posts, but it is still fun to look back. Speaking of previous posts, I need to blog more in the new year, I hope to try to blog with updates on our little family at least twice a month.

So, let's look back at 2011...

January

In January Ainsley turned 6 months old and was almost 16 pounds. We were still going to the doctor at least once a month for weight & development check ups along with her synagis shots to help combat RSV is she did get it. Her favorite activities were babbling, squealing, tummy time, and chewing on her hands.

February

In February Ainsley got her first little cold and we were pretty worried about it. Thankfully, her body did a great job of fighting off the germs and she got well quickly. Speaking of germs in February we were well into flu season and so that meant staying at home for us. It was challenging to be so isolated, but we both felt that given our pediatricians advice and all the stories we heard in the NICU of preemies ending up in the PICU due to RSV or other respiratory infections it just made sense. Our little girl had worked so hard to grow and developing, spending two months in the NICU, that we didn't want to end up in the hospital again. We are so grateful to our friends and family for their understanding and support of Ainsley's needs during this time.

Thankfully, there were some breaks in the wet, Oregon spring that allowed us to get out and go for a few walks. This was very important to my sanity when it felt like the four walls were closing in on us.

March

Ainsley's biggest developmental milestone this month was eating solid foods. She was not too sure about this at the beginning. The picture below shows her first reaction to carrots. This quickly changed and she began to enjoy eating. Some of her favorites early on were sweet potatoes and pears.

We also took Ainsley on her first big overnight outing this month. We spent a couple nights in a cabin at Metolius with my parents. It was wonderful to get out of the house and feel a little bit "normal".

April

Once April hit it was like we could see the light at the end of the tunnel - cold/flu season was coming to an end. We had set May as the month we would begin to spend time with the "unwashed public". =) This was also the last month that Ainsley had to get a synagis shot which was another milestone, we were (and are) so thankful that she was healthy throughout the winter and spring.

We also had Ainsley's first developmental follow-up appointment this month. It was very affirming to meet with her former neonatologist from the NICU, Dr. Cohen, and the Occupational Therapist and hear that Ainsley was progressing along nicely and that they did not see any developmental issues that would require extra support.

In development news Ainsley had two teeth coming in and was beginning to sit up on her own.

May

Freedom!! Yay, the long winter was over and we could share our daughter with the world and share the world with our daughter. As you might remember this was an anxious transition for us to make. It was hard to not be anxious about germs and illness. We did our best to remember she was a healthy baby and no longer that fragile NICU baby. Ainsley's first big outing was to a fantastic local coffee shop, the Ikebox. We were simply stopping by to grab a couple of coffees for a walk at Riverfront Park, but this was a huge step for us. It was incredibly special to see a few friendly faces that day as we walked in (Mark, Tiffany, & Tieryn, I remember specifically). I remember fondly how sensitive they were to our anxiety and how they carefully came over to say hello, not wanting to overwhelm us, but wanting to let us know they cared. Gosh, I know I say it a lot, but I am blown away by how awesome our friends were during this challenging time - well really all our lives, but especially after Ainsley was born. I really feel like I can't explain how important and amazing the community of love and support was...

Anyway, we were fairly busy with fun outings in May. We enjoyed a trip to Bend for Brandon's cousin's wedding and to see our friends JP & Elizabeth's new adorable baby Elianna. We also attended a going away party for one of our favorite NICU nurses, Karen Korte. It was a treat to spend time with her and see several other NICU staff while we were there.

On the developmental side, Ainsley was still enjoying more and more solid foods and scooting around on the floor.

June

Out and about would be the theme for June. This month included gardening with Grammy & Grandpopz, swimming lessons, trips to the park, and a weekend at the beach.

We enjoyed our new normal by signing Ainsley up for swimming lessons. It was a blast to enjoy the water with her and do something with other parents and kids. Ainsley had a great time splashing and kicking - it was cool to watch her learn to go under and glide (with mom or dad's help of course).

We also had a special trip to the beach for the weekend with Grandma Sherry & Auntie Cassie. Of course there was a lot of rain, but we got a few sun breaks to walk on the beach.

This month Ainsley began to army crawl and she could move pretty quick. She loved her new found mobility and was very motivated to crawl towards Buddy or any electronic device..

July

I titled my blog post for July "Celebrations" and as I think back that sums it up pretty well. It was delightful to celebrate all that Ainsley had accomplished in the past year and think about how far she had come in a year. We celebrated in two ways, one we partied at the beach for the Fourth of July weekend with life long friends and two we had a birthday bash for Ainsley at Grandma Sherry's house.

The beach trip has been a tradition for at least 5 years and we had to miss out last year because of Ainsley's early arrival. Our annual Fourth of July weekend trip is something we look forward to all year and it was especially fun to introduce Ainsley to this awesome tradition.

On the weekend following the Fourth of July we had a birthday party for Ainsley and invited our friends and family as a way to say thank you for all the ways you had supported & encouraged us this past year. Grandma Sherry was gracious enough to host and Cousin Anna made a truly spectacular cake! Thank to those of you that were able to come and help us celebrate and those that sent birthday wishes from far away.

Two other highlights of the month we setting up our pool in the backyard and cousin Keegan coming from Alaska to visit.

August

We enjoyed another fun filled month in August. The highlights included visiting with Great Grandma & Grandpa Bearden and Great Grandma Miller in Seattle, Ainsley first trip to the Oregon State Fair - including her first ice cream cone, attending the NICU reunion, meeting up with several long time friends that live far away (Fischer-Moores, Cleggs, & the Chavez families), trips to the park and the Oregon Garden.

September

In September Ainsley began to develop more communication skills by babbling, chatting (specific favorite words were dis = this, but = button, & gock = clock), and pointing. It was so fun to see even more of her personality come out and her curiosity grow about the world around her.

One highlight this month was Ainsley's first camping trip. We camped along the Metolius River for Labor Day Weekend with Grammy, Grandpopz, Auntie April, & Uncle Scott. The weather was very hot during the day and chilly at night. We enjoyed hiking and sitting around the campfire.

Another September adventure was a weekend at D Lake with the Austin family. Ainsley had a blast playing on the dock with her cousins Stella & Corbin and a fun time exploring the beach. We were thankful for the sunny (but very windy) weather.

We also took advantage of the nice fall weather to take several trips to the Salem Farmers Market & plenty of parks.

On another note, Brandon began his new job at ARRIS in Beaverton. He is enjoying the change and learning new things. We are so proud of him!

Hiking at Metolius over Labor Day Weekend

Farmers Market

Crawling around at the Capitol

D Lake fun with Auntie Cassie

Checking out the fish that cousin Corbin caught

Beach fun

So thrilled to spend time with cousin Stella!

October

We started off October by heading to the Pumpkin Patch with our friends the Olsons. Ainsley and Madelyn had a terrific time hunting for pumpkins, cruising on the hayride, and checking out the animals in the petting zoo.

October still gave us some sunny days and even though it was chilly we still enjoyed going for a walk and playing at the park.

Developmentally this month Ainsley is crawling quickly and beginning to stand up on her own for longer and longer periods of time. She also loves to make a surprised face. She especially loves to do this if people do it back or laugh - she is quite the ham!

The cutest pumpkins in the patch!

Pumpkin hunting

Ainsley crawling on Buddy

Ainsley's new favorite face to make, especially if people laugh.

She loves books - reading with Daddy

In her chicken costume for Halloween

Fun with Daddy at the park

At the park

Chilly walk

Playing in the leaves

Standing on her own!

November

We celebrated Thanksgiving with family at our house. Ainsley had a great time playing with everyone. Her favorite food was Grandpopz's cinnamon rolls!

We also had friends over the Saturday after Thanksgiving for brunch - Ainsley and Madelyn had a terrific time playing together.

That same weekend we went to Palmer's Tree Farm to get our Christmas Tree. Ainsley really enjoyed walking around the farm in her boots and touching the trees.

She loves to sit by herself and "read" her books.

Convincing Auntie Cassie to share her cinnamon roll.

Cuddle time with Grandpopz

Ready for Thanksgiving dinner with her turkey bib.

Thrilled to be wearing Auntie April's boots!

Playing with Madelyn after brunch.

Hanging out with Daddy.

Selecting the perfect tree

Tree hunting

December

This month Ainsley started walking on her own - yahoo! She is walking more and more, but still prefers to crawl. We think because it is faster and easier for her at this point.

We really enjoyed celebrating Christmas this year. We attended the Willamette Tree Lighting with friends, decorated our own tree, hung up Christmas lights on the house, partied with friends at the Olson's house for our annual Christmas shindig, spent time with the Kahler family on Christmas Eve, opened presents as a family of three of Christmas morning, and enjoyed the Christmas afternoon/evening with the Beardens. It was really special to experience Christmas with Ainsley - she was of course much more aware of all that was happening this year. Her favorite thing was the Christmas Tree, she loved looking at it and saying "Ohhh!" while pointing at the lights or a specific ornament. She also began to get the hang of opening presents and started to enjoy it.

Another celebration this month was Auntie Cassie's 16th birthday. We had a great time with the Austins, Schmidtkes, & Fadenrechts at Olive Garden.

We also took a trip to the coast to celebrate our 10th Anniversary. It was a neat several days and we even got some beautiful sunny weather. Our favorite parts included: walking on the beach, eating at Wildflower & Kyllos, relaxing in the hot tub, and feeding the seagull that visited our deck each day.